WHEN DOES A TEMPTATION BECOME A SIN?
Today is Sunday and while in class, I puzzled over some thoughts that had enter into my thought process. For example, why did I wear blue socks with a green suit? I wonder if anyone noticed? then another thought. How big of a piece should I break off during the passing of the bread? Ever wonder if your pew neighbor looks at you funny, thinking you just ate your Sunday lunch for what you pinched off?
Anyway, seriously I wondered when does a temptation become a sin? Keith (my teacher) made a great point to me that I thought I should pass on. Temptations vary from people to people and the degree of what that temptation is only measured by the desires of each person being tempted. Obviously, drinking alcohol is not much of a temptation for me because that is not my weakest link while for someone else that temptation could be a family breaker especially if Satan is successful. I have a deep desire that anytime I see a pinata, I vision myself beating the living tar of that donkey until only the ears remain but that is another counseling session. What if I just thought about sinning and didn't physically do it? Physical action doesn't constitute the sin. Sin happens before physical reaction.
I used to have a 10 second rule. If I dwell on something longer than 10 seconds than it was a sin. However, I have come to understand that I am assuming all temptations are quickly fought and overcome. This understanding was incorrect. I have found that sometimes it takes more than 10 seconds to not eat that last piece of pie after eating a whole turkey at Thanksgiving. It takes me longer than 10 seconds sometimes to not want to curse my head off after I have hit my finger with a hammer which by now, with my handyman skills, my finger automatically swells when I walk into a Home Depot.
I have found the best answer lies in the struggle. When you give up and stop fighting the temptation that is when your temptation becomes a sin. For example, if I being a macho man place my attention on some "eye candy" in Wal-Mart (Walmart has everything don't they) and my attention stays on her and I no longer fight the fact that God's Word states even looking upon a woman and lusting after her is a sin. I continually and willing dwell on her, I have sinned. If I think of her and sincerely pull my thoughts back into proper prospective and then my irrational manhood goes back to her and I pull it back into prospective again with sincerity to beat this temptation...so far I have not sinned. However, once I decide I will quite SINCERELY fighting this temptation and just dwell on her, then it becomes a sin. This fight can go on for a few seconds or a few minutes. That level of temptation depends upon your weakness. What is your weakness? How long does it take before you give in?
This is a profound thought and I beg you to take a moment read your Bible for yourself. Study this understanding for yourself and don't depend on anyone other than the WRITTEN Word of God to bring you into better understanding of His ways.
Next: I will discuss the PURPOSE OF TEMPTATIONS. You may be surprised on what you find out.
LIFTED HIGH
Scripture References: Psalm 62
Everywhere we look there's something that is trying to steal our devotion and attention. Whether good or bad there's so many things that if we aren't careful, can rob us of our hunger and passion to know the Lord. Everything in this world will always be temporary. Even the love we have for other people isn't eternal. The only place we'll ever be truly satisfied is in the presence of the Lord. The presence of the lord is where we find hope, vision for our lives, healing, love, restoration from past hurts, and honor in the eyes of Jesus.
In Psalm ch 62 vs 1 David says " My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him." Later on in verses 7&8 David continues to say " My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, mighty refuge. Trust in Him at all times, Oh people pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." David not only said our honor depends on God, but he went as far as to say our salvation depends on God! Then he urges the people to pour out their hearts to God.
I believe God's love for the world is very much eternal and so is His salvation, but I also believe that we can be so hardened to God sometimes that without even knowing it we can walk away from Him. No one is perfect and the great part about that is that God knows it. He knows that we fail and we fall sometimes in our walk with Him, but the most important thing to remember is that when we get back up, it brings honor to the Lord. So don't be discouraged in your faith. Just make the effort every day that you live and in the way that you live, to lift Jesus up and make Him the center of everything.
Everywhere we look there's something that is trying to steal our devotion and attention. Whether good or bad there's so many things that if we aren't careful, can rob us of our hunger and passion to know the Lord. Everything in this world will always be temporary. Even the love we have for other people isn't eternal. The only place we'll ever be truly satisfied is in the presence of the Lord. The presence of the lord is where we find hope, vision for our lives, healing, love, restoration from past hurts, and honor in the eyes of Jesus.
In Psalm ch 62 vs 1 David says " My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him." Later on in verses 7&8 David continues to say " My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, mighty refuge. Trust in Him at all times, Oh people pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." David not only said our honor depends on God, but he went as far as to say our salvation depends on God! Then he urges the people to pour out their hearts to God.
I believe God's love for the world is very much eternal and so is His salvation, but I also believe that we can be so hardened to God sometimes that without even knowing it we can walk away from Him. No one is perfect and the great part about that is that God knows it. He knows that we fail and we fall sometimes in our walk with Him, but the most important thing to remember is that when we get back up, it brings honor to the Lord. So don't be discouraged in your faith. Just make the effort every day that you live and in the way that you live, to lift Jesus up and make Him the center of everything.
BORN FOR A PURPOSE
Verse Text: “For we are His workmanship (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Never in history has there existed so many products and services marketed in
getting people to buy what they need or at least what they “think” they need. Granted, the majority of the products we find are useful in helping us be more efficient with our time and resources. Anything from toasters to sport utility vehicles are a welcomed commodity in our lives. If we stop and realize that these “things” were actually thought up, designed, and manufactured with a purpose, how much more are WE (who are made in God’s image and likeness) created with a purpose. Isaiah 45:18,19, says, “For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create in vain, Who formed it to be inhabitated: I am the Lord, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain’; I, the Lord, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.” What these scriptures tell me is that GOD DOES NOT CREATE ANYTHING IN VAIN (including you and me!!). Everything (and I mean everything) that God does, He does with purpose. In Romans 8:28, it says, “And we know that ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.” “Purpose” is derived from “prothesis” in the Hebrew which means “before” (pro) and “a place” (thesis). It suggests a deliberate and advance plan. God has a specific purpose and plan for you and me, which He has set into motion and called to be, before we were even born!! Let us look at how we need to 1.) realize, 2.) recognize, 3.) respond to, 4.) resolve, and 5.) run with the purpose God has for us.
1. REALIZE - Isaiah 46:10,11, says, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man who executes my counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I HAVE PURPOSED IT; I will also do it.” We need to understand that before God “starts” something, He has already finished it!!
For example, before any SUV is displayed for sale, the manufacturer first decides what the consumers need and want. It is then engineered in a computer to create the look and design of the vehicle with all of its features. Then it is sent to the manufacturing plant for construction. In actuality, the SUV was finished before it even went into construction and placed on the parking lot. Even so, realize that God has placed you on this earth at this time, because you are needed by the people around you and He has placed certain features (desires) in you for you to fulfill and accomplish in your life.
