 GREAT COMMISION

Matthew 28:19-20 contains what has come to be called the Great

Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am
with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus gave this command to
the apostles shortly before He ascended into heaven, and it essentially
outlines what Jesus expected the apostles, and those who followed them, to
do in His absence.

It is interesting that in the original Greek, the only specific command

in Matthew 28:19-20 is “make disciples.” The Great Commission instructs
us to make disciples while we are going throughout the world and while we
are going about our daily activities. How are we to make disciples? By
baptizing them and teaching them all that Jesus commanded. “Make
disciples” is the command of the Great Commission. “As you are going,”
“baptizing,” and “teaching” are the means by which we fulfill the command
to “make disciples.”

Many understand Acts 1:8 as part of the Great Commission as well, “But
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be
my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends
of the earth.” The Great Commission is enabled by the power of the Holy
Spirit. We are to be Christ's witnesses, fulfilling the Great Commission in
our cities (Jerusalem), in our states and countries (Judea and Samaria),
and anywhere else God sends us (to the ends of the earth).
In Christianity, the Great Commission is the instruction of the ressurrected
Jesus Christ to his disciples to spread his teachings to all the nations of the
world. The most famous version of the Great Commission is in Matthew
28:18–20, where on a mountain in Galilee Jesus calls on his followers
to baptize all nations in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit.
  GOSPEL

In a day of depressing headlines and uncertainty all around us, good news
is very welcome. What better news could there be than as the old hymn
says: “The vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a
pardon receives?” When Christians refer to the “Gospel” they are referring
to the “good news” that Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for our sin so
that we might become the children of God through faith alone in Christ
alone. In short, “the Gospel” is the sum total of the saving truth as God has
communicated it to lost humanity as it is revealed in the person of His Son
and in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible.
The term gospel is found ninety-nine times in the NASB and ninety-two
times in the NET Bible. In the Greek New Testament, gospel is the
translation of the Greek noun euangelion(occurring 76 times) “good news,”
and the verb euangelizo (occurring 54 times), meaning “to bring or
announce good news.” Both words are derived from the noun angelos,
“messenger.” In classical Greek, an euangelos was one who brought a
message of victory or other political or personal news that caused joy. In
addition, euangelizomai (the middle voice form of the verb) meant “to
speak as a messenger of gladness, to proclaim good news.”1 Further, the
nouneuangelion became a technical term for the message of victory, though
it was also used for a political or private message that brought joy.
That both the noun and the verb are used so extensively in the New
Testament demonstrate how it developed a distinctly Christian use and
emphasis because of the glorious news announced to mankind of salvation
and victory over sin and death that God offers to all people through the
person and accomplished work of Jesus Christ on the cross as proven by
His resurrection, ascension, and session at God’s right hand. In the New
Testament these two words, euangelion and euangelizo, became technical
terms for this message of good news offered to all men through faith in
Christ.

While gospel is often found alone, it is very often modified by various terms
that focus on a particular aspect of the gospel. It is modified by various
descriptive phrases, such as, “the gospel of God” (Mk 1:14, ASV; Rom
15:16), “the gospel of Jesus Christ,” (Mk 1:1; I Cor 9:12), “the gospel of his
Son” (Rom 1:9), “the gospel of the kingdom “ (Mt 4:23; 9:35; 24:14), “the
gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24), “the gospel of the glory of Christ”
(II Cor 4:4, ASV), “the gospel of peace” (Eph 6:15), “an eternal gospel” (Rev
14:6, RSV). Although distinctive aspects of the message are indicated by the
various modifiers, the gospel is essentially one. Paul speaks of “another
gospel” which is not an equivalent, for the gospel of God is His revelation,
not the result of discovery (Gal 1:6–11).5
In the New Testament, the various modifiers bring out some aspect of the
gospel that is being stressed in the context and is a part of the good news of
what God offers us in Christ.
The gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:1; 1 Cor. 9:12) and the gospel of His
Son (Rom. 1:9). These two descriptions speak of the good news of salvation
that comes through the person and work of Jesus Christ who is the very Son
of God in human flesh. Again, this is a good news of deliverance from sin’s
penalty, power and presence through the two advents of Christ.
The gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 4:23; 9:35; 24:14) is the good news that
God will establish His kingdom on earth through the two advents of the
Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15) describes how this good
news of salvation in Christ brings peace in all its many aspects (peace with
God, the peace of God, peace with others, and world peace) through the
victory accomplished by the Savior. The eternal or everlasting gospel (Rev.
14:6) expands our perspective of gospel as we normally think of it. This
gospel as proclaimed by the angel has several key elements of gloriously
good news that are developed in three commands and two reasons:
Command #1: “Fear God.” This refers to a holy reverence that recognizes
the sovereign authority and power of God to deal with man in His holy
wrath and thus, to bring an end to the world of sin as we now know it. To
fear God is to recognize Him as the true God who can destroy the soul and
not just the body as God will do with the beast of Revelation and His anti-
God system.
Command #2: “Give Him glory.” This refers to the praise and honor that
should accrue to God from mankind due to our recognition and high
estimation of God as the sovereign Creator of the universe.
Command #3: “And worship Him who made …” The word “worship” means
to show reverence or respect. This word emphasizes the external display as
seen in our obedience, prayer, singing, and formal worship. The word “fear”
emphasizes the reverential mental attitude behind the worship. In the
Tribulation people will be forced to fear and formally acknowledge the
beast and his image. In this message the angel is demanding that mankind
reject the beast and formally turn to God to worship Him (cf. Rev. 14:11).

Reason #1:“The hour of his judgment has come” is a reference to the final
judgments of the Tribulation—the bowl judgments—which are about to
occur that will put an end to the system of the beast and bring the rule the
Lord Jesus, the King of kings. These will conclude with the return of Christ
Himself (Rev. 19) and lead to the removal of all unbelievers from the earth.
The emphasis is to not delay because the time is short.
Reason #2: This is seen in the reference to God as the Creator in verse 7b.
Here we are called to pay attention to the ageless and universal message of
the creation itself. Age after age creation has called mankind to recognize
God’s existence and to seek after Him (cf. Acts 17:26-27 with Psalm 19:1-6).
This means people are without excuse and that, when the angel proclaims
this gospel, the hour of the Creator’s judgment is about to fall (see Rom.
1:18f). Though this is the essential and primary element of the angel’s
everlasting gospel, perhaps he will say more than this for from age to age a
person’s capacity to reverence, glorify and worship God has come only
through believing and knowing Christ (cf. John 14:6 with Acts 4:12; John
4:23-24).
In summary, what is the gospel? It is the message of the good news of
salvation, the word of truth offered to mankind by grace through faith in
the finished work of Christ on the cross. It is a message not only of eternal
life, but one that encompasses the total plan of God to redeem people from
the ravages of sin, death, Satan, and the curse that now covers the earth.
 SANCTIFICATION

The generic meaning of sanctification is "the state of proper functioning."

To sanctify someone or something is to set that person or thing apart for
the use intended by its designer. A pen is "sanctified" when used to write.
Eyeglasses are "sanctified" when used to improve sight. In the theological
sense, things are sanctified when they are used for the purpose God
intends. A human being is sanctified, therefore, when he or she lives
according to God's design and purpose.
The Greek word translated "sanctification" (hagiasmos [aJgiasmov"])
means "holiness." To sanctify, therefore, means "to make holy." In one
sense only God is holy ( Isa 6:3 ). God is separate, distinct, other. No human
being or thing shares the holiness of God's essential nature. There is one
God. Yet Scripture speaks about holy things. Moreover, God calls human
beings to be holy as holy as he is holy ( Lev 11:44 ; Matt 5:48 ; 1 Peter 1:15-
16 ). Another word for a holy person is "saint" (hagios [a&gio"]), meaning a
sanctified one. The opposite of sanctified is "profane" ( Lev 10:10 ).
From time to time human beings are commanded to sanctify themselves.
For example, God commanded the nation of Israel, "consecrate to me every
firstborn male" ( Exod 13:2 ). God said through Peter, "in your hearts set
apart Christ as Lord" ( 1 Peter 3:15 ). One sanctifies Christ by responding to
unbelievers meaningfully, out of a good conscience and faithful life. God
calls his own to set themselves apart for that which he has set them apart.
Sanctify, therefore, becomes a synonym for "trust and obey" ( Isa 29:23 ).
Another name for this action is "consecration." To fail to sanctify God has
serious consequences ( Num 20:12 ).
Human beings ultimately cannot sanctify themselves. The Triune God
sanctifies. The Father sanctifies ( 1 Cor 1:30 ) by the Spirit ( 2 Thess 2:13 ; 1
Peter 1:2 ) and in the name of Christ ( 1 Cor 6:11 ). Yet Christian faith is not
merely passive. Paul calls for active trust and obedience when he says,
"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from
everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of
reverence for God" ( 2 Cor 7:1 ). No one may presume on God's grace in
sanctification. Peter reminds believers to be diligent in making their calling
and election sure ( 2 Peter 1:10 ).
A person or thing can be sanctified in two ways according to God's creative
purpose or according to God's redemptive design. All sanctified in the first
sense are used by God in the second sense. Not all God uses in the second
sense are sanctified in the first sense.
Sanctification According to God's Creative Design. God created the universe
and human beings perfect (i.e., sanctified). Everything and everyone
functioned flawlessly until Adam and Eve believed Satan's lie. The fall
plunged the human race and the universe into a state of dysfunction ( Gen
3:14-19 ). Neither was so distorted by the fall so as to obliterate God's
original purpose and design completely. Fallen human beings still bear
God's image ( James 3:9-10 ). Fallen creation still witnesses to God's
existence and attributes ( Psalm 19:1-6 ; Rom 1:20 ). Yet both, depending
on the analogy employed, are skewed, broken, fallen, dysfunctional,
"unsanctified."
The imperfect state of creation is a reminder that God's fully sanctified
purpose for it has been disrupted by sin. Evil is the deprivation of the good
that God intends for the creation he has designed. The creation groans,
awaiting its sanctification when everything will be set right ( Rom 8:21-22 ;
Rev. 20-21 ).
Human beings, made in God's image, were the pinnacle and focus of his
creation. The sanctification of human beings, therefore, is the highest goal
of God's work in the universe. God explicitly declared it to be his will ( 1
Thess 4:3 ). He purposed that human beings be "like him" in a way no other
created thing is. Human beings are like God in their stewardship over
creation ( Gen 1:26-31 ). Yet this role is dependent on a more fundamentally
important likeness to God moral character. By virtue of God-given
discretionary autonomy (faith), human beings may so depend upon God
that his moral character (communicable attributes) are displayed.

The unsanctified state of fallen humanity is not caused merely by lack of

effort or poor motivation. It constitutes an inherent structural flaw. When
Adam sinned, he and his race forfeited that which made it possible for them
to function as designed the presence of God himself. Adam and Eve's
prefallen sanctification was not a result of their inherent capabilities. God's
indwelling presence was responsible for the manifestation of his attributes
in them. Sanctification always requires God's presence. His presence is
more than his "being there"a corollary of his omnipresence. It is his
dynamic presence, producing fruit for which he alone is the source.
"Indwelling" is not God's way of getting close to us sensually. It is a
theological, rather than experiential, reality; it is "experienced" by faith, not
by feeling.

Human beings "fall short of God's glory" ( Rom 3:23 ) because they lack
God's presence, which produces glory. "Glory" is always the manifestation
of the attributes of God resulting from the presence of God. God's presence
was the essential missing factor in Adam and Eve's postfall state. God called
out to the fleeing man, "Where are you?" ( Gen 3:9 ). God was not seeking
information. He was clarifying to sinful humanity that his presence was
now lost.
God sought Adam and Eve, indicating that restoration of the original
purpose would be undertaken by him. Sanctification, therefore, is
exclusively the work of God in grace ( Lev 21:8 ; Ezek 20:12 ; Heb
2:11 ; Jude 1 ). Functioning moral likeness to God, lost in the fall, is restored
through God's redemption in Christ ( Eph 4:23-24 ;Col 3:9-10 ). Human
beings are "made holy" through Christ's work. The blood of Jesus Christ
sanctifies ( Heb 13:12 ) because his substitutionary atonement reversed all
of the dysfunctional, as well as legal (i.e., guilt), effects of sin. Human
beings are progressively sanctified now through faith in Christ and by the
indwelling Spirit (2 Cor 3:18 ), while awaiting full sanctification at the
resurrection. Believers under both the old and new covenants are sanctified
the same way by grace through faith.

