Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Assurance of salvation

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:11-13).

Basic truth

Assurance of salvation is the confidence the believer has that he is genuinely saved. The believer’s assurance rests on the certainty that what God has begun, He will complete (Philippians 1:6) and the effectiveness of Christ’s atonement (1 John 5:13).

Assurance is often confused with eternal security. Eternal security is the fact that God keeps the believer saved.

Discussion

[1] The objective basis of a genuine believer’s salvation is the finished work of Christ on the cross. The genuine believer believes the promises of God to save and keep him (John 1:12; 3:16; 10:28-29).

[2] The subjective basis for assurance is the genuine believer’s perseverance in faith and good works like living a godly life (1 John 1:5-7); keeping God’s word (1 John 2:5); correct doctrine (1 John 4:6); not loving the world (I John 2:15), living a pure life (I John 3:3), true love for the brethren (I John 3:14, 18-19), and overcoming the world (I John 5:4).

[3] The Holy Spirit provides the true believer an inner testimony of his salvation (Romans 8:16).

[4] Regarding salvation and assurance, there are three groups of people:

A. Those who are secure but not sure;
B. Those who are “sure” but not secure; and
C. Those who are secure and sure.
The first category comprises conscientious believers in Christ who are saved but lack assurance. In the second category are professing Christians who say, “Even though I’m living in sin, I’ll make it. After all, ‘once saved, always saved!’“ The third category are born-again believers who enjoy a warm, secure relationship with Christ each day.

[5] Fruits of righteousness (saving faith always produces good works)
  • Deuteronomy 6:25
  • Joshua 22:31
  • Psalm 1:3; 15:1-5; 24:3-5; 101:3, 4; 106:3; 112:4-8
  • Proverbs 2:5-20; 10:2,16; 11:5,6,18,19,30; 12:28; 13:6; 14:34; 21:3; 29:7
  • Isaiah 28:17; 32:16-18; 33:15-17; 55:12,13; 58:6-14; 62:1
  • Ezekiel 18:5-9; 33:15
  • Daniel 12:3
  • Hosea 10:12
  • Malachi 3:3 4:2
  • Matthew 5:20; 12:35, 50
  • Mark 3:33-35
  • Luke 3:10-14; 8:15
  • John 3:21, 33; 8:47, 49; 13:35; 14:21-24; 15:4, 5,8, 12
  • Acts 9:36; 11:29, 30; 19:19
  • Romans 5:1-5; 6:19-22; 7:4-6; 8:4-6; 14:17-19; 15:1-7
  • 1 Corinthians 4:19, 20; 12:3; 13:1-13
  • 2 Corinthians 2:17; 7:10, 11; 9:10; 10:5; 13:5
  • Galatians 4:6; 5:22, 23; 6:7, 8
  • Ephesians 1:13, 14; 5:9
  • Philippians 1:11, 27-29; 2:13; 3:12-14; 4:11-13
  • Colossians 1:12, 13; 3:3, 5, 9-17
  • 1 Timothy 1:3, 9, 10; 2:9, 10; 5:9, 10
  • 2 Timothy 1:3-5; 2:22; 4:6-8
  • Titus 2:2, 11, 12; 3:14
  • Philemon 1:5, 6
  • James 1:27; 2:14-26; 3:11-18
  • 1 Peter 3:1-11, 14; 4:2
  • 2 Peter 1:5-9
  • 1 John 2:3-6,10,11,24,29; 3:3,6,7,9-11,14,17-24; 4:4-21; 5:1-5,10,13,18
  • 2 John 1:9
  • 3 John 1:11
  • Revelation 2:2, 3, 19
[6] General verses on assurance:
  • Job 19:25-26
  • Psalm 3:6; 4:3; 17:15; 23:4; 27:3-5; 42:11; 46:1-3; 73:26
  • Isaiah 12:2; 32:17
  • Luke 4:18
  • Romans 5:1; 8:16; 8:38-39
  • 1 Corinthians 6:15
  • 2 Corinthians 4:8-10; 4:16-18; 13:5
  • Ephesians 3:12; 5:30
  • Philippians 1:6; 3:21
  • Colossians 2:2
  • 1 Timothy 1:4-5
  • 2 Timothy 1:12; 4:7-8
  • Hebrews 3:14; 3:18; 6:11; 6:19; 10:22; 12:28
  • James 1:12
  • 2 Peter 1:10-11
  • 1 John 2:5; 3:2; 3:14; 3:19; 3:22; 4:13; 4:18; 5:13-15
  • Revelation 5:10
Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Materials by J. Hampton Keathley, III , Th.M
[2] Assurance of Salvation (Session 5), by Emery Nester Ed.D., D.Min.

Sermons on assurance of salvation (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Sermon illustrations

[2] JP2 When Guilt Wont go away, by Chuck King , Gateway Baptist Church

[3] SF530 - WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT SALVATION (1 John 5 11-13), by Timothy McGhee

[4] 1 John- The 4 tests of assurance pt1, by Michael d'Offay

[5] Security, by Terry W. Wiese

[6] Salvation And Assurance, by Christopher Nerreau

[7] sf1008 - Real Assurance (1 John 5 13), by Timothy McGhee

[8] For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Eternal security of the believer / perseverance of the saints

 ChristianPhotos.Net - Free High Resolution Photos for Christian PublicationsArticles of Faith: Of the Perseverance of the Saints

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.

Psalm 121:3; Matthew 6:20; 13:19-21; John 8:31-32; 10:28-29; 16:8; Romans 8:28,35-39; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 1:14; 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 2:19


Basic truth

Eternal security is the work of God whereby He keeps saved those whom He has already saved. All true believers are kept saved by God. A true believer cannot lose his salvation.

Definition of “eternal security” or “perseverance of the saints”

From Easton's Bible Dictionary (Blue Letter Bible)

Their certain continuance in a state of grace. Once justified and regenerated, the believer can neither totally nor finally fall away from grace, but will certainly persevere therein and attain everlasting life.

This doctrine is clearly taught in these passages, John 10:28, 29; Romans 11:29; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5. It, moreover, follows from a consideration of (1) the immutability of the divine decrees (Jeremiah 31:3; Matthew 24:22-24; Acts 13:48; Romans 8:30); (2) the provisions of the covenant of grace (Jeremiah 32:40; John 10:29; 17:2-6); (3) the atonement and intercession of Christ (Isa iah 53:6,11; Matthew 20:28; 1Pe 2:24; John 11:42; 17:11,15,20; Romans 8:34); and (4) the indwelling of the Holy Ghost (John 14:16; 2 Corinthians 1:21,22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14; 1 John 3:9).
Discussion

[1] Eternal security is a work of God (John 10:28-29).

