RICKMAN ROAD

The purpose of this study is not to go into great detail but to give direction and supply some tools for personal study. We hope this study will accomplish that.

THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES

The World Book Encyclopedia

The authors of the New Testament did not deliberately try to create a Christian Bible. The early church already had a Bible, the Old Testament of Judaism. However, differing views of Christian faith during the A.D. 100’s led the church to form the New Testament canon. It needed the cannon as authority against unacceptable religious views. The church also wanted to preserve the authentic story of Jesus’ life and death in writing for future generations of Christians.

In selecting books for the canon, the church judged writings chiefly by three standards. (1) The writings had to be widely accepted and used in the church. (2) They had to follow the church’s traditional teachings. (3) They were believed to have been written or authorized by an apostle.

By about A.D. 200, the church had a canon that included all the present New Testament books except Hebrews and Revelation. These two books were added in the next century. Thus by A.D. 400, the church had established the present canon.

God’s Revelation and Authority

By Carl F.H. Henry, p. 55,vol. III

In the apocryphal writings, a growing angelology increasingly obscures the presence of God, whereas in the canonical writings the emphasis on the angel of the Lord neither fragments God’s unity nor obscures the exalted Lord’s direct presence.

p. 96 – Scripture presents us with the remarkable phenomenon of a canon concerned primarily with the propositional disclosure of God.

God’s Revelation and Authority

By Carl F.H. Henry, p. 13, vol. II

The especially inspired prophetic-apostolic proclamation is the basis of the Church’s distinction between canonical and noncanonical writings and constitutes a standard for verifying Christian truth-claims as authentic and authoritative. “Search the scriptures…. they are which testify of me,” John 5:39, 46-47; Luke 16:31.

God’s Revelation and Authority

By Carl F.H. Henry, p. 47, vol. III

In summary, Jesus altered the prevailing Jewish view of Scripture in several ways: (1) He subjected the authority of tradition to the superior and normative authority of the Old Testament: (2 He emphasized that He Himself fulfills the messianic promise of the inspired writings; (3 He claimed for Himself an authority not below that of the Old Testament and definitively expounded the inner significance of the Law; (4) He inaugurated the new covenant escalating the Holy Spirit’s moral power as an internal reality: (5) He committed His apostles to the enlargement and completion of the Old Testament canon through their proclamation of the Spirit-given interpretation of His life and work.

The Criswell Study Bible

The Bible: A Book of Destiny, Paige Patterson

Canon

The Word “canon” comes from a Greek word (kanon) meaning literally “reed” and thus ‘”straightedge” or “ruler” or “rod”. Out of this association with measurement, the term metaphorically became a reference to a “standard”. Conservative scholars maintain that every book of the Bible has God as its Author and His authority inherent thereby. The thirty-nine books of the O.T. are considered canonical by the Jews, the apostolic church, and the Christian churches through the centuries. As applied to Scripture, then, the canon is the list of books which are accepted by the Church as conforming to the standard of divine inspiration and authority and, therefore, as forming a “rule” of faith and practice for every believer.

The sole criterion of the canon of Scripture is inspiration (cf. II Tim. 3:16-17), i.e., God’s testimony of God through the Holy Spirit to the authority of His word. In the O.T., inspiration is determined by the internal unity and consistent witness of the prophetic preparation for the Messiah, God’s anointed Deliverer, and in the N. T. by the fulfillment of that prophecy in the person and work of Christ; it is confirmed by external testimony as God’s people through the ages, in God’s providence, have recognized and acknowledged His word; it is ultimately assured by the imprimatur Of God Himself upon these holy books.

Some scholars appeal to ecclesiastical or conciliar decisions as the basis for the selection of the sixty-six books of the Bible. A rabbinical gathering at Jamnia in c. 90 A.D. debated the canonicity of some O.T. books, but every indication points to the acceptance of the thirty-nine books of the present O.T. at a much earlier time. In 397 A.D., the Synod of Carthage affirmed the twenty-seven books of the N.T. Though the designation “canon” has been associated with the decisions of church councils, one must remember that the canon of Scripture is not an ecclesiastical creation: rather the idea of canon predated the usage of that very term to describe it. Conciliar decisions only affirmed what was clearly already the consensus of the churches who had fixed the canon with three centuries of usage throughout the Roman Empire.

Table of Contents

THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES

I. Names and Titles

A. The Bible

B. The Testaments

C. The Scriptures

D. The Word of God

II. Inspiration

A. Definition

1. Theopneustos, found in II Tim. 3:16, is translated inspiration. It means “God Breathed”.

“Inspiration is the strong conscious inbreathing of God into men, qualifying them to give utterance to truth. It is God speaking through men.” William Evans

B. Biblical Claims to Inspiration

1. For the writers – II Peter 1:21

2. For the Writings – II Tim. 3:16

3. For the words – I Cor. 2:13; II Peter 3:2

C. Inspiration, the Work of the Holy Spirit – II Peter 1:21; John 14:26; 16:13

D. Evidence of Inspiration

1. Scriptural unity is miraculous – Lk. 24:25-27

a. This book was written over 1,600 years by more than 40 separate, human authors writing about the ultimate issues of life.

2. Bible prophecy is completely accurate

a. Examples –sequence of Empires in Dan. 2:37-45

Messianic prophesies:

1. Piercing – Zech. 12:10

2. Vinegar – Ps. 69:21

3. Mocking – Ps 22:6-8

4. Nakedness – Ps. 22:17

5. Gambling – Ps 22:18

6. No broken bones – Ps. 34:20

7. Resurrection – Ps. 16:10; 30:3; 40:1,2

3. Archaeology confirms Scripture.

4. The Bible is historically accurate.

III. Divine Preservation – Ps 12:6,7

A. God is Able – Ps. 31:23; 37:28; Prov. 2:8; II Tim. 4:18

B. If God Wanted to Give Mankind His Revelation of Himself, Why Would He Allow It To Be Polluted Or Destroyed?

IV. Inerrant and Infallible – Ps. 12:6; Prov. 30:5,6

IS THERE AN INERRANT, INFALLIBLE BIBLE IN EXISTENCE TODAY?

Prov. 30:5,6 – “Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a Liar.”

II. Tim. 3:16, 17 – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man Of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Read II Peter. 1:15-21

Inerrant:

1. New Century Dictionary – “free from error”

2. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary – “free from error”

Inerrancy – exemption from error

Error – mistake, blunder, slip, oversight, incorrectness, inaccuracy, wrongdoing, sin

Infallible:

1. W.N.C.D. – “incapable of error: unerring”

2. N.C.D. – “exempt from liability to error, as persons, the judgment, pronouncements, etc.: absolutely trustworthy or sure.”

Synonym – “certain, reliable”

DO WE ACCEPT ANY MAN’S WRITINGS TODAY AS INERRANT, INFALLIBLE?

Paraphrase: a restatement of a text, passage, work giving the meaning in another form.

Commentary – an explanatory treatise – syn.: interpret

Interpret – “to explain or tell the meaning of” – WNCD

I Kings 18:27 – “About noon time Elijah began mocking him, you’ll have to shout louder than that, he scoffed, to catch the attention of your God! Perhaps he is talking to someone or is out sitting on the toilet, or maybe he is away on a trip, or is asleep and needs to be awakened!”

Daniel 3:25; Col. 1:14; I John 5:7, 8

When texts disagree, one or both have to be wrong! They cannot both be right.

Can all the translations be the inerrant, infallible Word of God?

* PERFECTION *

The second term we wish to examine is the term PERFECTION. With this term there is another that goes along with it. That term is PURE, in the sense of PERFECTION.

Now since God never made a mistake, but is always, everywhere the same, and cannot lie, are not all His ways PERFECT?

James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every PERFECT gift is from above, and cometh down from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom THERE IS NO VARIABLENESS, NEITHER SHADOW OF TURNING.”

Numbers 23:19 – “God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it Good?

Yes, our God is a PERFECT God. And all He has ever said or done, or that He will ever say or do is, and shall be PERFECT. So His Word is beyond all comparison. You cannot sensibly speak of one text, call it a translation, or a version, or a paraphrase, as being good, better, or best, when you refer to the Word of God, for these are relative terms, not absolutes. And God’s work is absolute. If one text can bear comparing with another, then such is inferior or superior to another. Neither can be perfect. But that which is PERFECT is INCOMPARABLE! It is absolute! Thus we discover in our studies that God’s Holy Word which He has so carefully given to man, is PERFECTION. And, as we have said, when we consider this term PERFECTION we will also include the word PURE with PERFECTION as they relate to the Word of God.

Now let us look at just a few references on this subject of PURE, or PERFECTION. We shall try to be a bit more brief in discussing this second term than we were in the first term.

My favorite verse for this term is written by King David, himself, as he wrote in,

Psalms 12:6 – “The words of the Lord are PURE (perfect) words:”

How pure were, or are they?

“as silver tried in a furnace of earth seven times.”

Then he speaks again in Psalms 19: Let’s read them:

Psalms 19:7 – “The law (that’s a synonym for Word) of the Lord is PERFECT, converting the soul: the testimony (another synonym for Word) of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”

Psalms 19:8b – “…. The commandment (another syn. for Word) of the Lord is PURE, enlightening the eyes.”

Then there is the 119^th Psalm. This Psalm has 176 verses of which 173, that’s all the verses except three, make reference to the Word of God through several synonymous terms such as: law, ways, precepts, testimonies, statutes, commandments, judgments, Word, Truth, Ordinances, etc. In this chapter I find another verse that blesses my heart on the PURITY or PERFECTION of God’s Word! And I am so glad it is true! And it was given by the great, wise, King Solomon:

Proverbs 30:5 – “EVERY WORD OF GOD IS PURE (PERFECT): He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.”

· 5 Things God Wants Us to Know (About His Word)

By Thomas N. Golden, p. 20-22

God Himself wrote the Bible, telling men what to say. He did not just place vague thoughts in their heads as to what to write down.

Exodus 34:1 – “And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: AND I WILL WRITE upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.”

Exodus 34:27 – “And the Lord said unto Moses, ‘Write thou these words…”

Deut. 31:24 – “And it came to pass… Moses… made an end of writing the words of this Law in a book.”

Jer. 30:2 – “Thus speaketh the Lord God of Israel, saying, ‘Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.”

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THE DOCTRINE OF GOD

Why is it important to know the teaching of the Scriptures concerning God? The Scriptures are God’s revelation of Himself to man. No one can describe God with complete accuracy but God. This He has done. The scriptures declare and spotlight the only true God. This corrects any misconceptions and preconceived ideas originating with man. Here are just a few.

1. Pantheism – maintains that this universe in its ever-changing conditions is but the manifestation of the one ever changing universal substance which is God; thus all, everything is God, and God is everything; God is all, all is God. Thus God is identified with nature and not held to be independent of and separate from it. God is, therefore, a necessary but an unconscious force working in the world.

The Great Doctrines of the Bible, by William Evans

2. Polytheism – a belief in many gods.

3. Unitarianism – the belief that the deity exists only in one person.

We will study in the Doctrine of God what God Himself says about Himself. Let’s begin our study with the question, “Who is God?’ In the first of the Bible, Genesis, God is declared. The Bible does not go into a long discussion explaining the existence of God. He is declared to be. We will not spend time on His existence although there are good arguments to prove His existence. What we will deal with is His names, nature, attributes, and activities.

