Bible Study Charts and Articles

God's Eternal Purpose Article / PPt

Creation as a Miracle - Article / PPt Have You Been Crucified with Christ? Article / PPt
Divine vs. Human Religious Authority - Article / PPt How Many Ways to Salvation? Article / PPt
Every Part Doing Its Share - Article / PPt Jesus Is Your Savior Article / PPt
Faith: What Must We Believe? - Article / PPt Marriage: Leave and Cleave - Article / PPt
Fatherhood: Absent Fathers/Confused Roles - Article / Persecution: Handling It - Article / PPt
PPt Race Relationships - Article / PPt
Gnostic Gospels and Canon of Scripture- Article / PPt Sin: What It Does for You - Article / PPt
Gambling: Moral or Immoral? Article / PPt Testing by God - Article / PPt
Trusting God and Action - Article / PPt

Creation as a Miracle: Genesis as Literal History

Consequences for Bible Inspiration, Theistic Evolution, and the Days
of Creation

How important is it that Christians appreciate creation as a

miracle? Should we take the Genesis record and the days of creation as symbol, myth, or
legend in order to harmonize with science? If we weaken faith in creation as a miracle, what
consequences follow regarding God, Jesus, the Bible, evolution, modernism, liberalism,
atheism, and agnosticism?

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This material is included in our published book about creation vs. evolution. Click here for more
information.
Introduction:

Bible miracles are a fundamental part of true Biblical faith.

Miracles are used throughout the Bible as evidence that God exists, that Jesus' claims were true, and that
apostles and prophets were sent by God. This, in turn, constitutes proof that the Bible is the word of God.

This explains why unbelievers, atheists, agnostics, liberals, modernists, skeptics, and believers in evolution
continually deny or undermine Bible accounts of miracles. It likewise shows why true believers must recognize
and defend Biblical miracles.

Nevertheless, in order to accept theories of science, some professing believers compromise the Genesis account
of creation by saying it is symbol, legend, or myth, not necessarily literal history or fact. Some say the days of
creation are not literal days but were actually long ages. Such views (whether intentionally or not) have the
effect of undermining Bible faith and weakening the force of creation as evidence for God, Jesus, and the Bible.

The purpose of this study is to examine the Bible account of creation as a miracle.

Does the Bible claim creation was a miracle? If so what consequences follow if people deny the literal truth of
various supernatural aspects of creation?

Note: Please see our other studies for evidence of the importance of the doctrine of creation in a Christian's
faith. This is the faith that is undermined when miraculous aspects of creation are compromised.

I. Evidence that Creation Was a Miracle.

A. Creation Fits the Definition of a Miracle.

Psalm 72:18 - Wondrous things (miracles) are things only God can do. Bible examples show that a miracle is an
event which is impossible by natural law, but which occurs by the supernatural intervention of God.

The Bible repeatedly affirms that no one but God could create the universe.

Neither man nor other "gods" could do so. It follows that creation must fit the definition of a miracle: an event
that cannot happen naturally, but only God can accomplish it.

Psalm 95:1-7 - God is above other "gods" and deserves to be worshipped as God, because He made the earth
and us. We can't do it and gods can't do it. Only God can.

Isaiah 40:25-28 - God made the heavenly bodies. This proves there is no one like Him. There is no searching of
His understanding - no one else can understand how He could do it.

Nehemiah 9:6 - The Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. He alone is God. The
fact He made these things proves only he is God. No one else could do it.

1 Chronicles 16:25-27 - God should be feared above all gods. They are idols, but He made the heavens.
Creation is something the idols cannot do. Only God can do it.
Jeremiah 32:17 - The fact God made the heavens and earth proves nothing is too hard for Him. Creation is at
least as great as any other miracle and proves God can do any work He chooses. Can He miraculously heal the
sick, part the sea, cause a virgin to conceive, or raise the dead? We know He can, because He created the
universe!

No other power in existence can do what God has done in creation. Only God can do it. By definition, that
means creation was a miracle.

[Job 38:4-11; Heb. 11:3; Jer. 10:10-12; Psalm 100:3; 86:8-10; Job 9:8-10; Ecc. 11:5; Rom. 11:33-36]

Specifically, living things were created supernaturally, not by natural reproduction.

Genesis 1:11,12 - God made plants to yield fruit, whose seed was in itself. So after creation, plants reproduced
by means of seed that grew in the fruit. That is natural reproduction. But originally God produced them directly,
not by natural reproduction.

Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7,21-23 - After God had made man and woman, He commanded them to reproduce and
populate the earth. That is natural reproduction. But the original man and woman were made, not by natural
reproduction, but the man was made directly from the ground and the woman was made from the man's side.

These passages clearly distinguish natural reproduction from how God made the living things at creation. The
original creation of living things was not accomplished by the natural laws of reproduction. It was therefore
supernatural. Only God could do it. By definition, it was a miracle.

B. Creation Is Described by the Kind of Language that Describes Miracles.

The Bible uses various descriptions to refer to miraculous works of God. The may be called "wonders" or
"wondrous things" or "signs" or other terms that emphasize their supernatural purpose or character (see
examples under next point).

Notice how these descriptions are used for creation.

Job 9:8-10 - God spreads out the heavens. He made the constellations. He does great things we cannot
understand, "wonders" without number. Creation is describing as beyond our understanding and as "wonders."
This is the kind of language used for miracles.

Psalm 139:13,14 - Observing the formation of his body, the psalmist praises God saying, "I am fearfully and
wonderfully made. Marvelous are your works." The works of God in creation cause us to marvel. That is how
miracles are described.

Psalm 33:6-9 - The heavens, sea, earth, and everything in them were made by the word and command of the
Lord. So we should stand in "awe" of Him. Creation is amazing - awe-inspiring.

Psalm 65:5-8 - God did awesome deeds for His people. Specifically, He established the mountains by His
strength. So the people shall be afraid of His "signs." Again, creation is an example of power that only God has
and is included among His "signs" - common Bible language for miracles.

Who would deny that such descriptions are intended to convey to our minds that creation was miraculous?
Surely that is the clear intent of such language.

[Psalm 86:8-10; 89:5-13; Neh. 9:6-15]

 C. Creation Accomplishes the Purpose of Miracles.

Miracles served to prove that God was at work through a person or an event. They thereby proved that God
exists, that God is the true God, or that a certain man or message was from God. Miracles confirm Divine
claims to be true.

[See Mark 16:20; Acts 2:22; 2 Corinthians 12:11,12; Hebrews 2:3,4; Exodus 4:1-4.]

Specifically, many miracles proved that God exists and that He is the true God.

Exodus 7:3-5; 8:10 - God said that, as a result of His signs and wonders in Egypt, the people would know that
He is the Lord.

Exodus 14:4,30,31 - Because God parted the Read Sea, the people feared and believed the Lord.

Deuteronomy 4:32-45 - Signs and wonders God did in Egypt and at Mt. Sinai occurred so Israel might know the
Lord is God, and there is none other besides Him.

1 Kings 18:36-39 - When God sent fire from heaven, the people concluded, "The Lord, He is God."

We could include here the miracles of Jesus, since they proved His Deity. See John 5:36; 20:30,31; Acts 2:22;
etc.

Since only God can do miracles, their occurrence proves that God exits and that He is the true God.

[Psalm 72:18]

Like other miracles, creation is repeatedly used to prove that God exists and is the true God.

Old Testament Passages

2 Kings 19:15 - God alone is God. He made heaven and earth. [Isaiah 37:16]

Nehemiah 9:6 - You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the
earth and everything on it.

Psalm 95:1-7 - The Lord is the great God and King above all gods. He made the sea and His hands formed the
dry land. Worship the Lord our Maker, for He is God.

Psalms 100:3 - Know that the Lord, He is God. It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.

1 Chronicles 16:25-27 (also Psalm 96:4-6) - How do we know we should praise and fear God instead of some
idol? Because God made the heavens and established the earth, that's why!

New Testament Passages

Acts 17:24-29 - Again idol worshippers were taught they should not worship idols of gold or silver. The true
God who rules heaven and earth is the one who made the world and gives us life. We are His offspring. [Acts
14:15]
Romans 1:20 - Creation clearly reveals God's power and Godhead. They prove that He is God, and those who
fail to recognize Him as God are without excuse.

In the New Testament and the Old, creation proves who is the true God. This is the purpose of miracles.

Hence, creation fits the definition of a miracle, it is described by the kind of language used for miracles, and it
accomplishes the purpose of miracles. Who can deny that the Bible claims that creation is a miracle? Those who
would deny it are not true believers.

[Acts 4:24; Psalm 86:8-10; Isaiah 45:18; 40:25,26; 42:5-9; Jeremiah 10:11,12,16; 32:17; 51:15-19]

II. Consequences of the Miraculous Nature of Creation

Since creation is a fundamental proof that God exists and is the true God, it follows that we must avoid any
doctrine that weakens or undermines the force of that miracle. Specifically:

A. True Believers Must Always Accept Bible Records of Miracles as Literal, Historic Fact.

The power of miracles as evidence rests entirely on their validity as historic fact. Unless they are events, which
are contrary to natural law, but which nevertheless occurred as true, historic fact, then they prove nothing at all
about God or His will.

It follows that, to deny the literal, historic descriptions of miracles as recorded in Scripture - to claim that some
aspects are legendary or symbolic instead of historic fact - is to deny the accuracy of the Bible and to belittle the
force of the miracle. This encourages the ultimate rejection of our evidence for God, for the Bible as His word,
and for Jesus as His Son.

The more important and fundamental a miracle is to our faith, the greater are the consequences if we deny the
historical accuracy of the Bible record of the miracle. Consider some examples.

The virgin birth - Luke 1:34,35

The Bible says the virgin birth is impossible by natural law, yet it happened by the power of God. This is how it
proves Jesus is from God.

But some folks point out that, for a virgin to conceive without a physical relationship with a man, would be
impossible according to science. (Of course! That's the point of miracles: they are impossible by natural law.)

So some try to reconcile the Bible and science by saying that the virgin birth was not literal. They say the Bible
account is a legend, or just conveys some spiritual concept, but it is not historic fact.

But denying the literal, historic fact of the account has the effect of removing the miraculous element. This
eliminates the power of the event as evidence to substantiate Divine claims!

Such views constitute modernism or liberalism. Those who hold them are not true believers.

The resurrection of Jesus - Romans 1:4

The Bible says Jesus' resurrection is impossible by natural law, yet it happened by the power of God. This is
how it proves Jesus is from God.

But some folks point out that, for a dead man to come to life again after three days, would be impossible
according to science. (Of course! That's the point of miracles: they are impossible by natural law.)

So some try to reconcile the Bible and science by saying that the resurrection was not literal. They say the Bible
account is a legend, or just conveys some spiritual concept, but it is not historic fact.

But denying the literal, historic fact of the account has the effect of removing the miraculous element. This
eliminates the power of the event as evidence to substantiate Divine claims!

Such views constitute modernism or liberalism. Those who hold them are not true believers.

Creation - Romans 1:20

The Bible says creation is impossible according to natural law, yet it happened by the power of God. This is
how it proves the existence and power of God.

But some folks point out that, for everything in the universe to suddenly come into existence in six days, would
be impossible according to science. (Of course! That's the point of miracles: they are impossible by natural
law.)

So some try to reconcile the Bible and science by saying that the creation was not literal. They say the Bible
account is a legend, or just conveys some spiritual concept, or it is just accommodative language written for
people too primitive to understand the facts. But it is not historic fact.

But denying the literal, historic fact of the account has the effect of removing the miraculous element. This
eliminates the power of the event as evidence to substantiate Divine claims!

Such views constitute modernism or liberalism. Those who hold them are not true believers. They become
instead believers in some form of evolution, natural or theistic.

This illustrates why it is so important to our faith for Christians never to compromise the literal, historical
character of Bible accounts of miracles.

B. Specifically, True Believers Must Never Compromise Any Supernatural Element of a

Miracle.

The importance of the supernatural characteristics of miracles.

We have learned that we must accept the Bible records of miracles as historic fact, not legendary or symbolic or
figurative. But what makes an event a miracle is that it involves certain specific characteristics that only Divine
power could accomplish. Bible accounts of miracles usually involve several such supernatural elements. It isn't
enough just to claim that we believe the event as a whole is a miracle. If we are to accept the Bible record of a
miracle as historic fact, we must accept as literal fact the specific supernatural elements that make up the event.
To deny or undermine the supernatural elements that make an event miraculous is to deny or undermine the
miracle itself!
Satan has always offered false prophets, false churches, false plans of salvation, etc., which will cause people to
be lost if they accept them. (See Matthew 7:15-23; 15:14; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Acts 20:28-
30; 1 John 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Titus 1:9-14; 2 John 9-11; Romans 16:17,18; Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Peter chap. 2.)

In order to get people to accept his false teachings, note some things Satan does:

(1) Satan offers "false miracles" - 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (Acts 8:5-13; Exodus 7:10-13; 1 Kings 18:20-40;
Acts 19:11-17).

Just as true miracles lead people to accept God's true teachings, so Satan's false miracles lead people to believe
His false teachings. False miracles are those which claim to be from God, but which do not have the
characteristics of true Bible miracles. But by believing these events to be miracles, people are deceived into
believing false doctrines.

(2) Satan belittles the supernatural elements of God's miracles - Matthew 28:11-15 (Matt. 12:24; Ex.
7:10-13).

Since the supernatural characteristics of miracles are what convince people to believe in God and His will, those
are the aspects Satan attacks. He doesn't necessarily insist that people deny the whole event occurred. He just
wants people to believe the basic elements of the event could occur by some natural explanation or by some
power other than God.

If people do not recognize the supernatural elements of a miracle, then the miracle cannot produce faith. This is
why it is so important for believers to defend the historic, literal truth, not just of a miracle as a whole, but of the
supernatural elements of the event that make it a miracle. We must never accept views that allow natural
explanations to be substituted for the supernatural elements of a miracle. Again, the more important and
fundamental a miracle is to our faith, the more important this is.

Consider some examples.

Examples of the consequences of failing to recognize the supernatural characteristics of miracles.

False "miracles" of faith healers, the Occult, etc.

True miraculous healings always involve certain fundamental characteristics: They involve obvious ailments
which are cured obviously, completely, and immediately. These elements are what make miraculous healings
clearly supernatural.

Modern faith healers fool people into believing miracles have happened, even though the elements that make an
event a miracle are missing. If someone seems to gradually improve, some folks may claim a "miracle."

When people accept these false miracles, it is easy for false teachers to convince them to believe other false
doctrines (they are saved without baptism, etc.). Other people see that these "miracles" are not really
supernatural, so they reject all "Christianity" as fraudulent superstition, etc.

Similar observations can be made about the supernatural claims involved in sorcery, witchcraft, etc.

Folks end up in error because they failed to recognize the supernatural elements of true miracles. They call
events "miracles," but the events can be explained naturally. The only way to avoid this danger is to steadfastly
defend the supernatural elements of Bible miracles!
The virgin birth, the resurrection, etc.

One way that people have compromised the miraculous nature of Bible accounts is by accepting views that
eliminate or deny certain supernatural elements of the Bible record. The may not deny the whole event, but they
compromise the basic elements that make it a miracle.

Some claim Mary conceived by a relationship with Joseph or some other man. Some claim Jesus never really
died on the cross, or that His disciples stole the body, or that He just fainted then revived. This is often done to
harmonize the event with "scientific facts."

All these views must be rejected because they deny or compromise some supernatural element of Bible
accounts. People may still call the event a "miracle," but it becomes easier to explain the event naturally. It
weakens the force of the event as supernatural proof of Divine intervention. The only way to avoid this danger
is to defend the historical accuracy every supernatural elements of these events!

Creation

One way that people have compromised the miraculous nature of creation is by accepting views that eliminate
or deny certain supernatural elements of the Bible record. The may not deny the whole event, but they
compromise the basic elements that make it a miracle.

Some deny that woman was created from the side of man. Others say man was created from other animals,
instead of from the ground. Some say man was not created in the image of God. And some say creation did not
occur in six literal, consecutive days. Again, this is often done in order to harmonize the event with "scientific
facts."

All these views must be rejected because they deny or compromise some supernatural element of Bible
accounts. People may still call the event a "miracle," but it becomes easier to explain the event naturally. It
weakens the force of the event as supernatural proof of Divine intervention. The only way to avoid this danger
is to defend the historical accuracy every supernatural elements of the creation accounts!

C. In Particular, True Believers Must Never Compromise the Supernatural Time Element in
a Miracle.

The importance of the time element

Among the elements of a miracle that demonstrate it to have occurred by the power of God, one such element is
often the time element. The length of time the event takes gives one reason to believe God must have done it.
Specifically, many accounts of miracles specify that they happened suddenly - very quickly. Given a much
longer time period, one might believe the event could have occurred by nature. But the shortness of the time
demonstrates that God must have done it.

If so, then it follows from the above discussion, that we must recognize that time element to be historic fact. To
believe it to be symbolic, figurative, or anything other than historic fact is to compromise the Bible account and
defeat the purpose of the miracle as evidence for our faith.

Consider some examples

Miraculous healings
Bible accounts of healings often specify that they occurred immediately. They did not take days, weeks, or
months to gradually develop. The time element confirms that only God could do it. See Acts 3:7; Luke 13:11-
13; Mark 2:10-12; 5:25-29; 5:35-42; Acts 13:11; 14:8-11; John 9:1,6,7; Mark 1:42; Luke 7:14,15; etc.

By contrast, in most modern so-called miracles, if healing occurs at all, it takes days, weeks, or months. Such
gradual healings could be explained as simply natural processes. They are claimed as miracles, but the time
element proves they are not really miraculous.

So, the power of a Bible miracle as evidence is defeated or seriously compromised if people conclude that the
time element is just figurative or symbolic or legendary. When God states a specific time element in a miracle,
then we must accept the Bible account as historic fact.

The same can be said of other Bible miracles. God sometimes revealed when they would happen, and at that
time they would occur immediately. The fact that they happened at exactly the time God specified, or that they
occurred so quickly, gives one reason that they must have been supernatural.

[1 Kings 18:25-30,35-39]

Creation

The Bible repeatedly states that the creation occurred in just six days. See Genesis 1:5,8,13,19,23,31; 2:2,3;
Exodus 20:11; 31:17; Heb. 4:4.

Since the Bible clearly presents creation as a miracle, then for all the reasons described above, true believers
must take these accounts as literal, historic fact. If so, we must believe that creation occurred in six literal,
consecutive days, followed by a literal day of rest.

Yet many people claim that creation occurred over long time periods of millions of years each. They claim the
"days" of creation were figurative or symbolic or that long ages occurred between the days. They may take this
view to harmonize the Bible with the claims of "science." But the effect of these views is to compromise a basic
supernatural element of the Bible account of the miracle.

This in turn weakens the Bible evidence that creation was impossible by natural law. Evolution requires billions
of years of gradual development. When we ask why we cannot see new kinds of living things evolving today,
we are told that the process is too slow to be observed. But "given enough time," natural selection and mutations
could produce all the kinds of organisms, including man. So to say the Bible account includes billions of years
would promote faith in evolution.

On the other hand, if the Bible account literally teaches that the universe came into existence in six literal days,
then no one could believe that such a thing could happen by natural processes. It must be by the power of God.

Hence, the time element, revealed in the Bible, is one supernatural element of the Bible account of creation. To
take it as including long periods of time encourages people to accept a natural explanation. The result defeats or
seriously weakens the force of the Bible account of creation as evidence for God.

Conclusion

If we can compromise the supernatural time element of creation as described in Scripture, why can't we
compromise other supernatural elements? If we can take the days to be figurative or symbolic, why can't we
take other plain statements of the account to be other than historic fact? In short, what is there to prevent us
from simply accepting Theistic evolution? And then what is there to prevent us from taking other Bible miracles
as being figurative or symbolic, till all the supernatural elements of all Bible miracles are removed? The result
is a faith that is a mere shell with no substance and no reason for existence.

In short, the Bible claims that creation is a miracle made possible only by the supernatural intervention of God.
This means that true believers must defend every supernatural element of the account as historical fact. To
compromise any supernatural element of it - including the time element - is to undermine and weaken faith in
the Bible, faith in other Bible miracles, and ultimately faith in God.

Divine versus Human Authority in Religion

Should We Follow Man-Made Changes in Bible Teaching?

What is the proper source or standard of authority in

religion? Should we follow the Bible as the inspired revelation of the law of God, or should we
follow man-made religious laws and rules to guide us in faith and worship? What about
human tradition, church laws, decrees of councils, and creeds? May human wisdom change
Divine law, or should we respect the silence of the Scriptures?

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Introduction:

All true religious authority comes ultimately from God through Jesus Christ.

God is Lord or Ruler of the universe.

Acts 17:24 – God made the world and everything in it since He is Lord of heaven and earth.

It follows that only God possesses the ultimate authority in the universe. Man’s power is limited. Only God
possesses unlimited power.

(“Lord” means a person who has authority over others: a master, chief, or ruler. Matthew 11:25; Psalm 97:5; 136:3; 95:3; 97:9; 83:18;
Joshua 3:11,13; Deuteronomy 10:17; Daniel 2:47; 1 Chronicles 29:11,12; Isaiah 33:22)
As God’s Divine Son, Jesus reveals God’s will for today.

Hebrews 1:1,2 – God speaks to us today through His Son through Him He made the worlds.

Matthew 28:18 – Jesus possesses “all authority in heaven and on earth.”

Ultimate religious authority resides in God, and that authority is exercised through the teachings of Jesus Christ.

(Ephesians 1:21-23; Luke 6:46; 4:32; Acts 3:22,23; 10:36; Revelation 17:14; 19:16; Romans 10:12; 9:5; Philippians 2:9-11; 3:20,21;
Matthew 7:29; 17:5; John 3:31; 6:63,68; 12:48; 16:15; 17:2,10; Colossians 1:16; 3:16,17; 1 Timothy 6:3)

Divine authority is revealed in the Scriptures.

John 16:13 – Jesus promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth.

Ephesians 3:3-5; 1 Corinthians 14:37 – What Paul received by revelation, he wrote down to instruct others. So
the things he wrote were the commands of Lord.

2 Timothy 3:16,17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching and furnishing to all good
works.

God has recorded His will in the Bible to guide our lives.

(2 Peter 1:20,21; 3:15,16; Luke 10:16; 1:1-4; Matthew 15:4; 22:29-32; 10:19,20; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 1 Timothy 4:1,11; Galatians
1:11,12; 1 Corinthians 2:11-13; 4:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:6,12,17; John 20:30,31; 10:35; 1 John 1:1-4; Jude 3)

But what about religious practices, teachings, or organizations that are not included or that differ from
what God has revealed in His will?

When a religious practice differs from what is found in God’s word, is that practice right or wrong? When God
is “silent” or says nothing about a practice, does that silence give us consent to do the thing, or does it prohibit
us from doing it?

This issue is fundamental because many modern religious practices are not revealed in the Bible. People often
defend these acts, saying, “God nowhere said not to do it.” So, are practices acceptable as long as God nowhere
expressly forbids them, or are they wrong simply because they are different from or not included in what He
says to do in His service?

It is the purpose of this study to examine these questions. Consider these Bible principles:

The Bible Completely Reveals All God’s Will for Us.

Everything that God considers to be acceptable and approved is revealed in the gospel.

John 16:13 (14:26) – The Holy Spirit revealed all truth to the apostles. This is the truth that they wrote in the
Scriptures.

Acts 20:20,27 – Paul preached the whole counsel of God, keeping back nothing that was profitable.

2 Timothy 3:16,17 – All good works are recorded in the Scriptures, so they are profitable to teach and instruct
men in righteousness.
2 Peter 1:3; 1:12-15; 3:1,2 – In Peter’s lifetime, people received all things that pertain to life and godliness. He
wrote his message so, even after he died, we could be reminded of the words of Jesus’ apostles and prophets.

James 1:25 – This word of truth is the perfect law of liberty.

The Bible does not claim to reveal all things that are not part of Divine truth, that do not pertain to godliness, or
that are not part of good works or righteousness. But it does reveal all truth that is profitable. We need no
further revelation because the Bible completely reveals all God’s will for man. It provides us with all that
pleases God and leads to eternal salvation.

Consider the consequence of this for doctrines and practices not revealed in the Bible. Since the Bible contains
all truth and all good works and everything that pertains to life, godliness, and righteousness, does it not follow
that, that any practice not found there is not true, not a good work, and does not pertain to life or godliness?
How then can we practice these things and expect to please God?

This should lead us to a useful conclusion about unrevealed practices. But God’s word deals even more directly
with such practices. Consider:

(Matthew 28:20; Colossians 4:12; Jude 3; Hebrews 13:20,31; John 20:30,31; 1 John 1:1-4; 2:1-6)

Practices Not Included in God’s Revealed Word Are Unacceptable.

Consider the following principles:

A. The Principle of Ownership

Everything in the Universe, especially in the church, belongs to God.

Acts 17:24 – God made the world and everything in it since He is Lord of heaven and earth.

1 Chronicles 29:11,12 – Everything in heaven and earth belongs to God. He reigns over all.

Matthew 16:18 – The church, in particular, belongs to Jesus because He built it.

Acts 20:28 – He purchased it with His blood.

Ephesians 1:22,23; 5:23,24 – The church is His body. He is head over all things to the church, like a man is
head over his wife. So, the church must submit to His will.

To practice things not authorized by God is to fail to honor our head and owner.

Does your neighbor have the right to use your house differently from what you have decided? Suppose he has a
party in your house or drives off with your car without your permission.

Christ is the head of the church like your head has authority over your body. What would you think if your body
started obeying the decisions made by another person’s head?

Suppose your wife bought a lawn tractor for several thousand dollars and gave it to the man next door. When
you asked about it, suppose she said, “Well, he told me to do it.” Does another man have the right to tell your
wife to do things you never agreed for her to do?
Note that you don’t have to tell every other man specifically not to try to tell your wife what to do and not to try
to get your body to obey their head and not to try to use your possessions in ways other than what you have
chosen. These things are wrong because they violate the principle of ownership and headship. No one can use
your property without your permission.

Likewise, if we belong to God and if the church belongs to Jesus, what right do people have choosing to
practice things different from what the owner has chosen? What right do men have making rules for the church
or authorizing practices that God never authorized?

God does not have to specifically say not to do these things. All such things are wrong because they violate the
principle of ownership. No one has the right to use God’s property in ways or for purposes for which He has not
authorized.

(Colossians 1:18; 2:19-22; Psalm 95:3-5; 24:1,2; 50:10,12; Haggai 2:8; 1 Chron. 29:12,14)

B. The Principle of Wisdom

God’s wisdom is infinitely above that of man.

Isaiah 55:8,9 – God’s thoughts and ways are above ours and completely different from ours. We cannot
possibly know God’s will about a matter unless He reveals it.

Jeremiah 10:23 – The way of man is not in himself. It is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Man is simply
not wise enough to know how to live apart from God’s revelation.

This means we cannot possibly know God’s will unless He reveals it.

Often people will defend some religious practice because it “makes sense” to them. “I don’t see anything wrong
with it.” But if our human wisdom accepts something, that proves nothing about whether or not God approves
it.

Proverbs 14:12 – There is a way that seems right to man, but the end is death.

2 Corinthians 10:18 – Not he who commends himself is approved, but he whom the Lord commends. The fact
that we approve a thing tells nothing about whether or not God approves it.

Knowing this, God completely revealed His will for us in the Bible, then He warned us not to follow
human wisdom.

Isaiah 30:1,2 – When people devise plans and take counsel not according to God’s Spirit, they add sin to sin and
practice rebellion.

Psalm 94:11,12 – The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile. Blessed is the man whom You
instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law,

When we practice things different from what the Bible reveals, we follow fallible human wisdom instead of
God’s infallible wisdom! Instead, we must practice only what is revealed.

(1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 2:4,5,10-13,16; Isaiah 40:13,14; 65:2; Jeremiah 8:9; 17:5; Psalms 81:12,13; Proverbs 28:26; 14:14; 16:2; 21:2;
20:24; Ezekiel 13:2,17; Matthew 11:25; Romans 11:33,34)

C. The Principle of Worship

Worship that pleases God must be directed by His truth.

John 4:23,24 – To please God, we must worship in spirit and in truth.

John 16:13 – And all truth is revealed in the gospel (as already discussed). (17:17)

Matthew 21:25 – But every religious practice is based either on God’s authority or else on man’s authority. If
God did not originate a practice, then man must have invented it.

Since the gospel reveals all truth, then any practice that differs from the gospel must not be part of the
truth but is human in origin and therefore vain.

Matthew 15:9,13,14 – Worship is vain (worthless) when based on precepts of human origin.

The purpose of worship is to please and glorify God. We honor and respect Him when we do what He says. If
we do what men say to do, instead of what God says, then we are not showing respect for God and His will.
Instead, we are showing respect for the men who invented the practice. So instead of pleasing God by our
worship, we displease Him.

(1 Kings 12:32,33)

D. The Principle of Love

Love leads us to do what pleases the one whom we love.

Matthew 22:37 – Loving God is the most important command there is.

John 14:15 – But Biblical love requires keeping God’s commands. (1 John 5:3; 2 John 6)

Sometimes people think that, as long as they claim to love God, it doesn’t matter whether or not the things they
do are in the Bible. But love leads us to seek to please the person we love, rather than pleasing ourselves.

To follow unauthorized practices is to show love for people, not for God.

People often defend their religious practices saying, “I think it’s beautiful,” “I like it,” or “We’re satisfied with
it.” Such statements simply prove that people are pleasing themselves, not God. When we love God, we do what
pleases Him, not what we want.

Luke 16:15 – What is highly esteemed by men is an abomination to God. The fact that we like a thing does not
at all mean that God likes it.

Suppose a man wants a chainsaw, so he gives one to his wife for her birthday. Does that show love for the wife?
No, it shows love for himself. Likewise, doing what we want in worship, when God never said to do it, is
showing love for ourselves, not for God.

2 Timothy 4:2-4 – When men seek teaching that pleases their own desires, the result will be to turn away from
the truth and follow fables. Instead, we must “preach the word.”

When we love God, we do only what He wants, regardless of what we want. But remember that we can’t know
what He wants except as He has revealed it in the Bible, and the Bible completely reveals what God wants.
Rather than being an excuse for overlooking what the Bible says, love is actually a reason for doing only what
the Bible says.

E. The Principle of Faith

Faith also requires that we do what pleases God.

Hebrews 11:6 – Without faith it is impossible to please God.

2 Corinthians 5:7 – We walk by faith, not by sight. Faith involves a way of “walking” (living); it must be
demonstrated in action. (Cf. Galatians 2:20; 5:6; James 2:14-26; Hebrews chapter 11.)

Proper faith must be based on God’s word.

Romans 10:17 – Faith comes by hearing God’s word.

Some people think that, as long as they believe in God and claim to trust Him, He will accept what they do,
whether or not it is in the Bible.

One man said He trusted God, so he was sure God would accept what he was about to do. When asked if he
could find in the Bible where God approved the act, he said no, but he still felt sure God would accept it. What
he was about to do was to commit suicide!

To follow man-made doctrines is to put our faith in man, instead of God.

Proverbs 3:5,6 – Trust in the Lord and don’t lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him and He will
direct your paths. True faith will teach us to do only what the Lord reveals.

Proverbs 28:26 – He who trusts in his own heart is a fool. To do what is not revealed in the Bible, is to trust in
our own hearts and lean on our own understanding, rather than allowing God to direct us.

1 Corinthians 2:5 – Your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

It is impossible to practice anything by faith if it differs from the Bible. When people practice things they
cannot find in the Bible, they place their trust in the people who invented those practices. To truly walk by faith
requires us to do only what God has revealed.

(Jeremiah 17:5; Hosea 10:13)

F. The Principle of Authority

The Lordship of God requires us to do everything according to His authority.

Colossians 3:17 – All we do, in word or deed, should be done in Jesus’ name. To act in Jesus’ name means to
follow His authority (Acts 4:7-10).

But we have seen that Jesus’ authority for today is completely revealed in the Bible. So, practices not included
in Bible teaching cannot be done in Jesus’ name.

To do things that differ from what God said is to fail to follow His authority.
Galatians 1:8,9 – Any man is accursed if he preaches practices that differ from what inspired men taught in the
gospel. That gospel completely reveals all good works God wants us to do. If a practice is not included in the
gospel, then, for us to say it is acceptable, would be to preach a different gospel.