[2] Eternal security is a result of the believer's union with Christ (Romans 8:1)

[3] Eternal security is God’s will for all believers (John 6:39).

[4] We are given eternal life (John 3:16, 36); it isn’t eternal if we can lose it.

[5] Our salvation and security rest on God’s purpose (John 3:16), God’s power (Romans 8:30-31), and God’s love (Romans 5:8).

[6] We became God’s possession at the moment of salvation: The Good Shepherd doesn’t lose His sheep (John 10:28-29); and God’s seal can’t be erased (Ephesians 1:13,14).

[7] We are “in Christ.” A part of Christ’s “Body” can’t be taken away (1 Corinthians 12:13); We cannot be lost after we are hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3); Nothing can separate us from Christ (Romans 8:38,39).

[8] All our sins have been paid for and forgiven (Romans 3:1,23). When Christ died, all our sins were future. While the true believer is secure eternally, he may nevertheless fall into grievous sin, and continue therein for some time.

[9] God commits Himself to us forever and unconditionally (2 Timothy 2:13).

[10] General Scriptures concerning perseverance:
  • 1 Chronicles 16:11
  • Job 17:9
  • Psalms 37:24, 28; 73:24; 138:8
  • Proverbs 4:18
  • Jeremiah 32:40
  • Hosea 12:6
  • Matthew 10:22; 24:13
  • Mark 4:3-8; 13:13
  • Luke 10:42; 22:31, 32
  • John 6:37, 39, 40; 8:31, 32; 10:28,29; 15:4,5,7,9
  • Acts 11:23; 13:43; 14:21, 22
  • Romans 2:6,7; 8:30,33-35,37-39; 11:29
  • 1Corinthians 1:8, 9; 15:1, 2, 58; 16:13
  • 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22; 5:9, 15
  • Galatians 5:1, 10; 6:9
  • Ephesians 4:14; 6:13, 18
  • Philippians 1:6, 27; 3:16; 4:1
  • Colossians 1:10, 22, 23; 2:7
  • 1Thessalonians 3:8, 13; 5:21
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17; 3:13
  • 2 Timothy 1:12, 13; 2:1, 3, 12; 3:14; 4:18
  • Titus 1:9
  • Hebrews 2:1; 3:5,6,14; 4:14; 6:1,11,12,15,17,18; 10:23,35,36; 12:1-15; 13:9,13
  • James 1:4, 12, 25; 5:10, 11
  • 1Peter 1:4-7; 5:8
  • 2 Peter 1:10, 11; 3:17, 18
  • 1John 2:19, 27
  • Revelation 2:7,10,11,17,25-28; 3:5,11,12,21; 14:12; 16:15; 21:7,8; 22:11
Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Materials by by Bob Deffinbaugh
[2] Assurance of Eternal Security, by J. Hampton Keathley, III , Th.M

[3] God Is Faithful (suicide of a 25-year-old woman)

[4] Survey Of Bible Doctrine: Salvation, by Sid Litke, Th.M. (also available in Korean)

[5] Soteriology: Salvation, by Greg Herrick Th.M., Ph.D. (also available in German)

Sermons on eternal security (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] So Great Salvation, by Chad Prigge, Fairmont Baptist Church

[2] Eternal Security, by Bill Fiess

[3] No Condemnation, by Terry W. Wiese

[4] 011506 The Freedom Faith Brings Romans 08 01-09, by Donald L Hardaway

[5] 07-20-08 am I Am Free from Condemnation, by Jack Wingate

[6] Romans 8-1 The Guarantees of Grace, by David A Estep

[7] A Heavenly Inheritance, by Wade Wood

[8] Salvation in Three Tenses or Let The Redeemed Of The Lord, Say So! By James Mcgowan

[9] Living Hope, by David Harp

[10] The completed work of Salvation, by Chad DeJong

[11] For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads. (3) Photo source: ChristianPhotos.Net - Free High Resolution Photos for Christian Publications

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Adoption: Abba, Father!

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:4-5).

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father (Romans 8:15).

Basic truth

Adoption is the act of God whereby He legally places the believer into His family, giving him all the rights and privileges of a son.

Definitions of “adoption”

The Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook, Walter A. Elwell, Editor, (Harold Shaw Pub., Wheaton, IL; 1984), p. 346

The process through which a person who does not belong to a given family is formally brought into it and made a full, legal family member with the rights and responsibilities of that position. The practice of adoption was not common among the Jews, but was more widespread in the Greek and Roman world. The apostle Paul used the term to illustrate the truth that believers have been given the status of “sonship” in the heavenly family; they can call God “Father” (Rom. 3:15; Gal. 4:6). Adoption makes it clear that our sonship is conferred on us, in distinction from Christ’s, which is inherent.
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary, Blue Letter Bible:
Adoption is the giving to any one the name and place and privileges of a son who is not a son by birth. There are three kinds of adoption: natural, national and spiritual:

[1] Natural. Thus Pharaoh's daughter adopted Moses (Exodus 2:10), and Mordecai adopted Esther (Esther 2:7).

[2] National. God adopted Israel (Exodusd 4:22; Deuteronomy 7:6; Hosea11:1; Romans 9:4).

[3] Spiritual. An act of God's grace by which he brings men into the number of his redeemed family, and makes them partakers of all the blessings he has provided for them. Adoption represents the new relations into which the believer is introduced by justification, and the privileges connected therewith, viz., an interest in God's peculiar love (John 17:23; Romans 5:5-8), a spiritual nature (2 Peter 1:4; John 1:13), the possession of a spirit becoming children of God (1 Peter 1:14; 2 John 4; Romans 8:15-21; Galatians 5:1; Hebrews 2:15), present protection, consolation, supplies (Luke 12:27-32; John 14:18; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 2 Corinthians 1:4), fatherly chastisements (Hebrews 12:5-11), and a future glorious inheritance (Romans 8:17,23; James 2:5; Philippians 3:21).
Discussion

[1] Justification deals with a person's legal standing as sinner before God. Adoption, on the other hand, deals with his familial relationship to the judge. Through adoption, the believer who is already a child becomes a son with full standing.

[2] We are now God’s own children through adoption (Galatians 3:26) and He has become our Father (Romans 8:15). “Abba” is an Aramaic word for father, dad or daddy – an intimate term that Jesus used (“My Father”) and taught His disciples to use.

[3] Adoption is the work of God (Ephesians 1:4-5).

[4] Adoption is by faith in Christ (Galatians 3:26; John 1:12). The “universal fatherhood of God” is not a Biblical doctrine.