I. The Names of God

A. Elohim – Gen. 2:4 – The One Who is Mighty – The Lord Who Creates

B. El Elyon – Gen. 14:22 – The One Who is Supreme – The Lord Who Owns

C. Adonai – Gen. 15:2 – The One Who is Ruling – The Lord Our Master

D. El Olam – Gen. 21:33 – The One Who is Mysterious – The Lord Who Reveals

E. Jireh – Gen. 22:14 – The One Who Redeems – The Lord Who Provides

F. Rophi – Ex. 15:26 – The One Who Heals - The Lord Who Heals

G. Nissi – Ex. 17:15 – The One Who Fights for Us – The Lord Our Banner

H. Yekaddia – Ex. 31:13 – The One Who is Sanctification- The Lord Who Sanctified

I. Shalom – Judg. 6:24 – The One Who Gives Peace – The Lord Our Peace

J. Sabaoth – I Sam. 1:3 – The One Who is Possessing – The Lord of Hosts

K. Zidkenu – Jer. 23:6 – The One Who is Justifying – The Lord Our Righteousness

L. Shammah – Ezek. 48:35 – The One Who is Present – The Lord at Hand

M. Elyon – Ps. 7:17 – The One Who is Blessing – The Lord Who Blesses

N. Roi – Ps. 23:1 – The One Who is Caring – The Lord Our Shepherd

Some of the Names are preceded by the name of Jehovah.

II. The Nature of God

A. His Personality – God is a person. He is not an influence or an unseen force or power as we see exhibited in the laws of nature or electricity (this contradicts Pantheism).

1. Jer. 10:10, “But the Lord is the true God, He is the living God.”

2. Acts 14:15, “…turn from these vanities unto the living God.”

3. I Thess. 1:9, “…how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”

4. II Chron. 16:9, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect.”

5. Ps. 94:11, “The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man.”

All these verses reveal God has intelligence, mind, will, reason, individuality, self-consciousness, and self-determination.

B. His Spirituality – John 4:24 – “God is spirit.” Meaning: The Samaritan woman’s question, “Where is God to be found?”, etc. On Mt. Zion or Gerizim? Christ’s answer: God is not to be confined to any one place (cf. Acts 7:48; 17:25; I Kings 8:27). God must be worshipped in spirit as distinguished from place, form, or other sensual limitations

John 4:21) and in truth as distinguished from false conceptions resulting from imperfect knowledge (4:22). William Evans

1. Hence we do not use objects such as pictures, idols, or any image in worship. Why? God is none of these.

a. Luke 24:39 – “behold my hands and my feet, that it is I Myself: handle me, and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”

b. When we worship it must be of the heart and not be confined to only one place nor must be aided by graven images in any form for God is a Spirit. (We do not have to go to Jerusalem to worship. We should never worship a piece of wood made in the form of a cross or a picture. God never takes any of these forms.)

Here would be a good personal Bible study subject to help us understand better how to worship God. (The Trinity will be studied later.)

III. The Attributes of God

A. Natural Attributes

1. The Omniscience of God – all knowing

a. Is. 40:28; Job 37:16; Ps. 147:5; I John 3:20; Prov. 15:3; Matt. 10:29

2. The Omnipotence of God – all powerful

a. Job 42:2; Gen. 18:14; Ps. 107:25-29

3. The Omnipresence of God – all present

a. Jer. 23:23, 24; Ps. 139: 7-12; God is on His throne but this does not limit God to that location only. Remember He is a spirit.

4. The Eternity and Immutability of God – eternal and unchanging

a. Hab. 1:12; Ps.90:2; Ps. 102:24-27: Ex. 3:14 (eternal)

b. Mal. 3:6; James 1:17 (immutable)

B. Moral Attributes

1. Holiness – The holiness of God is the message of the entire O.T. To the prophets, God was the absolutely Holy One: the One with eyes too pure to behold evil; the One swift to punish iniquity. In taking a photograph, the part of the body, which we desire most to see, is not the hands, or feet, but the face. So it is with our vision of God. He desires us to see not His hand and finger, denoting His power and skill, nor even His throne as indicating His majesty. It is His holiness by which He desires to be remembered as that is the attribute which most glorifies Him. Let us bear this fact in mind as we study this attribute of the devine nature. It is just this vision of God that we need today when the tendency to deny the reality or the awfulness of sin is so prevalent. Our view of the necessity of the atonement will depend very largely upon our view of the holiness of God. Light views of God and His holiness will produce light views of sin and the atonement. William Evans

a. Is. 57:15; Ps. 99:9; I Pet. 1:15, 16; John 17:11

b. God can do NO evil, Job 34:10. He is always just, and He will never punish wrongly.

2. Righteousness and justice of God- manifested in dealing with His creation and especially men

a. Ps. 116:5; Ezra 9:15; Ps. 145:17; Jer. 12:1; Ps. 129:1-4

3. Mercy and loving-kindness – mercy is usually exercised in connection with guilt

a. Ps.103:8; Deut. 4:31; Ps 86:15; Is. 55:7; Ps. 32:10

4. Love – love is the expression of His personality corresponding to His nature. W. Evans

a. I Jn. 4:8-16; I Jn. 3:16; Jn. 3:16; Jn. 16-27

IV. The Activities of God

The activities of God will be seen in the names He is called by in the Scriptures. Refer to the list mentioned previously.

A. Some Acts That Are Only the Prerogative of Deity

1. to create

2. to forgive sin

3. to justify or make righteous

4. to judge sin

This is a very important doctrine. We will see this in the position of cults.

The Cults and Their Error

Christian Science – God is “ the ever-present I am, filling all space, including in itself all Mind, the one Father-Mother God” (M.B. Eddy, Rudimentary Divine Science, p. 34)

The theory of three persons in one God (that is, a personal Trinity or Tri-unity) suggests polytheism, rather than the one everpresent I am (SH, 256:9-11).

Jehovah’s Witnesses – Jesus Christ is not One God with the Father (MS, p. 485). The obvious conclusion is that Satan is the originator of the trinity doctrine (LG, p. 101).

Armstrongism- The doctrine of the Trinity is false, pagan (The Missing Dimension in Sex, 37). God is a family: God is reproducing Himself and man was created to literally become God (What It Means to Be Equal with God, p. 43). You can become God, (“God’s Power” in TW, Nov. 1971, p. 12). But quantitatively, man will never equal God the Father, just as surely as God the Creator (Jesus Christ) will Himself never quantitatively equal God the Father (WMEG, p. 44).

Mormonism – God is an organized being just as we are who are now in the flesh. He is a progressive being, and possesses the capacity of eternal increase. Perhaps once a child and mortal like ourselves (Gospel Doctrine, p. 64: AF, p. 529; Journal of Discourses, 1:123). God is not omnipresent…cannot be “physically present in more than one place at a time” (Talmage, DC, p. 48). There never was a time when there were not Gods and worlds (Young, Discourses, pp.22-23). Each god, through his wife or wives, raises up a numerous family of sons and daughters (Pratt, The Seer, 1. No. 3, p. 37). The doctrine of a plurality of Gods is prominent in the Bible. The heads of the Gods appointed our God for us (Teaching of the Prophet Jos. Smith, pp. 370-372).

Unification Church – Man is the visible; and God is the invisible form. God and man are one. Man is incarnate God…as important in value as God Himself (CIC, p. 5). God is just like you and me. All human traits originate in God (CIC, p. 4).

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THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST

I have tried to place our studies in such a way that the order will aid in our subjects as they relate to one another. The Doctrine of Jesus Christ has been placed just after the Doctrine of God for this purpose. It is important to know the Doctrine of God as we look at this study. Why? We must ask such questions as, Was He human? Did He have a body of flesh just like us? Was He God? Did He possess the attributes of deity? Did He voluntarily limit those attributes when He took upon Him a body of flesh? These questions and more are answered wrong in many instances by the cults, as we will see when we study the cult’s error.

I. Pre-existence & Diety – Mi. 5:2; Jn. 8:58; 17:5, 24; Heb. 7:3; Jn. 1:1-14

What divine attributes do these Scriptures teach Jesus possessed? Name some of the natural attributes of God.

II. Incarnation – Humanity

A. Virgin Birth – Is. 7:14; 9:6

B. Human Parent – Gal. 4:4; Phil. 2:8

C. Physical Development – Lk. 2:40

D. Physical Appetites – Lk. 4:2; 9:58; 24:39; Jn. 4:6

III. Earthly Ministry

A. Its Beginning – Matt. 3:13-4:17

B. His Message – Matt. 4:17

There is much recorded in the Gospels concerning the earthly ministry of our Lord. We won’t go into detail but we will recognize that the cross is the center of His ministry and message.

IV. The Cross – the Atonement – I Cor. 1:18

A. A Ransom – Matt. 20:28; I Pet. 1:18; I Tim. 2:6; Gal. 3:13

B. A Reconciliation – Rom. 5:10; II Cor. 5:18, 19; Eph. 2:16; Col. 1:20; Heb. 2:17

C. A Propitiation – Rom. 3:25; I Jn. 2:2

D. A Substitution – Is. 53:6; I Pet. 2:24; 3:18; II Cor. 5:21

V. The Empty Tomb – The Resurrection

A. Empty Tomb – no evidence of His dead body presented by His enemies. All they had to do was present the body to refute Christianity.

B. Post Crucifixion Appearance – Matt. 28:9, 10; Jn. 20:14-18; Mark 16:9; Lk. 24:13-32

C. Bodily Resurrection – Lk. 24: 36-43

D. Exaltation – Mark 16:19; Eph. 1:20; Phil. 2:9

THE CULT’S ERROR

Christian Science – Jesus is the human man and Christ is the divine ideal (SH, 473:15-16). If there had never existed such a person as the Galilean Prophet, it would make no difference to me (First Church of Christ Scientist & Misc., pp. 318-319). Not that the human Jesus was or is eternal…not one with the Father,…but fleshly… Christ is “the ideal Truth,” “Divine Idea,” “reflection.”

Spiritualism – Christ himself was nothing more than a medium of high order. The teaching of spirits supersedes and is an advance upon the teachings of Christianity (Spiritual Telegraph, No. 37). The miraculous conception of Christ is merely a fabulous tale (Weisse, Spiritualism, p. 141).

Jehovah’s Witnesses – Not Jehovah God. He was the first son that Jehovah God brought forth (LG, p. 32). Michael the archangel is no other than the only-begotten Son of God, now Jesus Christ (NH, p. 30). Christ was not raised in flesh, but with a spiritual body (MS, p.426).

Armstrongism – Before Jesus was conceived by Mary, He was not the Son of God (“Just What Do You Mean –Born Again? P. 43 in TW, Oct. 1971). Christ’s body disappeared. Christ was raised as a divine spirit being (If You Die, Will You Live Again? P. 6).

Mormonism – By obedience and devotion He attained to the pinnacle of intelligence which ranked him as a God, even in his pre-existent state (McConkie, MD. P. 192).

Unity – The Krishna of the Hindu is the same as the Christos of the Greeks and the Messiah of the Hebrews (SB, p.22).

Unification Church – The death of Jesus was neither his will nor his fault. [It was] murder, and his body was taken by Satan (CIC, p. 104). Jesus came as the sinless Adam, or perfected Adam. His first mission was to restore his bride and form the first family of God. But he was crucified. Jesus Christ must come again to consummate the mission he left undone 2,000 years ago (CIC, p. 27). Christ will be born in a country in the East…and will place a seal on the foreheads of the 14,000 (DP, p. 520). Korea should be the nation that can receive the Lord of the Second Advent (DP, p.520).

