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Saturday, October 4, 2008

Foundation Bible Study
15 Lesson Series

Foundation Bible Study Series * This is a very exciting Bible Study series giving the foudation principles for growth in pleasing God. If you will e-mail me as you complete the quizes for each lesson to BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com I will return the answers to you. Just contact me (e-mail or cell, 253-396-0290) and let me know when you are ready to begin -- and I will send you the Questions to be completed for each section. Thanks, Dennis Crawford, the editor.

Lesson 1 --- God

Lesson 2 --- Man

Lesson 3 --- Sin

Lesson 4 --- Grace

Lesson 5 --- Salvation

Lesson 6 --- Jesus Christ

Lesson 7 --- Christ in Prophecy

Lesson 8 --- Faith

Lesson 9 --- Repentance

Lesson 10 -- Confession

Lesson 11 -- Baptism

Lesson 12 -- Steadfastness

Lesson 13 -- The Word of God

Lesson 14 -- The church

Lesson 15 -- Worship

16) Return to Home --- Main Menu
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Lesson 1 --- GOD

Lesson 1 --- God
by Doug Jones


In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).
It is no accident that God is the subject of the very first verse of the Bible. That He exists is the basic truth upon which all reality depends. Without God there is nothing. From the viewpoint of the Biblical writers the existence of God needs no proof. There is overwhelming evidence of His existence and activity on every hand. “For since the creation of the world. His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead...’ (Romans 1:20). Further; “He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17).

II. THE ETERNITY OF GOD
Difficult as it is for our finite minds to grasp. God has neither beginning nor end. In the words of Psalmist: “Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” (Psalm 90:2) He is, Isaiah says, “the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity. “(Isaiah 57:15). God therefore is not only outside the limitations of time but also free from all change. “Heaven and earth,” the Psalmist declares, “they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will have no end.” (Psalms 102:26b-27). Moreover, God Himself declares: “For I am the LORD, I do not change.” (Malalicai 3:6). Consequently, there is abiding security, Moses tells us. only in Him who is timeless: “The eternal God is your refuge” (Deuteronomy 33:27). On the other hand, it is futile to seek security in the ever-changing things of earth and time, “For the form of this world is passing away
(1 Corinthians 7:31).

III. THE OMNIPRESENCE OF GOD
God is not limited by space.Behold,” marvels Solomon, “heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain (God)” (1 Kings 8:27). Neither is God confined to any place. Know and consider, urges Moses. “The Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.” (Deuteronomy 4:39). In awe David asks: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there, If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me....” (Psalms 139:7-10) “ ‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:24). On hearing this scripture a puzzled child asked, “If God is everywhere, how is there any room for us?” The answer of course is that God is not a material but a spiritual Being. His presence does not exclude our existence but rather makes it possible “For in him we live, and move and have our being...” (Acts 17:28)

IV. THE OMNISCIENCE OF GOD
All things, past, present, and future, are known to God. By the mouth of the prophet Isaiah He proclaims, “I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning And from ancient times things that are not yet done,” (Isaiah 46:9-10)

The writer of Hebrews adds “there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13). No thought is hidden from Him, “for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts” (1 Chronicles 28:9) God, the Psalmist acknowledges, is “acquainted with all my ways” (Psalms 139:3), “my sins are not hidden from You” (Psalms 69:5). Again the Psalmist says: “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.” (Psalms 147:5).

Beyond what God has revealed, then, there is for our finite minds “His understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28). No wonder the Apostle Paul exclaims: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33)

V. THE OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD
The power of God is limitless. He is thereby described as “the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!” (Revelation 19:6). Job confesses “I know that You can do everything And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” (Job 42:1-2). The totality of God’s power is indicated by the following:
    (1) Nothing exists without Him.
    He is “The great God who formed everything” (Proverbs 26:10).
    (2) Nothing can thwart His purposes. He “does according to His will ... No one can restrain His hand.” (Daniel 4:35).
    NOTE: While Gods power is without limit, it must be remembered that He cannot use that power in any way contrary to His own character, Thus when Jesus says, “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26), He means all things that are morally right. It is, for example, “... impossible for God to lie.” (Hebrews 6:18)

VI. THE CHARACTER OF GOD
Something of the character of God may be found on virtually every page of the Bible. Here, however, a few brief references must suffice.
    A. God is righteous and holy: “The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works” (Psalms 145:17).
    B.
    He is gracious and merciful: “Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful” (Psalms 116:5).
    C.
    He is kind: “You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness ...“ (Nehemiah 9:17).
    D. He is a loving God.God is love” (1 John 4:16) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)
    E. God is faithful: “O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” (Isaiah 25:1). F. He is Longsuffering God.
    ‘“is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9).
VII. GOD AS SAVIOR
It is “God our Savior,” writes Paul, “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:3, 4). God sent His Son to provide men salvation from the consequences of sin. “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ...” (I Timothy 1:15). Further, God sent messengers to proclaim this good news. Regarding his own commitment to proclaiming the message, Paul says: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (Romans 1:16).