[5] Adoption is a result of the believer’s union with Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).

[6] Adoption has present, practical benefits for us:
  • God is our Father who provides protection, consolation, and supplies (Matt 6:25-34, Luke 12:27-32; John 14:18; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 2 Corinthians 1:4)
  • The leading of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14) through the Bible
  • Loving discipline by God the Father when we are disobedient (Hebrews 12:5-7).
[7] Because of adoption, we have a future glorious inheritance (Romans 8:17, 23; James 2:5; Philippians 3:21).

[6] General Scriptures on adoption:
  • Exodus 4:22, 23
  • Numbers 6:27
  • Deuteronomy 14:1; 26:18; 27:9; 28:10; 32:5, 6
  • 2 Samuel 7:14
  • 1 Chronicles 22:10; 28:6
  • 2 Chronicles 7:14
  • Proverbs 14:26
  • Isaiah 8:18; 43:6, 7; 63:8, 16
  • Jeremiah 3:19; 31:9, 20
  • Hosea 1:9; 11:1
  • Matthew 5:9, 45; 13:43
  • Luke 6:35
  • John 1:12, 13; 11:52
  • Acts 15:17
  • Romans 8:14-19, 21, 29; 9:8, 26
  • 2 Corinthians 6:17
  • Galatians 3:26, 29; 4:5-7
  • Ephesians 1:5; 2:19; 3:6, 15
  • Philippians 2:15
  • Hebrews 1:5; 2:10, 13; 12:6, 7, 9
  • 1 John 3:1, 2, 10; 4:4
  • Revelation 21:7
Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Soteriology: The Doctrine of Salvation (Session 56), Emery Nester Ed.D., D.Min

[2] From Agony to Ecstasy (Romans 8), by Bob Deffinbaugh, Th.M

[3] The Believer’s Unfathomable Riches in Christ, by J. Hampton Keathley, III, Th.M.

Sermons on adoption (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Illustrations on adoption, from Bible.org

[2] Sons of God, by Melburn H. Hardin

[3] Sons of God Through Faith, by Kevin Grant

[4] Marks of True Sonship, by Donald Robert Nelham Burton

[5] 08-28-05-Who We Are-Being A Child of God-part 2, by Ronald Wyncoop

[6] Holy Spirit - Who am I Gal. 3.26-4.7, by Emmanuel Haqq

[7] For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Articles on adoption and related issues by Sandra Glahn, ThM (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Justification by grace through faith

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1)

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified (Galatians 2:16)

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:4-6).

Basic truth:


Justification is the act of God whereby He declares a sinner, while in a sinning state, to be legally righteous and treats him as such.

Definitions of justification

[1] “Justification is an instantaneous legal act of God in which He (1) thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us, and (2) declares us to be righteous in His sight.” (Wayne Grudem)

[2] “Justification is the judicial act of God, by which he pardons all the sins of those who believe in Christ, and accounts, accepts, and treats them as righteous in the eye of the law, i.e., as conformed to all its demands. In addition to the pardon (q.v.) of sin, justification declares that all the claims of the law are satisfied in respect of the justified. It is the act of a judge and not of a sovereign. The law is not relaxed or set aside, but is declared to be fulfilled in the strictest sense; and so the person justified is declared to be entitled to all the advantages and rewards arising from perfect obedience to the law.” (Easton's Bible Dictionary, from Blue Letter Bible)

Discussion:


[1] When a person is saved, he does not become righteous; he is still a sinner. Rather, God declares him legally righteous because of his union with Christ.

[2] It is God who justifies (Romans 8:33).

[3] Justification is by faith (Romans 5:1) and not by works of righteousness (Galatians 2:16).

[4] At the moment of salvation, God imputes or credits to the sinner the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:19).

[5] Justification produces reconciliation between God and the sinner (Romans 5:1).

[6] When Christ died for our sins, He took our infirmities, carried our sorrows, was pierced for our transgressions, was crushed for our iniquities, brought us peace, healed us, and took our iniquity upon Himself (Isaiah 53:4-6).

[7] General Scriptures concerning justification:

  • Genesis 15:6
  • Psalm 32:2; 71:16; 89:16
  • Isaiah 42:21; 45:24,25; 46:12,13; 50:8; 51:5,6; 53:11; 54:17; 56:1; 61:10; Jer 23:6
  • Habakkuk 2:4
  • Zechariah 3:4
  • John 5:24
  • Acts 13:39
  • Romans 1:16,17; 2:13; 3:21,22,24-26,28,30; 4:3-25; 5:1,9,11-21; 6:22; 7:1-25; 8:1,30,31,33,34; 9:30-32; 10:1-21
  • 1 Corinthians 1:30; 6:11
  • 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21
  • Galatians 2:14-21; 3:6, 8, 9, 11, 21, 22, 24; 4:21-31; 5:4-6
  • Ephesians 6:14
  • Philippians 3:8, 9
  • Colossians 2:13, 14
  • Titus 3:7
  • Hebrews 11:4, 7
  • James 2:20-23, 26
Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Articles by Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M.
[2] Regeneration, Justification and Sanctification, by Lehman Strauss , Litt.D., F.R.G.S

[3] Justification by Faith: The Case of Abraham and David (Romans 4:1-8), by Hampton Keathley IV , Th.M

Sermons on Romans 5:1 (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Results of Justification, by Stephen Fix

[2] The Joys of Justification, by Dwight Jenkins, First Baptist Church

[3] Blessings of Our Justification, by Agustin Hernandez

[4] Benefits of Justification, by Tad Wychopen

[5] As Good As We Should Be, by David E. Holden

[6] The Tale of the Tardy Ox Cart, by Nimit Oliver

[7] Justification Through Grace by Faith, by Chuck Carruthers

[8] What's Your Hurry, by Mike Lester

[9] Faith that Stands, by Dennis R. Miller

[10] The Audacity of Hope, by Rusty Russell


Sermons on Isaiah 53
(Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] The Full Passion of Christ, by Pastor Wesley Crouch

[2] Advent 2001 -4 Go Tell It on the Mountains! by Richard DeRuiter

[3] Like A Sheep to the Slaughter, by Bruce W. Logue

[4] The Suffering Servant Substitute, by David Harp

[5] Advent 2006 -1- Coming Light: A Light Shines in the Darkness, by Richard DeRuiter

[6] Considering the Cross, by Mark Hoffer

[7] What's in a Pronoun? By James Harris

[8] November 1, 2008 - Atonement Announced, by Steve Parker

[9] He Did It For Us, by Gregory Jones

[10] God Suffers for Us! Alan A. Morgan

[11] Immanuel God Is With Us, by Joel Mark Lillie,Extend International

[12] Sermon illustrations on justification

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Friday, March 20, 2009

The doctrine of salvation: by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone

Of The Fall Of Man

We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.