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THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“If the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person and we know it not, we are robbing a Divine Being of the love and adoration which are His due. It is of the highest practical importance whether the Holy Spirit is a power that we, in our ignorance and weakness, are somehow to get hold of and use, or whether the Holy Spirit is a personal Being…who is to get hold of us and use us. It is of the highest experimental importance…Many can testify to the blessing that came into their lives when they came to know the Holy Spirit, not merely as a gracious influence…but as an ever-present, loving friend and helper.” Dr. R.A. Torrey

The first part of our study will deal with the person of the Holy Spirit. Let’s look at the background of the use of the term “person.”

“Language cannot bear the weight of the revelation of God. About A.D. 200, there was a brilliant heretic named Sabellius. He promulgated the doctrine that the Holy Spirit of God was not personal but a mode, a manifestation. Sabellius declared that the Spirit was not God; rather, He was an energy, an influence.

The greatest of the Latin Fathers was Tertullian, a brilliant, converted lawyer. He espoused the revelation of the Holy Spirit according to the Bible. In trying to defend the personality of the Spirit of God, he used the word “person.” That was the first time the word was ever used to refer to God. “Person” is not a biblical reference to God. There really is no language or human expression equal to the indescribable, immeasurable, infinite majesty and glory of God! That is why it is difficult to say in human speech what God really is. This word “person” is a halting word. It is not meant to describe three gods. We just do not know how to say it. Language cannot bear the revelation. “Person” was merely the best word that Tertullian could use in combating Sabellius, who said that the Spirit of God was like a law, a motion, or an effulgence.”

Great Doctrines of the Bible, W.A. Criswell, “The Deity and Person of the Holy Spirit,” pp. 20, 21.

I. The Person of the Holy Spirit

A. He Has a Mind – Rom. 8:26, 27

B. He Is Sensitive – Eph. 4:30

C. He Has a Will – I Cor. 12:11

D. Personal Pronouns Are Used in Referring To Him – Jn. 16:7, 8 13-15; Rom. 8:16, 26

E. The Holy Spirit is Identified With The Father and The Son

1. in the baptismal formula – Matt. 28:19

2. in the apostolic benediction – II Cor. 13:14

F. He is Personally Intimate With the Christian

1. He produces personal holiness – Gal. 5:22-25

2. He gives personal guidance – Jn. 14:26; I Jn. 2:27

3. He extends a divine call – Lk. 4:18; Acts 13:2

II. The Deity of the Holy Spirit

A. Divine Attributes

1. Eternal – Heb. 9:14

2. Omnipresent – Ps. 139:7-10

3. Omnipotent – Lk 1:35

4. Omniscient – I Cor. 2:10, 11

B. Divine Works

1. Creation – Gen. 1:2; Ps.104:30; Job 33:4

2. Regeneration – Jn. 3:5-8; Titus 3:5

3. Resurrection – Rom. 8:11

4. Reproves – Jn. 16:8-11

5. Indwells – I Cor. 6:19

6. Seals – Eph 1:13, 14

7. Fills – Acts 2:4; Eph. 5:18

8. Guides – Rom. 8:14

9. Anoints – I Jn. 2:27; Lk. 4:18

10. Authored the Scriptures – II Pet. 1:20, 21: II Tim. 3:16; Rev. 2 & 3

11. Interpreter of the Scriptures – Jn. 16:14, 15

III. Offences Against the Holy Spirit

A. Committed by Unbeliever

1. Resisting – Acts 7:51

2. Insulting – Heb. 10:29

3. Blaspheming – Matt. 12:31, 32

B. Committed by Believer

1. Grieving – Eph. 4:30, 31

2. Lying to – Acts 5:3, 4

3. Quenching – I Thess. 5:19

In our study under Roman numeral II, capital B., number 10, we see that the Holy Spirit authored the Scriptures. While we are concerning ourselves with this I think it would be good to bring to your attention an event in the early church concerning further revelations of the Holy Spirit dealing with Scripture. This event centered around a man named Montanus. Here is an excerpt from W.A. Criswell’s book, The Holy Spirit in Today’s World, pp. 18, 19.

THE RISE OF MONTANISM

To me, one of the most remarkable of all developments in Christian History was the rise of Montanism. The history books avow that the miraculous, supernatural gifts of the apostles ceased in their death (cf. The History of the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit by George Smeaton, pp. 256-368). When the apostles died, the marvelous gifts bestowed upon them also died. The history books say it was but the natural and expected development that some Christian of piety and zeal should claim their restoration in his own person. There arose just such a man in Montanus, a preacher of extravagant opinion and ascetic rigor. He appeared in the village of Phrygia about A.D. 150 as a prophet, with his two prophetesses, Mazimilla and Priscilla. He claimed that the supernatural gifts of the prophets and the apostles were renewed in him. He claimed for himself and for his two prophetesses the same powers of the Holy Spirit which had animated the apostles with their gifts and abilities to receive special revelation from heaven. He came forth with utterances and ecstasies which were to supersede the Holy Scriptures of the apostles. He said that as the writings of Paul superseded those of Moses; so his ecstasies and utterances were to supersede those of Paul. So tremendous was this Montanistic movement that it swept away Tertullian himself in its tide.

Remember, this occurred in about A.D. 150. Polycarp, the disciple of the Apostle John, was still alive and was pastor at Smyrna. Papias, the disciple of John, was still alive and pastor at Hierapolis. Even in their days, the days of the disciples of the apostles, the history books say the phenomenal, supernatural gifts of the apostles ceased to exist. There arose, therefore, a tremendous controversy over the claims of Montanus. Were his utterances Scriptural? Were his trances visions from heaven? Are the marvelous gifts of the apostles continued in their successors? Out of the dispute of Montanism the history books say two firm conclusions arose. The first concerned the finality of Scripture. The churches avowed that the Scriptures were closed. There are to be no more Scriptures. They affirmed in no uncertain terms that the ecstatic utterances of Montanus were not Scripture and certainly did not supersede the word of the apostles. They avowed that the work of the Holy Spirit is one of illumination, not a bestowing of new and further revelation. The revelation of Holy Scripture is closed in the spirit of Revelation 22:18, 19: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Is the Church to expect any further revelation by prophetic visions? No, said the apostolic churches as against a Joseph Smith, or as against a Mary Baker Glover Patterson Eddy.

THE CULT’S ERROR

Christian Science – Holy Ghost is Divine Science; the development of eternal Life, Truth, and Love (SH, 588:78). In the words of St. John: “He shall give you another Comforter…”. This Comforter I understand to be Divine Science (SH, 55:27-29).

Jehovah’s Witnesses – The holy spirit is the invisible active force of Almighty God, which moves his servants to do his will (LG, p. 108).

Armstrongism – Theologians have blindly accepted the false doctrine that the Holy Spirit is a third person – the heresy of the trinity. This limits God to Three Persons! (Just What Do You Mean – Born Again? pp.17, 19). God’s Spirit dwelling in you is God’s own divine love (What Do You Mean – Unpardonable Sin? P.9).

Mormonism – He “can only be in one place at one time although he emanates from Deity like electricity, or the universal ether… which fills the earth and the air, and is everywhere present” (McConkie, MD, pp. 359, 753).

Unification Church – The Holy Spirit is a female Spirit. She also cleanses the sins of the people in order to restore them, thus indemnifying the sin committed by Eve…the Holy Spirit, being female (negativity) is working on earth (DP, p. 215). There must be a True Mother with the True Father, in order to give rebirth to fallen children as children of goodness. She is the Holy Spirit (DP, p. 215).

“As time went on there developed violent attacks against the doctrine of the Trinity, a term, by the way, first used by Tertullian around A.D. 200 to describe the Godhead. The heretics began to say that God is not trinitarian but unipersonal. One of the leaders in this attack against the Trinity was an able theologian named Sabellius, a contemporary of Tertullian. He was the forerunner of modern Unitarianism in his denial of the person of the Holy Spirit. It was against Sabellianism that the Church introduced the word “person” to describe the Godhead. Sabellius sought to explain the mystery of deity by a theory of modalism, a trinity of mere manifestation. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are but different distinctions in the Godhead. According to Sabellius, the Holy Spirit became a vague, undefined component operative through successive energies expressed in creation, in redemption, and in regeneration.

Following Sabellius, there arose the greatest heretic of all time, the gifted preacher, theologian, and songwriter, Arius. He was in his prime of power and influence around A.D. 300. He attacked the deity of the Son and the Holy Spirit. He denied their consubstantiality with the Father. He taught that the Son was created by the Father, and the Holy Spirit was created by the Son, making the Holy Spirit the creature of a creature. The violent controversy centered mostly about the deity of the Son…”

The Holy Spirit in Today’s World, W.A. Criswell, pp. 16, 17.

Table of Contents

THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY

The scriptural proofs of the personality and divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit having now been considered, it is proper to notice a few passages of Scripture in which the Three are revealed distinctly, by being mentioned, or manifested together.

1. At the baptism of Christ are seen the Son, who has just been baptized, and the “Spirit of God descending as a dove,” while, from Heaven above, [and therefore from the Father and not from the Spirit, who is thus manifested distinctly from the Father], is heard “a voice,” saying, “this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:17

2. An equally plain distinction is set forth in the language of Christ, Matt. 28:19, in which He commanded baptism to be performed “into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” This act of baptism is such as to involve the divinity as well as the personality of the Three, for it is an act of worship such as can be paid to God only; it is a profession of faith in God and His righteousness, which can be due to God only: and it is a pledge of loyalty, such as God has plainly taught He will share with no other.

3. In our Lord’s last discourse He promises to send “the Comforter,” ‘even the Holy Spirit,” “from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father.” Here the Son sends, the Spirit is sent, and the Spirit proceeds from the Father. He is also referred to as one “whom the Father will send in my name.” See John 14:26 and 15:26.

4. The apostle Paul evidently refers to this same Three when he writes the Corinthians, of the “same spirit,” “the same Lord,” and “the same God.” – ICor. 12:4-6.

5. The benediction, with which Paul closes his second epistle to the Corinthians, also presents unitedly, yet separately, the same Three; certain blessings are invoked, but with no apparent distinction of rank among those of whom they are asked…..

Abstract of Systematic Theology, James P. Boyce, “The Three Revealed Distinctly, “ pp. 134-135.

THE TRINITY ACTING IN UNITY

1. In Creation:

God the Father spoke. Gen. 1:3, “And God said, Let there be light.”

God the Son was the Word spoken. John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word.”

God the Holy Spirit moved upon the face of the waters, Gen. 1:2.

2. In the Incarnation:

God the Father gave His only Son, John 3:16.

God the Son was born into the world, Luke 2:11.

God the Spirit came upon Mary to cause conception, Luke 1:35.

3. In Redemption:

God the Father accepted the sacrifice of Calvary, Heb. 9:14.

God the Son offered Himself as our substitute, Heb. 9:14

God the Spirit – Jesus offered Himself “through the eternal Spirit”, Heb. 9:14

4. In Salvation:

God the Father received the prodigal from the far country, Luke 15:22. The Father welcomes the sinner, forgives him, supplies robes, rings and a feast.