VIII. GOD AS JUDGE
Abraham long ago posed a vital question: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25). Indeed He shall! David is emphatic: “the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether” (Psalms 19:9). In view of the fact, then, that God is an absolutely righteous Judge. it is certain, as Paul insists, that He “will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality, but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, hut obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath” (Romans 2:6-8).

So it is not surprising that Paul, toward the close of his own fruitful life, could say with all confidence. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (II Timothy 4:7-8).

IX. SUMMARY TRUTHS
It is impossible to avoid a decision about God. Simply to ignore Him is as much a decision as to deny His, existence, and carries the same fatal consequences. His “fingerprints” are all about us. His voice, moreover continues to sound forth from the Scriptures, calling upon men to believe in Him. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6).

BIBLE QUIZ TRUE OR FALSE

I.
There is little evidence that God exists.
    A. True B. False
2. God is all powerful..
    A. True B. False
3. There are some things even God doesn’t know..
    A. True B. False
4. God loves all men..
    A. True B. False
5. He saves all men..
    A. True B. False

FILL IN THE BLANKS
    1. In the _________________ God created the __________________ and the _____________.(Genesis 1:1)

    2. From _______________ to _____________ you are God.
    (Psalm 90:2)

    3. I am the LORD, I _______________________________.(Malachi 3:6)

    4. The eternal God is your _____________________.(Deuteronomy 33:27)

    5. The fashion of this world is
    _______________ __________________.
    (1 Corinthians 7:31)

    6. The LORD ____________ all hearts.(1 Chronicles 28:9)

    7. O the depths of the ____________ both of the _____________ and ______________ of God.(Romans 11:33)

    8. The LORD is __________________ In all his ways. (Psalms 145:17)

    9. It is impossible for God to ____________________.(Hebrews 6:18)

    10. The __________________ of the LORD are ____________ and ________________ altogether.(Psalms 19:9)

Name Date
Address
City
phone

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46).
Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU

Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body [collectively called the “churches of ChristRomans 16:16),] assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please e-mail me at BibleTruthsToU@Gmail.com or call 253-396-0290. Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor.

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Lesson 2 --- Man

Lesson 2: Man
by Douglas Jones

The Origin of Man
In Genesis, the "Book of Beginnings," Moses writes: "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." (Genesis 1:26). God is not physical in nature. Instead, as Jesus tells us, "God is a Spirit" (John 4:24). The "image of God" in man must therefore signify the spiritual nature God has given him. Man's likeness to his Creator is to be seen primarily in his personality, intellect, and moral constitution.

The Lord, Moses says, is "the God of the spirits of all flesh" (Numbers 27:16). And the writer of Hebrews informs us that God is "the Father of spirits" (Hebrews 12:9). Thus with regard to their origin, all men are called "the offspring of God" (Acts 17:29). Moses further writes: " And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7). This verse lays stress on the fact that man is also endowed with a physical nature. God formed man's body from the elements of the earth and formed "the spirit of man within him" (Zechariah 12:1). As the present dwelling of the human spirit, the physical body in therefore called "our earthly house" (II Corinthians 5:1).

The Purpose of Man's Creation
The fundamental reason for man's existence is indicated by Solomon: "The Lord hath made all things for himself" (Proverbs 16:4). John expresses essentially the same idea: "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created" (Revelation 4:11). Paul writes: "For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever, Amen" (Romans 11:36). "All things" obviously includes man. God created man for Himself, for His pleasure. Further, what God has said of Israel may also be said of every man: "I have created him for My glory" (Isaiah 43:7).

The Rank and Stewardship of Man
Man, Moses revealed, ranks above the animal creation and has been given dominion over it. He writes: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth" (Genesis 1:27-28).

Though given dominion upon the earth, man is nevertheless ranked below the angels. David muses upon humanity's place in the Divine order of things and inquires: "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast make him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of they hands..." (Psalm 8:4-6).

The Duty of Man
The essence of man's duty is a reverence for God expressed in obedience to His will. Moses puts it this way: "Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, and to fear Him" (Deuteronomy 8:6). Jesus, referring to the Hebrew scriptures, says: "for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve" (Matthew 4:10).

Elsewhere, He expresses man's obligation in terms of love. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Matthew 22:37-39). "Let us hear," says Solomon, "the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

The Disobedience of Man
Man has woefully failed to fulfill his duty. Speaking of the disobedience of men in ancient times, Paul says: "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened" (Romans 1:21). It is a sad fact that the disobedience of the ancients has been repeated in each succeeding generation. Hence the apostle further remarks: "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another" (Titus 3:3).