Sanctification According to God's Redemptive Purposes. In addition to

designing the goal of creation (functioning human beings in a fittingly
perfect environment), God has also designed the means of achieving that
goal. He not only wants to make the universe, especially human beings,
sanctified. He also uses sanctified (set-apart) means to accomplish his end.
Anything that prefigured the work of Christ was holy in a redemptive sense.
Something need not be inherently holy to serve a sanctifying purpose.
Though God instructed his people to choose animals for sacrifice that were
"without spot, " this was technically impossible. Only the unblemished
Lamb of God was qualified to sanctify the world. Nevertheless, the lambs,
bulls, and goats used in the ceremonial sacrifices in the Old Testament were
sanctified because they anticipated the one sacrifice for sins forever. Jesus
was the fulfillment of the Old Testament offices of prophet, priest, and king.
Yet many of these are not numbered among God's faithful. Everything is
rendered holy by its proper use. The New Testament emphasis is that
everything can be sanctified in a redemptive sense. When the believer
glorifies God by thanking God for everything ( 1 Cor 10:31 ; 1 Thess 5:18),
the believer thereby sanctifies everything. Nothing that God has created is
unclean in itself. Its misuse renders it unclean.
God has ordained specific means, however, by which the church sets Christ
apart. For example, participation in the new covenant "Table of the Lord"
sanctifies the believer. Apart from what Christ has done, the exercise of
eating bread and drinking wine would be common. God sanctifies a believer
through his or her faithful remembrance of Christ's redemptive work
according to the command of the Lord. People may so profane the Lord's
Supper so as to receive judgment prematurely from God ( 1 Cor 11:27-32 ).

Worship under the old covenant foreshadowed Christ. Israel was ever
conscious of the "sanctuary" (hagion[a&]gion)the place where God resided
and which he loved ( Mal 2:11 ). During Israel's captivities, the people were
separated from the sanctuary and, hence, alienated from the assurance of
God's saving blessings. It was the geographical and spiritual center of the
nation's life.

The material used for the earthly sanctuary was made "holy" by virtue of its
use. God stipulated strict standards for the sanctuary's construction (Exod.
25-40) and operation (Leviticus). Everything to do with the tabernacle and
temple was holy: garments ( Exod 28:2 ), anointing oil ( Exod 30:25 ),
crown ( Exod 39:30 ), linen tunic ( Lev 16:4 ), convocation of the people
( Lev 23:2 ), water ( Num 5:17 ), vessels ( Num 31:6 ), utensils ( 1 Kings
8:4 ), ark ( 2 Chron 35:3 ), day ( Ne 8:11 ), and place ( Exod 28:29 ; 1 Kings
6:16 ). The items and procedures had typological significance. Although
every typological feature cannot be established with absolute precision,
Scripture indicates that the tabernacle and temple, including its priestly
service, foreshadowed Christ ( Heb 8:5 ; 9:23 ).

Sanctification is applied justification. By its very nature justification does not

have a
progressive character. It is God's declaration of righteousness. The focus of
justification is the removal of the guilt of sin. The focus of sanctification is
the healing of the dysfunctionality of sin. Since all spiritual blessings,
justification and sanctification included, are the Christian's the moment he
or she is "in Christ" ( Eph 1:3 ), sanctification is total and final in one sense
( Acts 20:32 ; 26:18 ; 1 Cor 6:11 ). Yet, unlike justification, sanctification
also continues until it will be consummated when Jesus Christ returns. For
then we will be like him ( 1 John 3:2 )perfect and complete. Sanctification,
therefore, has an initial, progressive, and final phase. A believer's present
preoccupation is with progressive sanctification ( 2 Cor 3:18 , note the
present continuous tense, "are being transformed" ), by which the child of
God lives out the implications of initial sanctification with an eye to the goal
of final sanctification. The sanctified life is victorious ( Rom 8:37 ), though
it is lived out in the context of temptation and suffering. God promises the
"overcomers" in Revelation 2 and 3 to restore all that was lost in the fall
( Romans 2:7 Romans 2:11 Romans 2:17 Romans 2:26 ; Romans
3:5 Romans 3:12 ). In sanctification, the believer is simply applying the
implications of his or her justification.
The Holy Spirit is the dynamic of sanctification. Jesus said that he had to go
away so that the Holy Spirit would indwell believers ( John 14:16-20 ). The
"Holy" Spirit is so named not because he is more holy than the Father and
the Son, but because his specific ministry vis--vis salvation is sanctification
( Rom 15:16 ; 1 Thess 4:3-4 ; 2 Thess 2:13 ; 1 Peter 1:2 ). The Spirit that
inspired the Word of God now uses it to sanctify. Jesus, therefore, prayed
concerning his own, "Sanctify them by the truth" ( John 17:17 ). The Holy
Spirit is the Spirit of truth ( John 16:13 ). The blessing of the new covenant
is the presence of the Spirit ( Ezek 36:27 ; Gal 3:14 ).
The Holy Spirit not only is the restoration of the presence of God in
believers; he also equips believers to serve the church and the world. As the
fruit of the Spirit are the result of the reproduction of godly character in
believers ( Gal 5:22-23 ), so the gifts of the Spirit ( Rom 12:4-6 ; 1 Cor
12 , 14 ) are the means by which believers serve others.
Though God sanctifies by grace, human beings are responsible to
appropriate God's grace by faith. Faith is "the" means of sanctifying grace.
The Bible indicates that there are other means at the disposal of believers to
promote the direct faiththe Word, prayer, the church, and providence. The
Word reveals God's will ( John 17:17 ). Prayer allows the believer to apply
faith to every area of life. The church is the context in which mutual
ministry takes place. Providence is God's superintendence over every detail
of life so that a believer will always have a way to grow in grace. Whether
abounding or not ( Php 4:11 ), whether certain of the outcome or not ( Est
4:11-5:3), the people of God may sanctify each situation knowing that God
has allowed it and is present in it. In the case of temptation, the believer
knows that there always will be a sanctifying faith response available ( 1 Cor
10:13 ). When God disciplines his children, it is for their good, that they
may "share in his holiness" ( Heb 12:10 ).
A believer grows in sanctification by living according to his or her new
identity. Before being "in Christ" the believer was "in Adam" ( Rom 5:12-
21 ). To be "in Adam" is to be spiritually dead. Death means "separation, "
not "annihilation." A spiritually dead person is separated from God, the Life
which alone can make one "godly." While separated from God, the
unbeliever develops a working relationship with three related counter-
sanctifying influencesthe world, the flesh, and the devil. "The world"
provides an allure to which "the flesh" readily responds, so that the believer
has a topsy-turvy outlook that places created things before the Creator
( Rom 1:23-25 ). All the while "the devil"Satan, the liar and slanderer of
Godalong with those under his sway, give hearty approval.
Faith in the gospel places the believer "in Christ, " where everything
becomes new ( 2 Cor 5:17 ). Scripture calls all that the "new" believer was
outside of Christ the "old man" or "old self." That identity has passed away
through faith-solidarity with Christ in his death. The new identity is
characterized by faith-solidarity with Christ in his resurrection so that "we
might bear fruit to God" ( Rom 7:4b ; cf. Rom 6:1-11 ; Col 3:1-4 ).
  JOHN 3:16
(Chapter 3 verse 16 of the Gospel of John)

- is one of the most widely quoted verses from the Christian Bible and has
been called the most famous Bible verse. It has also been called the “Gospel
in the Nutshell” because it is considered a summary of the central theme of
traditional Christianity.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only

begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life.”

 JUSTIFICATION

Justification is the declaring of a person to be just or righteous. It is a legal

term signifying acquittal, a fact that makes it unpalatable to many in our
day. We tend to distrust legalism and thus we dismiss anything that savors
of a legalistic approach. We should be clear that our hesitation was not
shared by the biblical writers. In their day it was axiomatic that a wealthy
and important citizen would not be treated in a law court in the same way
as an insignificant person. Indeed this was sometimes written into the
statutes and, for example, in the ancient Code of Hammurabi it is laid down
that if a citizen knocked out the tooth of another citizen his own tooth
should be knocked out. But if the victim was a vassal it sufficed to pay a
small fine. Nobody expected strict justice in human tribunals but the
biblical writers were sure that God is a God of justice.Throughout the Bible
justice is a category of fundamental importance.
It mattered to the biblical writers that God is a God is a God of perfect
justice, a truth expressed in Abraham's question, "Will not the Judge of all
the earth do right?" ( Gen18:25 ). God can be relied on to act in perfect justice
and without giving preference to the wealthy and the highly placed in our
human societies. "The Lord takes his place in court; he rises to judge the
people. The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his
people" ( Isa 3:13-14 ).Over and over the punishment of evil is put in legal
terms ( Exod 6:6 ; 7:4 ) and specifically Israel's sin is brought out with the use
of legal imagery ( Micah 6:1-2 ).

Accordingly it is not surprising that salvation is often viewed in legal terms.

The basic question in all religion is, "How can sinful people be just (i.e., be
justified) before the holy God?" Justification is a legal term with a meaning
like"acquittal"; in religion it points to the process whereby a person is
declared to be right before God. That person should be an upright and good
person, but justification does not point to qualities like these. That is rather
the content of sanctification. Justification points to the acquittal of one who
is tried before God. In both the Old Testament and the New the question
receives a good deal of attention and in both it is clear that people cannot
bring about their justification by their own efforts.The legal force of the
terminology is clear when Job exclaims, "Now that I have prepared my
case, I know I will be vindicated" ( Job 13:18 ).

Justification (dikaiosis [dikaivwsi"]) is connected linguistically with

righteousness (dikaiosune ); in the first century it is clear that all the words
with this root were concerned with conformity to a standard of right. And in
Scripture it is not too much to say that righteousness is basically a legal
term. The law that mattered was, of course, the law of God, so that
righteousness signified conformity to the law of God.

The Old Testament. We do not find the full New Testament doctrine of
justification by faith in the Old Testament, but we do find teachings that
agree with it and that in due course were taken up into that doctrine. Thus
it is made clear that sin is universal, but that God provides forgiveness. For
the first point, "All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt;
there is no one who does good, not everyone" ( Psalm 14:3 ).And when God
looks down from heaven he sees that "they have together become
corrupt;there is no one who does good, not even one" (Psalm 53:2-3 ).Many
such passages could be cited. And for the second point, "If you, O Lord,
kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is
forgiveness" ( Psalm 130:3-4 ).The end of Micah's prophecy emphasizes that
God is a God "who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the
remnant of his inheritance" and that he"delights to show mercy" ( 7:18-20 ).
Sometimes we find the thought that God imputes righteousness to people.
He did this toAbraham, who believed God "and he credited it to him as
righteousness" ( Gen 15:6 ). AgainPhinehas took decisive action so that the
plague was checked and "This was creditedto him as righteousness" ( Psalm
106:31 ; Phinehas is described in the words, "as zealous as I am for my honor
among them," Num 25:11 ).And the prophet can say, "He who vindicates (or
justifies) me is near" ( Isa 50:8 ).
The New Testament. When we turn to the New Testament we must be clear
that the righteousness and justification terminology is to be understood in
the light of its Hebrew background, not in terms of contemporary Greek
ideas. We see this, for example, in the words of Jesus who speaks of people
giving account on the day of judgment: "by your words you will be
acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned" ( Matt 12:37 ; the word
NIV translates "acquitted" is the one Paul normally uses for"justified" ).
Those acquitted on the day of judgment are spoken of as "the righteous"
( Matt25:37 ; they go into "eternal life, " v. 46 ).
The verb translated "to justify" clearly means "to declare righteous." It is
used of God in a quotation, which the New International Version renders
"So that you may be proved right when you speak" ( Rom 3:4 ; the NRSV has
more exactly, "So that you may be justified in your words" ). Now God
cannot be"made righteous"; the expression obviously means "shown to be
righteous" and this helps us see that when the word is applied to believers it
does not mean "made righteous"; it signifies "declared righteous, ""shown
to be in the right, " or the like.
Paul is fond of the concept of justification; indeed for him it is the
characteristic way of referring to the central truth of the gospel. He makes
much more use of the concept than do the other writers of the New
Testament. This does not mean that he has a different understanding of the
gospel; it is the same gospel that he proclaims, the gospel that the death of
Christ on the cross has opened a way of salvation for sinners. But he uses
the concept of justification to express it whereas the other writers prefer
other terms. He says, "Just as through the disobedience of the one man the
many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the
many will be made righteous" ( Rom 5:19 ). We should not understand "were
made sinners" in any such sense as "were compelled to be sinners." It
signifies "were constituted sinners, " "were reckoned as sinners." Paul is
saying that the whole human race is caught up in the effect ofAdam's sin;
now all are sinners. Paul speaks of God "who justifies the wicked" ( Rom
4:5 ): it is not people who have merited their salvation of whom he writes,
but people who had no claim on salvation. It was "while we were still
sinners" that Christ died for us ( Rom 5:8 ). But the effect of Christ's saving
work is that now all believers are "made righteous, ""accepted by God as
righteous."
But we should notice that both these Old Testament worthies are elsewhere
singled out as examples of faith. Paul cited Abraham to establish the truth
that we are justified by faith rather than by works. Indeed, he quotes
Scripture, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as
righteousness" ( Rom 4:3 , citing Gen 15:6 ; he cites it again in v. 22 ). In
Romans 4 Paul has a strong argument that it was not works that
commended the patriarch to God, but faith: Abraham is, for Paul, the
classic example of a man who believed and who was accepted by God
because of his faith. And the writer to the Hebrews says plainly that it was
"by faith" that Rahab welcomed the spies ( Heb 11:31 ).
If we look more closely at what James says we see that he is not arguing for
works in the absence of faith, but rather for works as the evidence of faith.
"Show me your faith without deeds, " he writes, "and I will show you my
faith by what I do" ( 2:18 )and goes on to cite the demons who believe that
there is one God as examples of the kind of faith he deprecates. James is
sure that saving faith transforms the believer so that good works necessarily
follow; and he complains about people who say they have faith, but whose
lives show quite plainly that they have not been saved. When people have
saving faith God transforms their lives and James' point is that in the
absence of this transformation we have no reason for thinking that those
who profess to be believers really have saving faith. We should not overlook
the fact that James as well as Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 to make it clear that
Abraham was justified by faith. And we should bear in mind that this was
many years before he offered Isaac on the altar; indeed it was before Isaac
was born. While the offering of Isaac showed that Abraham was justified,
his justification, even on James' premises, took place long before the act
that showed its presence.
 TRINITY

God, the creator and sustainer of the universe, reveals himself in the Bible.
The Bible clearly tells us there is only one God: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD
our God, the LORD is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). At the same time, time and
again we encounter passages in the Bible that show the one God consists of
more persons. This is hard for us to understand. We should realize that is
not because of a logical contradiction, but because of our limitations. That
the complexity and beauty of God’s being surpasses our understanding is
not strange. He is God and we are man.