1 Timothy 1:3 – Instead of justifying doctrines that differ from the gospel, we must charge men to “teach no
other doctrine.” (Titus 2:14)

2 John 9 – Whoever goes beyond and does not abide in Jesus’ teaching, does not have God. To have God we
must abide in Jesus’ teaching. But all Jesus’ teaching is revealed in the gospel. So when we practice things we
cannot find in Jesus’ teaching, we separate ourselves from Him.

When we study a practice, we should not ask, “Where does God say not to do this?” Instead we should
ask “Where does God’s word authorize this act?”

Although the Bible does expressly forbid some acts, God never intended for His word to be a catalog that
specifically itemizes all the things He does not want us to do. Had He done that, the Bible would have been so
huge we could never digest it. Instead, God tells us what He does want us to do. Then He tells us that other
things are unacceptable.

Jeremiah 7:23,24 – God accused His people of not obeying what He said, but walking in their own counsels and
the dictates of their own hearts. God’s people must obey His voice and walk in the ways He has commanded.
Then it will be well with us.

Psalm 81:12,13 – So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels. Oh, that My
people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways!

When we practice what we cannot find in God’s word, we walk in the counsel of our own hearts. We fail to
honor God as our owner, we fail to honor Jesus as head of the church, we fail to truly love and trust God, we
fail to worship God in truth, and we fail to respect the wisdom and authority of God.

When an act cannot be found in God’s will for us, then God’s true people will refuse to participate in it. They
will practice only what they find authorized in God’s word.

(Revelation 22:18,19; Cf. Numbers 24:13; Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; 29:19; 1 Kings 12:26-33; 1 Chronicles 15:13; Proverbs 30:5,6;
14:14; Isaiah 24:5; Jeremiah 3:17; 7:24; 9:14; 11:8; 13:10; 16:12; 18:12; 23:16,17,21,26,32; 26:2; Ezekiel 13:2,17; 1 Corinthians 4:6;
Romans 10:1-3; Colossians 2:8,22; 1 Timothy 6:3,4; 2 Timothy 1:13; Hebrews 13:9; 1 Peter 4:11)

Some Applications (General and Specific Authority)

We have learned that, in order to please God, we must do only what is included in His instructions. Our
practices must fit the definition and fall within the meaning of what He teaches.

However, we should not conclude that an act must be expressly named or specifically mentioned in order to be
authorized. Some people conclude that any act is acceptable unless it is expressly, specifically forbidden. Others
conclude the act is wrong unless it is expressly, specifically mentioned. Neither view harmonizes with what we
have learned.

A statement of the principle of general and specific authority

When God wants man to do a thing in a particular way, He instructs us by choosing words that are specific or narrow
(limited, precise, restricted, detailed, exclusive) in their meaning.
He has told us not to practice things that do not fit the meaning of His instructions. So, when He wants a thing
done in a particular way, He words His instructions in such a way as to leave us no choice. If we then do things
differently, outside the limits of the meaning of the terms He uses, we displease Him. In this sense, God does
not have to specifically say “not to” do certain acts. He just specifies what He wants, and anything different
from that is unacceptable.

Note that this principle will determine what constitutes an acceptable aid or tool. Any action, including an aid or
tool, must fit the meaning of God’s instructions. If what we do differs from the meaning of God’s instructions,
then the act is not an aid but an unauthorized change.

When God wants to leave men free to choose from several alternative ways of doing a thing, He instructs us by choosing words
that are more general or broad (inclusive, comprehensive, all-encompassing) in their meaning.

We are still restricted to doing only what fits the meaning of what He said, but in this case there are various
ways of doing what fits the instruction. We can then use our own wisdom to choose from any course of action
that fits the meaning of what God said to do. Any such choice that we make would be acceptable because we
would still be doing what God said.

Note that, in this case, God does not have to spell out all the details of what we should do. He simply instructs
us in general terms; then any action – including the use of tools or aids – is authorized, so long as it fits the
meaning or definition of the instructions given.

We will illustrate these principles with examples.

A. Bible Applications that Demonstrate the Need for Bible Authority

Some Bible events or teachings illustrate the principles we are studying. They show that certain acts or ideas
would be wrong simply because they were different from, or were not part of, what God said. But other acts
would be acceptable when they fit general instructions.

Noah making an ark of gopher wood – Genesis 6:14

God told Noah to make an ark of gopher wood. Metal, pine, walnut, etc., do not fit the definition of gopher
wood. They constitute different kinds of materials. God did not expressly say not to use them, but they would
have been wrong because He said “gopher wood” and was silent about metal, pine, etc.

Had God wanted to leave Noah free to use any kind of material of his choice, He could simply have said to
make an ark, and specified no material at all. Then Noah could have chosen any kind of material. But when God
specified the material, Noah was left with no other choice.

On the other hand, God said to “make” an ark, but there are many things a person can do that would fit the
definition of making an ark. He might use a hammer and saw, an ox cart to carry the wood, etc., as tools to
“aid” the work. None of these things are specifically mentioned, but they would have been acceptable because,
Noah would still be just making an ark.

Naaman dipping in the Jordan – 2 Kings 5:10-14

Elisha told Naaman to dip seven times in the Jordan and his leprosy would be cured. The instruction specifically
stated what action to do, what river to use, and how many times to dip. But Naaman wanted to do something
else: have Elisha wave his hand over him or dip in some other river (the Abanah or the Pharpar in Syria).
Elisha did not say “not to” dip in the Abanah or Pharpar, but would that have been doing what God said or
doing something different? Likewise, it would have been disobedience to dip a different number of times. Had
God wanted to leave Naaman free in these matters, he could have simply said to dip in water. Then Naaman
could have dipped in any body of water any number of times. But God’s instructions left no choice but to dip
seven times in Jordan.

But the instruction was general in the sense that God had not said where in the Jordan to dip: northern Jordan or
southern Jordan? Or what if the servant helped put him under? What would Naaman be doing? Dipping in the
Jordan. That would be a legitimate aid, because it fit the instructions God gave.

Nadab and Abihu offering incense – Leviticus 10:1-3

Nadab and Abihu were Old Testament priests who offered incense. But they used “profane” fire (“strange fire”
– ASV; “unauthorized fire” – ESV) that God had not commanded them to use. So, God destroyed them.

Note that God had not said “not to” use the fire they used. The problem was that they used fire different from
what God said. They did what God had not commanded or authorized them to do.

Some today might justify such an act by saying the fire was just an “aid” to offering the incense. But God
disagreed. The fire was not just an aid but different fire from what God specified.

(The passage does not give enough information for me to give a good example of acceptable alternatives they
might have had: perhaps how much fire they used?)

The temple as a house of prayer� John 2:13-16

Jesus cleansed the temple twice. The first time He said not to make His Father’s house “a house of
merchandise” (NKJV, ASV), “a place of business” – NASB, “a house of trade” – ESV, “a marketplace”
(NRSV). The second time He quoted Scripture saying it should be a house of prayer (Matthew 21:12,13).

Note that, in the first cleansing (in John 2), Jesus said nothing about thievery. He objected simply because doing
business for profit (“merchandise”) did not fit the intent of the temple. Jesus argued from the “silence of the
Scriptures.” He did not cite Scripture that expressly forbade doing business for profit in the temple. But He
concluded that such would not fit the authorized spiritual purpose of the temple.

This is exactly the reasoning we use to oppose local churches today operating money-making businesses or
providing entertainment, recreation, etc. Such acts do not fit (are not included in) the spiritual purpose God has
stated for His church. So they should be rejected from the work of local churches.

On the other hand, Jesus’ statement is general as regards how long the prayers should be. The length would not
matter (so long as it was otherwise Scriptural). But activities that did not constitute authorized worship were
eliminated.

Jesus at God’s right hand – Hebrews 1:5,13

Comparing Jesus to angels, the writer asks what angel God ever told to sit as His Son at His right hand. The fact
God said that to His Son Jesus, but did not say it to an angel, constitutes sufficient proof that it is not true of any
angel!
God did not have to say the angels would not sit at His right hand. When He specified that Jesus would sit at
His right hand and mentioned no angel, that eliminated the angels. (The same reasoning would eliminate any
man or anyone but Jesus sitting at God’s right hand.)

(The passage does not give enough information to discuss what might be authorized alternatives. How close did
He have to sit?)

Priests of the tribe of Levi – Hebrews 7:11-14

The Old Testament predicted Jesus would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek (verse 17). But that could
not happen under the Old Testament law, because the law said priests were of the tribe of Levi, and Jesus was a
descendant of David of the tribe of Judah. The Law of Moses said “nothing” about priests from the tribe of
Judah. So, the only way Jesus could be priest would if there was a change of the law (verse 12).

This argument is also based on “silence of the Scriptures.” God said priests would be of the tribe of Levi, but
said “nothing” about the tribe of Judah (verse 14). So, people of the tribe of Judah could not be priests under the
law.

Some people today might think, “Where does it say priests can’t be of the tribe of Judah?” But the Hebrew
writer did not so reason. The law designated the tribe of Levi and said nothing about tribe of Judah. That was
enough to prove tribe of Judah did not fit.

Notice, however, that this was true under what Moses said (verse 14). The New Testament has no such
restriction, so Jesus could be priest when the law changed to the New Testament.

Marriage joining one man and one woman – Matthew 19:3-6

Jesus was asked about the grounds for divorce. He said that His teaching would differ from Moses’ teaching
and would agree with God’s original marriage law. According to that law God joined two people – one man and
one woman – as one flesh. Therefore, divorce is wrong.

This is an argument from the silence of Scripture. God joined the two but nowhere permitted breaking the bond
or being joined to a third party. The conclusion is that divorce is forbidden (though Jesus allowed an exception
when one spouse violates the one-flesh covenant by having the sexual union with someone else – verse 9).

Note that God’s marriage law nowhere specifically said not to get divorced. It simply said “the man is joined to
his wife and the two become one” and nowhere authorized divorce. That was enough to prove that undoing the
bond would be wrong.

The same reasoning would show that the sexual union is wrong outside of marriage, before marriage, with
several wives, or with someone of the same sex. True, these are all expressly forbidden in other passages, but
the reasoning Jesus used here is an additional valid proof. All of these practices differ from what God said at
creation and no passage elsewhere authorizes them, therefore they are all wrong.

On the other hand, where do we get authority for a preacher to perform the ceremony? Even though no passage
specifically mentions preachers performing weddings, what does he do? He joins a man and woman in
marriage, as God authorized. So, a preacher would be an authorized “aid” to a wedding.

(Other examples: Jeroboam and an unauthorized feast – 1 Kings 12:32,33; Lazarus coming forth vs. all the dead coming forth – John
11:43 cf. John 5:28,29; Gehazi and Naaman’s gift – 2 Kings 5:16,20-27; Simon and the laying on of hands – Acts 8:14-22; Jesus
coming in His Father’s name – John 5:43; Galatians 3:16?)
B. Modern Applications of the Need for Bible Authority

We have examined how these principles of authority were applied by faithful Bible teachers. This is not
something made up by modern preachers. Let us now apply the principles to some modern practices.

Going and preaching the gospel – Mark 16:15,16

Jesus said to go preach the gospel to every creature. If we preach man-made doctrines, we are not preaching the
gospel. Therefore, to preach them is unacceptable.

On the other hand, there are many ways a person might “go” into all the world. He might walk or use an “aid,”
such as riding a donkey, car, chariot, plane, etc. These things may not be specifically mentioned, but they would
be acceptable because they fit the definition of what is stated: “go,” preach the gospel.

Likewise, there are many ways a person could preach the gospel. He might speak directly to a group of people,
write them a letter, divide them up into small groups (classes). Or he might use an “aid,” such as radio or TV,
blackboard, projector, or Internet.

All such would be acceptable, though not specifically mentioned, because they fit the meaning of what God said
to do. When doing them, we are simply doing what God said: preach the gospel.

Baptism – Romans 6:4; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38

God said people should be “buried” in baptism. Sprinkling and pouring do not constitute burial. They do not fit
the definition. If God did not care what action was involved, He could have simply said, “Put water on people,”
or “Make them wet.” But when He said to bury them, and nowhere said to sprinkle or pour, then sprinkling and
pouring must be wrong.

Likewise, before they can be baptized, people must hear the gospel, believe it, and repent of sins. Babies and
animals cannot do these things, so to baptize them would be different from what God said. God may not have
expressly said not to baptize babies or animals, but to do so would be wrong because it would not fit the
meaning of God’s instructions.

Suppose someone says, “I think it would be beautiful to dip a rose in water and sprinkle the water for baptism.”
Would the rose be a legitimate “aid” to baptism? No, the rose might be an aid to sprinkling; but baptism is a
burial, and sprinkling does not fit. So the rose is not a true aid to baptism.

On the other hand, you can bury someone in water in a river, lake, or man-made baptistery. No matter which
you use, you are doing what God said. You are burying people in baptism. So the river, baptistery, etc., are all
authorized aids to baptism.

The collection – 1 Corinthians 16:1,2

God said the church should obtain funds by taking up a collection on the first day of the week, and each person
gives according to his prosperity. Nowhere did He say for churches to have rummage sales, bake sales, or to
operate businesses for profit to make money. To do these would be to do something different from what He
said.

Likewise, to take up collections on some other day of the week would be different from what He said. He did
not expressly say not to do these things, but when He said to take up collections on the first day, and He never
said to do these other things, then we can know that to do them would displease Him.
On the other hand, God mentioned no particular time on the first day of the week. So whether we do it morning,
afternoon, or evening would not matter, as long as it was the first day of the week.

Suppose, someone says, “Let’s start a grocery store to help the church raise money.” A store may be an aid for
operating a business, but operating a business is different from taking a collection. So a store is not an
authorized aid to taking a collection.

On the other hand, we might use any kind of container to take up a collection: hat, basket, tabletop. Any of
these would be legitimate aids, because we are still doing what God said: taking up a collection.

The Lord’s Supper – Matthew 26:26-29; Acts 20:7

Jesus said to use bread and fruit of the vine in the Lord’s supper. Inspired example shows that the church did
this on the first day of the week, the same day on which they had the collection. To have the supper on some
other day of the week would be to do different from what Jesus said.

Likewise, if we added hamburger and Coke, they would be additions, not “aids” to the Lord’s Supper. That
would displease Him as surely as would making the ark of metal or sprinkling for baptism.

On the other hand, like with the collection, God has not specified any particular kind of container, nor any
particular time on the first day for the Lord’s supper. The container(s) would be legitimate aids, and the time of
day would not matter, because we would still be doing what God said: eating the bread and drinking the fruit of
the vine on the first day of the week.

Music in worship – Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16

God said to “sing” psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody in your heart. Every New Testament
passage that mentions music in worship says to “sing.” Nowhere does the gospel say to play instruments. To
play instruments then, would fall outside the meaning of what God said to do. God does not have to expressly
forbid them. The fact that He expressly said to sing, but nowhere says to play instruments, shows they are
displeasing.

Suppose someone says, “The piano is just an aid to the singing.” No, a piano is an aid to playing, but playing is
a different kind of music from singing, just like pine is different from gopher wood in the ark, and hamburger is
different from bread on the Lord’s supper. The piano is unauthorized because when we use it, we are doing
something different from what God said to do.

On the other hand, where do we get authority for a songbook or singing various parts (soprano, alto, etc.)? What
are we doing with these? We are singing and making melody in our hearts, exactly like said. The songbook is a
legitimate aid.

(Lots of other examples: 1 Timothy 2:5 – other mediator)

General and Specific Authority

Instruction Unauthorized Authorized

Make ark of gopher wood Metal Hammer and saw
(Gen. 6:14) Pine, walnut Pegs and glue
Go preach the gospel Human Walk, ride
(Mark 16:15) Doctrine Speak, write, TV
 Believe, repent
Baby, animal River, lake
Buried in baptism
Sprinkle, pour Baptistery
(Acts 2:36-38; Rom. 6:4)
Collection on first day Sale, business Container
(1 Cor. 16:1,2) Week day Time of day
Bread, fruit of the vine
Milk and lamb Containers
First day
Week day Time of day
(Matt. 26:26ff; Acts 20:7)
Sing
Piano, organ Songbook, parts
(Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)

Conclusion

When we understand the Bible principles, we realize that many religious practices are wrong even though they
are not expressly forbidden. On the other hand, many practices are right even though they are not expressly
mentioned.

An act does not need to be specifically forbidden to be wrong, nor must it be specifically mentioned to be
acceptable. Whether a practice is right or wrong, and whether or not a tool is a legitimate aid, is determined by
whether it falls inside or outside the meaning of the terms God uses to instruct us regarding His will.

So, we have no right to do in religion just whatever we want to do or what we think is good, apart from
Scripture. God determines what He wants done, then He reveals it in His word. He determines how broad or
narrow He wants His will to be in any matter, then He chooses terms that reveal to us by their meaning what we
are to do. If we love Him, have faith in Him, and really respect His authority, we will do what He said and only
what He said.

Have you done what He tells you to do to be forgiven of sins? Are you living faithfully?

Every Part Doing His Share in the Work

Every Christian is responsible to do his

best to accomplish the work of the local church and fulfill his
individual responsibilities before God: working, serving, studying,
teaching. But in nearly every congregation, some members do most of
the work while others do relatively little.
Click here to view a free PowerPoint chart to accompany this study.

Introduction:

Ephesians 4:16 – The body works effectively when every part does its share. This causes growth of the body,
so it can edify itself in love.

Every Christian is responsible to do his best to accomplish the work of the local church and fulfill his individual
responsibilities before God.

In nearly every congregation, some members do most of the work while others do relatively little. Sometimes
we become comfortable with allowing other people to do the work when we really should be helping.

From time to time events in a congregation remind us that each Christian must consider whether there are ways
he/she can improve and accomplish more in the work of the congregation. We should always be willing to
examine ourselves, but some events especially challenge us to consider our work.

The purpose of this study is to consider the work of this congregation and urge each of us to examine himself or herself to see
if we can step up and do more.

Where can you improve? What can you begin doing that you are not doing now? What work can you help
accomplish or help improve, instead of leaving it to others? We will especially notice passages that emphasize
that every Christian must do his or her best.

Every Member Obeying and Working

Consider first general passages that describe our duty to obey God and work in His service.

Passages

Luke 6:40 – “Every” disciple, when he is perfected (mature) shall be like his teacher or master. The goal of
every disciple is to become like Jesus.

Romans 2:6-10 – At the judgment, God will render to “every” man according to “his” deeds. To receive eternal
life, “every” man must continue patiently doing good. But “every” man who fails to do good will receive
tribulation and anguish.

Matthew 7:24-27 – “Everyone” who does not follow the Lord’s commands is like a man who builds a house on
the sand. “Whosoever” obeys is like one who builds on the rock.

Applications

Suppose you made a contract to have a new house built, and when you moved in you found walls, roof, doors,
and windows, but no foundation: the floor was just laid on the ground. When you complained to the builder,
suppose he said you don’t need a foundation because several other people on your street have one. Would you
be satisfied? Jesus said every house needs a spiritual foundation consisting of obedience to His teachings.
Suppose you owned a dairy farm, and certain cows reliably show up every milking time and give milk
generously. But some cows consistently fail to show up ½ or 1/3 of the time, and when they do come they give
little. Would you just overlook it because other cows are giving? If these were just calves, you would give them
time to grow up. But if they’d been around for years and still didn’t give, you’d save the ones that give and
eliminate the rest, right?

Piling the work load on one or a few members, while we do far less than what we could do, simply is not
acceptable. Each individual Christian is responsible to work in God’s service to the very best of our ability. The
fact that other people are working does not excuse us from doing what we can. If others are not working as they
should, that too does not excuse us from working. The Lord expects each one of us to do our best, not to leave
the work to others.

Please consider the work that needs to be done in this congregation. Is there more that you could be doing? Are
there areas where you can improve? Are you allowing other people to do work in which you really could be
helping? If all the members work like you work, how much would this church accomplish?

Remember, Jesus requires every part of the body to do his share.

[See also Mark 13:34-37; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 John 3:3; 2:15,29; 3:10; 1 Peter 1:17; Revelation 20:13; 22:12;
Matthew 16:27; 25:15; Galatians 6:4,5; 1 Thessalonians 5:5; 4:4; Hebrews 12:14,15; 3:12f; 4:1,11; 1
Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 2:19; 2 John 9.]

Every Member Studying the Bible Diligently

Every one of us must learn God’s word.

John 18:37 – “Everyone” who is of the truth must hear Jesus’ voice. Truth frees us from sin (John 8:32); but to
be set free, each one must hear Jesus. [Compare Acts 20:31; 11:23.]

Colossians 1:28 – Paul admonished and taught “every” man, so he could present “every” man perfect in Christ.
Every Christian needs to study and learn God’s word.

I had a friend in college who built a TV. He bought a kit with all the parts and an instruction manual. Imagine
that we were part of a group that was required to build a TV, but none of us knew anything about how to do it.
Fortunately, we have a kit with all the parts and a manual that provides all the information we need written in a
way that each one of us could understand it. Would it make sense to try to do the job without studying that
manual?

So, each of us must obey God, but the only way to do so is to know His will. Fortunately, He has given the
perfect manual. Isn’t it foolish to try to serve Him without studying the manual?

Every one of us must work for unity.

John 17:20,21 – Jesus prayed for “all” who believe in Him to be one as He and His Father are one. The Father
and Son have the same will (John 12:49,50). Both teach the same about what we should practice. We can be
united, like the Father and Son are, only if we all know God’s will.

1 Corinthians 1:10 – “All” should speak the same thing, without divisions. To achieve this unity, we must all
accept the one true faith (Ephesians 4:3-6). It is not enough just to be united; we must be united in truth.
Unity can be accomplished only if everybody studies the truth. Unity is everybody’s business. If just one or a
few neglect to study, they will not know the truth, and the result will inevitably be error and division.

Suppose each of us was assigned part of that TV to build, and all the parts must fit and work together. We have
meetings to study the manual, but some consistently miss. We give each person a copy of the plans, but some
don’t study. What are the chances everything will work together as it should?

Unity requires everyone to study the word of God. It is not enough to let other people do the studying. Each
individual must study the Bible for themselves.

Each one of us will be judged for our own conduct.

Consider what this means about Bible study.

Romans 14:10-12 – “All” must stand before God in the judgment, and “each” will give account of “himself” to
God.

John 12:48 – The standard of judgment is Jesus’ word.

Suppose you had to build your part of the TV according to the manual, and suppose you were perfectly capable
of understanding the manual. Now suppose your life hung in the balance: build it right and you live; if not, you
die! Would you be satisfied just knowing that other people had read the manual? Wouldn’t you want to read it
yourself?

You are just as responsible to study the Bible as is every other Christian. If you don’t need to study, neither
does anyone else. If others need to study, then so do you. And your eternal destiny will be determined by
whether or not you know what is in the book and obey it.

If everyone studied as diligently as you, how unified would this church be and how well prepared would we be
for the judgment?

[2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 2:6-10; John 5:28,29; 1 Corinthians 4:5; etc.]

Every Member Serving Others

Scriptures

1 Peter 4:10,11 – Each one should serve one another [compare 5:5].

Galatians 5:13 – Through love serve one another.

Matthew 25:34-36 – Jesus will judge the service we render to others: did we help the sick, the needy, the
imprisoned, etc.? Remember we will each be judged for what we personally did (verse 32). Our eternal destiny
depends on our service.

Applications

Years ago, our kids were in 4-H and had entries in the fair. In a 4-H fair, each entrant is judged for his own
work. You do not get a blue ribbon just because other people around you did good work. In fact, if they do good
work and you do not, the difference is obvious.
So your service will not be accepted at the judgment just because others in the congregation did good work.
God will judge you individually. Every Christian is just as responsible as every other Christian to love and serve
others. If you don’t need to serve others, than neither does anyone else. If others do need to serve, then so do
you.

Please consider the needs of other members in this congregation.

Consider those who have health issues, those who are widows, those who may be struggling with financial
issues, those who may be dealing with mistreatment from others.

Consider work that needs to be done around the building, work to maintain the facilities, work to clean the
building, prepare the communion set, etc.

Is there more that you could be doing? Are there areas where you can improve? Do you remember to pray
diligently for the needs of other Christians? Is there work that needs to be done and you really could be helping,
but you are just allowing other people to do it? If everyone here served to the same extent of their ability that
you do, how much love and service would there be in this congregation?

[See also Acts 11:29; 2:44; 4:32-35; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Philippians 2:4,5; Matthew 18:35;
Colossians 3:13; Romans 12:3-8; Luke 18:14; 1 John 3:10,16-18.]

Every Member Teaching and Encouraging Others

Scriptures

Hebrews 3:12-14 – Every man should exhort others.

“Any one” of us may develop an evil heart of unbelief, fall away from God, or be hardened by the deceit of sin.
So, we must exhort “one another” day by day. This is a regular, frequent need that each of us has in our daily
lives.

How many people does the passage say need to be exhorted? “Any” or “one another,” which means all. How
many need to give exhortation? The same ones that receive it: “any” or “one another,” which means all.

All should be present in the church assemblies to give and to receive exhortation, and we should encourage one
another at other times too. You must be actively involved on a regular basis.

Ephesians 4:15,16 –Every man should work to build up the body.

Please look at the passage! We “grow up in Christ” (become perfect or mature) by “speaking the truth in love.”
The church is built up when the “whole body,” “every joint,” “every part” does its share. This is “effective
working.” This is done especially when we are assembled together, but also at other times.

Consider some ways you can help build up the body.

Are you doing your “share”? How much of this work have you been doing, and what can you do more?

** Attend all assemblies and classes the church conducts for everyone?

** Arrive on time?
** Develop abilities to lead and volunteer to participate?

** Prepare diligently for any leadership roles you have?

** Prepare for class so you can make useful comments?

** Invite people to attend worship assemblies and gospel meetings?

** Greet visitors at church meetings and invite them to return?

** Teach Bible class?

** Invite people to have Bible study at home?

** Visit, call, or write new, weak, discouraged, or erring members to encourage them?

** Encourage our young people and help them grow?

** As an older women, teach younger women about their family duties (Titus 2:4,5)?

** Pass out tracts or literature?

** Study the Bible daily with your children at home?

** Speak words of encouragement to others for their work?

How involved are you really in the work of the body? Are you so involved in other things that God never
required you to do, that you are neglecting the work that God does require of you? When people consistently
miss church meetings that they could attend, almost invariably the problem is that they are simply not as
dedicated as they should be to their spiritual responsibilities.

Every Christian is required to be actively involved in teaching and encouraging other Christians. There is
simply too much work for just a few to accomplish. There is so much more work that could be done and that
needs to be done. The question for you is: What can you do in the future in addition to what you have been
doing in the past? Where can you improve and become more active in service?

If all members were active to the extent of their ability like you are, how well would this church be built up?

Conclusion

Each Christian is responsible for no more than his best.

To the extent of his ability and opportunity, a Christian is responsible to help in the service of God. But he is not
responsible to do what he truly is not able to do.

2 Corinthians 8:12 – For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not
according to what he does not have. Notice the lessons being taught:

* First, there must be a willing mind. God knows our hearts. He knows if we want to do the best that we can. He
also knows if we are trying to avoid work and would really prefer to do other things instead. Do we have a
willing mind?
* Second, God expects us to do what we can: it is accepted according to what we have. If we have the ability
and opportunity, then to be accepted by God we must do what we can.

* Third, God does not expect us to do what we are not able to do. God does not require us to give what we do
not have. The application in context refers to financial giving, but the same principle applies to all of our service
to God.

We should not feel guilty if there is something that we really are not able to do. And we should not overburden
ourselves to the point that we become overstressed or are so overcommitted that we are not able to do
effectively the things that we need to do.

(Matthew 25:14-30)

Each Christian is responsible for no less than his best.

Too often Christians want others to carry the load. We expect the supported preacher, elders, class teachers, and
others to be deeply involved in the work. We may even suggest work for them to do, while we ourselves are not
doing as much as we could.

1 John 4:9-11 – In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into
the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent
His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

The sacrifice of Jesus teaches us the principle of love and the sacrifice that we need to learn. What did God give
to meet our needs? Did He give just what would not cost Him much or require much effort, or did He give the
very best that He had and would constitute a serious sacrifice?

Are we showing love for God and for others the way God shows love for us? Are we doing the best that we
can? Is there work you are not doing now that you could begin doing or that you could do more or do better?
Where can you improve in your work for the Lord and in this congregation?

Are you a Christian? Have you begun your service to God? If not, why not determine now to begin?

What Must We Believe? The Content of Faith

The gospel of Christ teaches we are saved by

faith. But what must that faith include? Is it enough to believe in just
any "god" or even many gods? Must we believe in Jesus, and if so
what must we believe about Him? 
Must we believe the Bible, the gospel, or other specific teachings such
as the resurrection, eternal rewards, worship, the church, obedience,
baptism, etc.? Will all believers be saved, or does it matter what we
believe?
Click here to view a free PowerPoint chart to accompany this study.
This material is included in our published book about salvation. Click here for more information.

Many Scriptures teach that we are saved by faith.

But does it follow, just because a person claims to have “faith,” that he will be saved? Is it possible to have a
faith that does not save?

[Hebrews 10:39; 11:1,4-8,17,30; Romans 1:16; 4:19-21; 5:1,2; 10:9,10,13-17; Galatians 5:6; 2 Corinthians 5:7;
James 2:14-26; John 1:12; 3:15-18; 8:24; 20:30,31; Mark 16:15,16]

There are different kinds of faith.

Many people think they are saved because they “believe,” with little restrictions on what they believe. This is
especially confusing with those who claim we are saved by “faith alone.”

* Some think its enough to “believe in god”: some concept of a Supreme Being or some “force” that operates
the universe.

* Others claim Hindus and Buddhists will be saved because they “believe in god”: many gods, worshiped by
images, etc.

* Others claim Jews and Muslims will be saved because “they believe in the same God you do.”

* Many liberal, modernists don’t believe in Jesus' miracles or Deity or resurrection, yet claim they “believe in
Jesus”: He existed and was a great teacher, maybe even a prophet.

* Many denominationalists disbelieve much of what Jesus taught yet think they will be saved because they
believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who died to save them from their sins.

The purpose of this study is to consider what the Bible says we must believe to be saved.

Titus 2:2 – Older men must be “sound in faith.” “Sound” means wholesome, spiritually healthy. There is faith
that leads to spiritual life and health, but there is other faith that leads to spiritual disease and death.

There are different kinds of faith, like there are different kinds of love. A person can have love, but he may love
the wrong thing. So a person may have a “faith,” but he may believe the wrong thing.

So what is the content of faith that saves? Our intent here is not to make a complete itemized list; instead, we
seek to show that what we believe matters, so we can avoid many false conceptions of faith.
What must one believe to be saved?

I. Believe in God

What are some things one must believe about God to be saved?

A. We Must Believe in God’s Existence.

Hebrews 11:6 – Without faith it is impossible to please God. We must believe that He is. Note that it is not
enough to believe that there was or has been a god who created the universe or “God is dead.” We must believe
in His continued existence: God is.

Some might think this general belief in a god would be enough. But there is more.

[1 Peter 1:21; John 5:24; 14:1; 12:44; 2 Chronicles 20:20; Acts 16:34; 1 Thessalonians 1:8]

B. We Must Believe in God’s Works (Miracles)

Psalms 78:32,33 – God punished Israel because they sinned and did not believe in His wondrous works
(miracles).

Hebrews 11:3 – By faith we understand the worlds were framed by the word of God. True faith believes God
spoke the world into existence.

To have a saving faith we must believe, not just that God exists, but that He has done miracles in history.

[Romans 4:24; 1 Peter 1:21]

C. We Must Believe in God’s Character and Power

We cannot itemize everything, but note a few specifics:

John 6:69 – Peter believed Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God.

1 Corinthians 2:5 – Our faith should be in the power of God. God is all-powerful, ruling the entire universe.

1 John 4:16 – We have known and believe the love God has for us.

NewAgers, Hindus, and others, who believe in some impersonal power or force (Star Wars), do not have a
proper faith. God is a living God who loves His creatures. He possesses the characteristics of individual
personality.