2. RECOGNIZE - To “recognize” means to “to know to be something that has been perceived before or to perceive or acknowledge or accept the validity or reality of.” We are not only to realize that “Yeah, I was born to accomplish some things in life,” but we are seek to know what those “things” are. Eph. 2:10, says, “For we are His workmanship (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” “Workmanship” in this verse signifies that which is manufactured, a product, a design produced by an artist. Before we came to know Christ, our lives may not have had rhyme or reason, but since we have accepted Christ, God has brought balance, purpose and order. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (or masterpiece); old things have passed away, behold, all things have become NEW.” 2nd Corinthians 5:17. Let’s seek to recognize what God wants to accomplish through our lives. We are to live NOT to ourselves, but for Him who has given His life for us so that we can walk in His life and fulfill the good works He predestined for us to do.
3. RESPOND - Once we know that God has created us for a purpose, we need to respond to His calling. Many times, either we don’t seek to know what that is or if we do know (by praying and earnestly seeking God), we often procrastinate in pursuing God’s plans for our lives. We may come up with excuses such as, “I don’t really know if this is God” or “I don’t have time
to get involved in ministry” or “I’m not capable of doing this” or just plain “I don’t want to.” We don’t need to be like Moses who gave God excuses or like Jonah that ran from God, because we know that eventually they obeyed God anyway. As for Jonah, he learned the hard way. Let us respond to God as the Prophet Isaiah did when God asked him, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’ And He said, ‘Go and tell this people. . . .’” Isaiah 6:8,9. At first, Isaiah did not feel worthy, but unclean (as should we), but God does the purging and the equipping as we allow Him. He does not ask for “perfect” vessels, just willing ones. I pray our response to God is, “HERE AM I LORD, SEND ME!!”
4. RESOLVE - Once we have realized, recognized and responded to God and said, “Yes, Lord,” we need to resolve in our heart to do it. To resolve, means “to make a FIRM decision about; to decide or express by formal vote; to remove or dispel any doubts.” Like Daniel, let us be determined to accomplish what God has asked us to do despite of fear, peer pressure, our environment, or anything else that tells us we have to compromise. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself . . .” Daniel 1:8. Remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, only you will be responsible to God for your actions or in-actions with what He has given you. EVERY single one us have been entrusted by God with gifts and have been called to use them. Don’t let fear or anything else deter you from being obedient to God. Resolve to accomplish God’s purposes in life one step at a time. Be determined that you “CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” Philippians 4:13.
5. RUN - All there is left to do now is to RUN!!! In Hebrews 12:1,2, it says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us RUN with endurance the race that is set before us, LOOKING unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. . .” Be encouraged today that God has marked out a race before you that only you can run. At times, it will get tiring and hard, but if we look to Christ and draw strength from God, His word and His Spirit and keep keeping on, we will reach the finish line. Let us be able to say as the Apostle Paul did, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2nd Timothy 4:7.
There is no better life goal than to know we have accomplished what we were born to do and were obedient to our God. REALIZE that you were born with God’s purposes in You. RECOGNIZE what those purposes are. RESPOND to God with a positive attitude. RESOLVE in your heart to accomplish them. Take off from the starting line and if you have already, pace yourself, and RUN till your race is over or till Jesus comes!!
Never in history has there existed so many products and services marketed in
getting people to buy what they need or at least what they “think” they need. Granted, the majority of the products we find are useful in helping us be more efficient with our time and resources. Anything from toasters to sport utility vehicles are a welcomed commodity in our lives. If we stop and realize that these “things” were actually thought up, designed, and manufactured with a purpose, how much more are WE (who are made in God’s image and likeness) created with a purpose. Isaiah 45:18,19, says, “For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create in vain, Who formed it to be inhabitated: I am the Lord, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain’; I, the Lord, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.” What these scriptures tell me is that GOD DOES NOT CREATE ANYTHING IN VAIN (including you and me!!). Everything (and I mean everything) that God does, He does with purpose. In Romans 8:28, it says, “And we know that ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.” “Purpose” is derived from “prothesis” in the Hebrew which means “before” (pro) and “a place” (thesis). It suggests a deliberate and advance plan. God has a specific purpose and plan for you and me, which He has set into motion and called to be, before we were even born!! Let us look at how we need to 1.) realize, 2.) recognize, 3.) respond to, 4.) resolve, and 5.) run with the purpose God has for us.
1. REALIZE - Isaiah 46:10,11, says, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man who executes my counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I HAVE PURPOSED IT; I will also do it.” We need to understand that before God “starts” something, He has already finished it!!
For example, before any SUV is displayed for sale, the manufacturer first decides what the consumers need and want. It is then engineered in a computer to create the look and design of the vehicle with all of its features. Then it is sent to the manufacturing plant for construction. In actuality, the SUV was finished before it even went into construction and placed on the parking lot. Even so, realize that God has placed you on this earth at this time, because you are needed by the people around you and He has placed certain features (desires) in you for you to fulfill and accomplish in your life.
2. RECOGNIZE - To “recognize” means to “to know to be something that has been perceived before or to perceive or acknowledge or accept the validity or reality of.” We are not only to realize that “Yeah, I was born to accomplish some things in life,” but we are seek to know what those “things” are. Eph. 2:10, says, “For we are His workmanship (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” “Workmanship” in this verse signifies that which is manufactured, a product, a design produced by an artist. Before we came to know Christ, our lives may not have had rhyme or reason, but since we have accepted Christ, God has brought balance, purpose and order. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (or masterpiece); old things have passed away, behold, all things have become NEW.” 2nd Corinthians 5:17. Let’s seek to recognize what God wants to accomplish through our lives. We are to live NOT to ourselves, but for Him who has given His life for us so that we can walk in His life and fulfill the good works He predestined for us to do.
3. RESPOND - Once we know that God has created us for a purpose, we need to respond to His calling. Many times, either we don’t seek to know what that is or if we do know (by praying and earnestly seeking God), we often procrastinate in pursuing God’s plans for our lives. We may come up with excuses such as, “I don’t really know if this is God” or “I don’t have time
to get involved in ministry” or “I’m not capable of doing this” or just plain “I don’t want to.” We don’t need to be like Moses who gave God excuses or like Jonah that ran from God, because we know that eventually they obeyed God anyway. As for Jonah, he learned the hard way. Let us respond to God as the Prophet Isaiah did when God asked him, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’ And He said, ‘Go and tell this people. . . .’” Isaiah 6:8,9. At first, Isaiah did not feel worthy, but unclean (as should we), but God does the purging and the equipping as we allow Him. He does not ask for “perfect” vessels, just willing ones. I pray our response to God is, “HERE AM I LORD, SEND ME!!”