When we take the passages that are talking about a plurality in God
together, we see there are actually three persons: God the Father, God the
Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This is what we call the Trinity. The term
Trinity is not used in the Bible. But the concept is clearly there. It means
one God in three persons.

In the Old Testament there are various verses that distinguish between God
the Father and God the Son. A clear example is Psalm 110:1, where David
says: “The LORD says to my Lord…” Since David as king did not have any
earthly lord, he must refer here to a heavenly Lord who is distinct from the
LORD. Jesus confirms this when he claims this verse is about him, and
implies that he is the Son of God (Matthew 22:41-45).

In other verses a distinction is made between the Lord and his Spirit. For
example, Isaiah 48:16 reads “And now the Lord GOD has sent me, and his
Spirit.” It is obvious that someone cannot be thought of apart from his
spirit; yet a distinction is made. So already in the Old Testament we find
verses that point us towards God the Father, God the Son, and God the
Holy Spirit. So God the Son did not come into existence with the birth of
Jesus Christ. He is eternal, just like the Father and the Spirit. But in Jesus
he became flesh.
The New Testament makes this all much clearer. Many verses teach us
about the divinity of God the Father. One example is 1 Corinthians 4:8: “for
us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things.” Many verses
teach us about the divinity of God the Son. One example is Titus 2:13:
“…the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Many verses teach us about the divinity of God the Holy Spirit. One
example is 1 Corinthians 6:11: “you were justified in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

In several places in the New Testament the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit are mentioned next to each other in a way that leaves no doubt that
they are equal and equally God. These include:

 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in

the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19.
 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being
therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received
from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out
this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. Acts 2:32-33.
 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the
fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.
 …according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the
sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ. 1 Peter
1:2.
So God reveals himself in the Bible as God the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit. We need them all. God the Father is our creator. God the Son is
our saviour. God the Holy Spirit sanctifies us. And when we cannot
completely wrap our heads around the concept of a God who is three-in-
one, let us just break out in praise:

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
 ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most
important thing about us.” So says A.W. Tozer in his classic book on the
attributes of God, The Knowledge of the Holy. Why would he make such an
extreme pronouncement? Tozer goes on to say, “Man’s spiritual history will
positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea
of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshipper entertains high or low
thoughts of God.”

In our hearts we know the above is true. It is not enough to follow “god.”
That word has come to mean so many different things today that it actually
means very little. If we just make up our own minds concerning what He is
like, then we are just creating an idol in our heads.

Attributes of God – The Basis

Jesus came to reveal the God of the Bible. And God has revealed Himself in
His book. Any deviation from that insight from Him is a made-up god.
Tozer in Knowledge of the Holy finds 18 characteristics of God in the Bible.
They are repeated here, although not in the same order. Tozer’s definitions,
when used, will appear in quotes.

The Bible says to praise God for who He is, especially in prayer. Much of
Psalms is a good example of this. Most people concentrate their praise in
just a few areas, such as God’s love, and then spend the rest of their prayers
asking Him for things. (So that you can remember all of the attributes of
God they are presented in the order of this acronym: WISH TO FLOSS JIM
EGGO.)

Attributes of God – The Characteristics

Wisdom: “Wisdom is the ability to devise perfect ends and to achieve these
ends by the most perfect means.” In other words, God makes no mistakes.
He is the Father who truly knows best, as Paul explains in Romans 11:33: “Oh,
how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it
is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!”

Infinitude: God knows no boundaries. He is without measure. This

attribute by definition impacts all of the others. Since God is infinite,
everything else about Him must also be infinite.

Sovereignty: This is “the attribute by which He rules His entire creation.” It

is the application of His other attributes of being all-knowing and all-
powerful. It makes Him absolutely free to do what He knows to be best.
God is in control of everything that happens. Man still has a free will, and is
responsible for his choices in life.

Holiness: This is the attribute that sets God apart from all created beings. It
refers to His majesty and His perfect moral purity. There is absolutely no
sin or evil thought in God at all. His holiness is the definition of that which
is pure and righteous in all the universe. Wherever God has appeared, such
as to Moses at the burning bush, that place becomes holy just for God
having been there.

Trinity: Though the actual word is not used in the Bible, the truth of God
revealing Himself in three persons is included. The Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit are all called God, given worship as God, exist eternally, and are
involved in doing things only God could do. Although, God reveals Himself
in three persons, God is One and cannot be divided. All are involved
completely whenever One of the Three is active.

Omniscience: “God possesses perfect knowledge and therefore has no need

to learn. God has never learned and cannot learn.” Omniscience means all-
knowing. God knows everything, and His knowledge is infinite. It is
impossible to hide anything from God.

Faithfulness: Everything that God has promised will come to pass. His
faithfulness guarantees this fact. He does not lie. What He has said in the
Bible about Himself is true. Jesus even said that He is the Truth. This is
extremely important for the followers of Jesus because it is on His
faithfulness that our hope of eternal life rests. He will honor His promise
that our sins will be forgiven and that we will live forever with Him.
 IS JESUS GOING TO RETURN OR NOT?
What will be the ultimate deliverance for human kind?

Jesus second coming to this earth.

Jesus is coming soon, but there is a lot of popular misconceptions regarding

just how He's coming. In order to be sure and to know that Jesus is really
coming, we have to know Him and how He’s planning to come. But first we
have to be sure…

Will Jesus return to this earth the second time? Can we be positive?

"Christ ... shall ... appear the second time." Hebrews 9:28.

"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again." John 14:3.

In Matthew 26:64, Jesus testified under oath that He would come back to
this earth again. Since the Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35), this is
proof positive. Believe it just as it reads. It is Christ's own personal
guarantee. In fact, this one of the basis of Jesus messages. Without it, the
biblical message wouldn’t make sense. But now the question is HOW?

In what manner will Jesus return the second time?

"While they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their
sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up,
behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men
of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is
taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have
seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:9-11.

The Scriptures promise that Jesus will return to this earth in the same
manner that He left at His ascension in a visible, literal, bodily, personal
manner. Matthew 24:30 says,"They shall see the Son of man coming in the
clouds of heaven with power and great glory." He will come in the clouds
literally, as a personal being with a body of flesh and bones (Luke 24:36-43,
50, 51), and His coming will be visible. Scripture is clear on these facts.

Will the second coming of Christ be visible to all men or only to a select
group?

"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him." Revelation
1:7.

"For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the
west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:27.

Every man, woman, and child living in the world when Jesus returns will
see Him at His second coming. The staggering threefold (Luke 9:26)
brightness of His coming will stretch from horizon to horizon, and the
atmosphere will be charged with brilliant glory like lightning. No one will
be able to hide. Every living soul will be forced to face Christ. Christ left no
loophole for doubt or misunderstanding.

Many people still ask themselves why would Jesus return to a place like
this? Remember, it was God’s love that brought salvation to this planet.
Jesus chose to give us life thru His death. So love was at the basis of all. But
there’s more:

What is the purpose of Jesus' second coming to this earth?

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man
according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:12.

"I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye
may be also." John 14:3.

"And he shall send Jesus Christ ... Whom the heaven must receive until the
times of restitution of all things." Acts 3:20, 21.

Jesus is coming back to this earth to reward His people as He promised and
to take them to the beautiful home He has prepared for them. He will
restore to His people all of the joys and glories of Eden that Adam and Eve
lost by sinning. His second coming will bring an end to this present age of
evil. He loves us so much, that he wants us to live forever with Him.
The Bible says that, at the second coming, Jesus will find two different
groups of people. So what will happen to them?

What will happen to the righteous people when Jesus comes the second
time?

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven ... and the dead in Christ
shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall
we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17. "We shall all be
changed, ... and the dead shall be raised incorruptible. For ... this mortal
must put on immortality." 1 Corinthians 15:51-53.

"We look for ... the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that
it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body." Philippians 3:20, 21.

The righteous dead will be raised from their graves, given perfect, immortal
bodies like that of Christ, and caught up into the clouds to meet the Lord.
Then the righteous living will also be given bodies like Christ and will be
caught up to meet the Lord in the air. And Jesus will take the righteous to
heaven with Him. Note that Jesus does not touch the earth at His second
coming. The saints meet Him "in the air." So God's people will ignore any
report that Christ is in Baltimore, New Orleans, Los Angeles, etc. False
christs will appear and do miracles on the earth (Matthew 24:23-27), but
Jesus will remain in the clouds above the earth at His second coming.

What will happen to the wicked people when Jesus comes again?

"With the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked." Isaiah 11:4.

"And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth
even unto the other end of the earth." Jeremiah 25:33.

The wicked will be suffering the result of their own, personal choices. Jesus
warns us about this and other dangers.

Of what great danger does Christ solemnly warn?

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of
man cometh."Matthew 24:44.
 SALVATION

The terms “save” and “salvation” are sometimes used by Bible writers to
convey the idea of a person’s being delivered from danger or destruction.
(Exodus 14:13, 14; Acts 27:20) Often, though, these terms refer to
deliverance from sin. (Matthew 1:21) Since death is caused by sin, people
who are saved from sin have the hope of living forever.—John 3:16, 17. *

What is the way to salvation?

To gain salvation, you must exercise faith in Jesus and demonstrate that
faith by obeying his commands.—Acts 4:10, 12; Romans 10:9, 10;Hebrews
5:9.

The Bible shows that you must have works, or acts of obedience, to prove
that your faith is alive. (James 2:24, 26) However, this does not mean that
you can earn salvation. It is “God’s gift” based on his “undeserved
kindness,” or “grace.”—Ephesians 2:8, 9; King James Version.

Can you lose out on salvation?

Yes. Just as a person saved from drowning could fall or jump back into the
water, a person who has been saved from sin but fails to keep exercising
faith could lose out on salvation. For this reason, the Bible urges Christians
who have received salvation “to put up a hard fight for the faith.” (Jude 3)
It also warns those who have been saved: “Keep working out your own
salvation with fear and trembling.”—Philippians 2:12.

Who is the Savior—God or Jesus?

The Bible identifies God as the primary source of salvation, often referring
to him as “Savior.” (1 Samuel 10:19; Isaiah 43:11; Titus 2:10;Jude 25) In
addition, God used various men to deliver the ancient nation of Israel, and
the Bible calls them “saviors.” (Nehemiah 9:27;Judges 3:9, 15; 2 Kings
13:5) * Likewise, since God provides salvation from sin through the ransom
sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Bible refers to Jesus as “Savior.”—Acts 5:31;
Titus 1:4. *
Will everyone be saved?

No, some people will not be saved. (2 Thessalonians 1:9) When Jesus was
asked, “Are those being saved few?” he replied: “Exert yourselves vigorously
to get in through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will seek to get
in but will not be able.”—Luke 13:23, 24.

Misconceptions about universal salvation

Misconception: First Corinthians 15:22 teaches universal salvation by

saying that “in the Christ all will be made alive.”

Fact: The context of this verse discusses the resurrection. (1 Corinthians

15:12, 13, 20, 21, 35) So the phrase “in the Christ all will be made alive”
simply means that all who are resurrected receive this blessing through
Jesus Christ.—John 11:25.

Misconception: Titus 2:11 teaches universal salvation by saying that God

is “bringing salvation to all people.”—International Standard Version.

Fact: The Greek word translated “all” in this verse can also mean “every
kind or variety.” * Thus, the correct understanding of Titus 2:11is that God
is making salvation available to all sorts of people, including people “out of
all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues.”—Revelation 7:9, 10.

Misconception: Second Peter 3:9 teaches universal salvation by saying

that God “does not desire anyone to be destroyed.”

Fact: God wants people to be saved, but he does not force them to accept
his provision for salvation. His “day of judgment” will include the
“destruction of the ungodly people.”—2 Peter 3:7.
 SIN

We live in a culture where the concept of sin has become entangled in

legalistic arguments over right and wrong. When many of us consider
"What is sin?" we think of violations of the Ten Commandments. Even
then, we tend to think of murder and adultery as "major" sins compared
with lying, cursing, or idolatry.

