John 1:14 (NIV) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

1 John 1:1 (NIV) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

The "Word of God" is recognized as the words that come out of the mouth of God.

Genesis 1:3 (NIV) And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Psalm 33:6 (NIV) By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

The "Word of God" is represented as spoken from the mouth of men.

Jeremiah 1:9 (NIV) Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth.

Jeremiah 1:7 (NIV) But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.

Exodus 4:12 (NIV) Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

The "Word of God" also given to us in written form.

Exodus 31:18 (NIV) When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.

Exodus 32:16 (NIV) The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.

1 Corinthians 14:37 (NIV) ...what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.

Not every ancient book is worthy of a place in the Bible.

A book entitled to a place in Scripture is canonical, has met the standard or rule as the inspired Word of God.

The word “canon” is the term used to describe the completed number of the books of the Bible—the closed canon of the sixty-six books of the Holy Scriptures.

It is derived from ancient words meaning “measuring stick, rod, ruler, staff.”

It is used here to designate those books that meet the requirements of being acknowledged as divinely inspired.

The first clear application of the word canon, to the Scriptures, came at about A.D. 350, with Athanasius.

The word “canon” is most unusual because it is the same word with the same meaning wherever found in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, or English.

Canonicity is determined by God

A book is valuable and true because God inspired it. Canonicity is determined or fixed conclusively by the authority and inspiration of God.

The question is not where a book received its divine authority, but how did men recognize that authority?

Canonicity is recognized by men of God.

Inspiration determines canonicity.

A book is authoritative because God breathed it and made it so.

The canon of scriptures was not determined by men but by God.

J. I. Packer notes, “The Church no more gave us the New Testament canon than Sir Isaac Newton gave us the force of gravity. God gave us gravity, by His work of creation, and similarly He gave us the New Testament canon, by inspiring the individual books that make it up.” (J.I. Packer, "God Speaks to Man", page 81.)

Proverbs 30:5-6 (NIV) “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

Revelation 22:18 (NIV) I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.

Luke 24:27 (NIV) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Luke 24:44 (NIV) He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

2 Peter 1:21 (NIV) For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

We are looking at the 66 books that are in our Bible and how they became a part of the Word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) ¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

The 39 Books of the Old Testament Canon of Scripture

How did we get the canon of the Scripture?

The Old Testament is a prophetic statement from God.

2 Peter 1:21 (NIV) "For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

A prophet was one who spoke for God—not only "fore-telling" but speaking as God inspired him.

They were the mouthpiece of God.

In the Greek, the word "prophet" means "one who speaks in place of another." Thus, the Old Testament was written by those men of God who declared and wrote the truths of God, predictive and non predictive.

Some were "prophets" and there were those who possessed the "prophetic gift" such as Aaron (Exodus 7:1) and David (Acts 2:30).

The Old Testament Is The Inspired Word of God

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"

The Old Testament CLAIMS to be the inspired Word of God.

These statements could only be recorded by the inspiration of God.

Exodus 32:16 (NIV) The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.

Leviticus 1:1 (NIV) The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting. He said,

Numbers 36:13 (NIV) These are the commands and regulations the Lord gave through Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.

Deuteronomy 4:2 (NIV) Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.

Joshua 24:26 (NIV) And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the Lord.

Throughout the Old Testament the inspiration of God is clearly declared.

The Ten Commandments were the earliest collection of the written words of God.

The collection of absolutely authoritative words of God grew through the History of Israel.

Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Isaiah, Nathan the prophet, Gad the seer, Jehu, Jeremiah and others.

The content of the Old Testament canon continued to grow until around the year 520 B.C. when Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther were written.

According to Jewish tradition the Old Testament canon of scripture was ascribed to Ezra and the men of the great synagogue.

Ezra was "a scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of His statutes to Israel" (Ezra 7: 11).

He "prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments" (Ezra 7: 10).

Ezra and these men of the Great Synagogue recognized, qualified and organized the oracles of God and determined their authenticity.

They arranged the inspired Word in its present form.

There was no question about the authenticity or canonicity of the Old Testament.

They did not make the Scriptures the Word of God; they recognized that they were the Inspired Words of God.

Jesus, his disciples, the Jewish leaders and the Jewish people fully accepted that the Old Testament canon ended after the time of Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

There were a vast number of false or spurious writings

These false writings represent traditional religious knowledge but fail to represent biblical authority.

No citation is given that these quotes are inspired writings.

These writings express religious fancy and magic from the intertestamental period, 200 B.C to A.D. 200. In Roman Catholic traditions these books are known as the Apocrypha.

The Roman Catholic Church accepted the fourteen or fifteen Apocrypha books and has interspersed them among the other thirty-nine books.

Only eleven of these books are accepted as canonical by the Roman Catholic Church and have been added to the Douay and the New American Bible Old Testament.

Most of the Apocrypha teach a morality based on self-interest and fall below the nature of the bible. Most of these books were written during a time that was void of a revelation of God or a prophet of God.

The Apocrypha are non-biblical, were never accepted by God's people as the inspired Word of God, and fail to satisfy the tests of canonicity:

a. Written by a prophet of God.

Apocryphal writing was during the postbiblical or intertestamental period.

b. Confirmed by an act of God

c. Did it have the power of God (Was it transforming?)

Much of the Apocryphal stories are extrabiblical, fanciful, and even immoral.

d. Did not tell the truth about God, man, or anything else.

Apocryphal writings were filled with contradictions, errors, and heresies. Some of their teaching is unbiblical and heretical.

e. Was it accepted by the people of God?

Neither Jesus nor the New Testament writers quoted or received the Apocrypha.

No cannon or council of the Christian Church recognized the Apocrypha for nearly 400 years.

Roman Catholic scholars through the Reformation period rejected the Apocrypha. Not until A.D. 1546, at the Council of Trent, was there action to counter the rejection of the Apocrypha. The acceptance of the Apocrypha was used against Luther in support of the Roman Catholic position. In affirming the Apocrypha the Roman Catholic Church held that it had the authority to constitute a literary work as Scripture. For 1500 years the Apocrypha was not accepted as canonical by the people of God. Protestants hold that only God can make something scripture.

What are the books of the Apocrypha?

Book

Revised Standard Version

The NewAmerican Bible

Didactic

Religious

Romance

Historic

Prophetic

Legendary

1. The Wisdom of Solomon (c. 30 b.c.)

2. Ecclesiasticus (132 b.c.)

3. Tobit (c. 200 b.c.)

4. Judith (c. 150 b.c.)

5. 1 Esdras (c. 150-100 b.c.)

6. 1 Maccabees (c. 110 b.c.)

7. 2 Maccabees (c. 110-70 b.c.)

8. Baruch (c. 150-50 b.c.)

9. Letter of Jeremiah (c. 300-100 b.c.)

10. 2 Esdras (c. a.d. 100)

11. Additions to Esther (140-130 b.c.)

12. Prayer of Azariah (second or first century b.c.) (Song of Three Young Men)

13. Susanna (second or first century b.c.)

14. Bel and the Dragon (c. 100 b.c.)

15. Prayer of Manasseh (second or first century b.c.)

Book of Wisdom

Sirach

Tobit

Judith

3 Esdras*

1 Maccabees

2 Maccabees

Baruch chaps.

1-5

Baruch chap. 6

4 Esdras*

Esther 10:4-

16:24

Daniel 3:24-90

Daniel 13

Daniel 14

Prayer of

Manasseh*

*books accepted in the Roman Catholic Canon

Errors in the Apocrypha

Judith and Tobit contain historical, chronological and geographical errors. The books justify falsehood and deception and make salvation to depend upon works of merit. Ecclesiasticus and the Wisdom of Solomon inculcate a morality based upon expediency. Wisdom teaches the creation of the world out of pre-existent matter (11:17). Ecclesiasticus teaches that giving alms makes atonement for sin (3:30). Baruch says God hears the prayers of the dead (3:4), and in I Maccabees there are historical and geographical errors.

The Twenty-Two Old Testament Books Are the Same as the Thirty-Nine Books In Our Old Testament.

The original Jewish canon, as named by Josephus, contained this list of books.

These are the 39 books that now make up our Old Testament.

Nothing has been added or subtracted.

5 Books of Moses	13 Prophetic Books	4 Hymns to God
Genesis	Joshua	Psalms
Exodus	Judges & Ruth	Proverbs
Leviticus	2 Books of Samuel	Ecclesiastes
Numbers	2 Books of Kings	Song of Solomon
Deuteronomy	2 Books of Chronicles
	Ezra & Nehemiah
	Esther
	Isaiah
	Jeremiah & Lamentations
	Ezekiel
	Daniel
	Books of 12 Minor Prophets
	Job

The reason there are 39 books in our Old Testament is as follows:

Ø The Minor Prophets are 12 books, not 1 (from Hosea to Malachi)

Ø Samuel, Kings, Chronicles are 2 books each, not 1

Ø Ezra and Nehemiah are 2 books, not 1

Ø Ruth and Judges are separate

Ø Jeremiah and Lamentations are separate

With these separations, there are added 17 books to the 22 books, or series of writings, making a total of 39 books. The same 22 books named by Josephus, translated into Greek, are the 39 books of our Old Testament.

Who divided the books?

When the Hebrew Scriptures were translated into Greek, known as the Septuagint, the books were divided from the original Hebrew Scriptures into:

Ø 5 books of Moses or the law (Genesis to Deuteronomy)

Ø 12 books of History (Joshua to Esther)

Ø 5 books of Poetry (Job to Song of Solomon)

Ø 5 Major Books of Prophecy (Isaiah to Hosea)

Ø 12 Minor Books of Prophecy (Joel to Malachi)

Total-- 39 Books in the Old Testament Canon

The Greek translation, made in Alexandria in the 3rd century B.C. became the Bible at that time because Greek had become "the tongue" in the then-known world.

Jesus and the New Testament Affirm the Old Testament Canon of Scripture.

Jesus Christ is the key to the inspiration and canonization of the Scriptures. He confirmed the inspiration of the Hebrew canon of the Old Testament.

The actions and testimony of Jesus and the New Testament fulfill all that was promised in the Law, Prophets and Writings.

Several books were in existence in Jesus’ time that was not included in the Old Testament canon.

Jesus quoted from the Old Testament sixty-four times.

He never quoted from any of the books that were not included in the canon.

The Bible is complete, trustworthy, and sufficient to answer anything we need to know for eternal salvation or practical wisdom concerning our relationships, morality, character, or conduct.

Jesus said: Matthew 5:18 (NKJV) For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

Jesus confirmed the truth that every word of the Scriptures is given by God.

His affirmation included direct reference to the smallest letter ("jot," literally yod, the Hebrew equivalent to the letter "i" or "j"), and the smallest punctuation point, "tittle."

There is no room left for debate.

Jesus taught the plenary (comprehensive) verbal inspiration of the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

The entire Old Testament is Christ-centered.

Luke 24:27 (NIV) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

The 27 Books Of The New Testament Canon Of Scripture

There is ample evidence to confirm the books of the New Testament are inspired books. The New Testament was written during a half-century by eight or nine different writers.

There are a large number of rejected books

During the first few centuries numerous books were written that were of a fanciful and heretical nature. They were of historical value and heretical in teaching of gnostic, docetic, and ascetic groups and represented exaggerated fancy of religious traditions in the early church. The books were revered by some cults and some of the orthodox Fathers, but were never accepted by mainstream Christianity.

By the ninth century more than 280 were listed.

I. ISOLATED SAYINGS OF THE LORD

II. PAPYRUS FRAGMENTS OF APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS

1. An unknown gospel of synoptic type (Oxyrhynchus Papyrus 840)

2. An unknown gospel with Johannine elements (Papyrus Egerton 2)

3. Sayings—collections on papyrus

Introduction

(a) Oxyrhynchus Papyrus 654

(b) Oxyrhynchus Papyrus 1

4. Other Greek papyrus fragments

(a) Oxyrhynchus Papyrus 1224

(b) Cairo Papyrus 10 735

III. JEWISH-CHRISTIAN GOSPELS

1. The gospel of the Nazaraens

2. The gospel of the Ebionites

3. The gospel of the Hebrews

IV. THE GOSPEL OF THE EGYPTIANS

V. THE GOSPEL OF PETER

VI. CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES AFTER THE RESURRECTION

A. The Freer logion

B. Epistula apostolorum

C. A gospel fragment from the Strasbourg Coptic papyrus

VII. GNOSTIC GOSPELS AND RELATED DOCUMENTS

A. Gospels Under General Titles

1. The Gospel of the Four Heavenly Regions or of the Four Corners of the World

2. The Gospel of Perfection

3. The Gospel of Truth

B. Gospels Under the Name of an Old Testament Figure

C. Gospels Current, Directly or Indirectly, Under the Name of Jesus, and Similar Works

1. The Sophia Jesu Christi

2. The Dialogue of the Redeemer

3. The Pistis Sophia

4. The Two Books of Jeu

D. Gospels Attributed to the Twelve as a Group

1. The Gospel of the Twelve (or Twelve Apostles)

2. The (Kukean) Gospel of the Twelve

3. The Memoria Apostolorum

4. The (Manichean) Gospel of the Twelve Apostles

5. The Gospel of the Seventy

6. Other “Gospels of the Twelve Apostles”

E. Gospels Under the Name of an Apostle

1. The Gospel of Philip

2. The Gospel of Thomas

3. The Book of Thomas the Athlete

4. The Gospel According to Matthias

The Traditions of Matthias

5. The Gospel of Judas

6. The Apocryphon of John

7. Fragments of a Dialogue Between John and Jesus

8. The Apocryphon of James (Apocryphon Jacobi)

9. The Gospel of Bartholomew

F. Gospels Under the Names of Holy Women

1. The Questions of Mary

2. The Gospel According to Mary

3. The “Genna Marias”

G. Gospels Attributed to an Arch-heretic

1. The Gospel of Cerinthus

2. The Gospel of Basilides

3. The Gospel of Marcion

4. The Gospel of Apelles

5. The Gospel of Bardesanes

6. The Gospel of Mani

H. Gospels Under the Names of Their Users

VIII. INFANCY GOSPELS

A. The Protevangelium of James

B. The Infancy Story of Thomas

C. Gnostic Legends

D. Later Infancy Gospels

1. Extracts from the Arabic Infancy Gospel

2. Extracts from the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew

3. Extract from the Latin Infancy Gospel in the Arundel Manuscript

4. Extract from the Life of John According to Serapion

IX. THE RELATIVES OF JESUS

X. THE WORK AND SUFFERINGS OF JESUS

A. Jesus’ Earthly Appearance and Character

B. The Alleged Testimony of Josephus

C. The Abgar Legend

D. The Gospel of Nicodemus, Acts of Pilate, and Christ’s Descent into Hell.

E. The Gospel of Bartholomew

1. The Questions of Bartholomew

2. Coptic Texts of Bartholomew

F. The Gospel of Gamaliel

These writings fall far short of the quality of the inspired Word of God and cannot be compared with the canonical gospels.

The New Testament is inspired by God, the Holy Spirit.

The valid test of the inspiration of a writer in the New Testament was his relationship to the Lord Jesus.

Jesus is the great central fact of the gospel.

Through Him, God made Himself known in the form of humanity.

Jesus selected men divinely qualified to teach and record without error the facts and doctrines of His gospel.

Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV) ¹In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

Who Wrote the New Testament?

The New Testament books were written by an Apostle or their Companion (secretarial assistant).

Jesus promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would reveal to them what they could not understand while He was still on earth.

Matthew 10:20 (NIV) for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

John 14:25-26 (NIV) ²⁵“All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

The apostles spoke and wrote with divine authority:

1 Corinthians 2:9-13 (NIV) ⁹However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— ¹⁰but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹²We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

Galatians 1:11-12 (NIV) ¹¹I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. ¹²I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

Examples of books written by companions (secretary) of the apostles can be found in Mark and Luke.

Mark was the companion of Peter, and Luke was the companion of Paul.

1 Peter 5:13 (NIV) She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.

Luke wrote the third gospel and was a companion of Paul during his journeys as Luke records in Acts.

All the New Testament Books had Apostolic Authority.

All 27 books of the New Testament were placed in the canon after they had been treasured by the churches.

The churches exchanged letters and copied them, and sent them to other churches.

Only letters with apostolic authority were accepted as a part of the canon.

The Council of Carthage, 397 A.D. said. "Nothing shall be read in the churches except the recognized canon."

They then named the 27 books of the New Testament.

4 Gospels (Matthew – John)

1 Book of History (Acts)

7 Major Epistles (Romans-Colossians)

14 Minor Epistles (1Thessalonians – Titus)

1 Book of Prophecy (Revelation)

The canon, or rule, guiding them was simply: "A New Testament book must be written by an apostle or an amanuensis (companion) of an apostle."

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, written by men of God, preserved by the keeping power of the Holy Spirit and has been accepted through the ages by the people of God.

We Have The Entire Word Of God!

Romans 10:17 (NIV) ¹⁷Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

The Inspired Word of God

2 Timothy 3:16 NASB95 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

The original texts have two words that are missing.

Ø The first is /he/ before /graphe/ and the second word is /estin/ which could go before or after the word /kai/.

Ø The word /he/ makes /graphe/ either mean ALL or Every.

Ø The word /estin/ means “is” and its natural placement would be before /kai/.

2 Timothy 3:16

pasa grafh yeopneustov kai wfelimov prov didaskalian prov elegmon prov epanorywsin prov paideian thn en dikaiosunh

pasa grafh yeopneustov kai wfelimov

pâsa (hê) graphê theopneustos (Estin)kai ôphelimos

paw- say graf-ay theh-op’-nyoo-stos kai oph-e-le-mos

All or Every Scripture Inspired is also profitable

Writing God breathed

Every scripture inspired by God is also profitable.

Or, Every scripture is inspired by God and profitable.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable... NKJV

Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable... ASV

Every word of the Bible is inspired or "God‑breathed."

In 2 Timothy 3:16 you read, "All scripture is given by the inspiration of God."

Two words used in this text present for us the apostolic view concerning the inspiration of the scriptures.

The first word is GRAPHE, ‘graf‑ay’ which means "writing." and the second word is THEOPNEUSTOS, ‘theh‑op'‑nyoo‑stos’, which means "God‑breathed."

It is the writing, the scriptures, that is "God‑breathed," or inspired.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God”

(R.V., “Every scripture inspired of God”), 2 Timothy 3:16.

This is true of all the “sacred writings.”

They are not the works of men with genius or of supernatural insight.

They are “theopneustic,” i.e., “breathed into by God” in such a sense that the writers were supernaturally guided to express exactly what God intended them to express as a revelation of his mind and will.

The inspiration came from God to human personalities and human minds to give to us the Bible.

The word "Bible" is from the Greek word ''biblos'' with its plural form "biblia."

The modern English form comes from the Latin and Old French 'biblia''‑‑meaning "writings."

This is one book, the Bible.

Isaiah 40:6-8 (NIV) ... ⁸The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

1 Corinthians 2:9-13 (NIV) ... ¹³This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) ¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

1 Peter 1:23-25 (NIV) ...²⁵but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

2 Peter 1:19-21 (NIV) ¹⁹And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. ²⁰Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. ²¹For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The entire Bible is inspired of God.

Over 40 different men, with different personalities and different backgrounds and training, spoke and wrote over a period of 1,500 years, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

The words they wrote were inspired of God.

2 Peter 1:21 “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

Fallible men wrote what the infallible God inspired.

The fallible men have passed away but the infallible words they wrote abide forever.

All these books of the Old and New Testaments are inspired.

The Bible does not contain the Word of God; it is the Word of God.

Ø The gift of the inspiration of God caused the writers to become the instrument of God’s expression.

Ø By them the infallible God communicated his mind and will to men.

Ø They wrote in the very manner and words in which God gave it.

The inspiration of the sacred writers did not change their characters.

They retained all their individual peculiarities as thinkers or writers.

The Bible is its own witness to its inspiration.

Look at the claims the Bible makes about itself.

Only the Word of God, no other book or writing, can make such claims.

Exodus 31:18 (NIV) ¹⁸When the LORD finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.

Psalm 119:89 (NIV) ⁸⁹Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

Psalm 119:105 (NIV) ¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:152 (NIV) ¹⁵²Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.

Psalm 119:160 (NIV) ¹⁶⁰All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

Isaiah 40:8 (NIV) ⁸The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

1 Peter 1:23-25 (NIV) ²³For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. ²⁴For, “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, ²⁵but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

There are no less than 3,808 references in the Bible to the statement: “God said” or “The Word of God came”.

Ø The prophets always introduced their message with the statement, "And the Word of the Lord came unto..."

Ø The prophet delivered the message which was, and is, the Word of God.

1 Peter 1:10-11 (NKJV ) "Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, {11} searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow."

1 Peter 1:10-11 (NLT) This salvation was something the prophets wanted to know more about. They prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you, even though they had many questions as to what it all could mean. ¹¹They wondered what the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. They wondered when and to whom all this would happen.

Peter said that the prophets wrote what God told them to write.

Ø They did not originate their message.

Ø They did not fully understand all that the Spirit of God within them was talking about.

Ø The message came from God.

God said to Moses in Exodus 4:10-12 (NIV) ¹⁰Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” ¹¹The LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? ¹²Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

Forty years later Moses said to Israel in Deuteronomy 4:2 (NIV) ²Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.

2 Samuel 23:1-2 (NIV) ¹These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel’s singer of songs: ²“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.

Jeremiah 1:6-9 (NIV) ⁶“Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” ⁷But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. ⁸Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. ⁹Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth.

The Holy Spirit inspired the authors of the Bible.

The holy men spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

(2 Peter 1:21 NKJV) "for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

2 Peter 1:21 (NIV) For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit inspired the men whom God selected to give us the Bible.

God used different methods in originating the message:

Ø the word of angels,

Ø the voice of God,

Ø the writings of the apostles

Ø the inspiration of the Holy Spirit

God spoke in many ways and what He spoke is in the Bible.

Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV) ¹In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

The Divine Source and the Human Instrument

In the Bible there are several passages where the Divine Author and the human instrument are mentioned.

Matthew 1:22 (NIV) ²²All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Acts 1:16 (NIV) ¹⁶and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus—

The Bible is a Miracle.

As the words were written through the ages, it was necessary for the Holy Spirit to guard and guide so that a true and perfect message would be recorded.

The writings attest to one great theme, Christ.

Ø They point to one true God.

Ø They offer one plan of salvation.

The Great Theme Of The Bible

The one great theme of the Bible is Jesus Christ.

By a creative act, God broke the chain of human generation and produced the supernatural One—Jesus, the Son of God.

Galatians 4:4 (NIV) ⁴But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,

The great theme, Jesus, binds the Bible together.

The theme was proclaimed in the Old Testament like this,

"There is Someone coming."

In the day of the incarnation it was announced,

"Someone is come."

In the days of the end time it is prophesied like this,

"Someone is coming again."

Jesus is the one great unifying factor who binds the Bible into one message—God's plan of redemption for us.

Galatians 4:5-6 (NIV) ⁵to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. ⁶Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV) ⁴But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) ⁸For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Revelation and Inspiration Of The Bible

What is the difference between Revelation and Inspiration?

Revelation refers to something God has made known.

He has unveiled, or uncovered something.

For example, it was a revelation when Moses wrote Genesis 1.

Moses was not there when God created the heavens and the earth.

No human eye saw that.

So God made it known by revelation.

Another example is found in the New Testament.

It was a revelation when John wrote the Apocalypse, the Book of Revelation.

No man can see the end of the age—looking ahead thousands of years into the future known only to God.

But God revealed that future to John and John wrote it.

Inspiration refers to the transmission, or the writing.

It refers to the method that kept this writing from error or mistake.

For example, when Moses wrote of the crossing of the Red Sea, that was an inspired writing. (Exodus 10-15)

Ø God kept him from error.

Ø He wrote as the Holy Spirit directed him.

Ø Moses had seen with his own eyes the crossing of Israel through the Red Sea.

The transmission, the writing, was by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and kept from error.

Another example is found in John 19.

Ø When John (the same John who wrote Revelation) wrote the account of the crucifixion of Jesus, it was by inspiration.

Ø John was there and witnessed the death of our Lord.

Ø He wrote, without error, according to the Holy Spirit.

Inspiration Produced the Bible, A Document of God's Self‑Revelation.

When we speak of the inspired authors of the Bible, we refer to the inspiration of the writings and not of the men.

The inspiration is in the Word of God.

It is what the men have written that is inspired.

Ø Moses, David, Solomon, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, were not always and everywhere inspired.

As men, they all erred in conduct.

Their fallibility and errancy were never transmitted to the sacred writings.

Each Biblical author yielded his entire personality to the will of the Holy Spirit; therefore, what they wrote was inspired of God.

The truth of inspiration concerns the miracle by which the Spirit of God produced the Bible—a document in human language which reveals God and His plan of redemption for us.

The Bible does not contain God’s Word; it is God’s Word.

How can we know the true word of God?

How can we know for certain that the Bible is the Word of God?

We find the Answer in the Bible.

Here are three tests.

Deuteronomy 18:21-22 (NIV) ²¹You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?” ²²If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.

The first test is whether a prophecy comes to pass as foretold by a prophet of God.

Ø Prophecy is not prediction.

Ø True prophecy is above manmade forecasts.

Ø True prophecy is from God.

For example, eight hundred years before Christ, Micah, the prophet, said that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

This literally came to pass (Luke 2: 1‑7).

One thousand years before it happened, David said, "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture" (Psalm 22: 18).

This is fulfilled in Matthew 27:75

Thousands of years in advance God prophesied things through His prophets that came to pass.

Ø This is the first test of the true Word of God.

Ø Man cannot tell the future one hour from now but God reveals the future thousands of years in advance.

The second test is The Word of God endures forever.

Psalm 119:160 (NIV) all your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

The Bible is truth.

It has been true from the beginning.

From the creation to the consummation of this age is found in God's Word.

He knows all things and has given us His Book of Truth.

The third test is that The Word of God accomplishes its purpose.

Isaiah 55:10-11 (NIV) ¹⁰As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, ¹¹so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

God's Word accomplishes all that God has willed for it.

The purpose of God’s Word is that we might be delivered from the penalty and judgment of sin.

It will not return void when it is taught, preached, and studied.

God's will for His Word is: (Isaiah 55:11 (NIV) ...My word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

That is God’s Word.

The 66 books are the inspired Word of God.

The Bible you hold in your hand is God's inspired Word.

All 66 books speak to us and present for us God's redemptive plan.

1 Peter 1:24-25 (NIV) ²⁴For, “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, ²⁵but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

John 20:31 (NIV) ³¹But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The longest chapter in the Bible is about the Word of God—Psalm 119 with 176 verses.

Every verse extols the excellence of the written word.

Psalm 119:89 (NIV) ⁸⁹Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

Psalm 119:105 (NIV) ¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

The Authoritative Word of God

The authority of the Bible is the Bible.

One of the most important evidences of authority is also the simplest because the Bible is its own proof.

There is no higher authority.

The Scriptures never need to be defended.

The Bible defends itself.

God the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit bear witness to the authority of the Bible.

The final authority for our faith and practice (daily life) is the Word of God.

Isaiah 40:6-8 (NIV) ⁶A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. ⁷The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. ⁸The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Matthew 5:17-19 (NIV) ¹⁷“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 24:25-32; Luke 24:44-45;Romans 15:4; Romans 16:26; Galatians 3:8

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) ¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

The teachings of Jesus are our highest authority in reference to the Bible.

No word of criticism can be leveled against His integrity.

Even Pilate said. "I find no fault (crime) in this man' (Luke 23:4).

Jesus taught the Bible with authority (Matthew 7:29).

If the authority of Jesus is denied at this point, the entire foundation of God's plan of redemption falls with the Son of God.

The Bible is the authoritative Word because God, the Son, Jesus Christ has set His stamp of authority upon the entire Book.

The Testimony Of God The Father

The Speaker and the Hearer in the Old Testament testify to the authority of the Word of God.

The Bible is the authoritative Word of God because God settled the Word in heaven (Psalm 119:89) and "His Word is true from the beginning" (Psalm 119:160).

Phrases such as "And the Lord spoke to..." "And God said..." "The Word of the Lord came unto..." can be found 3,808 times in the Old Testament.

God speaks and the writer recorded "the Word of the Lord."

The Testimony Of The Bible

The Bible declares itself to be the Word of God.

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (NIV) ¹These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, ²so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.

Joshua 1:8 (NIV) Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Joshua 8:32-35 (NIV) ³²There, in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua copied on stones the law of Moses, which he had written.... ³⁴Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. ³⁵There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the aliens who lived among them.

The Word is sure, perfect, endures forever, and is true.

Notice the words of authority.

Psalm 12:6 (NIV) ⁶And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.

Psalm 19:7-11 (NIV) ⁷The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. ⁸The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. ⁹The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. ¹⁰They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. ¹¹By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

The Word is eternal.

Psalm 119:89 (NIV) ⁸⁹Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

Psalm 119:152 (NIV) ¹⁵²Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.

Psalm 119:160 (NIV) ¹⁶⁰All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

The Word is effective.

It is the Gospel.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV) ¹³And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

1 Peter 1:23-25 (NIV) ²³For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. ²⁴For, “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, ²⁵but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

The Testimony Of The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit Bears Witness That the Bible is the Word of God.

For instance just as the Holy Spirit bears witness to every believer that he is a child of God.

Romans 8:16 (NIV) ¹⁶The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Look at 2 Peter 1:19-21 and pay special attention to verses 19 and 21.

Note "holy men of God spoke (wrote) as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

2 Peter 1:19-21 (NIV) ¹⁹And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. ²⁰Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. ²¹For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 1:10-11 (NIV) ¹⁰Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, ¹¹trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

Peter is saying that the prophets wrote what they were told to write.

They did not originate the message.

The message came from God.

The Holy Spirit of God gave the message to the writers.

Listen to the testimony of David in 2 Samuel 23:1-3:

2 Samuel 23:1-3 (NIV) ¹These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel’s singer of songs: ²“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. ³The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God,

Jeremiah felt his own weakness in speaking the message of God to Israel.

The Lord said He would put the words in the mouth of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 1:6-9 (NNAS) "Then I said, "Alas, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, Because I am a youth." {7} But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. {8} "Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you," declares the LORD. {9} Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth."

Daniel wrote words given to him by divine inspiration which he could not understand.

The words were from God.

Daniel 12:8-9 (NIV) ⁸I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?” ⁹He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.

God Used Many Ways to Reveal His Message.

He used: the voice of God

the angels

the prophets

Look at Hebrews 1:1 3 and notice how God still reveals His message.

Hebrews 1:1-3 (NIV) ¹In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. ³The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Zechariah 4:6 (NIV) ⁶So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

The Holy Spirit reveals the truth and the false.

The Words of the Scripture are Divinely Taught by the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual things are taught in words given by the Holy Spirit.

This is accomplished by "comparing spiritual things with spiritual things, “actually” comparing Scripture with Scripture.

1 Corinthians 2:4 (NIV) ⁴My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,
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The Testimony of Jesus Christ

The highest authority to which we can turn for the authority of the entire Word of God is the testimony of Jesus Christ.

If we accept the teaching of Jesus, we must accept His teachings concerning the Word of God.

According to Jesus, Divine revelation is in the Word of God.

What the Scriptures say, God says.

Jesus authenticates this in Matthew 5: 17-18

Matthew 5:17-18 (NIV) ¹⁷“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Matthew 19:4 (NIV) ⁴“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’

John 10:35 (NIV) ...and the Scripture cannot be broken—

When a person receives the Son of God, the question of authority of the Scriptures is settled.

If we accept the teaching of Jesus, we must accept the entire Word of God.

Jesus regarded the Bible as divine authority.

Look at the following passages as proof:

Matthew 23:9 (NIV) ⁹And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.

Matthew 24:37 (NIV) ³⁷As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Mark 7:13 (NIV) ¹³Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

Luke 24:44 (NIV) ⁴⁴He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

John 5:36 (NIV) ³⁶“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.

John 5:39 (NIV) ³⁹You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,

The way Jesus used the Scriptures proves His love and reverence for the Word.

The way He quoted the Scriptures was amazing.

In answering those around Him, He constantly referred to questions such as:

"Have you never read?" and

"It is written," and

"Search the Scriptures."

(Refer to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 through 7 and notice how many times He uses these.)

In Matthew 4, Jesus used Scripture to defeat Satan.

Matthew 4:4 (NIV) ⁴Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Matthew 4:7 (NIV) ⁷Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Matthew 4:10 (NIV) ¹⁰Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Jesus spoke divine, inspired words.

Jesus claimed divine inspiration for His teachings.

Jesus spoke the doctrine of God:

John 7:16 (NIV) ¹⁶Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.

John 12:49 (NIV) ⁴⁹For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.

John 6:63 (NIV) ⁶³The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

John 8:28 (NIV) ²⁸So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.

John 8:42-43 (NIV) ⁴²Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. ⁴³Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say

John 12:50 (NIV) ⁵⁰I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

Jesus spoke as the Spirit of God told Him to speak

Luke 4:18 (NIV) ¹⁸“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,

Jesus began his public ministry by quoting the scriptures.

Luke 4:16-21 (NIV) ¹⁶He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. ¹⁷The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: ¹⁸“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, ¹⁹to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” ²⁰Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, ²¹and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Here Jesus was quoting Isaiah 61:1-2.