4. RESOLVE - Once we have realized, recognized and responded to God and said, “Yes, Lord,” we need to resolve in our heart to do it. To resolve, means “to make a FIRM decision about; to decide or express by formal vote; to remove or dispel any doubts.” Like Daniel, let us be determined to accomplish what God has asked us to do despite of fear, peer pressure, our environment, or anything else that tells us we have to compromise. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself . . .” Daniel 1:8. Remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, only you will be responsible to God for your actions or in-actions with what He has given you. EVERY single one us have been entrusted by God with gifts and have been called to use them. Don’t let fear or anything else deter you from being obedient to God. Resolve to accomplish God’s purposes in life one step at a time. Be determined that you “CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” Philippians 4:13.
5. RUN - All there is left to do now is to RUN!!! In Hebrews 12:1,2, it says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us RUN with endurance the race that is set before us, LOOKING unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. . .” Be encouraged today that God has marked out a race before you that only you can run. At times, it will get tiring and hard, but if we look to Christ and draw strength from God, His word and His Spirit and keep keeping on, we will reach the finish line. Let us be able to say as the Apostle Paul did, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2nd Timothy 4:7.
There is no better life goal than to know we have accomplished what we were born to do and were obedient to our God. REALIZE that you were born with God’s purposes in You. RECOGNIZE what those purposes are. RESPOND to God with a positive attitude. RESOLVE in your heart to accomplish them. Take off from the starting line and if you have already, pace yourself, and RUN till your race is over or till Jesus comes!!
GLORY OF GOD
Verse Text: 1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
So familiar and relatable, that it swept the nation a few decades ago in the form of a song, “Turn, Turn, Turn” by the Byrds. What a great, accessible combination of melody, rhythm, arrangement and instrumentation! If you’ve heard the song,
then you know that it’s an adaptation of this same passage above; which essentially states that God has willed a time for everything. But the writer of the passage (and the Byrds) don’t clearly address the overarching point of it at all. Even the writer of the passage, Qoheleth, keeps saying, “Oh vanity of vanities!”. I guess, in laymans terms, that would translate to “what is the point of it all?! God’s done everything! Nothing new will ever happen!” So, then, what is the point?
Well, the point is Jesus Christ, of course. In Him, everything is accomplished. In Him, all seasons and times and reasons bow down. Jesus has clearly shown us the way to the Father, through the cross; and in doing so, has shown the point of human existence: quite simply, to glorify God.
So in all we do, in all seasons, in all times, the point is to live for God’s glory. God loves us so much that He allows us to decide what (and Who) we’re going to live for. Are we going to live for ourselves, our vanity, our material possessions or our own selfish agendas? Or are we going to make our lives count for something that lasts longer than this life? No, we might not enjoy the instant gratification that our human nature longs for when we live for God’s glory and not our own. We may not always enjoy seeing the fruit for each and every good deed we do, or right decision we make.
So, the point of this passage…the point of the song I mentioned really adds up to one thing – let us emulate Jesus…let’s you and I draw on the strength Jesus provides us to live for the glory of God and not our own. Let our every motivation, everything we put our hand to – be for the glory of God.
So familiar and relatable, that it swept the nation a few decades ago in the form of a song, “Turn, Turn, Turn” by the Byrds. What a great, accessible combination of melody, rhythm, arrangement and instrumentation! If you’ve heard the song,
then you know that it’s an adaptation of this same passage above; which essentially states that God has willed a time for everything. But the writer of the passage (and the Byrds) don’t clearly address the overarching point of it at all. Even the writer of the passage, Qoheleth, keeps saying, “Oh vanity of vanities!”. I guess, in laymans terms, that would translate to “what is the point of it all?! God’s done everything! Nothing new will ever happen!” So, then, what is the point?Well, the point is Jesus Christ, of course. In Him, everything is accomplished. In Him, all seasons and times and reasons bow down. Jesus has clearly shown us the way to the Father, through the cross; and in doing so, has shown the point of human existence: quite simply, to glorify God.
So in all we do, in all seasons, in all times, the point is to live for God’s glory. God loves us so much that He allows us to decide what (and Who) we’re going to live for. Are we going to live for ourselves, our vanity, our material possessions or our own selfish agendas? Or are we going to make our lives count for something that lasts longer than this life? No, we might not enjoy the instant gratification that our human nature longs for when we live for God’s glory and not our own. We may not always enjoy seeing the fruit for each and every good deed we do, or right decision we make.
So, the point of this passage…the point of the song I mentioned really adds up to one thing – let us emulate Jesus…let’s you and I draw on the strength Jesus provides us to live for the glory of God and not our own. Let our every motivation, everything we put our hand to – be for the glory of God.
BE BAPTIST (IMMERSED) .... STEP 5
One cannot preach the Gospel of Christ without preaching baptism for the remission of sins (Mark 16:15-16). In fact, water baptism is always a part of preaching Christ (Acts 8:5, 12, 35-39). Jesus began his personal ministry by being baptized (Matt. 3:13-17), and He ended His earthly stay by commanding baptism (Matt. 28:18-20).
The death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus for our sins are the facts of the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4). These facts must be believed and obeyed if a soul is to be saved. If we do not obey the Gospel, we will be eternally lost (2 Thess. 1:7-9). The command to be baptized was a part of the first Gospel sermon (Acts 2:37-38), because water baptism beautifully portrays the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Rom. 6:1-4).
How many baptisms does the Bible demand? "There is…One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph. 4:5).
What is the action? “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are raised with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead” (Col. 2:12).
What is it for? Baptism washes away our sins by the blood of Jesus (Matt. 26:28; Acts 2:38). Baptism brings us into Christ (Gal. 3:27) where all spiritual blessings are found (Eph. 1:3).
These Spiritual blessing include but are not limited to forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7), salvation (2 Tim. 2:10), the indwelling Spirit of God as an earnest and intercessor (Eph. 1:13-14; Rom. 8:26), and eternal life (1 John 5:11).
The only scriptural candidate for water baptism is a taught penitent believer. The one being baptized must know about the blood of Jesus, where it is to be contacted, and what it does. If one does not realize that by being baptized his sins are washed away by the blood of Christ (Matt. 26:28), and is thus added to the church of Christ (Acts 2:47), he is not a scriptural candidate for baptism. If one does not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and has not decided to turn from his sins (repented), he is not a scriptural candidate for baptism.