[Colossians 2:12; Daniel 6:20-23; Psalms 27:13; 78:22; Matthew 6:30; 8:26]

D. We Must Believe in One True God

2 Kings 17:12-14 – When Israel worshiped other gods, God said they did not believe in the Lord their God.
Like many idol worshipers today, doubtless they would have claimed to believe in God – as one among many
gods. But so far as God was concerned, they did not believe in Him! [Deuteronomy 32:16-20]

Isaiah 43:10-12 – To truly believe in God, we must know and believe that there is no other god before or after
Him.

James 2:19 – Even the demons believe there is one God.

What about the faith of Hindus, Buddhists, and others who believe in many gods or worship idols or nature or
the earth or any God other than the God of the Bible? Even demons know better than that! They know there is
one true God and they know who that God is. But that faith is not enough to save them. So how can anyone be
saved with a lesser faith?

Even believing in God involves much more than many people realize.

II. Believe in Jesus

A. We Must Believe in Jesus

John 14:1 – Jesus said: “You believe in God; believe also in Me.” Belief in the one true God is necessary. But
furthermore, we must believe in Jesus.

John 8:24 – If you believe not that I am He, you shall die in your sins.

To be saved, we must believe in Jesus. But as with faith in God, there are specific things we must believe.

[John 3:15,16,18,36; 5:38,46; 6:29,40,47; 13:19; Acts 9:42; 10:43; 11:17; 14:23; 18:8; 19:4; 20:21; Romans
3:22; 9:33; Galatians 2:16,20; 3:26; Ephesians 1:15; Colossians 1:4; 1 Timothy 1:16; 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:15;
Philemon 5; 1 John 3:23; 5:1,5,10,13]

B. We Must Believe in Jesus' Character and Works

John 10:38 – Jesus said people should believe His works, so they would know and believe that He and His
Father are in one another. To believe in Jesus we must believe His works: His miracles.

John 11:27 – Martha said she believed Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God. “Christ” means He is the anointed
One: the ruler God sent to be spiritual King over His people. But what does it mean to believe He is the Son of
God?

Matthew 16:13-17 – People believed Jesus was a great prophet like Old Testament prophets, but that was not
enough. Peter confessed Him to be the Christ, the Son of God, and Jesus said this is what the Father had
revealed. To believe Jesus is the Son of God is to believe He is more than a mere man, more even a great
prophet.

John 20:28-31 – Thomas confessed Jesus to be His Lord and God. Jesus pronounced a blessing on all others
who believe the same thing. We believe on the basis of the written record that He is the Christ, the Son of God,
and by believing we have life in His name. Note that to believe Jesus is the Son of God is to believe He is Lord
and God. He partakes of the nature of God, because He was not just a man. He was God in the flesh (John 1:1-
18).

Muslims, modernists, and some Jews claim to believe in Jesus as a prophet and teacher, but they say He was
just a great man, like Moses. They deny His miracles and deny He was the Son of God. Some people say these
are true believers, because “they believe in Jesus.” But their faith is not a sufficient faith.

To have faith that leads to eternal life, we must believe Jesus is more than just a man. He is the Christ, the Son
of God, God in the flesh.

[John 17:8; 11:42; 16:27,30; 17:21; 6:69; 9:35-38; 14:10,11; Acts 8:37; 16:31]

C. We Must Believe in Jesus as Our Sacrifice and Savior

John 4:42 – The Samaritans confessed that they believed Jesus is the Christ, that Savior of the world.

1 Corinthians 15:1-8 – Paul declared the gospel by which they will be saved, unless they believed in vain. What
he preached was Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and appearances.

Again, Muslims and others believe Jesus was a great man and great prophet, but they deny He was crucified as
the sacrifice to save us from our sins. Such is not a true faith. To really believe in Jesus, we must believe that He
is the only One who can save us from sins, and there is no other way to salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

[1 Thessalonians 4:14; Acts 15:11]

D. We Must Believe in Jesus' Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:1-8 – The gospel that Paul preached and saved people believed stated that Jesus not only died
but also arose from the dead.

Romans 10:9,10 – To be saved we must believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and must be willing to
confess Him to be Lord. We are not saved by just some general “faith in Jesus.” We must specifically believe in
His death for our salvation and in His resurrection.

John 20:27-29 – Thomas had said he would not believe in Jesus' resurrection till He saw for himself (vv 24-26).
Jesus appeared to the apostles and told Thomas to touch his hands and side. “Do not be unbelieving, but
believing.” The KJV says, “Do not be faithless...” Jesus said that those who doubt His resurrection are
“faithless.” They are “unbelievers.”

All around us are people who claim to believe in Jesus, but they doubt or deny that He was the Son of God, was
God in the flesh, did miracles, died as the sacrifice to save us from sins, and/or arose from the dead. Many
people tell us that such people are believers and God will accept them. Such people may have a faith of sorts,
but according to the gospel they do not have a true faith. They need to become true believers to be saved.

[1 Thessalonians 4:14; Mark 16:14]

III. Believe in God’s Word

Consider more about the content of faith, that shows some professed believers do not believe what God requires
them to believe.

A. General Statements Regarding Believing God’s Word

Believe God’s word/commands

Psalms 106:12,24,25 – When Israel had crossed the Red Sea, they believed God’s words. But when they came
to enter the land then they did not believe His words and did not heed His voice.

Psalms 119:66 – I believe your commandments.

Believing God requires us to believe what God says, especially what He commands us to do. Those who reject
God’s commands do not really believe in Him.

[John 12:47,48; Genesis 15:5,6 cf. Romans 4:3,18,19,20; Galatians 3:6]

Believe the prophets

2 Chronicles 20:20 – Jehoshaphat called on the people to believe in the Lord and believe His prophets, so they
would prosper.

Acts 8:12 – Those who were baptized believed what Philip preached.

1 John 4:1 – Do not believe false prophets, but put them to the test. Not only does it matter what we believe, it
matters what we do not believe.

Many people believe some things about God and Jesus. But a true faith requires us to believe the message God
sent by His inspired teachers and to reject teachings that contradict God’s inspired word.

[2 Thessalonians 1:10; Exodus 14:31; 4:1-9; Jonah 3:5; Matthew 21:32; Luke 24:25; 1 Corinthians 15:11]

Believe the Scriptures

John 2:22 – The disciples believed the scriptures and the word Jesus said. Faith is Jesus is not just believing
what He did and who He was. It requires believing what He taught!

John 5:46,47 – Those who do not believe Moses’ writings will not believe Jesus' word. Proper faith requires
believing both the Scriptures and the teachings of Jesus.

The message of God’s inspired prophets is recorded in the Scriptures. To believe in God, we must believe the
message He inspired, which we find today in the Bible. Those who disbelieve what the Bible tells us to do to
receive eternal life have an improper faith.

[Acts 24:14]

Believe the truth

John 8:45-47 – Jesus said these people were not of God because they did not believe the truth that Jesus told
them: they did not hear God’s words.

2 Thessalonians 2:11-13 – We are chosen for salvation through belief of the truth. Those who have pleasure in
unrighteousness will not believe the truth but will believe a lie and will be condemned.

Again, it matters, not just what we believe, but what we do not believe. Those who do not believe truth but
believe lies will be condemned.

[1 Timothy 4:1-3]

Believe the gospel

Mark 1:15 – Jesus taught: Repent and believe the gospel.

1 Corinthians 15:1-8 – Paul declared the gospel by which they will be saved, unless they believed in vain. They
believed what he preached (v11).

The gospel is the message of God for today, revealed by Jesus and His inspired apostles and prophets, and
recorded in the New Testament. People may claim to believe in Jesus, but if they do not believe His words, they
do not truly believe.

[Gospel: Mark 16:15,16; Philippians 1:27]

[General: John 11:25,26; Acts 15:7; 26:27; 27:25; Romans 10:14,16,17; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 1 Thessalonians
2:13; 1 Timothy 4:6; 6:10; 5:12; 6:21; 2 Timothy 1:12,13; 1 Peter 2:6,7]

B. Specific Teachings to Believe

We will not attempt to list every specific point we must believe, but consider enough to show that it matters
what we believe.

Obedience

Deuteronomy 1:26-33 – When Israel rebelled and refused to obey God’s command, Moses said they did not
believe God. People who have a true faith believe that obedience is necessary to please God. [Numbers 14:1-11;
20:12; Deuteronomy 9:33; Hebrews 3:19; 4:2]

2 Kings 17:10-14 – God sent Israel into captivity because they worshiped idols and would not keep the
commands sent by the prophets. They did not believe God. When people do not think obedience is necessary to
please God, they do not believe God!

Hebrews 11 – Old Testament people illustrate the kind of faith we need to be saved (10:39). In every case, their
faith led them to obey God. Noah built the ark (v7), Abraham obeyed to go to the land God would show him
(v8), Israel encircled Jericho seven days (v30), etc.

All these people believed that they needed to obey God to receive His reward, but this is the kind of faith we
need to be saved. It follows that, when people believe we are saved by “faith only” without obeying God, not
only do they have a problem with obedience, but their faith is lacking.

Baptism
Mark 16:15,16 – Jesus sent the apostles to preach the gospel to all the world. He would believes and is baptized
will be saved. He who does not believe will be condemned. He who believes what? The message the inspired
men preached: the gospel! What does the gospel say? It says we must believe and be baptized to be saved?
People who do not believe baptism is necessary to salvation do not believe the gospel!

Galatians 3:26,27 – We are children of God by faith, for as many as were baptized into Christ have put Him on.
Those who have a proper faith believe that we come into Christ by baptism. Those who do not believe that, are
not children of God by faith.

When people do not believe baptism is necessary to salvation, they have a problem, not just with baptism, but
with their faith.

[Colossians 2:12,13]

The church

Acts 8:12 – Those who were baptized believed what Philip preached. He preached, not just about Jesus but also
the kingdom (church).

Many people believe that the church has nothing to do with salvation. It does not matter what church you are a
member of, and people should not teach about the church to people who are lost. Such people do not believe
what inspired prophets taught lost sinners about the church. They have a problem, not just with the church, but
with their faith.

Worship and marriage

1 Timothy 4:1-3 – Some depart from the faith forbidding marriage and foods; but people who know and believe
the truth know better.

Proper faith is not just about who Jesus is. Improper beliefs about worship and about marriage can cause us to
depart from the faith.

[James 1:6; 1 Timothy 6:20,21; 2 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:13]

Our resurrection and future rewards

1 Corinthians 15:11-19 – When we deny the resurrection of the dead, the consequence is that our faith is vain
and we are still in sin (vv 14,17). Wrong faith leads to condemnation, even among those who believe in Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:18 – When people taught that the resurrection is already past, they strayed from the truth and
overthrew the faith of some. This false doctrine had nothing to do with who Jesus is, yet it led to false faith.

Those who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead. have an improper faith.

[Hebrews 11:6; Romans 6:8]

Conclusion

The things we have studied are generally things we must know and believe before we become Christians.
People who do not believe these things have a faulty faith.
And if we deny these truths and resist them, then we do not have a problem just with obedience or baptism or
the church, etc. We have a faith problem. We don’t believe properly.

Matthew 28:18-20 – But God expects us to grow in faith and knowledge. We are not required to know and
believe everything before we are baptized. It may take time for people to come to learn and believe some things.

The main problem we have addressed in this study is the misconception of people who fail to realize what faith
really requires. People who claim salvation “by faith alone” often end up lowering God’s standard by denying
the need for obedience, baptism, church membership, proper worship, etc. Their ideas are false, because they
contradict what the Bible says about obedience, baptism, etc. But they are also false because they contradict
what the Bible says about faith! Such people need to realize they don’t even have a true faith!

The Challenge of Fatherhood and Absent Fathers

Families in our society are challenged by

perverted and confused concepts of the role of fatherhood, including
the problems of absent and negligent fathers. This causes many
troubled children and much confusion about the nature of God as our
Father. Please consider the Bible teaching.
Click here for free PowerPoint charts to accompany this material.

Introduction:

Courageous is the name of a movie and book by Randy Alcorn about five fathers.

The sheriff challenges the men with a study: “The study shows when a father is absent, kids are five times more
likely to commit suicide, ten times more likely to abuse drugs, fourteen times more likely to commit rape, and
twenty times more likely to go to prison.” (page 16)

The men eventually made a pledge to become the kind of fathers that God’s word says fathers should be. The
story tells the challenges and difficulties each of them faced.

The story has mild issues I do not endorse [modesty, dancing, denominational doctrines]. Nevertheless, with
discernment, the movie or book will give important challenges to all of us.

Our purpose in this study is to consider important challenges facing fathers.

Modern philosophies and entertainment bombard us with perverted concepts of fathers. As a result, many men
are confused about their role as a father. Worse yet, when the Bible speaks of God as our “Father,” people who
had a poor relationship with their earthly father often find it difficult to relate properly to their heavenly Father.

Consider the following challenging thoughts for fathers suggested by the movie/book:

The Challenge to Maintain Close Family Ties

Consider the Problem of Absent Fathers

From National Fatherhood Initiative and Focus on the Family:

According to the US Census Bureau, 24 million children live without their biological father: that's one out of
every three children. For teens aged 15-17, 54 percent of them their biological parents are no longer married or
never did marry. Consider the consequences:

Poverty: The poverty rate for children with absent fathers is four times as great as children of married couples.

Unwed mothers: When fathers are absent, teenage daughters are seven times more like to become pregnant.

Drug and alcohol abuse: The National Center for Fathering says that fatherless children are 10 times more
likely to abuse chemical substances.

Education: Fatherless children are twice as likely to drop out of high school.

Emotional problems, abuse, and crime: When fathers are absent, children are more likely to be abused, have
behavioral problems, commit crime, and/or go to prison.

Doug Mainwaring left his wife and children to live as a gay man. Later, he returned to his family, primarily
because he realized his children needed a mother and a father. He says: “To give kids two moms or two dads is
to withhold … someone whom they desperately need and deserve in order to be whole and happy.”

From the book Courageous

One says, “Divorce comes with the territory now.” Another responds, “Divorce happens because you make it an
option.” (page 68)

One says his parents “…were never married … my dad … Had six children from three women … I’m thirty-
seven years old, and I have never met my biological father.” (pages 68,69)

One explains that men “… have been told abortion is between a woman and her doctor. Well, if I have no say
over whether the child even lives, if that’s entirely the mother’s call, then why should I have anything to do with
raising the child? The man is either the father of the child or he isn’t – you can’t have it both ways.” (page 69)

Another man said: “I hooked up with a cheerleader in college. She got pregnant. I told her to take care of it, but
she wouldn’t do it. I got mad and left her to deal with it herself. She lives just thirty minutes away, but all these
years I couldn’t bring myself to go see her.” (page 172)

This describes typical problems in our society caused by absent and negligent fathers.
The Bible Teaching

God’s plan shows children need both a father and a mother.

Proverbs 1:8 – Children should hear the instructions of their fathers and not forsake the law of their mothers.
(6:20; 23:22)

Ephesians 6:2,3 – Children should honor their father and the mother

One reason God restricted the sexual union to the marriage of one man and one woman, is so children have a
family with both a father and a mother to raise them.

(Genesis 1:26-28; 2:24; Luke 2:48,51; Mark 5:40; Leviticus 19:3; Proverbs 30:17; Matthew 15:4; 19:19)

God views fatherlessness as a serious problem.

Deuteronomy 10:18 – God administers justice for the fatherless and the widow...

Psalms 68:5 – A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.

Psalms 27:10 – When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.

If God is so concerned about children without fathers, what right do we have to deliberately choose to make
children fatherless by divorce, cohabitation, single-parenting, or homosexuality?

(Isaiah 1:17; 1:23; 10:2; Psalms 82:3; 10:18; 10:14; 146:9; Deuteronomy 27:19; 14:29; 16:11,14; 24:17; 26:12;
27:19; Jeremiah 7:6; Job 24:3,9; 29:12; 31:21; 5:28; 22:3; James 1:27)

God sets the example of a Father who is present with His people.

Psalm 23:4 – Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with
me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Hebrews 13:5 – He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Unlike many fathers, God will never leave or forsake His children. God is not an absent father!

(John 14:23; Deuteronomy 31:6,8; Joshua 1:5,9; Genesis 31:3; Isaiah 43:2)

Fathers should know their children like God seeks to know His children.

John 17:3 – And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God.

John 10:14,27 – I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

In the movie “The Sound of Music,” the father had distanced himself from his children. When he realized his
mistake, he said, “I don’t know my children.” How many fathers have made a similar mistake? Do we
personally know each one of our children so we love and care for them?

(Philippians 3:8,10; 1 John 5:20; Jeremiah 24:7; Daniel 11:32; Hosea 5:4; 6:6; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 8:3; John
14:23; Galatians 4:9; 1 Timothy 4:5; Titus 1:16; 2 Peter 1:2,3; 1 John 2:14; 3:1; 4:6,7,8)
Fathers should love their children like God loves His children.

1 John 4:7-10 – Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and
knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God made known His love by sending
Jesus to die for us.

Luke 15:17-22 – When the prodigal son repented, his father received him with love, affection, and compassion.

God not only knows His children, but He loves and cares for each one. Do we as fathers love and care for each
of our children?

(Psalms 103:13; John 14:21-23)

Fathers should seek a harmonious relationship with their children like God seeks fellowship, oneness,
and unity with His children.

1 John 1:3 – God desires to have fellowship with His children.

John 17:21 – Jesus prayed that His followers all may be one, “as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they
also may be one in Us.”

God desires close oneness with each of His children. Do we as fathers seek to develop that relationship with our
children?

(1 Corinthians 1:9; Proverbs 17:6)

Fathers should communicate with their children as God does with His children.

Genesis 3:8ff – Before man sinned, God personally walked and talked with man in the garden.

2 Timothy 3:16,17 – Today the Father communicates with us through the Scriptures.

Matthew 6:9 – We communicate to the Father in prayer (Matthew 7:8-11).

Revelation 21:3 – Someday in heaven we will again be in God’s personal presence.

When people do not study and pray, they are not communicating with their heavenly Father. They are failing to
build a personal relationship. Likewise, when we do not spend time with our children to know and care for
them, we are failing to build a personal relationship with them.

In Courageous one man concludes: “Any [man] can father a child, but it takes courage to be a child’s father. To
be there for them.” (page 172)

Another man read the following quotation: “At the end of his life, no man says, ‘I wish I had spent less time
with my children.’” (page 332)

The Challenge to Be the Family Provider and Protector

In Courageous one man was a good family man but struggled to find employment to provide for them. Being
the family provider involves challenges.
The Example of God as Provider

Matthew 7:7-11 – Like an earthly father, our heavenly Father gives good gifts to his children.

James 1:17 – Every good and perfect gift is from our Father.

(Galatians 1:3-4; Matthew 6:8-13,25-34; 10:29; John 15:16; 16:23,24; 1 John 3:9,41; Ephesians 1:3; 5:20)

Earthly Fathers Likewise Should Provide for Their Families.

Luke 11:11 – If a son asks his father for bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give
him a serpent? Fathers should not give children everything they ask for. We should give what is good for them:
that which contributes to their wellbeing.

1 Timothy 5:8 – If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has
denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Earthly fathers demonstrate love by providing what children need. But some fathers refuse to hold down a job.
Some use the money they earn to please themselves instead of caring for the family. And some simply desert
the family and leave. All such are neglecting their duty as fathers.

And many fathers think they have done their job if they provide material things, but they neglect other
important needs. Meeting the needs of children includes spiritual training, guidance, and discipline. Fathers
should strive to meet all their children’s needs.

(Hebrews 12:4-11; Ephesians 3:14-21; Matthew 7:11; Genesis 37)

The Challenge to Be the Spiritual Leader, Instructor, and Authority

Figure
Consider the Problem of Absent or Negligent Fathers

Elizabeth Marquardt, whose parents divorced, studied the effects of divorce.*

“One of the things we discovered in our study is that young adults from divorced families were less likely to be
religious when they grew up …. They were less likely to be a member of a house of worship. They were less
likely to hold a leadership position there. … The image of God as a father, … who’s there for you, protecting
you, supporting and providing for you, is an increasingly unfamiliar experience for a lot of young people
today.”

* From “The High Cost of Fatherlessness: To Children” by Jeff Johnston

From the book/movie Courageous

One of the men says: “I read that if boys grow up with mothers who attend church and fathers who don’t, a
huge percentage stop going. But when the father goes to church, even if the mother doesn’t, the great majority
of boys attend church as adults.” (page 298)

One said, “You can’t fall asleep at the wheel only to wake up one day and realize that your job or your hobbies
have no eternal value, but the souls of your children do.” (Page 355)
One read the following quotation from Spurgeon: “Fearless of all consequences, you must do the right … turn
not your back like a coward, but play the man … Better a brief warfare and eternal rest, than false peace and
everlasting torment.” (page 332)

The Bible Teaching

The father should exercise authority.

Authority is the right to make rules that others are expected to obey. Modern society rebels against every kind
of authority, especially that of fathers. But Scripture teaches that fathers are the head of their family and should
use their authority for the good of all. This includes instructing the children.

Matthew 6:9,10 – Our Father in heaven is the ultimate authority figure. His will should be done on earth, as it is
in heaven. (7:21; 28:18)

When people think that authority is not a masculine quality or that God should be a mother, they serve a false
god. One of the main reasons the Bible describes God as our Father is that God is an authority figure, and
authority is primarily a masculine characteristic.

Ephesians 6:4 – And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and
admonition of the Lord.

Fathers should exercise authority and use it wisely for the good of their children. But they should also do so in
order to demonstrate to children the true nature of God.

(Colossians 3:13-20)

The father should be a spiritual teacher.

Genesis 18:19 – Abraham commanded his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the
Lord, to do righteousness and justice.

Isaiah 38:19 – The father shall make known [God’s] truth to the children.

Ephesians 6:4 – Fathers should bring children up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Fathers are responsible to train their children to understand God’s word. But far too often fathers fail because
they are absent or negligent, or because they think this is the responsibility of the mothers. Fathers must take the
lead and actively teach their children.

(1 Thessalonians 2:11; Deuteronomy 6:6-9; John 6:44,45; Matthew 6:13; 11:25-27; 16:17; 24:36; John 12:48-
50; 15:15,16; Proverbs 1:8; 3:12; 4:1; 23:22)

The father must set a good example.

Learning any task is easier if we can observe others. We learn to drive a car, cook a meal, etc. by example.
Children are more likely to be righteous if they can see a good example in their father.

1 Peter 1:14-17 – Be obedient children. Be holy because God is holy. God our Father sets an example of
holiness that we should imitate.
1 Kings 15:3 – Abijam walked in the sins of his father. Many such statements can be found regarding kings of
Israel and Judah. Children often imitate their parents’ sins.

In Courageous one man says his dad told him he better never catch him drinking. But his dad had a beer in hand
at the time. The son said, “It’s kind of hard to respect a hypocrite.” (page 68)

God expects fathers to teach the truth to their children, not just by word-of-mouth, but also by proper example.
What kind of example does an absent father set? Fathers must be actively involved in their children’s lives,
showing them how to serve God faithfully.

The father should lead in giving punishments and rewards.

Again, many people in our society rebel against these concepts. Yet, part of the masculine role is to punish
children for disobedience and reward them for obedience.

Hebrews 11:6 – Our heavenly Father rewards those who diligently seek Him.

John 15:1-6 – The Father takes away branches that bear no fruit and casts them into the fire.

Hebrews 12:7,9 – If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a
father does not chasten? Human fathers corrected us, and we paid them respect.

1 Samuel 2:25-30; 3:12-14 – Eli and his family were rejected from being priests because he failed to chastise
his sons.

Earthly fathers should properly administer rewards and punishments to our children. When we do so, we help
people understand the nature of God.

When police arrested two teen gang members for drug dealing, one officer asked, “Where’s your daddy?” The
teen answered, “Ain’ got no daddy.”

Another teen, when asked why he got involved with the gang, answered, “I ain’t got nobody, man. I just ain’t
got nobody.” (page 344)

Negligent and absent fathers leave their children vulnerable to the evils of society: gangs, drugs, sexual
immorality, and false teaching in schools and in religion. Fathers are responsible to guide and protect their
children by instruction and discipline.

(Proverbs 13:24; Luke 15:11ff; Matthew 18:35; 1 Peter 1:7)

Conclusion

In Courageous one man bought a new suit. When he put it on, he said, “I feel like a rich man.” His wife
responded, “… you are a rich man. You have a strong faith, two children that love you, and a wife that adores
you” (pages 184,185). No amount of money, financial investments, or long hours on the job can purchase these
riches. They come only from dedication to developing good family relations and good spiritual leadership based
on God’s word.

The book ends as one man challenges men to accept the responsibility of fatherhood. He says:
“You don’t have to ask who will guide my family because by God’s grace, I will. You don’t have to ask who
will teach my son to follow Christ because I will. Who will accept the responsibility of providing for and
protecting my family? … I am their father; I will. … I want the favor of God and His blessing on my home. …
fathers who fear the Lord … It’s time to rise up and answer the call that God has given to you and say, I will! I
will! I will!” (page 356)

Joshua 24:15 – We must say with Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Sources:

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/marriage/high-cost-of-fatherlessness/high-cost-of-
fatherlessness-to-all-of-us

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/marriage/high-cost-of-fatherlessness/high-cost-to-
fatherlessness-to-children

“The Father Absence Crisis in America,” National Fatherhood Initiative

The Gnostic Gospels and Bible Preservation and

Canon

Many people claim the Gnostic gospels

teach true religious doctrine. Some even claim they belong in the
Scriptures. They are often used to justify modern beliefs and
practices. Has the Bible canon been properly identified and
preserved?
This material is included in our published book about Bible inspiration. Click here for more information.

Click here for PowerPoint charts to accompany this material.

Introduction:

“The Gnostic Gospels are a collection of about fifty-two ancient texts … written from the 2nd to the 4th
century AD. … These gospels are not part of the standard Biblical canon of any mainstream Christian
denomination…” – “Gnostic Gospels,” Wikipedia
Why do these texts matter to us?

Some people claim they belong in the New Testament but the Catholic Church banned them.

Others claim they prove parts of the New Testament are missing.

Some base false doctrines on them: feminism, sexual immorality, reincarnation, the Occult.

They are a fundamental part of modernist doctrine taught by denominations.

They influence millions of people by popular books and movies like The DaVinci Code.

In short, they are a major basis of false doctrine. We need to know how to defend the truth.

The purpose of this study is to examine the Gnostic gospels in light of Scripture.

We seek to know what role, if any, should the Gnostic gospels have in our service to God.

Facts about the Gnostic Gospels

Information from the “Gnostic Gospels,” Wikipedia

 Gnostic gospels include many documents, but the most common are:

Gospel of Mary (recovered in 1896)

Gospel of Thomas (found in Egypt in 1898 and in the Nag Hammadi Library)

Gospel of Truth (Nag Hammadi Library)

Gospel of Philip (Nag Hammadi Library)

Gospel of Judas (recovered in 1983, and then reconstructed in 2006; see photo)

“It is now generally believed that Gnosticism was a Jewish movement which emerged directly in reaction to
Christianity. … gnostic gospels were not discovered at a single time, but rather as a series of finds. The Nag
Hammadi Library was discovered … in December 1945. … the Gospel of Mary … was recovered in 1896 …
and published in 1955. [For] others, such as with the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, only one copy is currently
known to exist. …… the majority of scholars date authorship of the Gnostic gospel [sic] of Nag Hammadi to the
2nd and 3rd century.…”

Information from Other Sources

Gnostic “gospels” are not narratives of Christ’s life (like New Testament gospels).

(Bock, pages 61,62; compare Olson, pages 174,175)

They were not written by the Bible characters whose names are attached to them!

The author of the Gospel of Phillip is completely unknown. (Kirkwood, pages 80-82,91,92; Olson, pages
62,66,67)
The “Gospel of Mary Magdalene” was written so long after the first century that Mary Magdalene could not
have been alive to write it.

The Gnostic writings were dated from the second to the fourth or fifth centuries.

Most of them quote the New Testament, so must have been written afterward.

The Gospel of Phillip quotes the New Testament thirteen times. (Kirkwood, pages 92,93)

The Gospel of Thomas, is believed to have been written before 200 AD, but quotes the New Testament 166
times. (Kirkwood, page 94)

(We have only two ancient copies of the Gospel of Mary, both very fragmentary, dated in the early third
century. It also quotes the New Testament. – Kirkwood, pages 96.97)

(The better-known texts were written in the second century to the middle of the third century AD – Kirkwood,
page 91; Bock, page 64; See also Wikipedia above. The earliest possible dates for a few Gnostic writings may
be the early second century, but a few are dated as late as fourth, or even fifth century. – Olson, page 64)

Some Doctrines Taught in the Gnostic Gospels

Gnostics differed widely in their views. They combine mythology, astrology, and the Occult, much like the
New Age Movement. (Olson, pages 48ff,54,55) But here are a few main beliefs.

“Gnosticism” means knowledge. Gnostic texts claim to contain mysterious, secret truths that Christians
did not possess. (Bock, page 65)

John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16,17 – The Bible says God revealed all truth and all good works through the
apostles. Writings that teach doctrine unknown to the apostles, cannot be true.

(Mark 16:15,16; 1 Timothy 2:4)

Docetism: the doctrine that God can have nothing to do with the physical earth. So, the real Christ did
not live on earth in the flesh and did not die on the cross.

They claim that Jesus was not really Christ or God in the flesh but only appeared to be. (Kirkwood, pages
84,87; Olson, pages 50,67,68; Bock, pages 76-80) The Gospel of Phillip specifically denies that Mary
conceived Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit (“Some say Mary conceived of the Holy Spirit; they are
mistaken…”). It also denies that Christ died and then arose. (Kirkwood, pages 92,93; Kostenberger, page 166)

1 John 4:2-4; 2 John 7; John 1:1-18; Hebrews 2:9-18; Acts 17:2,3 – But Bible writers claimed Jesus is Christ
and came in the flesh so He could die for sin. Those who deny this are anti-Christ.

Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38 – The Holy Spirit conceived Jesus in Mary’s womb.

1 Corinthians 15:3-11; Matthew 27 & 28; Mark 15 &16; Luke 23 & 24; John 19 & 20 – Jesus’ death, burial,
and resurrection are fundamental to the gospel. All four gospel writers record His death on the cross, burial, and
resurrection.
(Mark 16:5-7; John 20:1-9; Matthew 28:11-15; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:24-31; 1 John 1:1-3 – The Bible says
Jesus’ physical body returned to life as proved by the fact the body left the tomb and appeared to people who
touched Him, etc. )

The supreme god of Gnosticism is not the Creator God of the Old Testament.

They view the Old Testament Creator God as evil, equated with Satan, who mistakenly thinks he is the true
God. Adam was born as the result of a relationship between Jehovah and Sophia (wisdom). Cain and Abel were
not sons of Adam and Eve, but were conceived when Jehovah forced himself on Eve. (Kirkwood, pages 84-86;
Olson, page 52,71; Bock, pages 68-73)

John 1:1-3; Acts 14:15; 17:24; Hebrews 1:10; 11:3 – But the New Testament confirms the Old Testament
teaching that the one true God made the heavens, the earth, and everything in them.

Leviticus 11:44; 1 Samuel 2:2; Psalm 99:5,9; Revelation 4:8; 15:3,4; 16:5 – God is always infinitely righteous
and holy, never wicked.

Genesis 2:7; 4:1,2 – God created Adam from dust. Cain and Abel were sons of Adam and Eve.

(“Several of these Gnostic works ridicule the creator God as a blind and ignorant tyrant… In the Apocryphon of
John, for example, the creator God is said to be weak and ‘impious in his madness.’” – Brashler reviewing The
Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels)

Gender confusion. God is both god and goddess, both Father and Mother.

In the Gospel of Thomas, “Jesus said … ‘For every woman who makes herself male will enter the kingdom of
heaven.’” (Kostenberger, page 165) They claim Jesus said: “I am the Father, I am the Mother, I am the Son.”
(Bock, page 74; see also Olson, pages 50-52, and Brashler)

But the Bible repeatedly calls God our “Father,” never our “mother” nor “goddess” nor by any other feminine
name or term – Matthew 6:9; Hebrews 12:9; James 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18; 1 Peter 1:17; Matthew 5:43-48;
1 John 1:3; John 14:6-11,20-31.

Salvation comes through secret knowledge, not Divine forgiveness.