God the Son is the Shepherd that goes to seek the lost sheep, Luke 15:4.

God the Spirit seals the new convert, Eph. 1:13.

5. In Communion:

God the Father invites us to come to Him for fellowship, Eph. 2:18.

God the Son is the reconciliation, II Cor. 5:19.

God the Spirit effects this union and communion, Eph. 2:18.

6. In Prayer:

God the Father is the One who receives the requests, John 16:23.

God the Son is the One in whose Name we pray, Jn. 16:23.

God the Spirit directs us in our requests, Rom. 8:26.

God’s Answers To Man’s questions, Alban Douglas, p. 15.

“The Scriptures teach everywhere the unity of God explicitly and emphatically. There can be no doubt that they reveal a God that is exclusively one. But their other statements, which we have been examining, should assure us that they also teach that there are three divine persons. It is this peculiar twofold teaching, which is expressed by the word “trinity”. The revelation to us, is not that of tritheism or three Gods; nor of triplicity, which is three-foldness, and would involve composition, and be contrary to the simplicity of God; nor of mere manifestation of one person in three forms, which is opposed to the revealed individuality of the persons; but it is well expressed by the word trinity, which is declarative, not simply of three-ness, but of three-oneness. That this word is not found in Scripture is no objection to it, when the doctrine, expressed by it, is so clearly set forth.

Abstract of Systematic Theology, James P. Boyce, p. 136.

False Interpretations

1. The Unitarian Solution

One proposed solution of the problem has been to put Christ outside the Godhead. Unitarianism has taken many forms in the course of Christian history. Sometimes it has regarded Christ as a man supernaturally endowed. Sometimes it has considered Him as a supernatural being but less than God. Sometimes it has looked upon Him as only a man of exceptional wisdom and goodness. But in all forms it has regarded Him as less than the incarnation of God.

Of course, if Christ is only man, there is no Trinitarian problem to solve. The question here, then, depends on the previous question of whether Christ is only a man, even though perhaps supernaturally endowed for His mission, or whether He is eternal in His being and belongs somehow within the unity of the Godhead.

2. The Modalistic Solution

In brief, this affirmed that God was one person who manifested Himself in three aspects, offices, or “modes.” Hence the name modalism. Thus this method of solving the problem makes God absolutely unipersonal and makes Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to represent different manifestations of this unipersonal God. In general the Father represents God as the creator and source of all things; the Son represents God as incarnated in Jesus of Nazareth for the salvation of men; the Holy Spirit represents God as present in the hearts of men to regenerate and sanctify.

This modalistic way of representing the Trinity has some merits. It deals in earnest with the idea of the deity of Christ but it does not come to grips with the distinctions recognized in the New Testament among these phases of manifestations of the Godhead. It makes Fatherhood and Sonship to be only temporary characteristics of God rather than something essential and eternal in His nature. Nor does it have any conclusive answer to the question as to why God is manifested as a trinity rather than as an indefinite plurality. Why did God assume these three “characters” rather than four or five or a thousand?

Christian Doctrine, by Walter Thomas Conner

Table of Contents

THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS

I. 27 Facts About Angels

A. They are mentioned 273 times in 34 Biblical books.

B. They were all created by God – Gen. 2:1; Neh. 9:6; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16.

C. They report directly to God – Job 1:6; 2:1.

D. They were present at the Creation of the world – Job 38:1, 4, 7.

E. They announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds – Luke 2:10-14.

F. They do not marry – Matt. 22:30.

G. They were created to live forever – Rev. 4:8.

H. Their purpose is to glorify God – Rev. 4:8.

I. Some angels help human beings – Heb. 1:14.

J. Some angels harm human beings – Mark 5:1-5.

K. They are spirit beings – Ps. 104:4; Heb. 1:7, 14.

L. They are invisible beings – Rom. 1:18-32; Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10; 22:9.

M. They are innumerable – Deut. 33:2; Ps. 68:17; Dan. 7:9-10; Matt. 26:53;Heb. 12:22; Rev. 5:11.

N. They possess intelligence – Dan.9:21-22; 10:14; Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9.

O. They possess a will – Is. 14:12-15; Jude 6.

P. They display joy – Job 38:7; Luke 2:13.

Q. They display desire – I Peter 1:12.

R. They are stronger than men – Ps. 103:20; II Thess. 1:7; II Pet. 2:11.

S. They are more intelligent than men – Dan. 9:21-22; 10:14.

T. They are swifter than men _ Dan 9:21; Rev. 14:6.

U. They are not omnipresent – Dan. 10:12.

V. They are not omnipotent – Dan. 10:13; Jude 9.

W. They are not omniscient – Matt. 24:36.

X. Some are cherubim – Ezek. 1:1-28; 10:20.

Y. Some are seraphim – Is. 6:1-8.

Z. The majority remained true to God – Rev. 5:11-12.

AA. They will join all believers in the heavenly Jerusalem – Heb. 12:22-23.

II. Names for the Angels

A. Ministers, signifying their religious virtues and spiritual service – Ps. 103:20-21; 104:4.

B. Host, speaking of their military service – Gen. 32:1-2; Josh. 5:14; I Sam. 17:45; Ps 89:8.

C. Chariots, which may refer to their swiftness – II Kings 6:16-17; Ps. 68:17; Zech. 6:5.

D. Watchers, speaking of their duties as supervisors and agents – Dan. 4:13, 17.

E. Sons of the mighty, which refer to their awesome strength and power – Ps. 29:1; 89:6.

F. Sons of God – Gen. 6:2, 4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7.

G. Holy Ones, saints, referring to their total separation to the will of God – Ps. 89:7; Dan. 8:13.

H. Stars, which may indicate both their number and their brightness – Job 38:7; Ps. 148:2-3; Rev. 12:3-4.

III. Activities of the Angels

A. They worship God – I Kings 22:19; Ps. 29:1-2; Is. 6:3; Rev. 4:8; 19:4.

B. They observe the people of God – Lk. 12:8-9; 15:10; I Cor. 4:9; 11:10; Eph. 3:10; I Tim. 5:21; I Pet. 1:12.

C. They inquire into the prophetical plan of God –Dan. 12:5-6.

D. They perform the will of God – Ps. 104:4; Dan. 7:10.

E. They witness the wrath of God – Rev.14:10.

F. They rejoice in God’s work of creation – Job 38:7; Rev. 4:11.

G. They rejoice in God’s work of redemption – I Tim. 3:16; Rev. 5:11-12.

Book of Bible Lists, H. L. Willmington.

Cherub (mystic figure on the ark). Cherubim, plural. A keeper, warder or guard of the Deity. Josephus said no one in his day could even conjecture the shape of the cherubim that Solomon made for the Holy of Holies (Ant. Vii.3, 3). They were of wood, gilded, and 15 feet high (I K, vi, 23). Ezekiel describes them as having each four faces and four wings; but he gives only two faces (or it may be but one) to those in the temple on the walls. The cherubim of Rev. iv. 7, 8, are living creatures, with one body, four faces full of eyes, and six wings. The fourfold combination was of man, lion, ox, and eagle. Monstrous combinations of this kind are figured and sculptured both in Assyria and Egypt. These combined forms are symbolical of united powers; the lion of strength, royal majesty; the ox of patient industry; wings of swiftness, quickness, and the human head the intelligence to guide all these for one purpose; and thus showing that the divine government is sustained by intelligence, power, patience, and speed. They were servants of God, and they were ministers of vengeance (Ez. x. 7; Rev. v. 7), and attendants of the heavenly king, praising and extolling the wonders of His grace (Rev. v. 11), and thus always nearest to God, “in the midst of the throne” (Rev. iv. 4-6), while others as angels and elders, were round about the throne. They are especially called living creatures (Ezekiel and John), and so full of eyes, the peculiar sign of life. The Cherubim were designed as symbols of faith and hope to man, pointing to the possibility of attaining to the highest and holiest places… .

Smith’s Bible Dictionary, p. 54.

Seraphim (burning ones, or angels of fire). Two beings, each with six wings, seen by Isaiah in a vision (Isaiah vi. 2, 3).

Smith’s Bible Dictionary, p. 273

Table of Contents

THE DOCTRINE OF SATAN

Satan is no doubt God’s enemy and our adversary. It is important to know all we can about our enemy and adversary because we will be confronting him in our lives. We must be careful not to give him any glory or more attention than is necessary. There is a danger of going to the extreme on either side. Some give Satan too much attention while others act as though he does not exist.

We need to know as much as God has revealed to us in His Word about Satan. No more and no less. The following is a list of facts about the Devil and fallen angels. These facts will be very important as we deal with the Devil in our everyday lives. Remember, the Devil is not a deity, therefore he does not possess the attributes of deity. He is an angel.

SATAN AND FALLEN ANGELS

16 Facts about Satan:

1. He was named Lucifer before his fall. Is. 14:12

2. He was in Eden. Ezek. 28:13

3. He was the anointed cherub of God. Ezek. 28:14

4. He was adorned with precious stones. Ezek. 28:13

5. He possessed great musical ability. Ezek. 28:13

6. He was the perfection of wisdom and beauty. Ezek. 28:12

7. He fell through pride. Ezek. 28:17

8. He attempted to steal God’s throne. Is. 14:13

9. He wanted to be like God. Is. 14:14

10. He possesses intelligence. II Cor. 2:11; 11:3

11. He possesses memory. Matt. 4:6

12. He possesses will. II Tim. 2:26

13. He possesses desire. Luke 22:31

14. He possesses pride. I Tim. 3:6

15. He possesses wrath. Rev. 12:12

16. He possesses great organizational ability. I Tim. 4:1; Rev. 2:9, 24

22 Names for Satan:

1. Satan (adversary), his most common name, used some 52 times.

2. The devil (slanderer), used 35 times.

3. The prince of the power of the air. Eph. 2:2

4. The god of this age, II Cor. 4:4

5. The king of death, Heb. 2:14

6. The prince of this world. John 12:31

7. The ruler of darkness, Eph. 6:12

8. Leviathan (one who dwells in the sea of humanity). Is. 27:1

9. Lucifer (light-bearer, shining one). Is. 14:12

10. The dragon. Rev. 12:7

11. The deceiver. Rev. 20:10

12. Apollyon (destroyer). Rev. 9:11

13. Beelzebub (prince of demons). Matt. 12:24

14. Belial (vileness, ruthlessness). II Cor. 6:15

15. The wicked one. Matt. 13:38

16. The tempter. I Thess. 3:5

17. The accuser of the brethren. Rev. 12:10

18. An angel of light. II Cor. 11:14-15

19. A liar. Jn. 8:44; Gen. 3:4-5

20. A murderer. Jn. 8:44

21. The enemy. Matt. 13:39

22. A roaring lion. I Pet.5:8

27 Activities of Satan:

1. He has a false trinity. Rev. 13:2; 16:13

2. He has his synagogues. Rev. 2:9

3. He has his doctrines. I Tim. 4:1

4. He has his mysteries. Rev. 2:24; II Thess. 2:7

5. He has his throne. Rev. 2:13; 13:2

6. He has his kingdom. Luke 4:6

7. He has his worshippers. Rev. 13:4

8. He has his angels. Rev. 12:7

9. He has his ministers. II Cor. 11:15

10. He has his miracles. II Thess. 2:9; Mat. 7:21-23

11. He has his sacrifices. I Cor. 10:20

12. He has his fellowship. I Cor. 10:20

13. He has his armies. Is. 24:21; Rev. 14:14-17; 16:16

14. He sows tares among God’s wheat. Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43

15. He instigates false doctrine. I Tim 4:1-3

16. He perverts the Word of God. Gen. 3:1-4

17. He hinders the works of God’s servants. I Thess. 2:18

18. He resists the prayers of God’s servants. Dan 10:12-13

19. He blinds men to the truth. II Cor. 4:4

20. He steals the Word of God from human hearts. Matt. 13:19

21. He accuses Christians before God. Job 1:7-12; 2:3-6; Zech. 3:1-4; Rev. 12:10

22. He lays snares for men. II Tim 2:26; I Tim. 3:7

23. He temps. Matt. 4:1; Eph. 6:11

24. He afflicts. Job 2:7; Luke 13:16; II Cor. 12:7; Acts 10:38

25. He deceives. Rev. 12:9; 20:8, 10

26. He undermines the sanctity of the home. I Cor. 7:3-5

27. He prompts both saints and sinners to transgress against the holiness of God. I Chron. 21:1; Matt. 16:22-23; Jn. 13:2; Acts 5:3