Concerning denominational baptism, if a person was baptized, but was ignorant of the significance of baptism to his salvation, he was not baptized scripturally. He needs to be taught right and baptized again (cf. Acts 19:1-5). Since baptism is a burial in water (Rom 6:4), a person who simply had a little water sprinkled or poured over his head or body was not scripturally baptized. So if a person has not been immersed in water with the proper understanding of its significance, he has not been baptized scripturally (cf. Romans 6:17).
Please answer the four questions below by reading the scripture and filling in the blanks:
Why are we baptized?
Acts 22:16… We are baptized to wash away our _____________.
Revelation 1:5 We are baptized to wash away our sins by the _____________ of Jesus.
Romans 6:4… We are baptized to walk in newness of ______________.
John 3:3, 5… We are baptized to be ____________ again.
1 Peter 3:21… We are baptized to be ____________.
Acts 2:41, 47… We are baptized to be added to the _______________.
How are we baptized?
Acts 8:38-39… We are baptized by going down into the _____________ and coming back up out of the ____________.
Colossians 2:12… We are baptized by being _____________ in the water.
Into what are we baptized?
Galatians 3:27… We are baptized into ______________.
Romans 6:3… We are baptized into Christ’s ______________.
1 Corinthians 12:13… We are baptized into one _______________ (the church).
What will we receive when we are baptized?
Acts 2:38… We will receive forgiveness of _____________ and the gift of the ___________ ____________.
The death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus for our sins are the facts of the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4). These facts must be believed and obeyed if a soul is to be saved. If we do not obey the Gospel, we will be eternally lost (2 Thess. 1:7-9). The command to be baptized was a part of the first Gospel sermon (Acts 2:37-38), because water baptism beautifully portrays the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Rom. 6:1-4).
How many baptisms does the Bible demand? "There is…One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph. 4:5).
What is the action? “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are raised with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead” (Col. 2:12).
What is it for? Baptism washes away our sins by the blood of Jesus (Matt. 26:28; Acts 2:38). Baptism brings us into Christ (Gal. 3:27) where all spiritual blessings are found (Eph. 1:3).
These Spiritual blessing include but are not limited to forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7), salvation (2 Tim. 2:10), the indwelling Spirit of God as an earnest and intercessor (Eph. 1:13-14; Rom. 8:26), and eternal life (1 John 5:11).
The only scriptural candidate for water baptism is a taught penitent believer. The one being baptized must know about the blood of Jesus, where it is to be contacted, and what it does. If one does not realize that by being baptized his sins are washed away by the blood of Christ (Matt. 26:28), and is thus added to the church of Christ (Acts 2:47), he is not a scriptural candidate for baptism. If one does not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and has not decided to turn from his sins (repented), he is not a scriptural candidate for baptism.
Concerning denominational baptism, if a person was baptized, but was ignorant of the significance of baptism to his salvation, he was not baptized scripturally. He needs to be taught right and baptized again (cf. Acts 19:1-5). Since baptism is a burial in water (Rom 6:4), a person who simply had a little water sprinkled or poured over his head or body was not scripturally baptized. So if a person has not been immersed in water with the proper understanding of its significance, he has not been baptized scripturally (cf. Romans 6:17).
Please answer the four questions below by reading the scripture and filling in the blanks:
Why are we baptized?
Acts 22:16… We are baptized to wash away our _____________.
Revelation 1:5 We are baptized to wash away our sins by the _____________ of Jesus.
Romans 6:4… We are baptized to walk in newness of ______________.
John 3:3, 5… We are baptized to be ____________ again.
1 Peter 3:21… We are baptized to be ____________.
Acts 2:41, 47… We are baptized to be added to the _______________.
How are we baptized?
Acts 8:38-39… We are baptized by going down into the _____________ and coming back up out of the ____________.
Colossians 2:12… We are baptized by being _____________ in the water.
Into what are we baptized?
Galatians 3:27… We are baptized into ______________.
Romans 6:3… We are baptized into Christ’s ______________.
1 Corinthians 12:13… We are baptized into one _______________ (the church).
What will we receive when we are baptized?
Acts 2:38… We will receive forgiveness of _____________ and the gift of the ___________ ____________.
CONFESS ... STEP 4
The central theme that runs through the Bible is the salvation of man, through Jesus Christ, to the glory of God. Genesis through Malachi says, “Christ is coming.” Matthew through John says, “Christ has come.” Acts through Revelation says, “Christ is coming again.” Since God now speaks to us through His Son (Heb. 1:1; cf. Deuteronomy 18:18-19), to obey God is to obey Christ. To obey Christ is to confess Christ.
“Confession” means to declare openly by way of speaking out freely, such confession being the effect of deep conviction of facts. Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32-33). In Romans 10:10, Paul said, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Since Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and since there is no salvation in any other name under heaven (Acts 4:12), then the “confession” that is made unto salvation has to do with the deep convictions of an individual believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, based on the facts and evidences that are presented in the Word of God. But, more than that, it also conveys the obedient response which must be rendered throughout life by the one who confesses Christ by the lip.
There are two ways to confess Christ. First, there must be the confession of the Christ on the part of one – as he places himself under the obligation to accept the terms which have been set forth by the Christ. Part of ones obedience to the Gospel is the public acknowledgement of his belief in Jesus as the Son of God.
When we reflect back to the time of our Lord’s ministry, those who were going to follow Him had to acknowledge (had to believe) that He was the Christ of God. Obviously, then, they had to indicate that belief in some way. This is why it was said to the shame of some in John 12:42-43, that even among the chief rulers there were “…many who believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”
Likewise, today, when one comes to be a disciple – there must be that willingness to abide in the teaching of Christ and the confessing of the Christ. This confession cannot be a secretive or hidden kind of confession. In fact, how can anyone be assisted in their obedience to Christ unless that confession takes place? How could we know what their desire is? It would be impossible to know unless we find out from them! (cf. Acts 8:26-40).
Second, the one who has made the initial confession with the mouth – that “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,” and has rendered obedience to the Gospel of Christ, must also add to that initial confession another kind of confession. And that is, the confession that is to be made in life, which will last as long as they live.
Please answer the four questions below by reading the scripture and filling in the blanks:
What must we confess?
Matthew 16:15-16… We must confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of ____________.
John 11:27… We must confess that Jesus is the Christ, the __________ of ______________.