Solomon, moreover, affirms the disobedience of all men: "There is not a just man upon the earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not...Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions" (Ecclesiastes 7:20,29). Paul also recognizes this universality of disobedience when he says: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). The prophet Isaiah sums up the matter thus: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6).

The Consequences of Man's Disobedience
All of the evils in the world are either directly or indirectly the result of man disobeying God's will. One consequence of disobedience is death and the suffering and sorrow that goes with it. Regarding the fruit of the forbidden tree, God warned Adam: "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Genesis 2:17). Adam partook of the fruit and brought death not only to himself but to all his descendants as well. So Paul writes: "Wherefore, as by one sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men..." (Romans 5:12).

Another consequence of disobedience is alienation from God--i.e. the loss of His favor and fellowship. Thus, reminding the Colossian Christians of their former state, Paul says: "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled" (Colossians 1:21). But the ultimate consequence of disobedience, if it is not rectified, is eternal ruin. For the Lord, Paul tells us, shall be revealed from heaven, "In flaming fire taking vengeance of them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power"
(II Thessalonians 1:8-9).

The Salvation of Man
Man is utterly powerless to save himself from the consequences of his disobedience. "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Romans 5:8-9). It is therefore Christ who is said to be "the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him" (Hebrews 5:9). For this reason Paul can boldly say: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..." (Romans 1:16).

The Destiny of Man
In the Hebrew letter we read that "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). At the day of judgment, the Lord "will render to every man according to his deed" (Romans 2:6). In Jesus' own words: "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28-29).

Summary Truths
From the beginning of the race, man has preferred his own way rather than the will of his all-wise Creator, invariably suffering the consequences of his self-will. No one has stated better than Solomon this lesson so often illustrated and yet seemingly so hard to learn: "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12).

Lesson 2- Man - Quiz 1

Click on the correct answer
    1) Man evolved from a lower form of life.
      A) True
      B) False

    2) Man was made in the image of angels.
      A) True
      B) False

    3) All men are the offspring of God.
      A) True
      B) False

    4) God made man for his glory.
      A) True
      B) False

    5) The whole duty of man is to love himself.
      A) True
      B) False

    6) God made man __________ than the angels.
      A) higher
      B) lower

    7) By one man __________ entered into the world.
      A) Joy
      B) Sin
      C) knowledge

    8) God will __________ those who do not obey the gospel of Christ.
      A) ignore
      B) approve
      C) punish

    9) It is appointed unto men once to ______.
      A) Disobey
      B) Die
      C) fear

    10) The Lord will render to every man according to his _______.
      A) Race
      B) Deeds
      C) Age


Lesson 2 - Man - Quiz 2

Fill in the Blanks
1. Thou shalt ____________ the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou __________. (Matthew 4:10)
2. Thou shalt _______ thy neighbor as thyself. (Matthew 22:39)
3. All we like ________ have gone __________. (Isaiah 53:6)
4. While we were yet ____________ Christ __________ for us. (Romans 5:8-9)
5. The gospel is the power of God unto ________________ to everyone that _____________. (Romans 1:16)

Mixed answers: [astray, believeth, died, love, salvation, serve, sheep, sinners, worship].

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU
Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body [collectively called the “churches of ChristRomans 16:16),] assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please e-mail me at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com or call 253-396-0290. Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor.
Read more!

Lesson 3 - Sin

Lesson 3: Sin
by Douglas Jones

What is Sin?
The Bible describes sin in a variety of ways. It is, for example, to miss the mark or fall short of one's moral duties. It is a characteristic failure of man. In Paul's words: "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). To sin is to do evil--i.e., to do that which causes pain and sorrow. Conduct of this sort was characteristic of those who rejected the message of Christ. The "loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19).

To sin is also to wander from the truth. Hence James says: "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death..." (James 5:19-20). Again, to sin is to commit wrong or injustice. "But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done..." (Colossians 3:25).

But however many ways it may be described, or whatever forms it may take, sin is in its most basic definition the violation of Divine law. "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law" (I John 3:4).

The Source and Development of Sin
Jesus tells us that sin begins in the heart, the moral well-spring of man's being. He says: "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man" (Mark 7:21-23). James, too, deals with the origin of sin. But he also outlines the course it runs to its termination. He writes: "Let no man say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted of God': for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (James 1:13-13).

The Effects of Sin
The injurious effects of sin are to be seen all about us. Yet there are those who prefer to ignore its evident ravages or even deny its reality. Even so, no amount of denial can make sin go away.