The truth is that sin, as defined in the original translations of the Bible,
means "to miss the mark." The mark, in this case, is the standard of
perfection established by God and evidenced by Jesus. Viewed in that light,
it is clear that we are all sinners.

The Apostle Paul says in Romans 3:23: "All have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God."

In light of this, it does no good to compare ourselves to others. We cannot

escape our failure to be righteous in our own strength. This is by God's
design, because only when we understand our weakness will we consider
relying on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.

What Is Sin - A Biblical Perspective

Sin is mentioned hundreds of times in the Bible, starting with the "original"
sin when Adam and Eve ate of the tree of knowledge. Often it seems as if sin
is simply the violation of any of God's laws, including the Ten
Commandments.

Paul, however, puts this in perspective in Romans 3:20, when he

says, "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by
observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin."

God wanted us to recognize our sins. Even those who have not murdered or
committed adultery will find themselves convicted of lying, or of
worshipping false idols like wealth or power ahead of God.
Tragically, sin in any amount will distance us from God.

"Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull
to hear," says Isaiah 59:1-2. "But your iniquities have separated you from
your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not
hear."

We must resist the temptation to act as if we are righteous, especially by

leaning on our good works.

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in
us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned,
we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives" (1 John
1:8-10).

What Is Sin - A Call to Repentance

The good news in all of this is that, once we recognize ourselves as sinners,
we need only to repent and embrace Jesus to be forgiven. Jesus can forgive
us because he died and rose again three days later in victory over sin and
death.

The Apostle Paul refers to this process of recognizing sin and being
responsible for it as "godly sorrow."

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no

regret, but worldly sorrow brings death," Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 7:10-
11. "See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness,
what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what
longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point
you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
 DAMNATION

Revelation 20:11-15

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his
presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I
saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were
opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the
dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they
had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades
gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of
them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were
thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if
anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into
the lake of fire.

Mark 16:16

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not
believe will be condemned.

Matthew 25:41

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the
eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord.

Jude 1:6

And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but
left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy
darkness until the judgment of the great day—

John 5:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent
me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from
death to life.

Revelation 13:8

And all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not
been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the
Lamb who was slain.

Hebrews 2:14

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise
partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

1 Timothy 1:9-10

Understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the
lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and
profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the
sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars,
perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,

Romans 1:26-27

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their
women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;
and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were
consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts
with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes
to the Father except through me.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Revelation 20:4

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority
to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been
beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those
who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark
on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ
for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:2-5

And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan,
and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it
and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer,
until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a
little while. Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom
the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had
been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and
those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its
mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with
Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until
the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed

away; behold, the new has come.

1 Corinthians 6:9

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of
God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,

John 9:1-41

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked
him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that
the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of
him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As
long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” ...

Ezekiel 18:4

Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the
son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.

Revelation 17:8

The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the
bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose
names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the
world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.

2 Peter 3:10

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass
away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved,
and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

1 Thessalonians 5:3

While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden
destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant
woman, and they will not escape.

2 Corinthians 11:14

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

1 Corinthians 14:33

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the
saints,

John 3:36

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son
shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of
heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On
that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your
name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in
your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from
me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Matthew 10:28

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear
him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Jonah 4:11

And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than
120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also
much cattle?”

Jeremiah 4:23-27

I looked on the earth, and behold, it was without form and void; and to the
heavens, and they had no light. I looked on the mountains, and behold, they
were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro. I looked, and behold, there
was no man, and all the birds of the air had fled. I looked, and behold, the
fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before
the LORD, before his fierce anger. For thus says the LORD, “The whole land
shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end.

Genesis 19:5

And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring
them out to us, that we may know them.”

Genesis 1:1-31

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was
without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the
Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let
there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good.
And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day,
and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was
morning, the first day. ...

Revelation 20:7-8

And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his
prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners
of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like
the sand of the sea.

Revelation 13:1-18

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with
ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the
beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth
was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne
and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but
its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they
followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his
authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like
the beast, and who can fight against it?” And the beast was given a mouth
uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise
authority for forty-two months. ...

Revelation 12:9

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called
the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down
to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Revelation 12:4

His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the
earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth,
so that when she bore her child he might devour it.

Revelation 12:3

And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with
seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.

Revelation 11:3
And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for
1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For
the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we
shall be changed.

1 Corinthians 11:14

Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace
for him,

1 Corinthians 3:16

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in
you?

Romans 14:14

I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in

itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.

Romans 10:17

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Romans 10:4

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Romans 8:7

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit
to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

Acts 4:12

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under
heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
 HELL

One of the common fears of human beings is what will happen to them after
they die. Many religions teach the general concept that people who are “bad”
will be sent to a place called hell after they die. Within mainstream
Christianity, there are many different ideas as to what hell is and what it is
like. Some view hell as a place of “fire and brimstone” where sinners will be
burned and tortured forever and never die.

The 14th-century Italian poet Dante Alighieri wrote The Divine Comedy with
the idea that sinners are tortured in ways that represented ultimate justice
for their sins. In recent times, many Christianchurches have taught a less
harsh hell—often described as eternal separation from God. The common
understanding among many mainstream Christians is that evil people and
nonbelievers will live forever in some state of torment.

What is hell, according to the Bible?

You may be surprised to learn that these ideas about the afterlife are not what
the Bible teaches. TheBible does not say that unbelievers are tormented
forever in either a place of fiery torture or a place of dark seclusion from God.
These ideas directly contradict one of the plainest statements in the Bible
about the result of sin in a human life. At the end of a chapter describing the
results of sin versus the results of righteousness, the apostle Paul wrote: “For
the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord” (Romans 6:23, emphasis added throughout).

Paul makes it clear that the wages—the results—of sin in the life of a human
being is eternal death. This directly contradicts the common teaching that
the wages of sin is eternal life in hell. Paul’s words harmonize with Revelation
20:14 where the fate of the incorrigibly wicked is called “the second death”
in “the lake of fire.”

The “lake of fire” described in the Bible is far from the common conception
of hell. It is a place that will utterly destroy and kill the wicked.
Three Greek words for hell
What about the instances in the Bible when the word hell is used? What is
hell, according to the Bible? Many are surprised to learn that there are
actually three Greek words translated “hell” in the New Testament. These
three words are Hades, Gehenna and tartaroo.

1. Hades refers to “the grave,” “the pit” or “place of the dead.” The Holman
Bible Dictionary explains that “Hades is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew
term ‘Sheol,’ which refers in general to the place of the dead”
(1991, “Hades”). Psalm 16:10 and Acts 2:27 use Sheol and Hades to
describe the location of Christ’s body when He was dead for three days and
three nights (Matthew 12:40).

2. Gehenna refers to the valley of Hinnom, “a valley near Jerusalem …

where children were sacrificed by fire in connection with pagan rites” (New
Bible Dictionary, 1982, “Hell”). Later garbage and dead bodies were
disposed of and burned in this valley. Gehenna represents the “lake of fire”
described in Revelation 19:20, the unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43) that will
completely destroy the unrepentant (Matthew 10:28).

3. Tartaroo appears once in the Bible in 2 Peter 2:4 and refers to a

condition of restraint for demons (fallen angels) until their later judgment.

So, what is hell? The truth of the Bible is that God is ultimately just and
merciful. As the above scriptures clearly demonstrate, God will punish the
incorrigibly wicked, but He will do so in a merciful way. The wicked will
simply be burned up and be dead forever—not tortured for eternity in an
ever-burning hellfire.
 HEAVEN

Heaven is a real place where the people of God will live one day. In fact,
heaven is where God and the angels live. John 14:1-3 even says that Jesus is
in heaven preparing us a place to live. In heaven, those saved by God, will
have new bodies without the curse of sin! There will be no one who is blind,
deaf or cannot walk in heaven (Isaiah 35:5-6 and Philippians 3:21).
Although Jesus builds houses in heaven, the Bible also says that those
saved will also build their own houses and inhabit them as well as plant and
eat from vineyards (Isaiah 65:21). Most importantly God will be in heaven
and He wants to be your friend. He wants to dwell with you and wipe away
all your tears (Revelation 21:1-4).

What does the Bible say about heaven?

Is heaven real? Is there a heaven? There are many popular myths
about heaven and where it is that create misunderstanding. According to
the Bible, the universe is not only infinite, but also filled with intelligent,
friendly, benevolent beings. The most amazing and almost unbelievable fact
is that the way to heaven is not complicated. Our title to heaven is given
freely to those who accept the fact that God bore our wrongs against himself
when Jesus died on the cross. When we ask Him for forgiveness and a new
heart in order to keep His commandments, He will freely give us both.

There are three major meanings to the word heaven in the Bible. The word
"heaven" (Hebrew: shamyim, Greek: ouranos) can mean God’s dwelling
place. The Bible says: "The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
and His kingdom rules over all" (Psalm 103:19). God’s throne is also
mentioned in connection with the mountain of God (Ezekiel 28:16).

Heaven may also refer to the endless planets, stars, and galaxies of the
universe. The Bible says: "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your
fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place…" (Psalm 8:3).
The Bible also speaks of the atmosphere that surrounds the earth as heaven
or heavens (Genesis1: 7, 8). One must study the context in the Bible to
know which meaning is implied. The Bible is clear on the following:

What is heaven like?

After Jesus was raised from the dead He went to heaven. The Bible says:
"Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus,
who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you
saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). Prior to this Jesus told His disciples:
"In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you
may be also" (John 14:2,3).

1) Heaven has solid real estate

Popular myths picture heaven as a fanciful place where spirits sit on clouds
playing harps or float around in nebulous space. However, such a thought is
rather anti-climatic. Why would the infinite Son of God take up finite
human condition to offer up His life to die on a cross, only for us to live
such a meager existence that is not even half as fulfilling as life in this
world, whether or not it is for eternity? The Bible says that Jesus is building
mansions in heaven for those who accept salvation. Therefore it must be a
tangible material place. Vineyards must exist in heaven. Before Jesus went
to heaven he told his disciples: "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit
of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My
Father’s kingdom" (Matthew 26:29). The Bible even refers to heaven as a
country (Hebrews 11:16). Before sin came into this world, the world was a
physical paradise - a beautiful garden full of fruits, trees, and animals.
Similarly, when sin is finally eradicated from this universe, we will get to
live life as God originally intended for mankind when He first created the
Garden of Eden - not as spirits on clouds, but in a tangible, material
Heaven.

2) There are many intelligent beings in heaven

With the increasing understanding of solar systems, planets, stars, and
galaxies it is inconceivable to believe that human beings are the only
intelligent life in the universe. It makes sense to realize that there is a
country out in the universe, perhaps even the universe itself, known by the
Bible writers as heaven.

The Bible speaks about hosts or inhabitants of both heaven and earth.
"Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished"
(Genesis 2:1). The Bible mentions that beings on other planets rejoiced at
the creation of the earth. "When the morning stars sang together, and all
the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38: 7). The biblical prophet Micaiah
said: "I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven
standing on His right hand and His left (2 Chronicles 18:18).

3) Perfect unselfish love governs all relationships in heaven

The Bible says: "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love"
(1 John 4:8). Those who love God keep His commandments (John 14:15).
The inhabitants of heaven obey God’s commandments of love (Psalm
103:19-21).

4) We will have physical bodies in heaven

Our bodies will be free from disease, pain and death in heaven (1
Corinthians 15:40-49). We will still have physical bodies. The Bible says:
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may
be conformed to His glorious body (Philippians 3:20,21). The body of Jesus
after His resurrection was physical. Jesus said: "Behold My hands and My
feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh
and bones as you see I have" (Luke 24:39). We will be able to recognize our
loved ones. The Bible says: "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then
face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am
known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).

5) The New Earth as heaven

Real earth, real houses, gardens, hobbies, loved ones, are all part of the
perfect future life in store for those who are faithful to God’s Word. This
becomes more believable when we realize that the Bible says that the
greater part of the future existence of human beings will take place right
here on our planet earth, which will be recreated and restored to its original
perfection. This life will be free from sickness, war, crime and anything
harmful. The future life will have the best of this life plus additional joys
beyond our imagination.