1 John 4:15… We must confess that Jesus is the Christ, __________ ___________ of ___________.
How must we confess Jesus?
Matthew 10:32… We must confess Him before ___________.
Romans 10:9-10… We must confess Him with our ____________.
What will happen if we confess Jesus?
Matthew 10:32… If we confess Jesus, Christ will ____________ us before His Father in Heaven.
Luke 12:8… If we confess Jesus, Christ will ______________ us before the angels of God.
What will happen if deny (do not confess) Jesus?
Matthew 10:33… If we deny Jesus, Christ will _____________ us before His Father in Heaven.
Luke 12:9… If we deny Jesus, Christ will _____________ us before the angels of God.
2 Timothy 2:12… If we deny Jesus, Christ will ______________ us.
1 John 2:23… If we deny Jesus, we will not have the _____________.
“Confession” means to declare openly by way of speaking out freely, such confession being the effect of deep conviction of facts. Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32-33). In Romans 10:10, Paul said, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Since Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and since there is no salvation in any other name under heaven (Acts 4:12), then the “confession” that is made unto salvation has to do with the deep convictions of an individual believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, based on the facts and evidences that are presented in the Word of God. But, more than that, it also conveys the obedient response which must be rendered throughout life by the one who confesses Christ by the lip.
There are two ways to confess Christ. First, there must be the confession of the Christ on the part of one – as he places himself under the obligation to accept the terms which have been set forth by the Christ. Part of ones obedience to the Gospel is the public acknowledgement of his belief in Jesus as the Son of God.
When we reflect back to the time of our Lord’s ministry, those who were going to follow Him had to acknowledge (had to believe) that He was the Christ of God. Obviously, then, they had to indicate that belief in some way. This is why it was said to the shame of some in John 12:42-43, that even among the chief rulers there were “…many who believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”
Likewise, today, when one comes to be a disciple – there must be that willingness to abide in the teaching of Christ and the confessing of the Christ. This confession cannot be a secretive or hidden kind of confession. In fact, how can anyone be assisted in their obedience to Christ unless that confession takes place? How could we know what their desire is? It would be impossible to know unless we find out from them! (cf. Acts 8:26-40).
Second, the one who has made the initial confession with the mouth – that “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,” and has rendered obedience to the Gospel of Christ, must also add to that initial confession another kind of confession. And that is, the confession that is to be made in life, which will last as long as they live.
Please answer the four questions below by reading the scripture and filling in the blanks:
What must we confess?
Matthew 16:15-16… We must confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of ____________.
John 11:27… We must confess that Jesus is the Christ, the __________ of ______________.
1 John 4:15… We must confess that Jesus is the Christ, __________ ___________ of ___________.
How must we confess Jesus?
Matthew 10:32… We must confess Him before ___________.
Romans 10:9-10… We must confess Him with our ____________.
What will happen if we confess Jesus?
Matthew 10:32… If we confess Jesus, Christ will ____________ us before His Father in Heaven.
Luke 12:8… If we confess Jesus, Christ will ______________ us before the angels of God.
What will happen if deny (do not confess) Jesus?
Matthew 10:33… If we deny Jesus, Christ will _____________ us before His Father in Heaven.
Luke 12:9… If we deny Jesus, Christ will _____________ us before the angels of God.
2 Timothy 2:12… If we deny Jesus, Christ will ______________ us.
1 John 2:23… If we deny Jesus, we will not have the _____________.
REPENT .... STEP 3
“Freewill” is a natural part of man’s being. God made man with the attribute of “freewill” and he, therefore, is fully capable of choosing to serve either God or Satan (cf. Joshua 24:15). Being that all accountable persons have exercised their freewill in choosing to sin, it is equally true that the freewill of sinful man I necessarily involved in his choice to return to God (Rom. 3:23).
The Lord, our only Savior, requires repentance of taught believers. He did not come to call the righteous, "but sinners to repentance" (Matt. 9:13). Jesus said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Luke's account of His last words tell us that Jesus required "repentance and remission of sins (to) be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47).
What is involved in the mind and life of one when he or she repents? This question must be answered, because if one would be saved by Christ that one must repent (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9). Repentance is a simple word. Its most basic meaning is "to think differently." Repentance is about changing direction. It also signifies "to change one's mind or purpose." It always involves a change for the better. One makes a change in direction from a lifestyle that was separated from God and a life that was rebellious against God and turns to Him. Isaiah summed it up: "Cease to do evil; learn to do well” (Isaiah 1:16-17).
Repentance is the way we must get ready and prepare for the coming of salvation. There is no salvation where there is no repentance. What is required is not that we try to escape from predicaments and crises, but a repentance wherein one sincerely turns to God. What is required is a life that repents (or turns) and walks with God.
What produces repentance? GODLY SORROW produces REPENTANCE (2 Corinthians 7:8-10). Repentance then results in a REFORMATION OF LIFE (Luke 3:8). Therefore, Repentance is both an effect and a cause. It is the effect of godly sorrow and the cause of a reformation of life.
God has two ways to bring mankind to repentance. 1) From the word of God we are caused to see the fearful and eternal consequences of a life lived in sin (Matt. 11:20-24). 2) From the same word we also see that the goodness of God leads us to repent (Rom. 2:4-5). If these two ways will not cause a person to repent, such a person will never be brought to repentance!
The time is limited. Indeed, God has set the time of the end. The time when he is calling out for repentance will not go on for ever. Consequently, the apostle Paul has so spoken in the following way in the epistle addressed to the church at Corinth, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).
We should not take lightly God's forgiveness of those who come to him repenting and God's abundant loving kindness, forbearance, and endurance which allows us to live in a righteous relationship with Him above. Remember: repent means to turn away from sin (change your mind about sin) and turn to God.
Please answer the four questions below by reading the scripture and filling in the blanks:
Who commands us to repent?
Matthew 4:17… We are commanded to repent by _______________.
Acts 17:30… We are commanded to repent by ________________.
Of what should we repent?
Acts 8:22… We should repent of our _______________.
What will happen if we repent?
Luke 15:7… If we repent there will be ________________ in ______________.
What will happen if we do not repent?
Luke 13:3… If we don’t repent we will ______________.
The Lord, our only Savior, requires repentance of taught believers. He did not come to call the righteous, "but sinners to repentance" (Matt. 9:13). Jesus said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Luke's account of His last words tell us that Jesus required "repentance and remission of sins (to) be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47).