Isaiah 61:1-2 (NIV) ¹The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, ²to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

From this point, Jesus lived, taught and preached the Scriptures.

Pay attention to Jesus and the Scriptures after His resurrection.

After the resurrection of our Lord, he set His seal on the entire Old Testament.

His knowledge of the whole truth is without question.

Luke 24:27 (NIV) ²⁷And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Listen to verses 45 and 46.

Luke 24:45-46 (NIV) ⁴⁵Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.

Jesus promised that the Apostles would be Holy Spirit-directed in their writing and teaching.

Jesus placed His stamp of authority upon the New Testament by anticipation.

There was not a book of the New Testament written when Jesus ascended to glory.

How did He authenticate the New Testament written by the apostles?

Jesus promised the guidance of the Holy Spirit in what the apostles would say and write about Him (Matthew 10:19-20).

Matthew 10:19-20 (NIV) ¹⁹But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Jesus promised the apostles that they would have the Holy Spirit to teach them all things and to bring to their remembrance all the things Jesus had taught them.

John 14:26 (NIV) ²⁶But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 16:12-15 (NIV) ¹²“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. ¹³But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. ¹⁴He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. ¹⁵All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

The New Testament was given by the Holy Spirit, based upon the authority of Jesus Christ.

John 15:26-27 (NIV) ²⁶“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. ²⁷And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

The entire Bible is the authoritative Word of God because of the testimony of God the Father, the testimony of the Bible itself, the witness of the Holy Spirit and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

2. History of the Bible

Septuagint, LXX

{sep' - too - uh - jint}

The Septuagint, commonly designated LXX, is the oldest Greek version of the Old Testament of the Bible, the title "seventy" referring to the tradition that it was the work of 70 translators (or 72 in some traditions). The translation was made from the Hebrew Bible by Hellenistic Jews during the period 275 - 100 BC at Alexandria. Initially the Septuagint was widely used by Greek - speaking Jews, but its adoption by the Christians, who used it in preference to the Hebrew original, aroused hostility among the Jews, who ceased to use it after about 70 AD. It is still used by the Greek Orthodox church.

The Septuagint contains the books of the Hebrew Bible, the Deuterocanonical books - that is, those not in the Hebrew version but accepted by the Christian church - and the Apocrypha. Ancient manuscripts from Qumran suggest that the Septuagint often followed a Hebrew text different from the present authoritative Hebrew text. Thus its value for textual criticism has been enhanced. The Septuagint provides an understanding of the cultural and intellectual settings of Hellenistic Judaism.

Vulgate

General Information

Vulgate (Latin vulgata editio, "popular edition") is the edition of the Latin Bible that was pronounced "authentic" by the Council of Trent. The name originally was given to the "common edition" of the Greek Septuagint used by the early Fathers of the Church. It was then transferred to the Old Latin version (the Itala) of both the Old Testament and the New Testament that was used extensively during the first centuries in the Western church. The present composite Vulgate is basically the work of St. Jerome, a Doctor of the Church.

At first St. Jerome used the Greek Septuagint for his Old Testament translation, including parts of the Apocrypha; later he consulted the original Hebrew texts. He produced three versions of the Psalms, called the Roman, the Gallican, and the Hebrew. The Gallican Psalter, based on a Greek transliteration of a Hebrew text, is now read in the Vulgate. At the request of Pope Damasus I in 382, Jerome had previously undertaken a revision of the New Testament. He corrected the Gospels thoroughly; it is disputed whether the slight revisions made in the remainder of the New Testament are his work.

Through the next 12 centuries, the text of the Vulgate was transmitted with less and less accuracy. The Council of Trent (around 1550) recognized the need for an authentic Latin text and authorized a revision of the extant corrupt editions. This revision is the basic Latin text still used by scholars. A modern reworking of it, called for by Pope Paul VI as a result of the Second Vatican Council, was largely completed in 1977. It was used in making up the new liturgical texts in Latin that were basic to the vernacular liturgies mandated by the council.

Version

Advanced Information

A Version is a translation of the Holy Scriptures. This word is not found in the Bible; nevertheless, as frequent references are made in this work to various ancient as well as modern versions, it is fitting that some brief account should be given of the most important of these. These versions are important helps to the right interpretation of the Word.

The Targums
After the return from the Captivity, the Jews, no longer familiar with the old Hebrew, required that their Scriptures should be translated for them into the Chaldaic or Aramaic language and interpreted. These translations and paraphrases were at first oral, but they were afterwards reduced to writing, and thus targums, i.e., "versions" or "translations", have come down to us. The chief of these are,

(1.) The Onkelos Targum, i.e., the targum of Akelas=Aquila, a targum so called to give it greater popularity by comparing it with the Greek translation of Aquila mentioned below. This targum originated about the second century after Christ. Other scholars say it dates from 60 BC. This Targum includes the Hebrew text of the Pentateuch. The oldest existing copies seem to be from about 500 AD.

(2.) The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel comes next to that of Onkelos in respect of age and value. It is more a paraphrase on the Prophets, however, than a translation. It is thought to be from about 30 BC. This Targum contains the historical Books of the Old Testament and the Prophets. The oldest existing copies seem to be from about 500 AD. Written in Aramaic.

Both of these targums issued from the Jewish school which then flourished at Babylon.

The Greek Versions

(1.) The Septuagint is the oldest. It is usually quoted as the LXX. The origin of this, the most important of all the versions is involved in much obscurity. It derives its name from the popular notion that seventy-two translators were employed on it by the direction of Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, and that it was accomplished in seventy-two days, for the use of the Jews residing in that country. There is no historical warrant for this notion. It is, however, an established fact that this version was made at Alexandria; that it was begun about 280 B.C., and finished about 200 or 150 B.C.; that it was the work of a number of translators who differed greatly both in their knowledge of Hebrew and of Greek; and that from the earliest times it has borne the name of "The Septuagint", i.e., "The Seventy."

This version, with all its defects, must be of the greatest interest:

§ (a) as preserving evidence for the text far more ancient than the oldest Hebrew manuscripts;

§ (b) as the means by which the Greek Language was wedded to Hebrew thought;

§ (c) as the source of the great majority of quotations from the Old Testament by writers of the New Testament.

(2.) Aquila, called Aquila of Pontus (flourished about 130), translated the Old Testament into Greek. He was born in Sinope, Pontus (now Sinop, Turkey). His translation of the Old Testament was so literal that Jews of his time preferred it to the Septuagint version, as did the Judaistic sect of Christians called Ebionites. The remaining fragments of the version may be found in the Hexapla of the Alexandrian theologian Origen.

(3.) The New Testament manuscripts fall into two divisions,

§ Uncials, written in Greek capitals, with no distinction at all between the different words, and very little even between the different lines; and

§ Cursives, in small Greek letters, were a "running hand" script form where the letters were connected as in our longhand. This script was continuous scriptio continua, without breaks for words or lines or verses. Also called Minuscule writing.

The change between the two kinds of Greek writing took place about the tenth century AD.

Only five Greek manuscripts of the New Testament draw near to completeness are more ancient than this dividing date.

§ The first, is the Alexandrian manuscript. Though brought to this country by Cyril Lucar, patriarch of Constantinople, as a present to Charles I., it is believed that it was written, not in that capital, but in Alexandria; whence its title. It is now dated in the fifth century A.D. Also called Codex Alexandrinus. It contains almost the entire Bible.

§ The second, is the Vatican manuscript, Codex Vaticanus. The oldest existent vellum (parchment) manuscript. Was probably written in the fourth century. Was placed in the Vatican Library at Rome in 1448. Its history is unknown.

§ The Third, the Ephraem manuscript, Codex Ephraemi, was so called because it was written over the writings of Ephraem, a Syrian theological author. It is believed that it belongs to the fifth century, and perhaps a slightly earlier period than the Alexandrian manuscript. Nearly every Book of the Bible is represented in it.

§ The fourth, the manuscript of Beza, was called Codex Bezae. It belonged to the reformer Beza, who found it in the monastery of St. Irenaeus at Lyons in 1562 A.D. It is imperfect, and is dated in the sixth century. This manuscript contains the Gospels and Acts in both Greek and Latin.

§ The fifth, is called Aleph, Codex Sinaiticus is the Sinaitic manuscript. Sinaiticus codex is one of the most valuable of ancient MSS of the Greek New Testament. It was written in the fourth century. It is the oldest manuscript of the New Testament. It was probably written in Egypt.

The Syriac or Aramaic Versions

o Old Syriac Version. Contains the Four Gospels, copied about the fourth century. Two copies exist today.

o Syriac Peshitta. This was the standard Syrian Version, created about 150-250 AD. More than 350 copies of it exist today. Contains all of the canonical books and some of the apocryphal books. Called the Peshitto. It was made directly from the original and not from the LXX Version. Does not contain 2 or 3 John, 2 Peter, Jude, and the Apocalypse. These were added in a later version.

o Palestinian Syriac. About 400-450 AD.

o Philoxenian. 508 AD. Polycarp made this translation.

o Harkleian Syriac. 616 AD, by Thomas of Harkel.

The Latin Versions
A Latin version of the Scriptures, called the "Old Latin," which originated in North Africa, was in common use in the time of Tertullian (A.D. 150). Of this there appear to have been various copies made. About 50 copies exist today. The dates of those copies are not known.

A Latin version made in Italy, and called the Itala, was recognized as the most accurate. The Old Testament translation appears to have been made from the LXX. This version became greatly corrupted by repeated transcription. Jerome (A.D. 329-420) was requested by Damasus, the bishop of Rome, to make a complete revision of it. By 384 AD, Jerome had completed the task. It was originally opposed, but was recognized in the seventh century, as the "Vulgate" version. The word Vulgate means common or popular. More than 10,000 manuscript copies of the Vulgate exist today.

The Vulgate Bible was printed about A.D. 1455, the first book that ever issued from the printing press. The Council of Trent (1546) declared it "authentic." It subsequently underwent various revisions, but that which was executed (1592) under the sanction of Pope Clement VIII was adopted as the basis of all subsequent editions. It is regarded as the sacred original in the Roman Catholic Church.

All modern European versions have been more or less influenced by the Vulgate.

Other Latin Versions

African Old Latin or Codex Babbiensis. 400 AD.

Codex Corbiensis. 400-500 AD. Contains the Four Gospels.

Codex Vercellensis. 360 AD.

Codex Palatinus. Fifth century AD.

Other Versions
There are numerous other ancient versions which are of some importance.

Ethiopic. Fourth century, from the Greek LXX; More than 2,000 manuscript copies of it exist today. Some scholars say sixth century.

Memphitic. Circulated in Lower Egypt about the fourth century from the Greek.

Thebaic. Designed for Upper Egypt, about the fourth century from the Greek.

Sahidic. Early in the third century in Egypt

Bohairic. Fourth century. About 100 manuscript copies now exist.

Middle Egyptian. Fourth or fifth century.

Gothic, written in the German language, but with the Greek alphabet, by Ulphilas (died A.D. 388), of which only fragments of the Old Testament remain; About 6 partial texts exist today.

Armenian, about A.D. 400; About 2,600 manuscript copies exist today. Translated from a Greek Bible.

Slavonic, in the ninth century, for ancient Moravia. Over 4,000 manuscript copies exist today.

Arabic. About 75 manuscript copies exist today.

Persian. Only 2 manuscript copies exist today.

Anglo-Saxon. Seven manuscript copies exist today.

Georgian. Fifth century.

Nubian. Sixth century.

The English Versions

The history of the English versions begins properly with Wyckliffe (around AD 1384). But earlier, around AD 650, Caedmon wrote many of the Bible's central passages in the form of Saxon poems. Around AD 700, two bishops, Eadhelm and Egbert, made rather crude Saxon translations of the Psalms and of the Gospels.

Portions of the Scriptures were rendered into Saxon (as the Gospel according to John, by Bede, A.D. 735), (much improved quality) and also into English (by Orme, called the "Ormulum," a portion of the Gospels and of the Acts in the form of a metrical paraphrase, toward the close of the seventh century), long before Wyckliffe; but it is to him that the honor belongs of having first rendered the whole Bible into English (A.D. 1384). This version was made from the Vulgate, and renders Gen. 3:15 after that Version, "She shall trede thy head." This translation was very stilted and mechanical in style. It is likely that only a few hundred copies were ever made, because the printing press had not yet been invented. Each copy was laboriously and meticulously copied by hand. There are presently one hundred and seventy copies still in existence.

In 1454, Johann Gutenberg developed the movable type printing press. This allowed all of the following Bible versions to be printed in much larger quantity. It seems no coincidence that Martin Luther and the Protestant Revolution began soon after (1517), since a much larger number of scholars now had easy access to Biblical texts.

This was followed by Tyndale's translation (1525-1531) was based on the original Greek of the New Testament, and was translated in a free idiomatic English. When the KJAV was produced almost a century later (1611), one-third of it retained Tyndale's wording and the remainder retained his general literary structure).

Miles Coverdale's (1535-1553) was not based on the original languages. His translation was a revision of Tyndale's Version in light of the German versions. He introduced chapter summaries, and separated the Apocrypha from the other Old Testament books.

Thomas Matthew's (1537), was really the work of John Rogers, the first martyr under the reign of Queen Mary. This was properly the first Authorized Version, Henry VIII, having ordered a copy of it to be provided for every church. This took place in less than a year after Tyndale was martyred for the crime of translating the Scriptures.

In 1539 Richard Taverner published a revised edition of Matthew's Bible.

The Great Bible, so called from its great size, called also Cranmer's Bible, was published in 1539 and 1568. In the strict sense, the "Great Bible" is "the only authorized version;

The Geneva version (1557-1560) was the first version to recognize the division of the text into verses.

The Bishops' Bible (1568) was a revision of the Great Bible. Although it was not a work of high merit it was the basis for the KJAV.

The Rheims and Douai versions, under Roman Catholic auspices, (1582, 1609) are still the standard Roman Catholic Bible.

The King James Authorized Version

January 1604 King James I called the Hampton Court Conference in response to the Millenary Petition. The Millenary Petition set forth the grievances of the Puritan party in the Church of England. John Reynolds the president of the Corpus Christi College, Oxford, advised and recommended having an English Bible that would be acceptable to all parties in the church. King James I supported the idea, which provided him the occasion to replace the two most popular versions of the English Bible: the Bishops' Bible and the Geneva Bible. The KJAV would be the read in the Church and in homes by individuals. Six companies and fifty-four men were assigned the work of revision. The books of the Bible and the Apocrypha were divided among three sets of two companies. They were given the English translations to be used when they agreed better than the Bishops' Bible. Those translations included: Tyndale's, Thomas Matthew’s (1537), Miles Coverdale’s (1535-1553), Whitchurche’s, Geneva. One-third of it retained Tyndale's wording and the remainder retained his general literary structure. The Bishops' Bible was used as a basis for the revision. The Rheims New Testament which was recently published influenced the translation. The committees retained many old ecclesiastical words and were influenced by the Latin. They frequently departed from Tyndale's version. Although it is called the Authorized Version, the KJAV was never authorized. It replaced the Bishops' Bible in public use but was challenged by the Puritans Geneva Bible. Myles Smith indicated in the preface that the "Authorized Bible" rested on the immediate predecessors rather than the original manuscripts and languages. One fact is overlooked; the King James Version is not really a version but a translation as attested on the original title page. Henry VIII, ordered a copy of it to be prepared for every church. The publishers added to the success of the KJV by stopping the publication of the Bishop's Bible.

Three editions of the King James appeared during its first year of publication. During the first years of publication several errors occurred due to misspellings and omissions of words. The KJV faced revisions in 1613, 1629, 1638, 1653, 1701, 1762, and 1769. The last two revisions corrected spelling and removal of antique words. The 1769 revision differs in at least 75,000 details. All of the revisions to the King James Version were made without church or royal authority.

The Variorum Edition

(1880) was translated from the original Greek. The Variorum Bible was a revision of the King James with reference to various readings from the best authorities. The English Revised Version was published in 1881 and 1885 and had access to the interpretations and critical work of the Variorum Bible.

The Revised Version of the New Testament was published in 1880 and the Revised Old Testament in 1884. The two were combined and called the English Revised Version (1885).

Newer Popular English Versions

The American Standard Version (1901, 1946, 1957)

The Holy Bible; Revised Standard Version (1946 [NT], 1952 [OT], 1971)

The Living Bible (1971)

The New International Version (NIV) (1973, 1978, 1984)

The Simple English Version (1978, 1980)

The New King James Version (1982)

The Micro Bible (1988)

These versions have developed broad acceptance by various Christian Denominations and groups.

Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible (Young, 1887, reprinted 1953)

The Twentieth Century New Testament (1901)

Moffatt's Historical New Testament (Moffatt, 1901)

Weymouth's The New Testament in Modern Speech (Weymouth, 1903)

The Holy Bible - An Improved Edition (Amer. Baptist Publication Society, 1913);

Moffatt's The Bible - A New Translation (Moffatt, 1922)

Goodspeed, The New Testament, an American Translation (Goodspeed, 1923)

The Bible, an American Translation (Goodspeed, 1931)

Williams The New Testament (Williams, 1937)

Phillips Letters to Young Churches (Phillips, 1948) (paraphrases the New Testament Epistles)

The Gospels (Phillips, 1953) (popular paraphrases among young people)

The Berkeley Version of the Bible (Verkuyl, 1959); have popularity for various reasons, usually either common vocabulary or extremely careful translation.

3. Why so many translations?

Dynamic Equivalence Vs. Formal Equivalence

Most laymen today think that a faithful translation of the Bible means a word-for-word translation. If the original has a noun, they expect a noun in the translation. If the original has sixteen words, they don't want to see seventeen words in the translation. We might call this translation "formal equivalence." The King James, old American Standard, and the New American Standard come closest to this ideal.

On the other end of the spectrum is a "phrase-for-phrase" translation, or a dynamic equivalence translation. It is not so concerned about the grammatical form of the original language as it is of the meaning of the original. A dynamic equivalence translation is more interpretive--but it is also easier to understand. The New International Version (in part) and the New English Bible follow this philosophy.

Actually, anyone who has ever learned a second language knows that a word-for-word translation is impossible much or most of the time. Idioms in one language need to be paraphrased. Even the King James translators realized this. In a couple of places in the OT, the Hebrew text literally reads, "God's nostrils enlarged." But the King James has something like, "God became angry"--which is what the expression means. In Matthew 1:18 the King James says that Mary was found to be with Child. But the Greek is quite different--and quite graphic: "Mary was having it in the belly"! And in many places in Paul's letters, the King James reads, "God forbid!" But the original has neither "God" nor "forbid." Literally, it says, "May it never be!" (as most modern translations render it!)

Therefore, when we speak of faithfulness in translation, we need to clarify the question: Faithfulness to form? or faithfulness to meaning? Sometimes faithfulness to one involves lack of fidelity to the other. There are problems with each of these. The King James, with its attempted fidelity to form, in some passages makes no sense. And in 1611 they made no sense! The New American Standard, likewise, is often characterized by wooden, stilted English.

On the other hand, dynamic equivalence translations sometimes are too interpretive. The NIV, in Eph 6:6, tells slaves to "Obey (their masters) not only to win their favor. . . ," but the word "only" is not in the Greek and I suspect that Paul did not mean to imply it, either. This reveals one of the problems with dynamic equivalence translations: the translators don't always know whether their interpretation is right.

But some versions don't interpret--they distort. Some are notorious for omitting references to Christ's blood, or for attempting to deny his deity. In these instances, the translators are neither faithful to the form or the meaning. They have perverted the Word of God.

Yet, dynamic equivalence translators who are honest with the text often make things very clear. In Phil 2:6, for example, the NIV tells us that Jesus was "in (his) very nature God." But most formal equivalence translations state that he was in the form of God. The problem with these formally correct translations is that they are misleading: the Greek word for 'form' here means essence or nature.

Dynamic equivalence versus formal equivalence: two different philosophies of translation. A formal equivalence translation lets the reader interpret for himself. But too often, the average reader doesn't have the background or the tools to interpret accurately. The net result is that he often badly misunderstands the text.

On the other hand, a dynamic equivalence translation is usually clear and quite understandable. But if the translators missed the point of the original--either intentionally or unintentionally--they will be communicating an idea foreign to the biblical text.

There are pros and cons of each philosophy of translation. In the next section, we will see which translations have done the best jobs.

Which Translation Is Best?

The Greek text behind the King James NT is different from the Greek text behind most modern translations. The discovery of the papyri at the turn of the century has shed much light on the meaning of biblical words. Bible translations are either word-for-word or phrase-for-phrase translations and that there are pros and cons with each of these.

Is there hope of ever knowing what the Word of God really says? With so many translations that read so differently, how can anyone who does not know Greek or Hebrew really know what the Bible says? Even in extremely biased or sectarian translations, all the major doctrines can be found. If you know which translations are best, you have a head start.

***One of the best safeguards you can follow is to stay away from the sectarian translations or those done by an individual. The New World Translation, by the Jehovah's Witnesses, is the best known sectarian translation. Translations by individuals include Moffatt's, Weymouth's, J. B. Phillips, The Living Bible, Kenneth Wuest's Expanded Translation, and the Berkley New Testament. There is merit in each of these, however the idiosyncrasies and theological biases of a translation are far more apparent when it is produced by one man.

Which translation is best? There can be no singular answer. Every Christian who is serious about studying the Bible should own at least two translations. He should have at least one dynamic equivalence translation (or phrase-for-phrase) and one formal equivalence translation (that is, word-for-word translation). In fact, it would be good to have two dynamic equivalence translations--because in this type of translation, the translator is also the interpreter. If his interpretation is correct, it can only clarify the meaning of the text; if it is incorrect, then it only clarifies the interpretation of the translator!

King James Version ***

Above all its rivals, the King James Version has had the greatest impact in shaping the English language. It is a literary masterpiece. We must remember that the King James Bible of today is not the King James of 1611. It has undergone three revisions, involving more than 100,000 changes! Further, there are over 300 words in the King James that no longer mean what they meant in 1611. If one wishes to use a Bible that follows the same Greek and Hebrew texts as the King James, I recommend the New King James Version.

Revised Standard Version**

The RSV was completed in 1952 and was intended to be, in part, a revision of the King James. Of course, it used the ancient MSS of the NT, resulting in the omission of several verses and words. But the wording was still archaic. The RSV attempts to be a word-for-word translation where possible. The NRSV follows the same principle of translation, though has now become more "gender-inclusive" in its approach. At times this is very helpful; at other times, it is misleading.

New American Standard *****

The NASB is something of an evangelical counterpart to the RSV. It, too, was intended to be something of a revision of the King James. There are three major differences between the RSV and the NASB: first, the NASB is less archaic in its wording. Second, its translators were more conservative theologically than the RSV translators. Third, because of the translators' desire to adhere as closely to the wording of the original, often this translation is stilted and wooden. Still, the NASB is probably the best word-for-word translation available today.

New English Bible **

The NEB was completed in 1971, after a quarter of a century of labor. It marks a new milestone in translation: it is not a revision, but a brand new translation. It is a phrase-for-phrase translation. Unfortunately, sometimes the biases of the translators creep into the text. The REB (Revised English Bible) follows the same pattern: excellent English, though not always faithful to the Greek and Hebrew.

New International Version *****

The NIV was published in 1978. It may be considered a counterpart to the NEB. It is more a phrase-for-phrase translation than a word-for-word translation, and the scholars were generally more conservative than those who worked on the NEB. I personally consider it the best phrase-for-phrase translation available today. However, its major flaw is in its simplicity of language. The editors wanted to make sure it was easy to read. In achieving this goal, they often sacrificed accuracy (in particular, in the NT, sentences are shortened, subordination of thought is lost, conjunctions are deleted).

New World Translation

Finally, a word should be said about the New World Translation by the Jehovah's Witnesses. Due to the sectarian bias of the group, as well as to the lack of genuine biblical scholarship, I believe that the New World Translation is by far the worst translation in English dress. It purports to be word-for-word, and in most cases is slavishly literal to the point of being terrible English. But, ironically, whenever a sacred cow is demolished by the biblical writers themselves, the Jehovah's Witnesses twist the text and resort to an interpretive type of translation. In short, it combines the cons of both worlds, with none of the pros.

Recent English Bible Versions Compared

Each of these versions is or will be a translation of both the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and New Testament. Some readers prefer a New Testament translated from the Received Text (Textus Receptus) of the Greek text tradition, rather than the critical (eclectic) text which most recent versions follow. For this reason, we categorize the versions depending on which Greek text they follow. For those readers unfamiliar with Biblical text issues, Bibles based on either Greek text tradition are reliable. Teachings of the Christian faith are equally clear in versions translated from either New Testament text.

Versions with New Testament based on the critical text

CEV (Contemporary English Version): The CEV is highly readable, for both adults and children. It strives to preserve the meaning of the original in natural English expressions and is even more successful at this than was its predecessor, the GNT. 100 translation experts led by Dr. Barclay Newman contributed to the CEV. It tackles most translation difficulties, including Greek genitives and similar problems, which are often left undertranslated in versions which focus more on the original forms. In 1996 the CEV won the coveted Crystal Award from the Plain English Campaign in the United Kingdom.

ESV (English Standard Version): a recent version, produced by theologically conservative scholars, which slightly updates the RSV.

GW (God's Word): produced by God's Word to the Nations. Not as idiomatic as the CEV, but still quite readable for both adults and children. GW is more dynamic and readable than the NIV. I have reviewed GW in a translation journal.

(GNT) Good News Translation [formerly called TEV (Today's English Version) and GNB (Good News Bible)]: originally translated by the American Bible Society (ABS) for speakers of English as a second language but found by many native English speakers to be a very readable and helpful translation. The GNT is characterized, on the whole, by natural English. Its ABS successor is the CEV.

HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible): produced by Lifeway, a Southern Baptist publishing house, but with an interdenominational translation team. The HCSB attempts to be more readable than the NASB but more literal than the NIV.

ISV (International Standard Version): American seminary professors on its Committee on Translation and Contributing Scholars. Highlights careful attention to Greek verb "tenses" (aspect) and translation of these to English. Some Biblical poetry is translated as English rhyming poetry. Promoted by its producers as "the most readable and accurate English translation of the Bible ever produced".

JBP (New Testament in Modern English, Revised). This is one of the best translations ever produced, in terms of English style and impact upon readers. The translator was the British Biblical scholar, J.B. Phillips.

NAB (New American Bible): translated by Catholic Biblical scholars.

NASB (New American Standard Bible): favored by some conservative Christians who prefer a literal translation. The quality of English is not as natural as the

NIV. An updated version was published in 1995. NCV (New Century Version): originally translated for children under the title International Children's Version. It has undergone some revision so that it can be appreciated by adults, as well. Very readable. Several formats are available for children and adults.

NET (New English Translation): Team of 20 translators. This version uses a relatively literal translation approach. It is, however, more readable than more literal versions such as the NASB. It will make a good study version for those already familiar with the Bible

NIV (New International Version): the best-selling English version. Considered the version of first choice by many evangelicals. A relatively literal translation with some dynamic renderings. Its English is, on the whole, a little more natural than that of the NASB.

NJB (New Jerusalem Bible): Like the NAB, translated by Catholic Biblical scholars. There is a literary sophistication to much of its English. The NJB is a revision of the Jerusalem Bible.

NLT (New Living Translation): exegetically more accurate than its predecessor, the Living Bible. Produced by a team of 90 scholars. Promoted by its producers as a thought-for-thought translation. Reads better than most recent literal and relatively literal versions.

NRSV New Revised Standard Version): highly regarded in scholarly circles. Reads about as well as the NIV.

REB (Revised English Bible): revision of the New English Bible, translated by British scholars. The target audience is probably moderately well educated adults. Pleasant literary language, using British English.

TNIV (Today's New International Version): a mild revision of the NIV. New Testament currently published. The subject of heated debate among conservative evangelicals, some of whom disagree strongly with the use of gender language in the TNIV for some passages where the TNIV translation committee believed the original biblical texts had a gender-inclusive meaning.

TM (The Message): attractive, gripping English style, overall. A real pleasure to read. The Message challenges and convicts me as no other recent English Bible translation does. Occasional overuse of idioms not familiar to the majority of fluent English speakers

Versions with New Testament based on the Received Text

DKJB (Defined King James Bible)

KJII (King James Version II) (renamed to Literal Translation of the Holy Bible)

KJ21 (King James for the 21st Century)

KJ2000 (King James 2000)

LITV (The Literal Translation of the Holy Bible) (formerly named King James II)

NKJV (New Kings James Version): improved over the KJV for current English usage and readability, but still has much unnatural English.

MKJV (Modern King James Version)

TMB (The Third Millennium Bible)

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Idiomaticity

Pertaining or conforming to the mode of expression characteristic of a language

Literal (highly form-based)

NASB NASB95
KJII
KJ21
KJ2000
LITV
MKJV
TMB
RSV
NRSV
NKJV

Moderately literal

NAB
HCSB
NIV
TNIV
NET
ISV
NJB
REB

Moderately idiomatic

NLT
GW

Idiomatic (highly meaning-based)

TEV
NCV
CEV
TM

Conclusions

The CEV, NCV, and TM are fully vernacular (idiomatic), that is, their English sounds the way ordinary fluent speakers of English speak and write. My experience with the NLT so far shows that its English is usually quite natural, as well; its vocabulary and style are slightly more literary than those of the CEV and NCV.

The NIV, ISV, and NET were produced with essentially identical translation philosophies. They are moderately idiomatic, with some constructions which are not totally vernacular, typically Hebraisms and Hellenisms transferred to their English. There are few significant differences between them.

The literal translations retain many Hebraic and Greek forms which are not natural in English, but they give readers a better feel for what the structures in the original Biblical texts were. Because all languages are different, both in vocabulary and grammatical structures, it is nearly impossible to retain form as well as a high level of readability in any translation. Readers will make their own choices as to which they value more, form or readability. For those who wish as much of both as possible, a high degree of both can be found with Bible versions in the middle ranges of the idiomaticity groupings.

Other English Versions

This list will give the reader an idea of the number of versions that have been published. There may be others that are not on this list. Following the name of the version is the translator and/or publisher and the year it was first released, if known.