Genesis 3:1-6,24; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:18,20,28,32; 3:10-19; 5:12,19; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:1,3
Of The Atonement For Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, Who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all sufficient Savior.

Isaiah 53:4-7,11-12; Matthew 18:11; John 3:16; 10:18; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14; 7:25; 9:12-15; 12:2
Of Grace in the New Creation
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

Luke 5:27; John 1:12-13; 3:3,6-7; Acts 2:41; Romans 6:23; 2Corinthians 5:17,19; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:1; 5:9; Colossians 2:13; 1John 5:1
Of the Freeness of Salvation
We believe in God's electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 11:28; John 3:15-18,36; 5:40; 6:37; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:29-30; 10:13; 1Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5; Colossians 3:12; 1Thessalonians 1:4; 1Timothy 1:15; Titus 1:1; 1Peter 1:2; Revelation 22:17
Of Justification
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.

Isaiah 53:11; Habakkuk 2:4; Zechariah 13:1; Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17; 4:1; 5:1-9; 8:1; Galatians 3:11; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 10:38
Of Repentance and Faith
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.

Psalm 51:1-4,7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13; Acts 2:37-38; 20:21
Basic truths:

[1] Man is a sinner condemned to an eternal separation from a holy God and to punishment in a literal hell.

[2] Jesus Christ, the God-man, has met God’s standard of holiness by His sinless life and has paid the penalty by means of His sacrificial death.

[3] Man must respond in repentance and faith so that he can be justified in God’s sight as a result of Christ’s sinless life and sacrificial death being credited to him.

Discussion:

Man’s sinful condition (please review The fall of man and The sinfulness of man)

[1]. A person cannot be saved through general revelation alone (Romans 10:8 17). The Word of God is the means by which a person can get saved (Romans 10:17).

[2] Unbelievers are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1; cf. 2:5). They are under the dominion of the world, the flesh, and the devil (Ephesians 2:2-3). Every person is born into the world as a son or daughter of Adam (Romans 5:12-19).

All persons enter this world as slaves of sin (Romans 6:6, 17, 20). Their wills are in bondage to evil, and they have no desire to do what is right or to turn to Jesus Christ.

God, however, because of his amazing grace, has “made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5). God has regenerated his people (Titus 3:5). He has breathed spiritual life into us where there was none previously.

[3] Worldly or human wisdom will never lead someone to salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18 21; 2:1 5)

The true nature of repentance (please review What is Biblical repentance?)

[4] Repentance and faith are the human conditions for salvation. While these are initiated and empowered by God, man plays an active and necessary role.

[5] God gives repentance (Acts 5:31, Acts 11:18, and 2 Timothy 2:25).

[6] True repentance involves “turning” from sin like idolatry, murder, sorcery, immorality, theft, etc. (Revelation 9:20 21)

[7] A person turns to God when he repents (Acts 20:21).

[8] Repentance is not simply sorrow for sin (Matthew 27:3)

[11] Repentance is not the un-Biblical Roman Catholic doctrine of penance where a person confesses his sins to a priest; and the priest pronounces absolution or restoration to good standing by an assignment of works to do or prayers to say.

[12] Repentance requires a knowledge of one’s sin (Psalm 51:3); a genuine sorrow for one’s sin (2 Corinthians 7:10); the rejection of one’s sin (Hebrews 6:1); a desire to seek God’s pardon for one’s sin (Psalm 51:1-2)

[13] Repentance involves a change of mind regarding God (Acts 20:21); Repentance results in changed behavior (Acts 26:20).

Saving faith

[14] Faith does not originate or begin in man (Acts 14:27 and Philippians 1:29)

[15] We must trust Christ in order to have our sins forgiven (Acts 16:29-31 and Romans 3:21, 26).

[16] Saving faith will result in good works (James 2:14-26).

[17] Saving faith requires knowledge (Romans 10:17).

[18] Saving faith requires a person to know that the facts personally apply to him. (Matthew 13:23)

[19] Saving faith requires that a person exercise his will or make a commitment.

[20] The object of saving faith is the person and work of Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31; Romans 3:22)

[21] Saving faith does not come from human logic (1 Corinthians 1:21); it originates with God (Acts 14:27; Ephesians 2:8).

[22] “What it means to accept Christ” by A. W. Tozer (1963)
A few things, fortunately only a few, are matters of life and death, such as a compass for a sea voyage or a guide for a journey across the desert. To ignore these vital things is not to gamble or take a chance; it is to commit suicide. Here it is either be right or be dead.

Our relation to Christ is such a matter of life or death, and on a much higher plane. The Bible instructed man knows that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners and that men are saved by Christ alone altogether apart from any works of merit.

That much is true and known, but obviously, the death and resurrection of Christ do not automatically save everyone. How does the individual man come into saving relation to Christ? That some do we know, but that others do not is evident. How is the gulf bridged between redemption objectively provided and salvation subjectively received? How does that which Christ did for me become operative within me? To the question “What must I do to be saved?” we must learn the correct answer. To fail here is not to gamble with our souls: it is to guarantee eternal banishment from the face of God. Here we must be right or be finally lost.

To this anxious question evangelical Christians provide three answers, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,” “Receive Christ as your personal saviour,” and “Accept Christ.” Two of the answers are drawn verbatim from the Scriptures (Acts 16:31, John 1:12), while the third is a kind of paraphrase meant to sum up the other two. They are therefore not three but one.

Being spiritually lazy we naturally tend to gravitate toward the easiest way of settling our religious questions for ourselves and others hence the formula “Accept Christ” has become a panacea of universal application, and I believe it has been fatal to many. Though undoubtedly an occasional serious-minded penitent may find in it all the instruction he needs to bring him into living contact with Christ, I fear that too many seekers use it as a short cut to the Promised Land, only to find that it has led them instead to “a land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.”

The trouble is that the whole “Accept Christ” attitude is likely to be wrong. It shows Christ applying to us rather than us to Him. It makes Him stand hat-in-hand awaiting our verdict on Him, instead of our kneeling with troubled hearts awaiting His verdict on us. It may even permit us to accept Christ by an impulse of mind or emotions, painlessly, at no loss to our ego and no inconvenience to our usual way of life.

For this ineffectual manner of dealing with a vital matter we might imagine some parallels; as if, for instance, Israel in Egypt had “accepted” the blood of the Passover but continued to live in bondage, or the prodigal son had “accepted” his father’s forgiveness and stayed among the swine in the far country. Is it not plain that if accepting Christ is to mean anything there must be moral action that accords with it?