Matthew 26:28; 20:28; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18,19; 2:24; Hebrews 2:9; Revelation 1:5; 5:9; Hebrews 10:9-
13; Romans 5:6-11 – Salvation comes through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Reincarnation (repeated life cycles)

(Kirkwood, page 86; see also Olson, pages 49,50. See also The Gnostic Gospels, Elaine Pagels, via Brashler.)

But the Bible teaches humans have only one earthly life and death.

Hebrews 9:27 – It is appointed unto man once to die.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 – At death, the body returns to dust and the spirit returns to God (not another body).

(Luke 16:26 – When one has died, his destiny is fixed.)

Rather than reincarnation, the Bible teaches resurrection.

John 5:28,29 – All in the tombs will come forth to the resurrection of life or damnation.

Hebrews 9:27; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Acts 17:30,31 – Man is appointed once to die, and after that judgment. Each
person is rewarded for what he did in the body: just one body, not many.

(1 Corinthians 15:22)

Gnosticism is a thorough perversion. One accepts it only if he has rejected the Bible.

The Preservation of Scripture

Some claim that the Catholic Church, led by Constantine and the Council of Nicea, determined the New
Testament canon, rejected the Gnostic gospels, and rewrote the Scriptures to defend their doctrine. This claim in
confused by the claim of Catholicism that they gave us the Bible.

In fact, the Gnostic gospels were never seriously considered to be inspired, and the question of what books
belonged in the New Testament (“canon”) was largely settled in the second century AD, long before the
Council of Nicea in 325 AD or the existence of the Catholic Church as such. Constantine made no effort to
determine what books should be in the Bible. (Kirkwood, page 72,73; Bock, pages 102,110-123; Olson, pages
64-66,176)

But what evidence is there that the Scriptures we have accurately record the original message?

God Promised to Preserve His Word for All Future Ages.

Isaiah 30:8 – God’s words were written in a book for the time to come for ever and ever.

Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:22-25 – God’s word endures forever, unlike grass that sprouts but dies.

2 Peter 1:15 – Peter wrote so, after he died, people would remember these teachings “always.”

2 John 2 – The truth will be with us forever.

The all-powerful God, who always keeps His word, promised to preserve the Scriptures.

(Psalm 119:152,160; John 12:48; Psalm 12:6,7 (?); Deuteronomy 31:9-13,24-26; Matthew 24:35; Hebrews
13:20)

The Old Testament Demonstrates God’s Preservation of His Word.

For both the Old and the New Testaments, similar methods were used to write, collect, copy, and make a list of
canonical books. But we can trace the preservation of Old Testament Scriptures through history to see if God
kept His promise to preserve it. (Dates cited here are approximate.)

Old Testament evidence

The oldest Old Testament books were written by Moses about 1400 years BC.

Joshua 23:2,6 – About 60 years after Moses, Joshua charged Israel to keep all Moses wrote.
1 Kings 2:3 – 400 years after Moses, David charged Solomon to keep Moses’ commands.

2 Chronicles 34:14-19,29-31 – About 800 years after Moses, Josiah restored the worship of God by obeying the
commands written there.

Nehemiah 8:1-3,8 – Some 900 Years after Moses, the people of Israel again re-established the service of God
by following the Scriptures. (Compare verses 13-18; 9:3.)

Note that Scripture was still accurate and authoritative centuries after it was written.

New Testament evidence

When Jesus and His disciples lived, about 1400 years after Moses, copies of the Old Testament were widely
circulated and studied as God’s word (Luke 4:16-21; Acts 8:28-35; 15:21).

Matthew 15:1-9 – Jesus quoted the Old Testament as being the commandment of God, and He rebuked those
who did not obey it.

Luke 24:27,44-46; John 5:39,45-47 – Jesus fulfilled Moses, the prophets, and the psalms.

Matthew 22:29-33 – Jesus rebuked people for not knowing Scripture. Then He proved His teaching by an
argument that depended on the accuracy of the tense of a verb written by Moses.

Acts 17:11 – The Bereans were noble-minded, because they searched the Scriptures to determine whether or not
they were being taught the truth.

The Dead Sea scrolls, discovered in 1947, include portions of nearly every Old Testament book. They show
essentially no change in our copies of the Old Testament since 200-100 BC.

The New Testament was written, copied, circulated, collected, translated, and preserved exactly like the Old
Testament. If God accurately preserved the Old Testament till Jesus’ day, who can doubt that He has likewise
preserved the whole Bible through the centuries till today?

This is also confirmed by thousands of ancient New Testament manuscripts and translations, some dated with a
few centuries of the New Testament.

(See also Acts 17:2,3; Matthew 4:4,7,10; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Romans 15:4; John 10:35; Luke 10:25-28; 16:29-
31; Matthew 22:41-45; 21:13; 13:13-15; Mark 12:10,11; Romans 11:2-4; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Nehemiah chapter
13; Ezra 3:2ff; 7:10; Daniel 9:2,11-13; 2 Kings 17:37; 1 Chronicles 16:40; 2 Chronicles 17:9; 25:4; 31:3,4;
Psalm 1:1,2; 19:7-11; chapter 119; Luke 7:24-27; 18:31; 22:37; John 13:18; 19:24,28,36f; Acts 18:28; 2:16-36;
15:13-21; Romans 1:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.)

That the Catholic Church Did Not Rewrite the Bible Is Confirmed by the Fact that the Bible
Repeatedly Condemns Catholic Doctrine!

Whole hosts of Catholic doctrines disagree with Scripture. If the Catholic Church rewrote the Bible to defend
their doctrine, they did a terrible job! Examples include the following doctrines:

* Peter was the first Pope, the head and foundation of the church (see Ephesians 1:22,23; 5:22-25; 1 Corinthians
3:11; 9:5; Matthew 8:14; Acts 10:25,26; Matthew 23:9.)
* Mary the Mother of Jesus was sinless and people should pray and bow to her (see Romans 3:23; 1 Timothy
2:5; Acts 10:25,26)

* People must confess sins to Catholic priests (James 5:16; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 2:5,9)

* Priests and bishops must not marry (1 Timothy 3:2; 4:1-4; Titus 1:5,6)

The truth is that the Catholic Church acknowledges that much of their doctrine is based, not on the Bible, but on
councils, Popes, and tradition, so why would they try to rewrite the Bible?

We can know the Bible has been accurately preserved because God repeatedly promised to preserve it. The Old
Testament demonstrates His faithfulness to that promise. And we have many ancient Bible manuscripts and
uninspired records to confirm that He has accurately preserved it.

Gnostic Gospels and the Canon of Scripture

The question of what books belong in the New Testament is determined by what books are inspired (2 Timothy
3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21). This is the defining issue of this study! If the Gnostic writers were not guided by God,
then they have no religious authority, and we should reject them.

Evidence for the Inspiration of New Testament Books

1) All New Testament books were written by apostles or associates of apostles.

Apostleship is basic, since (after Jesus died) only apostles or their associates were inspired.

Jesus promised that the apostles would be inspired.

John 16:13; 14:26 – Jesus promised that the Spirit would guide the apostles into all truth. This was fulfilled
beginning in Acts 1:2-8; 2:1-11,14ff.

Matthew 10:19,20 – The Holy Spirit would tell the apostles (verse 5) what and how to speak.

(John 15:27 shows that John 16:13, etc., was were addressed to the apostles.)

(1 Corinthians 14:37; Ephesians 3:3-5; Luke 10:16; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 2:3-5; Galatians 1:8-12; 1
Thessalonians 2:13)

Other people received inspiration only by personal involvement of apostles.

Acts 8:14-21 – The Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of apostles’ hands (verse 18).

Acts 2 & 10 – Holy Spirit baptism also involved the activity of apostles.

It follows that only apostles or people who had direct contact with apostles were inspired.

(Acts 6:6; 19:1-7; Romans 1:8-11; 2 Timothy 1:6)

God confirmed the inspiration of these writers by miracles done through them.
Acts 14:3; Hebrews 2:3,4 – God bore witness to the message of inspired men, granting signs and wonders to be
done by their hands.

(Mark 16:20; John 5:36; 20:30,31; Acts 2:22; 2 Cor. 12:11,12; 1 Kings 17:16-24; 18:36-39; Exodus 4:1-9; 7:3-
5; 14:30,31)

2) All New Testament books were written within a lifetime of Jesus’ death by eyewitnesses or associates
of eyewitnesses.

This follows from the first point. Gospel writers were not only inspired, but they testified about what they had
personally witnessed or what they had personally heard from eyewitnesses. But the apostles and all other
inspired people passed away by about the end of the first century.

Acts 1:1-3,8 – Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would empower the apostles to be His witnesses.

2 Peter 1:16-18 – Peter testified that, rather than following fables about Jesus, the apostles were eyewitnesses of
His majesty. (5:1)

(Acts 1:21,22; 10:39-41; John 20:30,31; 21:24; 19:35; 1 John 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; 15:14,15; Acts 13:31;
22:15; 26:16)

(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-3 – As a historian, Luke recorded Jesus’ life based on testimony of eyewitnesses. He
likewise wrote a history of the early church, but he himself was an eyewitness of many events in the early
church.)

3) All New Testament books agree with other inspired books.

All inspired writing must agree with all other inspired writing.

Galatians 1:8,9 – If any man taught a different gospel, he was accursed.

2 John 9-11 – Anyone who brought a different doctrine should not be supported.

Jesus promised that the apostles would be guided to speak all spiritual truth. So, any book that teaches different
doctrine cannot be inspired and does not belong in Scripture.

(1 John 4:1,6; 1 Timothy 1:3 Revelation 22:18,19; 1 Peter 4:11; 2 Timothy 1:13; John 5:43; Matthew 7:15-27; 1
Corinthians 14:33; John 16:13; Acts 17:11; 2 Peter 3:15,16)

4) All New Testament books were generally recognized soon after the first century.

Some early disciples had the gift of discerning spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10). Some personally knew the apostles
and prophets, so would have seen their miracles (2 Corinthians 12:12).

The list of inspired books was well known even in the second century, with very few doubts (these were
resolved by the fourth century). But there was never any doubt that the four New Testament gospel accounts of
Jesus’ life were inspired. If the first-century Christians considered a book to be inspired or uninspired, how are
we going to disprove them 2000 years later?

These tests can determine the canonicity of any book. Remember, this process was guided by the providence of
God, who promised to protect and preserve His word. The means used to preserve the Old Testament were the
same means used for the New Testament. We can be sure we have the proper books in the New Testament
because of God’s Divine promise.

Evidence Regarding the Inspiration of the Gnostic Gospels

Compare the evidence for New Testament inspiration to the evidence for Gnostic writings.

1) Gnostic books were not written by apostles or associates of apostles.

They were not written by people whose names they wear. No one knows who the writers were.

They were written too late to have been written by apostles or associates of apostles!

Further, there is no evidence of miracles done by Gnostic writers to confirm their inspiration.

2) The Gnostic writings were not written within a lifetime of Jesus’ death nor by eyewitnesses or people
associated with eyewitnesses.

All were written in the second century or afterward! Gnostic writers cannot even claim to give eyewitness
testimony, so they have no serious historic value, let alone the authority of inspiration.

3) Gnostic teaching contradicts Bible teaching on many points.

We have documented that they are hopelessly incompatible and can never be harmonized with Scripture. If the
Bible is true, the Gnostic texts cannot be true.

4) The early Christians expressly rejected the Gnostic gospels.

Early Christian writers refuted them as heresy. True Christians believed the Gnostics were wrong, and the
Gnostics believed the Christians were wrong. To characterize Gnosticism as true Christianity, is to misrepresent
both Christianity and Gnosticism. (Bock, pages 89-97)

Gnostic writings were rejected because they were not inspired. They are human doctrine!

5) The Gnostic gospels were not preserved nor available through the centuries.

God promised to preserve His word on earth. He did preserve the Bible, but Gnostic writings were missing till
the 19th or 20th century, and many now are only fragmentary. Why should we view them as authority, when they
were unavailable to guide people for over 1000 years?

Some may claim this is because people opposed the Gnostic texts. But many powerful people attempted to
destroy the Bible, yet the Bible survived in fulfillment of God’s promises. If the Gnostic writings were from
God, He would likewise have made them available through the years.

Conclusion

Many people today view the Gnostic gospels as religious authority because they are old and because they agree
with modern emphasis on diversity, political correctness, and the postmodern view that there is no absolute
truth, so whatever you believe to be true, for you it is true.
Such views demonstrate, not just a lack of faith in the New Testament, but also a lack of belief in the power of
evil and Satan. Scripture repeatedly warns that the devil is the world’s greatest counterfeiter. Whatever God
makes for good, Satan will make a counterfeit. Satan has false plans of salvation, false plans of worship, false
churches, false miracles, and false revelations.

The Bible repeatedly warns about false teaching. Are there books today that claim to teach the truth but differ
from the Scriptures? They are all around us! So why should we be surprised if some were written soon after the
New Testament was completed? What should we do about these books? We should compare all teaching to the
New Testament. If it does not agree, we should reject it like we do the Book of Mormon, the Qur’an, Greek
mythology, and other false doctrine.

Bibliography

Breaking the Da Vinci Code, Darrell L. Bock; Nelson Books, 2004 (cited in these notes as “Bock”)

The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown; Doubleday publishers, 2003 (cited in the notes as “Brown”)

The Da Vinci Hoax, Carl Olson and Sandra Miesel; Ignatius Press, 2004 (cited in the notes as “Olson”)

The Heresy of Orthodoxy, Andreas Kostenberger and Michael Kruger, Crossway, 2010

“Nag Hammadi Codices Shed New Light on Early Christian History,” James Brashler; Ten Top Biblical
Archaeology Discoveries, Joey Corbett – Editor; 2011; Biblical Archaeology Society, Washington, DC 20016;
www.biblicalarchaeology.org (cited in these notes as “Brashler”)

Unveiling the Da Vinci Code, Bo Kirkwood; Selah Publishing Group, 2005 (cited in these notes as “Kirkwood”)

Gambling: Moral or Immoral? Lotteries, Casinos,

Slot Machines

Gambling or "gaming" for stakes is becoming

increasingly popular. A person can bet by lottery, casino, poker, slot
machines, raffles, office pools, sports wagers, or online betting. But is
gambling moral or immoral according to the Bible? 
Should a Christian gamble? What does the Bible say? What about gambling addiction?

Click here to listen to this material as a free recorded Bible sermon.

Click here for PowerPoint slides to accompany this study.

Introduction:

Gambling is big business.

Consider the following facts:

* Nearly all states allow some form of legalized "gaming." Many allow legal casinos and even more have a
lottery. In addition, much gambling is still illegal.

* Americans gamble more money each year than they spend on groceries!

* In Mississippi more money is spent on betting than on all retail sales combined.

* 85% of young people have already become gamblers.

* Usually the people who gamble the most are the people who can afford it the least: the poor and the elderly.

[All statistics cited are from Dr. James Dobson, who served on the National Gambling Impact Study
Commission, whose report was issued in 1999.]

The purpose of this study is to consider whether or not gambling is morally acceptable.

We hope to discuss what constitutes gambling and what the teaching of Jesus Christ says regarding its moral
significance. Since the Bible is the highest moral standard ever known, and since it reveals the will of the God
who created us all, we will appeal to it as the supreme standard (2 Tim. 3:16,17; 1 Cor. 14:37; John 17:17; Matt.
7:21-27).

Note: The following study was written primarily to warn people about the dangers of gambling. For those
who already know the dangers of the problem and are looking for Bible information to help the overcome
it, we suggest you read our free articles about How to Change Yourself (Self-improvement) and You Can
Serve God Successfully. See other helpful articles in the links at the end of this article.

Part I: What Gambling Is

A. Definition of Gambling

In this study "gambling" refers to a wager or bet in which each player agrees to risk losing some material
possession to other players in exchange for the chance to win the possessions of other players without
compensation to the loser, the winner(s) and loser(s) being determined by the outcome of a game.

Please note four essential elements of gambling in this definition:

1. A game of chance or skill - any event of uncertain outcome.

This may be a game the gamblers play among themselves or may be some event that would have occurred
anyway (such as the outcome of an election or sports event).
2. The stakes

Each player places at risk some possession of material value.

3. The agreement (wager or bet)

Before the game each player agrees to risk losing his possession in exchange for the opportunity to take the
possessions of others, depending on the outcome of the game.

4. Lack of fair compensation

No goods or services of fair value are given in exchange for what is lost. The loser will give up his possessions
without being recompensed, and the winner will gain possessions without repaying the loser.

B. Activities That Are Not Gambling

People sometimes confuse the issue by claiming that certain acts are gambling, even though some essential
elements of gambling are missing.

Crossing the street, driving a car

Some people say, "Everything in life involves a gamble." This confuses risk with gambling. Not all risks
involve gambling. These acts involve no wager and no stakes. There is no agreement to try to take someone
else's possessions.

Games without stakes or bets

The same games, on which people sometimes bet, can be played simply for fun with no possessions put at risk.
This too is not gambling.

Farming, owning a business, etc.

Some say this is gambling because one risks losing money. But again there is no wager, but there is
compensation. There is no agreement to take other people's property without compensation. The intent is to
produce goods or services of benefit to others in exchange for that which benefits us. This is expressly
authorized in Scripture.

Investing in stock

Some say this is gambling, but what is stock? Stock is a means for people to become part owners of a company.
Buying stock is no more inherently gambling than is ownership of any other business. The intent is to make a
profit by producing something of benefit to customers. Investors receive their share of these profits in the form
of dividends or increases in the value of the stock.

Further, when stock is sold, both buyer and seller agree on the price. There is no wager - no prior agreement to
risk loss at another's expense. If either thinks the price is unfair, they refuse to deal. (It may be possible to
gamble or otherwise sin in the stock market, but buying stock does not inherently constitute gambling.)

Buying insurance
Some think insurance is gambling. But again, there is no wager and there is compensation. No one agrees to
gain at the expense of someone else's loss. On the contrary, the whole purpose of insurance is to compensate the
insured if he does have a loss (such as death, car wreck, hospitalization, etc.). If no such loss occurs, the
customer has purchased the peace of mind of knowing he would have been compensated if he had experienced a
loss. Regardless of whether or not this is a wise investment, the point here is that it is not gambling.

In short, none of these examples constitute gambling, since no one necessarily wants uncompensated losses to
occur. But the gambler always wants financial loss to occur, because he hopes to profit from those losses.

C. Activities That Are Gambling

In the following examples, all the elements of gambling are present.

* Casino gambling: slot machines, roulette wheels, dice and card games, numbers games, etc., played for stakes.

* Racetrack betting on horses, dogs.

* Lotteries.

* Charity and church-sponsored bingo, raffles, etc. If someone says, "It's for a good cause," then just make a
donation and skip the gambling!

* Bazaar and fair booths where you pay to spin a wheel and try to win a prize, etc.

* Amateur gambling including poker games for money, office pools, matching quarters for cokes or coffee,
playing marbles for keeps. Also included are some athletic leagues where winners are not just awarded a trophy
or plaque, but players put money into a "kitty" then play to try to win some of the money.

Even if small amounts of money are involved, such activities still violate Bible principles. Further, they
establish a precedent that makes it impossible for one to consistently object to other people's gambling. Where
do you draw the line and say, "This much money risked is all right, but any more is immoral?"

Part II: Objections to Gambling

The word "gamble" is not found in the Bible, yet the practice violates Bible principles regardless of the amount
of money involved.

A. Rules for Transfer of Property

The Bible authorizes only three morally legitimate ways for money or possessions to pass from one owner to
another. Gambling fits none of them.

1. The law of labor ("the work ethic")

One may be paid as compensation for work done to produce goods or services that benefit other people.
Scripture strongly teaches this "work ethic."
1 Timothy 5:18 - The laborer is worthy of his wages. [Luke 10:7]

Ephesians 4:28 - Do not steal but labor at good (beneficial) work.

1 Thessalonians 4:11,12 - To meet our needs, we should do our own business and work for an income (not take
what other people earned). [Matt. 20:1-15; James 5:4]

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 - Like Paul, people should work so they can eat their own bread (not other people's
bread). If they will not work, they should not eat.

We must not try to live off the labors of others. We can expect goods or services from others only as
compensation for work we do that produces something of benefit (that which is good - Eph. 4:28). Gambling
undermines the Biblical work ethic because, instead of accomplishing productive labor that benefits others, the
gambler seeks to get something for nothing by taking what other people have earned.

If someone claims that gamblers must work to win, we respond that this is not the labor described in these
verses, because it produces nothing of benefit to others. Instead it attempts to take what others have, without
compensating them. A thief also must do some labor; but such "work" is forbidden because it is harmful to
others, not beneficial. If gambling were Scriptural labor, then all gamblers should be paid because all are
laboring to win.

Someone may argue, "Gamblers are just paying for a form of entertainment." However, in legitimate
entertainment the entertainers are paid a predetermined fee for providing a service to others. But gamblers are
all providing the same "service" for one another; so if gambling were legitimate entertainment, then all
participants should be paid or all should pay. The gambler does not want the other players to profit; he wants to
profit at their expense! This violates the principle that the laborer is worthy of his hire.

Gambling undermines the work ethic and leads people to seek to profit by causing loss to others.

(Other scriptures are: 1 Cor. 9:7-10; Gen. 3:17-19; Prov. 31:24; Acts 18:3.)

2. The law of exchange

A person may simply agree to exchange possessions (goods or money) with someone else. Each party is paid or
fairly compensated by receiving possessions of fair value in return for what he gives up. Bible examples are:

Genesis 23:1-18 - Abraham bought a field and a cave for money.

Matthew 13:45,46 - A merchant sold possessions to buy a pearl.

John 4:8 - Disciples bought food.

Note that, in a fair transaction, both parties receive what they view as fair value compared to what they give up.
Neither party should attempt to take other people's property without giving fair value in exchange. But again
gambling does not fit here, because the winner has no intention to compensate the loser. In fact, each gambler
hopes other people will lose so he can take their property, while at the same time he hopes no one will take his
property. This violates the law of exchange.

(Other passages: Gen. 33:19; Prov. 31:16; Acts 4:34,37.)

3. The law of giving

A person may knowingly choose, of his own free will, to unconditionally give something away as an expression
of good will or kindness, with no obligation for the receiver to offer any compensation in return. Bible examples
are:

Ephesians 4:28 - One who has earned goods by his own labor may choose to give to others in need.

2 Corinthians 9:6,7 - We should give willingly and cheerfully, not grudgingly. Note: If gambling fits this, then
we should all gamble bountifully!

Acts 20:35 - It is more blessed to give than to receive. Do gamblers consider giving to be more blessed than
receiving?

1 John 3:17,18; 1 Corinthians 13:3 - Giving must be motivated by love, compassion, and desire to help others.
Is this what motivates gamblers? No, they agree to give (if they lose) only because they want to win what others
possess!

Again, gambling does not fit this category because gamblers do not give willingly, freely, as an act of love or
compassion.

(Other passages: Matt. 19:21; 25:35; 2:11; Acts 2:45; 4:34,35)

God authorizes three legitimate ways for people to obtain property from others. Gambling not only does not fit
any of them, but it clearly contradicts and undermines them. Hence, it is a morally illegitimate way of obtaining
others' possessions. If it does not fit these categories, then what category does it fit? Consider the next point.

B. Covetousness and Greed

The Bible repeatedly warns against greed and covetousness.

Ephesians 5:5-7; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - Those who covet will not receive the kingdom of God, but God's wrath
abides on them.

Romans 1:29-32 - They are worthy of death, and so are those who approve or encourage their conduct.

1 Corinthians 5:11 - Church members who practice it should be disciplined.

(See also Deut. 5:21; Mark 7:20-23; 1 Tim. 6:6-10; 2 Tim. 3:2; Prov. 1:19; 21:26; 15:27; Heb. 13:5.)

What is covetousness and greed?

In general covetousness is the desire to wrongfully take someone else's property. It is "a desire for the
increasing of one's substance by appropriating that of others" (Baker's Dictionary of Theology). So a person is
covetous if he wants to take other people's property in a way not authorized by God.

Note some Bible passages.

Acts 20:33-35 - Paul did not covet other people's property but was willing to work to earn what he needed. So
covetousness contrasts with the legitimate means for obtaining the property of others. Clearly gambling fits the
definition of covetousness.
2 Corinthians 9:5-7 - If a person is compelled to give property against his will ("grudgingly or of necessity"),
instead of cheerfully out of generosity, this is here called "covetousness" (v5 - KJV). A legitimate gift involves
willingly choosing to give as a gesture of good will and kindness.

If we seek to take someone else's property which he really does not want to give, while at the same time we
seek to avoid giving him fair compensation in return, that would be covetousness. Yet this is exactly what
gambling involves.

Efforts to rationalize gambling

Someone may say, "Gamblers agree to pay up if they lose, so they do give it willingly." But it is not done in the
spirit of good will that the Bible describes, else why does the gambler try to keep others from taking his
possessions?

The truth is, gambling is mutual covetousness like dueling is mutual attempted murder. In dueling, each person
agrees to let the other person try to kill him in exchange for the opportunity to try to kill the other person. But
killing would still be unauthorized regardless of the agreement (Romans 13:8-10). So a gambler agrees to let
others try to take his possessions in exchange for the opportunity for him to try to take the other person's
possessions. And it is still covetousness, just like dueling is still attempted murder. The agreement simply
makes both parties guilty of sin!

Someone else may say, "It's just a friendly game. We don't really care whether we win or lose the money." A
professional gambler once told me that people gamble, not to make money, but for the thrill, the high, the
excitement.

Have these folks been listening to the advertisements? The people who provide the gambling know that people
do care about the money, and that's the way they advertise it.

If people don't gamble for the money, why not leave the money out of it and just play for fun? If you say, "the
money makes it more exciting," then I ask why so, if you don't care about the money! The only possible reason
why the money makes it more exciting, is that gamblers do care about the money! So the money does matter,
and therefore gambling really is covetousness.

When a person wants to take someone else's property that they really don't want to give and without returning
fair value in exchange, that person is guilty of covetousness. And that is exactly what the gambler does.

C. The Principle of Stewardship

We are stewards of possessions that belong to God.

1 Peter 4:10,11 - We are stewards of God's manifold blessings and should use these blessings to glorify God "in
all things." A steward is a servant who has been entrusted to use his master's property to achieve the master's
purposes. The master will judge the steward for how well he used the property. [Luke 12:42-46; 2 Chron. 28:1;
1 Cor. 4:1,2]

Psalm 24:1,2; 50:10-12 - Material property is part of our stewardship in that God ultimately owns all physical
things but has entrusted them to us.

1 Timothy 6:9,10,17-19 - Instead of being greedy and loving physical things, we should use them to accomplish
God's purposes. This includes providing for the needs of ourselves and our families, giving to the church,
preaching the gospel, and helping the needy. Our material possessions are not ours to use as we please. We must
use them to do God's will and then give account to Him for our use of them.

[Haggai 2:8; 1 Chron. 29:11-14; Acts 4:32-35; 1 John 2:15-17; Deut. 10:14]

The gambler is an unfaithful steward.

Luke 16:1,2 - Instead of using the Master's possessions for the intended purpose, the unfaithful steward wastes
them or risks losing them for selfish purposes. This is exactly what the gambler does. [Matthew 25:14-30]

To illustrate, suppose you give some money to a friend for safekeeping. But then, without your permission, he
uses your money as his stakes for gambling. Whether he won or lost, would you not confront him for misusing
your money? For his own self-indulgence he risked losing what belonged to you.

But every gambler gambles with money that belongs to God without His permission. He wastes his master's
substance and risks losing it in unauthorized activities for his own selfishness. God will hold him accountable.

D. The Law of Love

Matthew 22:39 - The second greatest command is "love your neighbor as yourself." Does the gambler love his
neighbor as he loves himself?

Luke 6:27; 1 John 3:16-18 - Loves leads us to do good, not harm, even to our enemies. Note that coveting
violates the law of love because it does harm our neighbor (Romans 13:8-10). Love does not seek to profit by
taking what belongs to others against their will and without compensation. But the very essence of gambling is
hoping other people will lose, so you can profit at their loss.

Matthew 7:12 - Do to others as you want them to do to you. Does the gambler want the other players to take his
possessions? No! Then he must not try to take theirs! By definition, gambling violates the law of love because a
gambler tries to do to others what he does not want them to do to him.

1 Corinthians 13:5 - Love seeketh not its own.

Philippians 2:4 - We should seek, not just our own interests, but the interests of others. Gambling, by its nature,
is selfish and self-seeking. The gambler seeks personal gain and profit by taking other people's possessions
without requiting them. Such is completely contrary to love.

E. A Root of Evil

A Bible principle

1 Timothy 6:9,10 - Love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Greed leads to many foolish and hurtful lusts,
many sorrows, etc. If gambling is greed, as we have claimed, then we should expect to find it associated with all
kinds of sin and immorality.

Matthew 7:16-19 - A tree is known by its fruits. A corrupt tree will surely produce corrupt fruits. If so, it should
be destroyed (v19). Hence, if gambling produces many forms of evil, this will confirm our conclusion that
gambling is evil of itself.

The fruits caused by and associated with gambling

* Poverty, neglect of families, quarreling, and divorce because gamblers often gamble with money the family
needs.

One out of every five homeless people admit that gambling contributed to their poverty. Among the states
Nevada, long known for gambling, has the highest rate of divorce and the highest rate of high school dropouts.
Even casino owner Donald Trump admitted: "People will spend a tremendous amount of money in casinos,
money that they would normally spend on buying a refrigerator or a new car."

And interestingly, about one third of all millionaire lottery winners end up in poverty again afterward!

* Anger, hatred, and even murder directed by the losers against the winners, especially if the losers think
they have been cheated.

* Drinking and drugs, alcoholism and addiction. These always abound where gambling occurs. Gamblers
who lose seek to drown their sorrow and guilt. One tenth of all southern Nevadans are alcoholics.

* Lying because gamblers seek to hide their habit and their losses.

* Crime - Much gambling is illegal. Gambling of all kinds attracts criminal types and is often sponsored by
organized crime syndicates. Gamblers often deal drugs, embezzle, or steal to get money to gamble or to pay
gambling debts.

* Influence on government - Why don't lawmakers outlaw gambling? It provides government money without
raising taxes. But more importantly, the overwhelming majority of both Republicans and Democrats receive
major campaign contributions from gambling interests.

* Prostitution, lasciviousness, and general sexual immorality because of the immoral entertainment provided
in gambling houses, and because many women use these means to get money to gamble or to pay gambling
debts. The Las Vegas Yellow Pages list 136 pages of advertisements relating to prostitution.

* Suicide as an escape from compulsive gambling or from huge losses. Nevada is first in the nation in suicides.

Truly, "by their fruits ye shall know them," and "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil."

F. Temptation and Evil Influence

Like drinkers and drug abusers, gamblers begin by thinking they can avoid the dangers involved. But
participation lures them in deeper and subjects them to the moral dangers associated with gambling. Is it worth
the risk?

Note some passages that warn us to avoid taking such risks for the sake of our own self-indulgence.

1 Timothy 6:9 - Those who love money (v10) and are minded to be rich fall into temptation, a snare, and many
foolish and hurtful lusts. Surely no one can deny that temptation is associated with gambling.

Matthew 6:13; 26:41 - We should pray to avoid evil and temptation. Watch and pray lest you enter into
temptation. Is it right to pray to avoid temptation and then deliberately subject ourselves to it, simply for the
sake of passing pleasure? Note James 4:3; Matthew 18:6-9.

1 Corinthians 15:33 - Evil companions corrupt good morals. Yet all gambling puts us in the company of evil
men and tempts us to participate in other sins.
Proverbs 13:20 - Keeping company with wise men will make us wise, but associating with morally and
spiritually foolish people will cause us to suffer. [24:1,2]

Surely the gambler is running with the wrong crowd, subjecting himself to temptation exactly like these
passages forbid. Many people will be lost eternally because of gambling's influence. Why submit ourselves to
the danger?

G. Example and Influence

Gamblers not only sin and tempt themselves to sin, they also tempt others to sin.

Consider these passages.

1 Timothy 4:12 - Set a good example in word, manner of life, love, faith, and purity. Does the gambler set this
kind of example?

Matthew 5:13-16 - Our lives should be like a light so others may see our good works and glorify God. Who will
glorify God from seeing you gamble?