What is involved in the mind and life of one when he or she repents? This question must be answered, because if one would be saved by Christ that one must repent (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9). Repentance is a simple word. Its most basic meaning is "to think differently." Repentance is about changing direction. It also signifies "to change one's mind or purpose." It always involves a change for the better. One makes a change in direction from a lifestyle that was separated from God and a life that was rebellious against God and turns to Him. Isaiah summed it up: "Cease to do evil; learn to do well” (Isaiah 1:16-17).
Repentance is the way we must get ready and prepare for the coming of salvation. There is no salvation where there is no repentance. What is required is not that we try to escape from predicaments and crises, but a repentance wherein one sincerely turns to God. What is required is a life that repents (or turns) and walks with God.
What produces repentance? GODLY SORROW produces REPENTANCE (2 Corinthians 7:8-10). Repentance then results in a REFORMATION OF LIFE (Luke 3:8). Therefore, Repentance is both an effect and a cause. It is the effect of godly sorrow and the cause of a reformation of life.
God has two ways to bring mankind to repentance. 1) From the word of God we are caused to see the fearful and eternal consequences of a life lived in sin (Matt. 11:20-24). 2) From the same word we also see that the goodness of God leads us to repent (Rom. 2:4-5). If these two ways will not cause a person to repent, such a person will never be brought to repentance!
The time is limited. Indeed, God has set the time of the end. The time when he is calling out for repentance will not go on for ever. Consequently, the apostle Paul has so spoken in the following way in the epistle addressed to the church at Corinth, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).
We should not take lightly God's forgiveness of those who come to him repenting and God's abundant loving kindness, forbearance, and endurance which allows us to live in a righteous relationship with Him above. Remember: repent means to turn away from sin (change your mind about sin) and turn to God.
Please answer the four questions below by reading the scripture and filling in the blanks:
Who commands us to repent?
Matthew 4:17… We are commanded to repent by _______________.
Acts 17:30… We are commanded to repent by ________________.
Of what should we repent?
Acts 8:22… We should repent of our _______________.
What will happen if we repent?
Luke 15:7… If we repent there will be ________________ in ______________.
What will happen if we do not repent?
Luke 13:3… If we don’t repent we will ______________.
BELIEVE...STEP 2
In approaching our study of FAITH, we are mindful of the lesson we just completed (Step 1) on HEARING the Word. If there is no hearing, the faith will not be present because hearing is the basis of faith: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). This tells us that real Bible faith (the only acceptable faith) must be based upon the Word of God. Since Jesus is the Word, Paul says, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11). Therefore our faith must rest on Jesus Christ.
The Bible speaks of walking by faith (2 Cor. 5:7), a keeping the faith (Rev. 14:12), a building on faith (Jude 20), and a bearing of faith as part of the fruit of a Christian’s life (Gal. 5:22). Indeed, the entire response one makes to God is the process of faith. For this study, we will be thinking of faith as the second step in the plan of salvation. Faith is essential, vital, necessary, and without it there can be no salvation. Repentance, confession of Christ, and water baptism (the other steps in God’s plan) are all proceed by faith. Without faith they cannot take place!
What is faith? “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). Faith involves believing that God is – that He exists. Faith gives us the assurance that in seeking God there are rewards promised, and we expect to receive them. The Bible says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb 11:6). This passage shows the need to please God. Therefore, faith is taking God at His word (Rom. 4:21).
Faith is NOT something merely felt or something imagined, and it is not something read or heard that is not the truth of the Bible. Many people can speak of having “faith” in this or that, but it may only be something imagined, something they desire to believe, or something they believe based on false information. None of these would be the faith spoken of and honored in the Word of God (compare Heb. 4:2).
Also, a faith that merely says, “I Believe,” but has no persuasion toward obeying, is not acceptable to God. James makes that point in reference to the devils: “Thou believest that there is on God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble (James 2:19). Satan and his hosts indeed know that God exists, and that Jesus is the Son of God, but these do not act to obey God and Christ. The only acceptable faith in God is an active obedient faith – a faith that “works by love” (Gal. 5:6). A faith that does not obey is a dead faith (James 2:17, 24, 26).
Remember: man is justified (or made right) by faith (Rom. 5:1), but we must again hasten to point out that man is not justified by faith only (James 2:24). Always, the faith that pleases God is that which is obedient to the will of God. Jesus is the author of salvation only to those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9). The only people who will make heaven their eternal home are the ones who do the will of God (Matt. 7:21).
Please answer the three questions below by reading the scripture and filling in the blanks:
What must we believe?
Mark 1:15… We must believe the _______________.
John 2:22… We must believe the _______________.
John 14:1… We must believe in ______________ and in _____________.
John 12:36… We must believe in the _______________.
John 17:1, 21… We must believe God sent _________________.
John 14:26… We must believe God sent the ______________ ________________.
John 6:69… We must believe Jesus is the ______________ of the ______________ _______________.
James 2:19… We must believe there is (ONLY) _______________ God.
Acts 10:39… We must believe Jesus was put to death on the ________________.
1 Thessalonians 4:14… We must believe Jesus died and ______________ ______________.
1 John 1:7… We must believe Jesus’ blood cleanses us from _____________ _____________.
What will happen if we believe?
John 20:29… If we believe we will be ______________.
Mark 9:23… If we believe all things will be ______________.
What will happen if we do not believe?
Mark 16:16b… If we don’t believe we will be _____________.
John 8:24… If we don’t believe we will die in our _______________.
The Bible speaks of walking by faith (2 Cor. 5:7), a keeping the faith (Rev. 14:12), a building on faith (Jude 20), and a bearing of faith as part of the fruit of a Christian’s life (Gal. 5:22). Indeed, the entire response one makes to God is the process of faith. For this study, we will be thinking of faith as the second step in the plan of salvation. Faith is essential, vital, necessary, and without it there can be no salvation. Repentance, confession of Christ, and water baptism (the other steps in God’s plan) are all proceed by faith. Without faith they cannot take place!
What is faith? “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). Faith involves believing that God is – that He exists. Faith gives us the assurance that in seeking God there are rewards promised, and we expect to receive them. The Bible says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb 11:6). This passage shows the need to please God. Therefore, faith is taking God at His word (Rom. 4:21).
Faith is NOT something merely felt or something imagined, and it is not something read or heard that is not the truth of the Bible. Many people can speak of having “faith” in this or that, but it may only be something imagined, something they desire to believe, or something they believe based on false information. None of these would be the faith spoken of and honored in the Word of God (compare Heb. 4:2).