Bible prophecy points to the fact that Jesus will return the second time. He
will not come in secret, but every eye shall see him (Revelation 1:7). At that
time, those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior will be taken
to heaven for a period of time. They will live and reign with Christ for a
thousand years in the mansions Jesus is building and in the New Jerusalem
in the heavenly country. Then He will bring the New Jerusalem down to
earth. God will recreate a new earth with a new atmosphere, and our
heavenly life will take place right here. (See Second Coming, Millennium)

6) Life in the New Earth

"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first
earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea" (Revelation 21:1).
"Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of
heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband"
(Revelation 21:2). "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there
shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more
pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4). "The
wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall
rejoice and blossom as the rose" (Isaiah 35:1). "The wolf and the lamb shall
feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust [shall be] the
serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,"
says the LORD (Isaiah 65:25). "They shall build houses and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit" (Isaiah 65:21). Many of these
promises from the Old Testament were given on condition that the Jews
would keep God commandments and receive the messiah (See Jeremiah
17:23-25). God would have put an end to sin and recreated the world at that
time. Since His people did not accept Him, the culmination is put off until
He will come the second time. He will then fulfill many of these Old
Testament prophecies.
 FIRST FIVE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

The first five books of the Bible are sometimes called the Pentateuch which
means “five books.” They are also known as the books of the law because
they contain the laws and instruction given by the Lord through Moses to
the people of Israel. These books were written by Moses, except for the last
portion of Deuteronomy because it tells about the death of Moses. These
five books lay the foundation for the coming of Christ in that here God
chooses and brings into being the nation of Israel. As God’s chosen people,
Israel became the custodians of the Old Testament, the recipients of the
covenants of promise, and the channel of Messiah (Rom. 3:2; 9:1-5).

GENESIS (The Book of Beginnings)

AUTHOR:
Moses

DATE:
1450-1410 B.C.

NAME OF THE BOOK:

The name Genesis is taken from the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek
translation of the Old Testament.

THEME AND PURPOSE:

Even a casual reading of the Book of Genesis reveals the prominence of the
theme of blessing and cursing. For obedience and faith, there is blessing as
in the Garden of Eden, but for disobedience, there is cursing. The entire
book turns on this theme and its antithetical opposite, cursing. But perhaps
the main theme is the choice of a nation through Abraham and the
Abrahamic covenant. Through Abraham God promised to bless the nations
(Gen. 12:1-3; 15:1-21).

KEY WORDS:
“Generations” or “account.”

A key word or phrase is “these are the generations of” or “this is

the account of.” It is used some eleven times to introduce the reader to the
next section which gives the narrative about what happened in connection
with the key events and persons of the book from the creation of the
heavens and the earth to all the patriarchs of Israel.

KEY IDEA:
Beginnings: Genesis not only means ‘beginning’, but it is the book of
beginnings. The book of Genesis gives us our historical point of reference,
from which all subsequent revelation proceeds. In the book of Genesis all
the major themes of the Bible have their origin. It is a book of many
beginnings: in it we see the beginning of the universe, of man and woman,
of human sin and the fall of the race, the beginning of God’s promises of
salvation, and the beginning of the nation Israel as the chosen people of
God because of God’s special purpose for them as the channel for Messiah
and Savior. In Genesis we learn about Adam and Eve, about Satan the
tempter, about Noah, the flood, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph and his
brothers. But here we also have the beginning of marriage, family, work,
sin, murder, capitol punishment, sacrifice, races, languages, civilization,
Sabbath, the first attempt at a united nations, and Babylonianism. The
Bible is, through and through, a historical revelation. It is the account of
God’s activity in history.

KEY CHAPTERS:
Since the call of Abraham and the promises of blessing to the nations
through his seed is the prominent message of Genesis, the key chapters are
those relating to the Abrahamic covenant and its reiteration, 12:1-3; 15:1-21;
17:1-9.
KEY PEOPLE:
Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, Jacob, Rachel,
Joseph.

CHRIST AS SEEN IN GENESIS:

Prophetically: Immediately after the fall, the promise of salvation is given
in the seed of the woman (3:15), but then the Messianic links are made
clear throughout Genesis: the line of Seth (4:25), the offspring of Shem
(9:26), the family of Abraham (12:3), the seed of Isaac (26:3), the sons of
Jacob (46:3), and the tribe of Judah (49:10).

Typologically: There are several key types that portray the Savior in
Genesis.

(1) Adam is a type of Christ (Rom. 5:14). As Adam is the head of the old
creation, so Christ is the head of the new spiritual creation.

(2) Abel’s offering of a blood sacrifice points to Christ who would die for
us. Abel’s murder by Cain may also illustrate Christ’s death.

(3) Melchizedek is also a type of Christ (see Heb. 7:3).

(4) Joseph, who was loved dearly by his father, betrayed by his brothers,
and yet became the means of their deliverance typifies Christ.

OUTLINE:
The book easily falls into two major sections: Four Events and Four People

I. Four Events (Gen. 1-11).

A. The creation of the world and man (1-2)

B. The corruption of man, the fall (3-5)

C. The destruction of man, the flood (6-9)

D. The dispersion of man, the nations (10-11)

II. Four People: the election of a nation and the preparation for the
redeemer (Gen. 12-50)

A. Abraham (the father of faith and of the nation Israel) (12-23)

B. Isaac (the beloved son of promise) (24-26)

C. Jacob (scheming and chastening) (27-36)

D. Joseph (suffering and glory) (37-50)

EXODUS (The Book of Redemption)

AUTHOR:
Moses

DATE:
1450-1410 B.C.

NAME OF THE BOOK:

“Exodus” is a Latin word derived from the Greek exodos, the name given to
the book by those who translated it into the Greek Septuagint (LXX). The
word means “exit,” “departure.”

THEME AND PURPOSE:

Two themes prevail in Exodus: (1) Redemption as pictured in the Passover,
and (2) deliverance from the bondage of Egypt as seen in the Exodus out of
Egypt and crossing the Red Sea.

KEY WORD:
“Redeem,” used nine times (6:6; 13:13; 15:13; 21:8; 34:20).
After nearly four hundreds years of growth in Egypt, Exodus continues the
history of God’s chosen people, the nation of Israel, and describes their
deliverance out of Egypt and their development as a nation, actually, a
theocracy under God. It describes the birth, history, and call of Moses by
God to lead the people out of their Egyptian bondage and into the promised
land, the land of Canaan. Through the Passover lamb, the sparing of the
firstborn, along with the miracles of the ten plagues, and the crossing of the
Red Sea, God showed His people that He was not only more powerful than
any Egyptian Pharaoh, but was the sovereign Lord, Yahweh, the God of
redemption and revelation.

Once the people had crossed the Red Sea and arrived in the wilderness or
desert, God gave them His righteous law and declared that they were a
treasured possession to Him and were to be a kingdom of priests, a holy
nation as a testimony to the nations (Ex. 19:4-7). This holy law, including
the Ten Commandments, demonstrated God’s holiness, taught them how to
love God and one another, but in the process, it also demonstrated how all
fall short of the holiness of God and need a way of access to God that
provides forgiveness. This was provided for in the tabernacle, the sacrifices,
and the levitical priesthood.

KEY CHAPTERS:
Chapters 12-14 record the redemption of Israel from slavery in fulfillment
of God’s promises; delivered from slavery by blood (the Passover lamb) and
by power (the parting of the Red Sea).

KEY VERSES:
6:6 Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you
out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from
their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with
great judgment’ (see also 20:2).

19:5-6 ‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant,
then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth
is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’
These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.

KEY PEOPLE:
Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Pharaoh.

CHRIST AS SEEN IN EXODUS:

While Exodus contains no direct prophecy of Christ, there are a number of
beautiful types of the Savior.

(1) In many ways, Moses is a type of Christ. Deuteronomy 18:15 shows that
Moses, as a prophet, anticipates Christ. Both are kinsman-redeemers who
were endangered in infancy, renounced their power to serve others, and
functioned as mediators, lawgivers, and deliverers.

(2) The Passover is a very specific type of Christ as the sinless Lamb of
God (John 1:29, 36; 1 Cor. 5:7).

(3) The Seven Feasts, each of which portray some aspect of the Savior.

(4) The Exodus, which Paul connects with baptism, pictures our
identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor. 10:1-
2; Rom. 6:2-3).

(5) The Manna and Water are both portrayed as pictures of Christ (John
6:31-35, 48-63; 1 Cor. 10:3-4).

(6) The Tabernacle portrays the Savior in its material, colors, furniture,
arrangement, and the offerings sacrificed there (Heb. 9:1-10:18).

(7) The High Priest quite clearly foreshadows the person and ministry of
Christ (Heb. 4:14-16; 9:11-12, 24-28).

OUTLINE:
Exodus easily divides into two sections: Redemption and Revelation
I. Redemption From Egypt (1-18)

A. In Bondage (Subjection) (1-12)

B. Out of Bondage (Redemption by blood and power) (12-14)

C. Journeying to Sinai (Education) (15-18)

II. Revelation From God (19-40)

A. The Giving of the Law (19-24)

B. The Institution of the Tabernacle (25-31)

C. The Breaking of the Law (32-34)

D. The Construction of the Tabernacle (35-40)

LEVITICUS (The Book of Holiness)

AUTHOR:
Moses

DATE:
1450-1410 B.C.

NAME OF THE BOOK:

Leviticus receives its name from the Septuagint and means “relating to the
Levites.” The Levites were the priests who were chosen of God to minister
to the nation. The book of Leviticus contains many of the laws given by God
to direct them in their work as priests for the worship of God.

THEME AND PURPOSE:

Leviticus 11:45 says, “Be holy, because I am holy.” The directives given in
the book of Leviticus showed Israel was to walk before God as a holy
people. Leviticus was designed to teach Israel (1) how to worship and walk
with God and (2) how the nation was to fulfill its calling as a nation of
priests. The great theme of Leviticus is holiness. A holy God can only be
approached on the basis of sacrifice through the mediation of a priest.

KEY WORD:
“Holiness.”

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

20:7-8 You shall consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the
Lord your God. 8 And you shall keep My statutes and practice them; I am
the Lord who sanctifies you (see also 11:45).

KEY CHAPTER:
Chapter 16 deals with the Day of Atonement, which became the most
important day in the Hebrew calendar because it was the only day the high
priest was allowed to enter into the Holy of Holies in order to make
atonement for the people. “… for it is on this day that atonement shall be
made for you to cleanse you; you shall be clean from all your sins before the
Lord” (16:30).

KEY PEOPLE:
Moses and Aaron.

CHRIST AS SEEN IN LEVITICUS:

Similar to Exodus, a number of types of Christ are evident in Leviticus.

(1) The Five Offerings all typify the person and work of Christ in His
sinless life, submission to the Father that we might have fellowship with
God.
(2) The High Priest as mentioned above is a very prominent type of Christ
in Leviticus.

(3) The Seven Feasts, again, as mentioned, also form a type of the Savior.

OUTLINE:
Leviticus falls into two clear divisions: Sacrifice and
Sanctification

I. Sacrifice (1-17)

A. The Laws of Sacrifice for Approach to God (1-7)

B. The Laws of the Priests (8-10)

C. The Laws Regarding Purity (11-15)

D. The Laws of National Atonement (16-17)

II. Sanctification (18-27)

A. The Laws of Sanctification for God’s People (18-20)

B. The Laws of Sanctification for God’s Priests (21-22)

C. The Laws of Sanctification in Worship (23-24)

D. The Laws of Sanctification in the Land of Canaan (25-26)

E. The Laws of Sanctification and Vows (27)

NUMBERS (Wilderness Wanderings)

AUTHOR:
Moses

DATE:
1450-1410 B.C.

NAME OF THE BOOK:

Numbers gets its name from the two accounts in chapters 1 and 26 of the
numbering or counting of the people of Israel first at Mount Sinai and
second on the plains of Moab.

THEME AND PURPOSE:

Though Numbers gets its name from the numbering of the people, it is
primarily concerned with nearly 40 years of wandering in the desert. A
journey which should have only lasted eleven days became a 38-year agony
of defeat simply because of the disbelief and disobedience of the people.
Numbers, then, shows the consequence of failing to mix faith with the
promises of God (see Heb. 3:16-4:2). Further, Numbers teaches us that
while life does have its wilderness experiences, God’s people do not have to
stay in those conditions. Joshua will illustrate this later.

Another important theme shown throughout the book of Numbers is found

in God’s continual care for his people. Over and over again, regardless of
their rebellion and unbelief, He miraculously supplied their needs. He
provided them with water, manna, and quail. He continued to love and
forgive the people even when they complained, grumbled, and rebelled
against Him.

KEY WORD:
“Wanderings.”

KEY VERSES:
14:22-23 Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs, which I
performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these
ten times and have not listened to My voice, 23 shall by no means see the
land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me
see it.
20:12. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you have not
believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore
you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”

KEY CHAPTERS:
Chapters 13-14 stand as the key chapters because these chapters record a
critical turning point for the nation. Here, at Kadesh-Barnea (32:8), after
receiving the evil report from 10 of the 12 spies whom Moses sent to spy out
the land, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb Israel focused on the
giants in the land, failed to believe God, and refused to enter to possess and
conquer the land, a Land that flowed with milk and honey.

KEY PEOPLE:
Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Joshua, Caleb, Balak

CHRIST AS SEEN IN NUMBERS:

(1) Perhaps no place is there a clearer portrait of Christ and His crucifixion
than in the serpent lifted up on the standard (cf. Num. 21:4-9 with John
3:14).

(2) The rock that quenched the thirst of the people is a type of Christ (1
Cor. 10:4).

(3) The daily manna pictures Christ as the bread come down from heaven
(John 6:31-33).

(4) The pillar of cloud and fire portray the guidance of Christ and the
cities of refuge certainly portray Christ as our refuge from judgment.