20 Facts about Fallen Angels:

1. Fallen angels have names. Luke 8:30; Rev. 9:11

2. They speak. Luke 4:34, 41; 8:28; Matt. 8:29; Mark 5:12; Acts 19:15; Mark 3:11

3. They know who Jesus is. Luke 4:34

4. They know of future damnation. Matt. 8:29

5. They know the saved from the unsaved. Rev. 9:4

6. They are able to formulate a Satan-centered systematic theology. I Tim. 4:1

7. They possess great strength. Ex. 8:7; 7:11-12; Dan 10:13; Mark 5:2-4; 9:17-26; Acts 19:16; II Cor. 10:4-5; Rev. 9:15-19

8. They experience fear. Luke 8:28; James 2:19

9. They display disdain. Acts 16:15

10. There are unchained angels, having a certain amount of freedom at the present time. Ps. 78:49; Eph. 6:12; Rev. 12:7-9

11. There are chained angels, having no freedom at the present time. II Pet. 2:4

12. There are evil angels who rule over the nations of this world. Dan. 10:13

13. A wicked angel named Legion headed up a large group of fallen spirits that had possessed the maniac of Gadara. Mark 5:9

14. The bottomless pit is under the control of an angel called Abaddon (in the Hebrew) and Apollyon (in the Greek). Rev. 9:11

15. Four military angels will lead a hellish army 200 million strong during the latter part of the Tribulation. Rev. 9:16

16. These four angels are now bound in the Euphrates River. Rev. 9:14

17. Some angels are in a place called Tartarus. II Pet. 2:4; Jude 6

18. Three angels organize those events which lead to the battle of Armageddon. Rev. 16:13-14

19. Evil angels will be judged by Christ and his Church. I Cor. 6:3

20. They will eventually be cast into the lake of fire forever. Matt. 25:41; II Pet. 2:4; Jude 6

14 Activities of Fallen Angels:

1. They oppose God’s purpose. Eph. 6:12

2. They execute Satan’s program. I Tim. 4:1; Rev. 9; 16:12-14

3. They disseminate false doctrine. II Thess. 2:2; I Tim. 4:1

4. Some cause insanity. Matt. 8:28; 17:15, 18; Mark 5:15; Luke 8:27-29

5. Some cause muteness of speech. Matt. 9:33

6. Some cause disease. Matt. 10:1; Mark 1:23-26; 3:11; Luke 4:36; Acts 5:16; 8:7; Rev. 16:13

7. Some cause deafness. Mark 9:25

8. Some cause epilepsy. Matt. 17:15-18

9. Some cause blindness. Matt. 12:22

10. Some cause suicidal mania. Mark 9:22

11. Some cause personal injuries. Mark 9:18

12. Some cause physical defects. Luke 13:11

13. They will inflict grievous torture upon unsaved mankind during the great Tribulation. Rev. 9:3-4

14. Saul, Israel’s first king, was often troubled by an evil spirit. I Sam 16:14; 18:10; 19:9

5 Examples of How God Uses Fallen Angels for His Glory:

1. A demon was used to punish wicked King Abimelech. Judg. 9:23

2. A demon was used to prepare for the execution of King Ahab in battle. I Kings 22:19-23

3. A demon brought out the true nature of unsaved King Saul. I Sam. 16:14

4. Demons were used to punish rebellious Israel during the time of wandering. Ps. 78:49

5. Demons will be used to bring ungodly nations to Armageddon for slaughtering at the end of the Tribulation. Rev. 16:13-16

Book of Bible Lists, H. L. Willmington

Table of Contents

THE DOCTRINE OF MAN

“God is an organized being just as we are who are now in the flesh. He is a Progressive being, and possesses the capacity of eternal increase. Perhaps once a child and mortal like ourselves (Gospel Doctrine, p. 64; AF, p. 529; Journal of Discourses, 1:123).”

We begin our class today with a quote from a Mormon writer that directly relates to our study of the Doctrine of Man and how he related to the Doctrine of God. There are several things wrong with the quote that, hopefully, we will be able to identify after our lesson. Take just a few minutes and list some major differences between God and man. For example, there are some things God can do that man cannot do. There are some things man can do that God can’t do.

1. 6.

2. 7.

3. 8.

4. 9.

5. 10.

I. Creation - Gen. 1:26-30

A. Man is made in God’s image – Gen. 5:1; I Cor. 11:7; James 3:9; Eph. 4:21-24; Col. 3:10

1. Knowledge, righteousness, holiness – Eph. 4:23, 24; Col. 3:10

2. Tricotomy – Heb. 4:12

B. Man is given dominion over all the earth – Gen. 1:26, 28; 9:2; Ps. 8:6

This is an important statement, as it is believed that man held the title deed to the earth until the fall at which time he lost the deed to the earth and the Devil gained it. See II Cor. 4:4; Jn. 12:31; Matt. 4:8, 9; Rev. 5 (it is believed that the book in this chapter may contain or simply be the title deed to the earth that belongs to Satan and Jesus is the only one worthy and able to purchase it back, which He did at Calvary).

C. Man is a vegetarian – Gen 1:30 – until Gen. 9:2, 3 (humanity)

D. Man is innocent – until the fall – What is meant by innocent? (see Rom 3:19)

E. Man is spiritual – Job 32:8; Prov. 20:27; Ecc. 12:7; Acts 7:59

II. The Fall of Man – Gen. 3:1-19; Is. 43:27; Rom. 5:12; I Cor. 15:21; I Tim. 2:14; (Man becomes God’s enemy, dead, lost, rebels)

III. Man’s Total Depravity – Ps. 14:3; Is. 1:6; 59:3; 64:6; Rom. 3:9-23; Ecc. 7:20;I Kings 8:46: Ps. 53:3; Prov. 20:9; Is. 53:6; I Jn 1:8

Table of Contents

THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION

What is Salvation?

Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, sanctification, and glorification.

A. REGENERATION, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

REPENTANCE AND FAITH are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour. Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer into a relationship of peace and favor with God.

B. SANCTIFICATION is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual perfection through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person’s life.

C. GLORIFICATION is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.

Salvation, p. 91.

Why Do We Need Salvation?

The Fall of Man – Gen. 3:1-19, Rom. 5:12; I Cor. 2:14

When sin entered the world in the Garden, man became the enemy of God,

Dead to God’s desire for man, lost in his own transgressions, and rebellious to God’s will.

Man’s Total Depravity:

Baptists believe that man is dead, depraved, blind, guilty, condemned, lost, and helpless, and, but for the grace of God in Christ Jesus, hopelessly so. “Dead in trespasses and sins.” “Because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead” (II Cor. 5:14).

Depraved means wicked, corrupt, vitiated. What do we mean by the expression “total depravity”? Does it mean total wickedness? God said, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Paul, proving that all were alike under sin in an unregenerate condition, says, “For we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin. As it is written. There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way.” (See Rom. 3:9-12.)

We do not mean that man is as bad as a demon, or as bad as he can be.You may put a drop of gall into a glass of water, and that water, all of it, is bitter, vitiated, corrupt unfit for drink. Not as bitter as it could be made but it is all bitter. So every man, all the man, is depraved, sinful, corrupt. “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” You may reiterate till the day of your death that you don’t believe it, but the fact remains the same. God who knows the heart said it. “Unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled” (Titus 1;15).

Blind – “In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.” “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Cor. 2:14). “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (Eph. 4:18). “And all the world may become guilty before God” (Rom. 3:19).

What Baptists Believe and Why They Believe It; J. G. Bow, D. D., Salvation, p. 7, chap. III.

Titus 3:3 – We Were: Foolish

Disobedient

Deceived

Serving divers lusts and pleasures

Living in malice and envy

Hateful

Hating one another

H. The Source of Salvation

A. From God – The kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. Titus 3:4; Rom. 5:8-11

B. Through Christ – For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Lk. 19;10; Jn. 3:14-17; Acts 4:12; Gal. 1:4; II Tim. 1:9, 10; Titus 3:6

II. The Basis of Salvation

A. “By grace through faith” – Eph. 2:8

1. Faith – Mark 16:16; Jn 3: 14-18; 5:24; 6:47; 11:25, 26; 20:31; Acts 16:31; Rom. 1:16, 17; 10:4; I Pet. 1:9

B. “Not by works of righteousness” – Eph. 2:9

2. Works – Rom. 3:28; 4:1-25; 9:30-33; 11:6; Gal. 2:16; II Tim. 1:9

The kind of faith that does not save;

1. It is not mere intellectual assent to the reality of God. James 2:19

2. It is not the recitation of creeds.

3. It is not joining an organization, a church, a group, a fraternity.

4. It is not only the committal of our lives to Christ. It is not only full trust in Christ, but it is the abandonment of any hope of any kind in anyone else or in any other way to be saved. Acts 4:12

Expository Sermons on Galatians, pp. 15-158

II. Results of Salvation

A. We are justified – Titus 3:7; Gen. 15:6, Acts 13:39; Rom. 5:1; I Cor. 6:11; Gal. 3:24

B. We are made heirs and sons – Titus 3:7; Gal. 3:29; Heb.1:14; 6:17; Jn. 1:12; Rom. 8:14; Gal. 4:7; I Jn. 3:1

C. We are made servants – Heb. 12:28; Eph. 6:6, 7; Jn. 12:25, 26; I Cor. 7:22; Col. 3:24

IV The Evidences of Salvation

A. We are to be subject _ Titus 3:1

B. We are to obey – Titus 3:1

C. We are to speak evil of no man – Titus 3:2

D. We are to be gentle and meek – Titus 3:2

E. We are to produce fruit – Jn. 15:5; Gal. 5:22-25

God’s plan of salvation, through Christ, was foretold in the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament: Is. 29:18, 19, 24; 35:8, Jn. 4:22, I Pet. 1:10

From the seed of Abraham – Gen. 12:13

Proclaimed by Christ – Lk. 19:10; Jn. 12:32

Foretold by angels – Lk. 2:9-14

Preached by the apostles – Acts 11:17, 18; 16:17

Salvation Illustrations:

Horn – Ps. 18:2; Lk. 1:69 Divine Deliverance/Strength

Tower – II Sam. 22:51 Divine Vigilance

Helmet – Is. 59:17; Eph. 6:17 Divine Hope

Shield – II Sam. 22:36 Divine Defender

Lamp – Is. 62:1 Divine Light

Cup – Ps. 116:13 Devine Abundance

Clothing – II Chron. 6:41; Divine Righteous

Ps. 132:16-149:4

Well – Is. 12:3 Devine Satisfaction/thirst satisfied

Walls and bullarks – Is. 26:1; 60:18 Devine Protection

Chariots – Heb. 3:8 Devine Power

Victory – I Cor. 15:57 Devine Conqueror

Cults’ Views of Salvation

Christian Science – deny sin and therefore see no need for man to be redeemed by his own actions or those of God.