Allowing the expression “Accept Christ” to stand as an honest effort to say in short what could not be so well said any other way, let us see what we mean or should mean when we use it.

To accept Christ is to form an attachment to the Person of our Lord Jesus altogether unique in human experience. The attachment is intellectual, volitional and emotional. The believer is intellectually convinced that Jesus is both Lord and Christ; he has set his will to follow Him at any cost and soon his heart is enjoying the exquisite sweetness of His fellowship.

This attachment is all-inclusive in that it joyfully accepts Christ for all that He is. There is no craven division of offices whereby we may acknowledge His Saviourhood today and withhold decision on His Lordship till tomorrow. The true believer owns Christ as his All in All without reservation. He also includes all of himself, leaving no part of his being unaffected by the revolutionary transaction.

Further, his attachment to Christ is all-exclusive. The Lord becomes to him not one of several rival interests, but the one exclusive attraction forever. He orbits around Christ as the earth around the sun, held in thrall by the magnetism of His love, drawing all his life and light and warmth from Him. In this happy state he is given other interests, it is true, but these are all determined by his relation to his Lord.

That we accept Christ in this all-inclusive, all-exclusive way is a divine imperative. Here faith makes its leap into God through the Person and work of Christ, but it never divides the work from the Person. It never tries to believe on the blood apart from Christ Himself, or the cross or the “finished work.” It believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, the whole Christ without modification or reservation, and thus it receives and enjoys all that He did in His work of redemption, all that He is now doing in heaven for all His own and all that He does in and through them.

To accept Christ is to know the meaning of the words “as he is, so are we in this world” (I John 4:17). We accept His friends as our friends, His enemies as our enemies, His ways as our ways, His rejection as our rejection, His cross as our cross, His life as our life and His future as our future.

If this is what we mean when we advise others to accept Christ we had better explain it to him. He may get into deep spiritual trouble unless we do.

Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Are you for or against the altar call and sinner’s prayer?

[2] Materials by Charles H. Spurgeon

Around the Wicket Gate or, A Friendly Talk with Seekers Concerning Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
Preface; Awakening; Jesus Only; Faith in the Person of the Lord Jesus; Faith Very Simple; Fearing to Believe; Difficulty in the Way of Believing; A Helpful Survey; A Real Hindrance; On Raising Questions; Without Faith No Salvation; To Those Who Have Believed
The Soul-Winner or How to Lead Sinners to the Saviour
What is it to Win a Soul? Qualifications for Soul-Winning—Godward; Qualifications for Soul-Winning—Manward; Sermons Likely to Win Souls; Obstacles to Soul-Winning; How to Induce our People to Win Souls; How to Raise the Dead; How to Win Souls for Christ; The Cost of being a Soul-Winner; The Soul-Winner's Reward; The Soul-Winner's Life and Work; Soul-Winning Explained; Soul-Saving our one Business; Instruction in Soul-Winning; Encouragement to Soul-Winners
[3] Materials by David Cloud
[4] Materials by Ray Comfort
  • True and False Conversion (available in PDF or mp3)
  • Hell's Best Kept Secret (available in PDF or mp3)
[5] Resources from 9 Marks (Reformed, SBC-affiliated ministry)
[6] Romans 10:9-14: Sinner’s Prayers for Salvation? An Exegesis and Application of Romans 10:9-14 for Soulwinning Churches and Christians, by Thomas Ross

[7] The “Altar Call” Is it helpful or harmful? by Fred G. Zaspel, published by Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, PA

Sermons on Ephesians 2
(Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] But God, by George Mansfield