Matthew 18:6,7 - Woe to one who tempts others to sin. It is better to be drowned than to be guilty of this.

Whom does the gambler tempt to sin?

* Young people - As with smoking, drinking, and drug abuse, most gamblers start young because of the
influence of others: friends, relatives, older people they respect. If you gamble, your example may lead some
young person to start or continue gambling.

He may then become trapped in the sins involved in and associated with gambling. If so, you will also be held
responsible for his fate. Do you want this on your conscience?

* Reformed compulsive gamblers - As with alcoholics and drug addicts, when a compulsive gambler quits, he
must never again return to the practice or he immediately becomes an addict again. If he sees or knows you
gamble, your example encourages him to try the practice again. If he does, he is immediately addicted again.
And you are responsible.

* Non-Christians - Many people who are not Christians know that gambling is very un-Christlike. If you
gamble, you may never be able to lead them

to hear the soul-saving gospel. Yet the Bible plainly obligates you to do all you can to help other people be
saved (1 Corinthians 8-10). The gambler will never be a successful soul-saver (Prov. 11:30).

No one gambles alone. If you gamble, you must gamble with others. So every gambler has a bad influence on
someone. The only way to avoid this problem is simply to avoid gambling altogether.

Conclusion

We may consider other points regarding gambling. Much gambling is illegitimate. And those who begin
gambling legally often end up gambling illegally, because they become desensitized and because the odds are
better. But Christians must obey civil law (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-15). Also, many young people gamble
in violation of their parents' will (Ephesians 6:1; Romans 1:29-32). Many gamblers know that their marriage
companion strongly objects. Is this the proper, loving way to treat a spouse (Ephesians 5:22-29)?
Finally, we must imitate the example of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21,22; Matthew 10:24,25; 1 Corinthians 11:1). Can you
honestly imagine Jesus playing a slot machine or roulette wheel or betting on a dice or poker game? Honestly
now, does gambling harmonize with the example of Jesus and the teaching of His word?

Note: If you would like to study further about related Bible topics, we have a number of other study
materials on our web site that should interest you. Please see the links listed below.

Revelation and God’s Eternal Purpose

People sometimes see the Bible as simply a

group of miscellaneous stories and religious teachings. The intent of
this study is to show that the Scriptures actually reveal a plan and
purpose determined by God from eternity and developed throughout
history.
Click here to view PowerPoint charts to accompany this study.

Introduction:

People who first read the Bible may view it as an accumulation of stories and religious teachings collected with
little or no theme or overall plan. As a result, many people are confused or uncertain about the overall purpose
of Scripture. It is like putting together a picture puzzle – a jumble of pieces – without having the picture on the
box!

The intent of this study is to show that the Scriptures actually reveal a plan and purpose determined by God from eternity and
developed throughout history.

More than just a collection of miscellaneous stories and teachings, the Scriptures reveal that, before the world
began, God determined a plan for man’s salvation. The Bible reveals that plan, and every event and every
teaching in Scripture relates directly or indirectly to the overall plan. Our study of the Bible should help us see
the whole forest, not just the individual trees.

Major Themes in God’s Eternal Purpose

Acts 15:18 – Known to God from eternity are all His works. (See verses 17,18.)
No one passage completely states God’s purpose, but a number of passages refer to it. To understand the
purpose, we must put together the pattern revealed in various passages.

Here are few of the major themes in God’s eternal plan:

(Ephesians 3:11; Proverbs 8:22,23; Hebrews 6:17)

Forgiveness/Salvation from Sin

According to Ephesians 1 God did the following:

Ephesians 1:4 – He chose us in Him [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and
without blame before Him in love.

Ephesians 1:7 – In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches
of His grace.

Ephesians 1:9 – Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He
purposed in Himself.

Ephesians 1:11 – In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of
Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will (verse 10)

This eternal plan does not refer to Calvinistic unconditional choice of individuals to eternal life or eternal
punishment. Nevertheless, God had a plan from eternity for man’s forgiveness of sins through Christ.

Jesus’ Life, Death, and Resurrection

This eternal plan required Jesus to come and live on earth as a man, give His life as a sacrifice for our sins, and
then be raised from the dead.

Acts 2:23 – Peter told the Jews on Pentecost that Him [Jesus], being delivered by the determined purpose and
foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death.

Acts 4:27,28 – For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate,
with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose
determined before to be done.

1 Peter 1:18-20 – We were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot. He was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times.

Some teachers believe that Jesus came to earth to establish His earthly kingdom, but that plan failed because the
Jews unexpectedly rejected Jesus and killed Him. However, that the Scriptures teach that the death of Jesus was
an essential part of God’s plan from before the foundation of the world. However, the fullness of this plan was
not clearly revealed until the proper time.

(Revelation 13:8; Acts 3:18; Luke 22:22)

The Church

Paul describes the mystery of the gospel. His purpose in preaching included the following:
Ephesians 3:9-11 – To make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the
ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold
wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Some teach that the church was never part of God’s eternal plan. They say God sent Jesus to establish His
earthly kingdom; but that plan failed, so Jesus established the church instead.

However, the Scriptures actually say that the church was always a part of God’s eternal plan. From the
beginning of the ages it was hidden in God but was then made known to the gospel by inspired men in the first
century.

Judgment and Eternal Rewards

Acts 17:31 – God has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He
has ordained. He has given assurance of this by raising Him from the dead.

Matthew 25:34 – Jesus described that judgment: “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come,
you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” In
contrast, verse 41 says the wicked will go into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

So, God’s eternal plan from the foundation of the world also included judgment of all men at which each
person’s eternal destiny will be declared. Some will receive the eternal kingdom prepared for them from the
foundation of the world. Others will receive eternal punishment.

(Titus 1:2,3; 1 Peter 2:8)

A Summary Passage

2 Timothy 1:9,10 – God saved us and called us according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us
in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who
brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

So God had a purpose determined before the world began. That purpose involved a plan whereby men could be
forgiven of their sins. It required Jesus to come to earth, die on the cross for our sins and be raised from the
dead. It included the church to include the redeemed of all ages. And it includes the judgment of all men and
their sentence to eternal rewards.

All this was planned before the world began. But it was only gradually revealed through the centuries as God
developed and unfolded His purpose.

(Isaiah 14:24,27; 46:10,11; Numbers 23:19; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 13:35; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Proverbs
8:23)

Major Events in the Development of God’s plan

Every event recorded in the history of Scripture relates to God’s plan either directly or indirectly. Consider
some major events throughout the Bible and their role in God’s plan.

Creation
Genesis 1 reveals the creation of the earth and everything on it, including the people. Obviously people needed
to exist in order to receive God’s blessings.

First Sin

Sin is disobedience to God (1 John 3:4).

God placed the first man and woman in ideal conditions in the Garden of Eden. But He commanded them not to
eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 3 records how the serpent tempted Eve. Eve sinned
and led Adam into sin with her.

Genesis 3:15 – Immediately after that first sin, God predicted enmity between the offspring of the serpent and
the offspring of the woman. “He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” Satan inflicted a
temporary injury to the offspring of the woman by crucifying Jesus. But Jesus then dealt a death blow to Satan:
His death and resurrection became the means of overcoming sin and death.

The meaning is understood only in light of the rest of the Bible story, but the record of the very first sin reveals
that God had a plan to deal with the consequences of sin. The rest of the Bible story is the unfolding of that
plan.

Abraham, the Patriarchs, and the Nation of Israel

Genesis 12 – Because of his faithfulness, God gave Abraham a great promise including three major parts:

Verse 2 – I will make you a great nation.

Verse 3 – In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

Verse 7 – To your descendants I will give this land (Canaan).

God repeated this promise to Abraham’s son Isaac and his son Jacob (Genesis 22:17,18; 26:3,4). This promise
then became the basis of God’s development of his eternal purpose throughout the whole rest of the Old
Testament.

Israel became the great nation descended from Abraham. So the Old Testament traces the history of this nation.
Every reference to Israel relates to the theme of the Bible.

Acts 3:25,26 – The blessing promised to come upon all nations through Abraham’s descendants was not clearly
stated to Abraham. But when it was fulfilled, that blessing was redemption from sin through Jesus Christ. God’s
eternal plan was being fulfilled through Christ who would come as a promised descendant of Abraham.

The promise to Abraham and his descendants is not always obvious on the surface of the events, but it is always
there underlying all of God’s dealings throughout the Old Testament.

The Law of Moses

The nation of Israel became a great nation in Egypt, but they were enslaved by the Egyptians. God sent Moses
to deliver them from slavery. Through Moses, several important aspects of God’s eternal purpose were
developed.

Moses – Deuteronomy 18:18,19

Moses predicted the coming of a prophet like he was. That prophet was Jesus (Acts 3:22,23).

The law –Galatians 3:24,25

The law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are
no longer under a tutor.

The law was never intended to be the means by which God would give salvation to mankind. It was simply a
temporary measure to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus and His gospel. Now that the gospel has come,
the law has been removed because it completed its purpose.

Every reference to the Old Law relates to the theme of the Bible.

Priesthood – Numbers 18

Under the law God ordained a special priesthood through whom the people worshiped God. The high priest was
a symbol of Jesus who today is our High Priest (Hebrews 8:1).

Many other symbols under the law foreshadowed various aspects of the gospel, including the sacrifices, the
Passover, and many aspects of the tabernacle. But all of it involves God developing His plan to eventually bring
Christ into the world for our salvation.

Conquest of Canaan

Joshua 21:43-45; 23:14 – Joshua led the nation of Israel into Canaan and gave them all the land promised to
Abraham and the patriarchs.

Judges

Having entered the promised land, the people of Israel were first led by judges. They often committed iniquity,
so God brought other nations to oppress them as punishment till they repented. It might seem the stories are
unrelated to the theme of the Bible. But consider:

Ruth (Ruth 4:13-22) – During this period God was still working to bring about the third and final part of the
promise to Abraham: the blessing on all nation. Ruth’s child was an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).

Kings: David and his dynasty

Following the judges, Israel was led by kings. Again, many of the stories may seem as they have no relationship
to God’s eternal plan. However:

David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) – God promised David that he would have a descendant to rule on his throne. That
descendant was Jesus who rules on David’s throne as result of His death and resurrection (Acts 2:30).

Prophets

Through much of the history of Israel, God sent prophets to warn the people to repent of their sins. But the
prophets also continued to predict the coming of the Messiah who would save the people from their sins.

Isaiah 53 describes very specifically the sacrifice of Christ for sin.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 predicts the coming of a new covenant different from the one made with Israel at Mount
Sinai. This was fulfilled in the gospel.

Daniel chapter 2 predicts the beginning of God’s kingdom during the Roman Empire. This is fulfilled in the
spiritual kingdom, the church, over which Christ reigns.

Acts 3:24 – Peter said all the prophets had foretold these days, referring to Jesus and the fulfillment of the
blessing on all nations promised to Abraham.

(Luke 1:69,70-73)

Christ and His church

All of these events, promises, preparations, and predictions finally came to a fulfillment in the life, death, burial,
and resurrection of Jesus. As we have seen, this was the eternal purpose of God for our redemption from sin
through Christ.

While it may seem at times that there is very little plan or purpose to the Old Testament, yet throughout it
always looks forward to the coming of the One who would fulfill God’s plan.

The Role of Scripture in God’s Eternal Plan

Since Scripture is the record of God’s dealing with man, it follows that this eternal purpose of God should be
revealed in Scripture. However, it was revealed gradually over the centuries.

Statements of Scripture about Its Role

Romans 16:25,26 – Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now has been made manifest,
and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the
everlasting God, for obedience to the faith.

1 Corinthians 2:7 – We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before
the ages for our glory. These things were revealed to inspired men through the Holy Spirit, so that they spoke
them to others (verses 10,13). So the mystery of God, which had been ordained before the ages but was hidden,
has now been revealed and taught by inspired men.

Titus 1:2,3 – In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due
time manifested His word through preaching.

1 Peter 1:10-12 – The prophets prophesied the coming of Christ and the blessings involved. They sought to
understand the meaning, but were told that the fulfillment of the message was for those who came later. That
fulfillment has now been preached in the gospel.

(Ephesians 1:9; 3:3-5; Acts 20:27; Matthew 13:35; Romans 8:28)

Observations

God had a plan since the world began.

God was working out His plan in history in His dealings with people.

Before the gospel, God’s plan was a mystery, not fully or clearly revealed.

Even angels and the prophets did not understand the message. Each inspired writer may not fully see the rest of
God’s plan or even his own role in the plan. But God saw the overall plan and gave each message to help
develop that plan.

The mystery was made manifest in the first century to inspired men who then taught it in the gospel.

We now have the full message completely revealed in Scripture so we can see the whole picture. This helps us
see how the Scriptures fit together. Then you see the picture and how the pieces fit together.

Every story and passage directly or indirectly relate to God’s eternal purpose.

Rather than seeing a pile of miscellaneous stories, we see one eternal plan with each part fitting the overall plan.

The focus of this entire plan is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, His life, death, and resurrection.

Stephen in Acts 7 and Paul in Acts 13 did exactly what we have described. Stephen reviewed Old Testament
history beginning with Abraham, and Paul did the same beginning with Israel’s release from slavery in Egypt.
They gave the overview of the Old Testament showing how it all led to Christ as the solution to the problem of
sin.

Conclusion

Rather than telling numerous unrelated stories, the Scriptures ultimately tell one story: the story of God’s plan
to save men from sin through Jesus Christ. Every specific story directly or indirectly relates to the one main
story.

As we study Scripture, we should seek to understand and teach how the overall picture fits together. And we
should emphasize the lesson of salvation through Jesus.

Psalm 33:11 – The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.

Do you truly understand and appreciate the purpose of God in Christ as revealed in Scripture? Have you
received the salvation of your sins through Christ?

Have the Nails Pierced Your Hands and Feet?

 Not only did Jesus die to make us Christians,
but as Christians we must be crucified with Him. The purpose of this
study is to learn what it means to be crucified with Christ and why it
is important. 
Each of us needs to examine himself and ask whether he/she has been crucified with Christ.
"Have the nails pierced your hands and your feet?"

Click here to listen to this lesson as a free recorded Bible study.

Click here to download PowerPoint charts for this study.

Galatians 2:20 - A Christian is a person who has been crucified.

Nearly all Bible believers know that Jesus was crucified for us. But some seem to think this means we do not
have to be crucified. They want to receive the benefit of Jesus' death, but don't seem to realize that we too must
die.

The purpose of this study is to learn what it means to be crucified with Christ and why it is important.

Not only did Jesus die to make us Christians, but as Christians we must be crucified with Him. Each of us needs
to examine himself and ask whether he/she has been crucified with Christ. "Have the nails pierced your hands
and your feet?"

Consider some ways the Bible says we must die spiritually. [Compare Philippians 3:10]

I. We Must Die to Self.

Consider some other passages that help us understand the meaning of Galatians 2:20.

Matthew 16:24-27
To come after Jesus, we must deny self, take up our cross, and follow Him (verse 24).

What does it mean to "take up your cross"?

Some think it means we must be willing to bear a burden: "bad health is my cross I bear," or "my husband is my
cross." But the meaning is far deeper than that. Jesus said to take up your cross and follow Him. Was Jesus'
cross just a burden for Him to bear? A cross is a place to die! Jesus' cross is where He was crucified.

Verse 21 - Where was Jesus going? He was going to die. Jesus said that He was going to die on the cross. Then
He said, if we want to be his disciples, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. Jesus gave
his life for us. Now we must give our life for him!

Verse 25 - If we refuse to give up our life now - if we are determined to keep it for ourselves - then we will lose
it later. If we lose it now, we will gain it later. The subject being discussed is not bearing burdens but losing life.
In order to live, we must die!

Verses 26,27 - If we live so we gain the whole world, we may lose our soul at the judgment. Jesus is talking
about what it takes to receive eternal life. Many people would be willing to bear a few burdens or make a few
changes for the Lord. But not many will give their lives!

The lesson is that, to gain your life in eternity, you must die now.

Verse 24 - To come after Jesus, we must deny self. This means total devotion and dedication to serving God.
Give up what you want and live your life to please God. Take up your cross and follow Jesus means to deny self
and be crucified with Him: Give your live for Him just as surely as He gave His life for you.

Galatians 5:24,25

Those who belong to Christ must crucify the flesh, with its passions and lusts, and walk in the Spirit.

We all have natural desires that are not necessarily wrong. But sometimes they lead us to disobey what the
Spirit teaches in the word. To walk according to the Spirit, we must put to death these desires: crucify the flesh.

It is not always wrong to do as we desire, but we must not let our desires control what we do. Are your fleshly
lusts crucified, or do they still control your life? "Have the nails pierced your hands and feet?"

Now consider again the verse where we started.

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Self must be slain,
because the desire to please self is what hinders us from dedicating ourselves to serve Christ. Note other
passages:

2 Corinthians 5:15

Jesus died for us so we should no longer live for ourselves, but for Him who died for us.

Most people prefer to please themselves. "I don't want anybody telling me what to do!" "I want to be in charge
of my life." This attitude must be killed. We must let God be in charge of our lives and tell us what to do. We
must live for Him, not for self.
2 Corinthians 8:5

The Macedonians gave generously because they first gave themselves to the Lord.

To crucify self means to give oneself as a sacrifice to God. When Jesus was crucified, He gave His life as a
sacrifice to do us service. When we are crucified with Him, then we give our lives as a sacrifice to serve Him.

[Romans 12:1,2]

Luke 9:23

The parallel to Matthew 16:24 adds to take up your cross daily. Many people will submit to Jesus once in a
while or even most of the time. Crucifying self means denying your desires every day. It is a continual struggle
to achieve total devotion to the Lord.

Most people understand that giving one's life for a cause would be an act of supreme devotion. When a parent
dies saving a child or a fireman dies saving someone trapped in a burning building, we understand those people
paid the supreme sacrifice. That is what Jesus wants of us: the supreme sacrifice. We may need to die physically
for His cause; but if not, we still must give our lives in His service.

When Galatians 2:20 says, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me," it means we must live our
lives as He would live if He were in our place. He died to save me; now I must let Him live through me.

Now consider again the question: "Have the nails pierced your hands and your feet?"

II. We Must Die to the Will of Men.

Many people fail to serve God because they are doing what they want. Others fail because they are doing what
other people want. Consider two areas where this applies:

We Must Follow Divine Law over Human Law.

Colossians 2:20

We die with Christ from the basic principles of the world. This refers to submitting to human laws (verse 22).

Note 2:8 - We must guard lest men spoil or capture us after the traditions of men and rudiments of the world,
not after Christ. The world follows religious laws and traditions that originate with men, not God. Christians
must submit instead to Christ.

Matthew 15:9

Worship based on human commands is vain.

This does not mean we never submit to human rules in any realm of life. Jesus tells citizens to obey civil law,
children to obey parents, and wives to submit to husbands. But we must never violate the will of God in order to
follow human rules. God has made His rules and revealed them in the Bible. We must do nothing except what
He has authorized.
Why should we not bow to the Pope or to Mary, follow man-made creeds, sprinkle babies for baptism, use
instruments of music in worship, have quarterly or weekday communion, call preachers "Reverend," send
church contributions to man-made institutions, or involve the church in entertainment or recreation?

These are all man-made religious practices. God's word never tells us to do any of these things. We should not
submit because we died with Christ! The men who made these laws did not die for us; Christ died for us. So we
should give our lives, not to do the will of men, but to do the will of Christ who died for us.

Death often refers to separation. We separate ourselves from man-made laws, refusing to obey them. Instead we
follow Jesus the head (Colossians 2:19).

So, have we been participating in man-made religious practices or fellowshiping those who do practice them? If
so, we need to learn to be crucified with Christ.

We Must Please God Rather than People.

Galatians 6:14

Because Jesus died for me, the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. The context shows this means
that I do not heed the pressures of the world that would influence me to disobey Christ (compare verses 12,13).

Friends or relatives may want us to participate in sin. They may ridicule us or even persecute us when we refuse
to go along with error. We tend to want to go along with the crowd. We must be crucified to such pressures, so
they don't lead us to disobey God.

John 12:42,43

Jewish rulers believed in Jesus but would not confess Him, because they loved the praises of men more than the
praises of God.

It is not always wrong to do what pleases people. But we are wrong when our desire to please people leads us to
displease God or refuse to stand up for the truth.

Matthew 10:34-39

Note: Losing our life, taking our cross, and following Jesus are all discussed again here. We are required to
serve Jesus even when this alienates us from our dearest loved ones. If we are not willing to make this sacrifice,
we are not worthy of Jesus.

One of the biggest problems in the church is spineless people who will not resist peer pressure. They will not
stand up to those who are in sin, but allow loved ones to influence them away from the truth.

We must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). We must refuse to practice sin, we must refuse to fellowship
sin, and we must speak out against it. This requires us to die to the will of men, including our dearest loved
ones.

So consider again the question: "Have the nails pierced your hands and your feet?"

III. We Must Die to Sin.

1 Peter 2:24 - Jesus bore our sins on the cross so we might die to sin and live to righteousness. Once again, not
only did Christ die for us, but now He requires us to die.

This also involves death in two senses:

We Must Die to the Guilt of Sin.

Romans 6:3-7

The old man was crucified so the body of sin might be done away (verse 6). We have died to sin being united in
the likeness of His death (verses 4,5).

In physical death, the spirit departs from the body (James 2:26). In baptism, the body of sin is cut off from our
soul. He who has died is justified from sin (verse 7).

Romans 6:17,18

This happens when we obey from the heart the form of teaching delivered and are then made free from sin. This
includes baptism into Jesus' death (verses 3,4). His death then forgives our sins (death to sin) and we are raised
to walk in newness of life.

"Have the nails pierced your hands and feet?" Has your old man of sin been crucified? If not, you are still in sin,
and this will lead to eternal death (verse 23). Either you are crucified with Jesus, thereby killing the guilt of sin,
or it will kill you! It is a matter of spiritual life and death.

We Must Then Die to the Practice of Sin.

Romans 6:1,2

If we have died to sin (the guilt is removed), why return to the practice of sin? Why allow it to continue to live
in your life?

That is what some want to do. What good would it do to receive forgiveness, if we just return to sin?

Romans 8:13,14

Living after the flesh will lead to spiritual death. To avoid that death, we must put to death the deeds of the
body (sin). We must be led by the Spirit (through the word) and avoid sin. Otherwise, we will die. Either sin
dies or we die.

Often in Western movies the good guy and the bad guy meet for a showdown. Everybody knows someone is
going to die. "It's either him or me!" You and I face a daily showdown with sin. Either we kill it, or it will kill
us. Has sin been crucified in your life, or is it alive and well?

[1 Corinthians 15:31]

Colossians 3:3-14

Dying to sin means we must die to all sin, not just some of it.
Verses 3-7 - We died to sin, so we should put to death these earthly members, because they cause God's wrath
to come upon us. When a body dies, all the members are dead. If some members are still alive, the body is not
dead.

"Fornication, uncleanness, passion, and evil desire" - Put off, not just illicit sexual relations, but also the things
that encourage them: dirty movies and music, pornography, dancing, scanty and indecent apparel. Have you put
these to death?

"Covetousness" - greed and over-emphasis on material things. Do you lie, steal, or cheat to get ahead in
business? Gamble? Neglect your children, attendance, Bible study, or teaching others for the sake of
possessions or pleasure?

Verses 8-10 - "Anger, wrath, malice" - Do you lose your temper and say cruel, hateful things to hurt others? Do
you seek vengeance to get even with people you think have harmed you? Do you hold grudges and refuse to
forgive even when people repent and ask your forgiveness?

"Blasphemy, filthy language, lying" - Do you stretch the truth or omit important facts in order to lead people to
believe what is not true? Do you slander people to hurt their reputation? Do you tell dirty jokes, use profanity,
or take God's name in vain?

Verses 12-14 - All these sins must be replaced with good habits.

"Tender mercies, kindness" - Do you try to put yourself in other people's place and consider their viewpoint? If
you must tell them they are wrong, do you do it from a sincere concern for them? Some are quick to criticize
others. Are we also quick to do it for the good of the other person, or just to win an argument, or just to get our
own way?

"Humility and meekness" - Do we insist on our own way: "my way or no way." Do we submit humbly to God's
will? Do we give in to others, when we can do so without sinning? Do we honestly recognize and admit our
sins, or do we justify and rationalize?

"Longsuffering, forbearance, forgiveness" - When people apologize to us, do we really forgive, or do we

continue to hold a grudge? Do we from time to time drag out the memory of the old sin and remind the person
who committed it and use it as a weapon to beat people with?

Above all, do we "put on love"? Do we really do what is best for others, or do we selfishly seek what we want?
Do we always act with goodwill for all who are involved?

To be crucified with Christ means to put sin to death. But the problem is that sin does not die easily. Even when
we have been cleansed from guilt, and when we thought we put that bad habit or that bad attitude to death, it has
a way of coming back to life. We must put to death all those sinful members and keep them there.

When we have totally, completely dedicated our lives to God - died to self - we will find it is much easier to die
to sin and live to righteousness. When we find we are struggling continually overcoming some sin and
becoming what God wants us to be, we must go back to the basics of our relationship with Jesus Christ and
totally dedicate ourselves to His service. We must crucify ourselves.

Conclusion

2 Timothy 2:11 - To live with Jesus, we must die with Him. We usually think that life comes first, then death.
But Jesus teaches that, spiritually you must die first, then you can live. Eternal life comes only after we die to
self, to the will of others, and to sin.
"Have the nails pierced your hands and feet?" Jesus died for you. Have you died for Him?

* Have you died to self by truly denying yourself and committing your life to serving God?

* Have you died to the will of others, by determining to follow only Jesus' teaching in religion and obeying Him
regardless of what others may want?

* Have you crucified the old man of sin by believing and being baptized? Are you daily crucifying the practice
of sin in your life?

"Have the nails pierced your hands and your feet?"

How Many Ways to Salvation through Jesus?

Salvation comes only through Jesus. But is

there more than one way to receive that forgiveness? Must we believe,
repent, be baptized, and be a church member?
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Introduction:

John 14:6 – Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
So no one can be saved except through Jesus. (Acts 4:12; John 8:24)

Question: Is there more than one way to be saved by Jesus?

Could it be that Jesus saves different people in different ways? Some are baptized, but could it be that others
just believe and others are saved even without believing? Some are members of a church, but could others be
saved outside the church? Could it be that Jesus accepts them all?

Ultimately, these questions are raised in order to justify people in different faiths and denominations. Many
sincere people are following different paths. Could it be that the different paths still lead to Jesus? “We are all
going to the same place, just by different roads.”

Let us consider things the Scripture says everyone one must follow to be saved.

Notice, not just what the gospel says to do, but also how many people must do them. Are some requirements of
the gospel just for some people, and different requirements for others? Or are all people required to do these
things? Consider the following:

Jesus’ Death
John 3:16 – God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should
not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus’ death is for the whole world.

1 Timothy 2:6 – He gave Himself a ransom for all.

Hebrews 2:9 – By the grace of God He tasted death for everyone.

2 Corinthians 5:15 – He died for all.

So, the only way to be saved is through Jesus; but the only way to be saved through Jesus is through His death.
Jesus offers no other way to salvation. This is generally acknowledged by people who recognize that salvation
must come through Jesus.

So the question now is: How do we receive forgiveness through His death? Is there more than one way to be
saved by His death, or must all meet the same conditions?

The Gospel
Romans 1:16 – The gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew
first and also for the Greek.

Mark 16:15 – Jesus said to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Galatians 1:8,9 – Anyone who preaches a different gospel is accursed.

So, the gospel is the message that tells us how to be saved through Jesus’ death. And there is only one true
gospel. We must not change or tamper with it. It is the same for all. That gospel is completely revealed in the
Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

Since the gospel is the only way to learn about salvation through Jesus, then does the gospel allow more than
one way to benefit from Jesus’ death, or is there only one way?

(Revelation 22:18,19; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; Acts 20:32)

Hearing or Learning the Gospel
John 6:44,45 – Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him. They shall all be
taught by God. Therefore, everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” But we already
learned that the gospel is the message the Father uses to teach people and draw them to Jesus. So all must learn
the gospel in order to come to Jesus.

Mark 16:15 – Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Romans 10:17 – So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

So, the gospel is the power of God to salvation (Romans 1:16), because it tells people how to be saved by the
death of Jesus. And since there is only one gospel, no one has the right to preach a different gospel. The gospel
we must learn is the same for all.

But what does the gospel say? Does it allow people to be saved in various ways?

(Matt. 11:28,29; Acts 3:22,23)

Faith
Romans 1:16 – The gospel is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.

John 3:16 – God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should
not perish but have everlasting life.

Mark 16:15,16 – The gospel preached to the whole world says that whoever believes and is baptized will be
saved. But those who do not believe will be condemned.

John 8:24 – Jesus said, “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

Ephesians 4:4-6 – There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one
Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

So faith is a universal condition to salvation through Jesus’ death. All must believe the gospel of Jesus. Those
who do not believe will die in sin. Do you believe?

Many people would agree that we must have faith, but salvation requires believing there is “one faith.” Not only
must we learn the gospel, we must all learn the same gospel. Not only must all believe, we must all have the
same faith. We begin to see that the way to salvation is narrow.

Repentance
Repentance is a change of mind in which we recognize we have been wrong and we decide to change and do
right. Note what the gospel of Jesus says about it.

Acts 17:30 – God commands all men everywhere to repent.

2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. So all must
repent or perish.

Acts 2:38,39 – Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins. This promise is to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.

The gospel teaches that all men everywhere must repent or perish. So, repentance is another universal
requirement for salvation.

Have you repented of your sins and determined to live your life for God?

(Luke 13:3,5; 24:47)

Obedience
Many will accept all that we have learned to this point, yet many believe people can be saved without doing
anything. They say obedience is not essential. What does the gospel say?

Hebrews 5:9 – Jesus became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

Matthew 7:24-27 – Whoever hears Jesus’ sayings and does them has a house that will not fall. Everyone who
does not do them has a house that will fall. (Compare verses 21-23.)

Romans 2:6-11 – The Lord will judge each one according to his deeds (verse 6). Eternal life is for those who do
good (verse 7), everyone who works what is good, Jew or Greek (verse 10). But indignation and wrath are for
those who do not obey the truth (verse 8); this is true of every soul of man who does evil, Jew or Greek (verse
9). (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Acts 10:34,35 – God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is
accepted by Him.

2 Thessalonians 1:8,9 – Jesus will come in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and
on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Contrary to what some think, no one can be saved without obedience. It is not true that some who obey will be
saved but others will be saved without obedience.

So here is another universal requirement of the gospel. To be saved, all must be obedient. The one gospel that
we must all learn and the one faith that we must all believe say that obedience is necessary in order for us to be
forgiven of our sins by the blood of Jesus.

The path becomes more and more narrow. What does this obedience include?

(Matthew 12:50; John 14:23; James 1:23-25; Romans 1:5)

Confession of Christ
Matthew 10:32,33 – Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father in heaven.
But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father.
1 John 4:15 – Whoever confesses that Jesus is God’s Son, God abides in him, and he in God.

Romans 10:9,10 – If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised
Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.

So confession is another universal requirement of salvation: everyone must confess Christ to be saved. Many
people would agree that this is true. But notice that this is an outward act of obedience. If confession is required,
then outward acts are required to be saved. To deny the need for outward acts would be to deny the need for
confession.

The gospel, that all must learn and all must believe, says that confession is another universal requirement of
salvation. Have you confessed Christ as your Lord and Savior?

Baptism
Baptism is another condition of obedience according to the gospel. Yet some think that people can be saved
whether or not they have been baptized. Is baptism another universal requirement of salvation by faith in Christ
according to the gospel?

Mark 16:15,16 – Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized
will be saved. The one gospel, that everyone must hear, believe, and obey, requires every creature in all the
world to be baptized to be saved.

John 3:3,5 – Unless one is born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. So no one
can enter the kingdom unless he is born again of water. But the only New Testament practice that requires water
is baptism.

Acts 2:38,39 – Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins. This promise is to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.

So people who need remission of sins must not only repent, they must also be baptized. This is required of
“every one” and “all who are afar, as many as the Lord will call.” But this call is extended through the gospel (2
Thessalonians 2:14), which should be preached to whole world.