All the Books of the Old and New Testaments (Purver, 1764)

Analytical-Literal Translation, The (not yet published)

Aramaic Bible (Alexander, not yet published)

Bible, The (Barker, 1615)

Bible in Living English (Byington, 1972)

Bible Revised (Barham, 1850)

Bishop's Bible (1568)

Black Bible Chronicles (McCary, 1993)

Book of the New Covenant (Penn, 1836)

Christian Community Bible (Grogan, 1995)

Christian's Bible (Lefevre, 1928)

Clementine Edition (1790)

Commonly Received Version of the New Testament (Cone, 1850)

Complutensian Bible

Cotton Patch New Testament (Jordan, 1970)

Cranmer Version

David Macrae Translation (Macrae, 1799)

Dramatized Bible (Perry, 1989)

English Translation of the Bible (Mace, 1729)

Family Expositor (Dodderidge, 1755)

Good News of Our Lord Jesus, the Anointed (Whiting, 1849)

Great Bible (Grafton and Whitchurch)

Hebrew Name Bible

Holy Bible (Bellamy, 1818)

Holy Bible (Conquest, 1841)

Holy Bible (Forshall, 1850)

Holy Bible (Fry, 1812)

Holy Bible (Geddes, 1797)

Holy Bible (Madden, 1850)

Holy Bible (Sharpe, 1892)

Holy Bible (Julia Smith, 1876)

Holy Bible (Thomson)

Holy Bible (Wordsworth, 1885)

Holy Bible: An Improved Edition (American Bible Union, 1912)

Holy Bible Containing the Old and the New Testaments (Sawyer, 1862)

Holy Bible with Amendments (Webster, 1833)

Holy Scriptures (Leeser, 1855)

Holy Scriptures (Wellbeloved, 1859)

Interlinear Literal Translation of the Hebrew Old Testament (George Richter Berry)

Jewish Bible (Kaplan)

Jewish School and Family Bible (Benisch, 1861)

Liberal Translation of the New Testament (Harwood)

Matthew's Bible

Mr. Whiston's Primitive New Testament (Whiston, 1745)

Modern Bible Version (Pratt / American Bible Society, 1893)

Modern King James Version of the Holy Bible (McGraw-Hill, 1962)

New and Corrected Version of the New Testament (Dickinson, 1833)

New Dispensation: The New Testament (Weekes, 1897)

New Family Bible (Boothroyd, 1833)

New International Reader's Version (1995)

New Literal Translation (MacKnight, 1795)

New Testament (Belsham, 1809)

New Testament (Bowes, 1870)

New Testament (Brotherhood Authentic Bible Society)

New Testament (Campbell, 1826)

New Testament (Clementson, 1938)

New Testament (Cunnington)

New Testament (Greber, 1937)

New Testament (Haweis, 1795)

New Testament (Highton, 1862)

New Testament (Hollybushe, 1538)

New Testament (Jefferson, 1820)

New Testament (Joye)

New Testament (Kneeland, 1822)

New Testament (Morgan, 1848)

New Testament (Murdock, 1851)

New Testament (Panin / Bible Numerics, 1914)

New Testament (Richter, 1877)

New Testament (Scarlett, 1798)

New Testament (Sharpe, 1856)

New Testament (Simon, 1730)

New Testament (Thorn, 1861)

New Testament (Wakefield, 1791)

New Testament (W. Williams, 1812)

New Testament (Wynne, 1764)

New Testament in an Improved Version (1808)

New Testament of Our Messiah and Saviour Yashua (Traina, 1950)

New Testament or New Covenant (Worsley, 1770)

New Translation (Archbishop Newcome)

New Version of All the Books of the New Testament (Batly and Chandler, 1726)

Newe Testament of Our Saviour Jesu Christe (Jugge, 1552)

Numberical Bible (Grant)

Old and New Testaments (J. Clarke and Co., 1899)

Old Covenant, The (Thompson, 1808)

Old Testament Scriptures (Spurrell, 1885)

Poetic Bible, The (Gray, 1973)

Pulpit Bible, The (Parker, 1937)

Revised Translation and Interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures (Ray, 1799)

Revised Translation of the Old Testament (Cookesley, 1859)

Rheims-Challoner Version

Semitic New Testament (Trimm)

Short Bible, A (Farrer, 1956)

Taverner's Bible (Taverner, 1759)

Thomas Cromwell Version (1539)

Translation of the New Testament (Scarlett, 1798)

Translator's New Testament (1975)

World English Bible

Versions of the New Testament

Aramaic New Covenant - ANCJ - 1996, a translation and transliteration of the New Covenant

Authentic New Testament - ANT - 1958

Barclay New Testament - BNT - 1969

Cassirer New Testament - CNT - 1989

Centenary Translation of the New Testament - CTNT - 1924, one of the few versions translated solely by a woman

Common English New Testament - CENT - 1865

Concordant Literal New Testament - CLNT - 1926

Contemporary English Version - CEV - 1992, includes Psalms and Proverbs

Coptic Version of the New Testament - CVNT - 1898, based on translations from northern Egypt

Cotton Patch Version - CPV - 1968, based on American ideas and Southern US culture, only contains Paul's writings

Documents of the New Testament - DNT - 1934

Emphatic Diaglott - EDW - 1942

Godbey Translation of the New Testament - GTNT - 1905

Inclusive Version - AIV - 1995, stresses equality of the sexes and physically handicapped, includes Psalms

International Standard Version - ISV - 1998

John Wesley New Testament - JWNT - 1755, a correction of the King James Version

Kleist-Lilly New Testament - KLNT - 1956

Lattimore New Testament - LNT - 1962, a literal translation

Letchworth Version in Modern English - LVME - 1948

McCord's New Testament Translation of the Everlasting Gospel - MCT - 1989

Message - TM - 1993, a.k.a. New Testament in Contemporary English, a translation in the street language of the day, includes Psalms and Proverbs

Modern Speech New Testament - MSNT - 1902, an attempt to present the Bible in effective, intelligible English

New Evangelical Translation - NET - 1992, a translation aimed at missionary activity

New Testament: An Understandable Version - NTUV - 1995, a limited edition version

New Testament in Plain English - WPE - 1963, a version using common words only

Noli New Testament - NNT - 1961, the first and only book of its kind by an Eastern Orthodox translator at the time of its publication

Norlie's Simplified New Testament - NSNT - 1961, includes Psalms

Original New Testament - ONT - 1985, described by publisher as a radical translation and reinterpretation

Orthodox Jewish Brit Chadasha - OJBC - 1996, an Orthodox version containing Rabbinic Hebrew terms

People's New Covenant - PNC - 1925, a version translated from the meta- physical standpoint

Phillips Revised Student Edition - PRS - 1972

Recovery Version - RcV - 1991, a reference version containing extensive notes

Restored New Testament - PRNT - 1914, a version giving an interpretation according to ancient philosophy and psychology

Riverside New Testament - RNT - 1923, written in the living English language of the time of the translation

Scholars Version - SV - 1993, a.k.a. Five Gospels; contains evaluations of academics of what are, might be, and are not, the words of Jesus; contains the four gospels and the Gospel of Thomas

Spencer New Testament - SCM - 1941

Swann New Testament - SNT - 1947, no chapters, only paragraphs, with verses numbered consecutively from Matthew to Revelation

Today's English New Testament - TENT - 1972

Twentieth Century New Testament - TCNT - 1904

Unvarnished New Testament - UNT - 1991, the principal sentence elements kept in the original order of the Greek

Versified Rendering of the Complete Gospel Story - VRGS - 1980, the gospel books written in poetic form, contains the four gospels

Westminster Version of the Sacred Scriptures - WVSS - 1929

Wiclif Translation - TWT - 1380, a very early version translated into English

William Tindale Newe Testament - WTNT - 1989, an early version with spelling and punctuation modernized

William Tyndale Translation - WTT - 1530, early English version, includes the Pentateuch

Williams New Testament - WNT - 1937, a translation of the thoughts of the writers with a reproduction of their diction and style

Worrell New Testament - WAS - 1904

Wuest Expanded Translation - WET - 1961, intended as a comparison to, or commentary on, the standard translations

Versions of Old Testament Only

Aramaic Bible (Targums) - ABT - 1987, originally translated from the Hebrew into the Aramaic

Dead Sea Scrolls Bible - DSSB - 1997, translated from Dead Sea Scrolls documents, includes the Apocrypha

Holy Scriptures (Harkavy) - HSH - 1951

Holy Scriptures (Leeser) - HSL - 1905

Holy Scriptures (Menorah) - HSM - 1973, a.k.a. Jewish Family Bible

Jerusalem Bible (Koren) - JBK - 1962, side-by-side Hebrew and English

Jewish Bible for Family Reading - JBFR - 1957, includes the Apocrypha

New JPS Version - NJPS - 1988

New Translation (Jewish) - NTJ - 1917

Septuagint - LXX - c. 200 BCE, the earliest version of the Old Testament scriptures, includes the Apocrypha

Stone Edition of the Tanach - SET - 1996, side-by-side Hebrew and English

Graphic of Bible History

Language Comparison of Bible Versions

Where do we get all of the versions and translations of the Bible?

John 3:16-18 The Wycliffe Bible (1395)

16 For God louede so the world, that he yaf his `oon bigetun sone, that ech man that bileueth in him perische not, but haue euerlastynge lijf. 17 For God sente not his sone in to the world, that he iuge the world, but that the world be saued bi him. 18 He that bileueth in hym, is not demed; but he that bileueth not, is now demed, for he bileueth not in the name of the `oon bigetun sone of God.

Tyndale New Testament (1526) John 3:16-18

16 For God so loveth the worlde yt he hath geven his only sonne that none that beleve in him shuld perisshe: but shuld have everlastinge lyfe. 17 For God sent not his sonne into the worlde to condepne the worlde: but that the worlde through him might be saved. 18 He that beleveth on him shall not be condepned. But he that beleveth not is condempned all redy be cause he beleveth not in the name of the only sonne of God.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535) John 3:16-18

16 For God so loued the worlde, that he gaue his onely sonne, that who so euer beleueth in hi, shulde not perishe, but haue euerlastinge life. 17 For God sent not his sonne in to ye worlde to condempne the worlde, but that the worlde might be saued by him. 18 He that beleueth on him, shal not be codemned. But he that beleueth not, is codemned allready: because he beleueth not on the name of the onely sonne of God.

The Bishop's Bible (1568) John 3:16-18

16 For God so loued the worlde, that he gaue his only begotten sonne, that whosoeuer beleueth in hym, shoulde not perishe, but haue euerlastyng lyfe. 17 For God sent not his sonne into the worlde, to condempne the worlde: but that the worlde through hym myght be saued. He that beleueth on hym, is not condempned: 18 But he that beleueth not, is condempned alredy, because he hath not beleued in the name of the only begotte sonne of God.

The Geneva Bible (1587) John 3:16-18

16 For God so loued the worlde, that hee hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne, that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue euerlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Sonne into the world, that he should condemne the world, but that the world through him might be saued. 18 Hee that beleeueth in him, is not condemned: but hee that beleeueth not, is condemned already, because he hath not beleeued in the Name of that onely begotten Sonne of God.

The King James Version (1611) John 3:16

16 For God so loued ye world, that he gaue his only begotten Sonne: that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue euerlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Sonne into the world to condemne the world: but that the world through him might be saued. 18 He that beleeueth on him, is not condemned: but hee that beleeueth not, is condemned already, because hee hath not beleeued in the Name of the onely begotten Sonne of God.

Daniel Mace New Testament (1729) John 3:16-18

16 for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 for God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 he that believeth on him, shall not be condemned: but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the only begotten son of God.

Wesley's New Testament (1755) John 3:16-18

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him, may not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world, to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved thro' him. 18 He that believeth on him, is not condemned; but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.

4. Theology - God Revealed

In the Bible, no defense is given concerning the existence of God. The Bible simply states: Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God.” God is revealed here as אֱלֹהִים ’elohiym, the true God.

The word theology comes from the Greek word theos, meaning “ God,” and logos, meaning “word” or “discourse.” Theology is a discourse or study about God.

The Existence of God

How do we know that God exists? There are two ways people may know that God exists. First, people have an inner since that there must be a God. Second, the Bible and nature presents evidence of God's existence.

Inner Sense of God

All people have a deep, inner perception that there is a God. In Romans 1:21-22, Paul says they "knew God" but they did not honor Him as God. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie. Later he indicates that it is sin that causes people to deny their knowledge of God. This knowledge of God is innately instilled in man by his creator. The Psalmist said that it is the fool who says there is no God, (Psalms 14:1; 53:1).

Once a person receives God's gift of salvation, the awareness of God is increased by the witness of the Holy Spirit, (Romans 8:15-16; Philippians 3:8; John 14:23).

Traditional proofs of God's existence

There are Arguments for the existence of God come in many different forms; some draw on history, some on science, some on personal experience, and some on philosophy. These are the traditional proofs of the existence of God.

There are five philosophical arguments for the existence of God.

1. Ontological Argument

The first argument seeks to prove the existence of God from the laws of logic alone. Once we mentally grasp the concept of God it becomes impossible for God to not existence.

2. Cosmological Argument

The second argument attempts to prove God's existence by the law of cause and effect. Every effect must have a cause. Because something cannot come from nothing, there must be an original cause that is the reason for the world’s existence.

3. Teleological Argument

The third argument because the universe has order, intelligent design, purpose, and harmony there must be a master architect.

The Psalmist (8:3-4; 19:1-4) observes the majesty of God's creation testifies of God's wisdom and power. With the view that God exists, we can explain the existence of the universe and all created beings.

4. Anthropological Argument

The fourth philosophical argument states that blind chance could not produce a moral being with conscience, emotion, intelligence, and will.

The Bible tells us that man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28). The anthropological argument is based on the Greek word anthropos, meaning “man.”

5. Moral Argument

The fifth argument states that man acknowledges right and wrong. Recognition of moral standards cannot be attributed to any evolutionary process. Moral laws prove the existence of God.

The existence of moral laws demonstrates the existence of a being that is greater than any of us and that rules over all creation.

Together these arguments claim to prove the existence of a perfect, necessary, transcendent being that created the universe, and has authority over it, and takes interest in humanity.

There are six theories against the existence of God.

1. Atheistic View

The word Atheist means against God. An atheist does not believe in God.

Atheist means a person that does not believe in God. Ephesians 2:12 says: "without God." Atheistic beliefs range from those who renounce God, live as though there is no God, to reject any terminology that describes a personal God.

2. Agnostic View

Agnostics claim that they cannot have true knowledge about the existence of God. Agnostics depend on scientifically verifiable evidence. God is left out of their discussions because there is no scientifically verifiable evidence of God's existence.

The term agnostic is derived from the Greek gnosis, which means "knowledge."

3. Evolution

Evolution begins with the premise that there is no God and seeks to explain life and everything that exists apart from the involvement of God.

If a moral God has not created, then man is not a morally responsible being. He is only a product of the evolutionary process.

4. Polytheism

Polytheism comes from the Greek: poly (many), and theos (God). It involves the belief in many gods, or the plurality of gods.

Many societies have been polytheistic: the people of Harran, Egypt, Rome, India, and many others. Many religions are polytheistic and worship multiple gods.

5. Pantheism

Pantheism is a belief that everything is God and God is everything. He is all that you see and all that you cannot see.

6. Deism

Deists believe there is no personal God that we can relate to. An impersonal God created and then separated himself from His creation, and casually observes it from a distance, but does not interject Himself into it. Deists deny the immanence of God (everywhere present).

Evidence of God's Existence presented by Nature and Scripture

Evidence in Nature

God has presented overwhelming evidence that He exists. All things bear the imprint and evidence of a wise and powerful Creator. This evidence is witnessed from the heavens to the minutest details in the smallest elements known to man. From the variety of the species, to the details of each piece and part the evidence clearly shows the glory of God.

Psalm 19:1-2 (NIV) "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge."

Acts 14:17 (NIV) "Yet He has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."

Evidence in Scripture

God's existence is profoundly revealed throughout the Scriptures. The reliable evidence of God's existence is overwhelmingly presented in the word and works of God. These proofs are sufficient to reveal the existence of God.

The Scriptures reveal God in many knowable ways.

God is creator (Genesis 1:1)

God is a warrior (Exodus 15:3)

God is one Lord (Deuteronomy 6:4)

God is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9)

God is too great to be described or contained (1 Kings 8:27)

God is gracious and merciful (Nehemiah 9:31)

God is good (Psalm 34:8)

God helps his people when they are in trouble (Psalm 46:1)

God is mighty (Psalm 50:1)

God is our rock (Psalm 62:6)

God is our hope (Psalm 71:5)

God is near everyone (Psalm 75:1)

God is our salvation (Isaiah 12:2)

God is sovereign (Isaiah 25:8)

God is holy (Isaiah 29:23)

Only God is worthy of glory (Isaiah 42:8)

God is our Father (Matthew 6:9)

God is all-powerful (Luke 1:37)

God is spirit (John 4:24)

God is all-knowing (Romans 11:33)

God is knowable (Ephesians 1:17)

God is living (1 Timothy 4:10)

God is King of kings (1 Timothy 6:15)

God is approachable (James 4:8)

God is judge (James 4:12)

God is love (1 John 4:16)

God is almighty (Revelation 1:8)

Biblical Evidence of the Existence of God

Revelation of God

The revelation of God is a self-disclosure. God has not hidden His majesty from His creation.

Psalm 19:1-6 (NIV) The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

Romans 1:19-21 (NKJV) because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

God has clearly revealed His glory, power, and majesty through His creation. This revelation is open for all humanity to clearly see from the beginning of his creation. God has actively revealed His power and Godhead so that the whole human race may know Him.

Special Revelations

Theophanies

God visually presented Himself to specific individuals and groups of individuals at special times. These visible appearances are called "Theophanies." Many of the Theophanies are rather a visible manifestation of the pre-incarnate Christ (before the Bethlehem birth and earthly life of Christ).

Christophanies

Christophanies are visible manifestations of the pre-incarnate Christ.

Anthropomorphic revelations

God has also presented Himself to us anthropomorphically. These are not descriptions of what God is in Himself but of what He is to us. Anthropomorphic revelations are divine metaphors that ascribe to God human characteristics and bodily form: as having a face (Exod. 33:11), a hand (1 Sam. 5:11), an arm (Isa. 53:1), ears (Neh. 1:6), eyes (Job 28:10), and feet (Nah. 1:3), and as sitting on a throne (1 Kings 22:19), flying on the wind (Ps. 18:10), fighting in battle (2 Chron. 32:8; Isa. 63:1-6), earth is footstool (Isa.66:1).

(We will study these more fully when we study God the Son.)

Isaiah 64:4 (NIV) Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

John 1:18 (NIV) No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

1 John 4:12 (NIV) No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

God's Self-Revelation

If we are to know God, He must reveal Himself to us. God is incomprehensible in nature and being. God is a spirit. His being and essence has been made evident by His self-disclosure.

The only way for man to know God is by His self-revelation. God has disclosed His nature, essence, works, and word. Until God shows Himself man cannot know Him. God is incomprehensible, "unable to be fully understood or known." It is not correct to say that God cannot be known, but He cannot be fully known. It is impossible for man to fully know the infinite, transcendent, omniscient, almighty, omnipresent God.

God dwells outside of time and space. He is neither limited by space or time. He is everywhere in His fullness continually. He is unbounded and unlimited to any point of space or time. He is not subject to change, (immutable). He is totally consistent. The changeless nature of God does not imply a casual indifference. God is always active in His creation, sustaining it by the word of His power.

God's feelings are not beyond His control. His feelings are a deliberate and voluntary choice. God is never the victim. The emotions of God transcend the experience of our finite mind.

We may know something about His love, mercy, knowledge, wisdom, holiness and not fully or exhaustively understand. The various aspects of God's essence and nature are beyond our ability to comprehend.

Psalm 139:6 (NIV) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Although we may not fully understand or comprehend Him, God has revealed Himself so that we may be able to know Him.

God has disclosed Himself through His Name. He told Moses, "I AM WHO I AM". The unspeakable name of God in the Hebrew is Yahweh (Jehovah). He is the great "I AM". God said this would be His name forever, Exodus 3:15). God would forever be known as the living, powerful, unbounded, infinite, reigning King.

God has made His thoughts known: "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you," [Psalm 139:17-18 (NIV)]. All of His thoughts and actions involve all of Him. The simplicity of God is impossible for us to understand. God give simultaneous and undivided attention to everything and everyone everywhere without reference to time or space.

God has revealed Himself in such a manner that He may be known. His truth is revealed, but not fully or exhaustively known.

God is love (1 John 4:8)

God is spirit (John 4:24)

God is light (1 John 1:5)

To indicate that we know about God's love, light, and spirit, does not imply that we know all about His love, light, or spirit.

Four blind men walked up to an elephant. One grabbed his leg and said: "An elephant is like a tree." The second one took hold of an ear and said: "An elephant is like a leaf on a tree." The third grabbed its tail and said: "An elephant is like a rope." The fourth put his hands on the elephant's side and said: "The elephant is like a mountain." Which one was correct? Each had a revelation of a part the elephant, but none knew the whole story.

There are many things we may know about God as He reveals Himself to us.

The Attributes of God

God, being who He is, cannot cease to be what He is, and being what He is, He cannot act out of character with Himself.

The attributes of God help us to understand the qualities of the substance and constitution of God. While the Persons of the Trinity are known in different essence, each maintains perfect adhesion to the attributes of this nature. So, what may be said of the Father can be said of the Son and Holy Spirit.

The attributes are not parts of the essence of God. The whole essence is in each attribute, and the attribute is in the essence.

The essence and attributes of God cannot be separated from each other.

The attributes are essential qualities of God.

None of the attributes of God can be isolated, believed, and accepted to the exclusion of the others.

The vastness of God is known through the combined infinitude of the individual attributes.

Every one of the attributes refers to the personal character of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

It is impossible for man to fully know God until and unless God reveals Himself.

We may have a vague cognition or apprehension of His person, power, and presence, but we do not know Him until He is revealed.

Almightiness – is demonstrated in God's Omnipresence, Omnipotence, and Omniscience. His power, presence, and knowledge are almighty in nature. (Psalms 18:1-2; 46:1)

Eternity – without beginning or end; free from all succession of time; contains within itself the cause of time. God is not limited by time. All time is dependent on Him. He possesses the past, the present, and the future equally. Without God there is no more time. Without time there is still God. (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalms 135:13; 2 Peter 3:8)

Faithfulness ‑ Every promise of God in words, implication, or deed will be fulfilled. (Deuteronomy 7:9; 1 Kings 8:56; Psalms 36:5)

It is particularly prominent in Psalms 89 and 119. God is “the faithful God who keeps covenant” (Deut. 7:9) and chooses Israel (Is. 49:7); great is His faithfulness (Lam. 3:23).

Grace ‑ Grace is the goodness of God to the undeserving. Customary grace is forbearance, longsuffering, and patience in relation to man's sin, and His provision of salvation. God's exceptional grace is known on those who respond to His customary grace through: election, redemption, salvation, service, sanctification, and revelation in glory. Grace may be defined as the unmerited or undeserving favor of God to those who are under condemnation.

Grace is one of the key attributes of God. The Lord God is “merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Ex. 34:6). Therefore, grace is almost always associated with mercy, love, compassion, and patience as the source of help and with deliverance from distress.

The grace of God is supremely revealed and given in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus was not only the beneficiary of God’s grace (Luke 2:40), but He was also its very embodiment (John 1:14), bringing it to mankind for salvation (Titus 2:11).

Glory ‑ God's glory indicates the splendor and brightness that is inseparable from His virtues, nature, and grace. Every time God is revealed His glory is seen. The glory of God is evident in His presence, His creations, His Son, and in the Church.

God’s excellence, moral beauty and perfection of character. This divine quality is beyond man’s understanding (Ps. 113:4).

Goodness – God's goodness is related to mercy, righteousness, love, benevolence, grace, perfectness, truth, and holiness. The goodness of God is the basis for His promises and rewards. It is impossible to separate God's goodness from His perfections. God is, within Himself, self‑sufficient, all‑sufficient, sufficient. He is the source of all things, is sole proprietor, and sustainer. All things are dependent on God's person.

God's goodness is revealed as:

Compassion to the miserable

Longsuffering to those deserving judgment

Grace when evil is merited, and love through Christ

Holiness ‑ God's self‑affirming purity is holiness. God eternally wills and maintains His own moral excellence. Holiness is God's conformity to His own nature. Holiness is the single greatest quality of God. "Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty." Holiness represents the vast difference between God and sinful man. The only approach to God is through the intervention of another's sacrifice. Approach to God must be through Godly fear and reverence.

Immensity – Immensity is a relation to space. God's nature is not increased by space, but is the source of space. Immensity pertains to God alone. God is transcendent above all space and usual limits of man. Immensity is before the omnipresence of God. Immensity is God's being everywhere with His entire essence without relation to space. God is a spirit being everywhere whole. (1 Kings 8:27; Isaiah 66:1)

Immensity may be defined as “that perfection of the Divine Being by which He transcends all spatial limitations, and yet is present in every point of space with His whole Being.” Solomon declared, “heaven and highest heaven cannot contain You.”

Immutability – God is unchangeable in essence, will, consciousness, and attributes. He never increases, decreases, improves, deteriorates, gets better, or gets worse. God is absolutely perfect and changes not. God is neither increased nor decreased by the activity of creation. (Genesis 6:6; Exodus 32:14; Deuteronomy 13:17; Jeremiah 18:8; Joel 2:13-14)

Infinity -- unbounded, without known limits, undetermined, eternal, limitless (in no way is limited to this universe or confined to it);

Eternal (beyond the limitation of time)

Omnipresent (beyond the limitation of space)

Self‑existent (contains the basis of His own existence)

Unified (cannot be divided, is perfect); absolutely virtuous

God is infinitely complete within Himself

Justice – God in holiness reciprocates to man's obedience or disobedience. Justice is God's giving to man his just due. The justice of God is totally pure. God's justice is not controlled by emotion, or passion, but by pure holiness. God is free from selfish ambition, motivation and emotion in performing His justice.

Love – God is love; 1 John 4:8; is expressed through mercy, grace, goodness, kindness, and patience. Love is the very nature of God. Love is eternally expressed within the Godhead. Love includes holiness, morality, truthfulness, perfection, and justice. God's love is based on His truth, holiness, and goodness.

Mercy - Mercy is the manifestation of God's goodness in response to the need of man. His mercy is known as compassion, pity, and love. Mercy is necessary for salvation, inheritance, and sonship of the saints. Psalms 136:1; Psalms 145:9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 17:25; Romans 9:15; 9:18.

Omnipresence – infinitude in relation to the creature. He is in being equally in every place He is present. Omnipresence is infinitude in relation to the creature. He is the ground and essence of all things. By Him all things consist, continue, and maintain cohesion. God is imminent throughout the universe. God penetrates and fills the universe in all its parts, without diffusion or expansion, multiplication or division of His essence. He is represented equally and totally in every place He is present. His essence is not multiplied or divided by the places he is observed or witnessed. If God removed His presence from the universe, all things would cease. (Proverbs 15:3; Jeremiah 23:23-25)

Omniscience – God knows all things perfectly - past, present, and future; He does not have to learn for He already knows. He knows Himself; He knows eternity past, present, and future; He knows all creation. He knows all things instantly, exhaustively, thoroughly, and accurately. His knowledge is perfect, immediate, simultaneous, true, plain, and timeless. He always knows all things perfectly. God knows all things future. He knows the actions of all free moral agents before they act. He knows what exists in reality and what is envisioned if actions were changed. God can will to save all men from the result of sin, and yet know that many will reject His salvation as provided under Jesus Christ.

Omnipotence – God is all powerful, the Mighty God, El‑Shaddai, the all sufficient God, the Only Potentate, the King of Kings. He can do everything and anything that is not contrary to His nature. God has power over His power. He will not act in opposition to Himself. The will of God is identical to His essence. God is able to do absolutely anything and everything He is willing to do. He cannot be what He is not. The power of God extends beyond known limitations. Everything God is, His power enables Him to do. God can do all He wills, but He will not do all He can. He is not a slave to His power, but works all things according to His own will. God's purpose and power will not work in contradiction; (Ephesians 1:11).

Patience ‑ Patience is God's self‑control in forbearance toward the wickedness of men. Patience is mainly in respect to God Himself. Mercy is the revelation of God's patience.

Perfection - God is absolutely complete, flawless, pure, holy, truth, kindness, love, joy, etc; none is better. He is the highest perfection. He is the absolute essence of all virtues. He is the sum total of all goodness, truth, life, morality... There is nothing lacking in God.

Self-existence – God possesses the ground and essence of His existence within Himself. His existence is determined by His nature. He is the energy and source of being, and possesses within Himself independence. He cannot cease to exist. (Exodus 3:14; 6:3)

Spirituality --God's immaterial, invisible, and powerful in the nature of His being and essence. The very idea of spirituality implies invisibility. God can reveal Himself in any number of ways that are knowable to man. These revelations do not present God as being in one part of space solely. He is present at every point in every part. (Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4; John 4:24; Romans 1:20; 1 Timothy 1:17; Colossians 1:15)

Supremacy‑ God has absolute rule of creation. {Psalms 2:9; 1 Chronicles 29:11‑12; 2 Chronicles 20:6; Job 23:13; 42:2; Psalms 115:3. God controls the seas, stars, moon, planets, animals, and all other things. We may trust in God because He is supreme, Romans 8:28.

Truth - God is the basis of logical, mathematical, moral religious and scientific truth. Truth is the sum total of all the qualities of God revealed to the world. God is the substance of all truth, and the embodiment of all knowledge.

Unchangeableness‑ see immutability. God is unchangeable in power, wisdom, goodness, truth, righteousness, unity, immensity, patience, grace, and all His manifestations and revelations.

Unity – God is not susceptible to division. The Lord God is one God. The trinity is not inconsistent with the unity of God. The Divine nature is eternally one. Oneness and simplicity of God; the nature of God is undivided and indivisible, infinite, and perfect Spirit, simple and singular, (Deuteronomy 4:35-39; Isaiah 45:5-6).

Veracity (truthfulness) - the relationship in conformity between knowledge, being, decrees and manifestation.

Sovereignty- The will of God is emphasized in Scripture. God's will is the exercise of His supremacy. God possesses power enough to purpose (will) things and effect (cause) them to come to completion. God's will is the final ground of all existence and of all that ever happens. Sovereignty is the exercise of the rights of God in relation to His perfections. God's very being, nature, and perfections depict absolute sovereignty. God’s dominion is total: he wills as he chooses and carries out all that he wills, and none can stay his hand or thwart his plans. God's sovereign rule guarantees the stability of all creation. The free agency of men and angels does not diminish the sovereignty of God, which overrules all things. God regularly exercises His sovereignty by allowing things to take their course, rather than divine intrusion.

Wisdom‑ The wisdom of God is related to the knowledge of God. Wisdom is the controlling power of God in making all things work together for good. The manifold wisdom of God is revealed in the work of redemption. The wisdom of God is absolutely original, eternal, immutable, and manifold, (Romans 11:33; Psalms 104:24).

5. God, the Trinity

How can God be a trinity, and be one God?

The Trinity is a progressively revealed in the Scripture.

The Old Testament constantly insists on the essential oneness of God, that there is only one God, the self-revealed Creator, who must be worshiped and loved exclusively (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Isaiah 44:6– 45:25). The New Testament agrees (Mark 12:29-30; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:5) but speaks of three personal agents, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, working together in the manner of a team to bring about salvation (Romans 8; Ephesians 1:3-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1 Pet. 1:2).

The word person seems to detract from the unity of the Trinity. The word person is inadequate to describe the relationship of the Trinity. The word Person refers to the subsistences or distinctiveness of the Trinity in: distinction, relation, and mode. This emphasizes the individual personality of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Each person possesses the same essence and fullness of God, yet have distinct relationships. The Father is not begotten nor does He proceed from an Other; the Son is eternally Begotten from the Father (John 1:18; 3:16,18; 1 John 4:9). The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son (John 14:26; 16:7). The procession of the Holy Spirit refers to the relationship of the Father and Son sending the Holy Spirit. None of these terms indicate an inferiority in any way.

A complete detailed understanding of the Trinity is beyond our ability to comprehend because we are finite while God is infinite.

The truth of the Trinity is found throughout the Scriptures.

If the prophets and apostles had not been inspired by the Holy Spirit, they would have left out the Trinity.

It is too difficult for the ''natural" man to fathom, but the child of God accepts the Trinity by faith.

The word "Trinity" is not found in the Bible—while the truth of the Trinity is found from Genesis through Revelation.

The word trinity came from the Latin: "TRINITAS" which means "threefold"—the threefold manifestation of God.

The statement of the Trinity became common in most statements of Christian faith as far back as 160 A.D.

The word "Trinity" was first placed in the vocabulary of Christian writings in 317 A.D. in Alexandria.

From that time, all of the "creeds" have included the Trinity ‑‑ the Nicene Creed, 325 A.D.; the early Church of England Creed: the Apostles Creed (used in our day), and many other creeds not mentioned.

This truth of the Bible is a pure revelation from God. This self-revelation shows us:

Ø There is only one God not three.

Ø God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.

Ø God, the eternal Father did not make the Son and Holy Spirit as His creations at His set time.

The Godhead—a Trinity in Unity

God the eternal Father, the eternal Son, and the eternal Holy Spirit have always been.

Ø The Godhead is a Trinity in Unity, or Tri-Unity.

Ø They are three-in-one.

All three persons of the Trinity possess the sum total of the divine attributes yet the essence of God is not divided. The Oneness in essence emphasizes the unity of God in action. All three Persons possess the sum total of the divine attributes but the essence of God is not divided.

Each Person in the Godhead is fully God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is fully God. The three Persons of the Trinity do not act independently of each other. (John 5:19; 8:28; 12:49; 14:10)

The concept of the Trinity is not "tri-theism", or the belief in three Gods. The Bible clearly teaches that the Lord our God is One God. In all ways the authority of the Trinity is equal. What may be said of the Father is equally said of the Son and the Holy Spirit.

God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

God eternally and necessarily exists as the Trinity.

God the Trinity was equally involved in the creation, (John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16).

God eternally exists as a Trinity.

John 17:5 (NIV) And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

John 17:24 (NIV) “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

God, The Trinity In The Old Testament

Names of God in the Old Testament

The Truth is revealed in the names of God in the Old Testament.

"In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).

Ø ..This name ''Elohim" is a plural noun.

Ø Plural, in English, means two or more.

Ø In the Hebrew, we have three terms referring to the grammatical number: singular, meaning one; dual, equaling two; plural, meaning three or more

Therefore, "Elohim" is a plural noun meaning three or more.

So, in the first verse of the Bible we see God, Elohim three or more in the act of creation.

The three were God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.

Moses used this name, "Elohim," 500 times in the Pentateuch.

Elohim is mentioned 2,605 times in 2,249 verses.

(Genesis 1:26-37) "And God (Elohim) said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness so God (Elohim) created man in His own image, in the image of God created He them"

This verse is another use of the plural noun indicating the Trinity at work in the creation of man. Yet it indicates one God in the phrase, "in His own image."

In Genesis 3:22, "The man is become as one of Us, knowing good and evil.

God is referring to the fallen man, Adam. God is speaking to God.

In the Hebrew the name is "Jehovah."

"Jehovah" is the personal name of God because it means "Redeemer" and was used only after the fall of man.

"Jehovah" always relates to man in a redemptive way.

"Let us go down and there confound their language" (Genesis 11:7).

Here the name "Lord" (Jehovah) is found.

This is God speaking to God, the Trinity is involved.

Isaiah 6:8 (NIV) Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

The Holy Spirit is introduced in:

Genesis 1:2 (NIV) Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

The Holy Spirit is named in:

Isaiah 11:1-2 (NIV) A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord—

The Son, Jesus Christ, is proclaimed in:

Psalm 2:7 (NIV) I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father." (today I reveal you as My Son)

Isaiah 48:16 (NIV) Come near me and listen to this: “From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens, I am there.” And now the Sovereign Lord has sent me, with his Spirit.

Isaiah 63:8-10 (NIV) He said, “Surely they are my people, sons who will not be false to me”; and so he became their Savior. In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

The Trinity in the New Testament

There is a clear declaration of the Trinity in the New Testament.

Often the Old Testament introduces a truth which is illuminated in the New Testament.

The Trinity is declared in the New Testament by the fact that the names of Father, Son and Holy Spirit are used separately as well as together.

John 5:36-37 (NIV) I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form,

John 8:18 (NIV) I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.