[2] A Believer's Message of Reconciliation, by Aaron Giesler

[3] Where's the Grace? by James Harris

[4] The Dilemma of us all, by David Harp

[5] The Power to Change, by Earl Unger

[6] Extreme Makeover, by Jerome King

[7] Defence of the Unworthiness, by Jerry Canupp

[8] Alive from the dead, by Chris Woolley

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Christ

Luke 24:27 “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

  1. Accused by false witnesses: Psalm 35:11 fulfilled in Mark 14:57-58
  2. Adored by infants: Psalm 8:2 fulfilled in Matthew 21:15-16
  3. Anointed and eternal: Psalm 45:6-7, Psalm 102:25-27 fulfilled in Hebrews 1:8-12
  4. A prophet: Deuteronomy 18:15 fulfilled in Acts 3:20, 22
  5. Betrayal money used to buy potter’s field: Zechariah 11:13 fulfilled in Matthew 27:6-7
  6. Betrayed by a close friend: Psalm 41:9, Psalm 55:12-13, Zechariah 13:6 fulfilled in Luke 22:47-48, Matthew 26:49-50
  7. Betrayed for thirty pieces of silver: Zechariah 11:12 fulfilled in Matthew 26:14-15
  8. Blind, deaf, and lame are healed by the Messiah: Isaiah 29:18, Isaiah 35:5-6 fulfilled in Luke 7:22, Matthew 11:3-5
  9. Born in Bethlehem: Micah 5:2 fulfilled in Luke 2:4-5, 7
  10. Born of a virgin: Isaiah 7:14 fulfilled in Luke 1:26-27, 30-31
  11. Buried with the rich: Isaiah 53:9 fulfilled in Matthew 27:57-60
  12. Committed His Spirit to God: Psalm 31:5 fulfilled in Luke 23:46
  13. Crucified with malefactors: Isaiah 53:12 fulfilled in Mark 15:27-28
  14. Darkness over the land: Amos 8:9 fulfilled in Matthew 27:45
  15. Declared the Son of God: Psalm 2:7, Proverbs 30:4 fulfilled in Luke 1:3, Matthew 3:17
  16. Descendant of Abraham: Genesis 12:3 fulfilled in Matthew 1:1
  17. Descendant of David: Jeremiah 23:5-6 fulfilled in Matthew 1:1
  18. Descendant of Isaac: Genesis 17:19 fulfilled in Luke 3:34
  19. Descendant of Jacob: Numbers 24:17 fulfilled in Matthew 1:2
  20. Descendant of Jesse: Isaiah 11:10 fulfilled in Romans 15:12
  21. Entered the temple with authority: Malachi 3:1 fulfilled in Matthew 21:12
  22. Establishes a new covenant: Isaiah 55:3-4, Jeremiah 31:31 fulfilled in Matthew 26:28, Luke 22:20, Hebrews 8:6-10
  23. Flight to Egypt: Hosea 11:1 fulfilled in Matthew 2:14-15
  24. Forsaken by God: Psalm 22:1 fulfilled in Matthew 27:46
  25. Friends stood afar off: Psalm 38:11 fulfilled in Luke 23:49
  26. From the tribe of Judah: Genesis 49:10 fulfilled in Luke 3:33
  27. Galilean ministry: Isaiah 9:1-2 fulfilled in Matthew 4:13-16
  28. Gentiles will seek the Messiah: Isaiah 9:2, 11:10, 65:1 fulfilled in Romans 11:25,Matthew 4:16
  29. Given vinegar for His thirst: Psalm 69:21 fulfilled in John 19:28-29
  30. Gives rest to our souls: Isaiah 63:14, Jeremiah 6:16 fulfilled in Matthew 11:29-30
  31. Hated without reason: Psalm 35:19 fulfilled in John 15:24-25
  32. His ascension to God’s right hand: Psalm 68:18, Psalm 110:1 fulfilled in Mark 16:19, 1Corinthians 15:4, Ephesians 4:8
  33. His side pierced: Zechariah 12:10 fulfilled in John 19:34
  34. Heir to the throne of David Isaiah 9:7 fulfilled in Luke 1:32-33
  35. Honored by great kings: Psalm 72:10, 15, Isaiah 60:3 fulfilled in Matthew 2:1-11
  36. Messiah will be meek and mild: Isaiah 42:2-3, Isaiah 53:7 fulfilled in Matthew 12:18-20, 11:29
  37. No bones broken: Psalm 34:20 fulfilled in John 19:32, 33, 36
  38. Not believed: Isaiah 53:1 fulfilled in John 12:37-38
  39. Preceded by a forerunner: Malachi 3:1 fulfilled in Luke 7:24, 27
  40. Preceded by Elijah: Malachi 4:5-6 fulfilled in Matthew 11:13-14
  41. People shook their heads: Psalm 109:25 fulfilled in Matthew 27:39
  42. Pierced through hands and feet: Zechariah 12:10, Psalm 22:16 fulfilled in John 20:25-27
  43. Prayer for His enemies: Psalm 109:4, Isaiah 53:12 fulfilled in Luke 23:34
  44. Priest after the order of Melchizedek: Psalm 110:4 fulfilled in Hebrews 5:5-6
  45. Rejected by His own people, the Jews: Isaiah 53:3, 8:14, 28:16, Psalm 118:22 fulfilled in John 1:11, Luke 23:18, Acts 4:111, Peter 2:6-8
  46. Reproached: Psalm 69:9 fulfilled in Romans 15:3
  47. Scourged: Isaiah 53:5 fulfilled in Matthew 27:26
  48. Seed of a woman: Genesis 3:15 fulfilled in Galatians 4:4
  49. Sent the Holy Spirit: Isaiah 44:3, Joel 2:28 fulfilled in John 20:22, Acts 2:16-17
  50. Sheep of the shepherd scattered: Zechariah 13:7 fulfilled in Matthew 26:31
  51. Silent to accusations: Isaiah 53:7 fulfilled in Mark 15:4-5
  52. Sneered at and mocked: Psalm 22:7-8 fulfilled in Luke 23:35
  53. Slaughter of children: Jeremiah 31:15 fulfilled in Matthew 2:16-18
  54. Soldiers gambled for His clothing: Psalm 22:17-18 fulfilled in Matthew 27:35-36
  55. Spat on and struck: Isaiah 50:6 fulfilled in Matthew 26:67, Matthew 27:30
  56. Speaks in parables: Psalm 78:2-4 fulfilled in Matthew 13:34-35
  57. Temple becomes a house of merchandise instead of prayer: Isaiah 56:7, Jeremiah 7:11 fulfilled in Matthew 21:13
  58. The way prepared: Isaiah 40:3-5 fulfilled in Luke 3:3-6
  59. Time for His birth: Daniel 9:25 fulfilled in Luke 2:1-2
  60. To bind up the brokenhearted: Isaiah 61:1-2 fulfilled in Luke 4:18-19
  61. To be resurrected: Psalm 16:10, Psalm 30:3, Psalm 49:15, Psalm 118:17 fulfilled in Mark 16:6-7
  62. To intercede for the people: Isaiah 53:12, Isaiah 59:16 fulfilled in Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25
  63. Triumphal entry: Zechariah 9:9 fulfilled in Mark 11:7, 9, 11
  64. Vicarious sacrifice: Isaiah 53:5 fulfilled in Romans 5:6, 8
  65. Will minister to Gentiles: Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 49:1 fulfilled in Matthew 12:18-21, Luke 2:32
  66. Will shepherd His people: Ezekiel 37:24 fulfilled in Matthew 2:6
  67. Worshipped by shepherds: Psalm 72:9 fulfilled in Luke 2:8-15
  68. Zeal of Jews for the temple instead of God: Psalm 69:9 fulfilled in John 2:17, Matthew 11:29

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Names and titles of Jesus Christ

A

Adam, 1 Corinthians 15:45; Advocate, 1John 2:1; Almighty, Revelation 1:8; Alpha and Omega, Revelation 1:8; Amen, Revelation 3:14; Angel, Genesis 48:16; Exodus 23:20, 21
Angel of his presence, Isaiah 63:9; Anointed, Psalms 2:2; Apostle, Hebrews 3:1; Arm of the Lord, Isaiah 51:9, 10; Author and Finisher of our faith, Hebrews 12:2

B

Beginning and end of the creation of God, Revelation 3:14; 22:13; Beloved, Ephesians 1:6; Blessed and only Potentate, 1Timothy 6:15; Branch, Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 3:8
Bread of life, John 6:48; Bridegroom, Matthew 9:15; Bright and Morning Star, Revelation 22:16; Brightness of the Father’s glory, Hebrews 1:3

C

Captain of the Lord’s host (army), Joshua 5:14; Captain of Salvation, Hebrews 2:10; Carpenter, Mark 6:3; Carpenter’s son, Matthew 13:55; Chief Shepherd, 1Peter 5:4; Chief Cornerstone, 1Peter 2:6; Chiefest among ten thousand, Song of Songs 5:10; Child, Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2:27, 43; Chosen of God, 1Peter 2:4; Christ, Matthew 1:16; Luke 9:20; The Christ (Messiah), Matthew 16:20; Mark 14:61; Christ, a King, Luke 23:2; Christ Jesus, Acts 19:4; Romans 3:24; 8:1; 1Corinthians 1:2, 30; Hebrews 3:1; 1Peter 5:10, 14; Christ Jesus our Lord, 1Timothy 1:12; Romans 8:39; Christ of God, Luke 9:20; Christ, the chosen of God, Luke 23:35; Christ the Lord, Luke 2:11; Christ, the power of God, 1Corinthians 1:24; Christ the wisdom of God, 1Corinthians 1:24; Christ, the Son of God, Acts 9:20; Christ, Son of the Blessed, Mark 14:61; Commander, Isaiah 55:4; Consolation of Israel, Luke 2:25; Cornerstone, Ephesians 2:20; Counselor, Isaiah 9:6; Covenant of the people, Isaiah 42:6