The most heinous aspect of sin is that it dishonors God who commands: "Be ye holy; for I am holy" (I Peter 1:16). Paul brings out this fact with a question: "Through breaking the law dishonorest thou God?" (Romans 2:23). Far from expressing doubt, the apostle well knows that a truthful answer must be affirmative. So, too, David acknowledges that he has offended God when he pleads: "Lord, be merciful unto me... for I have sinned against thee" (Psalm 41:4).

Sin separates men from God and His favor. "But your iniquities," says Isaiah to Israel, "have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2).

Sin produces a guilty conscience, shame, and fear. This is seen, for example, when, after eating of the forbidden fruit, "Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God..." (Genesis 3:8). Ezra, confessing the sins of his people, laments: "O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head..." (Ezra 9:6). So, too, we read that "David's heart smote him... And David said unto the Lord, "I have sinned greatly in that I have done..." (II Samuel 24:10). And John reminds us that "if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things" (I John 3:20).

Sin produces death along with its companions, suffering and grief. Regarding the fruit of the forbidden tree, God warned Adam: "for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Genesis 2:17). Adam ignored God's warning and thereby brought death not only upon himself but upon the whole human race. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men..." (Romans 5:12).

NOTE: A man's sin, as in Adam's case, has consequences far beyond what he can imagine. The enormity of one's sin is magnified by the harm it does to others besides oneself. Just one sin brought universal death with all its misery.

Sin evokes the righteous judgments of God. Not only death but all of the temporal punishments men suffer for their disobedience demonstrate God's displeasure with sin. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men..." (Romans 1:18). Ezra acknowledges the penal judgment of sin when he says: "And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds... thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve" (Ezra 9:13). But the most awful of Divine judgments upon sin is eternal. Speaking of those who continue unrepentant in sin until death, Jesus says: "And these shall go away into everylasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal" (Matthew 25:46).

Provision for the Pardon of Sins
Man is incapable of providing the means for saving himself from the consequences of sin. Since he has sinned against God, only God can provide the means of pardon. This He has graciously done in the gift of His Son, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sin" (Colossians 1:14). Paul elsewhere expands upon this theme. He remarks: "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly... For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" (Romans 5:6,10).
In view of the costly sacrifice Christ made for the pardon of our sins, the writer of Hebrews asks: "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation...?" (Hebrews 2:3) There simply is, Peter makes clear, no other escape from sin's everlasting ruin besides God's provision in Christ. He says: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

The Conditions of Salvation from Sins
John the Baptist has described Jesus as "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). The does not mean, however, that salvation is unconditional or universal. It is conditioned upon "the obedience of faith" (Romans 16:26; cf. Romans 1:5). Jesus called for this obedience of faith when He instructed His apostles: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16).

The obedience of faith is also expressed in repenting of one's sins. In Peter's words: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." (Acts 2:38). Further, obedience includes confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10).

When one complies with these terms he is pardoned of his past sins and begins a new life committed to faithfully serving God. Hence Paul says: "But now being made free from sin, and become servants of God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Romans 6:22).

Summary Truths
Life is filled with choices, and choices have consequences. But no choice is of greater consequence than one's decision about sin. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

Lesson 3 - Sin - Quiz 1
    1) Some people have not sinned.
      A. True
      B. False


    2) Sin causes death.
      A. True
      B. False


    3) God tempts men to sin..
      A. True
      B. False


    4) Sin seperates men from God..
      A. True
      B. False


    5) Christ redeems men from sin..
      A. True
      B. False


Lesson 3 - Sin - Quiz 2
    1. Sin is the __________ of the law. (I John 3:4)

    2. By one man ________ entered into the world, and death by _______. (Romans 5:12)

    3. _________ have sinned and ________________ of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

    4. God commands: Be ye _______; for I _________ . (I Peter 1:16)

    5. When lust hath ___________ , it bringeth forth ________. (James 1:13-15)

    6.
    If our heart _____________, God is __________ than our heart. (I John 3:20)

    7. The ________ of God is revealed against all ___________ and ________ of men. (Romans 1:18)

    8. The wages of sin is _________. (Romans 6:23)

    9. _____________, and be baptized ... in the name of Jesus Christ for the ____________________ of sins. (Acts 2:38)

    10. How shall we ____________, if we _____________ so great salvation? (Hebrews 2:3)


WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU
Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body [collectively called the “churches of ChristRomans 16:16),] assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please contact me at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com or 253-396-0290 (cell). Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor.

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Lesson 4 - Grace

Lesson 4: Grace
by Douglas Jones

What is Grace?
Sometime ago there was a popular bumper sticker which read: "Grace is not a blue-eyed blond." With a touch of humor this quip caught the eye and then left it to the reader to identify grace. Grace, of course, has a variety of meanings. The bumper sticker, however, in its roundabout way was referring to the grace of God. And that is our focus here.