John 1:1 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:32 (NIV) Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.

John 3:34 (NIV) For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

John 8:42 (NIV) Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me."

Revealed in the Lord's Prayer (not the model prayer); John 17

Jesus is praying.

Read and underline the references to the Father and the Son.

John 17 (NIV) ¹After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. ²For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. ³Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ⁴I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. ⁵And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. ⁶“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. ⁷Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. ⁸For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. ⁹I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. ¹⁰All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. ¹¹I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. ¹²While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. ¹³“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. ¹⁴I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. ¹⁵My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. ²⁰“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²²I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: ²³I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. ²⁴“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. ²⁵“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. ²⁶I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

The Trinity is evident in the birth of Christ.

The Trinity is represented in the Lord's birth:

Luke 1:35 (NIV) The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

In Matthew 1:20-23 the account of the Lord's birth reveals the Trinity.

Matthew 1:20-23 (NIV) But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”

The Trinity is revealed in the Lord's baptism:

Matthew 3:13-17 (NIV) Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Notice:

Ø Jesus was baptized and was raised up from the water by John (verse 16).

Ø The Spirit of God descending as a dove (verse 16).

Ø The Father speaking (verse 17).

Ø The baptism of Jesus in described in Mark 1:9 11; and Luke 3:21 22 as two more examples of the Trinity.

Mark 1:9-11 (NIV) At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Luke 3:21-22 (NIV) When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

The Trinity in the Transfiguration

God the Father spoke the same words about the Son at the transfiguration.

Matthew 17:5 (NIV) While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Before Jesus ascended back into glory, He gave us some specific instructions. These were His last words to the eleven and to the Body of Christ.

The Trinity is seen in the Great Commission of Jesus and formula for water baptism:

Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV) Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The formula for our baptism is in verse 19.

What does the Lord say? Note "baptizing them in the name (singular) of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit."

He did not say, "in the names of."

Jesus declared one – singular - name but three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The church, His body, has used the formula ever since, regardless of denomination or label.

The Trinity in Paul's Epistles

Paul in his epistles states the fact of the Trinity in so many places that we cannot list all of them.

Without the writings of the Apostle Paul, we would have little knowledge of the early church.

We would have little Biblical authority for our church order today.

Paul declares the Trinity throughout his epistles:

Romans 1:3-4 (NIV) regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8:3 (NIV) For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,

Romans 8:11 (NIV) And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Romans 8:16-17 (NIV) The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

1 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 2:10-13 (NIV) but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV) There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

2 Corinthians 3:3 (NIV) You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV) May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Galatians 4:6 (NIV) Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

Ephesians 2:18 (NIV) For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV) There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 5:18 (NIV) Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:20 (NIV) always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:9 (NIV) For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 (NIV) give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire;

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (NIV) But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

Titus 3:4-6 (NIV) But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

These are sufficient to indicate Paul's teaching of the Trinity.

The General Epistles and Revelation Declares the Trinity.

Peter gives the Trinity in

1 Peter 1:2 (NIV) who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

1 Peter 4:13 (NIV) But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

The Apostle John affirms the Trinity in

1 John 4:12-15 (NIV) No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.

1 John 5:7 (NIV) For there are three that testify:

Revelation 1:4-6 (NIV) John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.

Jude speaks of the Trinity

Jude 20-25 (NIV) But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

6. God, the Father

The Greek word theology is a compound of theos, meaning “God,” and logos, meaning “word, speech, decree, declaration, mandate.”

Theology is a study about God. In a general sense Theology is a broad term covering the entire field of Christian belief (the study of Christ, the Holy Spirit, angels, etc.).

The study of Theology proper is the study of God the Father.

All of the attributes, character, and essence of God are related to the Father.

He is the cause of all things, but nothing caused Him to be.

He always was and ever shall be God. He is the eternal God.

God the Father is the creator of man, but He is only the Father of those who have accepted His Son.

We who are Christians call Him Father.

The Fatherhood of God is related to children.

All of mankind is God's creations.

All people are not children of God.

The supernatural birth causes a person to be a son "and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ" (Galatians 4:7).

When Jesus was on the cross, He cried,

Matthew 27:46 (NIV) ...“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

He called Him "God" not Father, because He was taking the place of the sinner. All our sins were laid on Him. He was the Just dying for the unjust.

From the cross with all of our sins laid upon Him, He could only use the title "God."

He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

NAMES OF GOD

ELOHIM

Elohim is used more than two thousand times in the Old Testament. Elohim is a “plural of majesty” of the general name for God. It is derived from the abbreviated name, El, meaning “to be strong” (cf. Gen. 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; Josh. 3:10) or “to be preeminent.” In English translations it is usually translated “God.”

Elohim emphasizes God’s transcendence: He is above all others who are called God. Elohim is the plural form of El. The terms seem to be interchangeable (cf. Ex. 34:14; Ps. 18:31; Deut. 32:17, 21).

“EL” is the singular form of Elohim.

You find it in many names in the Bible such as:

“Beth el" meaning "house of God" (Genesis 12:8).

“Dani el" meaning “God is my judge” (Daniel 1:6).

“El ijah” meaning “my God is Jehovah” (I Kings 17. 1).

“Immanu el" meaning "God with us" (Isaiah 7: 14).

When ''el" is used at the beginning or ending of a name, it always means "God."

ADONAI

Adonai (Heb. Adhon or Adhonay) means “lord” or “master” and is usually translated “Lord” in English Bibles. Adonai occurs 449 times in the Old Testament and 315 times in conjunction with Yahweh. Adhon emphasizes the servant-master relationship (cf. Gen. 24:9). Adhon suggests God’s authority as Master; One who is sovereign in His rule and has absolute authority (cf. Ps. 8:1; Hos. 12:14).

Adonai should be understood to mean “Lord of all” (Deut. 10:17; Josh. 3:11). It is also possible to understand Adonai as a personal address meaning “my Lord.”

YAHWEH

The name Yahweh translates the Hebrew tetragrammaton [`tetru'gramu'ton] (four lettered expression) YHWH.

The name was originally written without vowels and it is uncertain how it should be pronounced. The American Standard Version translates it “Jehovah.” Most modern translations render it “Lord” (to distinguish it from Adonai, “Lord”). Jewish scholars have generally pronounced it “Adonai” instead of actually pronouncing YHWH, out of respect for the sacredness of the covenant name.

Although there is considerable discussion concerning the origin and meaning of the name, this common designation (used 6,828 times in the Old Testament) is likely related to the verb “to be.” In Exodus 3:14–15 the Lord told Moses to tell the people, “I AM WHO I AM...The Lord...has sent me to you. This is My name forever.” “Jehovah” is the eternal “I AM.”

Yahweh has particular significance to the “I AM” claims of Christ (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:9, 11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1). Christ's statements claimed equality with Yahweh.

By the name Yahweh, God identified His personal relationship as the "Redeemer" of His people, Israel. This is the name that Abram responded to in acknowledging the God of the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 12:8). By this name God brought Israel out of Egypt, delivered them from bondage, and redeemed them (Ex. 6:6; 20:2). Whereas Elohim and Adonai were designations known to other cultures, the revelation of Yahweh was unique to Israel.

COMPOUND NAMES

There are a number of compound forms of the name of God involving the names El (or Elohim) and Yahweh.

El Shaddai. “God Almighty,” suggests the power or strength of God. By this name God is also seen as a covenant-keeping God (Gen. 17:1–8).

El Elyon. “God Most High,” emphasizes the supremacy of God. He is above all so-called gods (cf. Gen. 14:18–22). Melchizedek recognized Him as “God Most High” inasmuch as He is possessor of heaven and earth (v. 19).

El Olam. The “Everlasting God,” stresses the unchanging character of God (Gen. 21:33; Isa. 40:28).

Other Names are descriptions of God.

Yahweh-Jireh, “The Lord Will Provide” (Gen. 22:14)

Jehovah Rapha, "I am the Lord that Healeth thee" (Exo 15:23 26)

Yahweh-Nissi , “The Lord Our Banner” (Ex. 17:15)

Yahweh-Shalom, “The Lord is Peace” (Judg. 6:24)

Yahweh-Sabaoth, “The Lord of Hosts” (1 Sam. 1:3)

Jehovah M'Kaddesh, Jehovah is our "Sanctifer" (Lev. 20;7 8; Exo. 31:13; Deut. 14:2)

Jehovah Elyon, Jehovah "Most High" (Psalms. 7:17)

Jehovah Ra ah, Jehovah is my "Shepherd" (Psalms. 23:1)

Yahweh-Tsidkenu, “The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jer. 23:6).

Yahweh-Adonai, "Sovereign Lord" (Gen 15:2).

The Nature Of God

When referring to the nature of God it is necessary to think of God the Trinity. What is said in reference to the Father is also indicative of the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

God is a Spirit

John 4:24 (NIV) God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

The spirituality of God refers to His invisibility.

He has revealed Himself in different ways:

Ø To the leader, Moses, He manifested Himself in a Burning Bush (Exodus 3:4).

Ø He revealed Himself as a Pillar of Cloud and a Pillar of Fire (Exodus 13:21).

Ø He revealed Himself in His Son, Jesus Christ

God is Light

John 1:5 (NIV) The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

Jesus, the God Man said He was Light (John 11:12).

Jesus was God in the flesh (incarnate).

The last passages of the Revelation reveal that God is Light.

Revelation 21:23 (NIV) The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

God is Love

John 3:16 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

God is does actions of love because He is by nature, character, and essence love.

God is a Person

He does actions of person. He possesses the personality and attributes of a person.

Ø He loves.

Ø He grieves.

Ø He hates.

Ø He provides.

Ø He cares.

This indicates He is a Person with a personality.

We are made in His image and likeness.

Jesus talked to the Father, a Person.

John 17:5 (NIV) And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Jesus clearly stated in John 8:41-47 what is meant by "God the Father.''

He is God the Father in relation to the Trinity.

He is the Father, and Jesus is the Son, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.

How do we come to recognize the Fatherhood of God?

John 8:41-47 (NIV) ⁴¹You are doing the things your own father does.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” ⁴²Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. ⁴³Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. ⁴⁴You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ⁴⁵Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! ⁴⁶Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? ⁴⁷He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

The Fatherhood of God makes reference to the relationship God has to the redeemed.

The meaning is the same for all of us today.

It is a privilege to pray, "Our Father."

7. God, the Son

God, the Son- His Past

Jesus appeared in the Old Testament in pre-incarnate manifestations.

This means He appeared in visible form before the incarnation, before His birth in Bethlehem.

These visible appearances are called “Theophanies” - a visible manifestation of God. Theophany comes from the Greek words theos (God) and phanein (to appear); hence, a theophany is an appearance of God.

Many of the Theophanies are truly “Christophanies” a visible manifestation of the pre-incarnate Christ.

Often in Scriptures Theophanies (appearances of God) are given to man.

Theophanies are different in nature from visions or anthropomorphic revelations. (anthro-po-morphic)

Anthropomorphic revelations are divine metaphors ascribing to God human characteristics, in a bodily form.

Anthropomorphic revelations

Neh' fesh	Soul	Leviticus 26:11	(Not in NIV)
Roo'akh	Spirit	Genesis 1:2
Ah'-yin	Eyes	Psalm 11:4; Hebrews 4:13	In NIV (Eyelids in other)
'ozen	Ears	2 kings 19:16	(Ears and Eyes)
Saw-faw	Lips	Job 11:5
Peh	Mouth	Deuteronomy 8:3
O'ref'	Neck	Jeremiah 18:17	(back of neck)
Zer-o-ah	Arms	Exodus 15:16	(stretched-out arm)
Yawd	Hand	Numbers 11:23	(open hand)
Yaw-meen	Right hand	Exodus 15:6
Ets-bah	Finger	Exodus 8:19
Labe	Heart	Genesis 6:6
Cheq	Bosom	Psalm 74:11
Had-ome	Foot	Isaiah 66:1

Old Testament Revelations Of Christ

Christophanies—Old Testament appearances of the pre-incarnate Christ are found throughout the Old Testament.

These were manifestations of the second person of the Trinity in bodily form.

Chart of manifestations of Christ in the Old Testament

Genesis 3:8	Adam and Eve 'beheld His face' (paw-neem) presence
Genesis 17:1	Abraham saw Him
Genesis 18:1	To Abraham by the oaks of Mamre in the plains
Acts 7:2	To Abraham in Mesopotamia
Exodus 13:1-2	To Moses in an audible voice. (Exo 6:2-29; 3:4)
1 Kings 8:10 11	To the priests in a cloud
2 Chro. 5:13 14	Trumpeters and singers praising the Glory of the Lord in a cloud filled the tabernacle
Hosea 1:7	God calls Him Jehovah
Psalm 45:6	Jehovah calls Him God
He is the Angel of the Lord
Genesis 18:13,14,17,33	To Abraham as the angel of the Lord
Exodus 1:1-6	The angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a fiery bush
Genesis 16:7-14	The angel of the Lord to Hagar--Sarah's maid
Genesis 22:11-18	The angel of the Lord to Abraham
Genesis 37:11-13	The angel of God spoke to Jacob in a dream
Exodus 14:19	The angel of God revealed as a pillar of cloud and fire
Exodus 23:20	God sent an angel before Israel
Exodus 32:34	Angel before Israel
1 Corinthians 10:4	'Spiritual Rock' out of which Israel drank
Numbers 22:22-35	Angel of the Lord with sword standing before Balaam
Judges 6:11-23	An angel of the Lord to Joash and Gideon
Judges 13:2-25	An angel of the Lord to Joash and Gideon
1 Chronicles 21:1-27	Angel of the Lord appeared to Gad
1 Kings 19:5-18	Angel of the Lord appeared to Elijah and spoke to Him came a second time and touched Him and had meat prepared to eat
2 Kings 19:35	Angel of the Lord smote 105,000 Assyrians.
Zechariah 1:11	Angel of the Lord stood before myrtle trees and spoke to Zechariah
Zechariah 3:1	Joshua and the High Priest were standing before the angel of the Lord and Satan was standing at His right hand.
Genesis 32:24-30	Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord. He said, "I have seen God face to face"....
Joshua 5:13-15	The captain of the host of the Lord
Daniel 3:25	In the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego saw the form of the Son of God

There are many other references that reveal Old Testament Christophanies.

God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, was co-eternal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Christ was with the Father in eternity past (Genesis 1:1).

John declared the same thing,

John 1:1-2 (NIV) ¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning.

In eternity past, the omniscient (all knowing) God, in His foreknowledge, knew that man would sin and require a plan of redemption (the price required to be paid for sin).

God provided a spotless, sinless Savior as "the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8).

God the Son knew the consequences of man's sin and He willingly came to earth in the form of humanity to pay that price:

Philippians 2:6-8 (NIV) ⁶Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

The church, which is His body of redeemed souls, was "chosen in Him before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4).

Jesus was in the beginning.

Jesus was revealed throughout the Old Testament.

The prophets saw One who was to come.

As the time approached the vision grew so clear that it would have been possible to describe the life of Christ from the Old Testament.

Jesus said of the Old Testament "They testified of Me."

He came into the world exactly as the Scriptures had indicated.

He lived, died, came out of the grave, and to ascended back to the Father in glory just as the Scriptures declared.

His manifestation to Abraham

One of the three angels was Jesus who promised Abraham a son in old age.

Genesis 18:1-10

The "Angel of the Lord." who is none other than Jesus, pre-incarnate, spoke to Abraham at the offering of Isaac:

Genesis 22:8; Genesis 22:11-12

The "Angel of the Lord" (Jesus) confirmed the covenant with Abraham because of his faith.

Genesis 22:15-16

His manifestation to Isaac

He appeared to Isaac and directed him and confirmed the Abrahamic Covenant to Isaac.

Genesis 26:2-5

The Lord "appeared" to Isaac and gave assurance of blessing.

Genesis 26:24-25

His manifestation to Jacob

The "Angel" wrestled with Jacob and the Lord changed his name to "Israel".

Genesis 32:24-32

In Exodus 33:20, God said, "No man shall see me and live."

When Jacob said he had seen the Lord, he meant he had seen a divine Personage, the Angel of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

God is Spirit.

Jesus was the visible manifestation of God.

The "Angel which redeemed me" was not just another celestial being.

Genesis 48:15-16

His Manifestation to Moses

"The Angel" appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out of a burning bush which was not consumed.

Moses hid his face; therefore, there was a visible appearance of deity.

The "Angel" gives us the answer.

Moses saw a “Theophany”, Exodus 3:2-14.

The Rock in the wilderness was more than a mere rock, Exodus 17:6.

1 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV) ⁴and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

His Manifestation to Joshua

Jesus appeared to Joshua as the Divine Captain.

Joshua 5:13-15

His Manifestation to Isaiah

Isaiah 6:1 (NIV) ¹In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.

Isaiah 6:5,8

His Manifestation to Zechariah

The appearances of Christ in this book are numerous.

Zechariah 1:8-13; Zechariah 2:1; Zechariah 2:9; Zechariah 3:1-10

Zechariah 6:12-15

His Pre-incarnate Ministry all Through the Bible

"The Angel of the Lord"; ''the Angel of the Covenant"; "The Angel of His Presence" are names most Bible scholars identify as the pre-incarnate Christ.

**these names are NKJV.... NIV has different......**

Genesis 31:11 (NIV) ¹¹The angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob.’ I answered, ‘Here I am.’

Psalm 34:7 (NIV) ⁷The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

Isaiah 63:9 (NIV) ⁹In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Malachi 3:1 (NIV) ¹“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

Other scriptures which intimate His pre-existence include:

Psalm 110:1 (NIV) ¹Of David. A psalm. The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”

Daniel 3:25 (NIV) ²⁵He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

Exodus 14:19 (NIV) ¹⁹Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them,

John 1:15 (NIV) ¹⁵John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”

Colossians 1:15-19 (NIV) ¹⁵He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. ¹⁷He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him

Chart Promises and prophecies and their fulfillment

Messianic Prophecies Of The Old Testament
PROPHECY	OT REFERENCES	NT FULFILLMENT
1. Seed of the woman	Gen 3:15	Gal 4:4; Heb 2:14
2. Through Noah’s sons	Gen 9:27	Luke 6:36
3. Seed of Abraham	Gen 12:3	Matt 1:1; Gal 3:8, 16
4. Seed of Isaac	Gen 17:19	Rom 9:7; Heb 11:18
5. Blessing to nations	Gen 18: 18	Gal 3:8
6. Seed of Isaac	Gen 21:12	Rom 9:7; Heb 11:18
7. Blessing to Gentiles	Gen 22:18, 26:4	Gal 3:8, 16; Heb 6:14
8. Blessing through Abraham	Gen 28:14	Gal 3:8, 16; Heb 6:14
9. Of the tribe of Judah	Gen 49:10	Rev 5:5
10. No bone broken	Exod 12:46, Num 9:12	John 19:36
11. Blessing to firstborn son	Exod 13:2	Luke 2:23
12. Serpent in the wilderness	Num 21:8-9	John 3:14-15
13. A star out of Jacob	Num 24:17-19	Matt 2:2; Luke 1:33, 78; Rev 22:16
14. As a prophet	Deut 18:15, 18-19	John 6:14; 7:40; Acts 3:22-23
15. Cursed on the tree	Deut 21:23	Gal 3:13
16. The throne of David established forever	2 Sam 7:12-13, 16, 25-26; 1 Chr 17:11-14, 23-27; 2 Chr 21:7	Matt 19:28; 21:4; 25:31; Mark 12:37; Luke 1:32; John 7:4; Acts 2:30; 13:23; Rom 1:3; 2 Tim 2:8; Heb 1:5, 8; 8:1; 12:2; Rev 22:1
17. A promised Redeemer	Job 19:25-27	John 5:28-29; Gal 4:4; Eph 1:7, 11, 14
18. Declared to be the Son of God	Ps 2:1-12	Matt 3:17; Mark 1:11; Acts 4:25-26; 13:33; Heb 1:5; 5:5; Rev 2:26-27; 19:15-16
19. His resurrection	Ps 16:8-10	Acts 2:27; 13:35; 26:23
20. Hands and feet pierced	Ps 22:1-31	Matt 27:31, 35-36
21. Mocked and insulted	Ps 22:7-8	Matt 27:39-43, 45-59
22. Soldiers cast lots for coat	Ps 22:18	Mark 15:20, 24-25, 34; Luke 19:24; 23:35; John 19:15-18, 23-24, 34; Acts 2:23-24
23. Accused by false witnesses	Ps 27:12	Matt 26:60-61
24. He commits His spirit	Ps 31:5	Luke 23:46
25. No broken bone	Ps 34:20	John 19:36
26. Accused by false witnesses	Ps 35:11	Matt 26:59-61; Mark 14:57-58
27. Hated without reason	Ps 35:19	John 15:24-25
28. Friends stand afar off	Ps 38:11	Matt 27:55; Mark 15:40; Luke 23:49
29. “I come to do Thy will”	Ps 40:6-8	Heb 10:5-9 Offer himself a sacrifice
30. Betrayed by a friend	Ps 41:9	Matt 26:14-16, 47, 50; Mark 14:17-21;Luke 22:19-23; John 13:18-19
31. Known for righteousness	Ps 45:2, 6-7	Heb 1:8-9
32. His resurrection	Ps 49:15	Mark 16:6
33. Betrayed by a friend	Ps 55:12-14	John 13:18
34. His ascension	Ps 68:18	Eph 4:8
35. Hated without reason	Ps 69:4	John 15:25
36. Stung by reproaches	Ps 69:9	John 2:17; Rom 15:3
37. Given gall and vinegar	Ps 69:21	Matt 27:34, 48; Mark 15:23; Luke 23:36; John 19:29
38. Exalted by God	Ps 72:1-19	Matt 2:2; Phil 2:9-11; Heb 1:8
39. He speaks in parables	Ps 78:2	Matt 13:34-35
40. Seed of David exalted	Ps 89:3-4, 19, 27-29, 35-37	Luke 1:32; Acts 2:30; 13:23; Rom 1:3; 2 Tim 2:8
41. Son of Man comes in glory	Ps 102:16	Luke 21:24,27; Rev 12:5-10
42. You remain	Ps 102:24-27	Heb 1:10-12
43. Prays for His enemies	Ps 109:4	Luke 23:34
44. Another to succeed Judas	Ps 109:7-8	Acts 1:16-20
45. A priest like Melchizedek	Ps 110:1-7	Matt 22:41-45; 26:64; Mark 12:35-37; 16:19; Acts 7:56; Eph 1:20; Col 1:20; Heb 1:13; 2:8; 5:6; 6:20; 7:21; 8:1; 10:11-13; 12:2
46. The chief cornerstone	Ps 118:22-23	Matt 21:42; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17; John 1:11; Acts 4:11; Eph 2:20; 1 Pet 2:4
47. The King comes in the name of the Lord	Ps 118:26	Matt 21:9; 23:39; Mark 11:9; Luke 13:35; 19:38; John 12:13
48. David’s seed to reign	Ps 132:11; 2 Sam 7:12-13, 16, 25-26, 29	Matt 1:1
49. Declared to be the Son of God	Pro 30:4	Matt 3:17; Mark 14:61-62; Luke 1:35; John 3:13; 9:35-38; 11:21; Rom 1:2-4; 10:6-9; 2 Pet 1:17
50. Repentance for the nations	Isa 2:2-4	Luke 24:47
51. Hearts are hardened	Isa 6:9-10	Matt 13:14-15; John 12:39-40; Acts 28:25-27
52. Born of a virgin	Isa 7:14	Matt 1:22-23
53. A rock of offense	Isa 8:14-15	Rom 9:33; 1 Pet 2:8
54. Light out of darkness	Isa 9:1-2	Matt 4:14-16; Luke 2:32
55. God with us	Isa 9:6-7	Matt 1:21,23; Luke 1:32-33; John 8:58; 10:30; 14:19; 2 Cor 5:19; Col 2:9
56. Full of wisdom and power	Isa 11:1-10	Matt 3:16; John 3:34; Rom 15:12; Heb 1:9
57. Reigning in mercy	Isa 16:4-5	Luke 1:31-33
58. Peg in a sure place	Isa 22:21-25	Rev 3:7
59. Death swallowed up in victory	Isa 25:6-12	1 Cor 15:54
60. A stone in Zion	Isa 28:16	Rom 9:33; 1 Pet 2:6
61. The deaf hear, the blind see	Isa 29:18-19	Matt 5:3; 11:5; John 9:39
62. King of Kings, Lord of Lords	Isa 32:1-4	Rev 19:16; 20:6
63. Son of the Highest	Isa 33:22	Luke 1:32; 1 Tim 1:17; 6:15
64. Healing for the needy	Isa 35:4-10	Matt 9:30; 11:5; 12:22; 20:34; 21:14; Mark 7:30; John 5:9
65. Make ready the way of the Lord	Isa 40:3-5	Matt 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4-5; John 1:23
66. The Shepherd dies for His sheep	Isa 40:10-11	John 10:11; Heb 13:20; 1 Pet 2:24-25
67. The meek servant	Isa 42:1-16	Matt 12:17-21; Luke 2:32
68. A light to the Gentiles	Isa 49:6-12	Acts 13:47; 2 Cor 6:2
69. Scourged and spat upon	Isa 50:6	Matt 26:67; 27:26, 30; Mark 14:65; 15:15,19; Luke 22:63-65; John 19:1
70. Rejected by His people	Isa 52:13-53:12	Matt 8:7; 27:1-2, 12-14, 38
71. Suffered vicariously	Isa 53:4-5	Mark 15:3-4, 27-28; Luke 23:1-25, 32-34
72. Silent when accused	Isa 53:7	John 1:29; 11:49-52
73. Crucified with transgressors	Isa 53:12	John 12:37-38; Acts 8:28-35
74. Buried with the rich	Isa 53:9	Acts 10:43; 13:38-39; 1 Cor 15:3; Eph 1:7; 1 Pet 2:21-25; 1 John 1:7, 9
75. Calling of those not a people	Isa 55:4-5	John 18:37; Rom 9:25-26; Rev 1:5
76. Deliver out of Zion	Isa 59:16-20	Rom 11:26-27
77. Nations walk in the light	Isa 60:1-3	Luke 2:32
78. Anointed to preach liberty	Isa 61:1-3	Luke 4:17-19; Acts 10:38
79. Called by a new name	Isa 62:1-2	Luke 2:32; Rev 3:12
80. The King cometh	Isa 62:11	Matt 21:5
81. A vesture dipped in blood	Isa 63:1-3	Rev 19:13
82. Afflicted with the afflicted	Isa 63:8-9	Matt 25:34-40
83. The elect shall inherit	Isa 65:9	Rom 11:5, 7; Heb 7:14; Rev 5:5
84. New heavens and a new earth	Isa 65:17-25	2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1
85. The Lord our righteousness	Jer 23:5-6	John 2:19-21; Rom 1:3-4; Eph 2:20-21; 1 Pet 2:5
86. Born a King	Jer 30:9	John 18:37; Rev 1:5
87. Massacre of infants	Jer 31:15	Matt 2:17-18
88. Conceived by the Holy Spirit	Jer 31:22	Matt 1:20; Luke 1:35
89. A New Covenant	Jer 31:31-34	Matt 26:27-29; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:15-20; 1 Cor 11:25; Heb 8:8-12; 10:15-17; 12:24; 13:20
90. A spiritual house	Jer 33:15-17	John 2:19-21; Eph 2:20-21; 1 Pet 2:5
91. A tree planted by God	Ezek 17:22-24	Matt 13:31-32
92. The humble exalted	Ezek 21:26-27	Luke 1:52
93. The good Shepherd	Ezek 34:23-24	John 10:11
94. Stone cut without hands	Dan 2:34-35	Acts 4:10-12
95. His kingdom triumphant	Dan 2:44-45	Luke 1:33; 1 Cor 15:24; Rev 11:15
96. An everlasting dominion	Dan 7:13-14	Matt 24:30; 25:31; 26:64; Mark 14:61-62; Acts 1:9-11; Rev 1:7
97. Kingdom for the saints	Dan 7:27	Luke 1:33; 1 Cor 15:24; Rev 11:15
98. Time of His birth	Dan 9:24-27	Matt 24:15-21; Luke 3:1
99. Israel restored	Hos 3:5	John 18:37; Rom 11:25-27
100. Flight into Egypt	Hos 11:1	Matt 2:15
101. Promise of the Spirit	Joel 2:28-32	Acts 2:17-21; Rom 10:13
102. The sun darkened	Amos 8:9	Matt 24:29; Acts 2:20; Rev 6:12
103. Restoration of tabernacle	Amos 9:11-12	Acts 15:16-18
104. Israel re-gathered	Mic 2:12-13	John 10:14, 26
105. The kingdom established	Mic 4:1-8	Luke 1:33
106. Born in Bethlehem	Mic 5:1-5	Matt 2:1; Luke 2:4, 10-11
107. Earth filled with knowledge of the glory of the Lord	Hab 2:14	Rom 11:26; Rev 21:23-26
108. The Lamb on the throne	Zech 2:10-13	Rev 5:13; 6:9; 21:24; 22:1-5
109. A holy priesthood	Zech 3:8	John 2:19-21; Eph 2:20-21; 1 Pet 2:5
110. A heavenly High Priest	Zech 6:12-13	Heb 4:4; 8:1-2
111. Triumphal entry	Zech 9:9-10	Matt 21:4-5; Mark 11:9-10; Luke 20:38; John 12:13-15
112. Sold for thirty pieces of silver	Zech 11:12-13	Matt 26:14-15
113. Money buys potter’s field	Zech 11:12-13	Matt 27:9
114. Piercing of His body	Zech 12:10	John 19:34, 37
115. Shepherd smitten — sheep scattered	Zech 13:1, 6-7	Matt 26:31; John 16:32
116. Preceded by Forerunner	Mal 3:1	Matt 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 7:27
117. Our sins purged	Mal 3:3	Heb 1:3
118. The light of the world	Mal 4:2-3	Luke 1:78; John 1:9; 12:46; 2 Pet 1:19; Rev 2:28; 19:11-16; 22:16
119. The coming of Elijah	Mal 4:5-6	Matt 11:14; 17:10-12

Chart Compound Law of Probability

Number of details in a prophecy	Fulfillment one chance in number stated
1	2
2	4
3	8
4	16
5	32
6	64
7	128
8	256
9	512
10	1,024
20	1,048,576
25	33,554,432,
30	1,073,741,824
40	1,099,511,627,776

The Witness of the Prophets

The oldest prophecy is found in Genesis 3:15.

Genesis 3:15 (NIV) ¹⁵And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

He was to be the "offspring" of woman, indicating the virgin birth.

The term is used in Genesis 3:15 and not found elsewhere.

The blood principle, in conception, is the contribution of the man.

If Jesus had not been born of a virgin by the conception of the Holy Spirit, then Adam’s seed would be mentioned in this first prophecy of Christ.

The "offspring" continued through Abel, Seth and Noah.

Genesis 6:8-10 (NIV) ⁸But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. ⁹This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. ¹⁰Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

God selected a nation who would produce the offspring.

Genesis 9:26 (NIV) ²⁶He also said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the slave of Shem.

He would be a descendant of Shem.

Genesis 11:10-26 gives the genealogy from Shem back to Abraham.

The nation was to be the Hebrew nation (Israel).

He would be the offspring of Abraham, the first man to be called a Hebrew, Genesis 12:2-3; Genesis 14:13

The Abrahamic Covenant was an unconditional covenant of God to bless Israel through Abraham's seed and to the church in Christ, Galatians 3:16; Galatians 3:29.

It is clear in Galatians 3:14-29 that Jesus is the Seed.

He would come through Isaac, Genesis 17:19

He would come through Jacob (Israel), Genesis 28:10-15

The tribe to produce the Seed was Judah, Genesis 49:10

Compare Genesis 49:10 with Hebrews 7: 14 and Revelation 5:5.

Genesis 49:10 (NIV) ¹⁰The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.

Hebrews 7:14 (NIV) ¹⁴For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

Revelation 5:5 (NIV) ⁵Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

He was to come from one family, the house of David, and be heir to David's throne, 2 Samuel 7:12-15; Romans 1:3.

His birth was to be in Bethlehem, Micah 5:2.

He would be the Son of a virgin, Isaiah 7:14.

Isaiah foretold this to the entire "house of David" and not to Ahaz only.

Isaiah depicted the manifestation of Jesus—visible appearance of deity so vivid in Isaiah 53:1-12.

The theme from Moses to Malachi is the Messiah.

The Witness of the Angels

The Angel Gabriel announced to Zacharias the miraculous birth of a son, John the Baptist, who would be the forerunner of Jesus to prepare the way of the Lord Jesus, Luke 1:11-19; Luke 3:4 .

The Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she was to hear a Son and call His name Jesus, Luke 1:26-33; Luke 1:35.

The angel announced to Joseph the virgin birth of Jesus, Matthew 1:19-21; Matthew 1:25.

Angels announced His arrival to a group of shepherds who were watching their flocks by night. They were told the Savior was born in Bethlehem. The Messiah was lying in a manger in Bethlehem, Luke 2:8-14.

His names indicate His eternal being.

"Jesus" is the personal name of our Lord given before He was born.

Jesus is the name given by the Angel Gabriel to Joseph (Matthew 1:21) and Mary (Luke 1:31).

"Jesus” is the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Joshua."

Both mean "Jehovah Our Savior."