Romans 6:3,4 – As many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death … Therefore we
were buried with Him through baptism into death, so we should walk in newness of life. (Note that baptism is a
burial, i.e., an immersion.)

So we have learned that everyone must be saved by the death of Jesus, but how many people have contacted
that death? As many as have been baptized. When we have been baptized, then we walk in newness of life (we
are born again, which confirms what we learned in John 3:3,5). (Compare 2 Corinthians 5:17.)

Galatians 3:26,27 – For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were
baptized into Christ have put on Christ. So, we must all believe the one faith, and we are all children of God
(born again) through faith. But we come into Christ by faith when we are baptized. The number of those in
Christ is the same as the number of those baptized. So, all must be baptized to be in Christ.

Contrary to common thinking, baptism is a universal requirement for salvation, just like hearing, believing,
repentance, and confession. The one gospel, that all must hear and believe, requires that all be baptized to
receive remission of sins, contact Jesus’ death, come into Jesus, and be saved. Have you been baptized to
receive the remission of your sins?

(Matthew 28:18,19)

Church Membership
Since baptism puts one into the church, the same people who deny that baptism is necessary will also generally
deny that church membership is necessary to salvation. By this, however, they usually mean membership in a
denomination. But what does the one gospel, that we must all believe to be saved, say about church
membership?

All the saved are in Jesus’ church.

Matthew 16:18 – Jesus planned and built His church. Note that it is one church, not many different churches.
Jesus has a church, but it is not a denomination.

Acts 2:47 – The Lord adds to His church daily those who are being saved. So, all people need to be saved; but
when the are saved, they are added to the church that Jesus began. To be saved is to become part of the church.
So how can one be saved outside the church?

Acts 20:28 – Jesus purchased the church with His own blood. But everyone must be cleansed by Jesus’ blood
to be saved. Since the people that He purchased with His blood make up the church, how can anyone be saved
outside the church?

Ephesians 5:23,25 – For the husband is head of the wife, as Christ is head of the church, and He is the Savior of
the body. Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. The church is the body over which Christ is
the Head (compare 1:22,23).

The church does not save us; Jesus saves us. But He is the Savior of the body. He gave Himself for the church.
So those whom He saves are all in the body, the church.

The church that belongs to Jesus is one united body.

Since the Head has only one body, and since a man may be husband to only one wife, it likewise follows that
there is only one true church. The church that Jesus built is not a denomination.

Ephesians 4:3-6 – Keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace requires us to accept just one true God
and Father, one true hope, one true faith, one true baptism, etc. In the same way, there is one true body, which is
the church.

Scriptural unity requires that all the saved are included in “one body,” the church. This one body believes and
teaches the “one faith.” We must not approve the existence of different bodies with different faiths, any more
than we approve of different Gods. (2:14,16; Colossians 3:15)

1 Corinthians 12:20 – There are many members, yet one body. As individuals are saved, they become members
of the body, but there is only one true body. Those who are saved have all been baptized into one body (verse
13), so all are members of that one body, the church (verse 12).

Jesus’ church is not a denomination, nor does it consist of different denominations. It is the body that consists of
all saved people. That one body must teach and believe the one faith, with no human changes. This includes
teaching the truth about salvation. And it must work to maintain unity, not justifying or accepting division (1
Corinthians 1:10-13; 12:25; John 17:20-23; Galatians 5:19-21; Luke 11:17; Romans 16:17).

So the one gospel, that all must learn and believe without changing, requires that all saved people be part of one
church. Membership in Jesus’ church is therefore another universal requirement of salvation. Are you a member
of Jesus’ one true church?

(Romans 12:4,5)

Faithful Living
When a person is baptized, all his past sins are forgiven and he comes into Christ. The Lord then adds him to
His one church, the body of all saved people. It is possible afterward, however, for disciples to go astray into
error. What are the consequences?

Matthew 28:19,20 – Having been baptized, disciples from all nations should be taught to observe all things that
Jesus has commanded. Baptism simply begins a life of obedience.

John 15:6 – If anyone does not abide in Jesus, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them
and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. (Compare verse 2.)

2 Corinthians 5:15 – Christ died for all, that people should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died
for them and rose again. Everyone must be saved by Jesus’ death, but that means we must all live for Him.

Hebrews 3:12-14 – Any one can depart from God through the deceitfulness of sin. We partake of Christ only if
we hold our confidence steadfast to the end. (4:11)

2 John 9 – Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides
in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

So after baptism, all are required to continue to live faithfully in order to maintain their relationship with the
Lord. This includes repenting and confessing sins we may commit. Continuing to live faithfully after
conversion is another universal requirement to ultimately receive eternal life through Jesus. Are you living
faithfully in the Lord’s service?

(Hebrews 12:15; 10:38; Matthew 16:24-27; James 5:19,20; 2 John 9-11)

Conclusion

By studying the individual requirements of salvation, we have learned that all people must obey all of these
conditions in order to be saved. It follows that there is only one way to salvation through Jesus for all people.
Other gospel passages confirm this conclusion:

Romans 2:6-11 – God does not show partiality (verse 11). Everyone who works good receives eternal life, but
every soul who does evil receives tribulation and anguish. This confirms that the conditions of salvation are the
same for all; otherwise, God would be showing partiality. (Acts 10:34,35)

Matthew 7:13,14 – There is just one gate and one way leading to life. It is narrow and difficult. Few find it.
Most are on the broad road to destruction.
Remember that no one has a right to teach a different gospel (Galatians 1:8,9). It follows that these conditions
apply to all people, and no one has the right to teach a different gospel.

Have you obeyed these conditions of forgiveness? Have you received forgiveness by the death of Jesus? Are
you living a faithful life as a member of Jesus’ one true church?

Jesus Christ: Your Savior and Sacrifice for Sins

Why Do You Need Salvation and Forgiveness of Sins through the
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ?

Why do we need salvation from sin? How important are

Jesus' death by crucifixion and His resurrection? Is salvation conditional? What must we do
to receive forgiveness? How important are the gospel, faith, repentance, confession, and
baptism?

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Introduction:

When I was eight years old, I almost drowned.

Some neighbor kids and I made wooden boats and floated them in a drainage ditch near our house. A neighbor
warned us the ditch was deep and the water was muddy; we could drown if we fell in. My boat floated under a
bridge and, as I reached out from the shore to grab it, I slowly slid into the water.

I couldn't swim. I remember going under twice and was on the way down for the third time. Meanwhile the kids
were up on the bridge screaming. The neighbor who had warned us heard the noise and jumped in to pull me
out. He could not see me in the muddy water, but he kicked me as he jumped in. He was getting ready to go to
town; a few minutes later and he would not have been there to save me.
I remember saying, "You saved my life. You saved my life."

Most people understand the concept of a person who saves someone else.

We sometimes hear in the news of people who risk their lives to save someone else: firemen, policemen, etc.

The Bible often refers to God, especially Jesus, as our Savior.

John 4:42 - The Samaritans said, "...we have heard for ourselves and know that this is indeed the Christ, the
Savior of the world."

"Savior" means one who saves, delivers, rescues others from peril, danger, or calam�ity.

The purpose of this study is to consider the Bible teaching about Jesus as Savior.

We want to consider some examples in which God has saved people from various dangers throughout history.
We will consider specifically what it means to you and me today: why do we need Jesus as our Savior? Then
we will consider what Jesus did so we could be saved, and what we must do to receive His salvation.

Consider the following facts about Jesus as our Savior:

I. Examples of Divine Salvation

The Bible reveals a pattern that God has repeatedly saved people from danger and destruction. Consider some
Old Testament examples:

* Lot - Genesis 19:19 - God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for their evil, but first sent Lot out. Lot said (to the
angel) that he had mercy and saved Lot's life. Note that God punishes the wicked, but saves the righteous.

* Jacob and his family - Genesis 50:20 [45:7] - Joseph's brothers had sold him as a slave into Egypt. Eventually
he became governor of the land and brought his family there to keep them alive through a famine. He said that
his brothers had meant to do him harm, but God used it to save many people alive. Note that God used the evil
of wicked people to bring salvation to the righteous.

* Israel at the Red Sea - Exodus 14:13 [15:2] - When Israel was trapped between the Egyptian army and the
Red Sea, Moses said to not be afraid but see the salvation of the Lord. God opened the sea so they passed on dry
ground, then caused it to collapse and kill the Egyptians. Note that the means that God used to save the
righteous also became a means to punish the wicked.

* Gideon and Israel - Judges 7:2,7 - God deliberately reduced the size of Gideon's army so they would not think
they had saved themselves by their own hand. Instead, God said He would save them from the Midianites. Note
that God requires men to act in order for Him to save them, but He makes clear that He Himself is the one who
saved them. [6:14,15,36,37]

* David and Israel - 1 Samuel 17:47 - When David faced Goliath, he said that God does not save by sword or
spear, but He would give victory over Goliath.
These and other examples illustrate the concept of a savior. A savior rescues or delivers others from peril or
hardship.

The examples show that God can deliver people from problems that no one else can solve. When our situation
seem hopeless and helpless, when we are powerless to save ourselves, that is when we need a Savior. God is the
ultimate Savior. Only He has the solution to our greatest needs.

[Matthew 14:30; 2 Chronicles 32:22; Jeremiah 42:11; Nehemiah 9:27; Daniel 6:27; Numbers 10:9; 1 Samuel
7:8; 14:23; 2 Kings 19:34; 2 Chronicles 20:9; Hebrews 11:7; 2 Peter 2:5]

II. Your Need and My Need for a Savior

God has proved His power to rescue people from danger or calamity from which they are powerless to save
themselves in the Old Testament. But why do you and I need a savior? What great danger or calamity do we
face?

A. Jesus Saves from Sin

Matthew 1:21 - Before Jesus was born, the angel promised Joseph that Mary would bring forth a Son. He said to
"call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." "Jesus" means "Jehovah is salvation" (or
Jehovah is the Savior). But the salvation Jesus would bring was salvation from sin. [Luke 2:11]

Luke 19:10 - Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. The reason man needs salvation is that he is
lost in sin and cannot solve the problem by himself.

Acts 5:31 - God exalted Jesus to His right hand to be a prince and Savior and give repentance and forgiveness
of sins. So the reason we need salvation is that we are guilty of sin. To be saved we need to repent so Jesus can
forgive our sins.

1 Timothy 1:15 - This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to
save sinners. Sin is transgression of God's law (1 John 3:4). The consequences of sin are such that sinners are
condemned to eternal punishment and cannot save themselves.

1 Thessalonians 5:8,9 - God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our sins make us God's enemies, doomed to suffer eternal wrath. This wrath is described as a second death in a
lake of fire (Rev. 20). But this is not what God wants for us. He wants us to be saved from sin through His Son.

This is the salvation that God offers through Jesus under the gospel.

[Romans 5:9,10; James 5:19,20; 2 Tim. 1:10; Heb. 2:2,3; Tit. 2:13,14; Rom. 6:23; Luke 1:77]

B. Salvation from Sin Is a Universal Need.

Many people do not appreciate the salvation Jesus offers because they do not realize they need it. But all people
become sinners, so everyone needs salvation.

Jesus offers salvation to all people.

John 4:42 - The Samaritans said they had learned that Jesus is the Savior of the world.

Titus 2:11 - The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

1 Timothy 2:3,4,6 - God our Savior desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. This is
why Christ gave Himself as a ransom for all.

Romans 1:16 - The gospel is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes, Jew and Gentile.

Mark 16:15,16 - This is why the gospel must be preached to every creature in the whole world.

Jesus is not the Savior of just a certain nation or race of people, nor of a certain group predetermined
unconditionally before the world began. He offers salvation to everyone in the world, because everyone needs
it.

All people eventually commit sin (Romans 3:23). This includes you and me. Our sins alienate us from God and
doom us to eternal punishment. Since we have sinned against God, only God can declare the basis on which the
sins will be forgiven. We are powerless by ourselves to remove the consequences of sin.

This means you and I need Jesus as our Savior. Only Jesus has the power to save everyone in the whole world
from sin. He offers that salvation to all. It is up to you and me to decide whether or not we are willing to meet
the conditions to receive it.

[John 12:47; Acts 13:47; 1 John 4:14]

Jesus offers complete salvation from all sins.

Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him. Sometimes people
fear that they have committed some sin that can never be forgiven. This is true only of sins for which we will
not repent. But if we are willing to completely turn from sin and come to Jesus for forgiveness according to the
gospel, He is able to save to the uttermost.

And sometimes people have followed the gospel teaching to be forgiven, yet their consciences still bother them.
They fear they are still going to be punished despite the forgiveness. True, there are sometimes consequences of
our sins that carry over in this life. And we will always regret the fact we committed sin. But once the sin is
forgiven, we are saved to the uttermost. There is simply no more guilt before God.

You and I need salvation by Jesus. No other power in the world can save from sin. Without Him, we are
powerless. But His power can save all people from the eternal consequences of all our sins. Are you willing to
accept His salvation?

III. Jesus' Role In Our Salvation

What did Jesus had to do in order to become our Savior?

A. Jesus Had to Leave Heaven and Come to Live on Earth as a Man

Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

1 Timothy 1:15 - Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

Before He came to earth, Jesus was in heaven with God the Father, enjoying all the glory and power of Deity.
He was the eternal Creator (John 1:1-3). But we His creatures were disobedient and doomed to punishment.
God loved us so much He determined a way to avoid this for all who are willing to accept salvation.

Our goal is to leave earth and go to heaven. In order to become our Savior, Jesus had to leave the joys and
privileges of heaven to come to earth to live as a man.

[John 3:17]

B. Jesus Had to Die for Our Sins.

Romans 5:6-10 - When we were without strength - helpless and unable to save ourselves - Christ died for the
ungodly. This is how we can be saved from wrath and reconciled to God. This is why Jesus had to come to earth
as a man. As God, He could not die. But by becoming a man, he could suffer death and pay the penalty for our
sins.

So you and I could be saved from the consequences of sin, Jesus was treated as a sinner. He suffered
punishment He did not deserve so we could escape the punishment we do deserve. He suffered and died on the
cross. Some people would suffer for a righteous man and maybe for a good man. But Jesus did this for us who
are sinners.

Hebrews 9:28 - So Jesus was offered once to bear the sins of many. Our salvation will be complete when He
comes again to take us to our eternal reward.

C. Jesus Had to Rise from the Dead.

Romans 5:10 said we are reconciled by His death and saved by His life. This refers to His life after His death -
i.e., His resurrection from the dead.

Hebrews 2:14 - Through death, He destroyed the power of death. But this required Him to be raised from the
dead, thereby proving that someday we will all be raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20-26).

1 Corinthians 15:17 - If Christ did not rise, then our faith is vain we are still in our sins. Had Jesus not been
raised from the dead, Satan would have been the victor. By rising, Jesus proved His superior power over Satan,
demonstrating His power to save us from sin.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, is the One who can deliver us from the wrath to
come.

Jesus paid the greatest price anyone could pay to be our Savior. Through His suffering and victory, you and I
have the hope of eternal life. What will we do with the opportunity? Do we appreciate how much we need Jesus
as our Savior?

[I Tim. 1:15; I John 4:14; Eph. 5:23,25; I Pet. 2:24; Heb. 7:25]
 IV. The Application to Us: Conditions We Must Meet to Be Saved

A. Old Testament Examples Show that God's Salvation Is Conditional.

Some people deny that we need to do anything to be saved. They tell us that Jesus is the Savior, so if we think
that we must do something, we are denying or belittling Jesus as Savior. However, every example of salvation
that we have studied demonstrates that God offers salvation, but people must act in order to receive it.

* Lot - Genesis 19:19 - God saved Lot from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, but Lot had to leave the
city. Action was required.

* Jacob and his family - Genesis 50:20 [45:7] - God used Joseph to saved his family from the famine. But the
people had to travel to Egypt to be saved. Action was required.

* Israel at the Red Sea - Exodus 14:13 [15:2] - God saved Israel from the Egyptian army by parting the Red
Sea. But the people had to march through the sea. Action was required.

* Gideon and Israel - Judges 7:2,7 - God said He would save Israel by delivering them from the Midianites. But
Gideon's men had to surround the enemy camp, blow trumpets, and hold torches. Action was required.
[6:14,15,36,37]

* David and Israel - 1 Samuel 17:47 - God saved David from Goliath, but David still had to fight.

In every case, God was the Savior who met the people's need that they could not meet for themselves. But in
every case the people had to act. They had to obey God's command to receive His salvation.

B. So, We Must Meet the Conditions of the Gospel so We Can Be Forgiven.

Hebrews 5:9 - Jesus is author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

Philippians 2:12 - Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

We have learned that God offers salvation through Christ to all of us, and we all need that salvation. But just as
in Old Testament examples, so today there are requirements we must meet to receive the salvation. As long as
we deny or neglect the need for obedience, we will never be saved. [James 2:14-26]

What are the conditions we must meet?

Hear the gospel message

Acts 11:14 - The angel told Cornelius to send for Peter who would tell him words by which he and his house
could be saved. That message is the gospel.

James 1:21 - James instructs men to receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save our souls.

[1 Corinthians 1:18,21; 15:2; 2 Timothy 3:15; 2 Peter 2:20]

Believe the gospel

Romans 1:16 - The gospel is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes, Jew and Gentile.

Mark 16:15-16 - Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and
is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."

The gospel is the message by which God reveals how we can be saved from sin. To receive that salvation, we
must learn and believe the message.

[Romans 10:9,10; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8,9;

Repent of sins

Acts 5:31 - God exalted Jesus to His right hand to be a prince and Savior and give repentance and forgiveness
of sins.

2 Corinthians 7:10 - For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of
the world produces death.

Repentance requires us to be willing to change our lives to serve God according to the gospel message. When
we realize what God has done through Jesus to offer salvation, and when we understand the consequences of
not being saved, what sensible person would refuse to repent?

Confess sins

Romans 10:9,10 - With the heart one believes to righteousness and with the mouth confession is made to
salvation.

One must have strong enough conviction about Jesus as his Savior that he is willing to openly profess that he
knows who Jesus is.

Be baptized

Mark 16:15,16 - We have seen that the faith that a person needs in order to be saved is a faith that must lead
him to obey Jesus' teaching. Jesus specifically stated that faith must lead to baptism if one is to be saved.

1 Peter 3:21 - Baptism also now saves us.

Baptism is a condition necessary to receive salvation by the blood of Jesus, because one is baptized into Christ
(Romans 6:3). In baptism, ones sins are washed away (Acts 22:16), so he receives the remission of sins (Acts
2:38).

Live a faithful life

Matthew 10:22 - He who endures to the end will be saved.

When people truly understand their need for salvation and the great sacrifice that Jesus made to make salvation
possible, surely they should willingly meet the conditions of salvation.

[Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23,25; 1:13; 2 Thess. 2:10,13; Heb. 10:39; I Cor. 1:21; 15:2ff; 1 Tim. 4:16; Tit. 3:5; Mk.
8:35; Luke 9:24; 8:11,12]
 Conclusion

God has repeatedly admonished people that He offers salvation that no one else can offer.

Isaiah 43:11 - Besides Me there is no Savior. [45:21,22; Hosea 13:4]

Acts 4:12 - Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by
which we must be saved."

You and I need salvation that only God can offer. He has proved repeatedly in the past that He does have the
power to save. He has sent His only begotten Son to die for our salvation. Will you accept the salvation only He
can give?

2 Corinthians 6:2 - Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Why not receive the
salvation God offers today?

Leave and Cleave: Independence of Married

Children

Genesis 2:24 instructs a man to leave his

father and mother and cleave (be joined) to his wife. When a young
man and young woman marry, they form a new family unit separate
from their parents' family.
Click here to view a free PowerPoint chart to accompany this study.

Consider with me some lessons people need to learn about what it means to leave father and mother and cleave
to one’s wife.

An Overview of God’s Will for Marriage

Marriage Is Ordained of God and Must Follow His Will.

Genesis 2:18-24; 1:16-28 – God created marriage from the beginning. Since He created it, He knows the best
way to conduct it.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 – The Scriptures are profitable to instruct us and provide us completely to all good works.
That includes marriage.

Psalm 127:1 – Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it.

Many people seek to follow Bible teaching regarding salvation, the church, worship, etc. But do we likewise
follow God’s plan for our homes?

Marriage Is a Lifetime Bond Between One Man and One Woman.

Genesis 2:24 – From the beginning, God intended marriage to consist of one man and one woman who cleave
(“joined” – NKJV; “hold fast” – ESV) to one another and become one flesh.

Romans 7:2,3 – Marriage is for life. A person who is bound to a spouse in marriage must never seek another
companion while their first companion lives. (Other passages list fornication as an exception, but we should
never wish for that.)

Hebrews 13:4 – The sexual union is permissible only in the lifetime marriage of one man to one woman. Any
other arrangement constitutes fornication or adultery which God will judge.

[Matthew 19:3-9; 5:31,32; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; 1 Corinthians 7:3-5,10,11; Malachi 2:14-16]

The Man Should Work to Provide for Himself and His Family.

Genesis 3:17-19 – From the beginning the man was responsible to labor with his hands to provide bread. A man
who is able to do this but will not, is lazy and foolish (Proverbs 24:30-34).

Ephesians 5:28-31 – The man should also “nourish and cherish” his wife as he does himself. These terms
include providing and caring for her, as well as protecting her.

1 Timothy 5:8 – The man who will not provide for his own, especially his own household, is worse than an
unbeliever.

The Bible is filled with examples of men who were employed in various occupations by which they provided
for their families: sailors, shepherds, physicians, tax collectors, carpenters, fishermen, preachers, etc.

[1 Thessalonians 4:10-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10]

The Man Is the Head of His Family, and Parents Have Authority Over Children.

The husband is the head over his wife.

Genesis 3:16 – God decreed that the man should rule over his wife.

Ephesians 5:22-25,28,29 – The wife should submit to her husband as the church should submit to Christ. She
must submit in “everything” unless her husband tells her to do something sinful (Acts 5:29). But the husband
must rule with love like Jesus leads the church.

1 Peter 3:1-7 – Even if her husband disobeys God, the wife still must submit. But the husband should lead with
honor for his wife and understanding for her needs.
[Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:5; 1 Corinthians 11:3,8-12.]

The parents exercise authority over their children.

Proverbs 1:8 – Children should hear the instruction of their fathers and not forsake the law of their mothers.

Ephesians 6:1,4 – Children are commanded to obey their parents. Fathers should bring their children up in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord. [Colossians 3:20]

Luke 2:51 – Jesus set an example of subjection to his parents.

[Genesis 18:19; Romans 1:30,32; Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 4:9,10; 6:6-9; Psalm 78:4-8]

Each Family Should Function Independently from Other Families.

We emphasize that each of these Bible principles applies equally to each family.

* Each man is joined to his wife, and each woman is bound to her husband (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2,3). They
are not bound or joined in marriage to any other man or woman.

* Each man must provide for his family (Ephesians 5:28-31; 1 Timothy 5:8). He does not have the same
responsibility to provide for others.

* Each man should be the head of his wife, and each woman should submit to her husband (Genesis 3:16;
Ephesians 5:22-25,28,29; 1 Peter 3:1-7; Titus 2:5). The man has no authority as head of any other woman, and
the woman should submit as wife to no other man.

* Each father and mother is responsible to raise and train their children, and each child is responsible to obey
his mother and father (Proverbs 1:8; Ephesians 6:1,4; Luke 2:51; Genesis 18:19). They have no authority as
parents over the children of other families.

The result is that each family functions separately and independently from every other family.

Applications of the Principle of Leaving and Cleaving

Since these Bible principles apply to every family, Genesis 2:24 says that, when a man marries a woman, they
form a new family separate from their parents’ families. Each spouse must leave the family of his or her parents
to establish a new family to which all these Bible principles apply separately and independently from their
parents’ families.

Consider the applications of these principles of marriage as they apply to this new family.

Permanence of Marriage

Matthew 19:3-9 – Jesus quoted Genesis 2:24 to prove that God forbids divorce. A man leaves his father and
mother to be joined to his wife, and what God has joined together, man must not put asunder. The only
exception is that one may divorce a companion for the cause of fornication. If one divorces for any other reason,
the divorce is a sin. And when he remarries he commits adultery. And whoever marries the one whom he put
away commits adultery.
Many young couples just live together without marriage. This is a failure to leave and cleave. The sexual union
is permissible only within the lifetime marriage commitment of one man and one woman.

And often when young married couples have difficulties, as couples almost always do, one or the other runs
home to live with his or her parents. The parents may even encourage this.

Divorce for any cause other than fornication is a failure to leave and cleave. And separation, except by
temporary mutual agreement for spiritual purposes, is also a failure to leave and cleave because it fails to fulfill
the spouse’s needs and it tempts to fornication. (1 Corinthians 7:2-5)

Parents used to tell their children, “When you get married, if you have problems, don’t come running home to
mom and dad. Work your problems out.”

The new husband and wife must leave their parents and cleave to their spouse.

Financial Independence

Parents should provide for their children while they are dependents subject to the parents’ authority. But the
time comes when a man is required by God to provide for himself.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 – If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. Many able-bodied men continue living at
home, supported by their parents, when they should be out looking for work to provide for themselves. Or they
refuse to work because the available jobs are not to their liking.

1 Timothy 5:8 – In particular, when a man chooses to marry, he is commanded to provide for his wife and
children. Yet often young couples get married knowing the husband is not able to provide for a family. And
often they continue to depend on their parents to provide for them.

The man who marries must accept the responsibility to provide for his wife and children separately from his
parents. There may be unexpected problems in any family, but to deliberately choose to continue to depend on
the parents is a failure to leave and cleave.

Independent Authority

Independent authority goes hand in hand with financial independence.

Sometimes when young people are living at home and being supported by their parents, they decide that they
have reached a certain age so they get to make their own rules and do not have to obey their parents. It does not
work that way.

Just as the church has only one head, so each home has only one head – Ephesians 5:22-25. Everyone in the
household must submit to the husband, just like everyone in the church must submit to Jesus. So, as long as you
are living in your parents’ home and depending on them to provide for you, you must follow their rules.

Fathers used to say, “As long as you put your feet under my table, you follow my rules.”

That is one reason why it is a problem when a young man marries but he and his wife still live in the home of
his or her parents. How can he be the head of his family when he himself is subject to his parents? This is a
failure to leave and cleave.

Sometimes the new husband or new wife depends too much on their parents.
When a man marries, he becomes the head of his wife and children. Yet far too often the husband or the wife
continues to depend on their parents for decisions.

Genesis 2:24 – When a man and woman marry, they form a new family separate from the families of either of
their parents.

Ephesians 5:22-25 – This new family has a head and only one head: the husband. Neither the man’s parents nor
the wife’s parents are the head of this new family. To submit to the parents would make two heads in one
family. This is as wrong as if the church were to have two heads.

Sometimes a husband or wife has trouble “cutting the apron strings.” The husband may make choices based on
what pleases his parents instead of what pleases his wife and best meets the needs of his family. Or the wife
may seek to please her parents, instead of her husband. This is a failure to leave and cleave.

Friends and family may make suggestions or give Biblical instruction when needed. But the husband is the head
of the new family, and his decisions should primarily consider the needs and wishes of his wife and children.

Sometimes parents interfere with grown children’s decisions.

Parents often struggle with allowing grown children to become independent.

For many years parents have exercised authority over their children. Often it is hard for them to let grown
children go without continuing to interfere. They are unwilling to give up control. If the children have different
family rules, the parents may instinctively think the children are unwise and even are reflecting negatively on
the parents.

This is a difficult transition, but to continue to attempt to control their married children violates the principle of
“leave and cleave.”

Conflict can occur in many areas, but some areas can be especially troublesome:

Raising children

If the new family has different rules for their children, the grandparents may interfere. They may contradict
their children’s methods. Or they may deliberately try to influence the grandchildren to think or act differently
from what their parents have taught them.

Sometimes grandparents want more time with their grandchildren and may resent restrictions that hinder their
contact.

Ephesians 6:1,4 – God commands children to obey their parents, not their grandparents. Surely the grandparents
may have wisdom to offer. But if they really are wise, they must remember that they no longer have the right to
speak authoritatively. They may seek to advise or persuade calmly and patiently. But they must remember that
their children are now in charge.

Religious differences

Parents sometimes view religion as a matter of family pride or family tradition. If grown children make
different choices, the parents may feel rejected or failures as parents.
If parents believe their children’s choices are sinful or spiritually dangerous, they should speak up; but they
must do so respectfully, as they would address people in any other family. They have no right to use the fact
they are parents as reason to demand submission.

Parents may think children dishonor them by choosing different courses.

Ephesians 6:2 – “Honor your father and mother.” Some parents claim that grown children dishonor them or are
disrespectful if they make decisions that the parents disapprove.

However, “honor” means to value, regard, or praise: the idea is appreciation or reward. Obedience and authority
are not inherently part of the meaning. The word is often used for people who have no authority. Honoring
someone does not mean we must obey or submit to them.

1 Timothy 5:3 – Honor widows who are really widows. This especially carries the idea of providing for their
needs. Must we obey the widows?

1 Peter 2:17 – Honor all people. Does this mean we must obey all people?

John 12:26 – God honors those who serve Him. Does this mean God should obey us?

Matthew 15:3-6 – Jesus showed that honoring parents requires caring for them in old age, and He contrasted
honoring parents to cursing them.

So honoring parents means appreciating or praising them and caring for them when needed. But it does not
require children who have left their parents’ household and are supporting themselves to obey their parents’
instructions. To say otherwise would violate the principle of leaving and cleaving.

How should parents and grown children respond when they disagree?

Instead of calmly reasoning about disagreements, parents of grown children may try to get their way by
manipulation and pressure. They may nag, bully, ridicule, make accusations, try to make children feel guilty, or
even accuse them of sin. Unconsciously or not, this is an attempt to control their grown children.

Consider these Biblical principles:

1) Remember that parents and grown children make independent choices.

The children’s family is a separate family from the parents as surely as any other family. To pressure or
manipulate them would violate Biblical principles of leaving and cleaving.

1 Peter 4:15 – But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's
matters. Decisions of other families are their business. That includes our grown children. We must avoid
pressuring them to accept our personal preferences.

2) Respect one another’s personal conscience.

Romans 14:13,19 – Let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block
or a cause to fall in our brother's way. … Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things
by which one may edify another.

If your child chooses a course which is not sinful, it is just as wrong to ridicule or pressure them to violate their
conscience as it is to disrespect the personal conscience of anyone else.
3) Follow all Biblical principles of reasoning based on God’s word.

If you are convinced a child or parent is in sin or their choice is dangerous spiritually, then reason from
Scripture like you should with any other Christian with whom you disagree.

James 1:19,20 – Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

Proverbs 10:19 – In the multitude of words sin is not lacking; he who restrains his lips is wise.

Acts 17:2,3 – Paul persuaded people by reasoning with them from the Scriptures.

2 Timothy 3:16,17 – The inspired Scriptures thoroughly equip us for every good work, including the good work
of convincing and instructing people in righteousness.

Don’t nag, yell, lose your temper, pressure, bully, or manipulate. Calmly reason from Scripture. Discuss like
you would with any other Christian.

Conclusion

All of these concepts are important for parents to understand regarding their children. Young couples should
also understand these principles,. They may do well to discuss, even before marriage, how they will relate to
their parents, families, and friends.

If a husband and wife have problems with in-laws, let them discuss these principles with those in-laws, explain
the Bible teaching, and stand for what it teaches.

Let us learn to leave and cleave.

How to Handle Persecution and Opposition

 Jesus predicted that Christians would face
persecution and opposition for the sake of the gospel. What principles
does the Bible give to help us deal with these hardships?
Click here to see a PowerPoint presentation for this study.

Introduction:

2 Timothy 3:12 – All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Every Christian sooner or
later will endure persecution. This has been true throughout history.

Persecution may come from civil rulers, employers, fellow-workers, teachers or professors, neighbors, friends,
relatives, family members, people of false religious faiths, or even other members of the church.

Persecution may come in various different forms.

Persecution refers to harm deliberately inflicted by people who oppose the truth. This may involve physical or
bodily harm, but the Bible also describes other forms of persecution.

Physical violence: Christians have been imprisoned, beaten, stoned, or otherwise forcibly attacked and
sometimes even killed.

Legal or financial pressures: Christians have lost their jobs, taken pay cuts, been demoted (or not promoted),
failed in school, sued in court, or harassed by police.