Jehovah’s Witnesses – do not believe the death of Christ was a redemptive act. Also, Adam is not included in those ransomed. He had perfect life, and this he deliberately forfeited (LG, p. 119). The Bible plainly shows that 144,000 will share in heavenly glory, while the others will enjoy the blessings of life down here on earth (LG, p. 298). All who by reason of faith in Jehovah God and in Christ Jesus dedicate themselves to do God’s will and then faithfully carry out their dedication will be rewarded with everlasting life (LG, p. 198).

Mormonism – The first principles and ordinances of the gospel are: Faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; repentance; baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and laying on of hands for the Holy Ghost (AF, 4). Baptism is… the very gateway into the kingdom of heaven, an indispensable step in our salvation and exaltation (Bennett, Why I Am a Mormon, p. 124). Baptism by proxy for the dead is a major activity. “The Saints are…redeeming their (unbaptized) dead from the grasp of Satan” (Morgan, Plan of Salvation, p. 8).

Armstrongism – Jesus alone, of all humans, has so far been saved (WWYB, p. 11). The blood of Jesus Christ does not finally save anyone. It saves merely from the death penalty (Of sin) (All About Water Baptism, pp.1-3).

Denominational Differences Concerning Salvation

Lutheran: The Lutherans’ view of salvation is comparable to Baptists, with the exception of their view of predestination. According to Luther’s belief, man has no choice in the matter of salvation; therefore no missionizing the lost is necessary.

Episcopal: The Episcopal Church views the beginning of salvation as whatever time in life baptism is administered. Baptists believe baptism does not incur salvation but is a result of salvation.

Methodist: Methodists believe that through salvation, the Christian can achieve perfection in this life. They also believe in the doctrine of apostasy whereby the Christian may reject salvation after the fact. Baptists agree that a person is free to accept or reject salvation, but they hold that conversion so changes the will and moral attitude of a person that he cannot willfully renege on his commitment.

Presbyterian: The Presbyterian Church believes man cannot and will not reject salvation because of God’s election and predestination. They also believe that because God knows the identity of the saved person, there is no need to missionize him.

Church of Christ: The Church of Christ believes baptism is an essential part of salvation, not a result of it. They also believe that the individual willfully accepts salvation and can willfully reject it later.

Pentecostal: The Pentecostals believe that speaking in tongues is not only an evidence of salvation, but the crowning step in the process of salvation. Therefore the individual is not believed saved unless the spirit produces speaking in tongues.

Baptists and Other Denominations; Appendix Baptist Doctrine Salvation, p. 91

THE SAFETY OF THE SAVED

“And I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (Jn. 10:28).

The Safety of the Saved is very vitally connected with salvation. Salvation is not complete apart from SAFETY. If one be not SAFE he is not saved. To say one is saved today and lost tomorrow is to contradict both Scripture and terms. What we claim for one true Christian, we must claim for all true Christians.

If one believes in apostasy or “falling from grace,” he necessarily believes also in “salvation by works,” for they are both a part of the same system of works for salvation. They stand or fall together. If you are keeping law or commandments to be saved, “ye are fallen from grace,” and are “debtor to do the whole law,” including “circumcision” (Gal. 5:1-4). Law, works, and commandments as a condition of salvation have no part or place in the great Bible doctrine of salvation by grace (Rom.3: 20; 10:4; 4:16; 11:4).

This doctrine of SAFETY does not teach that all church members are going to heaven. Some who join the church are deceived and have no salvation. Others may join with impure motives; but only those who are genuinely converted are eligible for church membership, and in due time will reach heaven.

Nor does this doctrine teach that Christians will not fall. They may fall into sin, but they will never fall finally away and be eternally lost (Jude 24). Gods work in the heart of the sinner in “regeneration’ is never undone and never done over (Heb. 6:4-6; Phil. 1:6).

Reasons Why Any Child of God Is Safe

1. His “life is hid with Christ in God”…and…”shall also appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:3-4).

2. “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord unholdeth him with his hand” (Ps. 37:24).

3. “The Lord forsaketh not his saints…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Ps. 37:28; Heb. 13:5).

4. The believer has eternal life and” shall not perish,” and “Shall never die” (Jn. 3:16; 11:26).

5. The believer has eaten “by faith” the “Bread of Life” and “shall never hunger”.

6. He has also drunk “by faith’ of the “Water of Life” and “shall never thirst” (Jn. 4:10; Rev. 22:17).

7. God promised eternal life. “In hope of eternal life, which God…promised before the world began” (Tit. 1:2; I Jn 2:25).

8. God gives just what He promised –eternal life. “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

9. Believers are not under law. “For ye are not under the law, but under grace…made free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 6:14; 8:2).

10. He is “born of the Spirit” and “of incorruptible seed” and therefore has an “incorruptible” nature (Jn. 3:5; I Pet. 1:23).

11. They are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption. “After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit…unto the day of redemption” (Eph. 1:13; 4:30).

12. God’s ability to keep them makes them safe. “My father…is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my father’s hand” (Jn. 10:29).

13. His pledge to keep them makes them safe. “I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (Jn. 10:28).

14. They are safe because Christ is their hope. “Jesus Christ which is our hope…we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (I Tim. 1:1; Heb. 6:19).

15. They have eternal redemption through His Blood. “By his own blood he entered in once…having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Heb. 9:12; Rev. 5:9; I Pet. 1:18).

16. Spiritual Sonship makes them safe. “Ye are the children of God by faith in Christ” (Gal. 3:26; Jn 1:12). Sin may break fellowship but not Sonship.

17. They are safe because they are purchased by His death. “Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price…his life a ransom for many” (I Cor. 6:19-20: Mk. 10:45).

18. He is a “new creature” in Christ and has Christ living in him “the hope of glory”…”Christ liveth in me”…”If any man be in Christ he is a new creature” (II Cor. 5:17; Col. 1:27; Gal. 2:20).

19. The prayers of Jesus make them safe. “He ever liveth to make intercession for them”…”I know that thou hearest me always” (Heb. 7:25; Jn 11:41-42).

20. They are saved by His grace and kept by His power. “By grace are ye saved”…”you who are kept by the power of God” (Eph. 2:8; I Pet. 1:4-5; II Tim. 1:12).

21. They are not condemned, and shall not be condemned”…”and shall not come into condemnation” (Jn. 3:18; 5:24).

22. God’s everlasting love is set upon them. “I have loved them with an everlasting love”…having loved his own, he loved them unto the end” (Jer. 31:3; Jn. 13:1.

23. Nothing can separate us from God’s love. “Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God” (Rom. 8:35-39).

24. God does not charge sin to His children. “Blessed be they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Rom. 4:7-8).

25. Their safety depends upon Christ and His atoning blood. “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree”…”It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul” (I Pet. 2:24; Lev. 17:11).

26. His empty tomb guaranteed their safety. “He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification”…”Who also maketh intercession for us” (Rom. 4:25; 8:34).

27. They are safe “For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven” and their names are recorded in heaven. “Rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Phil.3:20; Lk. 10:20).

28. Christ’s perfect righteousness makes them safe. “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth”…”The righteousness which is of God by faith” (Rom. 10:4: Phil. 3:9).

29. Seven times in Jn. 17:2-24 Jesus speaks of believers as given to Him by the Father. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (Jn. 6:37).

30. God gives eternal life, and if what one receives can cease or be lost, it is not what God gives, for eternal life cannot cease. “God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son, He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (I Jn. 5:11-12).

31. “I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them” (Jer. 32:40). “If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments, …then will I visit their transgression with the rod, …nevertheless my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break” (Ps. 89:27-37).

32. The preparation that Jesus is now making for His children makes them safe. “I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself: that where I am there ye may be also” (Jn. 16:2-3). There will be no unknown and unexpected guest, but every one whose name is recorded in the “Book of Life” will arrive in due time (Ac. 15:18).

SEVEN TESTS OF SALVATION

1. CHANGE ____________________________________________________

a. attitude

b. action

c. appearance

2. CHASTENING _____________________________________________________

3. COMMUNION _____________________________________________________

4. CHARITY _____________________________________________________

5. CONFIDENCE _____________________________________________________

6. CONFESSION _____________________________________________________

7. CONQUEST _____________________________________________________

CHANGE

2 Corinthians 5

17 Therefore if any man (be) in Christ, (he is) a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

CHASTENING

Hebrews 12

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

COMMUNION

I John 1

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

I John 2

9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

CHARITY

I John 3

14 He know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love

The brethren. He that loveth not (his ) brother abideth in death.

15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer; and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

16 Hereby perceive we the love (of God), because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down (our) lives for the brethren.

I John 4:20

CONFIDENCE

John 5

23. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

CONFESSION

I John 4

15. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the son of God, God dwelleth in him and he in God.

16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17.

CONQUEST

I John 5

4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, (even) our faith.

5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Romans 8

37. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Table of Contents

THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION

PURPOSE: To correct the Hyper-Calvinistic position of election

PREMISE: That some men are predestined to hell and some are predestined to heaven and they have no choice in the matter. (This position assumes the premise that men were before programmed to Heaven or hell. This conclusion has to be reached if they have no freedom of choice.)

PROBLEM: Reconciling God’s purpose, pleasure, and will with the Hyper-Calvinistic position of election.

I. Choice – Hyper-Calvinists say there is none – Luke 3:6; Acts 2:21; Rom. 5:18; 10:13; I Tim. 2:4;Titus 2:11, 12

II. God’s Will – II Pet. 3:9; I Tim. 2:3-6

A. Christ’s message is for ALL

B. Christ’s ransom is for ALL

C. Christ’s propitiation is for ALL – I Jn. 2:2

D. The Holy Spirit’s convicting work is for ALL – Jn. 16:8

III. God’s Eternal Purpose – Eph. 1:11; 3:11, 12

Here we need to point out that it was not God’s will for man to sin in the garden. How can we make this statement? Give a scriptural reference. ______________ _________________________________________________________________

We have already established that God is not willing that any should perish. But God knows many will not be saved. There are two things that I believe God factored in when He formed His plan and eternal purpose. These are that He knew that man would sin in the garden (God could not have wanted this) and when He sent His Son, all would not trust Him even though it was God’s will for all to be saved. This speaks of God’s foreknowledge. Rom. 11:2; 8:29; Acts 2:23; I Pet. 1:2

Give some biblical examples where man had a choice and site the scriptural references:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

IV. God’s Pleasure – Rev. 4:11; Ps. 5:4; 147:111; Ez. 16:37; 18:23; 18:32; 33:11; Eph. 1:5, 9; Phil.2:13

V. Election – Rom. 9:11; 11:5; 11:7; II Pet. 1:10. n biblical doctrine of election everyone is a candidate because of “whosoever will.”