Just what is the grace of God? Basically we may describe it as God's disposition of kindness expressed in acts of favor or benevolence. Thus, for example, Paul reminds the Ephesian Christians that God purposes to "show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 2:7).

The Unmerited Grace of God
Luke informs us that Jesus grew "strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him" (Luke 2:40). Scripture in no way suggests that Jesus did not merit this grace. To the contrary, He did indeed merit such favor because He "did no sin" (I Peter 2:22); because He perfectly fulfilled the will of God.

However, no other man has ever thus merited God's grace, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Sin merits God's wrath. Yet "He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities" (Psalm 103:10). The withholding of punishment is itself therefore an expression of unmerited favor, as are all of the countless other benefits God bestows upon a sinful race.

Not only is the sinner (every man) undeserving of God's grace, there is no way he can make himself deserving. He cannot earn God's blessings. And if he could, they would then be his due, not a matter of unmerited favor. Hence Paul says: "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt" (Romans 4:4). To what man is God indebted? "Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?" (Romans 11:35). The implied answer is that God owes no man anything. All of His benevolence is therefore surely a bestowal of grace.

God's Grace to All Men
In the manifold grace of God, there are certain blessings which in general are bestowed upon all mankind. Among the most basic are these:
    The gift of life: Paul states that God "giveth to all life, and breath..." (Acts 17:25). David, too, gratefully acknowledges: "in thy favor is life" (Psalm 30:5).
    The necessities of life: Jesus tells us that God "maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). It is God, the Psalmist says, "who giveth food to all flesh" (Psalm 136:25). Indeed He "daily loadeth us with benefits..." (Psalm 68:19). Truly, "The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works" (Psalm 145:9).
    The gift of a Savior: John declares: "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world" (I John 4:14).
    The gospel of Christ: This is God's gracious message of salvation. It is therefore called "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24), and "the word of his grace" (Acts 14:3). It is, Paul says, "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). The worldwide scope and power of the gospel is further emphasized in Jesus' words to His apostles: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16).

God's Grace to Believers
There are many gifts of grace that are reserved to believers, i.e., blessings which are conditioned upon "the obedience of faith" (Romans 16:26), and which are bestowed "in Christ." Space limitations permit us to mention only a few of the most notable of these unmerited favors.
Forgiveness of sins: It is Christ, Paul reminds the Ephesians, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7).
Justification: When the believer is forgiven of his sins he is granted right-standing with God, "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24).
Peace with God: Although sin causes alienation from God, the enmity ceases when the believer is justified. Hence, regarding this gracious state, Paul says: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
Salvation: Nowhere is the kindness of God more wondrously at work than in the deliverance of helpless sinners from the consequences of their sins. But is a blessing reserved for those sinners who believe. "For by grace are ye save through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).
Sufficiency: Regarding the supply of all things necessary for Christian service, Paul states: "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work"(II Corinthians 9:8).
Free access to Divine help: God welcomes the petitions of His servants. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
Consolation and hope: To the Thessalonians Paul writes: "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work" (II Thessalonians 2:16-17).
Eternal Life: Of this ultimate expression of grace the Apostle says: "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:22-23).

Stewards of Grace
Peter admonishes the recipients of God's grace to conduct themselves "as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (I Peter 4:10). In the same vein Paul writes: "Moreover it is required of stewards, that a man be found faithful" (I Corinthians 4:2). It is thus clear that with gifts of grace there also comes responsibility. The steward shall be held accountable for his use of the gifts entrusted to him. In order to be found faithful, then, the steward must "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18).

Falling From Grace
Is falling from grace a real possibility? Indeed the Scriptures plainly point out a number of things which can cause one to fall.
Pride: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (I Corinthians 10:12).
Turning from Christ to the Law for justification: "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace" (Galatians 5:4).
An evil heart: "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Hebrews 3:12).
Lack of diligence: It is essential that the Christian be dedicated to holy living, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God" (Hebrews 12:15).

Summary Truths
God in countless ways is kind to all men, even to "the unthankful and to the evil" (Luke 6:35). In bestowing these kindnesses, however, God is not sanctioning or ignoring men's sins. On the contrary, in these very gifts He is giving them time and incentive to turn from their sins that they may receive immeasurably greater grace through Christ, "That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:7).