Loss of property or possessions: Many Christians have had property stolen or have had to flee from property
and houses to avoid persecution.

Threat and intimidation: Just the threat of harm is a common bullying tactic.
Verbal abuse: Christians have been mocked, slandered, falsely accused, lied about, cursed and called nasty
names. Some try to trap us or twist our words. The purpose is to shame or embarrass us, make us feel guilty, or
discredit us before others.

Social ostracizing: Friends, family members, or loved ones may refuse to associate with us.

Temptation and appeals to lust or sin: People may try to provoke us to do wrong. If we give in, we feel
guilty, our reputation is harmed, and sinners claim we are no better than they are.

Persecution comes in many forms, but all Christians do suffer some form of persecution. News reports
document that persecution against those who claim to follow Jesus Christ is rapidly increasing around the
world.

The purpose of this study is to consider how we should handle persecution.

Persecutors hope we will surrender or compromise our stand for truth or commit some other sin that discredits
us. If we give in, then the persecutor (and the Devil) have had their way.

So, how do we remain strong and serve God without falling away and without sinning, despite these pressures?
What steps can we take to deal with these persecutions?

Expect Persecution.
If we expect persecution, we will not be shocked when it happens.

2 Timothy 3:12 – All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. We should not have
“persecution complexes,” unfairly accusing people of persecution. But neither should we think, “It won’t
happen to me.” It can and it will happen, if you serve God faithfully.

Matthew 10:34-37 – Jesus came to bring a sword. He expected opposition. As a Christian, you should not
expect to have peace with everyone around you. A man’s enemies may include his dearest loved ones. But we
must love Jesus more than we love even earthly family members.

John 15:18-21; 16:1-4 – If we act like the world, worldly people will not hate us. But if we are faithful, they
will persecute us like they did Jesus. Jesus warned us so we would know what to expect. When it happens, we
can remember that He predicted it, so we will not stumble.

(1 Thessalonians 3:3,4)

One reason Christians stumble at persecution is that they are not ready for it.

Maybe they expect the life of Christians to be easy. When people accuse them of sin, hatred, cowardice,
hypocrisy, false teaching, etc., their faith is shaken. They wonder what they did wrong.

We should not provoke people by displaying bad attitudes or deliberately angering them. But if we do right,
persecution will still come. When it does, rather than feeling guilty or backing down, we should realize this is
what God promised.

The example and teaching of faithful Christians prick the conscience of people in sin. If they can discredit us or
intimidate us to keep quiet, then they don’t look so bad. So we should expect such treatment as long as we do
right.
Love and Trust God.
Often people fail because they try to handle persecution alone. We must trust God for help.

Proverbs 3:5,6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Psalm 56:11 – In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? It’s easy to be
overwhelmed when we face threats and dangers. But we must remember whose side we are on. If God is
pleased with us, what does it matter who is upset or angry with us?

1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful,
who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way
of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

1 Peter 2:21-23 – When Jesus was reviled, rather than taking vengeance on His tormentors, He committed
Himself to the righteous judge. He relied on God to deal with the problem.

1 Peter 4:19 – Let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to
a faithful Creator. Notice that loving and trusting Jesus requires doing good. Love and trust are fundamental but
must lead to action on our part.

(1 John 5:3; 4:19; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:7-9; Philippians 3:7,8; 4:13; Romans 8:28,31-39; Psalm 25:2; 31:15; 35:1-3; 146:3-6)

Pray to God.
If we really trust God, then we need to appeal in prayer for His help.

Acts 4:23-31 – When Peter and John had been threatened by the Jewish council for preaching Jesus, they
gathered with other Christians and prayed to God. They asked for strength to preach despite the threats. As a
result, they preached the word with boldness.

1 Peter 5:7-9 – The devil is a roaring lion causing suffering to Christians. We must have faith to steadfastly
resist him. In this context God urges us to cast our cares on Him for He cares for us.

Psalm 7:1 – O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; save me from all those who persecute me; and deliver me.

Those who trust God will turn to Him in time of persecution. He can give strength and boldness as He did for
His servants throughout the Bible. Do we trust Him enough to pray as we should?

(Acts 12:5,12; 16:24,25; Ephesians 5:18; James 5:13)

Use the Scriptures.

Opposition is much harder to take when we can’t prove we are right. But if we understand and trust God’s
word, we are much stronger.

Romans 10:17 – To resist persecution, we need strong faith, which comes by hearing God’s word. Those least
likely to fall are those who have deep conviction based on the Scriptures.
1 Peter 3:14-16 – When we suffer for righteousness, we need not fear their threats. They may defame us and
speak against our good conduct in Christ. But if we are always ready to give answer for our hope, then they may
be ashamed. If we can defend our beliefs by the Bible, then it becomes clear that opponents are not really
opposing us, but they are opposing God’s word!

Note that this should be done with meekness and fear. We should not act with self-righteous pride, simply
trying to win an argument to prove we are right and put them down. We must love their souls, while hating their
sinful deeds, so we sincerely try to persuade them to serve the Lord.

Matthew 4:1-11 – When Satan opposed Jesus, Jesus always appealed to God’s word: “It is written.” As a result
He did not sin, and eventually the Devil had to leave.

The easiest targets for persecutors are people who have not been studying their Bibles, so they cannot give solid
evidence for their position. When a person cannot prove his position, he faces uncertainty and is much more
likely to surrender his position.

But the person least likely to be swayed by opposition is the person who:

(1) Is truly convinced he is right, and

(2) Knows why he believes as he does and can defend his position with evidence, and

(3) Expects opposition and has the answers ready to give when it comes.

Choose Your Close Companions Carefully.

Some Christians submit themselves unnecessarily to ridicule and temptation from people with whom they
simply should not be closely associating. Others do not associate as closely as they should with Christians who
can encourage them as they face persecution.

We Should Limit Our Companionship with Persistent Sinners.

1 Corinthians 15:33 – Evil company corrupts good habits.

Proverbs 13:20 – He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

Like Jesus, we may use our association with sinners to try to convert them. But if they resist our efforts to teach,
ridicule our service to God, and try to persuade us to do wrong, then they become part of the persecution we are
trying to avoid!

(Proverbs 5:8; 22:24,25; Genesis 39:10)

We Should Develop Close Companionship with Faithful Christians.

Whereas worldly people may ridicule and tempt us, Christians should help strengthen us.

Acts 4:23 – When Peter and John were persecuted, they went to their own companions (Christians) and prayed
together.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 – Christians comfort one another in suffering. When others have faced the same problems
we face, they can sympathize and give helpful advice. Unlike the world, they want us to do right and will help
us, not hinder us.

Hebrews 10:23-25 – Hebrew Christians, facing opposition and persecution, were commanded not to forsake
their assembling together. They needed to exhort and stir one another up to good works, so their hope would not
waver.

When people of the world ridicule our stand for the truth and tempt us to sin, we need to back off from such
relationships and strengthen our association with Christians. Above all, we should diligently attend whenever
the church is meeting, so we can be encouraged to stay faithful.

Remember Faithful Servants Who Endured Persecution.

James 5:10 – Take the prophets as an example of suffering and patience. Many servants of God were persecuted
but endured faithfully. Their example warns us to expect persecution, but also shows that we can endure
persecution successfully. (Matthew 5:10-12)

Consider some examples:

* Moses facing Pharaoh

* Elijah facing King Ahab and 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18)

* Daniel thrown into the lion’s den for praying to God despite the law against it. (Daniel 6)

* Daniels’ three friends, when told by King Nebuchadnezzar to worship his image or be thrown into a fiery
furnace, responded: “…our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He
will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your
gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17,18)

* 1 Samuel 17:45-47 –David facing Goliath said, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a
javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have
defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand… Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does
not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands.”
* Acts 5:29,40-42 – When the apostles were commanded by the Sanhedrin not to preach about Jesus, Peter said:
“We ought to obey God rather than men” “… and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they
commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the
presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the
temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”

* Acts 7:52,54-60 – On trial before the council, Stephen asked which of the prophets were not persecuted by the
Jews. In the same way they had killed Jesus. They responded by killing Stephen. Yet he died faithfully, calling
on God to forgive them and to receive his spirit.

* Acts 20:18-20,23,24 – The apostle Paul was persecuted nearly everywhere and often had to flee to save his
life. Yet he continued to preach and did not compromise truth.
* Hebrews 11:35-12:4 – God’s faithful servants have suffered every imaginable persecution. They become a
great cloud of witnesses urging us to run with patience the race before us. Jesus, who endured the cross and the
opposition of enemies, especially becomes our example lest we become weary and discouraged.

When we are suffering, it is easy to think no one else ever had problems like we have. But when we know that
other servants of God faced problems just as bad and often worse than we face but they endured faithfully, their
example encourages us to stand firm.

(2 Corinthians 11:23-27; 1 Peter 5:8,9; 2:21-23; Acts 8:1-4)

Remember Your Eternal Reward.

Overcoming opposition requires strong motivation. One motivation that helps us serve God despite persecution
is our love for God (already discussed). Another is our eternal reward.

Luke 6:22,23 – When men hate us, exclude us, and revile us, we can rejoice because we have a great reward in
heaven. Persecution is never pleasant, but we can have a sense of joy throughout it because of the reward to
which it leads.

Hebrews 10:32-34 – Hebrew Christians could joyfully endure tribulations and the plundering of their goods
because they knew they had a better possession in heaven.

Revelation 2:10 – The Christians at Smyrna were facing tribulation and about to be cast into prison. Jesus
promised that, if they were faithful until death, He would give them a crown of life.

One reason Christians fall away when they are persecuted is that they forget the reward. Instead of focusing on
the immediate problem, we need to concentrate on the end result. No matter how much we suffer for the Lord, it
will be worth it!

(2 Corinthians 4:16,17; 1 Peter 1:3-7; Romans 8:17,18; Matthew 10:28)

Conclusion

Suffering is never pleasant. That is why people do it to us. They are hoping we will become discouraged and
forsake our stand, or at least that others will turn away from us and refuse to join us. If we give up or
compromise the truth, then we have allowed them to succeed! Satan has won and we have lost.

While on earth, Jesus suffered more persecution than any of us ever will. He knows firsthand the problems
involved. He has provided us the means to overcome and be faithful. It is not easy, but it is possible. But we
must make use of the means He has provided.

Romans 8:31-39 – What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did
not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all
things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is
Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes
intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution,
or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are
accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who
loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things
present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from
the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Relationships between Races and Nationalities

Prejudice, unfair discrimination,

conflict, hatred, riots, and alienation often exist between people of
different races or nationalities. What about the Black Lives Matter
movement? Is there a solution to racial strife and bigotry? Can we be
united in Christ?
Click here to view this material as a video.

Click here for PowerPoint slides to accompany this study.

Introduction:

This lesson primarily teaches the following message:

The greatest problem faced by all people is sin. And the only real solution is salvation through Jesus and
obedience to the gospel.

The material I have to present is simply an enlargement on that theme.

I do not claim to be an expert in racial problems, but I have lived where racial minorities are a significant part of
the population. I have studied with many. And above all I intend to present the truth as revealed in Scripture.

We used to be told to use the term “African-Americans.” But Black Lives Matter refers to Black people in
contrast to White people; so intending no offense, I will do likewise.

Black People Do Face Many Serious Problems.

Black people call on others to help with their problems. Jesus is the Great Physician. As with any physician,
help requires honestly recognizing the real problems.

Suffering often results both from the conduct of other people and from the conduct of the people who are
suffering. So other people may help, but people who are suffering must also accept responsibility to resolve
their problems. That is the case here. That statement is not racist. No one can solve their problems by ignoring
the real causes.

The problems I will discuss are faced by many black people, but not all.

Injustice and Mistreatment by Police, Judges, and Other Races

The Bible warns repeatedly about injustice, partiality, and racial conflict.

Genesis 1:26,27 – Adam was created “in God’s image.” So all humans are in the image of God since we all
descended from Adam. What right do we have to mistreat someone who is in God’s image like we are?
(Genesis 9:6; James 3:9)

Deuteronomy 1:16,17 – Judges in Israel were told to judge without partiality.

James 2:1,8-12 – Partiality violates the law of love. People who commit racial hatred are guilty of sin, just as
surely as murderers and adulterers.

Acts 10:28 – In Bible times Jews and Gentiles hated one another and refused to associate. God taught Peter he
should not call any man common or unclean since God had cleansed them.

Family Breakdown, Out-of-Wedlock Births, Father Desertion

Our welfare system essentially pays women to bear children out of wedlock and care for them if the father is
absent. These evil laws have encouraged generations of black people to raise children without the support and
guidance of the father.

Hebrews 13:4 – Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will
judge.

1 Timothy 5:8 – If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has
denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Despite evil laws, people of all races must honor God’s plan for marriage and the responsibility of fathers to
lead and provide for their families.

(1 Corinthians 6:9-11,18-20; 7:2-4,9; Romans 7:2,3; Revelation 21:8; 22:14,15; Exodus 20:14; Hebrews 13:4;
Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:1-11; Colossians 3:5-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Proverbs 2:16-18; 5:1-23; 6:23-
7:27; 9:13-16; Mark 7:20-23; Matthew 5:28; 19:9; 2 Samuel 11&12)

Crime, Violence, Gangs, Drug Abuse

In any large city crime, violence, and gangs are a major problem, especially in minority neighborhoods.
Chicago news regularly reports drive-by shootings, gang fights, crime, violence, and drug problems.

Much of this results from family breakdown, which leads teens to participate in gangs, drugs, theft, or other
crimes.

Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Properly
trained children will avoid these evils.
To overcome their problems, all people must exercise the self-discipline to have good marriages, good homes,
and train children to do right.

(Psalm 127:3-5; 128:3-5; Ephesians 6:4; Titus 2:4; 1 Timothy 3:4,5)

Lack of Appreciation

Where else can people become multimillionaires by playing with a ball? Yet some who receive such blessings
deliberately insult our flag and national anthem.

Every patriotic citizen knows there are problems in this country. We salute the flag, not because there are no
problems, but because we appreciate our blessings, including the freedoms we enjoy. To insult the flag and the
anthem is an expression of ingratitude.

If things are so bad here, why do millions of minorities take extreme risks to enter this country? Why do we not
hear of large numbers of minorities leaving this country?

Philippians 4:6,7 – In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made
known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.

Those who want true peace of mind must learn to appreciate their blessings.

(1 Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 2:7; 1:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:3,4; Matthew 15:36; Luke
17:12-18; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; Romans 1:20-23)

Racism

Racism is rarely a one-way street. When a minority dominates a neighborhood, they often mistreat other races.
This is easily demonstrated.

In many black neighborhoods how safe is a white person, especially at night? My dad once worked as a
salesman in black neighborhoods on the south side of Chicago. If a white person faces greater danger among
black people than a black person does, what is that but racism?

Murders are routine in cities like Chicago. When blacks kill blacks, the media reports it then forgets it. But if
whites kill blacks it is an issue for weeks. If “black lives matter,” why isn’t it just as bad when blacks kill blacks
as when whites kill blacks?

We are being told that all white people, simply because they are white, are guilty of racism and owe reparations
to blacks. Assuming guilt based on race is a form of racism!

Racism is not unique to white people. Every Scripture that forbids racism by white people also forbids racism
committed by any other race or nationality. Equality before the law requires equal justice based entirely on
conduct regardless of the color of skin.

Hatred, Rioting, Violence, Looting, and Destruction of Property Only

Make Matters Worse.
Violence and Looting Are Sinful and Cause Strife and Alienation.
Even when unfair discrimination truly exists, we must use proper methods to oppose it.

Romans 13:1,2,5 – Be subject to the higher powers because they are ministers of God. To resist the power is to
withstand God. In the first century, the Roman Empire often mistreated Christians, but Jesus and Paul still
taught to obey the law.

Romans 12:14,17-21 – Avenge not yourself but bless those who persecute you, not rendering evil for evil.
Leave vengeance to God and do good to those who wrong you.

Ephesians 4:28 – Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is
good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

Two wrongs do not make a right. If we are unfairly treated, we must not retaliate, destroy property, or steal
from those who wronged us, let alone from innocent bystanders.

Remember these Scriptures! When God speaks, we must make applications wherever they apply. Applying
Scripture is not fundamentally political. It is simply teaching God’s word.

(Matthew 5:44; 1 Corinthians 6:9,10; Exodus 20:15; Isaiah 6:18; 1 Peter 4:15,16; Titus 2:9,10; Matthew
15:19,20; Psalm 37:21; Ezekiel 33:15; Genesis 9:2-6; Matthew 15:19,20; Revelation 21:8; 22:15; Romans 13:8-
10; Exodus 23:7; 20:13; Proverbs 6:16,17; Deuteronomy 27:25; Proverbs 25:21,22; Luke 6:27; Exodus 23:4,5;
2 Kings 6:22f; 2 Chronicles 28:15; Acts 7:60; Luke 23:34)

Black People Are Once Again Being Dominated by Evil People.

A poll by Pew Research (6/24/2020) revealed: Only about one-sixth of protesters (in the last month) are black,
while 46% are white. Whites dominate the protests nearly 3 to 1 over Blacks. – https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-
tank/2020/06/24/recent-protest-attendees-are-more-racially-and-ethnically-diverse-younger-than-americans-overall/

Who is leading this uprising and what is the goal?

Anarchists, Socialists, and Marxist-Leninists (Communists)

Here’s what Marxism (Communism) practices.

The Communist Manifesto concludes: “…Communists everywhere support every revolutionary movement
against the existing social and political order of things … They openly declare that their ends can be attained
only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions.” (p. 36)

Lenin said: “Riots – demonstrations – street battles … such are the stages in the development of a popular
uprising … great historical questions can be solved only by violence.” (SW3-312f)

American Communists were taught to be “...fighting organizations for seizing control of the state, for the
overthrow of government … The leading of strikes, of unemployment agitation, and of insurrection – such must
be their activity.” (SC-112)

Compare that to what is happening today.

Greater New York Black Lives Matter president Hawk Newsome warned that if the United States “doesn’t give
us what we want, then we will burn down this system and replace it.” (Fox News, June 24, 2020) –
www.breitbart.com/clips/2020/06/24/black-lives-matter-leader-if-america-doesnt-give-us-what-we-want-we-will-burn-down-this-system/
(6/25/2020)
BLM is financed by George Soros and other radical organizations. But BLM’s financial sponsor umbrella group
is called Thousand Currents.

“…the vice chairwoman of the board of directors for Thousand Currents is Susan Rosenberg, a convicted felon
who participated in bombing buildings in the Northeast and Washington, D.C. ... Rosenberg was part of M19,
short for May 19th Communist Organization. Her memoir ‘An American Radical,’ details her 16 years in
federal prison. At her sentencing hearing in 1984, Rosenberg urged supporters to ‘continue to fight for the
defeat of U.S. imperialism.’” – www.dailysignal.com/2020/06/25/4-things-the-liberal-media-wont-tell-you-
about-black-lives-matter/? (6/26/2020)

(See also https://capitalresearch.org/article/a-terrorists-ties-to-a-leading-black-lives-matter-group/)

Black Lives Matter was founded by Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi. In an interview in 2015
Cullors said that BLM “do[es] have an ideological frame. Myself and Alicia in particular are trained organizers.
We are trained Marxists. We are super-versed on, sort of, ideological theories” – justthenews.com/politics-
policy/video-resurfaces-which-black-lives-matter-founder-says-groups-creators-are-trained (accessed
6/25/2020)

In a 2018 Democracy Now! interview, Cullors acknowledged that her mentor was Eric Mann, “former member
of the Weather Underground charged with attempted murder of police officers in Boston back in 1969. The
domestic terror group Weather Underground is responsible for multiple terrorist bombings at the U.S. Capitol,
the State Department, and the Pentagon during the 1960s and ’70s.” - thefederalist.com/2020/07/08/black-lives-
matter-in-public-schools-is-turning-kids-into-little-marxists/

The “Social Justice” movement is led by Marxists, socialists, and their sympathizers.

Liberal politicians, media personalities, educators, and business leaders

The people who support these movements are usually the same people who support abortion, homosexuality,
transgenderism, divorce, political correctness, and similar causes.

One of the most influential groups is the ACLU. They defend pornography, homosexuality, and abortion. Roger
Baldwin, one of the founders of the ACLU, was a Communist. (YCT, intro)

Black Lives Matter official website states their beliefs including:

“We … dismantle cisgender privilege and uplift Black trans folk, …

“We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure …

“We foster a queer affirming network.”

– https://blacklivesmatter.com/what-we-believe/ (6/23/2020)

The Toronto chapter of BLM favors, among other things, decriminalization of drugs and sex work
(prostitution). The Washington DC chapter says it is committed to dismantling, among other things, “Patriarchy,
Capitalism, Imperialism and the role the state plays in supporting them.”

– Click for link (7/6/2020)

Yes, there are problems with race relations in our country. But hatred and violence only make matters far worse.
And worse yet, people who participate are supporting the agenda of those who advocate the destruction of our
society and other extreme forms of immorality.

The Real Solution to Race Problems Is Forgiveness and Faithfulness

to Jesus Christ.
The Greatest Problem All People Face Is Sin.

Romans 3:10-18,23 – There is none righteous, no, not one … There is none who does good, no, not one. …
Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not
known … for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Isaiah 53:6 – All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way.

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death.

The problems that cause conflict between races are fundamentally spiritual, caused by sin. How should we deal
with problems caused by sin?

(1 John 1:8,10; Proverbs 20:9; James 3:2; 1 Kings 8:46; Psalm 143:2; Ecclesiastes 7:20)

We Should Teach the Gospel to People of All Races and Nationalities.

The gospel is for all.

Mark 16:15,16 – Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

1 Timothy 2:4 – God wants all to know the truth and be saved.

Titus 2:11 – For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

Romans 3:29 – Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles?

(2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; 2:39; Colossians 1:27,28; Romans 1:5)

Gospel preaching must be without partiality.

Acts 10:34,35 – God is no respecter of persons, but He accepts people from every nation who fear Him and
work what is right.

Acts 15:9,11 – God made no distinction between Jew and Gentile, cleansing both the same way. What right
have we to make distinctions where God made none?

Romans 1:16 – The gospel is God’s power to save all who believe, Jew and Gentile.

Revelation 5:9 – Jesus redeems by His blood people from “every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.”

People of all races and nations need the gospel. We must take it to them.
(Romans 10:12,13; 1 Timothy 5:20,21: Galatians 2:5,6; Ephesians 2:11-18; Titus 2:11; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans
2:6-11; John 4:9; Acts 8:1-12; 11:17,18; Galatians 3:11,28; 2:11-14; 6:15; Colossians 3:11; Luke 9:51-53; John
1:45-51)

We Must Treat All People with Love.

James 2:8,9 – Partiality violates the royal law: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The Bible gets to the
root of the problem: love vs. hate.

Luke 10:25-37 – Jesus used the good Samaritan (a mixed race) to illustrate the Royal Law of loving your
neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 7:12 – The Golden Rule teaches us to do to others as we would have them do to us.

When we learn that all people are in the image of God and that God loves them just the same regardless of their
physical circumstances, then we learn the meaning of love.

We Should Work for Peace and Unity in Each Local Church with People of All Races and
Nationalities.

Since all must be in the church to be saved, then church membership is for all.

Galatians 3:28 – There can be no Jew or Gentile, bond or free. We are all one in Christ.

Everyone who obeys the gospel then becomes part of Jesus’ church (Acts 2:47; 20:28).

Yet some people do not want people of other races in the same congregation.

Ephesians 2:13-19 – But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off [Gentiles] have been brought near by
the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, … so as to create in Himself one new
man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the
cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to
those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you are
no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

Who can imagine this means that Jews should have separate congregations from Gentiles? If we are all citizens
in the same kingdom and children in the same family, what right do we have refusing to worship together? How
can we say that we accept other folks as children of God, but refuse to be part of the same local church with
them?

We must teach all, and if they obey we must accept them fully into the congregation.

We Should Show Kindness and Hospitality to People of All Races and Nationalities.

Christians should help the destitute as we have opportunity and ability.

Luke 10:25-37 – The Samaritan assisted a needy Jew. This is how Jesus illustrated love for our neighbor.
Destitute people should be helped without partiality.

(Acts 6:1-6)
Christians should associate with people regardless of race.

Galatians 2:11-14 – In teaching Cornelius, Peter had eaten with Gentiles (Acts 11:3), but later he refused to do
so. Paul said this was hypocrisy. If, because of race or nationality, we refuse to be hospitable or show common
courtesy to people, we are “not straightforward about the truth of the gospel” and are “to be blamed.”

(Acts 10:28; Hebrews 13:2)

Christians should welcome visitors in our assemblies.

James 2:1-13 – The partiality here forbidden involved welcoming and honoring one class of people in church
assemblies, but ignoring or belittling others.

Conclusion

James 3:17 – The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and
good fruits, without partiality or hypocrisy.

No spiritual problem can be resolved if we ignore the real causes of the problem. The true solution to racial
differences is forgiveness through Jesus and then love and obedience to the teachings of Jesus.

(For other passages regarding peace with other people, see Matthew 5:9; James 3:13-18; Romans 12:18; 14:19;
Genesis 13:8; Proverbs 20:3; Psalm 133:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:13; Ephesians 4:2-6; Galatians 5:19-21; 2
Corinthians 13:11; Mark 9:50; Hebrews 12:11; 14:19; Isaiah 32:17.)

Bibliography

The following is a list of materials regarding Marxism which are cited in this study.

CACC = Christian Anti-Communism Crusade Newsletter, edited by Dr. Fred Schwarz; Long Beach, CA.

SC = A Study of Communism, J. Edgar Hoover, 1962; Holt, Rinehart, & Winston, Inc., New York, NY.

SW (followed by volume number) = Selected Works, V.I. Lenin; International Publishers, New York.

YCT = You Can Still Trust the Communists…, Fred Schwarz and David Noebel, Christian Anti-Communism
Crusade, 2010

What Sin Has Done for You

 Sin has serious consequences in this life
and in eternity. Consider the suffering sin can cause in your life, the
blessings it causes you to miss, and the punishment to which it can
lead.
Click here to see a PowerPoint for this study.

This material is included in our published book about salvation. Click here for more information.

Introduction:

Things in life are not always as advertised.

Have you ever bought a product only to be really disappointed in it? Karen and I once bought a used freezer.
When we first examined it, it felt cold inside. But it was sitting in a garage in the wintertime. The man said it
worked; but when we got it home, it did not work at all.

Commercials can make a product sound so good you are supposed to think you can’t live without it. But many
of the products advertised are not good for you at all. Often the reality is entirely different from what is
advertised.

Likewise, sin puts on a good front, but the reality is much different.

Sin is transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4). Pure and simple, sin is disobeying our Creator.

Some people try to convince us that sin is harmless, innocent, and even enjoyable.

Hebrews 11:25 refers to the “pleasures of sin.”

James 1:14,15 – Sin entices us by appealing to our desires. We may truly enjoy some aspects of sin temporarily.
But despite the apparent advantages, the end result is tragic.

The purpose of this lesson is to examine the real consequences of sin.

Genesis 2:16,17 – God created everything “very good.” But He warned the first man and woman about the
consequences of sin. Nevertheless, Eve sinned and encouraged Adam to sin, and since then all people have
sinned (Romans 3:23). Tragic consequences have resulted.
In this lesson we want to consider, not just what sin advertises and promises, but what it really delivers: the
reality of sin. Consider what sin has done for you and all of the human race.

Consequences of Sin in This Life

People like to convince themselves that sinners live “the good life.” They think God makes up rules to take
away people’s fun, so to really enjoy life you have to ignore the rules. This is what sin advertises, but consider
what sin really causes.

Sickness, Pain, and Death

Genesis 3:16,19 – The world was free from suffering and death until Adam and Eve sinned. Their sin brought
pain and death into the world. This includes disease, which causes death.

All sickness and death are a result of sin.

1 Corinthians 15:21,22,25,26 – Everyone dies as result of Adam’s sin. Death is an enemy, because it is a
consequence of sin.

John 11:35 – Jesus wept at death of Lazarus. Death was sad, even to Jesus.

When a person dies, some people say, “It was the will of God.” But death is the consequence of sin, and it was
never God’s will for man to sin. Death is God’s will only in the same sense that it is the will of a parent to
punish a disobedient child. Neither the parent nor the child is glad the punishment must occur. But when a child
does wrong, the parent must correct him.

We may or may not be able to see a direct connection between sin and sickness.

Sometimes we see the connection between sin and suffering.

* A man gets drunk and has a wreck.

* Smoking leads to cancer, drinking to cirrhosis, fornication to V.D.

* Anytime there is war, someone has been guilty of greed, anger, hatred, or a lust for power. There would be no
war if everyone would live right.

Other times we may not see how a specific sin led to a specific disease or death.

But whenever a loved one suffers or dies, remember this is what sin has done for mankind.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – Paul prayed for God to remove his thorn in the flesh. It is right to pray for God to help
us overcome sickness and suffering, but God chose to leave the problem for Paul’s good. God has not promised
to remove all suffering from our lives on earth. Suffering reminds us that sin is tragic.

1 Corinthians 15:21-16 – In the end Christ will remove all death by raising the dead.

Obstacles and Frustration

Genesis 3:17-19 – As a consequence of sin, man would face problems, hindrances, and difficulties in his work.
Life is filled with thorns and thistles. People face many hardships in achieving goals.
Problems in daily work

Men work long hours and face conflicts on the job. Other workers may fail to do their job, supervisors may
make poor decisions, equipment may fail, and the government requires red tape. Every man I know can talk for
hours about the frustrations on his job.

Homemakers may think their work never gets caught up. As you do the laundry, the kids start to fight, the baby
needs changed, a salesman knocks at the door, and the dinner burns.

Problems in the church

We may think there should be no problems in the work of the church, but God’s word shows otherwise. We
often struggle to find people who are willing to study God’s word. When we do find someone, some false
teacher leads him astray. Some members become inactive or fall away, or members fuss among themselves.
And there always seems to be some new doctrinal issue.

When these problems occur, we should remember that this is what sin has done for mankind. Why should we
believe people who tell us that sin is better than God’s way?

Alienation Between People

Advertisements for bars and casinos show people having a wonderful social life. But how does sin really affect
human relationships?

Alienation within families

Brothers and sisters

Genesis 4:3-8 – Sin alienated Adam and Eve’s sons. In the end, Cain became angry and killed Abel.

Genesis 27 – Jacob had to leave home because his deceit caused Esau to threaten to kill him.

Genesis 37 – Joseph’s brothers sold him as a slave because they were jealous.

Likewise, children today often fight and quarrel.

Husbands and wives

Many homes are often divided or end in divorce because of disobedience to God’s word.

Ephesians 5:22-25,28 – God teaches husbands to love their wives and wives to submit to their husbands. But
sometimes husbands are selfish or wives rebel.

The happiness of a home may be destroyed by alcohol or drugs, gambling, adultery, etc.

God’s way is best, but again and again we hear of homes broken because of sin.

Parents and children

Luke 15:11-32 – The prodigal son rejected his father’s will and wasted his inheritance in immorality.

2 Samuel 15-18 – David fought a war with his own son Absalom.
Ephesians 6:1-4 – God says children should obey parents, and parents should discipline children in love for
their good. But we often hear of parents becoming physically violent or even abandoning a child. Or children
may rebel, reject God, or turn to drinking and drugs, sexual immorality, or crime.

How can anyone say that sin is better than God’s way?

Alienation between friends or between church members

People may be close friends for years but become alienated when one mistreats or takes advantage of the other.

2 Timothy 4:10 – Because he loved this world, Demas forsook Paul. Brethren who worked side-by-side for
years, may be so alienated and bitter that they cannot even worship together.

Romans 12:18 – God teaches us how to avoid and resolve our differences. But this requires all parties to
cooperate. Sometimes, no matter how we try, others refuse to be peaceable.

This is what sin has done for mankind! Why should anyone think sin is a better way to live than serving God?

Alienation from God

Adam and Eve were alienated from God because of sin.

Genesis 3:8 – They had been in God’s presence, but sin caused them to hide from God.

Genesis 2:16,17 – The “death” man received because of sin refers primarily to spiritual death: separation from
God. Physical death is separation of body from spirit (James 2:26). Spiritual death is separation of man from
God.

We too are alienated from God because of our sins.