VI. Predestination – Eph. 1:5, 11; Rom. 8:29, 30

One way to define what something is, is to define what it is not.

Table of Contents

THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

1. FOUNDER: Jesus Christ

2. TIME: During Jesus’ Personal Ministry

3. MEMBERS: Saved and Baptized

4. ORDINANCES: Baptism and The Lord’s Supper

5. OFFICERS: Pastors and Deacons

6. COMMISSION: Make, Baptize, and Teach Disciples

7. GOVERNMENT: Democratic and Self-governing

FOUNDER and TIME:

The Truth about the Church, Rev. F. R. Bingham, pp. 1-3

The Church

That Jesus has a church on earth is a fact that needs no proof to anyone who knows anything about the Bible. But there are so many different kinds of organizations that claim to be His Church that it is now necessary for us to study carefully, and diligently compare them all with the Bible in order to know for sure just which organization is His Church. And, it is certainly important, both for the present life, and for the great hereafter for every saved person to know just which is the right church, and be a member of it.

Now, just what is a church? No better definition can be given than this…”A Church is a congregation of Christ’s baptized disciples, associated and united together in the fellowship and belief of the gospel, and covenanting together to carry out Christ’s commands, observe His ordinances as He delivered them, and to spread the knowledge of Christ and His will in all the world.

1. As To The Origin of Christ’s Church.

Jesus said He would build His Church…Matt. 16:18

It was prophesied that He would build it. Zech. 6:12-13

It cannot be emphasized too strongly that Jesus did build, or organize His church personally. He did not leave it for some other man to do for Him. Some denominations teach that there was a church in Abraham’s day, in the Old Testament times. Others claim that the church began on the day of Pentecost. Both of these theories are wrong, if Jesus built His church Himself. There are many Bible facts that prove that there was a church in existence before the day of Pentecost. Some of them are as follows:

1. They had the Gospel before Pentecost, Mark 1:1.

2. They had a commission to preach before Pentecost, Matt. 10:5-7.

3. They had the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, and these were given to His Church, Matt. 16:18-19.

4. They had authority to baptize, Matt. 28:18-20.

5. They had baptized believers, Matt. 3:5, 6; Jn. 4:1; John 3:22-28

6. They had an ordained ministry before Pentecost, Mark 3:14.

7. They had a church roll of 120 Members, Acts 1:15.

8. About 3,000 were added to this church roll on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:41.

9. They had the Commission before Pentecost, Matt. 28:18-20.

10. They had a prayer meeting before Pentecost, Acts 1:13-15.

11. They had a business meeting, too, Acts 1:23-26.

12. They had a church treasurer before Pentecost (Judas Iscariot), Jn. 13:29.

13. They observed the Lord’s Supper before the day of Pentecost, Matt. 26:26-30.

14. Jesus sang in His church, Ps. 22:22; Heb. 2:12. The only time that Jesus ever sang is recorded in Matt. 26:30. This was when He instituted the Lord’s Supper, and was before Pentecost, therefore there had to be a church then.

15. They had instruction in church discipline before Pentecost, Matt. 18:15-17.

16. The apostles were set in the church before Pentecost, I Cor. 12:28. This was done as recorded in Luke 6:12-13.

This last fact stated above shows us the exact time in the personal ministry of Jesus when He organized His church. He organized it with the 12 Apostles. They were the first ones set (Or placed) in the church. Jesus went up into the mountain and spent the night in prayer to God. The next morning He called all His disciples together, and out of the great group He chose twelve, and named them Apostles, and thus He started His church. Paul says that the Apostles were the foundation of it, Eph. 2:20. So, the exact time when the Lord first started His church was when He ordained the twelve Apostles.

MEMBERS:

What Baptists Believe, J. G. Bow, D. D., pp. 22, 23

Baptists believe that only regenerated, converted people ought to become members of the church.

The whole tenor of Scripture teaching confirms the principle of regeneration, conversion preceding church membership. Otherwise, there could be no separation between the world and the church. In any country where the principles of any church which ignores this fundamental scriptural doctrine prevail, just to that extent is obliterated the lines which distinguish Christians from the world.

If the probationary system, or infant baptism and infant membership were universal, as its advocates desire, then in one generation all the unregenerated people would be in the churches.

The safe, right, scriptural, God-given principle is: “First gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God” (II Cor. 8:5).

The profession which is made, the work to be done, the duties and obligations assumed, all necessarily presuppose a radical internal change of the one becoming a member of a church of Jesus Christ.

The Scriptures clearly and unmistakably bear out this condition of things. The members of the churches are professedly the friends of Jesus and children of God.

Jesus said: “Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.” “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own.” “Ye must be born again.”

“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3).

The Word describes God’s children as being “dead unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord,” “spiritually minded,” having “the Spirit of Christ, “ “risen with Christ.”

The churches of Christ are not reformatory schools, are not organizations into which natural men are to be taken and by the process of law, ceremony, or ordinance made children of God, but each ought to be a congregation of God’s people, separated from the world.

No unconverted man or woman can meet the duties and obligations of a church member, and should not assume such responsibilities.

This is a doctrine peculiarly and distinctively Baptistic, entirely scriptural and consistent. We can’t see their motives and read their hearts. They may be deceived and may deceive us, but they must claim to be regenerated before they can obtain membership in a Baptist church.

ORDINANCES:

The Truth About The Church, Rev. F. R. Bingham, pp. 13, 14

There are two ordinances of the church:

1. BAPTISM.

Only one way of baptism, Eph. 4:5.

A burial in water, Acts 8:38; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12.

Church authority is necessary, Matt. 28:18-20.

A disciple is to be baptized, Matt. 28:18-20; Jn. 4:3.

The one being baptized must be a believer, Mark 16:16.

It is to be done to manifest a son of God to the world, Jn. 1:31; Not to make a person a son of God, but to show that one is a son of God already.

There is absolutely NO scripture that teaches sprinkling or pouring for Baptism. There is NO verse in the Bible where God ever commanded a man to pour or sprinkle clear water on another man for any purpose, much less baptism.

There is absolutely NO scripture that teaches Infant Baptism. The baptism of babies is entirely unscriptural.

Jesus was baptized by a Missionary Baptist Preacher in water not in order to become God’s Son, but to show that He already was God’s Son. And Baptism must be like that which Jesus had to be valid and acceptable.

If baptism does not meet these three criteria, it is alien baptism and unacceptable:

1. Must be by proper authority

2. Must be proper mode

3. Must be proper reason

2. THE LORD”S SUPPER, Matt. 26:16-30; I Cor. 11:17-30

The emblems to be used in this Memorial Supper are unleavened bread and grape wine, (the fruit of the vine).

The unleavened bread, broken during the meal, pictures the sinless body of Jesus, that was broken on the Cross for our sin, that we might be saved.

The pure grape wine pictures the pure blood of Jesus that was poured out for the remission of our sins.

The Lord’s Supper is a church ordinance. It is to be observed by a church as a church, never as individuals. “When you come together in the church, “ I Cor. 11:18. Only those who are members of the church where the Supper is being eaten are entitled to partake of it. When Jesus instituted His supper, He gave it to His Church (the twelve Apostles made up His church at that time), and His mother and other saved people were not present and did not partake of it.

The Lord’s Supper is to be eaten by the church as a memorial picture of the sufferings and death of Jesus in the body, for our sins, until He returns to earth again.

OFFICERS:

The Truth About The Church, F. R. Bingham, pp. 12, 14

In the governing of the church there are two kinds of ordained officers:

1. PASTOR. This office also carries the title Bishop, Elder, Overseer. He is the Under-shepherd, that is, Shepherd of the flock under the authority of Christ, who is the Chief Shepherd, Acts 20:28; I Pet. 5:1-4. Being shepherd of the flock, He is the only God appointed leader to any church. As Pastor and Preacher, it is his business to minister the Word of God, and take care of the spiritual needs of the church where he is pastor.

The church is to respect him as God’s man, and as their leader, I Cor. 16:10-11; Heb. 13:17. To support him financially, Gal. 6:6; I Cor. 9:13-16. Qualifications for pastors are found in I Tim. 3:1-7.

2. DEACONS are the secondary officers of the church. Their qualifications are found in I Tim. 3:8-13. They are to be servants of the church, not the bosses of the church. Their work is to take care of the temporal needs of the church, and do it in a spiritual way. See Acts 6:1-7. Their work might be said to be that of serving tables. And there are three tables that they are to see about: (1) The Lord’s Table, for the Lord’s Supper (2) The Pastor’s Table (3) The Table of the poor.

COMMISSION:

The Truth About the Church, F. R. Bingham, pp. 12, 14

THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH. Matt. 28:18, 20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-48;

The mission of the church is three-fold:

(1) Make Disciples. This is done by the preaching of the gospel to the lost around the world, witnessing to them and leading them to Christ as their Savior.

(2) Baptizing Disciples. This means to make a Baptist out of everyone who is saved.

(3) Teaching the saved and baptized to observe every thing that Jesus has commanded. Indoctrinate Baptists in the teachings of the Bible.

The Church has NO OTHER mission, social, political, or otherwise. This work is Three-fold…

MAKE CHRISTIANS OUT OF LOST PEOPLE,

MAKE BAPTISTS OUT OF CHRISTIANS, MAKE GOOD BAPTISTS OUT OF ALL BAPTISTS

GOVERNMENT:

The Truth About The Church, F. R. Bingham, pp. 12-14

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH.

Each church is a self-governing body. There is no man, nor group of men, who has a right to tell a church what to do or what not to do. So far as men are concerned, each church decides for itself what, how and when it shall do any certain thing. No board, committee, bishop, association, convention, presbytery, or conference has any authority over a New Testament Church.

Through divine guidance, by prayer and interpretation of the Bible, each church is to find out from the Lord what it is to do, and when and how those things are to be done. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, and the Holy Spirit is the only Administrator of the church’s affairs, Eph. 1:22-23; Jn. 16:13-15; Acts 13:1-4.

Internally, the government of the church is democratic. No one is to be the boss or dictator of the church. But every member of the church is on equal footing with each other. One member has just as much authority as another. See Matt. 23:8-12. This shows that we are not to recognize any man as our master, neither are we to seek to be master over anyone else. But all are brethren, equal in rank, privileges and opportunities.

THE BEGINNINGS OF WELL KNOWN DENOMINATIONS AND CULTS

The CATHOLIC CHURCH had its beginning about the year 500 A.D. with Gregory the Great as the first Pope. It was started in Rome, Italy, and out of Gentiles, mainly Italian and Spanish people. History shows that Gregory the Great was the first of the proper Popes. Thus, the Catholic Church fails to meet the requirements as to origin.

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH had its beginning about the year 1525 and was begun by Martin Luther in Germany. Luther had been a Catholic monk, but protested against many of the evils of Catholicism, and was forced out of the fellowship of the Catholic Church. Thus, he started the Lutheran Church.

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH (Church of England) was founded by Henry VIII, King of England, Nov. 23, 1524 in England, and was begun with English people, not Jews. It was started because the Pope wouldn’t let Henry divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon, and marry young Anne Boleyn. Henry broke with the Catholic Church, and had Parliament declare himself as head of the church in England. Thus the Episcopal Church fails in the test.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was begun about the year 1536. It had its beginnings in England, Scotland, and Western Europe under the leadership of John Calvin and John Knox. Its first members were Gentiles, not Jews. And so it, too, fails to qualify in the fourfold test.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH had its beginning in England, about the year 1580, under the leadership of Robert Brown, an Episcopal clergyman. It, too, was started with English people, and not regenerated Jews.