(5) Finally, the red heifer is also a type of Christ (ch. 19).

OUTLINE:
Numbers divides into three sections: Preparation at Sinai, Failure of
the Old Generation, Preparation of the New Generation.
I. Preparation at Sinai (Old Generation) (1-10)

A. The Position and Numbering of the People (1-4)

B. The Precepts of God and Sanctification of the People (5:1-9:14)

C. The Pilgrimage Toward the Promised Land (9:15-10:36)

II. Failure of the Old Generation (11-25)

A. Discontent Along the Way (11-12)

B. Disbelief at Kadesh-Barnea (13-14)

C. Discipline from the Lord (15-25)

III. Preparation of the New Generation (26-36)

A. Reorganization of Israel (26-27)

B. Regulation of Offerings and Vows (28-30)

C. Regionalization of the Land (31-36)

DEUTERONOMY (Reiteration and Reviewing)

AUTHOR:
Moses

DATE:
1410 B.C.

NAME OF THE BOOK:

The English title, which comes from the Septuagint, means “second law-
giving” and comes from the mistranslation of 17:18, which actually says “a
copy of this law.” Deuteronomy is a not a second law, but rather a review,
expansion, and reiteration of the original law given at Sinai.

THEME AND PURPOSE:

Watch yourself lest you forget. After forty years of wandering in the
wilderness, the Israelites were on the eve of entering the promised land.
Before they did, it was necessary (lest they forget what God had done and
who they were) that they be reminded about all that God had done for them
and about God’s holy law which was so vital to their ability to remain in the
land and function as God’s holy nation and as a kingdom of priests to the
nations (Deut. 4:1-8). As a part of this theme or purpose, the book also
emphasizes the vital necessity of teaching children to love and obey God.
Deuteronomy ends with the renewal of God’s covenant with Israel (chapter
29), Joshua’s appointment as the new leader (chapter 31), and Moses’ death
(chapter 34).

KEY WORD:
“Covenant” (occurring some 27 times)

KEY VERSES:
4:9, 23 Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, lest you
forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your
heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your
grandsons. 23 So watch yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord
your God, which He made with you, and make for yourselves a graven
image in the form of anything against which the Lord your God has
commanded you.

4:31 For the Lord your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you
nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore
to them.

10:12-14 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you,
but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to
serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to
keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding
you today for your good? 14 Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven
and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it.

30:19-20 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have
set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in
order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving the Lord
your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your
life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the
Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.

KEY CHAPTERS:
Chapter 27 is key because in it there is a formal ratification of Israel’s
covenant as Moses and the levitical priests call upon all Israel to take heed
and listen, for in verses 9-10 it is declared, “This day you have become a
people for the Lord your God. You shall therefore obey the Lord your God,
and do His commandments and His statutes which I command you today.”

Chapters 28-30 are also key because of the promises regarding Israel’s
near and distant future as it pertains to blessing for obedience or cursing
for disobedience.

KEY PEOPLE:
Moses and Joshua.

CHRIST AS SEEN IN DEUTERONOMY:

The statement about Moses in 18:15 is one of the clearest portraits of
Christ. It reads, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me
from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.” Further,
Moses, as a type of Christ, is the only figure other than Christ to fill all three
of the offices of prophet (34:10-12), priest (Ex. 32:31-35), and king
(although Moses was not king, he functioned as ruler of Israel; 33:4-5).4

OUTLINE:
Deuteronomy divides into three sections:

I. Preamble (1:1-5)

II. Review of Israel’s Wanderings—Historical (1:6-4:43)

III. Rehearsal of Israel’s Law—Legal (4:44-26:19)

IV. Ratification of Israel’s Covenant—Motivational (27:1-30:20)

V. Conclusion (31:1-34:12)

 BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

The Old Testament (also known as the Jewish Tanakh) is the first 39 books
in most Christian Bibles. The name stands for the original promise with
God (to the descendants of Abraham in particular) prior to the coming of
Jesus Christ in the New Testament (or the new promise). The Old
Testament contains the creation of the universe, the history of the
patriarchs, the exodus from Egypt, the formation of Israel as a nation, the
subsequent decline and fall of the nation, the Prophets (who spoke for
God), and the Wisdom Books.

Genesis

 Genesis speaks of beginnings and is foundational to the

understanding of the rest of the Bible. It is supremely a book
that speaks about relationships, highlighting those between God
and his creation, between God and humankind, and between
human beings.
Exodus

 Exodus describes the history of the Israelites leaving Egypt after

slavery. The book lays a foundational theology in which God
reveals his name, his attributes, his redemption, his law and
how he is to be worshiped.

Leviticus

 Leviticus receives its name from the Septuagint (the pre-

Christian Greek translation of the Old Testament) and means
"concerning the Levites" (the priests of Israel). It serves as a
manual of regulations enabling the holy King to set up his
earthly throne among the people of his kingdom. It explains
how they are to be his holy people and to worship him in a holy
manner.

Numbers

 Numbers relates the story of Israel's journey from Mount Sinai

to the plains of Moab on the border of Canaan. The book tells of
the murmuring and rebellion of God's people and of their
subsequent judgment.

Deuteronomy

 Deuteronomy ("repetition of the Law") serves as a reminder to

God's people about His covenant. The book is a "pause" before
Joshua's conquest begins and a reminder of what God required.
Joshua

 Joshua is a story of conquest and fulfillment for the people of

God. After many years of slavery in Egypt and 40 years in the
desert, the Israelites were finally allowed to enter the land
promised to their fathers.

Judges

 The book of Judges depicts the life of Israel in the Promised

Land—from the death of Joshua to the rise of the monarchy. It
tells of urgent appeals to God in times of crisis and apostasy,
moving the Lord to raise up leaders (judges) through whom He
throws off foreign oppressors and restores the land to peace.

Ruth

 The book of Ruth has been called one of the best examples of
short narrative ever written. It presents an account of the
remnant of true faith and piety in the period of the judges
through the fall and restoration of Naomi and her daughter-in-
law Ruth (an ancestor of King David and Jesus).

1 Samuel

 Samuel relates God's establishment of a political system in

Israel headed by a human king. Through Samuel's life, we see
the rise of the monarchy and the tragedy of its first king, Saul.
2 Samuel

 After the failure of King Saul, 2 Samuel depicts David as a true

(though imperfect) representative of the ideal theocratic king.
Under David's rule the Lord caused the nation to prosper, to
defeat its enemies, and to realize the fulfillment of His
promises.

1 Kings

 1 Kings continues the account of the monarchy in Israel and

God's involvement through the prophets. After David, his son
Solomon ascends the throne of a united kingdom, but this unity
only lasts during his reign. The book explores how each
subsequent king in Israel and Judah answers God's call—or, as
often happens, fails to listen.

2 Kings

 2 Kings carries the historical account of Judah and Israel

forward. The kings of each nation are judged in light of their
obedience to the covenant with God. Ultimately, the people of
both nations are exiled for disobedience.

1 Chronicles

 Just as the author of Kings had organized and interpreted

Israel's history to address the needs of the exiled community, so
the writer of 1 Chronicles wrote for the restored community
another history.
2 Chronicles

 2 Chronicles continues the account of Israel's history with an

eye for restoration of those who had returned from exile.

Ezra

 The book of Ezra relates how God's covenant people were

restored from Babylonian exile to the covenant land as a
theocratic (kingdom of God) community even while continuing
under foreign rule.

Nehemiah

 Closely related to the book of Ezra, Nehemiah chronicles the

return of this "cupbearer to the king" and the challenges he and
the other Israelites face in their restored homeland.

Esther

 Esther records the institution of the annual festival of Purim

through the historical account of Esther, a Jewish girl who
becomes queen of Persia and saves her people from destruction.

Job

 Through a series of monologues, the book of Job relates the

account of a righteous man who suffers under terrible
circumstances. The book's profound insights, its literary
structures, and the quality of its rhetoric display the author's
genius.
Psalms

 The Psalms are collected songs and poems that represent

centuries worth of praises and prayers to God on a number of
themes and circumstances. The Psalms are impassioned, vivid
and concrete; they are rich in images, in simile and metaphor.

Proverbs

 Proverbs was written to give "prudence to the simple,

knowledge and discretion to the young," and to make the wise
even wiser. The frequent references to "my son(s)" emphasize
instructing the young and guiding them in a way of life that
yields rewarding results.

Ecclesiastes

 The author of Ecclesiastes puts his powers of wisdom to work to

examine the human experience and assess the human situation.
His perspective is limited to what happens "under the sun" (as
is that of all human teachers).

Song of Songs

 In ancient Israel everything human came to expression in

words: reverence, gratitude, anger, sorrow, suffering, trust,
friendship, commitment. In the Song of Solomon, it is love that
finds words–inspired words that disclose its exquisite charm
and beauty as one of God's choicest gifts.
Isaiah

 Isaiah son of Amoz is often thought of as the greatest of the

writing prophets. His name means "The Lord saves." Isaiah is a
book that unveils the full dimensions of God's judgment and
salvation.

Jeremiah

 This book preserves an account of the prophetic ministry of

Jeremiah, whose personal life and struggles are shown to us in
greater depth and detail than those of any other Old Testament
prophet.

Lamentations

 Lamentations consists of a series of poetic and powerful

laments over the destruction of Jerusalem (the royal city of the
Lord's kingdom) in 586 B.C.

Ezekiel

 The Old Testament in general and the prophets in particular

presuppose and teach God's sovereignty over all creation and
the course of history. And nowhere in the Bible are God's
initiative and control expressed more clearly and pervasively
than in the book of the prophet Ezekiel.
Daniel

 Daniel captures the major events in the life of the prophet

Daniel during Israel's exile. His life and visions point to God's
plans of redemption and sovereign control of history.

Hosea

 The prophet Hosea son of Beeri lived in the tragic final days of
the northern kingdom. His life served as a parable of God's
faithfulness to an unfaithful Israel.

Joel

 The prophet Joel warned the people of Judah about God's

coming judgment—and the coming restoration and blessing
that will come through repentance.

Amos

 Amos prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah over Judah (792-

740 B.C.) and Jeroboam II over Israel (793-753).


Obadiah

 The prophet Obadiah warned the proud people of Edom about

the impending judgment coming upon them.
Jonah

 Jonah is unusual as a prophetic book in that it is a narrative

account of Jonah's mission to the city of Nineveh, his
resistance, his imprisonment in a great fish, his visit to the city,
and the subsequent outcome.


Micah

 Micah prophesied sometime between 750 and 686 B.C. during

the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Israel was in an apostate condition. Micah predicted the fall of
her capital, Samaria, and also foretold the inevitable desolation
of Judah.


Nahum

 The book contains the "vision of Nahum," whose name means

"comfort." The focal point of the entire book is the Lord's
judgment on Nineveh for her oppression, cruelty, idolatry, and
wickedness.


Habakkuk

 Little is known about Habakkuk except that he was a

contemporary of Jeremiah and a man of vigorous faith. The
book bearing his name contains a dialogue between the prophet
and God concerning injustice and suffering.


Zephaniah
  The prophet Zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable
social standing in Judah and was probably related to the royal
line. The intent of the author was to announce to Judah God's
approaching judgment.


Haggai

 Haggai was a prophet who, along with Zechariah, encouraged

the returned exiles to rebuild the temple. His prophecies clearly
show the consequences of disobedience. When the people give
priority to God and his house, they are blessed.


Zechariah

 Like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Zechariah was not only a prophet,

but also a member of a priestly family. The chief purpose of
Zechariah (and Haggai) was to rebuke the people of Judah and
to encourage and motivate them to complete the rebuilding of
the temple.


Malachi

 Malachi, whose name means "my messenger," spoke to the

Israelites after their return from exile. The theological message
of the book can be summed up in one sentence: The Great King
will come not only to judge his people, but also to bless and
restore them.
The New Testament is a collection of 27 books, usually placed after the Old
Testament in most Christian Bibles. The name refers to the new covenant
(or promise) between God and humanity through the death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ. The New Testament chronicles the life and
ministry of Jesus, the growth and impact of the early church, and
instructive letters to early churches.
 

Matthew

 Matthew's main purpose in writing his Gospel (the "good

news") is to prove to his Jewish readers that Jesus is their
Messiah. He does this primarily by showing how Jesus in his
life and ministry fulfilled the Old Testament Scriptures.

Mark

 Since Mark's Gospel (the "good news") is traditionally

associated with Rome, it may have been occasioned by the
persecutions of the Roman church in the period c. A.D. 64-67.
Mark may be writing to prepare his readers for such suffering
by placing before them the life of our Lord.

Luke

 Luke's Gospel (the "good news") was written to strengthen the

faith of all believers and to answer the attacks of unbelievers. It
was presented to debunk some disconnected and ill-founded
reports about Jesus. Luke wanted to show that the place of the
Gentile (non-Jewish) Christian in God's kingdom is based on
the teaching of Jesus.


John

 John's Gospel (the "good news") is rather different from the

other three, highlighting events not detailed in the others. The
author himself states his main purpose clearly in 20:31: "that
you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and
that by believing you may have life in his name."
 