The name "Jesus" is more prominent in the Gospels before His death, burial and resurrection.

It is His earthly name, the name of humiliation and suffering.

The name "Jesus" was used mainly before salvation was completed.

"Christ"—the Title of the Son of God

Christos, “Christ,” is Greek for Messiah. He is “the Anointed One.”

Christos means the same as the Hebrew word ''Messiah."

John 1:41 (NIV) The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).

Christ is the name prominent after Calvary.

The Epistles spell out the doctrine of salvation by faith in the sacrifice on the cross.

Jesus was ''made both Lord and Christ."

Peter said,

Acts 2:36 (NIV) ³⁶“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”4

Lord is the Title of Deity and Authority.

The word "Lord" in the New Testament comes from the Greek word “KURIOS” translated in our Bible as “Lord, God, Master.”

In the Old Testament all three names of God are compounded into the one name “Lord”.

Romans 10:9 (NIV) ⁹That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

"I AM" The Name Which Includes All His Names, Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I Am" (John 8:58).

Twenty times in the Gospel of John, Jesus declared the same words:

“I am the bread of life.''

''I am the light of the world.''

"I am the good Shepherd."

"I am the resurrection and the life," etc .

John 14:6 (NIV) ⁶Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The Son of God—His Title of Glory and Deity

Jesus is the Son of God and has been throughout all eternity.

We become a son of God by the new birth.

Luke 1:35 (NIV) ³⁵The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

John 19:7 (NIV) ⁷The Jews insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.”

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He is Emmanuel: "God With Us."

Jesus is "God with us'' and fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy.

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) ¹⁴Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Matthew 1:23 (NIV) ²³“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”

He is The Word—The Living Word

Jesus is the Word and was in the beginning.

John 1:1-2 (NIV) ¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning.

The Word, in the flesh, reveals God in a visible form (John 1:14, 18).

John 1:14 (NIV) ¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:18 (NIV) ¹⁸No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

He is Savior—He Was Born to Save From Sin.

Go to Matthew 1:21; Luke 2: 11

Matthew 1:21 (NIV) ²¹She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Luke 2:11 (NIV) ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

The "Lord Jesus Christ" is The Full Title.

Ephesians 1:3 (NIV) ³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

There are 272 names of our Lord in the Scriptures.

Ø 145 are prophetic

Ø 132 describe different aspects of His life.

There are 333 prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Christ.

He is:

The Only Begotten Son	The Alpha and Omega	Lord of Glory
Wonderful	Counselor	The Mighty God
Ancient of Days	Son of Abraham	Son of David
The Last Adam	Rabbi	Master
Good Shepherd	Great Shepherd	Chief Shepherd
Great High Priest	Door	Branch
Stone	Redeemer	The Anointed One
Dayspring	Day Star	Deliverer

The Incarnation—God manifest in the flesh

The incarnation is the act of God’s grace whereby Christ took our human nature into union with His Divine Person and became a man.

The incarnation covers every phase of Christ’s earthly life from the virgin birth, His two natures, works, death, resurrection, and ascension are foundational truths which fulfill all the prophecies of the Old Testament.

We base our faith upon these truths.

By faith we accept what God's Word says about these great doctrines of the Christian faith.

The Bible presents the facts and the Holy Spirit shall "guide us into all truth" (John 16:13).

There is no room for argument when God's Word speaks.

We are entering holy territory and human reason must be cast aside.

The "natural man" cannot understand the things of God "because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).

God was made flesh when Jesus was born of a virgin.

This was prophesied throughout the Old Testament.

The incarnation fulfills all the prophecies exactly as was foretold from Genesis 3:15 on through Malachi.

Jesus gave personal testimony concerning His death, resurrection and ascension by quoting Scripture.

The birth and death of Christ were planned before the foundation of the world.

Ephesians 1:4 (NIV) ⁴For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) ²¹God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

This is the express reason Christ came into the World!

He came into the world to die.

The Fact Of The Incarnation

The word "incarnation" is a theological term for the coming of the Son of God into the world as a human being.

Romans 8:3; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 1:22

This is the union of God and Man.

When we speak of the incarnation of the Son of God, Christ Jesus, we mean God in the flesh—God manifest in the flesh.

Jesus participated fully in all that it means to live a human life. Yet, He was not merely a man. God himself began to live a fully human life.

The word "manifest" means to "make evident, visible."

Jesus was made flesh to reveal the invisible God.

John 1:14 (NIV) ¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God is a Spirit, John 4:22-24.

John 4:22-24 (NASB95) “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

The invisible form of God is revealed in His Son, John 1:18.

John 1:18 (NASB95) No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

Jesus reveals God to us in human form because He is God.

John 14:9 (NASB95) Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

Jesus was both fully man and fully God. He was not half-man and half-God.

He was fully man.

Hebrews 2:18; 4:15; 5:2, 7-8.

He lived, ate, slept, walked, talked.

He was born, and he died.

He had joy and sorrow.

He experienced everything a human could experience.

He was fully God.

He exhibited the full likeness with the Father, John 14:7-11.

He was the perfect revelation of the Father to man, John 1:14, 18, 2 Corinthians 4:4.

Through the incarnation, Jesus Christ provided the ransom for man.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NIV) For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.

When Christ was resurrected from the dead, He lost some of the human restrictions He experienced during His earthly life. At the resurrection He received the original divine glory, John 17:5.

The joining of humanity to deity did not come to an end with His resurrection and ascension back into heaven, (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9). In heaven He is our Lord, Great High Priest mediator between God and man, ( Hebrews 3:1).

The Mystery of the Incarnation:

1 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) ¹⁶Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

The incarnation is a mystery to mere human beings.

God revealed the truth of this mystery in His Word.

Colossians 2:2-3 (NIV) ²My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The Virgin Birth Of Jesus

The Meaning of the Virgin Birth of Jesus

Jesus was miraculously begotten by God and born of Mary, who was a virgin. The term virgin birth explains the way in which the Son of God entered human existence. The virgin birth is contrary to the laws of nature.

If the incarnation means what it implies, then this birth was the birth of God in the flesh.

It could not be according to nature but according to God. Read Luke 1:26-38.

The virgin birth was prophesied by Isaiah 750 years before it came to pass.

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) ¹⁴Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

The virgin birth was announced to Mary, a virgin in Luke 1:26-33, and to Joseph in Matthew 1:18-25.

Who was the father of Jesus?

Jesus’ Father was not Joseph.

God, the Father was His Father.

Even Mary said, Luke 1:34-35 (NIV) ³⁴“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” ³⁵The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

Note the last phrase of Matthew 1:20

Matthew 1:20 (NIV) ²⁰But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

The conception was the work of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:35).

Luke 1:35 (NIV) ³⁵The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

This is called the "immaculate conception" by some.

It does not in any way indicate that Mary was without sin.

Mary was a good and acceptable woman.

She was chosen by God.

The “immaculate conception” emphasizes Jesus, not Mary.

Mary was a virgin who had found favor with God, but she was of the Adamic race.

Jesus declared His incarnation and source of humanity.

John 16:27-28 (NIV) ²⁷No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. ²⁸I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

God made His Son in the form of humanity without the seed of man

Ø just as He made Eve without the help of a woman

Ø just as He made man (Adam) without the reproductive elements of either man or woman.

The Two Natures Of Jesus Christ

He became the God-man.

Jesus Christ had a divine nature and took upon Himself a human nature—both natures were complete in every way.

His Divine Nature was complete and intact.

He had all the character and ability within that He had in eternity.

His Human Nature was complete in every way.

Christ was not God and man but He became the God-Man.

“The Word was made flesh” not “The Word became a man.”

His Humanity:

Ø Jesus had a human physical body. (Matthew 26:12)

Ø Jesus had a soul (Matthew 26:38)

Ø Jesus had a spirit (Luke 23:46)

Paul says that man possesses a body, soul, and spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Jesus had a childhood and He grew and became strong in spirit, wisdom, and stature. (Luke 2:40; Luke 2:52)

Jesus had human needs.

Ø He became hungry (Matthew 4:2)

Ø He became thirsty (John 19:28).

Ø He became weary (John 4:6).

Ø He became sleepy (Matthew 8:24).

Ø He experienced sorrow ( Matthew 26:38)

Ø He needed clothes to wear and shoes for His feet (Luke 9:29; John 1:16)

You can find other needs Jesus experienced by searching the four Gospels.

He Was Without Sin

In His humanity, He was the only one who never had a sinful nature.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) ²¹God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

The Flesh is weak but not naturally sinful.

Christ came in the “likeness” of sinful flesh (John 1:14; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 4:15) to redeem those who are in sinful flesh.

That is, Christ became a flesh and blood person but did not give in to the desires of the flesh.

Instead, He being perfect in life and death, died to provide salvation for all other persons, since they do give in to fleshly desires.

If He had no sinful nature and could not sin, was the temptation of Jesus real?

The answer is evident.

Ø He could not have wanted to yield to sin being the Son of God.

Ø He was not tested to see if He would sin.

Ø He was tested to prove He would not sin.

Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

(Theologians argue this question. The answer is simple if one does not forget He was the God Man.)

His Deity:

Ø We have covered His deity in His birth and His names.

Ø Now we see His deity in His ministry.

Paul, in a statement on the supremacy of Christ, asserted,

Colossians 1:19 (NIV) ¹⁹For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

Compare to:

John 20:28 (NIV) ²⁸Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Titus 2:13 (NIV) ¹³while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Jesus was aware of His divine status:

John 10:30 (NIV) ³⁰I and the Father are one.”

John 12:44-45 (NIV) ⁴⁴Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. ⁴⁵When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me.

John 14:9 (NIV) ⁹Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

With the “I am” sayings, He equated Himself with the God who appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:14).

The assertion of the New Testament is that Jesus was God (John 6:51; 10:7, 11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1; esp. 8:58).

The Bible affirms the preexistence of Jesus: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2; see also John 1:15; 8:58; 17:5; Philippians 2:5-11).

Jesus realized accomplishments and claimed authority ascribed only to divinity.

He forgave sins (Matthew 9:6) and sent others to do His bidding, claiming all authority “in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18-20).

The central proclamation of the gospel is that He is the only way to eternal life, a status held by deity alone.

John 3:36 (NIV) ³⁶Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

John 14:6 (NIV) ⁶Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Compare to:

Acts 4:12 (NIV) ¹²Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Romans 10:9 (NIV) ⁹That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

The New Testament pictures Him as worthy of honor and worship due only to deity.

John 5:23 (NIV) ²³that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

Hebrews 1:6 (NIV) ⁶And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV) ¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 5:12 (NIV) ¹²In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

He is the Agent of creation:

John 1:3 (NIV) ³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

The Mediator of providence (God's foresightful care for his creatures):

Colossians 1:17 (NIV) ¹⁷He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Hebrews 1:3 (NIV) ³The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

He raised the dead:

John 11:43-44 (NIV) ⁴³When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Healed the sick:

John 9:6 (NIV) ⁶Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.

Vanquished demons (Mark 5:13).

Mark 5:13 (NIV) ¹³He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

He will affect the final resurrection of humanity either to judgment or to life.

Matthew 25:31-32 (NIV) ³¹“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. ³²All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

John 5:27-29 (NIV) ²⁷And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. ²⁸“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice ²⁹and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.

He was equal with God the Father.

John 17:5 (NIV) ⁵And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

His deity and humanity are set forth by Paul. ***Look at the comment below as it relates to the NKJV and compared to NIV***

(Philippians 2:6-8 NKJV) "who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, {7} but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. {8} And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."

Notice, "thought it not robbery to be equal with God" (verse 6).

Jesus was deity. He was God-Man.

The Kenosis of the Logos

The humility of Christ was not the actual removal of Deity or refusal to be what He was, God the Son.

Ø His self-emptying was a voluntary refusal to not exercise the power and ability that was at His disposal.

Ø He humbled Himself to become a man, but He was still God the Son.

Ø He still had the deity He had in the beginning with the Father.

Ø He still knew all men.

Ø He still had Throne Room access.

He sustained all things by the word of His power.

Hebrews 1:2-3 (NIV) ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. ³The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Jesus emptied Himself into the form of a servant.

He poured His deity into the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men.

He was made man in order to humble Himself and give Himself on the cross for us

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The Death Of Christ On The Cross

His Life Was Given—Not Taken.

He came into the world to die.

John 12:32-36 (NIV) ³²But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” ³³He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. ³⁴The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” ³⁵Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. ³⁶Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

He prayed for us in John 17. Notice His references to His death in verses:

John 17:1 (NIV) ¹After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.

John 17:4-5 (NIV) ⁴I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. ⁵And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

John 17:11 (NIV) ¹¹I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.

John 17:13 (NIV) ¹³“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.

John 17:24 (NIV) ²⁴“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

His death was of His own volition.

John 10:17-18 (NIV) ¹⁷The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Jesus Died for Our Sins According to the Scripture.

1 Corinthians 15:3 (NIV) ³For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

He was the Sacrifice for our sin.

He is our Passover.

1 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) ⁷Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

He reconciled us to God.

2 Corinthians 5:19 (NIV) ¹⁹that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Reconciliation means “to cause a restoration, a harmony, a friendship.”

It means Jesus, in His death, reconciled (caused a change in man) us to God.

He became our Offering.

Hebrews 10:10 (NIV) ¹⁰And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:14 (NIV) ¹⁴because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Other Scriptures give additional meaning to His death:

(1 John 2:2 NKJV) “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

1 John 2:2 (NIV) ²He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 2:2 “Propitiation” means “Mercy Seat” and satisfaction (Exodus 25:22). "Propitiation" is not in NIV ***

Ø 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NIV) ⁵For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.

"Ransom" means "the price paid."

Ø Ephesians 1:7 (NIV) ⁷In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

“Redemption” means “to deliver, save, by paying the price.”

Also:

1 Corinthians 6:20 (NIV) ²⁰you were bought at a price...

In Romans 5:1, “Justification” means “just as if I'd never sinned” (Romans 3:21,26).

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

Romans 3:21 (NIV) ²¹But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.

Romans 3:26 (NIV) ²⁶he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

His death offers everlasting life to all who will believe.

John 3:16-17 (NIV) ¹⁶“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Romans 5:6 (NIV) ⁶You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 5:8 (NIV) ⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

The Resurrection And Ascension Of Christ

The Resurrection of Christ

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and proves His deity.

What is so different about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that of Lazarus who was still subject to death?

John 11 tells us about the death of Lazarus.

How many days was Lazarus dead? (John 11:17) Four days dead.

After Jesus called Lazarus from the dead, he eventually had to die again.

Lazarus resurrection was a divine resuscitation.

The process of death was reversed, but the person was still subject to death and would die again.

Are there other people in the Bible who had that type of resurrections or reversals?

There are many miraculous resuscitations, where individuals are brought back from the dead.

Zarephath Widow’s son, Elijah (1 Kings 17:22-24)

Elisah on the Shunammite woman’s son (2 Kings 4:32-37)

Moabite man who was buried on Elisha’s bones (2 Kings 13:20-21)

Widow of Nain’s son (Lk. 7:12)

Jairus’s Daughter (Mt 9:24)

Dead raised when Christ was resurrected (Mat 27:52-53)

Dorcas by Peter (Acts 9:40-41)

Paul on Eutychus (Acts 20:9-12).

What is the nature of resurrection?

Paul explains the nature of resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:42-50

1 Corinthians 15:42-50 (NASB95) So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly. Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Resurrection is neither a process of death nor its reversal.

It is an event of its own.

Resurrection takes the elements touched and produced by death and involving them in another process with other elements.

It is a Holy Spirit energized new product.

What was once perishable, without honor, weak and subject to death and decay is changed in such a way that it is imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual.

After resurrection it carries the imprint of heaven.

This is more than a physical change!

Resurrection is not restoration to the original state of being.

Jesus resurrection indicates this change.

Acts 2:24 (NIV) ²⁴But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Acts 2:31-32 (NIV) ³¹Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. ³²God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.

Christ arose to give resurrection life to all who will believe (John 11:25 26).

John 11:25-26 (NIV) ²⁵Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; ²⁶and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

The resurrection was victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:54 57).

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (NIV) ⁵⁴When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” ⁵⁵“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” ⁵⁶The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The resurrection confirms our faith and victory in Him.

He was the first fruits of the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:14-26.

1 Corinthians 15:14-26 (NKJV) And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

Jesus always told of His resurrection when He spoke of His death.

Matthew 20:17-19 (NIV) ¹⁷Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, ¹⁸“We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death ¹⁹and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

Proof of His resurrection can be found in the seventeen appearances of Christ in His resurrected body.

He was recognized and He talked with people.

Here are some of the scriptures:

Matthew 28:9-10 (NIV) ⁹Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Mark 16:12-14 (NIV) ¹²Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. ¹³These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. ¹⁴Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

Luke 24:34 (NIV) ³⁴and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”

John 20:11-17 (NIV) ¹¹but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb ¹²and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. ¹³They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” ¹⁴At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. ¹⁵“Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” ¹⁶Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). ¹⁷Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”

1 Corinthians 15:5-8 (NKJV) that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

Biblically, what can we say about the resurrection body of Christ?

1. Recognizable, could see Him, Mat 28:9-10, etc.

2. Bore the imprint of the wounds in His hands, feet, and side, John 20:27-29

3. He could eat and drink with them, Luke 24:40-43

4. He could be touched, Mat 28:9-10; Luke 24:39; John 20:27

5. Walked and talked with them, Luke 24:29-33, Mark 16:12-14

6. Knew them, John 20:11-17

7. Could appear and disappear in a locked room with them, John 20:19-23

8. He gave instruction to them, Mat 28:16-20

9. He had a body, Luke 24:36-39

The Ascension of Christ

Forty days after the resurrection of Christ his earthly ministry ceased with His ascension into heaven.

What happened in the ascension?

Several things occurred at Christ’s ascension.

Jesus told about this before His death.

John 14:2-3 (NIV) ²In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, in the name of Jesus.

He, the Holy Spirit, would be the Comforter and would teach all truth.

John 14:16 (NIV) ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—

See also: John 14:17; John 14:26; John 15:26-27.

The ascension marked the end of His earthly ministry.

Mark 16:19 (NIV) After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

Luke 24:50-51 (NIV) ⁵⁰When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. ⁵¹While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.

Acts 1:9-11 (NIV) ⁹After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. ¹⁰They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Jesus, in His glorified living body, ascended back into glory, signifying that the work of our redemption was finished.

They could no longer expect the physical presence of Jesus Christ to guide, teach, and help them.

They must receive and rely on the work of the Holy Spirit .

What was the manner of His ascension?

His ascension was a literal, physical, bodily ascension in His resurrected body (Read: Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11).

His ascension ended the days of His humiliation. His glory was no longer veiled.

Christ is now exalted and enthroned in heaven.

What happened to Him in the ascension? Where did He go?

(Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11).

He ascended into the clouds and was taken out of their sight into heaven.

Were there any post ascension sightings of Christ?

Stephen and Paul both reported seeing Jesus in bodily form after His ascension,

(Acts 7:56; 9:27; 1 Cor. 15:8).

Stephen saw him in Acts 7:56 (NIV) “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Saul who is called Paul reported seeing him in Acts 9:27 (NIV) But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:7-8 (NIV) Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

What is Jesus doing now that He is in heaven?

Although He is not present physically, He makes continual intercession for believers (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 4:14; 6:20; 7:25, 1 John 2:1).

Jesus gives us peace, hope, and security because He is our divine Advocate with the Father, (1 John 2:1).

He exercises His heavenly authority at the Father’s right hand, (1 Cor. 15:20-28).

In His exalted position, Jesus pours out the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18, 26; 16:7-15; Acts 2:23; Eph. 4:11-12).

Since Pentecost until now, the Holy Spirit and the work of the Holy Spirit on believers enables the Church to pursue Jesus mission.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 1:8 (NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

He prepares a place for His redeemed ones, (John 14:2-3).

Acts 1:11 (NIV) “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

His return to earth will be in the same manner in which He ascended into heaven.

He will literally and physically return in the clouds. This is our blessed hope.

God, the Son--His Present Ministry

After the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, the Lord's work did not cease.

He is directing His work from His place in glory.

Ø His work was not finished.

Ø His work will proceeds on and on until the end of the age.

Ø Salvation was finished in His earthly life.

When He ascended back into glory He was the same Jesus who was "made flesh and dwelt among us."

He had paid the penalty for sin and His life in the flesh had been completed.

Now, His ministry continues through His body ‑ the Church ‑ all who believe in Him as Lord and Savior.

In the past ministry of Jesus, He died to "save people from sin."

Ø He died to provide the sacrifice necessary for us to be forgiven of sin.

Ø He died to provide a way of salvation

Ø He died to provide a way to approach God through His own blood.

Ø He died (past) to make us clean;

Ø He lives (present) to keep us clean.

The marvelous ministry of our Lord never ceases.

He lives in glory to act for us and to act on us and in us by His Word and Spirit. He speaks to God for us and He speaks to us for God.

He is "the one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1Timothy 2:5).

The Exaltation Of Christ

The Restoration of His Glory

The glory Jesus possessed "before the world was" is now restored to Him.

John 17:5 (NIV) ⁵And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

John 17:1 (NIV) ¹After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.

The Exaltation of Christ by God, The Father

Christ came to the earth, humbling Himself, as Paul describes in Philippians 2:5‑8, then Paul describes the exaltation of Jesus in verses 9‑11.

Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV) ⁵Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁶Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! ⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Notice the seven steps upward:

Ø ⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

Ø and gave Him the name which is above every name:

Ø at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

Ø in heaven,

Ø and on earth,

Ø and under the earth:

Ø and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus Is Seated At the Right Hand of God.

All power is given Him in heaven and in earth.

Matthew 28:18 (NIV) ¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

The right hand of God implies "authority and power."

exousia, ex‑oo‑see'‑ah;

Ø power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases, leave or permission

Ø physical and mental power, the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises

Ø the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege)

Ø the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed) authority over mankind, one who possesses authority, a ruler, a human magistrate

Ø the leading and more powerful among created beings superior to man, spiritual potentates

Jesus had finished His work of redemption and His proper place was at the right hand of God.

Look at Stephen's account in Acts 7:55‑56:

Acts 7:55-56 (NIV) ⁵⁵But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Romans 8:34 (NIV) ³⁴Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

In His place of authority, Jesus has power over angels, authorities, and powers.

1 Peter 3:22 (NIV) ²²who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Pay attention to the place and position of our Lord was resumed after He ascended back into heaven.

He had tasted humanity and had been touched with the feeling of our infirmities.

Jesus Is Preparing A Place For His Followers.

Jesus said,

We are to share His glory.

John 17:24 (NIV) ²⁴“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Christ—Our Great High Priest

He Was Called of God A High Priest.

The Epistle to the Hebrews abounds with the Priesthood of Jesus as compared to the Old Testament high priest, Aaron.

The priesthood of Aaron was only a type, a shadow of Christ's priestly ministry.

Aaron had to offer sacrifices for his own sin, as well as the sins of others.

Hebrews 7:26-27 (NIV) ²⁶Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. ²⁷Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

Jesus, the Son of God, is our Great High Priest.

Hebrews 4:14 (NIV) ¹⁴Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

Hebrews 5:4 (NIV) ⁴No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.

Christ did not assume the glorified priesthood—but was called of God a high priest.

Hebrews 5:5-10 (NIV) ⁵So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” ⁶And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” ⁷During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. ⁸Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered ⁹and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ¹⁰and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus was Made Like Unto His Brethren.

Hebrews 2:9-18 (NIV) ... ¹⁷For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people...

Therefore, consider Jesus!

Hebrews 3:1 (NIV) ¹Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

Jesus is called an Apostle (one sent forth) and He is called High Priest (one who represents His own before the throne of God).

This Apostle and High Priest is Christ Jesus—the One the "holy brethren" (Christians) had confessed as Lord.

His Priesthood Is Unchangeable.

The earthly priesthood changed because of death.

Aaron, the high priest, and his sons had a temporary priesthood.

They passed away.

Hebrews 7:23 (NIV) ²³Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office;

The priesthood of Jesus never changes.

Because He lives forever, He has an unchangeable priesthood.

Hebrews 7:24 (NIV) ²⁴but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.

Jesus lives to make intercession for His own.

One of the exciting truths of Scripture is the fact that Jesus is ever living in the presence of God for all of us who have trusted Him.

His ministry is for us and to us—always there speaking to the Father for us, in our failures, in all our sins.

He intercedes for us.

One of the most important Scriptures is Hebrews 7:25.

Hebrews 7:25 (NIV) ²⁵Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Our prayer life is affected by this truth.

Why do we always pray "In Jesus name''; ''For His Sake'"?

Ø Because He is our intercessor.

Ø We pray to God through Him.

Ø We do not need someone earthly

Ø We do not need angels to intercede for us.

Ø We do not need anyone else to confess our sins to.

Ø We confess to Him.

Jesus is the only One between God and man.

Ø We are sustained by His precious ministry every moment.

Ø He knows our needs and He knows the promises of the Father.

Ø We are perfectly safe in His sovereign will.

Hebrews 10:19-20 (NIV) ¹⁹Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,

John 14:13-14 (NIV) ¹³And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. ¹⁴You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

All believers have (present possession) a High Priest in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 8:1-2 (NIV) ¹The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, ²and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.

Jesus obtained redemption for us "by His own blood" which He shed once and for all.

Hebrews 9:11-12 (NIV) ¹¹When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. ¹²He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

Hebrews 10:10 (NIV) ¹⁰And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:12 (NIV) ¹²But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.

On the basis of His sacrifice on the cross, we can have eternal life.

Ø No other sacrifice is needed.

Ø He keeps us and sustains us.

Ø He hears every prayer.

Ø He intercedes for us to the Father

This fellowship between Christ and a believer can only be broken by the believer.

Ø Jesus will do everything on His end to sustain and complete what He has started.

Ø He is able to complete it.

Ø We can sin away or break fellowship with Him.

Ø The Lord is willing to forgive us when we sin.

Ø We must confess our sins to Him and He will cleanse.

1 John 1:9 (NIV) ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Christ—Our Advocate

An advocate is one who pleads the case of another—a counselor.

In our society we would think of a lawyer.

Jesus is our Advocate with the Father.

1 John 2:1 (NIV) ¹My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

This was addressed to believers.

Ø The believer sins—none are perfect.

Ø In our Advocate, Christ, we have assurance and forgiveness.

Hebrews 9:24 (NIV) ²⁴For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.

Christ is our Advocate against Satan who is "the accuser of the brethren."

As Christ is pleading for His own, Satan is there accusing all who belong to Christ.

Revelation 12:4-10 (NIV) ...¹⁰Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

We are sustained by His ministry.

Jesus Christ gives us the equipment and the ability for His service.

Matthew 28:20 (NIV) ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

We are to do a "greater work."

Ø This greater work by spreading the Gospel

Ø We are enabled by the Holy Spirit to preach and teach the Word.

Ø This greater work is enabled by the Lord in Heaven.

Ø This greater work is enabled by the Holy Spirit.

Note the words of Jesus in John 14:12:

John 14:12 (NIV) ¹²I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

We are to do His will and that which is well pleasing in His sight.

Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV) ²⁰May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Attributes Of Christ in relation to His present ministry

Omnipotent

Jesus is Omnipotent—all powerful.

Matthew 28:18 (NIV), “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

He has power over nature.

Colossians 1:16-17 (NIV) ¹⁶For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. ¹⁷He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

He has power over death.

Revelation 1:18 (NIV) ¹⁸I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Omniscient

Jesus is Omniscient—all knowing.

John 16:30 (NIV) ³⁰Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

Peter said: John 21:17 (NIV) ..."Lord, you know all things..."

Jesus knows our thoughts:

Matthew 9:4 (NIV) ⁴Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?

Omnipresent

Jesus is Omnipresent—everywhere present.

Matthew 18:20 (NIV) ²⁰For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

The priesthood of the believer is a truth which encourages the people to pray, learn, teach and win.

God, the Son--His Future Ministry

We must remember that He is the "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty"

His past and present ministries are only a part of His supernatural and eternal mission.

His plan of redemption was known before the foundation of the world.

Jesus has a threefold ministry as Prophet, Priest and King.

These were the three Old Testament offices fulfilled in Christ.

In the Old Testament era, there were three chief anointings ordered by God:

Ø Prophet

Ø Priest

Ø King

In the Old Testament, Christ’s office was foreshadowed by:

Ø the prophetical order in Israel;

Ø by the blood sacrifices offered by Aaron and the priests;

Ø by the throne of David as a throne forever.

He holds these offices by the appointment of God.

The exalted offices He holds attest to:

Ø the official title He bears,

Ø the authority of His words,

Ø and the character of His work.

In order to understand the future ministry of Christ, we must study His threefold ministry.

Christ The Prophet

He Was Prophesied By Jehovah.

Fourteen centuries before the birth of Christ, Jehovah spoke to Moses about the Prophet.

Deuteronomy 18:18 (NIV) ¹⁸I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.

The Meaning of the Word "Prophet"

The term "prophet" means "one inspired who speaks for God."

This is exactly what Jesus did (John 12:49‑50).

John 12:49-50 (NIV) ⁴⁹For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. ⁵⁰I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

Jesus gave many prophecies.

Ø He told the woman at the well all that she ever did.

Ø He told the disciples to go into the city and that they would find a certain man who would have an upper room where they would prepare the passover, Matthew 26:17-20.

Ø In Matthew 24 and 25, Jesus foretold events to take place before His return.

Ø He told Peter and the other disciples that they would deny and betray Him, Matthew 26.

He was the true Prophet of God.

His prophetic ministry began officially at His baptism and ended at the cross when He became the sacrifice for sin.

Christ The Priest

A priest is a mediator.

Jesus intercedes with God on behalf of guilty sinners.

He is our Great High Priest.

Hebrews 4:14-15 (NIV) ¹⁴Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

He is the only mediator between God and men.

1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV) ⁵For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Christ The King

The Nature of His Kingship

As the Eternal Word, He authenticated the Old Testament Scriptures, revealed the Father to men and foretold what was to come.

As a priest, He offered Himself without blemish to God and entered into the Holiest to appear in the presence of God on behalf of all believers.

Just as He filled the offices of prophet and priest, it is required that He fill the office of the king.

The Father will establish Him as King.

1 Timothy 6:15 (NIV) ¹⁵which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

All of the world will be under the King, Jesus Christ.

This is the Blessed Hope of the World

There is coming to this world a golden era, not ushered in by the church.

It will be inaugurated by the return of Christ and it will be ushered in by His establishment of His throne and kingdom.

There is only one hope for the Christian as we live in the power of the world.

Titus 2:13 (NIV) ¹³while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Jesus is the center of all Scripture.

He is now Head of the church.

He shall come for His bride, the church, and we shall return and reign with the King in His Kingdom.

The Psalms witness to the ministry of Christ in His offices as Prophet, Priest and King.

Chart of the trilogy of Christ's offices:

Psalm 22	Psalm 23	Psalm 24
PAST	PRESENT	FUTURE
Crucified Prophet	Risen Priest	Reigning King
Suffering Savior	Living Shepherd	Exalted Sovereign
Good Shepherd	Great Shepherd	Chief Shepherd
John 10: 11	Hebrews 13:20	1 Peter 5:4
The Cross	The Crook	The Crown

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8. God, the Holy Spirit

When the word “spirit” is spoken a variety of images come to mind.

Many people think of a “spirit” or “ghost” as something that haunts a house or some sort of cosmic life force.

In the Bible, “spirit” denotes either:

(1) Unclean, demonic forces (Matt. 12:43);

(2) The part of man that God most intimately communicates with (Rom. 8:16);

(3) The Holy Spirit, third Person of the Trinity—the Spirit of God (Matt. 12:28) and of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3:17).

Jesus began His public ministry after the Holy Spirit came upon Him, (Matt. 3:13-17).

He was filled with the Holy Spirit, (Luke 4:1) and ministered in the power of the Spirit, (Luke 4:14).

Jesus indicated that He cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit, (Matt 12:28).

Before ascending back into heaven Jesus breathed on His disciples and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22).

The Holy Spirit is the ascension gift of Jesus Christ.

When He ascended back into heaven, Jesus prayed the Father to send the Holy Spirit to the body of believers.

He could not have descended had Christ not ascended.

John 16:7 (NIV) ⁷But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

The Father sent the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ to every believer.

John 14:17 (NIV) ¹⁷the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NIV) ¹³For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

The Person of the Holy Spirit

Read the following scriptures and note what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit.

Is the Holy Spirit an intelligent Person?

John 15:26 (NKJV) “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

John 16:13 (NKJV) However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

Acts 13:2 (NKJV) As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Does the Holy Spirit have emotions and exercise a will?

Romans 15:30 (NKJV) Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,

1 Corinthians 12:11 (NKJV) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NKJV) Do not quench the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead.

He is God the Holy Spirit— a Person.

He is of the Triune God.

The Scriptures unfailingly represent God the Father as a Person, (Genesis 3:8‑9; Exodus 33:11).

The Second Person of the Godhead, the Lord Jesus Christ, is both God and man.

In the account of the ascension (Luke 24:50‑53), the Lord Jesus extended His hands to bless the disciples who worshiped Him as God.

What do we know of the Person of the Holy Spirit?

The Bible represents the deity of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as "the promise of the Father" (Luke 24:49), in His Upper Room address to His disciples on the night He was betrayed.

The Holy Spirit In The Old Testament

The Holy Spirit was in the beginning with the Father and the Son.