D


David, Jeremiah 30:9; Daysman, Job 9:33; Dayspring, Luke 1:78
Day Star, 2Peter 1:19; Deliverer, Romans 11:26; Desire of all nations, Haggai 2:7; Door, the, John 10:7; Elect, Isaiah 42:1; Emmanuel, Isaiah 7:14; Ensign, Isaiah 11:10; Eternal Life, 1John 5:20; Everlasting Father, Isaiah 9:6

F

Faithful and True, Revelation 19:11; Faithful Witness, Revelation 1:5; Faithful and true witness, Revelation 3:14; Finisher of faith, Hebrews 12:2; First and last, Revelation 1:17; 2:8; 22:13; First begotten, Hebrews 1:6; First begotten of the dead, Revelation 1:5; Firstborn, Psalms 89:27; Foundation, Isaiah 28:16; Fountain, Zechariah 13:1; Forerunner, Hebrews 6:20; Friend of sinners, Matthew 11:19

G

Gift of God, John 4:10; Glory of Israel, Luke 2:32; God (deity), John 1:1; God blessed forever,. Romans 9:5; God manifest in the flesh 1Timothy 3:16; God of Israel, the savior Isaiah 45:15; God of the whole earth, Isaiah 54:5; God our savior, 1Timothy 2:3; God’s dear Son, Colossians 1:13; God with us, Matthew 1:23; Good Master, Matthew 19:16; Governor, Matthew 2:6; Great Shepherd of the sheep, Hebrews 13:20

H

Head of the ekklesia (body), Ephesians 1:22, 23; 5:23; Colossians 1:18, 24; Heir of all things, Hebrews 1:2; High priest, Hebrews 4:14; Head of every man, 1Corinthians 11:3; Head of the corner, Matthew 21:42; Holy child Jesus, Acts 4:30; Holy one Psalms, 16:10; Acts 3:14; Holy one of God, Mark 1:24; Holy one of Israel, Isaiah 41:14; 54:5; Holy thing, Luke 1:35; Hope (our), 1Timothy 1:1; Horn of salvation, Luke 1:69

I

I AM, John 8:58; Image of God, Hebrews 1:3; Israel, Isaiah 49:3

J

Jehovah, Isaiah 40:3; Jehovah’s fellow, Zechariah 13:7; Jesus, Matthew 1:21; Jesus Christ , Matthew 1:1; John 1:17; 17:3; Acts 2:38; 4:10; 9:34; 10:36; Romans 1:1, 16:18; 3, 6; 2:16; 5:15, 17; 6:3; 1Corinthians 1:1, 4; 2:2; 2Corinthians 1:19; 4:6; 13:5; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 1:8; 2:11; 1Timothy 1:15; Hebrews 13:8; 1John 1:7; 2:1; Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 1:3; 6:11, 23; 1Corinthians 1:9; 7:25; Jesus Christ our savior, Titus 3:6; Jesus of Nazareth, Mark 1:24; Luke 24:19; Jesus (of Nazareth), King of the Jews, John 19:19; Matthew 27:37; Jesus, the Son of God, Hebrews 4:14; Jesus, the Son of Joseph, John 6:42; Judge, Acts 10:42; Just man, Just person, Just One, Matthew 27:19, 24; Acts 3:14; 7:52; 22:14

K

King, Matthew 21:5; King of Israel, John 1:49; King of the Jews, Matthew 2:2
King of Saints, Revelation 15:3; King of Kings, 1Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; King of Glory, Psalms 24:7-10; King of Zion, Matthew 21:5; King over all the earth, Zechariah 14:9

L

Lamb, Revelation 5:6, 8; 7:9, 6:16; 10, 17; 12:11; 13:8, 11; 14:1, 4; 15:3; 17:14; 21:9, 14, 22, 19:7, 9; 23, 27; Lamb of God, John 1:29; Lawgiver, Isaiah 33:22; Leader, Isaiah 55:4; Life, John 14:6; Light, John 8:12; Light, everlasting, Isaiah 60:20; Light of the world, John 8:12; Light to the Gentiles, Isaiah 42:6; Light, true, John 1:9; Living Bread, the, John 6:51; Living Stone, 1Peter 2:4; Lion of the tribe of Judah, Revelation 5:5; Lord, Romans 1:3; Lord of Lords, Revelation 17:14; 19:16; Lord of all, Acts 10:36; Lord our righteousness, Jeremiah 23:6; Lord God Almighty, Revelation 15:3; Lord from heaven, 1Corinthians 15:47; Lord and savior Jesus Christ, 2 Peter 1:11; 3:18; Lord Christ, Colossians 3:24; Lord Jesus, Acts 7:59; Colossians 3:17; 1Thessalonians 4:12; Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 11:17; 16:31; 20:21; Romans 5:1, 11; 13:14; Lord Jesus Christ our savior, Titus 1:4; Lord of glory, James 2:1; Lord of Hosts (armies), Isaiah 44:6; Lord, mighty in battle, Psalms 24:8; Lord of the dead and living, Romans 14:9; Lord of the Sabbath, Mark 2:28; Lord over all, Romans 10:12; Lord’s Christ, Luke 2:26; Lord, strong and mighty, Psalms 24:8; Lord, the, our righteousness, Jeremiah 23:6; Lord, your holy one, Isaiah 43:15; Lord, your redeemer, Isaiah 43:14

M

Man Christ Jesus, 1Timothy 2:5; Man of sorrows, Isaiah 53:3; Master, Matthew 23:8; Mediator, the only, 1Timothy 2:5; Messenger of the covenant, Malachi 3:1; Messiah, John 1:41; Messiah the Prince, Daniel 9:25; Mighty God, Isaiah 9:6; Mighty one of Israel, Isaiah 30:29; Mighty one of Jacob, Isaiah 49:26; Mighty to save, Isaiah 63:1; Minister of the sanctuary, Hebrews 8:2; Morning Star, Revelation 22:16; Most holy, Daniel 9:24; Most mighty, Psalms 45:3; Nazarene, Matthew 2:23