Lesson 4 - Grace - Quiz 1

Click on the correct answer
    1) Grace is an expression of God’s ___________
      A. anger
      B. kindness
      C. unconcern

    2) Sinful men ___________ merit God’s grace.
      A. always
      B. sometimes
      C. never

    3) One is justified by __________
      A. debt
      B. grace
      C. law

    4) When one is justified he has ___________ with God.
      A. enmity
      B. peace
      C. trouble

    5) God’s grace is __________ to man’s welfare.
      A. unimportant
      B. opposed
      c. essential

    6) God is not good to all men.
      A. True
      B. False

    7) Sin merits God’s wrath.
      A True
      B False

    8) Grace has nothing to do with salvation.
      A. True
      B. False

    9) Men cannot earn God’s blessing.
      A. True
      B. False

    10) It is possible to fall from grace.
      A. True
      B. False

Lesson 4 - Grace - Quiz 2

Fill in the Blanks
    1) God _______ loadeth us with ____________ (Psalm 68:19)

    2) By ________ are ye saved through ________. (Ephesians 2:8)

    3) In God’s ________ is life. (Psalm 30:5)

    4) God is ______ to make all ______ abound toward you. (II Corinthians 9:8)

    5) It is required of _________, that a man be found _____________
    (I Corinthians 4:2)


WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU
Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body [collectively called the “churches of ChristRomans 16:16),] assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please e-mail me at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com or call 253-396-0290. Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor.
Read more!

Lesson 5 - Salvation

Lesson 5: Salvation
by Douglas Jones

What is Salvation?
The term "salvation" properly denotes preservation or deliverance from danger or destruction. In Scripture it is sometimes used of deliverance from such perils as a storm, shipwreck, or prison. But usually, and far more importantly, the word signifies deliverance from the consequences of sin. It should be added, however, that the implicit outcome of salvation is not only deliverance from sin but also the enjoyment of all that God has prepared for the saved.

Salvation from Sin
With great thankfulness Paul writes: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief" (I Timothy 1:15). Christ, we are told, "gave Himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father" (Galatians 1:4). "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Hebrews 9:28).

Salvation from Death
It is "our Savior Jesus Christ," says Paul, "who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (II Timothy 1:10). The Apostle obviously cannot mean this earthly life no longer terminates in physical death. For it is still true that "it is appointed unto men once to die..." (Hebrews 9:27).

Those, however, who respond to the gospel and remain faithful to Christ not only shall not be held by physical death, neither shall they be subject to "the second death" (Revelation 20:14)--i.e., eternal death. James, too, has this second death in mind when he remarks: "Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death..." (James 5:20).

Salvation from Wrath
God's wrath is neither malicious nor arbitrary. It is a necessary expression of His righteous indignation against sin. It is therefore due to their wickedness that "the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience" (Colossians 3:6). The Lord shall come, "in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power" (II Thessalonians 1:8-9).

On the other hand, those who faithfully serve God are through Christ assured of deliverance "from the wrath to come" (See I Thessalonians 1:9-10). "For God hath no appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Thessalonians 5:9).

Salvation in Christ
All of God's provisions for our salvation are centered in Christ, who "hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God..." (I Peter 3:18). Christ thus "Is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him..." (Hebrews 7:25). Peter states: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). This vital truth is confirmed by Paul when he says: "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (II Timothy 2:10).

The Gospel of Salvation
Having provided for salvation in Christ, God sent messengers to proclaim the good news to men. That message is called "the word of the gospel" (Acts 15:7) and "the word of this salvation" (Acts 13:26). As the Divine means of bringing men to Christ, the gospel is "the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth..." (Romans 1:16). Hence it is Christ, Paul reminds the Ephesians, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation..." (Ephesians 1:13).

Saved by Grace
Salvation apart from grace is impossible. And it is in the mission and message of Christ that God has revealed His wondrous saving grace to a sinful race. This is what Paul means when he writes: "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men" (Titus 2:11). But grace, it should be noted, is also attributed to Christ, since it is His vicarious death for undeserving sinners that has made salvation possible. Hence Peter says: "For we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved..." (Acts 15:11).

In another very significant passage dealing with salvation by grace, Paul remarks that God "hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ..." (II Timothy 1:9-10). Here the apostle contrasts God's almighty grace with ineffectual human works. If man by his own efforts could have devised a way to save himself from the consequences of sin, there would have been no need for saving grace. But man is powerless to provide the means for his salvation. Those provisions are entirely a matter of Divine grace.

One cannot earn salvation nor compensate God for it. This does not mean, however, that there is nothing for one to do to be saved. Salvation is conditioned upon obedience to the Divine will. Christ is therefore said to be "the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him" (Hebrews 5:9). Paul again emphasizes the necessity for obedience in his letter to the Philippians. He writes: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12).

It is in obeying God's will that one works out his own salvation. But the apostle in no way suggests that one thereby earns or merits salvation. It is still and undeserved gift from God.

NOTE: Various aspects of obedience (i.e., specific things which God requires) will be dealt with more fully in subsequent lessons.