The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, was active in the creation.

Genesis 1:1-2 (NIV) ¹In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ²Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

The name "God" (Elohim) in verse 1 is a plural noun indicating God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is named in verse 2.

The breath of God is the Spirit of God.

Job 26:13 (NIV) ¹³By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent.

Psalm 33:6-9 (NIV) ⁶By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. ⁷He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. ⁸Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. ⁹For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

The Holy Spirit was active in the creation of animal life.

Psalm 104:24-30 (NIV) ²⁴How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. ²⁵There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small. ²⁶There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. ²⁷These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. ²⁸When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. ²⁹When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. ³⁰When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.

The Holy Spirit was active in the creation of man

Genesis 1:26-27 (NIV) ²⁶Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” ²⁷So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Here the plural words "us" and "our" refer to the Triune God.

Genesis 2:7 (NIV) ⁷the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Job 33:4 (NIV) ⁴The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Divine attributes of the Holy Spirit

Just as God the Father and God the Son possess Divine Attributes, God the Holy Spirit possesses Divine attributes.

The title Spirit of God evidences His relationship to the Father and the Son. He is the very Person of God. God and His Spirit are one. The attributes of God the Holy Spirit are imminent and relative.

Imminent Attributes of the Holy Spirit

A. Spirituality involving

1. Life, Romans 8:2 >SPIRIT

2. Personality, Isaiah 63:10; Matthew 12:32; Mark 3:29-30; Acts 7:51; Acts 5:3; Acts 10

B. Infinity, involving

1. Self‑existence,

(As the Father and Son have life

in themselves so does the Spirit) >INFINITE

2. Immutability, unchangeable

3. Unity, Ephesians 4:4

C. Perfection, involving

1. Truth, John 14:17; John 15:26

2. Love, Galatians 5:22 >PERFECT

3. Holiness, Matthew 12:32

Relative attributes of the Holy Spirit

A. Related to time and space

1. Eternity, Hebrews 9:14

2. Immensity (Limitless greatness) >SOURCE

B. Related to creation

1. Omnipresence, Psalms 139:7‑10

2. Omniscience, I Corinthians 2:10,11 >SUPPORT

3. Omnipotence, Luke 1:35; Job 33:4

C. Related to moral beings >END OF ALL THINGS

1. Faithfulness or truthfulness, John 14:17, 15:26

2. Mercy, goodness, or love

3. Justice, righteousness or holiness, Matthew 12:32

He is Omnipotent.

Ø The Holy Spirit is "all powerful."

Ø He shared in the work of creation.

Genesis 1:2 (NIV) ²Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Job 33:4

He is Omnipresent.

Ø The Holy Spirit is "everywhere present."

Psalm 139:7-10 (NIV) ⁷Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? ⁸If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. ⁹If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, ¹⁰even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

John 14:17 the Holy Spirit would fill them all.

He is Omniscient.

Ø The Holy Spirit is "all knowing."

Psalm 139:1-6 (NIV) ¹O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. ²You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. ³You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. ⁴Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. ⁵You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. ⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

1 Corinthians 2:10 (NKJV) But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

DIVINE WORKS OF THE SPIRIT

The works of the Holy Spirit give evidence of His deity.

Creation (Genesis 1:2).

Several Scripture passages affirm that the Holy Spirit was involved in the work of creation. Genesis 1:2 indicates that the Spirit brooded over creation, bringing it to life. In Psalm 104:24–26 the psalmist describes the creation, and in v. 30 he indicates how God created: “Thou dost send forth Thy Spirit, they are created.” Job 26:13 expands the creation of God to the heavens; the Holy Spirit created not only the earth but also the heavens. (See also previous discussion.)

Generating Christ (Matt. 1:20).

The overshadowing of Mary by the Holy Spirit assured a sinless humanity of Christ. Christ in His deity is eternal, but the Holy Spirit begat the sinless human nature of Christ.

He brought the humanity of Christ into being. It is too often assumed that Mary the mother of Christ contributed His humanity and that the Holy Spirit contributed His deity; but a moment’s reflection would disclose that the deity of Christ was His own from all eternity and therefore was not originated at the time of His birth. He became incarnate when His eternal Person took on the human form.…The Spirit caused the humanity of Christ to originate and that is His act of generation.

Inspiration of Scripture (2 Peter 1:21).

There is an analogy between the Holy Spirit’s generating Christ’s humanity and the Spirit’s superintending the writers of Scripture; just as the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, guaranteeing the sinlessness of Christ’s humanity, so the Holy Spirit superintended the human writers to guarantee an inerrant Scripture. By analogy, a denial of one necessitates a denial of the other.

The writers of Scripture were carried along by the Holy Spirit, guaranteeing the inspiration of the books of Scripture. The Spirit’s work in inspiration is analogous to the Father’s work (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16).

Regeneration (Titus 3:5).

To regenerate means to give life. The Holy Spirit causes the new birth; He is its author. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is the spiritual counterpart of human reproduction in the physical realm. Human generation produces human life; spiritual regeneration produces spiritual life. The Holy Spirit produces the new birth, but He does it through the instrumentality of the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). The same truth is taught in John 3:6 where Jesus indicates the Holy Spirit produces the new birth in that He regenerates the person.

Intercession (Rom. 8:26).

Christ is an intercessor for believers, but so is the Holy Spirit.

Sanctification (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

There are three aspects of sanctification, the first being positional: “the setting apart which occurs when by the Holy Spirit the one who believes is joined unto Christ and thus comes to be in Christ.” (Cf. 1 Cor. 1:30; Heb. 10:14–15; 1 Pet. 1:2.)

Helping saints (John 14:16).

In this text Jesus promised the disciples “another Helper.” Helper is the Greek word parakleton which comes from two words, “along side” and “called,” hence, “one called along side to help.” In 1 John 2:1 the Lord Jesus is called the sinning saint’s Paraclete (“Advocate” in most versions). The Holy Spirit is “another of the same kind” as Christ, a Helper who is called alongside to help the believer. The Holy Spirit’s work as the believer’s Paraclete (Helper) demands His deity since His work is the same as Christ’s in His role as Paraclete.

It becomes apparent that the works of the Holy Spirit indicate His deity—His oneness within the Godhead, together with the Father and the Son.

Old Testament Manifestations of the Holy Spirit

As we study the manifestations of the Holy Spirit you will notice a difference in the manner in which He worked in the Old Testament and after the ascension of Jesus Christ.

He came upon men.

Numbers 11:17 (NIV) ¹⁷I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.

(Numbers 11:25; Numbers 24:2; Judges 3:10; Judges 6:34; Judges 11:29; Judges 13:25; Judges 14:6; 1 Samuel 10:6; 1 Samuel 10:10)

He was poured out upon men.

Proverbs 1:23 (NKJV) Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my Spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

(Isaiah 32:15; Isaiah 44:3; Ezekiel 39:29; Joel 2:28-29; Zechariah 12:10)

Some of these references refer to a future outpouring of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is mentioned some 88 times in the Old Testament.

These are widely spread over 22 of the 39 Old Testament books.

· In the Pentateuch (the first five books), 14 references are found in 4 of the books.

· Leviticus has no references.

· Two of the prophetic books, Isaiah and Ezekiel, have 15 references in each.

· The other books, Judges and 1 Samuel have 7 references each;

· 2 Samuel, 1 reference;

· Psalms has 5.

· This leaves 24 references in the other 11 books.

In these Old Testament references, the Holy Spirit never indwelled individuals. He came upon them, and he left them as He willed.

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Future Predictions in the Old Testament

Predictions of a future pouring out of the Spirit upon Israel:

Ezekiel 37:14 (NIV) ¹⁴I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’ ”

Ezekiel 39:29 (NIV) ²⁹I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

Upon all flesh

Joel 2:28-29 (NIV) ²⁸“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. ²⁹Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

Remember, this was future and did not occur in the Old Testament era.

The Holy Spirit In The New Testament

The Revelation of the Word of God

The Holy Spirit, in the Old Testament, was active in the inspiration and transmission of the Word of God.

This is verified in the New Testament Scriptures.

Acts 28:25 (NIV) ²⁵They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

2 Peter 1:21 (NIV) ²¹For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The New Testament attributes many Old Testament Scriptures directly to the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 22:43 (NIV) ⁴³He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,

Mark 12:36 (NIV) ³⁶David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” ’

Acts 1:16 (NIV) ¹⁶and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus—

Hebrews 3:7 (NIV) ⁷So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice,

Hebrews 10:15-16 (NIV) ¹⁵The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: ¹⁶“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”

The Difference Pentecost Made

Before our Lord's ascension, He was assembled with His apostles and told them of "the promise of the Father".

Acts 1:4-5 (NIV) ⁴On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 1:8 (NIV) ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Lord's own words speak of something entirely new and different from the Old Testament manifestations of the Spirit.

These are the most important statements concerning the descent of the Holy Spirit.

John 14:16-17 (NIV) ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— ¹⁷the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

John 14:26 (NIV) ²⁶But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 15:26 (NIV) ²⁶“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.

John 16:7 (NIV) ⁷But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

John 16:12-14 (NIV) ¹²“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. ¹³But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. ¹⁴He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

Three things comprise the difference in the work of the Holy Spirit before the Lord's ascension and after His ascension into heaven.

First, the Holy Spirit entered into a new temple.

That new temple is built on the foundation of Christ out of living stones which are the regenerated believers in Christ.

1 Peter 2:5 (NIV) ⁵you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to indwell His Bride, the Church of God, the Body of Christ.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit took up residence in believers.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV) ¹⁹Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, ²⁰built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. ²¹In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. ²²And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV) ¹⁶Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? ¹⁷If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

Second, not only did the Holy Spirit come to indwell the church as a corporate body, but He also came at Pentecost to indwell all believers.

Jesus had said in John 14:17 (NIV), ¹⁷the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit did not indwell believers as He does in the present day of Grace.

He was a gift to individuals as He willed for a special purpose of God.

Third, the Holy Spirit personally indwells the one who believes in Jesus.

The personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit is our guarantee and seal.

He is our teacher and He recalls to our memory all that we need.

John 14:26 (NIV) ²⁶But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Jesus said the gift of the Holy Spirit is God’s personal gift to every regenerated child of God.

Paul wrote the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV) ¹⁹Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

The Meaning and Significance of Pentecost

Pentecost came 50 days after the Feast of the Firstfruits.

The Feast of the Firstfruits was a type of the resurrection of Christ (Leviticus 23:9‑16).

Pentecost means fifty (50).

The significance of Pentecost is found in the fact that the Holy Spirit descended 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb.

Jesus died on the cross, was buried, came out of the grave and the people recognized Him.

He was seen in the glorified body for 40 days.

Acts 1:3 (NIV) ³After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

Just before His ascension, Jesus told the apostles to "wait for the promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4).

The "promise of the Father" was the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

The length of the waiting period is never mentioned directly, but it is easy seen.

Jesus was seen for 40 days after His resurrection and Pentecost was 50 after His resurrection.

The disciples waited 10 days for the Holy Spirit to descend upon them.

The Old Testament feasts taught the group, and us, the meaning of Pentecost (Leviticus 23).

The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)

Pentecost was the second of the three annual festivals, it is also called:

Ø the feast of weeks (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10,16; 2 Chronicles 8:13),

Ø the feast of harvest (Exodus 23:16), and

Ø the day of firstfruits (Numbers 28:26; compare Exodus 23:16; 34:22; Leviticus 23:17).

It was celebrated seven complete weeks, or fifty days, after Passover (Leviticus 23:15, 16; Deuteronomy 16:9); therefore, it was given the name Pentecost.

It was essentially a harvest celebration; the term “weeks” was used of the period of grain harvest from the barley harvest to the wheat harvest, a period of about seven weeks.

At this time, the Lord was credited as the source of rain and fertility (Jeremiah 5:24).

It was called “day of firstfruits” (Numbers 28:26) because it marked the beginning of the time in which people were to bring offerings of their firstfruits.

It was celebrated as a Sabbath with rest from ordinary labors and the calling of a holy convocation (Leviticus 23:21; Numbers 28:26).

It was a feast of joy and thanksgiving for the completion of the harvest season.

The able-bodied men were to be present at the sanctuary, and a special sacrifice was offered (Leviticus 23:15-22; Numbers 28:26-31).

According to Leviticus 23:10-11, 16, 17, two large loaves were waved before the Lord by the anointed priests.

These were made of fine flour from the new wheat and baked with leaven. They were a “wave offering” for the people.

Pentecost was the time for the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh.

The Holy Spirit could not have descended at any other time, but Pentecost.

The Feast of the Passover was fulfilled at Calvary.

Ø There will be only one Calvary—one death of Jesus.

Ø "He is our Passover" (1 Corinthians 5:7).

The Feast of Pentecost was fulfilled by the coming of the Holy Spirit.

On the day of Pentecost the believers were baptized with the Spirit because Jesus had told them earlier they would be (Acts 1:5).

In Acts 1:8 Jesus said they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.

In Acts 2:4 they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other tongues.

Follow the progression of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts.

Notice that they spoke in tongues because they were filled with the Spirit.

This is one of the miracles of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

They spoke in a tongue that they did not understand, but there were many from other Language groups that heard those unlearned Jews speaking in their own “tongues the wonderful works of God”, (Acts 2:6,8).

Full of the Holy Spirit, Peter stood up and proclaimed that God had raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

3,000 souls were added to the church that same day.

In Acts 4, Peter and John faced sever persecution from the High Priest, Rulers, and elders of the Synagogue.

They were threatened and then released.

As a result of the persecution they called a prayer meeting for boldness so they may be able to speak boldly and that signs and miracles would be performed.

Acts 4:31 (NIV) After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Acts 5, they ministered under the power of the Holy Spirit, and many people were healed and they performed many miraculous signs and wonders.

The persecution continued in Acts 5, 6, and 7.

In Acts 8 the church was dispersed and they went to Samaria.

In Acts 8:14-16 the Samaritans believed in Jesus.

Peter and John went to them and laid hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:44-48 - Peter was preaching and the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard him.

Ø In verse 46 they spoke in tongues.

Ø In verse 47 Peter said they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 11:15 - the Holy Ghost fell on them as it did in Acts 2:4

Acts 11:16 - says that Peter remembered then that the Lord said they “should be baptized with the Holy Ghost.”

In Acts 19:6 - Paul laid his hands on them and the Holy Ghost came on them and they spoke in tongues.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit.

There are more than 3,000 promises in Scripture, but only one of them is called "the promise of the Father".

Acts 1:4 (NIV) ⁴On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

Luke 24:49 (NIV) ⁴⁹I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The Holy Spirit was sent by God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit is an ascension gift of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit always magnifies Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit is "the promise of the Father."

This truth assures all believers that the Holy Spirit baptism is for them.

Ø He will indwell them.

Ø He will fill them.

Ø He will come upon them.

Ø He will be poured out on them.

Luke’s terminology is not as important as what happened.

He says the people were “filled with the Holy Spirit” (2:4; 9:17), that “they received the Holy Spirit” (8:17), that “the Holy Spirit fell upon (them)” (10:44), that “the Holy Spirit had been poured out on (them)” (10:45), and that “the Holy Spirit came upon them” (Acts 19:6). These references essentially are equivalents of Jesus’ promise that the church would “be baptized with the Holy Spirit”.

The result was the same.

The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, was sent to abide in the hearts and souls of believers in Christ.

He is in the body of Christ, the church.

Since Pentecost, the Holy Spirit has been working in power within the church.

Ø He is conforming people into the image of Christ.

Ø He is calling out a people for His name.

Ø He is making them living testimonies of the resurrected Christ.

The Holy Spirit came after Jesus ascended.

He could not come until Jesus left the earth.

Jesus said, John 16:7 (NIV) ⁷But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

Since His outpouring, the Holy Spirit has been working in individuals in a manner He never did before.

The Holy Spirit is working in us, not just upon us, or by us.

He is within us.

Ø His being within us energizes us with the power He possesses.

Ø His being within us equips and enables us to be conformed into the image of Christ.

From within the Church the Holy Spirit is testifying of Jesus Christ.

John 15:26 (NIV) ²⁶“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.

John 16:13‑14 "When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself—He shall glorify me."

Jesus taught about the ministry of the Holy Spirit

Christ's teachings about the Holy Spirit were given before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

The doctrines Christ taught regarding the Spirit’s ministry describe much of the Spirit’s activity in the church.

Jesus said He was led by the Holy Spirit and taught by the Holy Spirit in all He did.

In His opening sermon, Jesus said Luke 4:18 (NIV) ¹⁸“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,

Ø Christ (the Anointed one) was anointed with the Holy Spirit and then He went forth and accomplished the work of the ministry.

Ø It was after the anointing of the Spirit that He went in the power of the Spirit to minister.

John 3:34 (NIV) ³⁴For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

Ø He received the Holy Spirit without measure.

Ø Jesus spoke by the power of the Spirit.

Ø He did the greater work of the ministry, which the Father called Him to do, because He was anointed by the Spirit without measure.

Jesus attributed salvation to the work of the Holy Spirit.

John 3:5-6 (NIV) ⁵Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. ⁶Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

Jesus said abundant life is a result of the Holy Spirit’s coming.

John 7:37-39 (NIV) ³⁷On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. ³⁸Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” ³⁹By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Jesus said the Holy Spirit quickening "makes alive.

John 6:63 (NIV) ⁶³The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

The Church must have ministry which is quickened.

We must be made alive.

If we do not have the Spirit’s quickening we will be dead.

Ø Spiritually dead.

Ø We will have a form of Godliness but no power.

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit in their ministry.

It would affect the actual words they were to speak (Mark 13:11).

It would affect their demeanor, and character.

It would affect their actions and testimony.

The Holy Spirit would be present within them to the extent that He would speak up for them in their times of difficulty.

Jesus said the church would be impacted by the Spirit when they taught.

John 16:13-16 (NIV) ¹³But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. ¹⁴He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. ¹⁵All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. ¹⁶“In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

The Holy Spirit is known as ‑"The Spirit of Truth."

His function ‑"He shall glorify Christ."

In John 16:8‑11, Jesus names the three great themes of the testimony of the Holy Spirit.

When the Spirit comes He will testify of these.

Ø "of sin" because of unbelief.

Ø "of righteousness" which God requires.

Ø "of judgment" because Christ is judged upon the cross.

So Jesus announced the methods which the Holy Spirit would use to convict:

Ø He would convict of our sin

Ø He would testify of Christ's righteousness

Ø He would declare God's judgment

As the Son spent His earthly life in seeking to glorify the Father, so the Holy Spirit spends His time in seeking to glorify the Son.

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The Names Of The Holy Spirit In The New Testament

The Names of the Holy Spirit clearly define the character, person, and position of the Holy Spirit.

Names Expressing His Relationship to the Father

"The Spirit of God" (Matthew 3:16)

"The Spirit of the Lord" (Luke 4: 18)

"The Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6: 11)

"The Spirit of the living God" (2 Corinthians 3:3)

"The Spirit of your Father" (Matthew 10:20)

"The Spirit of Glory and the Spirit of God" (1 Peter 4: 14)

"The Promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4)

What is the significance of the Holy Spirit being called the Spirit of God?

The name indicates the relationship with the Father.

He is the Spirit of God.

He bears the nature and character of the Father.

Names Expressing His Relationship to the Son

"The Spirit of Christ" (Romans 8:9)

"The Spirit of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:9)

"Spirit of Jesus" (Acts 16:7)

"The Spirit of His (God's) Son" (Galatians 4:6)

"Another Comforter" (Paraclete) (John 14:16)

What is the significance of the Holy Spirit being called the Spirit of Christ?

The name indicates that the work of Christ will be continued by the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of Christ will enable us to recognize our relationship to the Father.

Names Expressing His Own Essential Deity

"One Spirit" (Ephesians 4:4)

"Seven Spirits" (the complete perfect Spirit (Revelation 1:4; 3:1)

“The Lord the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3: 18)

"The Eternal Spirit" (Hebrews 9: 14)

What is the significance of Holy Spirit specific names?

He is an intelligent person with a specific will and essence.

Names Expressing the Gifts Which He Bestows

"The Spirit of Life" (Romans 8:2; Revelation 11:11)

"The Spirit of Holiness" (Romans 1:4)

"The Spirit of Wisdom" (Ephesians 1:17)

"The Spirit of Faith" (2 Corinthians 4: 13)

"The Spirit of Truth" (John 14: 17; 16: 13)

"The Spirit of Grace" (Hebrews 10:29)

"The Spirit of Adoption" (Romans 8: 15)

"The Spirit of Power, Love and Sound Mind" (2 Timothy 1:7)

“The Spirit of Promise: (Ephesians 1:13)

“The Spirit of Glory” (1 Peter 4:14)

“The Spirit of Supplications”

(Zechariah 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14:2, 14-15)

Each name indicates specifics qualities about the Holy Spirit’s person, work, and gifts.

Impersonal Names or Characteristics

He is compared to:

Ø Water (John 7:38-39)

Ø Wind (John 3:8; Acts 2:2)

Ø Fire (Acts 2:3)

Ø Anointing/Oil (Acts 10:38)

Ø Dove (Luke 3:22)

Ø Power (Acts 1:8; Luke 24:49)

Ø Seal (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:19)

Why are there impersonal names applied to the Holy Spirit?

This variety of names reveal His Person, deity, power, influence, and ministry among us and in us.

The Work Of The Holy Spirit In The Church

The Church Became A Spiritual Organism.

Jesus promised the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:5).

When the Holy Spirit descended, He dwelled in the hearts of believers and they became a unified spiritual organism, called the body of Christ, with Christ as the Head.

Ephesians 1:22-23 (NIV) ²²And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

The Holy Spirit forms the church.

Without the Holy Spirit function, and presence in the church the body loses cohesiveness.

The Holy Spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ, the church.

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NIV) ¹³For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

When anyone receives Christ, they are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Christ.

Ephesians 1:13 (NIV) ¹³And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

The Results of The Holy Spirit In The Church

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon and filled the 120 people in the Upper Room (Acts 2: 1‑4).

Peter preached the message from Joel 2:28‑29 and 3,000 souls were saved (Acts 2:41).

The preaching of the Gospel caused 5,000 men, plus women, to accept Christ (Acts 4:4).

In Acts 8 the Gospel spread from the Jews to the Samaritans and the Ethiopian eunuch.

Ø In Acts 9 to Saul of Tarsus, Paul.

Ø In Acts 10 to Cornelius, the Gentile, and his household.

The spreading of the Gospel followed the outline that Jesus gave.

Acts 1:8 (NIV) ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

When the Holy Spirit brought them into the body of the Church, through Salvation, they were not only baptized into Christ, they were empowered with the baptism into the Spirit.

Ø This was the normal process in the early church.

Ø They were saved, baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit.

Ø They were baptized into the Holy Spirit.

Ø That unity with the body and empowering of the Spirit enabled them to accomplish the work of the ministry.

The Holy Spirit Still Does His Work In The Body.

Ø The Holy Spirit came to indwell and administer the church of our Lord.

Ø He is to abide "with you forever.''

Ø He never will leave us.

Ø The church must stay full of the Spirit.

The superintendence of the Holy Spirit over the church is clearly seen in Scripture.

As He administers the Church, His nature and character is both seen and realized in those He indwells.

Characteristics of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit has a Will.

You can see the exercise of His will over the Church.

Acts 15:28 (NIV) ²⁸It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:

1 Corinthians 12:11 (NIV) ¹¹All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

The Holy Spirit knows all things

From the bounty of His knowledge the Holy Spirit guides the believer.

1 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NIV) ¹⁰but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

The Holy Spirit has feelings.

The Holy Spirit can be grieved.

Ephesians 4:30 (NIV) ³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

The Holy Spirit convicts of sin and is the instrument of our salvation.

Titus 3:5-6 (NIV) ⁵he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NIV) ⁵because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

He is the Teacher of truth.

John 14:16 (NIV) ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—

Romans 8:14 (NIV) ¹⁴because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

He helps and sustains us.

John 14:16-18 (NIV) ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— ¹⁷the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. ¹⁸I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Romans 8:26-27 (NIV) ²⁶In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. ²⁷And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

The Fruit Of The Holy Spirit

The Fruit of the Spirit is the character of a Christian.

The fruit of the Spirit is found in Galatians 5:22‑23.

This is the Character, moral and social character, of the Christian.

The "fruit" is singular.

It is one fruit with several characteristics.

This is the Fruit, or Character is evident in the Spirit filled believer.

When the Holy Spirit is indwelling there will be fruit or evidence of the Spirit abiding.

Spiritual Fruit Comes From the Spirit Filled Life.

The Lord Jesus was a living example of the fruit of the Spirit.

He demonstrated all of the qualities mentioned in Galatians 5:22‑23...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

The fruit of the Spirit is the product of the Spirit.

This is not personal goodness.

The indwelling Holy Spirit produces the fruit.

Fruit of the Spirit

The works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:16‑25.

The human temperament is both evil and inherited.

From it proceed the works of the flesh, Galatians 5:19‑21.

The human temperament can be changed through supernatural works of the Spirit, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

We become a new race of people as a result of the Spirit’s indwelling.

We are partaker of the new nature.

It is a divine nature.

Healing of sin’s effects brings the fruit.

Being full of the Spirit brings fruit. It is supernaturally produced in us.

We must co-operate with the Spirit to be fruit bearers.

The born again experience will produce basic temperament changes.

These are the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians. 5:19‑21

This is Spirit Fruit.

Spirit‑ πvεûμα‑ pneuma

Fruit‑ Kαpπòs‑ karpos

Being in Christ produces inner changes, 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 1:4; John 15:1‑6

The Fruit is a natural, instant, product of the indwelling Spirit.

We must co‑operate with the Spirit to become fruitful.

Spirit initiates

Man responds and performs

Fruit is progressive Romans 5:1‑5; 2 Peter 1:5‑8

Anyone who is in Christ will be productive fruit bearers.

The Lord expects fruit and condemns any that do not bear it.

The fruit is interrelated and interdependent.

What is temperament?

Disposition, mood, emotion, a naturally acquired habit, or tendency, an attitude of the mind.

Does it make a difference in one’s temperament when the Holy Spirit comes in and takes control?

We need to evaluate the difference that the Holy Spirit makes.

What is a necessary prerequisite in our lives before the fruit can even begin to be developed? (Galatians 5:3)

Colossians 3:12-13 NIV Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Romans 8:9 NLT But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)

Temperament in relation to oneself

Love –

Love is αταπn' agape, other’s centered love

John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 13:1‑13; Galatians 5:14

Divinely enabled to love

All the others are resting on this foundation

Love is essential. There are many kinds of love.

Phileo - filandros - friendship: hardest to maintain

Agape - God-like: impossible without the indwelling of the Spirit

Eros - erotica - sexual love: outside of marriage it is sin.

Joy

Joy is Xαpα‑ chara‑ deeper than fun or happiness

John 15:11 NIV I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Colossians 1:11 NKJV strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;

Joy, then, is that ever-deepening awareness that our lives are hidden in Christ and that we can be led by the Spirit through anything.

Afflictions, trials, pressures, or frustrations may come, but they cannot destroy us; so we experience joy.

We may genuinely hurt, we may weep, we may be tempted, we may not understand what God is allowing to come our way; but none of this causes us to lose God’s focus in our life.

James 1:2-5 NIV Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Romans 8:28 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Peace

Peace is ‑ εìpn'τn‑ eirene‑ every kind of blessing, good, rest. Eirene includes harmonious relationships between God and men, men and men, nations, and families.

Philippians 4:7 NIV And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Peace is not dependent on outward circumstances.

Peace is an inward relationship.

John 16:33 NIV “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

We can have no greater peace with ourselves than we have with others. (Romans 12:18)

Peace is a sense of personal wholeness and healthy relationships.

It is an inward assurance that we have been made righteous with God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Peace is a result of access to God’s power to touch all facets of our lives.

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Temperament in relation to others

Patience ‑ μαKp`o Θuμìα ‑ makrothumeo‑ lonsuffering, patient, bear long. (Ephesians 4:1–3)

1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Patience can best be seen in the way God deals with sinners.

2 Peter 3:9 NIV The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Consider patience in relation to 2 Corinthians 6:3–10.

Kindness ‑ Xpnστóτnσ‑ chrestotes‑ kindness, goodness

Goodness in action, sweetness of disposition, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence, kindness, approachable.

The word describes the ability to act for the welfare of those taxing your patience.

The Holy Spirit removes abrasive qualities from the character of one under His control.

James 3:17 NIV But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Peter Marshall said, “When I’m wrong make me easy to change. When I’m right make me easy to live with.”

Goodness ‑ àΓαΘσùvn‑ agathosune‑ goodness, virtue, beneficence.

Agathosune is a rare word that combines being good and doing good.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Temperament in relation to God

Faith

Faith is ‑ πìστs‑ pistis - faithfulness

Pistis has a wide range of meanings.

It refers the truth we believe, our “Faith”.

It is the basic trust in God for salvation.

Faith is the dynamic power that realizes the promises of God.

It is conviction, confidence, trust, belief, faith, reliance, trustworthiness, faithfulness, or persuasion.

The idea of “faithfulness” reflects full, steadfastness trust and trustworthiness as a character trait of the believer.

Faithfulness is a relationship with God.

It is fidelity or goodness (Matt 25:23; Rev 2:10).

Meekness

Meekness is ‑ πpαòτns‑ prautes‑‑ humility, meekness, mildness.

Meekness is a disposition that is even-tempered, tranquil, balanced in spirit, unpretentious, and that has the passions under control.

Meekness is not weakness, but a fruit of power.

This is a result of vertical relationships.

This is humbleness before God.

This does not fight against God.

1 Peter 3:4 NIV ⁴Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

1 Peter 3:15 NIV ¹⁵But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

How does the spirit of meekness differ from the attitude of the world?

“It is my right to have my opinion.”

“It is my right to do what I want.”

“I am a free human being.”

Temperance

Temperance is ‑ εΓupα'τεIα‑ egkrateia‑ discipline, self‑control, temperance.

Self-control is the ability to morally restrain one’s self when tempted by evil pleasures, so as to maintain his ethical freedom.

The fruit of temperance refers to allowing the work of the Holy Spirit to empower a person so that they are able to voluntarily abstain from anything (especially out-of-control sexual passion) which might hinder ultimately fulfilling his/her divinely appointed task.

This is control of the self by the Spirit.

It is a Spirit controlled, and Spirit changed temperament. (Galatians 5:16; 2 Timothy 1:6,7)

Through the Spirit we are our own master.

We cannot blame our failure on anyone else.

When we lose our temper, it affects our whole being.

The Spirit can give you victory over your old nature.

The Fruit of the Spirit demonstrate true relationships to God.

Galatians 5:22 "Fruit is..."

The man who walks in the Spirit will produce tangible evidence of it.

The Fruit of the Spirit is inter‑related and inter‑dependent.

One helps the other

People who love have peace...

The Holy Spirit in Christians

The work of the Spirit is manifested in several ways.

Walk In The Spirit

Galatians 5:16 (NIV) ¹⁶So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Galatians 5:16 NASB95 ¹⁶But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Galatians 5:25 NASB95 ²⁵If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

The Walk in, by, or through the Spirit is contrary to the walk of the flesh.

When we evaluate the fruit of the Spirit and the fruit of the flesh the contrast is evident.

The Holy Spirit will lead our walk and direct our paths.

Ephesians 2:1-2 NASB95 ¹And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, ²in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

Renewed in The Spirit

Titus 3:5 (NIV) ⁵he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

What does it mean to be renewed?

It means to be restored to a new condition.

Romans 12:2 NASB95 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

This refers to a renewing of the Spirit which enables you to live a victorious Christian life.

It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to live above sin, and to bear the character of the Spirit in the world.

The nature and power Christ demonstrated in the world will be the nature and power of the Church that is filled with the Holy Spirit.

Leading of The Spirit

Romans 8:14 (NIV) ¹⁴because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

The Holy Spirit is always present to give guidance in our lives.

The secret is found in "As many as are led‑‑."

The sons of God will be led by the Spirit of God.

What is the significance of being led by the Spirit?

Indwelling of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV) ¹⁹Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables the church to walk in confidence.

We are refreshed by His indwelling.

We are made bold by His indwelling.

We are quickened by His indwelling.

We are given gifts and manifestations by His indwelling.

We are powerful by His indwelling.

Why must the Church have the Holy Spirit living within?

The Holy Spirit demonstrates His power in our lives.

The evidences of the Holy Spirit depend on the abiding indwelling Spirit.

1 John 3:24 NASB95 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

What is the difference in upon and in?

John 20:22 (NIV) ²²And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Although the Lord breathed on them and told the disciples to receive the Holy Spirit, it is evident that they did not receive the promise of the Father until later in Acts 2:4.

Luke 24:49-53 (NIV) ⁴⁹I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” ⁵⁰When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. ⁵¹While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. ⁵²Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. ⁵³And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

What happened in John 20:22 and Luke 24:49-53 was in preparation of what was to occur in Acts 2.

The Holy Spirit could not come in power until Jesus had ascended.

Jesus said: John 16:7 (NIV) But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

The Holy Spirit came in power at the exact time, at the exact place, to the exact people Jesus had instructed.

They had witnessed the Holy Spirit in power on Jesus.

They were ready to take the Holy Spirit.

Jesus had prepared them to receive Him.

At the end of 10 days the Spirit descended in power.

The book of Acts reveals the power and function of the Holy Spirit in the beginnings of the Church.