Acts

 The book of Acts provides a bridge for the writings of the New
Testament. As a second volume to Luke's Gospel, it joins what
Jesus "began to do and to teach" as told in the Gospels with
what he continued to do and teach through the apostles'
preaching and the establishment of the church.

Romans

 Paul's primary theme in Romans is presenting the gospel (the

"good news"), God's plan of salvation and righteousness for all
humankind, Jew and non-Jew alike.

1 Corinthians

 The first letter to the Corinthians revolves around the theme of

problems in Christian conduct in the church. It thus has to do
with progressive sanctification, the continuing development of a
holy character. Obviously Paul was personally concerned with
the Corinthians' problems, revealing a true pastor's
(shepherd's) heart.


2 Corinthians

 Because of the occasion that prompted this letter, Paul had a

number of purposes in mind: to express the comfort and joy
Paul felt because the Corinthians had responded favorably to
his painful letter; to let them know about the trouble he went
through in the province of Asia; and to explain to them the true
 nature (its joys, sufferings and rewards) and high calling of
Christian ministry.


Galatians

 Galatians stands as an eloquent and vigorous apologetic for the

essential New Testament truth that people are justified by faith
in Jesus Christ—by nothing less and nothing more—and that
they are sanctified not by legalistic works but by the obedience
that comes from faith in God's work for them.

Ephesians

 Unlike several of the other letters Paul wrote, Ephesians does

not address any particular error or heresy. Paul wrote to expand
the horizons of his readers, so that they might understand
better the dimensions of God's eternal purpose and grace and
come to appreciate the high goals God has for the church.

Philippians

 Paul's primary purpose in writing this letter was to thank the

Philippians for the gift they had sent him upon learning of his
detention at Rome. However, he makes use of this occasion to
fulfill several other desires: (1) to report on his own
circumstances; (2) to encourage the Philippians to stand firm in
the face of persecution and rejoice regardless of circumstances;
and (3) to exhort them to humility and unity.

Colossians
  Paul's purpose is to refute the Colossian heresy. To accomplish
this goal, he exalts Christ as the very image of God, the Creator,
the preexistent sustainer of all things, the head of the church,
the first to be resurrected, the fullness of deity (God) in bodily
form, and the reconciler.


1 Thessalonians

 Although the thrust of the letter is varied, the subject of

eschatology (doctrine of last things) seems to be predominant in
both Thessalonian letters. Every chapter of 1 Thessalonians
ends with a reference to the second coming of Christ.

2 Thessalonians

 Since the situation in the Thessalonian church has not changed

substantially, Paul's purpose in writing is very much the same
as in his first letter to them. He writes (1) to encourage
persecuted believers, (2) to correct a misunderstanding
concerning the Lord's return, and (3) to exhort the
Thessalonians to be steadfast and to work for a living.

1 Timothy

 During his fourth missionary journey, Paul had instructed

Timothy to care for the church at Ephesus while he went on to
Macedonia. When he realized that he might not return to
Ephesus in the near future, he wrote this first letter to Timothy
to develop the charge he had given his young assistant. This is
the first of the "Pastoral Epistles."
2 Timothy

 Paul was concerned about the welfare of the churches during

this time of persecution under Nero, and he admonishes
Timothy to guard the gospel, to persevere in it, to keep on
preaching it, and, if necessary, to suffer for it. This is the second
"Pastoral Epistle."

Titus

 Apparently Paul introduced Christianity in Crete when he and

Titus visited the island, after which he left Titus there to
organize the converts. Paul sent the letter with Zenas and
Apollos, who were on a journey that took them through Crete,
to give Titus personal authorization and guidance in meeting
opposition, instructions about faith and conduct, and warnings
about false teachers. This is the last of the "Pastoral Epistles."

Philemon

 To win Philemon's willing acceptance of the runaway slave

Onesimus, Paul writes very tactfully and in a lighthearted tone,
which he creates with wordplay. The appeal is organized in a
way prescribed by ancient Greek and Roman teachers: to build
rapport, to persuade the mind, and to move the emotions.

Hebrews

 The theme of Hebrews is the absolute supremacy and

sufficiency of Jesus Christ as revealer and as mediator of God's
grace. A striking feature of this presentation of the gospel is the
unique manner in which the author employs expositions of
eight specific passages of the Old Testament Scriptures.
 

James

 Characteristics that make the letter distinctive are: (1) its

unmistakably Jewish nature; (2) its emphasis on vital
Christianity, characterized by good deeds and a faith that works
(genuine faith must and will be accompanied by a consistent
lifestyle); (3) its simple organization; (4) and its familiarity with
Jesus' teachings preserved in the Sermon on the Mount.

1 Peter

 Although 1 Peter is a short letter, it touches on various doctrines

and has much to say about Christian life and duties. It is not
surprising that different readers have found it to have different
principal themes. For example, it has been characterized as a
letter of separation, of suffering and persecution, of suffering
and glory, of hope, of pilgrimage, of courage, and as a letter
dealing with the true grace of God.

2 Peter

 In his first letter Peter feeds Christ's sheep by instructing them

how to deal with persecution from outside the church; in this
second letter he teaches them how to deal with false teachers
and evildoers who have come into the church.

1 John

 John's readers were confronted with an early form of Gnostic

teaching of the Cerinthian variety. This heresy was also
 libertine, throwing off all moral restraints. Consequently, John
wrote this letter with two basic purposes in mind: (1) to expose
false teachers and (2) to give believers assurance of salvation.


2 John

 During the first two centuries the gospel was taken from place
to place by traveling evangelists and teachers. Believers
customarily took these missionaries into their homes and gave
them provisions for their journey when they left. Since Gnostic
teachers also relied on this practice, 2 John was written to urge
discernment in supporting traveling teachers

3 John

 Itinerant teachers sent out by John were rejected in one of the

churches in the province of Asia by a dictatorial leader,
Diotrephes, who even excommunicated members who showed
hospitality to John's messengers. John wrote this letter to
commend Gaius for supporting the teachers and, indirectly, to
warn Diotrephes.

Jude

 Although Jude was very eager to write to his readers about

salvation, he felt that he must instead warn them about certain
immoral men circulating among them who were perverting the
grace of God. Apparently these false teachers were trying to
convince believers that being saved by grace gave them license
to sin since their sins would no longer be held against them.
 Revelation

 John writes to encourage the faithful to resist staunchly the

demands of emperor worship. He informs his readers that the
final showdown between God and Satan is imminent. Satan will
increase his persecution of believers, but they must stand fast,
even to death. They are sealed against any spiritual harm and
will soon be vindicated when Christ returns, when the wicked
are forever destroyed, and when God's people enter an eternity
of glory and blessedness.

 WERE ADAM AND EVE REAL PEOPLE OR

NOT?

This question of the historicity of Adam and Eve is important because it’s
the foundation of the biblical story. Without a real Adam and Eve, the Bible
loses its basis for the fall, sin, the need for redemption, and the need for
Jesus and atonement. Many scholars—including some who are professing
Christians—who are rejecting the biblical account of Adam and Eve as
historical recognize this fact.
The Authority of the Bible
One of the central tenants of Protestant Christianity is sola Scriptura.
Simply said, sola Scriptura states that there is no higher authority for belief
and practice in this life than Scripture.
This is not to be confused with solo Scriptura, which wrongly says that the
only place that has truth is the Bible. Certainly there are truths about life
and this world that we, by God’s common grace, can discover and that
Scripture itself doesn’t address. For instance, a mechanic doesn’t need to
consult the Bible to figure out how to fix a car. This is knowledge that we
gain from life experience that is true, not addressed by Scripture, and which
Scripture doesn’t address for obvious reasons. Likewise, a doctor can use
modern science to determine things about our bodies that are not taught in
Scripture and still talk of those things as truth.
Problems arise, however, when we find truths that seemingly contradict the
truths of Scripture and, rather than subject those truths to the authority of
Scripture, instead consider those truths to invalidate the truths of
Scripture.
What the Bible says About Adam and Eve
While the issues at stake are often quite confusing, it’s apparent as we look
at Scripture that it teaches the truth that Adam—and by extension Eve—
were the first persons and that they were also the first persons.
Adam as the first person
One of the main reasons that Christians need to affirm that Adam was
the first human being to exist is the doctrine of the fall and original sin.
Genesis 3:17 says, “And to Adam he said, ‘Because you have listened to the
voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you,
“You shall not eat of it,” cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you
shall eat of it all the days of your life.’” Here we see that God, as a result of
Adam’s sin, pronounces a curse upon Adam and all humanity after him.
Christians take seriously the fact that God made all things good and without
sin (Gen. 1:31), and this has important ramifications for the consummation
and new creation (Revelation 21). Yet Adam, as the first person, brought sin
into the world and tainted God’s perfect creation. Romans 5:12 says that
“sin came into the world through one man [Adam], and death through sin,
and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” And Romans 6:23 says
that “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Based on what Scripture itself teaches, the Christian must be able to affirm
the truth that Adam was the first person, through whom sin entered into
the world, in order to speak of Christ as the “last Adam,” through whom sin
and its curse—death—were vanquished (1 Cor. 15:45).
 THE BIBLICAL REASON THAT ADAM AND
EVE WERE CAST OUT OF THE GARDEN OF
EDEN

The banishment of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden is one of the
most well known Biblical stories. As most believe, the reason why both
Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden was because they
disobeyed God and ate from the tree, and hence they committed sin, and as
a result of this sin they were banished from the presence of God as sin
cannot be in the presence of God.

Now is the above account actually biblical? That might sound strange, as
this has become quite an established tradition, so one would assume this is
actually straight from the Bible itself. Yet if anyone actually reads the entire
story one will see that Adam and Eve were not banished because they
sinned, but they were banished for another reason. Let us read the story
piece by piece to get a clear picture:

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD
God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not
eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may
eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘you must not eat
fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not
touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the
woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be
opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1-5)

So the serpent began to tempt Eve to eat from the tree, and the serpent told
Eve that once she eats from the tree her eyes shall be opened and she will
become like God and will know good from evil, basically according to the
serpent Eve will acquire knowledge by eating from this tree. The story goes
on:
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and
pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some
and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate
it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were
naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for
themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God
as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the
LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the
man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was
afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And he said, “Who told you that you
were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat
from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me
some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” (Genesis 3:6-12)

So eventually both Adam and Eve eat from the tree, disobeying what God
had commanded them to do, and God finds out about it as well. Now the
assumption that is then made is that as a result of this action, sin entered
the garden, and what followed was their banishment from the garden. Yet
as we read on we get the answer as to why God threw them out:

The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed
them. And the LORD God said, “The man has now become like one of us,
knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and
take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the LORD God
banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he
had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east sideof the
Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to
guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:21-24)

So as one can read, the reason why God decided to banish Adam was
because Adam now had the knowledge of good and bad, and that he should
be prevented from eating from the tree of life, which was ANOTHER tree in
the garden, and if Adam ate from this tree he would live forever. So God
banished Adam from the Garden not because of sin, but to prevent him
from eating from the tree of life! God event went as far as to place a flaming
sword to guard the tree of life:

This is something many people often overlook, or are even ignorant about,
that the Bible speaks of two trees, the tree of life, and the tree of knowledge:
Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he
put the man he had formed. The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow
out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.

 IS SATAN A REAL BEING?


The Bible describes Satan as a real person who exists in the invisible spirit
realm. (Job 1:6) It tells us about his vicious and ruthless qualities as well as his
evil actions. (Job 1:13-19; 2:7, 8; 2 Timothy 2:26) It even records conversations that
Satan had with God and with Jesus.—Job 1:7-12; Matthew 4:1-11.
Where did such an evil being come from? Long before man existed, God
created his “firstborn” Son, who eventually came to be known as Jesus.
(Colossians 1:15) In time, other “sons of God,” called angels, were created. (Job
38:4-7) All were perfect and righteous. However, one of those angels would
become Satan.
Satan was not his given name at the time of his creation. It is a
descriptive name, which means “Adversary; Enemy; Accuser.” He came to
be called Satan because he chose a life course in opposition to God.
Feelings of pride and rivalry toward God grew within this spirit creature.
He wanted others to worship him. When God’s firstborn Son, Jesus, was on
the earth, Satan even attempted to get Jesus to “do an act of worship” to
him.—Matthew 4:9.
Satan “did not stand fast in the truth.” (John 8:44) He implied that God was a
liar, when, in fact, he was the liar. He told Eve that she could be like God,
whereas he wanted to be like God. And through his deceitful ways, he
achieved his selfish desire. To Eve, he made himself higher than God. By
obeying Satan, Eve accepted Satan as her god.—Genesis 3:1-7.
By fomenting rebellion, this once trusted angel made himself Satan—an
adversary and enemy of God and man. The designation “Devil,” which
means “Slanderer,” was also added to this wicked one’s description. This
leader of sin eventually influenced other angels to disobey God and join his
rebellion. (Genesis 6:1, 2; 1 Peter 3:19, 20) These angels did not make mankind’s
situation better. Because of their imitating Satan’s selfish ways, “the earth
became filled with violence.”—Genesis 6:11; Matthew 12:24.
 HOW MANY NATURES DOES JESUS HAVE?