Saved by Faith
Faith clearly is indispensable to salvation. For, as the writer of Hebrews points out, God has said: "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him" (Hebrews 10:38). Having made this point, the writer adds: "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul" (Hebrews 10:39). Faith, however, must have its proper object. One cannot be saved by believing in whatever he chooses. God has conditioned salvation upon faith in "our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:11). Moreover, it is the Holy Scriptures, Paul tells Timothy, that are "able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 3:15).

But faith which saves, it must also be noted, involves more than simply assenting to the fact the Jesus is Lord. In Jesus' words: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Faith which saves is thus faith which moves one to obey God. Often, therefore, faith is used as a comprehensive term embracing all that God requires men to do. Finally, saving faith entails a life-long commitment to the Lord. Hence Jesus says: "be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).

Summary Truths
The vital importance of salvation is indicated in the fact that it was provided at so great a cost. "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" (John 3:16). Through the gospel God graciously calls upon men everywhere to turn to Christ and be saved: "behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (II Corinthians 6:2). Another day, the awful day of God's righteous wrath, is coming. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation...?" (Hebrews 2:3).

Lesson 5 - Salvation - Quiz 1
Click on the correct answer
    1) The Scriptures make one wise unto salvation.
      A. True
      B. False

    2) One need not obey the gospel of Christ to be saved.
      A. True
      B. False

    3) One is saved by grace alone.
      A. True
      B. False

    4) One is saved by faith alone.
      A. True
      B. False

    5) One is saved by grace and by faith.
      A. True
      B. False

    6) Christ ____________ Himself for our sins.
      A. saved
      B. gave
      C. glorified

    7) God brought life and immortality to ___________ through the gospel.
      A. angels
      B. demons
      C. light

    8) The __________ is the power of God unto salvation.
      A. law
      B. gospel
      C. tradition

    9) Behold _________ is the day of salvation.
      A. TOMORROW
      B. anytime
      C. now

    10) The Christian is to __________ his own salvation with fear and trembling.
      A. doubt
      B. work out


Lesson 5 - Salvation - Quiz 2
Fill in the Blanks
    1) Christ came into the world to save ___________. (I Timothy 1:15)
    2) Neither is there _______________in any other.
    (Acts 4:12)
    3) Christ is the author of _____________ salvation unto all them that _____________ him. (Hebrews 5:9)
    4) The ___________ of God cometh on the children of ______________ . (Colossians 3:6)
    5) How shall we escape, if we ___________ so great salvation. (Hebrews 2:3).

    WHAT CAN YOU DO?
    You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).


WE WELCOME YOU
Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body [collectively called the “churches of ChristRomans 16:16),] assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please e-mail me at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com or call 253-396-0290. Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor.
Read more!

Lesson 6 - Jesus Christ

Lesson 6: Jesus Christ
by Douglas Jones

The Incomparable Jesus Christ
Against the backdrop of all human history, "Jesus, who is called Christ" (Matthew 1:16) stands out as the singularly most remarkable individual ever to dwell upon the earth; remarkable not only for His faultless character and wondrous works, but also for His profound impact on the lives and destinies of me. The personal name "Jesus" (corresponding to the Hebrew "Joshua") means "Jehovah is Salvation." Very significantly, therefore, this name sets forth the most vital aspect of His activity in human affairs. In the angel's words to Joseph: "thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

Equally significant and instructive, the title "Christ" (corresponding to the Hebrew "Messiah") means "anointed." It denotes one chosen and consecrated by God to carry out His purposes. Through the Hebrew prophets God promised to send His Anointed to provide deliverance from sin: "as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob" (Romans 11:26). Accordingly, when Peter presents the risen Christ as that Deliverer he declares: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36).

The Deity of Christ
However difficult an idea it may be for us to comprehend, the Scripture clearly attribute Deity to Christ. First we note that Christ definitely claimed Deity for Himself. When, for example, His Jewish opposers argued that He could not have seen Abraham because He was not yet fifty years old, Jesus replied: "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). The Jews immediately sought to stone Jesus because they regarded His claim as blasphemy since God at the burning bush had revealed Himself to Moses as "I AM" (Exodus 3:14).

John is just as explicit. He writes: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). This personal Word "took upon him the seed of Abraham" (Hebrews 2:16), "was made in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7), and was "declared to be the Son of God" (Romans 1:4). John thus reports: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

If Christ is indeed the Son of God then we would expect Him to be credited with attributes of Deity. And that is just what we find. Scripture reveals, for instance, that God "created all things by Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 3:9). "All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made" (John 1:3). It is further recorded that Christ controlled the forces of nature (Matthew 8:26-27), knew the thoughts of men (Matthew 9:4), forgave sins (Matthew 9:2), and raised the dead (John 11:43-44), all of which are unquestionably powers and prerogatives of God.