Also, a faith that merely says, “I Believe,” but has no persuasion toward obeying, is not acceptable to God. James makes that point in reference to the devils: “Thou believest that there is on God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble (James 2:19). Satan and his hosts indeed know that God exists, and that Jesus is the Son of God, but these do not act to obey God and Christ. The only acceptable faith in God is an active obedient faith – a faith that “works by love” (Gal. 5:6). A faith that does not obey is a dead faith (James 2:17, 24, 26).
Remember: man is justified (or made right) by faith (Rom. 5:1), but we must again hasten to point out that man is not justified by faith only (James 2:24). Always, the faith that pleases God is that which is obedient to the will of God. Jesus is the author of salvation only to those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9). The only people who will make heaven their eternal home are the ones who do the will of God (Matt. 7:21).
Please answer the three questions below by reading the scripture and filling in the blanks:
What must we believe?
Mark 1:15… We must believe the _______________.
John 2:22… We must believe the _______________.
John 14:1… We must believe in ______________ and in _____________.
John 12:36… We must believe in the _______________.
John 17:1, 21… We must believe God sent _________________.
John 14:26… We must believe God sent the ______________ ________________.
John 6:69… We must believe Jesus is the ______________ of the ______________ _______________.
James 2:19… We must believe there is (ONLY) _______________ God.
Acts 10:39… We must believe Jesus was put to death on the ________________.
1 Thessalonians 4:14… We must believe Jesus died and ______________ ______________.
1 John 1:7… We must believe Jesus’ blood cleanses us from _____________ _____________.
What will happen if we believe?
John 20:29… If we believe we will be ______________.
Mark 9:23… If we believe all things will be ______________.
What will happen if we do not believe?
Mark 16:16b… If we don’t believe we will be _____________.
John 8:24… If we don’t believe we will die in our _______________.
PLAN OF SALVATION...STEP 1
Loved ones, God approaches man through his ears and eyes, his understanding. Thus, the Bible was given to be read, studied, understood, and obeyed (Matt. 7:24-29).
In Acts chapter two, the Gospel was preached for the first time to the Jewish people who were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Pentecost. At that time the apostles preached the Gospel, telling the people how Jesus had died for their sins, been buried and rose from the dead on the third day. The apostles told the people that God had made the man Jesus, whom the leaders had just crucified, both Lord and Christ. In Acts 2:37, the Bible says, “Now when they HEARD this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). This is one of the many verses in the Bible that shows the importance of HEARING the word of God.
Surely we recognize the importance of repentance; for without it men will perish (Luke 13:3). Confession of faith in Christ must be made with the mouth unto salvation (Matt. 10:32-33). Baptism washes sins away (Acts 22:16), puts one into Christ where salvation is found (Gal. 3:27; 2 Tim. 2:10), thus making that one a child of God. If however, there is not proper hearing of God’s word none of these things will ever come about.
Jesus is the author of salvation to the obedient (Heb. 5: 8-9), but to no one else. We can not obey Him unless we learn His will, and we can not learn His will outside of the Bible. Jesus said, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). Thus, no one can find God, the Savior, or the Holy Spirit, without HEARING the word of God.
To be saved one must “call upon the name of the Lord.” Before this can be done, one must believe, and in order to believe, he must HEAR (Rom. 10:13-14). The Holy Spirit says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). We know that without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6), so again the Bible teaches that HEARING is so very important.
We must hear the word of God discerningly. We should not be a gullible hearer. The noble Bereans searched the scriptures daily to see whether the things they HEARD were true (Acts 17:11). Like them we must not accept or reject what is preached until we have examined it carefully in light of all the Bible teaches.
We must hear the word of God eagerly, “Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).
We must hear the word of God with proper motives. Jesus taught, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock…and everyone that heareth these saying of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand” (Matt. 7:24-26).
Please answer the three questions below by reading the scripture and filling in the blanks:
Why was the Word (the Bible) written?
2 Timothy 3:16… The Word was written and is profitable for our ______________, ________________,
______________, and ______________ in ________________.
Romans 15:4… The Word was written in the Old Testament for our ________________.
Romans 10:17… The Word was written so we will have ______________.
John 20:30-31… The Word was written so we will believe that Jesus Christ is the _____________ of ____________.
James 1:25… The Word was written because it’s the perfect _____________ of _____________.
John 17:17… The Word was written because it’s the ________________.
1 Thessalonians 2:13… The Word was written because it’s the ______________ of ______________.
What will the Word do for us?
Luke 11:28… The Word will ____________ us.
John 8:32… The Word will make us ______________.
2 Timothy 3:15… The Word will make us ____________ unto _______________.
James 1:21… The Word will save our ______________.
What will Judge us in the last day?
John 12:48… The _______________.
In Acts chapter two, the Gospel was preached for the first time to the Jewish people who were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Pentecost. At that time the apostles preached the Gospel, telling the people how Jesus had died for their sins, been buried and rose from the dead on the third day. The apostles told the people that God had made the man Jesus, whom the leaders had just crucified, both Lord and Christ. In Acts 2:37, the Bible says, “Now when they HEARD this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). This is one of the many verses in the Bible that shows the importance of HEARING the word of God.
Surely we recognize the importance of repentance; for without it men will perish (Luke 13:3). Confession of faith in Christ must be made with the mouth unto salvation (Matt. 10:32-33). Baptism washes sins away (Acts 22:16), puts one into Christ where salvation is found (Gal. 3:27; 2 Tim. 2:10), thus making that one a child of God. If however, there is not proper hearing of God’s word none of these things will ever come about.
Jesus is the author of salvation to the obedient (Heb. 5: 8-9), but to no one else. We can not obey Him unless we learn His will, and we can not learn His will outside of the Bible. Jesus said, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). Thus, no one can find God, the Savior, or the Holy Spirit, without HEARING the word of God.
To be saved one must “call upon the name of the Lord.” Before this can be done, one must believe, and in order to believe, he must HEAR (Rom. 10:13-14). The Holy Spirit says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). We know that without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6), so again the Bible teaches that HEARING is so very important.
We must hear the word of God discerningly. We should not be a gullible hearer. The noble Bereans searched the scriptures daily to see whether the things they HEARD were true (Acts 17:11). Like them we must not accept or reject what is preached until we have examined it carefully in light of all the Bible teaches.
We must hear the word of God eagerly, “Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).
We must hear the word of God with proper motives. Jesus taught, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock…and everyone that heareth these saying of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand” (Matt. 7:24-26).
Please answer the three questions below by reading the scripture and filling in the blanks:
Why was the Word (the Bible) written?
2 Timothy 3:16… The Word was written and is profitable for our ______________, ________________,
______________, and ______________ in ________________.
Romans 15:4… The Word was written in the Old Testament for our ________________.