Isaiah 59:1,2 – Our sins and iniquities separate us from God.

Ephesians 2:1-3,12 – Sin makes us spiritually dead while physically alive. We are separated from Christ,
without hope and without God.

Colossians 1:21-23 – In sin, we are enemies of God. The blessing of the gospel is that, through Christ, we can
be forgiven of sin and be reconciled with God. Physical problems may or may not be removed in this life, but
the problem of alienation from God can be completely solved through Christ.

God created man in His image (Genesis 1:26,27), so we could have fellowship and peace with God. Instead, sin
so alienates us that He considers us His enemy. But by following God’s way, we can be friends of God again.
So how can sin be better for man than God’s way?

(Ephesians 4:18; 5:6; Romans 5:10; 1:18; 2:5; James 4:4; Colossians 3:6)

Mental Anguish

People in sin are often pictured as carefree, just enjoying life to the full. But consider what problems the Bible
says sinners have:

Guilt
Genesis 3:10 – Adam hid from God because he knew he was naked.

Psalm 38:3-8 – David’s guilt caused pain, sorrow, and inward groaning. (51:1-3)

Matthew 27:3-5 – Judas killed himself because of his guilt.

Jonah 1,2 – Jonah tried to run and hide from God, but no one can hide from God.

God is willing to forgive us and remove the burden of guilt. Yet many people live in anguish year after year,
knowing they are guilty. This is what sin has done for mankind.

Fear, insecurity, and worry

Matthew 6:25-34 – Many people worry about how they will obtain what they want in life. But God promises to
care for His servants.

Philippians 4:6,7 – Many people are anxious about life because they don’t serve God or don’t pray to Him in
faith. But God promises peace that passes understanding if His faithful servants pray in faith.

Matthew 25:46 – Many fear death because they aren’t ready for judgment. But God promises eternal life to the
righteous.

So these consequences of sin can definitely be solved by the power of God even in this life. So why continue to
suffer in sin? How much better to serve God and let Him remove the burden of guilt!

Sorrow

Matthew 26:75 – Peter wept bitterly after he had denied Christ three times.

Psalm 32:1-5 – David groaned all day long because of sin, but when he confessed he was forgiven. Once again,
the burden of guilt on our souls can be completely lifted through Jesus.

So why would anyone think that sin is better than God’s way? Does it make sense to continue in sin instead of
serving God?

(Psalm 38:3-8; Proverbs 13:15)

Consequences of Sin after This Life

So far we have described problems sin causes in this life. But some people seem to suffer little if any
consequences of sin in this life. They may prosper and appear to live “the high life.” So some folks conclude
that maybe sin is not all that bad.

The truth is that most people in sin do suffer many of the problems we have described in this life, whether they
acknowledge it or not. But after this life will come problems that everyone will definitely suffer unless their sins
are forgiven.

Sinners Receive Eternal Punishment.

Consider how the Bible describes this punishment.

Fire

Matthew 25:41 – The wicked will go to eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.

Revelation 20:10-15 – The second death is a lake of fire for all not found in book of life.

Physical death is the first death, and we have learned it is the consequence of sin. But that death is nothing
compared to the second death: the lake of fire.

(Matthew 13:39-42; 18:8,9)

Conscious torment

Revelation 20:10 – Those in the lake of fire were tormented day and night.

Luke 16:19-31 – The rich man died and was tormented in flame.

(Romans 2:8,9)

Outer darkness

Matthew 8:12 – Imagine being tormented in flame, but you can’t see anything. You want to escape, but there is
no way to escape.

There is not one passage that says anything good about the state of the wicked after death.

Eternal

Matthew 25:41,46 – Eternal fire, everlasting punishment

2 Thessalonians 1:8,9 – Everlasting destruction (ruin)

This is the final result of what sin does for mankind. We will see that the gospel shows how to avoid this end.
But why would anyone defend sin or present it as harmless and innocent?

Sinners Miss Eternal Life

Not only does sin lead to a horrible destiny, but it also causes us to miss a beautiful destiny. Notice how the
gospel describes the destiny of those who are forgiven of sin.

Heaven, the dwelling place of God

Matthew 5:10-12 – Those who endure persecution receive a great reward in heaven.

1 Peter 1:3,4 – An inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, reserved in Heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:17; 5:9,10 – We shall ever be with the Lord living with Him.

(Philippians 3:20,21; Revelation 21:3; 22:3,4)

Happiness with no suffering

Romans 2:6-10 – Glory, honor, and peace to all who work good

Revelation 21:3,4 – God will wipe away all tears, death, sorrow, crying, and pain.

When God first created man, everything was “very good” with no problems. But sin brought with it all the
problems we have discussed. So now God has provided another place where these problems are not found. Why
would anyone prefer the consequences of sin?

Eternal life

Matthew 25:46 – The righteous go into eternal life.

Romans 6:23 – The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Revelation 21:27 – Those who practice sin will not enter Heaven (verse 8).

Sin not only makes this life miserable and causes physical death, but after death it causes us to miss the joys of
heaven. This is what sin has done for mankind.

(Romans 2:7; Galatians 6:8; Titus 1:2; 3:7; John 3:16; 20:31;)

Conclusion

Knowing the truth of God’s word, why should anyone want to defend sin as being innocent or harmless, let
alone pleasant and desirable? Why would anyone continue practicing sin?

The good news of the gospel is that Jesus Christ can solve all these problems.

The gospel means “good news.” God seeks our good, not our harm. But no one will truly appreciate the good
news till he first understands the bad news.

John 3:16 – Jesus can forgive sin so we can have eternal life, not eternal torment. (1 John 1:6,7; Romans 5:1,2)

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. He gives His people strength to
endure and be faithful despite the hardships of life.

Serving God does not remove all problems from the lives of Christians. All people suffer in this life because sin
is in the world. But God helps us avoid many of the problems in this life. Then after this life, we can go to a
land where there are no problems at all.

What must we do to be forgiven and receive eternal life?

Believe, repent, confess, and be baptized – Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38.

Live a faithful life – Revelation 2:10; 1 Corinthians 15:58.

If we sin again, repent and confess – 1 John 1:8-10; Acts 8:22.

Have you been forgiven, so you can escape the consequences of sin? Are you living a faithful life so you have
assurance of eternal life with no problems when this life is over?
Does God Test People Today?

God tested Abraham and other faithful

servants. Some people wonder whether God still tests people today. If
so, how does the differ from temptation from Satan?
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Introduction:

Genesis 22:1 says God tested Abraham by commanding him to offer Isaac. The purpose of this study is to
consider whether or not God tests people today in a sense similar to the test He gave Abraham.

General Teaching about Tests

“Test” Can Be Used in a Good or Bad Sense.

To “test” means to examine, experiment, or prove.

In the bad sense, this same word is often translated to “tempt.” Temptation means a test that tends to entice or
seduce someone to do wrong. Often, the tempter wants the person to fail the test and do wrong, resulting in
spiritual harm. It is not intended to be helpful.

In this sense, Satan and his workers tested Jesus and other people throughout history, hoping to lead people to
fail and commit sin. But God never tempts people in this sense (James 1:13).
In the good sense a test may examine someone to give them an opportunity to demonstrate character, integrity,
etc., with the hope that they will do what is right, resulting in their benefit. It is intended to be helpful.

Everyday Examples of Good Tests

A schoolteacher tests or examines students to give them opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned. A
good teacher hopes the students do well and pass the test. But if students show a weakness, the teacher hopes to
help them improve.

Manufacturers test their products to make sure they work properly. An engineering friend often described the
great lengths his department used to test their products. Obviously they hope the product will pass the test; but if
it shows a weakness, the goal is to improve it.

Doctors regularly do examinations and tests to determine whether or not patients have diseases. They hope
patients prove to be healthy; but if a problem is found, they hope to cure it.

We can think of many other examples of good tests.

Bible Examples in Which People Made Good Tests

Judges 6:39 – Gideon tested God’s instruction by exposing a fleece overnight to dew.

1 Kings 10:1 – The queen of Sheba tested Solomon’s wisdom with hard questions.

Proverbs 17:3 – Metal is tested to determine if it is gold or silver (like the prospectors in Western movies take
ore to the assay office).

Daniel 1:12-14 – Daniel’s diet was tested to see if it was better than the king’s diet.

Luke 14:19 – A man who bought oxen wanted to test them (like test driving a car).

Tests may be challenging, difficult, and even unpleasant; but they can have a useful purpose. The one who is
tested has the opportunity to demonstrate his strengths or abilities. If a weakness is found, he has opportunity to
improve.

This is the sense in which God tested Abraham. The question is: Does God still test people today in this sense.
Consider the Bible teaching.

(1 Samuel 17:39; Ecclesiastes 2:1ff)

Tests in the Old Testament

Old Testament Passages

Exodus 15:24-26 – When the people of Israel complained because of thirst, God tested their obedience to His
statutes, then He would not put the plagues of Egypt on them.

Deuteronomy 13:3 – When false prophets tried to mislead the people, God was testing them to know whether
they loved God with all their heart and soul. (Note that sinful people brought the temptation, but God used it as
a test.)
Psalms 11:4,5 – God’s eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. He tests the righteous, but hates the
wicked.

Psalms 17:3 – You have tested my heart; You have tried me and have found nothing.

* Psalms 26:2 – Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. (139:23)

* Proverbs 17:3 – The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts.

* Isaiah 48:10 – I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. (Jeremiah 9:7)

* Jeremiah 17:10 – The Lord searches the heart and tests the mind, to give every man according to his ways.

(Exodus 20:18-21; Ecclesiastes 3:18; Judges 7:4; 2:22; 3:1,4; Job 23:10; 1 Chronicles 29:17; 2 Chronicles
32:31; Psalms 7:9; 66:10; 81:7; Jeremiah 6:27-30; 12:3; 11:20; 20:12)

The Nature and Purpose of God’s Tests

Consider more closely several examples. What did they involve? What was their purpose?

The command to Abraham to offer Isaac

Genesis 22:1– God tested Abraham (Hebrews 11:17-19). Note what the test involved:

1) A command/requirement – God told Abraham to offer his son Isaac (verse 2).

2) A choice – The command was challenging, difficult: not something one might naturally choose to do.

3) Success was possible, but so was failure. The requirement was not beyond the person’s ability. Yet in order
to be a true test, the person could really choose to disobey.

4) It gave an opportunity to demonstrate faithfulness to God. Note that God stopped Abraham when he had
demonstrated willingness to obey (verses 10-16).

5) God rewarded and praised obedience (verses 15-18). The results also taught important lessons and produced
growth and improvement.

Manna in the wilderness

Exodus 16:4 – God sent manna as a test, whether or not the people would walk in His law. This involved:

1) A command/requirement – They must gather manna every morning, not keep it overnight, gather twice as
much on the sixth day and not gather on the seventh day (verses 14-30).

2) A choice – not something one might naturally choose to do. Some kept it overnight, but it spoiled. Some did
not gather extra for the seventh day.

3) Success was possible, but so was failure. The requirement was not beyond the people’s ability, but they
really could choose to disobey.
4) It gave an opportunity to demonstrate faith and devotion to God. It was a test whether or not they would walk
in God’s law (verse 4).

5) God rewarded and praised obedience. And people who disobeyed were taught important lessons to produce
growth and improvement.

Deuteronomy 8:2,16 – God led Israel in the wilderness and fed them with manna, to humble and test them, to
know what was in their heart, whether they would keep His commandments or not, and to do them good in the
end. God tested people, not hoping they would fail so He could punish, but hoping they would succeed and be
blessed!

Joseph sold as a slave and prisoner

Psalm 105:16-22 – Joseph was sold as a slave and imprisoned. God’s word tested him, but the king made him
lord of his house, to teach wisdom to Joseph’s elders (his brothers). Note what this involved (see the account in
Genesis 37-50).

1) A command/requirement – Joseph was expected to serve faithfully as a slave and prisoner despite
mistreatment. Note verse 19: He was tested by God’s word.

2) A choice – The command was challenging, difficult. He was mistreated and suffered unjustly with no
explanation why God would allow such suffering.

3) Success was possible, but so was failure. The requirement was not beyond Joseph’s ability. Yet in order to be
a true test, he really could choose to disobey.

4) It gave an opportunity to please God.

5) God rewarded and praised obedience. Joseph became ruler over Egypt and saved his family from famine.

Genesis 50:20,21 – Joseph learned that God did this to save the family alive. (The results also taught wisdom to
his elders – his brothers and family – Psalm 105:22.)

Note that God did no evil but He allowed Joseph to be mistreated by evil people (his brothers and Potiphar’s
wife).

Once the pattern becomes clear, other examples are obvious.

Consider: Adam and Eve and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil; Job (Job 23:10); etc.

If God repeatedly tested Old Testament servants, why would He not test people today? The specific instructions
today may be different, but why would God test them but not us?

Tests in the New Testament

New Testament Examples of Testing

We must make tests.

2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do we hope we
will fail? No, but if we find a problem, we hope to correct it.

1 Timothy 3:10 – Before men are appointed as elders or deacons, we must test to see if they are qualified. Do
we hope they will fail?

1 John 4:1 – Test the spirits, because there are many false prophets. Do we hope teachers will fail the test? We
should not; but if we find error, we should try to correct it. (Revelation 2:2)

If God expects us to test others, why be surprised that God would also test people?

Evidence that God tests people in the New Testament

Zechariah 13:9 – God will refine the remnant as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. As a result, He
would call them His people and they would call Him their God. But this a prophecy of Jesus (verses 7-9)
referring to the New Testament.

Matthew 4:1 – Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Satan’s intents were
malicious, but the Spirit led Jesus there.

Hebrews 2:18; 4:15 – Jesus was tempted so He can aid us in our temptations. God allowed His own Son to face
tests, like He allowed Satan to test Job and Joseph’s brothers to test Joseph.

John 6:6 – Jesus’ statement was intended to test His apostle Philip.

2 Corinthians 2:9; 8:8 – Paul’s teachings put the Corinthians to the test to see whether they were obedient in all
things. And note that He did it by the things that He wrote.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 – Paul spoke, not to please men, but God who tests our hearts.

So, the New Testament clearly implies that God still tests people.

Ways God May Test People Today

The Old Testament showed the characteristics of tests. Consider New Testament examples.

Affliction, hardship, suffering

James 1:2-4 – We can rejoice even as we face trials, because the testing of our faith produces patience and
makes us mature.

1 Peter 1:6,7 – Just as fire tests gold, so the genuineness of our faith is proved by various trials. These cause
grief, yet we can rejoice because the result will be praise and honor.

Revelation 2:10; 3:10 – Suffering and trial would come on the churches of Asia and the whole world to test
them. The devil would throw some Christians into prison, that they may be tested. Those who were faithful until
death would receive the crown of life.

Note the similarities to Old Testament tests. People were (1) required to be faithful, (2) though it would be
challenging. (3) Success was possible, but so was failure. (4) The test gave people the opportunity to
demonstrate faithfulness to God, so that (5) God would reward them and bring them to maturity.
In many cases, Satan and his servants actually caused the problems. But God allowed them – as with Joseph,
Job, and Jesus – to serve His purpose in testing. Understanding this helps motivate us to pass the test.

(2 Corinthians 8:2; James 1:12; 1 Peter 4:12)

Giving rebuke/discipline

2 Corinthians 2:9; 7:11 – Paul had written instructing the church to discipline the fornicator (2:4-11; 1
Corinthians 5). He wrote to this end, that he might put them to the test, whether they would be obedient in all
things. 7:11 – They proved themselves to be clear in this matter.

See how this fits the characteristics of a test. People were (1) given a Divine command, (2) though it would be
challenging. (3) Success was possible, but so was failure. (4) The test gave them the opportunity to demonstrate
obedience to God, so that (5) God would praise and reward them and bring them to maturity.

When sin exists in a congregation, how we handle it becomes a test of our obedience to God. Understanding
this helps motivate us to pass the test.

(Galatians 6:1)

Prayer

(This and following examples are not called “tests,” but they fit the characteristics of tests.)

Matthew 6:7,8 – God knows our needs before we ask. If so, why should we ask? It’s a test! God knows our
needs, but He wants us to express our trust in Him by asking in prayer.

As with other tests: We have (1) a Divine command, (2) it may not seem hard, but lots of people neglect it. (3)
Success is possible, but so is failure. (4) The test gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our faith in God, so
that (5) God can reward us and teach us to trust Him.

Baptism

Mark 16:16 – He who believes and is baptized will be saved.

Acts 2:38 – Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.

Acts 22:16 – Be baptized and wash away your sins.

Despite these plain statements, people say we can be saved by just believing, so why do we have to do
anything? And why would God think dipping in water is necessary to salvation?

Abraham, Joseph, and Israel could have raised similar objections against God’s commands – and they would
have failed the test. The reason for the command is: It’s a test!

In salvation, God had to choose some way for people to demonstrate their faith. To forgive everybody
unconditionally would violate His justice. To condemn everybody unconditionally would violate His love and
mercy. So something must separate those who receive salvation from those who do not; and whatever God
chose would constitute a test! So, He chose that people must believe in Him enough to repent, confess, and be
immersed in water.
See how this fits the characteristics of a test? We have (1) a Divine command, (2) it may not seem hard, but
apparently lots of people struggle with it. (3) Success is possible, but so is failure. (4) The test gives people the
opportunity to demonstrate our faith in God, so that (5) God can forgive us and teach us to trust Him.

Sadly, lots of people fail this test. But like Abraham, you and I can obey and be blessed.

Obedience

Most of us can think of many other Divine commands that constitute tests.

Matthew 19:21,22 – Why did Jesus command the rich young ruler to sell all his possessions and give to the
poor? He doesn’t require that of everyone. But it was a test!

1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 16:1,2 – Why did Jesus say to meet each first day of the week to have the collection
and the Lord's Supper? He could have picked other ways for us to remember Jesus’ death or to finance gospel
preaching. Why do it this way? It’s a test! Those who really believe and appreciate God’s gifts will show our
appreciation the way Jesus said to do it.

2 Corinthians 8:24 – Giving shows “the proof of our love”! It’s a test.

Every command God has given constitutes a test of our faith and love for Him.

John 14:15 – If you love me, keep my commands.

1 John 5:3 – This is the love of God, that we keep His commands.

Many people claim obedience is not necessary. “Why do we have to do things just the way the Bible says?”
“Why do we have to do anything at all?” Every command God has given tests how much we really love God
and believe in Him! It’s a test! Will we pass or fail?

Conclusion

Hebrews 12:1 compares life to a race. But a race is a test. So all of life is a test! Why did God put us here on
earth anyway? Why give us a guide to follow and expect us to live according to His word?

Years ago Christians often mentioned in their prayers and teaching that “this life is a proving ground.” God
gives us the opportunity here to show how much we really love and believe in Him. He wants us to succeed, not
fail. We can succeed; and if we do, He will reward us eternally.

How will you respond to the tests God gives you every day in life? Have you submitted to the test of baptism?
Are you passing the test of life?

Trusting God and Action: Practical Applications

 How does trust or faith relate to action or
work in the life of Christians? Does faith mean we should do nothing
and leave everything to God? What abut forgiveness, health care,
necessities, voting, and similar issues?
Click here to obtain worksheets and outlines to accompany this material.

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Introduction:

One of the challenging issues faced by followers of Jesus concerns the relationship between trusting God and
our own responsibility to act. Regarding salvation from sin, people have mistaken ideas about how faith relates
to obedience. But we will see that people have similar misconceptions regarding our lives as Christians.

So the purpose of this study is to consider the teaching of the Bible regarding how faith relates to man's actions
in many areas of our lives as Christians. Please consider:

I. Trust and Action Work Together

Many people think that trusting God means people need not do anything. They just trust God and He does it all.
But notice these passages:

Psalm 37:3 – Trust in the Lord and do good.

1 Timothy 4:10 – To this end we labor, because we trust in the living God.

Galatians 5:6 – What avails in Christ Jesus is faith working through love.
So God requires His people both to trust Him and to labor. When people profess to rely upon God to do
everything, they may appear to be spiritual-minded; but really they have a serious misunderstanding of Biblical
faith.

Notice some specific examples in which people believe that trusting God eliminates the need for man to do
anything.

Proper Relationship with God

In becoming Christians

Many people believe that we are saved by faith alone. They say Jesus did it all when He died on the cross; so if
we trust in God, there is nothing for us to do in order to be saved. Some even claim that, if we think we must do
anything to be saved, we are trusting in ourselves, not in God.

Such an emphasis on trusting God may sound virtuous, but consider the following passages:

Mark 16:16 – He who believes and is baptized will be saved.

James 2:24 – A man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Verse 22 explains that faith works together
with man's actions. By works faith is made perfect.

Many passages show that true faith in God requires man to obey God in order to be saved.

(Matthew 7:21-27; 22:36-39; John 14:15,21-24; Acts 10:34,35; Romans 2:6-10; 6:17,18; Hebrews 5:9; 10:39;
11:8,30; Galatians 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9; James 1:21-25; 2:14-26; Luke 6:46; 1 Peter 1:22,23; 1 John 5:3;
2:3-6)

In maintaining fellowship with God as His children

Some teach that, when Christians commit sins, there is nothing they need to do to be forgiven. So God
automatically forgives an erring child of God, without his meeting any conditions. But again, note what the
Scriptures teach.

Acts 8:22 – Repent and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.

So, faith in God does not eliminate the need for people to act to receive forgiveness. Rather, faith and obedience
work together, whether for an alien sinner or an erring child of God.

Physical Necessities

Some people face such decisions as what job to take or where to live; but they are afraid to make a choice,
thinking they may choose something different from what God wants. Others hope for a “sign” from God to tell
them what choice to make.

Matthew 6:11 – Jesus taught us to pray to God for our daily bread. Should we work to meet that need or just let
God do it all?

1 Timothy 5:8 – A man must provide for his own, especially his own household.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 – If a man will not work, neither let him eat.

We should trust God to provide our necessities, but we should work to provide those necessities. We pray, then
we do what we can to work on a job, then we trust God to use our effort to provide the blessing that we need.
Most people understand this, but what about other areas?

Care for Health and Life

3 John 2 shows that we should pray for good health.

Some believe trusting God for health means we leave everything to Him.

Some think that going to a doctor shows a lack of trust in God. Near Ft. Wayne there was a religious cult in
which several children died, because the parents believed they should just trust God for healing, so they refused
to see a doctor.

I read a book in which a child died in a car accident. The mother comforted herself by thinking that, even
without the accident, the child would have died anyway because God had determined that her time had come to
die. This may sound like trusting God, but consider:

What does the Bible teach?

Colossians 4:14 – Luke, who wrote much of the New Testament, was a physician.

Luke 5:31 – Jesus Himself said that those who are sick need a physician.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – Paul prayed three times for God to remove his thorn in the flesh. Would Paul have
sinned if he had gone to Luke the physician for treatment? Later God said He chose not to remove the problem.
Does this mean Paul sinned when he prayed to be healed?

Using the services of people with special health training is not contrary to trust in God. God may or may not
choose for us to get better, but we can’t know that ahead of time. In fact, the doctor may be the very means God
uses to answer our prayer for health!

This illustrates a major principle: there are many specific aspects of our lives for which God’s will simply has
not been revealed. So, we must do what we believe to be best, even as we pray for God to bless our efforts.
Trusting God does not contradict working to bring about what we pray for, but rather faith works together with
our efforts.

Number of Children

Some married couples claim that they should leave the number or spacing of their children completely up
to God.

They believe it shows a lack of faith in God to use artificial means to avoid conception.

But aside from Jesus’ virgin birth, every conception in the history of the world necessarily required human
action. It makes no sense for a couple to say they leave it entirely up to God, when they know that their action is
necessarily required in order to conceive.

What does the Bible say?

Genesis 1:26-28 – After God created male and female, He told them to reproduce. Then He said “all the earth”
is under our dominion to use for our good (verses 26,28).

Surely it is wrong to kill a child that has been conceived. But using artificial means to control when and how
often a married couple conceive is no different in principle from any other medical treatment. Some use medical
means to try to help when they are having trouble conceiving, and others use medical means to avoid
conceiving when they are not ready.

God has not specifically revealed how many children a couple will have or when. So, they should pray to God,
then do what they can, and then trust God to bless them according to His will. This does not contradict faith in
God any more than any other decision about physical health.

Choosing Rulers

Daniel 4:32 – The Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He chooses.

1 Timothy 2:1,2 – We should pray for rulers. So some claim we should pray but not vote, because we might
vote for someone different from the rulers God wants. We should just leave such matters entirely up to God.

Such reasoning is exactly parallel to all the other views we have discussed.

What does the Bible teach?

Esther 7:1-10 – A godly woman used her influence to bring down a wicked ruler. Was she wrong? Should she
just have prayed and done nothing, leaving the matter entirely up to God? The main point of the book is that,
instead of doing nothing, she had the courage and wisdom to act for the good of her people, even though she did
not know what the outcome would be (4:6-17).

(This is an Old Testament example, but so is Daniel 4:32.)

Acts 22:24-29; 23:12-33; 25:10-12; 16:35-40 – The apostle Paul often used his rights as a Roman citizen to
work for his own protection and to help further the gospel.

Our government allows us to voice our views about who should govern us and about the laws they make. If
Paul used his rights to protect himself and help further the gospel, why should we not use the right to vote? Can
we not thereby help protect ourselves and our families from harm, help maintain our freedom to preach and
practice the truth, and even help bring down wicked rulers like Esther did?

We are accountable to obey only what God has revealed in Scripture.

God does not impute sin when people act with good intention in matters regarding which God has not
specifically revealed His will (Romans 4:15; 5:13). This includes all the areas we have discussed. We should
pray to Him and trust Him, but we should also do what we can to bring about the answer to our prayer, acting in
harmony with the general principles God has revealed.

In the end, God may choose some outcome different from what we worked for. We may not get over a sickness.
We may not have a child we hoped for. The ruler we voted for may lose. In such a case, we should accept His
will (Matthew 26:36-46). But working to do what we believe to be best does not show lack of trust in God,
since He has not revealed His will in such matters.

(Consider Esther 4:13-16.)

In all such areas, the idea that faith means we must leave everything up to God is a Calvinist concept.

Not everyone who believes these things is a Calvinist, but these ideas are based on Calvinist concepts. Pure
Calvinists believe God has decreed from eternity everything that will happen; they believe nothing they do can
affect anything. God determines it all.

So the ideas we have discussed may sound like great faith in God; but they are all based on unbiblical concepts,
even if the people involved would never consider themselves to be Calvinists.

The proper approach in such matters is to study the general principles God has revealed. If His specific will is
not revealed in some area, we should make a choice based on our best information, then pray to God to bless
our actions to produce the outcome He desires.

II. Trust Depends on God as the Ultimate Provider of Our Needs.

While action is needed on our part, the fact remains that far too often people show lack of trust in God by
depending too much on human ability and wisdom and not enough in God.

Psalm 37:5 – Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. The verse does not
forbid using human effort where God’s specific will is not revealed. Nevertheless, we often do show a lack of
faith by over-emphasizing human effort and failing to emphasize the power of God. (Proverbs 19:21; 16:9)

Consider the application in the areas we have discussed.

Proper Relationship with God

Some people seek salvation by following human wisdom.

Proverbs 3:5,6 – Trusting God requires us to allow Him to direct our paths, rather than leaning on human
wisdom. We must work, but we must work in harmony with God’s will. Too often people seek salvation by
following man-made plans different from what God has revealed.

(Proverbs 28:25,26)

Others trust that their own conduct is good enough to save them.

Luke 18:9-14 – Some trust in themselves that they are righteous because they fail to admit their own sins and
humbly seek God’s forgiveness. They may think the good things they do make up for the bad. Or they may
think they will be accepted because they are better than others.

True trust in God requires us to humbly acknowledge our sins, repent, and plead for God’s forgiveness. We
must never think that our own conduct alone earns a right standing before God.

(Ezekiel 33:12,13)

Some people trust other human means for a right relationship with God.

Some people think God will accept them just because they are members of a faithful church or because other
members of their family are godly. Or they may think they were baptized once or they attend church every
Sunday, even though they do not live a faithful life otherwise.
We must not think there is nothing for us to do to be saved. But neither must we think we can invent our own
way to salvation or that we have been good enough to deserve salvation.

Trusting God means we rely on Him to provide the means of salvation. Then we obey and we trust Him to grant
the blessing of forgiveness that He has promised.

(Isaiah 26:3,4; Jeremiah 7:1-15; Psalm 28:6,7; 34:22; 37:39,40; 52:8; 62:5-8; 92:1-13; 119:41,42; 143:8-10;
Isaiah 12:2; 26:3; 30:1,2; Ephesians 1:12,13)

Physical Necessities / Care for Health and Life / Number of Children

Here too people often depend too much on self or other earthly means and not enough in God.

We should not place our ultimate trust in our physical resources.

1 Timothy 6:17 – We should not trust in riches but in God.

Some rich people seem to think they can buy anything they want. But riches are “uncertain.” They may not
continue. And there are many things they cannot buy. Instead, we should trust God who can give everything we
need.

But what is said about riches would be true of any other material resource. All of them are uncertain and may
fail us in our time of need.

We should place our ultimate trust in God to provide our needs.

1 Timothy 5:5 – A widow indeed trusts God and continues in prayer night and day. Widows are among the most
helpless of people. Where should they turn for help? To God!

Psalm 34:8-10 – When people trust God, He blesses them so they have no want, nor will they lack any good
thing.

We should do what we can to meet our needs, but our ultimate trust should be in God. He may use our efforts or
resources to care for us, or He may use other resources, or He may allow us to suffer as He did Job.

The end result is always God’s decision. Ultimately, He determines what will result in our lives. So even as we
work, we must understand that the ultimate outcome is up to Him. We must put our faith in Him to use our
circumstances for what He knows to be good in the end.

(2 Corinthians 1:8-11; Mark 10:24; Psalm 49:6,7; 62:10; 56:3,4; 32:10; 52:7; 84:10-12; 112:5-7; Proverbs
11:28; Jeremiah 48:7; 49:4; Ezekiel 16:15; Daniel 3:28; 6:23)

Civil Government

Rulers are not the ultimate power in the affairs of men.

Isaiah 31:1 – Woe to those who rely on horses, chariots, etc., but do not look to the Lord. Men and horses are
flesh; they will fail when God stretches out His hand against them (verse 3).
Rulers may praise their armies and weapons. Some politicians praise the American people, our system of
government, and free enterprise. They say things like, “I put my trust in the American people.” Citizens may
think certain candidates can solve all our problems.

All of these may at times contribute to blessings for which we should be grateful. And we have the right to use
the resources the government offers. But these too are not the ultimate grounds of our reliance. As with other
material resources, rulers may be uncertain, unreliable, or simply unable to deliver what they promise.

Again, our trust should ultimately be in the power of God.

Psalm 118:8,9 – It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man/princes.

The message is not that God does everything so we should reject all government resources. The lesson is that
our ultimate trust should be in God. He may work through the rulers to care for us, He may use other resources,
or He may allow our nation to suffer, like He did Israel.

But ultimately God determines what He allows in the affairs of a nation. So even as we work to accomplish
what we believe to be best, ultimately we must trust Him to use our circumstances for what He knows to be
good in the end.

(Psalm 146:3,4; Isaiah 30:1-5; Jeremiah 17:5-8; Psalm 20:7; 44:6; Hosea 10:13; Deuteronomy 28:52)

Conclusion

So what does trust in God require of us? It involves at least all of the following:

* We must follow God’s word. Any effort, that goes beyond the bounds of His teaching, is unproductive and
leads to God’s disapproval.

* Yet we must work to accomplish the needed results. Faith does not relieve us from the responsibility to work.

* We must recognize God as the ultimate source of all that we need in life. We must pray to Him to grant the
blessings we need, then give Him glory when we do receive them.

* We must trust God to use our effort to produce the results He chooses in His way and His time. If things don’t
work out as we hoped, we must continue to do His will and trust Him to work out the results in the way He sees
best.

2 Corinthians 3:4,5 – Trust in God teaches us that we are not sufficient of ourselves. Our sufficiency is of God.

I suspect most of us can seriously improve in these areas: I surely can. In what do you and I place our ultimate
trust? Are we following God’s will, working to achieve what harmonizes with His teaching? Do we trust Him to
provide what we need and ultimately to bless the outcome of our lives to achieve His will?