The Humanity of Christ
When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to Mary, he said: "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David" (Luke 1:32). This verse clearly indicates that Christ is both the Son of God and the Son of David. He consequently referred to Himself sometimes as the Son of God and at other times as the Son of man.

We also read that "God sent forth his Son, made of a woman..." (Galatians 4:4). He thereby was made a partaker of "flesh and blood" (Hebrews 2:14) and so became "the man Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 2:5). It is thus evident that although Scripture pictures Christ as being more than a man, it nevertheless also depicts Him as being as fully human as you and I.

Like us, He hungered (Matthew 4:2) and thirsted (John 19:28). He ate and drank (Matthew 11:19). He grew weary (John 4:6) and He slept (Matthew 8:24). He rejoiced (Luke 10:21), He wept (John 11:35), and He experienced sorrow (Matthew 26:36-37) and suffering (I Peter 2:23). There is one vital area, however, in which Christ differed greatly from us. He "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:25).

The Mission of Christ
We should note first that Christ tells us His mission originated in heaven and was an expression of His Father's will. He states: "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me" (John 6:38). Regarding the fundamental object of His mission, Christ says: "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).

In order to save the lost it was necessary for Christ to do what no other man has done--i.e., He rendered perfect obedience to the Father's will, even to giving His life. "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him" (Hebrews 5:8-9).

The Death of Christ
The death of Christ, Paul indicates, is the supreme expression of God's love for sinful and undeserving men. He writes: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). To understand why the death of Christ was necessary, we must first understand the consequences of sin. Sin not only alienates men from a holy God, it also makes them liable to His righteous wrath and the ultimate penalty of death. God could not remain righteous and forego the punishment of sin. But He so loved us that He sent Christ to bear our penalty for us.

We must not, however, overlook the equally great love of Christ in voluntarily giving His life for us. In Paul's words: "Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God..." (Ephesians 5:2). Through this loving sacrifice we not only receive forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God, but also are graciously "made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:7).

The Resurrection of Christ
The Scriptures set forth Christ's resurrection as an essential element in the salvation of man. Paul, for example, reminds his readers that Christ "was delivered up for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification" (Romans 4:25). So significant an event must be confirmed beyond all reasonable doubt. Christ therefore "showed Himself alive" to His disciples "by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days..." (Acts 1:3). On one occasion, moreover, "He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once" (I Corinthians 15:6). With good reason, then, such witnesses "preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead" (Acts 4:2).

The Ascension of Christ
Luke depicts for us what must have been a very moving scene when, forty days after His resurrection, Christ led the eleven disciples "out as far as Bethany... and blessed them. And... while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven" (Luke 24:50-51). While this glorious event signaled the end of Christ's redemptive ministry on earth, it also heralded the beginning of His intercessory ministry in heaven for the redeemed. Hence Paul says: "It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (Roman 8:34).

The Second Coming of Christ
As the disciples watched Christ ascend, a messenger of the Lord announced: "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 1:11). "Behold," says John, "he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see Him..." (Revelation 1:7). It is then that all who "are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth, they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28-29).

Summary Truths
This incomparable Jesus Christ, the "one mediator between God and men" (I Timothy 2:5), stands at the crossroads of every man's life, calling for a decision of eternal moment--a decision to follow Him. He proclaims: "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me" (John 14:6).

Lesson 6 - Jesus Christ - Quiz 1
Click on the correct answer
    1) The name Jesus means “Jehovah is Salvation.”
      A. True
      B. False

    2) God created all things by Jesus Christ.
      A. True
      B. False

    3) The title Christ means “comforter.”
      A. True
      B. False

    4) Christ was not made in the likeness of men.
      A. True
      B. False

    5) Christ’s death was an expression of God’s love.
      A. True
      B. False

    6) The risen Christ was seen by more than __________ brethren at once.
      A. 500
      B. 1000
      C. 5000

    7) Jesus said: I crime down from __________
      A. heaven
      B. Egypt
      C. Samaria

    8) There is one mediator between __________ and men.
      A. Moses
      B. God
      C. Christ

    9) Christ became the author of ________ salvation.
      A. temporal
      B. angelic
      C. eternal

    10) Christ was _________ for our salvation.
      A. ridiculed
      B. raised
      C. rejected


Lesson 6 - Jesus Christ - Quiz 2
Fill in the Blanks
    1. God has made Jesus both _________ and __________. (Acts 2:36)
    2. Jesus said: Before ______ was, I ________. (John 8:58)
    3. God sent forth His _______, made of a ________. (Galatians 4:4)
    4. Christ was is all points ________ like as we are, yet without _________. (Hebrews 4:15)
    5. Christ came to seek and to _________ that which was _______. (Luke 19:10)


WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU
Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body [collectively called the “churches of ChristRomans 16:16),] assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please e-mail me at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com or call 253-396-0290. Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor.
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