Romans 10:17… The Word was written so we will have ______________.
John 20:30-31… The Word was written so we will believe that Jesus Christ is the _____________ of ____________.
James 1:25… The Word was written because it’s the perfect _____________ of _____________.
John 17:17… The Word was written because it’s the ________________.
1 Thessalonians 2:13… The Word was written because it’s the ______________ of ______________.
What will the Word do for us?
Luke 11:28… The Word will ____________ us.
John 8:32… The Word will make us ______________.
2 Timothy 3:15… The Word will make us ____________ unto _______________.
James 1:21… The Word will save our ______________.
What will Judge us in the last day?
John 12:48… The _______________.
Statement of Faith
There exists only one God, creator and sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally co-existing in three persons–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Scriptures, both Old and New testaments, are the inspired, inerrant and trustworthy Word of God, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of human beings, and the final authority for all matters about which it speaks.
Human nature derives from two historical personas, male and female, created in God’s image. They were created perfect, but they sinned, plunging themselves and all human beings into sin, guilt, suffering, and death.
The substitutionary death of Jesus Christ and his bodily resurrection provide the only ground for justification, forgiveness, and salvation for all who believe. Only those who trust in Him alone are born of the Holy Spirit and are true members of the Church; only they will spend eternity with Christ. One must be born of the water and spirit to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Holy Spirit is the agent of regeneration and renewal for believers in Jesus Christ. He makes the presence of Jesus Christ real in believers, and He comforts, guides, convicts, and enables believers to live in ways that honor Christ.
The Scriptures, both Old and New testaments, are the inspired, inerrant and trustworthy Word of God, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of human beings, and the final authority for all matters about which it speaks.
Human nature derives from two historical personas, male and female, created in God’s image. They were created perfect, but they sinned, plunging themselves and all human beings into sin, guilt, suffering, and death.
The substitutionary death of Jesus Christ and his bodily resurrection provide the only ground for justification, forgiveness, and salvation for all who believe. Only those who trust in Him alone are born of the Holy Spirit and are true members of the Church; only they will spend eternity with Christ. One must be born of the water and spirit to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Holy Spirit is the agent of regeneration and renewal for believers in Jesus Christ. He makes the presence of Jesus Christ real in believers, and He comforts, guides, convicts, and enables believers to live in ways that honor Christ.
IT IS A FACT!
IT IS A FACT -
Using the poor rate of reading 200 words a minute (about 10 verses) THE BIBLE CAN BE READ THROUGH, READING 30 MINUTES (1 ½ HOUR) DAILY for 4 MONTHS or 3 TIMES A YEAR!
Using the poor rate of reading 200 words a minute (about 10 verses) THE BIBLE CAN BE READ THROUGH, READING 30 MINUTES (1 ½ HOUR) DAILY for 4 MONTHS or 3 TIMES A YEAR!
IT IS A FACT -
God has spoken 7 blessings to His Bible readers in Deut. 17:19, 20. The 19th verse says, “he shall read therein ALL THE DAYS of his life.” If he is told to read ALL HIS DAYS, he must read ALL THE BOOK!
IT IS A FACT -
(1) “When I READ the Bible, GOD TALKS TO ME.” (2) “When I PRAY, I TALK TO GOD.” And (3) “When I STUDY, I TALK TO OTHERS.”
The 3 words are different and will not mix. How can I talk to others about God UNLESS I LET GOD TALK TO ME FIRST AS I READ THE BIBLE THROUGH.
IT IS A FACT -
READING is a HABIT and we must PRACTICE TO PROGRESS DAILY. PUSH every day to CHANGE YOUR BAD READING HABIT. PRACTICE - read 10 pages in an hour. PRACTICE - read 15 pages in an hour. PRACTICE - read 20 pages in an hour. PRACTICE, PUSH, every day to a goal. MOST WILL NOT - YOU CAN DO IT.
IT IS A FACT -
Read the Bible through every 3 months (90 days) for 25 years - that would be 20 pages in the Giant Print edition Bible daily - this is SLOW reading, allowing 3 minutes to each page for one hour.
IT IS A FACT -
To be FREE, we must KNOW THE TRUTH. THE CONDITION we MUST KNOW first, BY READING THE BOOK THROUGH. Then we ACT on what we KNOW and the result is FREEDOM. Remember the Chinese proverb, “A book not read is A BLOCK OF PAPER.”
IT IS A FACT -
The 200 words per minute ARE NOT SPEED READING the Bible through. Some of my students read far beyond the 200 words, BUT AT 200 words a minute, you will be a far better reader of the Bible than you are NOW - TRY IT and SEE FOR YOURSELF how much MORE you will enjoy, remember, comprehend, and meditate in the WHOLE BIBLE as you repeatedly READ THE WHOLE BIBLE THROUGH over and over for your own good both here and in eternity. Dr. Moule said, “No matter what your study habit, BE ALWAYS READING your Bible THROUGH.”
IT IS A FACT -
You need not speed read your Bible, But over 90% of all Bible believers NEED TO READ THE Bible better, and daily and through. Start today!
IT IS A FACT -
You can read the Bible through EVERY 4 ½ DAYS for 6 months. You will gain a working knowledge of every chapter in the Bible (1189) in only 6 months -reading the Bible from the first word to the last word over and over.
IT IS A FACT -
If you use your clock or the timer on your stove, you will read more pages in the hour, and the more you read your Bible through, the clearer will be the over-all picture of God's dealings with mankind through the ages.
IT IS A FACT -
Reading 200 words a minute is poor by national standards, BUT THE BIBLE CAN BE READ THROUGH, reading ONE HOUR DAILY for 2 MONTHS or 6 TIMES A YEAR at 200 words a minute!
IT IS A FACT -
44 Bible books ARE SHORT, EACH CAN BE READ IN 30 MINUTES (1/2 Hour). If 2 short Bible books are READ in ONE HOUR daily, 2/3 of the entire Bible can be read SLOWLY in 22 DAYS!
IT IS A FACT -
All the way back to the apostles, the great majority of Bible believers have never read the Bible from start to finish.
IT IS A FACT -
In the New Testament, Paul tells Timothy to READ in the first letter, and instructs him to “study” in the 2nd letter. This IS CORRECT ORDER!
IT IS A FACT -
We must read entire books of the Bible at a time - do not chop it up, skip here and there, or read a few chapters in the Old Testament and then a few chapters in the New - NEVER DO THAT - “You will remain ignorant of God's plan and purpose through the Bible.”
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