O


Offspring of David, Revelation 22:16; Only begotten (Greek monogenes: one and only, unique), John 3:16; Only begotten (Greek monogenes: one and only, unique) of the Father, John 1:14; Only begotten (Greek monogenes: one and only, unique) Son (the best mss. have "God" instead of "Son" here), John 1:18; Only wise God, our savior, Jude 1:25; Overseer, 1 Peter 2:25

P

Passover, our, 1Corinthians 5:7; Plant of renown, Ezekiel 34:29; Potentate, 1Timothy 6:15; Power of God, 1Corinthians 1:24; Physician, Matthew 9:12; Precious Cornerstone, Isaiah 28:16; Priest, Hebrews 7:17; Prince, Acts 5:31; Prince of Life, Acts 3:15; Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9:6; Prince of the kings of the earth, Revelation 1:5; Prophet, Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; Matthew 21:11; Luke 24:19; Propitiation (expiation, our Sin-offering), 1John 2:2

R


Rabbi, Rabboni, John 1:49; 20:16; Ransom, 1Timothy 2:6; Redeemer, Isaiah 59:20; Resurrection and the Life, the John 11:25; Redemption, 1Corinthians 1:30; Righteous Branch, Jeremiah 23:5; Righteous, Judge 2 Timothy 4:8; Righteous Servant, Isaiah 53:11; Righteousness, 1Corinthians 1:30; Rock, 1 Corinthians 10:4; Rock of Offence, 1 Peter 2:8; Root of David, Revelation 5:5; 22:16; Root of Jesse, Isaiah 11:10; Rose of Sharon, Song of Songs 2:1; Ruler in Israel, Micah 5:2

S

Salvation, Luke 2:30; Sanctification, 1 Corinthians 1:30; Sanctuary, Isaiah 8:14; Savior, Luke 2:11; savior, Jesus Christ, 2 Timothy 1:10; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1; savior of the body (ekklesia), Ephesians 5:23; savior of the world, 1John 4:14; Sceptre, Numbers 24:17; Second Man, the, 1 Corinthians 15:47; Seed of David, 2 Timothy 2:8; Seed of the woman, Genesis 3:15; Servant, Isaiah 42:1; Servant of rulers, Isaiah 49:7; Shepherd, Mark 14:27; Shepherd and Overseer of souls, 1Peter 2:25; Shepherd, Chief 1 Peter 5:4; Shepherd, Good John 10:11; Shepherd, Great Hebrews 13:20; Shepherd of Israel Psalms 80:1; Shiloh Genesis 49:10; Son of the Father 2 John 1:3; Son of God, See JESUS, SON OF GOD; Son of Man, See JESUS, SON OF MAN; Son of the Blessed One (God,) Mark 14:61; Son of the Highest One (God) Luke 1:32; Son of David, Matthew 9:27; Star, Numbers 24:17; Sun of Righteousness, Malachi 4:2; Surety (Guarantee), Hebrews 7:22; Stone, Matthew 21:42; Stone of Stumbling, 1Peter 2:8; Sure Foundation, Isaiah 28:16

T

Teacher, John 3:2; True God, 1 John 5:20; True Vine, John 15:1; Truth, John 14:6

U

Unspeakable Gift, 2 Corinthians 9:15

V

Very Christ, Acts 9:22; Vine, the, John 15:1

W

Way, the, John 14:6; Which is, which was, which is to come (equivalent to the tetragrammaton (YHWH), the Eternal One, I AM THAT I AM), Revelation 1:4; Wisdom, Proverbs 8:12; Wisdom of God, the, 1Corinthians 1:24; Witness, Isaiah 55:4; Revelation 1:5; Wonderful, Isaiah 9:6; Word, John 1:1; Word of God, Revelation 19:13; Word of Life, 1John 1:1

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man at the same time

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)

Basic truth:

Jesus Christ is the God-man, one person possessing two natures, both fully God and fully man at the same time.

Discussion:

1. The two natures of Christ (divine and human) are united in one person, without confusion, conversion, division, or separation. He did not have two separate personalities. His humanity did not limit his deity, and his deity did not change his humanity.

2. His two natures were united at the Incarnation (John 1:14).

3. The incarnation took place by means of the virgin conception and birth (Luke 1:30 35). The virgin birth was necessary so that Christ would not have any sin nature.

4. When Christ became human, He “emptied” Himself of the voluntary or independent use of His divine attributes (Philippians 2:5 7; 1 Corinthians 11:3). The theological term is “kenosis.” Although He subordinated Himself, He continued to be equal in essence with the other persons of the Godhead.

5. The union of Christ’s two natures is permanent (1 Timothy 2:5).

Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Articles by by Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M.

[2] Articles by John F. Walvoord
[3] The Person of Christ, by Charles T. Buntin , M.S., M.A.R. (also available in Spanish)

[4] And Was Made Man, by Allen Ross , Th.D., Ph.D.

[5] Christology: Jesus Christ, by Greg Herrick Th.M., Ph.D.

Sermons on John 1:14 (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] The Critical Chapter, by Douglas James Wilson

[2] Baby, Creator, Savior, Lord, and King! By Phillip W. Mansfield

[3] Logos, by Timothy Grant

[4] John #05 Became Flesh, by James (Jim) L. Goforth, Jr, New Life Baptist Church

[5] #3 Showing God's Light, by Matthew Starin, Baptist World Mission

[6] Beginning at the Beginning 2 - Salvation on the Heels of Rebellion, by Richard DeRuiter

[7] Before the Beginning, by Charles Leman Eldred

[8] Christmas According to John, by Michael Stark, New Beginnings Baptist Church

[9] The Centrality, Supremacy, and Superiority of Jesus Christ, by Daniel Radke

[10] The Word of God - Jesus is God, by Tom Daugherty, Trinity Theological Seminary

[11] Positive Identification, by Charles Leman Eldred

[12] Once In an Eternity, by Pastor Jeremy Stephens, Southview Baptist Church

[13] The Deity/Humanity of Jesus, by Robin Fernandez

Sermons on Philippians 2:6 (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Incomparable Supremacy, by Pastor Jeremy Stephens, Southview Baptist Church

[2] A Stranger at the Door, by Joe Vinson, Southeast Baptist Church

[3] The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ, by Sam Jones

[4] Humiliation Before Exaltation, by Marvin L Jackson

[5] 122407 Christmas Eve Reason for Season 3 Cradle Cross Crown, by Donald L Hardaway

[6] Why God Became Man, by Randy D. Starkey, East Bend Baptist Church

[7] Sermon illustrations on the Kenosis

[8] Master Violinist Goes Unrecognized, by Bruce W. Logue

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not (John 1:9-11).

[9] For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.