The word 'nature' refers to what we naturally, fundamentally are. We have

shown in Study 1 that the Bible speaks of only two natures - that of God,
and that of man. By nature God cannot die, be tempted etc. It is evident
that Christ was not of God's nature during his life. He was therefore totally
of human nature. From our definition of the word 'nature' it should be
evident that Christ could not have had two natures simultaneously. It was
vital that Christ was tempted like us (Heb. 4:15), so that through his perfect
overcoming of temptation he could gain forgiveness for us. The wrong
desires which are the basis of our temptations come from within us (Mark
7:15-23), from within our human nature (James 1:13-15). It was necessary,
therefore, that Christ should be of human nature so that he could
experience and overcome these temptations.
Hebrews 2:14-18 puts all this in so many words:
"As the children (us) are partakers of flesh and blood (human nature), he
(Christ) also himself likewise took part (i.e. "partook", R.S.V.) of the same
(nature); that through death he might destroy...the devil...For verily he took
not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the (nature of the) seed
ofAbraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest... to make
reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered
being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted".
This passage places extraordinary emphasis upon the fact that Jesus had
human nature: "He also himself likewise" partook of it (Heb. 2:14). This
phrase uses three words all with the same meaning, just to drive the point
home. He partook "of the same" nature; the record could have said 'he
partook of IT too', but it stresses, "he partook of the same". Heb. 2:16
similarly labours the point that Christ did not have angels' nature, seeing
that he was the seed of Abraham, who had come to bring salvation for the
multitude of believers who would become Abraham's seed. Because of this,
it was necessary for Christ to have human nature. In every way he had "to
be made like unto his brethren" (Heb. 2:17) so that God could grant us
forgiveness through Christ's sacrifice. To say that Jesus was not totally of
human nature is therefore to be ignorant of the very basics of the good news
of Christ.
Whenever baptized believers sin, they can come to God, confessing their sin
in prayer through Christ (1 John 1:9); God is aware that Christ was tempted
to sin exactly as they are, but that he was perfect, overcoming that very
temptation which they fail. Because of this, "God for Christ's sake" can
forgive us (Eph. 4:32). It is therefore vital to appreciate how Christ was
tempted just like us, and needed to have our nature for this to be possible.
Heb. 2:14 clearly states that Christ had "flesh and blood" nature to make
this possible. "God is Spirit" (John 4:24) by nature and although He has a
material body, as "Spirit" He does not have flesh and blood. Christ having
"flesh" nature means that in no way did he have God's nature during his
lifetime.
Previous attempts by men to keep God's word, i.e. to totally overcome
temptation, had all failed. Therefore "God sending his own Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh, and by a sacrifice for sin, condemned sin in the
flesh" (Rom. 8:3 A.V. mg.).
"Sin" refers to the natural proneness to sin which we have by nature. We
have given way to this already, and continue to do so, and "the wages of sin
is death". To get out of this predicament, man needed outside help. He
himself seemed incapable of perfection; it was and is not within flesh to
redeem the flesh. God therefore intervened and gave us His own Son, who
had our "sinful flesh", with all the promptings to sin which we have. Unlike
every other man, Christ overcame every temptation, although he had the
possibility of failure and sinning just as much as we do. Rom. 8:3 describes
Christ's human nature as "sinful flesh". A few verses earlier, Paul spoke of
how in the flesh "dwelleth no good thing", and how the flesh naturally
militates against obedience to God (Rom. 7:18-23). In this context it is all
the more marvellous to read that Christ had "sinful flesh" in Rom. 8:3.
 MUST YOU BE BAPTIZED IN ORDER TO BE
SAVED?
The will of the Father also includes our being baptized for the forgiveness of
our sins, so that we can be saved and go to heaven. In Mark 16:16 Jesus
says,"He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not
believe will be condemned." This is such a simple command to obey in the
way the Lord says to do it. Notice the divine order: 1) Believe + 2) Baptism
= 3) Saved. Jesus says that both belief and baptism are required to be
saved. But men, at the prompting of Satan, are trying to tell us many other
different things that are contrary to what Jesus says. Men have taken what
the Lord said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved," and have
changed it in every way possible to suit themselves. The following is what
Jesus says and also ways in which man has tried to change what the Lord
has said.
1) As we have just seen Jesus says in Mark 16:16, "He
who believes and is baptized will be saved."

2) There are those who in reality say that, "He that does not believe
and is not baptized will be saved," because they say God is going to
save everyone. This is the Universalist who says that everyone is
going to be saved and no one is going to be lost. We know this is not
true because of what our Lord said in Matthew 7:13-14, that many
are going to be lost and only few are going to be saved.
3) Then there are others who essentially say that, "He who believes
and is baptized will not be saved." They say that no one is going to
be saved. This is the Atheist who says that there is not going to be
an eternity and that when you are dead, you are like the dog Rover,
you are dead all over. But again we know that this is false. We have
already seen that few will be saved, but the majority will be lost.
4) Still others imply that, "He who does not believe but is baptized
will be saved." These are those who practice infant baptism, but an
 infant certainly cannot believe. Of course an infant is not
accountable but is innocent and is not lost.
5) Then there are also those who essentially say that, "He who
believes and is not baptized will be saved." They are trying to tell us
that we are saved by faith only and that baptism is not necessary to
be saved, but all that you have to do is believe. Again, like the other
three, this is contrary to what the Lord has said in Mark 16:16, "He
who believes and is baptized shall be saved." On the day of
judgment we are only going to be judged by what the Lord says and
not by what we think.
Who are you following? Are you following 1) Jesus, 2) the Universalist, 3)
the Atheist, 4) those promoting infant baptism, or 5) those promoting faith
only? We can go to heaven only by following what Jesus says and not what
man says. The following chart shows what the Lord has said and also the
many ways that men have tried to change it. They have changed it every
way possible to suit themselves.

1) Jesus in Mark 16:16 says: Believe + Baptized = Saved

2) Universalist says: Not Believe + Not Baptized = Saved
3) Atheist says: Believe + Baptized = Not Saved
4) Infant Baptism says: Not Believe + Baptized = Saved
5) Faith Only says: Believe + Not Baptized = Saved

Our Lord said in Mark 16:16, "He who believes and is baptized will be
saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." But there are those
who want to ignore what Jesus said in the first half of the verse and only
look at the latter half. They do this in an attempt to try to manufacture a
loophole in what the Lord has said. They are not willing to accept that
Jesus says we must believe and be baptized to be saved. Jesus could not
make it any clearer what one has to do to be saved.
In the later half of the verse Jesus says "but he who does not believe will be
condemned." But there are those who say that Jesus did not say you would
be condemned if you were not baptized. People who say this are grasping at
straws in trying to avoid what the Lord who is our only Saviour
requires. But people are doing this to their own eternal destruction. One
who does not believe will certainly not be baptized. One who does not
believe could go through the motions and get dunked under the water, but
he would not be scripturally baptized. He would only get wet. Since one
who does not believe could not be scripturally baptized, it would have been
useless for the Lord to have mentioned baptism in the latter half of the
verse. People may argue against the Lord's requirement of being baptized
in order to be saved, but they will not be able to argue with the Lord when
they stand before Him on the Day of Judgment. It will be too late then.
When we stand before the Lord on the day of judgment to be judged by
Him, there are going to be many who have chosen not to do what the Lord
has said. Rather they have chosen to do what man has said to do. Romans
10:3 tells us that people are "Seeking to establish their own righteousness,
have not submitted to the righteousness of God." The choice is ours. Either
we have tried to establish our own righteousness or we have submitted to
the righteousness of God. Unless we are forgiven the way that Jesus Christ
has specified in the Bible then we will die in our sins and be forever lost and
forever separated from God in eternal punishment. We make the decision;
but we will reap the eternal consequences. Are you ready for those
consequences?
The Lord says in John 12:48, "The word that I have spoken will judge him
in the last day." We are not going to be judged by what man says or by what
we think, but by what our Lord says. This is going to be the standard for
judgment.
For the majority of people, the judgment will be a horrible day, and a day of
many terrible surprises. Obedience to our Lord will save any lost person, no
matter how evil his past has been, but obedience to a mere human doctrine
will not save anyone, no matter how good they have been. Speaking of
Christ, Hebrews 5:9 says, "And having been perfected, He became the
author of eternal salvation to all them that obey Him." Yes, we must obey
our Lord, if we expect Him to save us.
Baptism is not a work of merit that man does. We do nothing for God when
we are baptized, except obey Him; but God does something for us. Baptism
is God's chosen way of imparting His saving grace. Baptism is the
submission to the command of God that saves.

 DID JESUS RISE FROM THE DEAD IN A

PHYSICAL BODY OR NOT?

Christians around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This
unique, historical event is foundational to Christianity. In fact, the apostle
Paul says,
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your
sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in
Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
(1 Cor. 15:17–19)
Christians are not the only ones who believe in the resurrection. Jehovah’s
Witnesses also claim that Jesus rose from the dead. However, Christians
and Jehovah’s Witnesses understand the resurrection of Jesus from the
dead very differently.
It is often the case, when dealing with contemporary cults, that they will use
the same language as Christians, but they mean very different things. One
way to expose this confusion is to ask questions. One of the most important
questions in your arsenal is the clarifying question “What do you mean by
that?” Applying this question to the resurrection, we need to ask, “What do
they mean by ‘Jesus rose from the dead’?”
What you will find out is that Jehovah’s Witnesses take the resurrection of
Jesus to be non-physical. Jesus’ physical body did not rise; He only rose as
a spirit being. Conversely, Christians hold that Jesus rose physically from
the dead. The same body that died on the cross is the same body that rose
three days later, leaving an empty tomb.
Let’s be clear. Christians and Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot both be right.
Jesus either physically rose from the dead, or He did not. To settle this
issue, we need to go straight to the text of Scripture. Specifically, let’s
examine two passages that explicitly affirm the physical, bodily resurrection
of Jesus. John records a heated exchange between some of the Jewish
leaders and Jesus:
So the Jews said to Him, “What sign do You show us for doing these
things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I
will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build
this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking
about the temple of His body. (John 2:18–21)
Read these words carefully. Jesus says, “Destroy this temple, and in three
days I will raise it up.” What were the Jews going to destroy? Jesus’ body.
What was Jesus going to raise up after three days? Jesus’ body. This is a
clear admission from Jesus that His physical body would be resurrected.
Furthermore, Jesus referring to His body as a temple is consistent with
Paul’s writing. He says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of
the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your
own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Cor.
6:19–20).
Luke provides an even stronger testimony to the physical, bodily
resurrection of Jesus. Ironically, this comes from the resurrected Jesus
Himself.
And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in
your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Touch Me, and
see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And
when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. (Luke
24:38–40)
Here Jesus is explicitly pointing out that His resurrected body is not merely
an immaterial spirit. First, He tells them it is I myself. He is belaboring the
point that it is Jesus standing before them. It’s not a spiritual version of
Jesus. It is the same Jesus that they walked, talked, and ate with
throughout His ministry.
Second, He tells them His resurrected body is made of flesh and bones, not
just made to look like it is flesh and bones. Jesus then provides two
evidences for the disciples. The first evidence is that He presents His hands
and feet to properly examine. He tells them to touch and see. Is there a
reason why Jesus “shows them His hands and His feet”? The answer is, yes.
Jesus was showing the disciples the very scars His resurrected body
retained from the crucifixion. In fact, when you read the parallel account in
John’s Gospel, Jesus “showed them His hands and His side” (John 20:20).

 WHAT BOOK AND CHAPTER OF THE BIBLE

HAS THE 10 COMMANDMENTS?

These 10 beneficial laws were given by the Creator God to show us how to
live a better life now and please God forever.
God gave the 10 Commandments from Mount Sinai, accompanied by
smoke, earthquakes and the blast of a trumpet to emphasize the
importance of these laws. Moses recorded God’s words in Exodus 20 and
recounted the event again in Deuteronomy 5. There are only slight
differences of emphasis in the accounts. Both versions are listed below,
along with a list of the commandments in short form.
The numbering of the commandments below reflects the numbering used
in much of the Christian world, though Catholics, Jews and others use
various numbering systems.
Do the 10 commandments apply in our lives today? Download the free

booklet for answers.

The 10 Commandments List, Short Form
You shall have no other gods before Me.
You shall not make idols.
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet.
The 10 Commandments List in Exodus 20:2-17
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of
the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything
that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the
water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For
I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers
upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My
commandments.
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD
will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and
do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God.
In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your
male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger
who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and
the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day.
Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the
land which the LORD your God is giving you.
“You shall not murder.
“You shall not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your
neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox,
nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
The 10 Commandments List in Deuteronomy 5:6-21
“I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of
the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything
that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the
water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For
I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers
upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My
commandments.
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD
will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
“Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God
commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the
seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no
work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor
your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle,
nor your stranger who is within your gates, that your male servant and your
female servant may rest as well as you. And remember that you were a slave
in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there by
a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God
commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has
commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with
you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
“You shall not murder.
“You shall not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your
neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his
donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”