Does the indwelling Holy Spirit make any difference in our lives?

What is the difference?

The indwelling Holy Spirit manifested His presence outwardly in life and conduct, giving evidence of our relationship with God.

What are the benefits of the indwelling Holy Spirit?

Power – Acts 1:8

Cleansing, sanctifying, boldness, faith, endurance, restoration

Tongues functions as a sign of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, affirming His abiding presence and assuring the believer of a living witness.

The Holy Spirit operates within believers giving evidence of Himself.

Emblems of the Holy Spirit

There are many emblems of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Scriptures.

These emblems depict perfectly the coming, function, character, and nature of the Holy Spirit.

A Dove

In Matthew 3:16; Luke 3:22; and John 1:32 the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus “like a dove”

We never read of the Spirit descending on any other person as He did here.

The dove rested upon Christ.

John 1:32 said that He abode upon Him.

As anointing oil

In the Old Testament the priest were anointed with oil.

His ear was anointed- he was to hear God’s word

His thumb was anointed- His actions were to be done with Holy Hands and under the unction of the Spirit.

His big toe was anointed- He was to walk with God.

Acts 10:38 (NIV) ³⁸how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

1 John 2:20 (NIV) ²⁰But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

chrisma, khris'‑mah; an unguent or smearing, the special endowment ("chrism") of the Holy Spirit:‑‑anointing, unction.

The anointing of the Spirit is the power of unction.

The anointing of the Spirit gives us ability to hear what the Spirit says.

The anointing enables us to do what the Spirit wants and go in the Power of the Spirit.

We must have the anointing of the Holy Spirit in the Church.

Wind or the Breath of God

There are many characteristics of Wind or Breath that clearly define the work and power of the Spirit.

Wind blows where it wants.

Wind comes and goes without our knowing where it is from or where it goes.

Breath is vital to survival.

Without breath there is no life.

Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones was made alive and an army by the breath that came in them and upon them.

The Church must have the breath of life within it.

Without breath we are but bones.

Without breath there is no power.

Without breath there are no defenses.

As Fire

Isaiah 4:4 (NIV) ⁴The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire.

Isaiah 6:6-7 (NIV) ⁶Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

Acts 2:3 (NIV) ³They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

The Fire in the Tabernacle was divinely supplied but had to be maintained by the Priest.

Leviticus 6:13 (NIV) ¹³The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out

The fire of the Holy Spirit is supernaturally supplied.

He is the Promise of the Father.

Maintenance of the fire of the Spirit requires a constant vigil and dedication.

The Priest had to lay new wood and sacrifice on the altar every day.

The Church must spend some time keeping the fire burning.

The Fire will only burn as long as there is fuel.

We must attend to the things of God if we are going to maintain the power of God in the Church.

As clothing

Judges 6:34 (NIV) ³⁴Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.

The Hebrew word for CAME is law‑bash'; it means to wrap around, to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), array (self), clothe (self), come upon, put (on, upon), wear.

Judges 6:34 (NRSV) "But the spirit of the LORD took possession of Gideon”

2 Chronicles 24:20 (NIV) Then the Spirit of God came upon (law-bash') Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest....

Luke 24:49 (NIV) ⁹I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The Holy Spirit is the clothing of the church.

He will come upon us.

We will be perfectly fitted with the Holy Spirit.

The Church should be wrapped around with the Holy Spirit.

The Clothing of the Spirit is for protection.

The Clothing is for covering.

The Clothing is for outward demonstration.

A Seal

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NIV) Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Ephesians 1:13 (NIV) And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit

Ephesians 4:30 (NIV) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

The Holy Spirit is the seal of ownership.

The Holy Spirit is the seal of protection.

The Holy Spirit is the seal preservation.

The Church should be held by the Holy Spirit.

We are kept close to God by the Holy Spirit.

We are kept pure by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the guarantee (earnest) (deposit).

2 Corinthians 1:22 (NKJV) “who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”

2 Corinthians 1:22 (NIV) set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

2 Corinthians 5:5 (NKJV) Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

2 Corinthians 5:5 (NIV) ⁵Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Ephesians 1:14 (NKJV) who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:14 (NIV) ¹⁴who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

The guarantee, deposit, or earnest is the pledge and token that God will give all that He has promised.

What is the earnest of our inheritance?

The earnest is not a good feeling.

The earnest is not healing.

The earnest is not the supplying of our need.

The guarantee, deposit, or earnest is the Holy Spirit.

As you look at these various symbols of the Spirit, you can see how essential He is to the Church.

· We must have Him abiding upon the Church—He is a dove.

· We must have Him giving unction and guidance—He is the anointing.

· We must have life and power—He is breath.

· We must have purification, illumination and energy—He is fire.

· We must have protection, power, and authority—He is clothing.

· We must belong to the Lord—He is the seal.

· We must know the surety of the things that are promised—He is the earnest.

Without the Holy Spirit we are:

Empty Unsure Defenseless

Cold Weak Without purpose

Dead Naked Not safe

Jesus instituted this partnership that we enjoy with the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV) ¹⁴May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

The Spirit enters into a partnership with us.

When we accept Christ the Holy Spirit enters our life.

He comes and establishes the partnership.

He works with us.

He accepts us on the basis of all that Christ has done.

His partnership is only limited by us.

He will not be a partner in schemes that even have the appearance of sin.

His partnership provides everything that we are lacking. His partnership gives us the ability to live in fellowship with the Father and the Son.

Gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:1 (NKJV) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:

We have at our disposal the greatest power of the Universe.

By this power we are enabled to work the works Christ worked.

The Gifts of the Spirit are for the church today.

The Gifts are resident in and under the control of the Holy Spirit.

The Gifts of the Spirit enables the church to carry on its work.

Through the Spirit, the diverse gifts and diverse operations are known.

All the gifts are supernatural.

They are not dependent on the development of any natural faculty or gift.

We have been given gifts of knowledge, power and utterance.

The nine (9) gifts of the Spirit are found in 1 Corinthians 12

Gifts of Knowledge and Understanding

God gives supernatural insight through the gifts of understanding.

1 Corinthians 2:12 (NIV) We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

How many times have you said: “I just don’t understand?”

Have you faced situations where you needed more knowledge, wisdom, or discernment than you possessed?

There are three Gifts of Knowledge or Understanding

John 16:13 (NKJV) However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

1 Corinthians 2:9-16 (NKJV) But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

The Word of Wisdom or the utterance of Wisdom.

The WORD OF WISDOM IS NOT:

This is not natural wisdom

It is not a gift of wisdom

The word of wisdom is a word of wisdom given for a particular time.

The Word of Wisdom is confused with a high degree of moral or intellectual efficiency.

It is confused with deep spiritual insight and unusual understanding of God's Word, especially hard portions of Scripture.

It is confused with natural or learned administrative wisdom.

It is confused with being wise, having discretion, or prudence in word or act.

Natural wisdom is the ability to apply possessed knowledge and experience.

Supernatural wisdom is supernatural knowledge supernaturally and divinely applied.

God's Wisdom understands all facts, all laws, all principles, trends, influences, possibilities, inevitabilities of time and eternity.

His wisdom takes into account the will, decrees, and attributes of God.

The word of wisdom is the supernatural revelation by the Holy Spirit of the Divine purpose toward individuals or the Church.

It involves the supernatural declaration of the mind and will of God.

It involves the supernatural unfolding of God’s plans and purposes concerning things, places, people, individuals, communities, and nations.

This is the spirit of Counsel, God's advice.

This is God's guidance and warning regarding peril or judgment.

Luke 21:12-15 (NIV) “But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

In Acts 4:8-13 Peter and John faced the Sanhedrin.

Peter responded to his accusers about the lame man who was healed.

The Sanhedrin looked on Peter and John as ignorant and uneducated men.

They were astounded at their wisdom.

In Acts 15:13-21 a disagreement arose over circumcision of Gentile believers.

James stood up and gave counsel to the leaders.

He reminded them that the Holy Spirit was given to Cornelius’ household.

He then spoke of Paul and Barnabas’ ministry to Gentiles.

Noah was given a directive word of wisdom, Genesis 6:13-21

Two angels came to Lot and told him things that were about to take place, Genesis 19

Wise men were warned.

In Matthew 2:20 Joseph was told to go back to Israel.

The Word of Wisdom can be Personal guidance

In Acts 16:6-7 the Holy Spirit did not allow them to go to Bithynia.

God warned Joseph of the famine, Genesis 41

He gave assurance of a divine call to Moses, Exodus 2:6

He did the same to Paul in Acts 26:16

Anointed preaching often includes words of Wisdom from the Holy Spirit

Acts 6:10 (NIV) 10 but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

1 Corinthians 2:10 (NIV) 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

The Words of wisdom are given in various forms:

Church government and discipline

Daily administration, Acts 6

Concerning circumcision, Acts 15

Church problems, 1 Corinthians 7:6, 10, 25, 40

Moses receiving the Law and tabernacle

Paul's revelation of Church order

Personal revelations

Peter's revelation that grace was to go to the Gentiles and he was to minister to Cornelius, Acts 10:10 16

Of deliverance in the raging storm, Acts 27:23-24

To declare future acts of blessing or judgment John on Patmos in Revelation

To Abraham

To Jacob

The word of wisdom knows God's will and way in behavior and nature.

The word of wisdom is a revelation of the purpose of the will of God concerning people, things, or events in the future or looking into the future.

The gifts of revelation are the Spirit's Supernatural intervention in the natural course of things, revealing:

What is known in the mind of God?

What is to happen?

What should be done?

This knowledge affects the course of events in heaven and on earth, in the church, and in the world.

What difference does it make for us to KNOW as God KNOWS?

What difference does it make to SEE as God SEES?

How does this affect us, the course of events in heaven and earth, in the church and in the world?

Look at examples of the Word of Knowledge.

...The word of Wisdom.

...Discerning of Spirits.

What is wisdom?

Natural wisdom is like common sense, sound judgment, and keen insight.

The gift of a word of Wisdom or word of Knowledge is different.

We are talking of the wisdom and knowledge of God.

God knows all things perfectly.

He knows Himself

He knows eternity past, present, and future

He knows all of creation.

His infinite wisdom knows all things instantly, contemporaneously, exhaustively, thoroughly, and accurately.

The wisdom of God involves the omnipresence and omniscience of God.

His omniscience is validated and proved by His creation.

(Daniel 2:22; Hebrews. 4:13; Psalms 139:2-4; Ezekiel. 11:5; Psalms 147:4; Matthew 10:29 30).

The Word of Knowledge

The knowledge of God is perfect, immediate, simultaneous, true, plain, and timeless.

There is no variance or changing in His knowledge.

He knows all things perfectly.

He knows all things synchronously, and in succession.

His knowledge of future events is not hindered by the actions of free moral creatures.

Bible prophecy attests to the foreknowledge of God.

All things are known unto Him who is not circumferenced or circumvented by time or space.

God ever keeps before Him and in His mind all the facts of heaven and earth.

He knows every person, place, and thing in existence.

He is conscious of all of them at the same time.

He does not have to recall them (that is memory).

They are ever before Him (that is knowledge)

The Word of knowledge is a supernatural inspired utterance of facts in the mind of God.

He knows every person, place, and thing in existence, and is conscious of them all simultaneously.

The Word of Knowledge is not transference of great reservoirs of wisdom and knowledge.

It is a WORD OF KNOWLEDGE.

A revelation that is sufficient for the occasion.

It is the sufficient wisdom and knowledge that the Holy Spirit desires to give.

It is a fragment of the divine knowledge.

This is not necessarily a vocal gift.

The Word of Knowledge should not be confused with natural ability, learning or enlightenment.

That is an accomplishment not a gift.

This is not a profound knowledge of the Bible and its theology.

It is not knowledge of God acquired by years of experience in God's ways.

The word of knowledge is distinct from natural knowledge:

It is knowledge of things that could not normally acquire.

It is an operation of the Spirit

(John saw the 7 churches as God saw them and knew them).

It is a miraculous revelation as in Elisha knowing the Syrian camp, 2 Kings 6:9 10.

It is a revelation, and comes without natural effort, as when Ananias was informed of Paul's conversion, Acts 9:1 16.

The Word of Knowledge is:

Knowledge of the things of God:

Man's relation to God, John 21:17

Treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Colossians 2:3

All things that are known, Hebrews. 4:13

All His works, Acts 15:18

Omnipresent omniscience, 2 Chronicles 16:9

Knowledge of God:

Ephesians 1:17-19 wisdom and knowledge to know:

Hope of calling

Riches of glory of his inheritance in the saints

What is the transcendent greatness of the power

How He is dealing with us who believe in Him.

The Spirit is able to cause you to comprehend the breadth, length and depth, and height, Ephesians 3:18-19.

Knowledge of happenings

The Holy Spirit knows all things and is able to reveal to whom He will:

Knowledge of people, John 1:48 (Nathaniel under fig tree)

Knowledge of events, John 11:14 (Lazarus is dead)

Knowledge of one’s life, John 4:18 (woman at the well, five husbands, living out of wedlock)

Peter was told that three men were seeking him, and he was to go with them, Acts 10:19 ETC.

The discerning of spirits

This is revelation or knowledge that is restricted to a certain area.

The Holy Spirit reveals things known in the Spirit realm.

The gift of discerning of spirits gives supernatural insight into the realm of spirits.

It reveals the kind of spirit that is the motivation behind a person at the time a manifestation is taking place.

The word ‘discerning’ means “a judging through”, a piercing of all that is outward and seeing right through, then forming a judgment based on that insight.

This is not a gift of discernment, but the gift of discerning of spirits.

The object and operation of this gift is supernatural.

Through this gift, the Holy Spirit reveals the source of supernatural workings.

The Discerning of Spirits enables one:

to know whether or not someone is speaking by the Holy Spirit

is a revelation of the nature of the 'spirit' that is at work in a person, place or thing.

There are three realms of spirits

Divine

Satanic

Human

The gift of discerning of spirits enables the worker to approach demon possession with knowledge and understanding:

to know the dumb spirit, Mt. 9:32; Mk 9:17

to know blind spirits, Matthew 12:22

deaf spirits, Mk 9:25

Spirits of infirmity, Luke 13:11 16

Spirits of lunacy, Matthew 17:15 18

Demon possession, Mt 4:24; Mt 8:16 28; Acts 8:7; Acts 16:16

Mark 16:17 "And these signs shall follow them that believe; in My name shall they cast out devil....

Numbers of diseases and torments, infirmities cruelties, and suicides are caused by demon possession.

Not every ill or diseased person is demon possessed.

Paul discerned that Elymas the sorcerer was a child of Satan and brought God's judgment on him. Acts 13:6-12

At Philippi the woman with the spirit of divination was cleansed after the gift of discerning of Spirits, Acts 16:16-18.

Peter saw in Ananias and Sapharia the Liar and they fell down dead. Acts 5:1-11

The gift of Discerning of Spirits is necessary in casting out demons.

Some people are oppressed and not possessed.

We should not speak of possession unless we are sure.

Christians who are under the blood covering of Jesus Christ have no fear of demon possession.

Casting out demons or evil spirits requires the gifts of faith, miracles, and healing.

A close walk with God and a prayerful life is necessary to cast out demons.

The existence of this gift is proof enough of the existence of evil spirits.

The need for the gift of discerning of spirits will increase as the end of the age grows nearer.

We must be ready with POWER and Spiritual Gifts.

Gifts of Power

God gives victory to His Church through the gifts of power.

Mark 16:20 (NIV) Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

From the beginning, the Church has relied on divine power to accomplish its purpose.

From the beginning of the Church, the Holy Spirit was the source of power, wisdom, guidance, and knowledge.

The Gifts of the Spirit are a direct ministry of the Spirit.

Without the Spirit's active agency the operation of the Gift ceases.

The Gifts of Power are a supernatural intervention of the Spirit demonstrating works of power.

The Gift of Faith‑ pistis; is wonder working faith.

( Matt 17:20; 21:21; 1 Cor 13:2).

Working of Miracles‑ energemata dunameon‑ Literally‑ Workings of Powers. (Gal 3:5; Heb 2:4)

Gifts of Healing‑ charismata imaton‑ Acts of healing, by, through, in the Holy Spirit, Acts 4:30; James 5:14; Luke 7:21.

All of these are: en toi autoi pneumati, in the same Spirit

The Function of these Gifts is by (in) the grace of the Spirit.

The gifts of the Spirit are most obvious in the New Testament Christians.

The ministry of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers as well as the lay members of the Church (the deacons, the helpers, and the entire body of believers) was evidently POSSESSED with Supernatural features.

They healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, went through severe testings of their faith, and also wrought special miracles, Acts 19:11.

Miracles became common in the New Testament Church. The gifts of the Spirit were obviously operative in the whole of the church.

Careful examination reveals the supernatural, the miracles, healings, and gifts of knowledge and utterance were confirmations to the Word that was preached.

The Outpouring of the Spirit did not remove the believers from the normal human joys and sorrows, riches and poverty, strength and weaknesses, health and infirmity, popularity and persecution.

They were subject to the same problems of life that we have.

They did not have the dynamic source of that power within themselves.

They were quite dependent on the Holy Spirit.

When great power waned they went to God in extended periods of prayer for a fresh enduement of the Spirit's power.

The workings of the supernatural were dependent on a personal reception of the Spirit.

The Acts 2:4 experiences were repeated several times giving them the dunamis (Power) that was needed to accomplish the ministry.

(Acts 2:4; 8:17; 9:17; 10:44; 19:6; Galatians 3:2; Ephesians 1:13).

The Doctrine of the Spirit was important but the reception of the Spirit was most important.

The Holy Spirit was necessary for them to be able to combat the spiritual and physical battles before them.

They did not need to imitate the events of Pentecost they experienced the inspiration of Pentecost.

The doctrine without the power is empty.

There are Gifts of Power

Healing

Why did God provide gifts of Healings to the Church?

The gifts of healings provide the Church with a means of participating in the healing work Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Gifts of healing have a two-fold purpose:

1. To confirm Gods Word. Mark 16:20

2. To provide for the needs of sick people, James 5:14-15

Gifts of healing are the most widely distributed of the gifts of Power.

Ministering health through prayer, Isaiah 53:5-6

It is properly defined as Gifts of Healing.

This is a plural gift in all three references, 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28, 30.

It is the Holy Spirit ministering Christ’s healing grace, Mark 16:17-18.

These gifts are for the supernatural healing of diseases and infirmities without natural means of any sort.

All human ills are taken in under this gift.

Gifts of healing are God healing without any degree of surgical, medical, or scientific ability.

The medical field is useful in the aid of the sick.

The healing with medical aid is not the gift of healing.

In the Scripture the only way God heals is through Supernatural means.

All healing is divine in a sense.

Natural methods of healing are not the Gifts of Healings.

Timothy was encouraged to "Take a little wine for the stomach's sake."

This prescription from Dr. Luke was a natural method for treating the stomach ailment Timothy had.

The Gifts of Healing are given:

To destroy the works of Demons and provide healing

To establish the claims of Jesus‑ "thy sins be forgiven thee" (proving he could heal and save) Mark 2:1‑12

To confirm the Gospel; Mark 16:20

Compare Acts 4:29‑30 and Acts 4:33 & 5:12

Philip at Samaria, Acts 8:6‑7,

Hebrews 2:4 (NIV) God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Great gifts of miracles and gifts of healing draw great crowds.

John 6:2 "And a great multitude followed Him because they saw His miracles which He did on them which were diseased."

People take notice when God heals.

When Aeneas was healed the people in Lydda and Saron saw him and turned to the Lord. Acts 9:33‑35

Gifts of Healing only occur when they bring Glory and honor to God.

We all may pray and expect healing by the efficacious work of Christ’s stripes.

The Gifts of healing may operate at a touch or a word, Psalms 107:20; Matthew 8:8.

† The Shadow of Peter , Acts 5:15

† Cloths from Paul's body, Acts 19:12

† Anointing with oil, James 5:14

† By the Laying on of hands, Mark 16:18

Faith is always necessary in the operation of the Gifts of Power.

Substitutionary faith, Mark 2:5

Faith of the sufferer alone, Matthew 9:22 woman with issue of Blood

Faith of the minister alone, Matthew 9:25 Jarius daughter‑ in the cases of coma and unconscious

Combined faith of the sufferer and the minister, Matthew 9:28‑29

Working of Miracles

1 Corinthians 12:10

These are works of powers, John 14:12, Acts 1:8; 19:11-12; 5:12-15

What is a miracle?

Many things that are phenomenal are called a miracle.

The beauty of a sunset.

The flight of a bird.

A Miracle is a unnatural or supernatural occurrence of things.

Anywhere God works is Supernatural as far as man is concerned.

It is natural for God to speak worlds into existence.

It is natural for Him to breath the breath of life.

These are supernatural occurrences man’s realm.

A Miracle is a work of supernatural origin and character, such as could not be produced by natural agents and means.

A miracle is a Supernatural intervention in the ordinary course of nature.

A miracle is a temporary suspension of the accustomed order.

It is an interruption of the system of nature as we know it.

The original word for miracle is "powers" and signifies explosions of almightiness.

The Gift of Miracles is the energy of the Spirit producing reversals or suspensions of natural laws:

Elisha makes iron to swim, 2 Kings 6:6

A miracle is a sovereign act of the Spirit of God irrespective of natural laws or systems.

Every operation of the Spirit is a miracle in its own particular order.

The Gift of Working of Miracles refers to specific explosions of almightiness.

These are acts of God’s Power.

They produce extraordinary results.

They produce things inexplicable by natural laws.

They occur through ordinary people who are yielded, anointed servants of Christ.

They greatly impact those who witnessed the miracle.

The Gift of healing is different from the workings of miracles.

Examples of the gift of Miracles are:

God's deliverance of His people from Egypt Bondage, Exodus 14

Water from a rock, Exodus 17:6

Manna, Exodus 16

Jesus feeding 5000, Matthew 14

Death of Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5

Confirmation of the Word, Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:1‑4

Jesus stilling the storm, Matthew 8:23

Philip caught away, Acts 8

Aaron’s rod before Pharaoh, Exodus 7:10

Meal in pottage, 2 Kings 4:38

Paul and Silas delivered by earthquake, Acts 16

When the Gift of Miracles is seen, the Lord did not pray for a miracle...

He commanded the Situation

The Sea and winds to be still

The Fig Tree, Matthew 21:19

The Gift of Faith

There are various kinds of faith.

Saving faith is a Gift of God that enables a man to be saved,

(Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 11:6)

The Gift of Faith can only be received after conversion and Spirit baptism.

Natural faith is that which every man possesses that enables him to believe a seed sown will produce a crop.

Natural faith is head faith.

What is the difference in the gift of faith and the faith that is common to all believers?

The Gift of faith is different than the Fruit of Faith.

Fruit of faith is a character trait, or faithfulness.

The gift of Faith is for power.

Faith is the only thing that is both a fruit and a gift.

Faith is different than the working of miracles although both produce supernatural results.

Miracles are active and instantaneous.

Faith may be passive and drawn out.

If the disciples had the gift of faith they could have ridden through the storm.

Jesus performed a miracle and calmed the sea.

The Gift of faith is separate from the gifts of healings.

The Gift of FAITH ‑ is a supernatural endowment by the Spirit whereby that which is uttered or desired by man or spoken by God shall eventually come to pass, it is the faith of God operating through a God filled and God dominated man.

Mark 11:22-23 (NIV) “Have a faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

The Gift of Faith brings into operation the powers of the world to come and causes God to work for you and through you.

The gift of faith possesses the same power by which the worlds were framed.

(Matthew 17:20; 1 Kings 18:33-35; Acts 3:4; Hebrews 11:3; Genesis 1:3,6,7,9,14,20,24)

The Gift of faith is a miracle utterance or miracle assurance that covers blessing and cursing, creation or destruction, removal or alteration.

The Gift of faith is usually not observable.

Faith is more of a process.

The Gift of Faith does not include, substitute, or exchange other faith.

The possessor of the gift will still find it an effort of consecration and will to believe God for ordinary things.

The Gift of Faith is extra ordinary faith for an extra ordinary purpose.

The Gift of Faith operates only to fulfill the purpose of God.

Supernatural sustenance at Chereth, 1 Kings 17

The supply at Zarephthah, 1 Kings 17

The widow's oil, 2 Kings 4

Eutychus brought back to life, Acts 20;12

Lame healed in Lystra, Acts 14:10

John 15:7 (NIV) If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

It is employed in casting out demons.

It brings the assurance that prayer is answered, 1 Kings 18:33‑34.

Elijah under that anointing believes for a great miracle and pours water on the sacrifice.

In 1 Kings 19 he is out from under the anointing and is afraid.

Gifts of Utterance

The Gifts of utterance enable believers to speak words of edification, exhortation, and comfort.

1 Corinthians 14:12 (NIV) So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

Of the Gifts of the Spirit, the Gifts of Utterance are more widely edifying and criticized.

The very nature of the gifts of utterance opens room for criticism and skepticism.

It is difficult to understand the function of these verbal gifts.

The gift of Other Tongues is misunderstood because the speaker or hosts of hearers do not understand what is spoken.

The function of the gift of interpretation of tongues becomes suspect because the person who speaks does not cognitively understand the message of the tongue.

Prophecy is often mistaken to be an utterance of preaching or fortune telling.

These three gifts, which comprise the gifts of utterance, are unique to the Church after the Pentecostal experience.

There being unique to Pentecostal or Charismatic fellowships causes others are to discount their value.

On the heels of the chapter on love Paul encouraged the Corinthians to love and spiritual gifts.

All gifts of the Spirit must have an underlying control of love.

If the gift of utterance is given without love it becomes totally ineffective.

The Gift of Prophecy

Propheteia is the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God.

Prophecy is an utterance that is inspired by the Holy Spirit.

This is more than preaching.

Some preaching may also be prophetic in nature.

The gift is a spontaneous Spiritual inspiration that edifies, exhorts, and comforts believers.

The gift of prophecy is not on the level of Scripture.

The Gift of prophecy must not be confused with the Ministry Gift of the Prophet.

The New Testament prophet is similar to the Old Testament prophet.

The gift of Prophecy is often confused with the prophetic office.

The gift was common in the early Church.

Paul told the Corinthians they could all prophecy.

Within the New Testament there were few recognized prophets, Judas, Silas, Agabus.

The exercise of the gift of prophecy does not qualify one for the Prophetic Office.

The Office of the prophet is inseparable from a person.

The prophet is an instrument, or channel for use, 1 Corinthians 12:10.

The prophet has things revealed to him that are not in the scope of the Word of God.

1 Corinthians 14:3 (NKJV) But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

1 Corinthians 14:29 instructs that prophecy should be tested and judged.

The reason for testing and judging is to know if it is spoken by some other spirit, human or evil, Jeremiah 23:16; Ezekiel. 13:2,3.

Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to not quench the Spirit in testing the gifts (1 Thessalonians 5:19‑22).

The gift of Prophecy is confused with prediction.

The New Testament word means to speak for another.

In prediction, the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge are incorporated with the prophetic gift for expression.

The Gift of prophecy is a supernatural means of edifying the Church by exhortation and comfort.

It is a means for consolation, solace, and comfort in trial or distress.

The gift is given to bring conviction to the unbeliever and make manifest the secrets of his heart, 1 Corinthians 14:24‑25.

Prophecy is probably the foremost gift and we are commanded to desire and covet to be so used by the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 14:1 and 39.

It is absolutely necessary for all prophecy to be carefully examined.

Those used in the gift of Prophecy are able to misuse, suppress, control, or stay yielded to the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 14:32.

1 John 4:1 tells us to try the spirits.

1 Corinthians 14:31 says: The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet.

Correction, direction, and guidance are not a part of the gift of prophecy.

The word of wisdom, word of knowledge, and the offices of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher, helps, and governments are given for these.

There are two types of prophecy:

Mechanical‑ first person‑ the speaker is used as a megaphone, being entirely a mouthpiece

Dynamical‑ third person‑ God supernaturally quickens the spiritual nature, 1 Corinthians 14:14 "my Spirit prays".

Speaking with Tongues

Speaking with tongues is a supernatural utterance by the Holy Spirit in a tongue never learned by the speaker.

Tongues have nothing to do with linguistic ability, or the intellect of man.

What is the difference between the gift of tongues in public worship and speaking in tongues when one is baptized in the Holy Spirit?

When a believer is baptized in the Holy Spirit the initial physical evidence that he has been baptized in the Spirit is speaking with other tongues, Acts 2:1-4.

After a person is baptized in the Holy Spirit, they are able to speak, pray, or sing in tongues to the Lord, 1 Corinthians 14:15.

Any time a person speaks in tongues they are personally edified and built up, 1 Corinthians 14:4; Jude 20.

The gift of tongues is different in purpose.

Tongues are a manifestation of the mind of the Spirit of God employing human speech organs.

The gift of tongues and the initial physical evidence are different in mode and method, and the Holy Spirit determines this.

There are three Greek words that refer to the Gift of tongues and the evidence of speaking with other tongues.

These are:

Glossa- 'tongues...like as of fire', Acts 2:4‑13

Heteroglossos- other tongues, 1 Cor. 14:21

Dialektos- dialect, Acts 2:6,8; 21:40

In order to understand the Gift of Tongues it is necessary to first discuss the various types of tongues.

The gift of other tongues is a language.

It is unknown to the speaker.

It is not ecstatic speech.

It often is an understandable and known language.

1 Corinthians 14:21; Isaiah 28:11

Within church history the messages of tongues has been recognizable language.

The Acts 2 experience gave expression that several nationalities understood.

1914 a Scotsman who only knew English spoke to a group in Kifiote.

1906 Sis. Alice Reynolds Flower spoke in tongues and was understood in German and Zulu.

Many missionaries have experienced this on one level or another.

The initial physical evidence is a message in tongues which is either in an understandable language or in the language of the angels of heaven, (1 Corinthians 13:1; 14:2.)

Messages in tongues are always in one of these categories:

Praise‑ which is addressed to God only, 1 Corinthians 14:2

Prayer‑ which is addressed to God only, 1 Corinthians 14:2; 14:14,15; Romans 8:26

Definite message for the Church‑ 1 Corinthians 14:5; Acts 2:6,8

When the believer is thus used, there are multiple benefits and blessings:

Tongues enable men to communicate in prayer without selfishness or error.

Tongues enable the believer to magnify God in words and expressions more perfectly, Acts 10:46

Tongues is a method of edifying oneself, 1 Corinthians 14:4

Tongues is a sign to unbelievers, 1 Corinthians 14:22

When accompanied with the gift of interpretation of tongues the Church is edified, 1 Corinthians 14:5

1 Corinthians 14:14- Tongues enable the believer to pray and sing in the Spirit.

Tongues are given for devotional (private) edifying, and for congregational (public) ministry.

They are spoken to God, 1 Corinthians 14:2; and to the Church, 1 Corinthians 14:5; Acts 2:6,8.

Other Tongues is given as:

Worship, 1 Corinthians 14:14, 15, 2; Acts 2:11; 10:46; 1 Corinthians 14:16, 17; Romans 8:26‑28.

Scriptures indicates this is both public and private.

In Song, 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16

This is an impromptu song in tongues choreographed and directed by the Spirit.

Signs to unbelievers, 1 Corinthians 14:21,22.

The power of God is demonstrated through tongues.

Unbelievers find nothing that compares the Holy expression of worship, prayer and intercession.

It leads to the edification of the Church body, when given in conjunction with the interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 14 gives much doctrine about the usage of tongues in the Church; 1 Corinthians 14:5‑13, 16‑20, 27, 28, 26, 23 and 1 Corinthians 12:7,39.

As a result of abuses in Corinth, Paul set limitations on abuses in the Church, which are good to be followed.

There are times to refrain from speaking in tongues and times to speak in tongues.

The weight of responsibility is scripturally put on the one who speaks.

As with all the Gifts of Utterance the Spirit of the Prophet is subject to the Prophet.

Interpretation of Tongues

The Greek diermeneuo- is to interpret fully, Acts 14:5,13.

Hermeneia- is the noun form of the word, 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14:26.

Epilusis- means to lose, solve, explain, give an explanation, 2 Peter 1:20.

The writers of Scripture did not put in their own private interpretation or construction.

The words they wrote were "God breathed".

The interpretation of tongues is the only gift of the Spirit that is absolutely dependent on the operation of another gift of the Spirit.

The interpretation of tongues is the Spirits showing forth by supernatural means the meaning of an utterance in other tongues.

The interpretation does not originate in the interpreter's mind or intellect.

The interpretation of tongues is totally dependent on the Holy Spirit's knowing what has been said.

The individual who is used by the Spirit with the Gift of interpretation of tongues does not understand the terms spoken in the other tongue, but speaks that which the Spirit shows.

The meaning of the message in tongues is in the mind of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:5; 13 (NKJV) I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

The Gift of interpretation of tongues:

Brings edification to the Church by speaking the message of the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 14:5

Brings understanding to all who have heard the message in tongues.

In private or in public edification of the believer who speaks in tongues always takes place, 1 Corinthians 14:14‑16

The Interpretation of tongues is not a literal translation.

Translation is often difficult because of grammatical terms that are different from language to language.

Interpretation of tongues is a giving forth of the meaning.

Often the temperament, natural gifts, training, and vernacular of the speaker will influence the message.

The individual’s usual vocabulary will be used in the gift of the Spirit.