THE METHODIST CHURCH had its origin about the year 1740, under the preaching of John Wesley and Charles Wesley, his brother. George Whitefield also played an important part in its beginning. Methodism first started in England, then in Scotland and from there it spread to America. It came out of the Episcopal Church, the Wesleys and Whitefield being Episcopal preachers. Its original members were all Gentiles, not Jews.

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH and the CHURCH OF CHRIST, known as Campbellites, were started by Alexander Campbell, in Pennsylvania, America, not in Palestine. The origin of Campbellite churches is placed at 1827 A.D. Thomas Campbell, the father of Alexander Campbell, first started preaching the doctrines that resulted in the Campbellite church. Thomas and Alexander were both Presbyterian preachers and they quit the Presbyterians over the mode of baptism, and joined up with the Baptists. But a year later they withdrew their church from the Baptist Association before they could be excluded for heresy, and they became a separate denomination. The movement was first called Disciples, then the Christian Church, and then there was a split over the name and instrumental music, and so we have today both the Christian Church and Church of Christ, both of them Campbellites.

THE MORMON CHURCH was started by Joseph Smith in America in 1833. Brigham Young was a leading organizer.

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE was begun in 1886 in Boston, Mass. It was founded by Mary Baker Eddy, an American woman, not the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIANS were started in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee. It was organized in the “Old Log House,” the home of Samuel McAdow, in Dickson County, Tennessee, Feb. 4, 1810. The founders of the church were Finis Ewing, Samuel King, and Samuel McAdow.

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS began about1840 as a result of the teachings of William Miller, in New York State. (Mrs.) Ellen G. White did much to advance their doctrines, and is considered one of the founders of the sect.

THE RUSSELLITES, who call themselves “JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES,” and known as Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, and International Bible Students Association, were started in 1880 by Charles T. Russell. After his death in 1916, he was followed by Judge J. F. Rutherford, who was never a judge in any court.

THE HARDSHELL BAPTISTS split off from Missionary Baptists in 1832 as a result of the teachings of Daniel Parker.

THE FREE-WILL BAPTISTS began in 1780, in North America, in a division from Missionary Baptists. Neither the hardshells nor the free-wills can rightly call themselves Baptists for they left Baptist doctrine and practice.

The Truth About The Church, F. R. Bingham

Table of Contents

THE DOCTRINE OF THE SECOND COMING

The purpose of this scriptural survey is to acquaint each of us with the over all events God had placed in motion. Our study of the Second Coming will hopefully show us that it is an eminent event and should be viewed with anticipation and excitement.

We will be examining in time line form the events from the Cross to Eternity. Within this context, we might see as a believer where we are in God’s time table and where we are going.

I. Judgement #1 – John 5:24

A. Believers for sin

B. At the cross

C. Time: about 30 A.D.

II. The Present Dispensation – Rev. 2:1 - 3:22

A. The Church Age

B. Period from Christ’s 1^st Coming to 2^nd Coming

III. The Rapture – I Thess. 4:14-17; I Cor. 15:51-57

A. The first resurrection

B. Resurrected saints

C. Translated saints

IV. Judgement #2 (Judgement Seat of Christ) – II Cor. 5:10

A. Believers for works

B. Rewards given

C. Time: after the Church is raptured

V. Marriage Of The Lamb – Rev. 19:7-9; Eph. 1:4

A. The Church will become the “Bride of Christ”

B. Christ will be eternally with redeemed of The Church Age

VI. War In Heaven – Rev. 12:7-9

A. Satan cast out into the earth

B. Satan will incarnate himself in Anti-Christ

VII. Judgement #3 (The Great Tribulation) – Matt. 24:20, 21; Jer. 30:4-7

A. Jews for rejection of the Godhead

B. At Jerusalem and vicinity

C. Time: the Great Tribulation (after Rapture and before Revelation)

VIII. The Revelation – I Thess. 1:7-10

A. Christ returns with His saints

B. Destruction of the Anti-Christ’s army at Armageddon

IX. Judgement #4 (Judgement of the Nations) – Matt. 25:31, 32

A. Gentile nations for their treatment of the Jews

B. At the throne of His glory at Jerusalem

X. The Millennium (1000 Year Reign of Christ on Earth)- Rev. 20:1-6; Is. 11:1-10

A. Satan bound for 1000 years. – Rev. 20:1-3

B. Revival of the land of Palestine – Joel 3:18; Amos 9:13; Is. 55:13

C. Changes in the animal kingdom – Is. 11:6-9

D. Human life will be prolonged – Is. 65:20, 22; Zech. 8:4; Ezek. 47:12

E. Sevenfold increase of light – Is. 30:26; 60:19, 20

F. Peace among men – Is. 2:4

G. Christ shall reign from His throne at Jerusalem – Luke 1:32, 33; Is. 2

H. Judgement shall be righteous and faithful – Is. 2:4

I. The loosing of Satan, a rebellion, and its defeat – Rev. 20:7-10

XI. Renovation Of The Earth By Fire – II Pet. 3:7-13

A. All elements shall melt with fervent heat

B. All works therein are burned up

XII. Judgement #5 (Great White Throne Judgement) – Rev. 20:11, 12

A. The wicked dead for their works

B. During the renovation of the earth by fire

C. Judged for the degree of punishment

D. Second Resurrection

E. The lost sinner’s doom; cast into the Lake of Fire – Rev. 20:15

XIII. The New Heaven and The New Earth – Rev. 21 & 22

A. 1^st heaven and earth are passed away

B. All things are made new

C. Paradise restored

D. Christ is the light in the city of Jerusalem

E. We shall be with Him forever

Signs Of the Second Coming

1. Scoffers – II Pet. 3:3, 4 – those doubting He will come

2. Apostasy – II Thes. 2:3 – there will come a falling away

3. False Teachers – II Pet. 2:1, 2 – those bringing heresies

4. Spiritualism – I Tim. 4:1 – giving head to seducing spirits and doctrine of devils

5. Perilous Times – II Tim. 3:1-5

(1) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

(2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

(3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

(4) Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God:

(5) Having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6. Heaped Up Treasure – James 5:1-6

(1) Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

(2) Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.

(3) Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

(4) Behold, the fire of the labourers who have reaped down your field, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

(5) Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

(6) Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.

7. A Laodicean Church – Rev. 3:14-22 – the condition of the latter day church: Neither hot nor cold, rich and needing nothing, not even Christ.

8. The Fig Tree Sign - Matt. 24:1-3 – symbolizes the revival of Israel as a nation

9. The Distress of Nations – Luke 21:24-27 – nations shaken, great uprisings, and general chaos

10. The Sign of Noah’s Day – Luke 17:26-30 – people too busy doing the good things in life to worship God

11. The Sign of Lot’s Day – II Pet. 2:6-10 – entangled in the world, losing your testimony

The Second Coming

I. As To The Fact

A. The Testimony of Jesus himself – Matt. 16:27; 25:31, 32; John 14: 2, 3; 21:22

B. The testimony of heavenly beings – Acts 1:10, 11

C. The testimony of the apostles

1. Paul – Phil. 3:20, 21; Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28

2. James – James 5:7

3. Peter – II Pet. 1:16

4. Jude – Jude 14:15

5. John – I Jn. 2:28

D. The testimony of the Lord’s Supper – I Cor. 11:26

II. As To The Time

A. Mark 13:32

B. Pre-Millennial – The Second Coming of Christ,

Clarence Larkin, p. 11 – Rev. 20:1-6; Matt. 13:30-43; II Thes. 2:8; Ezek. 36a; 24-28

III. As To The Manner – Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 16:27

IV. The Second Coming of Christ Will Be in Two Stages

A. Rapture (coming FOR the saints) – the dead in Christ and the living saints shall be caught up to meet Him in the air – I Thes. 4:15-17

B. Revelation (coming WITH the saints) – after the saints have been judged, rewarded, and joined to Christ, He returns with them to the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem – Zech. 14:4

V. The Rapture – I Thes. 4:15-17

A. The two-fold character of the Rapture – John 11:25, 26; I Cor. 15:51-57 II Cor. 5:1-4; Phil.3:11-14

B. The Rapture will be a surprise – Matt. 24:42-44; Rev. 16:15; I Thes. 5:1-4

C. The Rapture will be selective

1. Who will be taken – Lk. 17:34-36; Heb. 9:28; I Thes. 4:16,17

2. Who will be left – Lk. 13:23-27; Heb. 10:26; Rev. 7:9-17; 13:11-17

VI. Events Between The Rapture and Revelation

A. Judgement Seat of Christ – II Cor. 5:10

1. Who will be judged (The pronoun “we” appears 26 times in II Corinthians 5. In every instance, it refers to the believer, the church or the saints.)

2. When this judgement takes place – I Cor. 4:5

3. Where this judgement takes place – I Thes. 4:17

4. Rewards: The 5 Crowns of a Christian

a. The Crown of Life – given to the victorious Christian – James 1:12

b. The Crown of Righteousness – given to the Christian who looks forward in love to Christ’s appearing, while living a righteous life – II Tim. 4:8

c. The Crown of Rejoicing- given to the soul-winning Christian – I Thes. 2:19

d. The Crown Incorruptible – given to the faithful Christian – I Cor. 9:25

e. The Crown of Glory – given to the Good Shepherd (pastors are the only ones to receive this crown) – I Pet. 5:4

B. Marriage of the Lamb

1. Prophecy – Matt. 22:1-14

2. Consummation – Rev. 19:7-9

C. War in Heaven – Rev. 12:7-9

D. Tribulation (7 years) – Ezek. 20:34-38; 22:19-22; Mal. 3:1-3; Jacob’s Trouble: Jer. 30:4-7; Dan. 12:1

E. Battle of Armageddon – Rev. 16:13-16; 19:15, 20

VII. The Revelation – Rev.19:11-16: Matt. 24:30; Zech. 14:4

The Second Coming of Christ, Clarence Larkin (charts in this chapter are also taken from this book)

There’s a New Day Coming!, Herbert Vander Lugt

Table of Contents

Selected Bibliography

Bingham, F. F. The Truth About the Church.

Bow, J. G. What Baptists Believe and Why They Believe It.

Boyce, Jams P. Abstract of Systematic Theology.

Brooks, Keith L. The Spirit of Truth and The Spirit of Error: Revised by Irvine Robertson.

Building Blocks of The Faith, by Various Writers.

Conner, Walter Thomas. Christian Doctrine.

Criswell, W.A. The Holy Spirit in Today’s World.

Douglas, Alban. God’s Answers to Man’s Questions.

Evans, William. The Great Doctrines of The Bible.

Golden, Thomas N. 5 Things God Wants Us To Know (About His Word).

Harmon, Richard. W. Baptists and Other Denominations

Henry, Carl F. H. God’s Revelation and Authority.

Larkin, Clarence. The Second Coming of Christ.

Lugt, Herbert Vander. There’s a New Day Coming.

Patterson, Paige. The Criswell Study Bible, The Bible: A Book of Destiny.

Pendleton, J. M. Christian Doctrines.

Smith’s Bible Dictionary.

Willmington, H. L. Book of Bible Lists.

World Book Encyclopedia.