Those who are used with the Gift of Tongues are instructed to earnestly pray for the gift of Interpretation of Tongues, 1 Corinthians 14:13.

The Old Testament gift of interpretation of dreams and visions is similar to this gift, Genesis. 41:12,13 (Joseph); Daniel 4:5 (Daniel).

Ministering Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:1‑8; Ephesians 4:11‑12

Ministering Gifts are given in three Scripture references. None of the references give the entire list of the ministering gifts. This indicates that the Holy Spirit will manifest Himself through the ministry of individuals in many methods and ways.

We have been given these:

1 Corinthians 12:28; Five-fold ministering gifts: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers

Ephesians 4:11‑12; Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Helps, Governments

Romans 12:1‑8; Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving or Christian Benevolence, Administration, Showing of Mercy.

The Holy Spirit is teaching us through Paul's writing that there are various forms of ministry.

Just as the body of Christ (the Church) has many members, and is yet, one body, so the ministry of that body has many forms.

The key to this ministry of the Church and the Holy Spirit is given in the preceding chapter of Romans 12.

The Spirit is instructing the Church in Spiritual matters

First, present your bodies a living sacrifice unto God:

Holy

Lively in the Spirit

Totally surrendered

Yielded to the move of the Spirit

Aware of self‑limitation, and co‑dependancy on the Spirit, and the body.

The Gifts differ according to the Grace of the Spirit.

The Same Spirit that brings salvation also brings the individual into the manifestation of the Gifts.

Any gift is a manifestation of Grace.

Every Gift of the Spirit is necessary in the Body.

All of the Gifts are necessary.

Some of the Gifts have greater honor and esteem in the eyes of man.

Yet, the Holy Spirit has balanced the body with comely and uncomely parts.

All the parts are important, and necessary.

Are all Apostles...Prophets...Pastors....or teachers?

If so, then where is Christian benevolence, ministry, exhortation, administration, showing of mercy, governments?

The Holy Spirit has so tempered the body so that there is cohesiveness, and self‑ministry.

This is called edification.

The Gifts of the Spirit are as diverse as the needs and demands of the body.

The Holy Spirit is the superintendent of the Church.

He is governing, calling, and building the Church into the Bride of Christ.

He is protecting, purifying, and making provision for the Church.

The ministry of the Spirit to and through the Church, through the charasmata (ministry gifts), is God's ordained method of building, edifying and instructing.

The Ministry Gifts of the Spirit are:

Apostles ‑ apostolos‑ one sent forth.

An apostle is one sent forth with a message bearing the full power of attorney to act in the place of another.

In the case of Christians it means God sends them to do what He, Himself would do if he went.

It is found 81 times, 78 times is is translated Apostle, and 2 times 'messenger, and once 'he that is sent'.

There are 24 apostles recorded in the New Testament:

Simon and his brother

Andrew (Matt 10:2)

James, the son of Zebedee and

John his brother, (Matt 10:2)

Philip and his brother

Bartholomew (Matt 10:3)

James, son of Alphaeus and

Judas his brother (Lu. 6:16) and

Matt, son of Alphaeus, perhaps brother of James and Judas, (Mk. 2:14; Lu. 6:15)

Thomas (Matt. 10:4)

Simon Zelotes, brother of James and Judas, according to tradition, (Lu. :15)

Judas Iscariot (Matt 10:4)

Matthias (Acts 1:26)

Barnabas (1 Cor 9:5‑6; Acts 13:1‑3; 14:4,14; Gal 2:9)

Andronicus (Rom 10:7)

Junia ((Rom 16:7)

Apolos (1 Cor 4:6‑9)

James, the Lord's Brother (Gal 1:19; 2:6; James 1:1)

Silas (1 Th 1:1; 2:6)

Timothy (1 Th 1:1; 2:6)

Titus (2 Cor 8:23)

Epaphroditus (Phil 2:25)

Paul (Galatians 1:1; 2:8)

Jesus Christ (Heb 3:1)

In the strictest sense, an Apostle is one who is divinely called and commissioned by Christ before his death.

If this is adhered to, then 13 or 14 (if we include Paul of the Apostles) listed in scripture would be omitted.

1 Corinthians 15:5, 7 gives indication that there were many Apostles beside the 12.

Every one that ministers is not an apostle but every apostle will minister.

The first 12 apostles were given for the establishment of the Church, Revelation 21:14.

An Apostle may be a teacher, a prophet, an evangelist, etc. Acts 13:1; 1 Corinthians 12:28.

Apostles in the New Testament were used in the nine gifts of the Spirit.

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Prophets

prophetes, prophetis, one who speaks forth, or openly, a proclaimer of a divine message.

nabhi‑ one in whom the message from God springs forth or one to whom anything is secretly communicated.

A Prophet has the Holy Spirit resting on him.

He is one to whom and through whom the Holy Spirit speaks.

The prophet will be shown things outside the word of God, but is always according to Scriptural standards and content, 1 Corinthians 14:3.

Tongues and interpretation of tongues is equal to prophecy, but does not qualify for the Prophetic office.

Evangelist

euangelistes‑ a messenger of good, a preacher of the Gospel. One may be an evangelist and not be an Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, or Teacher.

Not all preachers are pastors.

It is possible for a pastor to not be an evangelist (preacher).

Missionaries are evangelists, as being preachers of good news.

Pastor

Poimen ‑ a shepherd, one who tends herds or flocks, Acts 20:28, 17; 1 Peter 5:1‑2.

The Office of a Pastor is a very broad one.

Pastors include the offices of: Bishops, overseers, and Elders.

The care of the church is in the hands and overview of the Pastors.

Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, and Teachers have been Pastors in the New Testament.

In Ephesus, the pastoring of the Church was committed to the Elders.

The modern church has often deviated from this and has placed the deacons in an Administrative and governing position.

In some cases the Deacons have also been made ministers.

Some Apostles maintained a position as pastor over the flock after being moved geographically.

Elders

presbuteros‑ were those who being raised up by and qualified by the work of the Holy Spirit, were appointed to have the spiritual care of and oversight over the Church.

The term Overseer or Bishop, episkopoi‑ is applied, Acts 20; 17, 28; Titus 1:5,7.

The term elder indicates the nature of their work and the maturity of spiritual experience.

Scripturally the elders were only appointed after they had given evidence of fulfilling the Divine qualifications, Titus 1:6‑9; 1 Timothy 3:1‑7; 1 Peter 5:2.

Teachers

didaskalos‑ teachers of the truth in the Churches, Acts 13:1; 1 Corinthians 12:28, 29; Ephesians 4;11; Hebrews 5:12; James 3:1.

This office is in conjunction with the offices of Apostles, Evangelists, and Pastors.

This is a continuing gift of guidance and edification of the Church.

One may have a doctrine (an immediate gift of teaching) and not be called to be a teacher.

Ministry

diakonia‑ diakonos the office and work of a minister, servant, attendant, deacon, apostle.

This is a very broad term which takes in the office and work of a minister, servant, attendant, deacon, Apostle, Pastor, etc.

Ministry involves service in the Church.

Ministry takes in those who are willing to fit in anywhere.

Paul tells us to: "wait on our ministry"

This takes special consecration.

Diakonos‑ denotes the work of the deacon.

This is the work of a servant

An attendant rendering free service

One who hasten's after, pursues.

Followers of Christ in relation to their Lord, John 12:26; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:7

Followers of Christ in relation to one another, Matthew 20:26; Matthew 23:11; Mark 9:35; Mark 10:43

The servants of Christ in the work of ministering; 1 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 2; Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 11:23; Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 1:23,25; Romans 16:1

Only one verse refers to a Deaconess; Rom 16:1

The seven deacons in Acts 6 was a ministry of service.

Teaching

didaskalia‑ doctrine, instruction.

This appears to be a blending of the Gifts of a Word of Wisdom and Prophecy.

This method of teaching is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit only.

After the special anointing is lifted the individual is unable to continue as a teacher.

This is a special occasion gift, as is a Word of Wisdom, a Word of Knowledge, and Prophecy.

Exhortation

paraklesis‑ a calling to one's side, and so to one's aid, advocate, comforter.

This gift is also a combination of the gifts of Prophecy, Word of Wisdom, and a Word of Knowledge.

This is not a gift of ramble.

It is a gift of coming to the aid and comfort of another.

It expresses the heart and mind of the Spirit to individuals, to the body, and to special groups of individuals.

The evangelist, Pastor, Prophet, Teacher, Apostle, or minister may be used in the gift of exhortation.

The exercise of this gift is not limited to those with‑in the church.

Christian Benevolence (giving)

metadidomi‑ to give a share of, impart, includes 'spiritual gifts', Romans 12:8; Ephesians 4:28; Luke 3:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:8; gifts of the gospel, and of one's own soul.

Enabling one to give liberally, and with cheerfulness or simplicity.

Administration

kubernesis‑ guides, steering, pilotage, 1 Thessalonians 5:12,8

It is closely connected to the gift of Governments

It is a much needed gift in the ruling of the Church.

Elders, Deacons, Pastors, Apostles, Evangelists, Teachers, Ministers may all be used of the Spirit in this area.

Showing mercy

eleeo‑ to feel sympathy, compassion.

Reaching to those who are hurting and having compassion.

The office of the Holy Spirit is in every phase and sphere of the Divine activity bringing forward to completion all that has been conceived by the Father and executed by the Son.

He works by: Inspiration

Anointing

Illumination

Guidance

Calling

Election

Quickening

He is Specifically working in the behalf of the Redeemed.

9. Angels

Much has been said and written about Angels both biblically and secularly.

The subject has initiated debate and controversy.

The controversy arises over their existence, being, and what constitutes or makes an angel.

There are many superstitious and fallacious ideas about angels.

As we consider the subject of angels we will address these varied concepts and clarify what they are and are not.

Some religious persuasions practice the worship of angels.

The Bible is clear that angels should not be worshiped, because they are servants, ministers to the redeemed.

What are angels?

Angels are an order of heavenly beings that are superior to man in power and intelligence.

By nature they are spiritual beings.

Hebrews 1:14 NASB95 ¹⁴Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

The nature of angels is superior to human nature.

Hebrews 2:7 NASB95 ⁷“You have made him for a little while lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And have appointed him over the works of Your hands;

Angels have power and knowledge that is greater than human knowledge and power.

2 Samuel 14:17 NASB95 ¹⁷“Then your maidservant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king be comforting, for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and evil. And may the Lord your God be with you.’ ”

2 Samuel 14:20 NASB95 ²⁰in order to change the appearance of things your servant Joab has done this thing. But my lord is wise, like the wisdom of the angel of God, to know all that is in the earth.”

2 Peter 2:11 NASB95 ¹¹whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord.

Angels are not all-powerful (omnipotent) or all-knowing (omniscient).

Psalm 103:20 NASB95 ²⁰Bless the Lord, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word!

2 Thessalonians 1:7 NASB95 ⁷and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,

There are two hosts of spirit beings known as Angels

The hosts of angels are either Holy Angels or Fallen Angels.

The fact of the existence of Angels can be found through the entire Word of God.

The Bible refers to Angels over 273.

Initially all angels were holy.

Angels were created to carry out the will and sovereign purpose of God.

They were created as free moral agents.

As such they have the ability to obey, disobey, sin, fall, or remain true to their original state.

The Hebrew and Greek translate the word "angel" as "messenger, ambassador, or minister.''

The term "angel" is not a personal name, but a title describing the office or being.

The word "angel" is always used in the masculine gender, though sex, in the human sense, is never ascribed to angels.

Where do angels come from?

Angels constitute a spirit being host created by the Lord God.

They were not brought into being by reproduction but are the direct creations of God.

They are immortal, infinite spirit beings.

Immortal means not subject to death

Infinite means not limited to the boundaries of time or space

Unless God should create more angels, the hosts of Angels will remain the same numerically throughout their eternal existence; since they do not have offspring (procreate).

Ø Angels are the servants and messengers of God.

Ø Angels are real beings.

Ø They are a holy subject.

Ø The Bible declares what they have done, are doing and shall do in the future.

Ø They are presently "sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Hebrews 1:14).

The Creation Of Angels

Angels were the first and highest created beings.

They were already present at creation of the earth (Job 38:4‑7). The angels were present and rejoiced when God created the world (Psalms 148:2,5; Job 38:7).

Job 38:4-7 (NIV) ⁴“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. ⁵Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? ⁶On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— ⁷while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

Their Creation Is Affirmed.

The creation of angels appears to be one simultaneous act.

They were created innumerable in number.

Their numbers are static, because angels are incapable of reproducing, ( Matthew 22:30).

Hebrews 12:22 tells us there are myriads of angels.

Literally there are countless thousands of angels.

Revelation 5:11 indicates the same thing.

The number of angels is countless.

In Psalms 148 the angels are present to praise God.

Psalm 148:2, 5(NIV)

²Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

Then the sun, moon, stars, heavens, and waters above the sky are mentioned.

⁵Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.

The creation of angels, sun, moon, stars, happened at the command of God.

This list of created things appears to be in consecutive order in Psalm 148.

Let’s stop and talk about this.

First, before God created the universe and all that is in it, Angels were created.

What does that mean?

Where were they?

1. In the presence of God

2. In eternity before time

3. Before the creation of the known universe

Second, when God created the universe, stars, planets, earth, animals, and man the Angels were present.

1. They witnessed God’s creation of all of these things.

2. They sang and rejoiced.

3. They were witnesses of God’s creative power

We will discuss the fall of Lucifer and the other fallen angels later.

The Form And Nature Of Angels

Angels are Spirits.

Hebrews 1:7 (NIV) ⁷In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.”

Psalm 104:4 (NIV) ⁴He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.

Hebrews 1:14 (NIV) ¹⁴Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

What is a spirit being like?

A spirit being is not the same as a human being.

Angels Can Become Visible.

Angels have bodies of some kind and perform bodily acts, but not like our bodies.

They can appear in the semblance of human form.

Luke 1:28-29 (NIV) ²⁸The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

John 20:12 (NIV) ¹²and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

In Genesis 19:1‑3 the angels were visible to Lot who prepared food for them and they ate.

Genesis 19:1-3 NIV ¹The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. ²“My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.” ³But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate.

Angels may be manifested in the form of man.

Masculine pronouns are always used in referring to them.

Matthew 28:2-6 NIV ²There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. ⁵The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Sexuality, in the human sense, is never ascribed to angels.

Matthew 22:30 NIV ³⁰At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

Angels Will Never Die.

Ø They never cease to exist.

Ø Angels will not grow old and pass away.

Ø The number, therefore, will never decrease nor increase unless God creates more angels.

Luke 20:35-36 (NIV) ³⁵But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, ³⁶and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.

Angels Are Innumerable.

Hebrews 12:22 (NIV) ²²But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,

Daniel 7:10 (NIV) ¹⁰A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

Matthew 26:53 (NIV) ⁵³Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

Luke 2:13 (NIV) ¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

All of these Scriptures convey a sense of immensity beyond all human computation.

Angels Dwell In The Heavens.

Psalm 103:19-21 (NIV) ¹⁹The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. ²⁰Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. ²¹Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.

Revelation 5:11 (NIV) ¹¹Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.

Revelation 7:11 (NIV) ¹¹All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,

In their original state all the angels were holy and dwelled in the presence of God.

Before the creation of the world some of the angelic hosts rebelled against God and lost their exalted position. Lucifer, (Satan, the devil) lead the revolt against God. We will discuss this more when we look at the fallen angels.

Angels Are Subject To God.

Genesis 19:13 (NIV) ¹³because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.”

Psalm 91:11 (NIV) ¹¹For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

Psalm 103:20 (NIV) ²⁰Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.

As created beings, angels fall under the omnipotent sovereign rule of almighty God.

Angels Possess Power and Might

Angels are not omnipotent, all powerful, but they do possess the power God has given them.

Examples of power are recorded in:

2 Kings 19:35 (NIV) ³⁵That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies!

Acts 5:19 (NIV) ¹⁹But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.

Acts 12:5-11 (NIV) ...⁷Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell...

Acts 12:23 (NIV) ²³Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

The Classification and Appearance Of Angels

Scriptures reveal various ranks and functions of angels.

Angels are in an organized structure. The opinion of their angelic office differs greatly. It is clear that the angelic hosts are part of an organized world of angels. Daniel 10:13 indicates that the warring angels have a chief prince, Michael, the archangel. It is also possible that the cherubim and seraphim fill a leadership role in worship over the ministering angels, (Hebrews 1:14).

Hebrews 1:14 NIV ¹⁴Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Angel (Angelos)

There appears to be an innumerable number of this First Class of Angels.

Daniel 7:10; Revelation 5:11; Psalms 68:17; and Matthew 26:53 indicate there is an innumerable host of thousands upon thousands of angels.

Daniel 7:10 NIV ¹⁰A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

Revelation 5:11 NIV ¹¹Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.

Psalm 68:17 NIV ¹⁷The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.

Matthew 26:53 NIV ⁵³Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

Revelation 14:6 indicates these are winged beings.

Revelation 14:6 (NIV) ⁶Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.

Not much is said about the appearance of this class of angel.

The Cherubim (Plural of Cherub)

Cherubim are represented as guarding and covering angels.

Ø The first appearance of the Cherubim is in the Garden of Eden, where God had placed them to guard the way of the "Tree of Life" from fallen Adam (Genesis 3:24).

Ø On the Ark of the Covenant, golden replicas of the Cherubim were placed on each end of the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies where God dwelt with His people (Exodus 25: 18‑22, Psalm 80:1; Exodus 26: 1; 1 Kings 6:23‑25).

Ø The Mercy Seat, in its use, was a type of God's throne.

Its divine holiness was guarded by the Cherubim,

Ø They are represented in the inner curtain of the tabernacle and the veil.

The appearance of the Cherubim is mentioned in Ezekiel 28:13-14.

Cherubim are an exotic and beautiful being that is covered with precious stones.

Ezekiel 28:13-14 NIV ¹³You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. ¹⁴You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.

Cherubim have four wings, Ezekiel 1:23.

Ezekiel 1:23 NIV ²³Under the expanse their wings were stretched out one toward the other, and each had two wings covering its body.

The Seraphim

This is a plural word appearing only once in Scripture, (Isaiah 6:1-8) unless they are to be identified with the six winged living creatures that surround the Throne of God (Revelation 4:6-8).

Revelation 4:6-8 NIV ⁶Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. ⁷The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. ⁸Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

In Isaiah's vision, he saw the Seraphim—meaning "burners,'' surrounding the throne of God.

Isaiah 6:1-8 (NIV) ¹In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. ²Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. ³And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” ⁴At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. ⁵...

These angels are expressive of the holiness which demands cleansing before serving.

While the Cherubim are below the Throne of God, the Seraphim stand above the Throne. (Isaiah 6:1-2)

The Archangels

The term Archangel occurs twice in Scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 4:16 (NIV) ¹⁶For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Jude 9 (NIV) ⁹But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

There are other references to at least one archangel, Michael.

He is the only one called an archangel.

He has his own angels, (Revelation 12:7)

Revelation 12:7 (NIV) ⁷And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.

Three Angels Are Named in the Scriptures.

Michael, Gabriel, and Lucifer are mentioned in the Bible by name.

The apocryphal book of Enoch, Ch 20:1-7 enumerates six angels of power:

Ø Uriel, Raphael, Raguel, Michael, Zariel, and Gabriel.

Ø The variant reading adds Remiel as the seventh.

Ø Tobit 12:15 reads: “ I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who offer up the prayer of the saints and enter in before the glory of the Holy one.”

What Gabriel said of Himself in Luke 1:19, is said here of the seven angels, “who stand before the presence of God”.

Revelation 8:2 speaks of Seven Angels In Presence of God.

Revelation 8:2 (NIV) ²And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.

Michael, the Archangel, is the head or the prince of angels.

Ø His name means "who is like unto God."

Ø He is the messenger of law and judgment.

Ø His name is mentioned five times in Scripture.

In Daniel 10: 13 Michael is called "one of the chief princes."

Ø Two other Scriptures in Daniel refer to Michael (Daniel 10:21; 12:1).

Ø Michael opposed Satan concerning the body of Moses (Jude 9) "that old serpent, called the Devil," and his angels (Revelation 12:7).

Ø The voice of "the archangel" in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 will be the voice of Michael.

Gabriel means "man of God" or "hero of God."

He is named four times in Scripture.

Ø Gabriel was given important messages from God to be delivered to Daniel, Zacharias and Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Daniel 8:16 (NIV) ¹⁶And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.”

Ø Gabriel delivered to Daniel a revelation of the vision of the "seventy weeks."

Ø Gabriel explained to Daniel the meaning of the vision.

Daniel 9:20-27 (NIV) ²⁰While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill— ²¹while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. ²²He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. ²³As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision: ²⁴“Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. ²⁵“Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. ²⁶After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. ²⁷He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”

God sent the message to Daniel by Gabriel; therefore, what is usually called "the seventy weeks of Daniel" should be "the seventy weeks of God."

Gabriel delivered the message to Zacharias announcing the birth of John, the forerunner of Jesus.

Luke 1:19 (NIV) ¹⁹The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.

Gabriel announced the birth of the Savior to the virgin, Mary.

Luke 1:26-35 (NIV) ²⁶In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary...

Lucifer is the third mighty angel that is named in Scripture. He is a cherub.

Ø Lucifer led a rebellion against God.

Ø Before the rebellion He was the Angel that was over the Worshiping Angels.

Ezekiel 28:12-15 (NIV)... ¹³You were in Eden, the garden of God... ¹⁴You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. ¹⁵You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.

More will be said about Lucifer later.

Guardian Angels

Psalm 91:11-12 NIV ¹¹For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; ¹²they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

It is difficult to know if this is a class of angels or a ministry of the Angelos.

According to this text there are at least two angels assigned duties to protect and guide each believer.

Psalm 91:4 NIV ⁴He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

The Ministry Of The Holy Angels

They Praise and Adore the Lord.

Isaiah 6:3 (NIV) ³And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Hebrews 1:6 (NIV) ...he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

Revelation 5:11-12 (NIV) ¹¹Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, ... ¹²In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

They Reveal God's Will To Man.

Luke 1:11-13 (NIV) ¹¹Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense...But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

Acts 1:9-11 (NIV)... when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

They Are Ministering To the Saints of God.

1 Kings 19:5-7 (NIV) ⁵Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat...

Acts 10:3-7 (NIV) ³One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius...

Hebrews 1:14 (NIV) ¹⁴Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

They Encourage the Child of God.

Acts 5:19-20 (NIV) ¹⁹But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out...

Acts 12:5-15 (NIV) Peter was in prison and was to be executed. But, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in prison, and set him free.

Acts 27:23-24 (NIV) ²³Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me ²⁴and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul...

They Are Celestial Spectators.

Luke 12:8-9 (NIV) ⁸“I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. ⁹But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.

1 Corinthians 4:9 (NIV)... We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.

They Rejoice When One Is Saved.

Luke 15:10 (NIV)... there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

They Care For the Well being of Believers.

Psalm 34:7 (NIV) ⁷The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

Psalm 91:11-12 NIV ¹¹For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; ¹² they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Psalm 91:4 NIV ⁴ He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Daniel 6:22 (NIV) ²²My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions...

Matthew 18:10 (NIV) ¹⁰“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

They Convey and Confirm the Word.

Galatians 3:19 (NIV)... The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator.

Hebrews 2:2 (NIV) ²For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,

(We cannot mention all the ministries of angels because of space.).

Angels And The Earthly Ministry Of Jesus

Ø His Life Was Seen of Angels (1 Timothy 3:16).

Ø Angels Desired to Understand Secret of So Great Salvation (1 Peter 1:10‑12).

Ø Gabriel Announced His Birth (Luke 1:31‑33).

Ø An Angel Assured Joseph of God's Purpose (Matthew 1:18‑25).

Ø Angels Announce His Birth (Luke 2:10‑11; Hebrews 1:6).

Ø Angels Attended Christ In Temptation (Matthew 4:1‑11).

Ø Angels Attended Christ In Gethsemane (Luke 22:39‑44).

Ø No Angel Ministered at the Crucifixion.

Ø Jesus had to bear the full penalty and agony for our sin.

Ø He could have no help.

Ø He must drink the cup alone.

Ø Angels Announced the Resurrection of Christ

Matthew 28:5-7 NIV The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

Ø Angels Attended His Ascension (Acts 1:10‑11).

Acts 1:10-11 NIV They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Angels And The End Time

Angels shall exalt the Lamb of God

Revelation 5:11-12 (NIV) ¹¹Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. ¹²In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

Angels Shall Accompany Christ At His Coming

2 Thessalonians 1:7 (NIV) ⁷and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

Seven Angels In Presence of God

Revelation 8:2 (NIV) ²And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.

The Seven Angels Are Given Trumpets of Judgment

(Revelation 8 and 9).

The Seven Angels with the vials of God's Wrath

(Revelation 15:5‑8).

Michael and His Angels Fight The Devil and His Angels

(Revelation 12:7‑12).

The Angel and The Everlasting Gospel

Revelation 14:6-7 (NIV) ⁶Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. ⁷He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

An Angel Announces the Fall of Babylon

(Revelation 14:8).

An Angel Announces Doom of Followers of the Antichrist

(Revelation 14:9‑11).

The Vision of Armageddon

(Revelation 14:14‑20).

The Holy Angels Shall Worship God

(Revelation 7:11‑12).

"THE ANGEL OF THE LORD"

THE PRE‑INCARNATE CHRIST

In our study of Christ, we discussed “the Angel of the Lord”.

Ø "The Angel of Lord" is distinct from other angelic beings.

Ø This "Angel of the Lord" is the Pre‑Incarnate Christ.

Jesus, the Incarnate Christ of the New Testament, is seen throughout Scripture in types, figures and as the "Angel of the Lord" (Jehovah).

Many Scriptures Mention "The Angel of The Lord" (Jehovah).

Ø He appeared to Hagar (Genesis 16:7‑14).

Ø He appeared to Abraham and is called Lord six times (Genesis 18).

Ø He appeared to Abraham (Genesis 22: 11‑18).

Ø He appeared to Jacob at Peniel (Genesis 32:24‑32).

Ø He appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2‑6).

Ø He appeared to Joshua (Joshua 5:13‑15).

Ø He appeared to Gideon (Judges 6: 11‑23).

10. Satan and His Angels

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

It is apparent that there are various classes of the fallen, evil angels.

Ephesians 6:12 offers insight into the ranks of the evil angelic realm:

principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places.

The angelic realm is a distinctly structured society with different levels of authority or power endowed to each according to God’s creative order.

Some angels exercise authority and power over nations, national issues.

The Prince Persia is an evil angel who attempted to take Israel captive during their return to their homeland.

Michael is a chief prince that rules and guards the activities of Israel, Daniel 10:13.

The Prince Greece, Daniel 10:20 will eventually take predominance over the prince of Persia.

Jesus spoke of "the devil and his angels," identifying them together.

The Bible records for us the names, titles, origin, works, power and the limitation of Satan and his cohorts.

In the very beginning of the history of man, we see Satan in defiance of God and in harassment of man; but we know that in the end Satan shall be utterly and forever destroyed.

The subject of Satan and the fallen angels appears prominently in Scripture.

The Scriptures reveal Satan and his angels as a personal, corruptive, and evil force in the affairs of man.

Satan and the fallen angels should be studied as one subject because they were one in their rejection of God.

Their rebellion against God occurred at the same time.

This sinister force is revealed to us progressively in Scripture, becoming more numerous and more defined as the prophecies of Christ are given and as He appears as the Incarnate Christ.

The battle between Christ and Satan started back in Genesis 3:15 and continues to this day.

Next to knowing the Lord Jesus and His saving grace, we must know the truth concerning Satan.

He is like "a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

The Christian's warfare is three fold: the world, the flesh and the devil.

The Origin Of Satan

Satan was a created being.

Ø All the angels of God were originally of the same nature.

Ø They were the highest order of created beings.

Ø They were Spirits.

As spirits, they were endued with understanding, affections, and liberty, or a power of self-determination so that they could choose either to continue in their allegiance to God, or to rebel against him.

Satan was created as the greatest of all the angelic hosts.

Ezekiel 28:15 (NIV) ¹⁵You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.

He was given the heavenly title, “Lucifer, son of the morning" which is symbolic of his estate in heaven (Isaiah 14:12).

(Isaiah 14:12 NKJV) ""How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!"

The name "Lucifer" is interchanged with “morning star”, or “day star”, or “shining star.”

Isaiah 14:12 (NIV) ¹²How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!

In Isaiah, God addressed him by his heavenly title, "Lucifer."

In Ezekiel, God addressed him by the earthly title, "King of Tyrus,'' symbolizing the lowest depth of moral depravity.

These titles express the highest of all creative power and the lowest depth of pomp and pride as that of Tyre.

In Ezekiel 28:12‑15, God goes beyond the King of Tyre to speak to Satan.

Ezekiel 28:12-15 (NIV) ¹²“Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “ ‘You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. ¹³You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. ¹⁴You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. ¹⁵You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.

God indirectly addressed Satan in:

Genesis 3:14-15 (NIV) ¹⁴So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. ¹⁵And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Isaiah 14:12 (NIV) ¹²How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!

Matthew 16:23 (NIV) ²³Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

No person could possibly be referred to in either Isaiah or Ezekiel .

Satan is "Lucifer, son of the morning."

Lucifer means "day star, light bearer" (Isaiah 14:12).

He was present in the Garden of Eden.

Satan's Unfallen State

The state of Lucifer, before his fall, is described in:

The Evil Angels originally possessed all the same properties of the holy angels.

Satan their chief, “Lucifer, son of the morning”, was at least one “of the first, if not the first archangel.”

He was the "cherub who covers" indicating he was overlooking the heavenly throne of God.

He was "perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till‑."

In that little word "till," God opens the subject of iniquity, sin, rebellion, and pride.

God created all angels, including Lucifer.

He made Lucifer superior in every way: in wisdom, beauty, authority, anointed, perfect.

Therefore, God did create the angel, Lucifer, but through the sin of pride, Lucifer became Satan.

The Sin And Fall Of Satan

What Changed Lucifer into the Devil?

Lucifer, "the anointed cherub," became Satan by introducing the original sin into the universe: pride.

In Isaiah 14:13‑14, the sin is given in detail. Notice the words, "I will," in the two verses:

Ø "I will ascend into heaven "

Ø "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God‑‑"

Ø "I will sit upon the mount of the congregation‑‑"

Ø "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds‑‑"

Ø "I will be like the most High."

Lucifer became Satan by choosing his own will above the will of God.

When Lucifer said, "I will," sin began.

Sin originated in heaven in the heart of Lucifer.

Ø God determined the sentence.

Ø Whether angel or man, the creature is created to be God centered.

Ø Lucifer was capable of wrong when he became self-centered.

The sentence of God was,

Ezekiel 28:16 (NIV) ¹⁶Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.

Isaiah 14:12 (NIV) ¹²How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!

We are a part of that fall when we say, "I will" and not "God's will."

Jesus said, Luke 10:18 (NIV) ¹⁸... “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Satan's Names And Titles

Satan, means "Adversary."

1 Chronicles 21:1 (NIV) ¹Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) ⁸Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour

Devil, the "Slanderer"

Revelation 12:9 (NIV) ⁹The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Beelzehub, the "Prince of Demons"

Matthew 12:24 (NIV) ²⁴But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

Belial, the "Low One"

2 Corinthians 6:15 (NIV) ¹⁵What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

That Old Serpent

Genesis 3:15 (NIV) ¹⁵And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

God of this World

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV) ⁴The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Prince of this World

John 12:31 (NIV) ³¹Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.

Prince of the Power of the Air***

Ephesians 2:2 (NIV) ²in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

(Ephesians 2:2 NKJV) "in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air***, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,"

Dragon

Revelation 20:2 (NIV) ²He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

Angel of Light

2 Corinthians 11:14 (NIV) ¹⁴And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

Accuser of the Brethren

Revelation 12:10 (NIV) ¹⁰Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

Father of Lies

John 8:44 (NIV) ⁴⁴You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

“Apollyon,” or the destroyer

Revelation 9:11 (NIV) ¹¹They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.

There are more names for Satan than have been listed.

His character is revealed in the names and titles given to him.

The Sphere Of Satan's Activity

He Has Access to the Throne of God.

Job 1:6 (NIV) ⁶One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.

Satan was present before the Lord again (Job 2: 1).

He still has access to the throne of God.

In the last part of Revelation 12:10 a loud voice said, "for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accused them day and night."

He has access to the Earth.

Job 1:7 (NIV) ⁷The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.”

Job 2:2 (NIV) ²And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.”

Satan appeared in the Garden of Eden in the form of a serpent with an unholy ambition was to strike back at God by defeating God's eternal purpose in man.

Ø Satan deceived Eve, and Adam followed in the fatal choice.

Ø Sin entered the heart of man. (Genesis 3:1‑19).

Ø But, God spoke of His plan of redemption (Genesis 3: 15).

Ø This is the first direct prophecy of Jesus, the Seed of woman.

Another example of Satan's access to the earth is found in 1 Chronicles 21:1, "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel."

Satan and all his angels are continually warring against us, and watching over every child of man.

They are ever watching for circumstances to provide temptation:

Ø prosperity or adversity

Ø health or sickness

Ø friends or enemies

Ø youth or age

Ø knowledge or ignorance

Ø blindness or idleness

Ø joy or sorrow

Satan has access as prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).

He rules the darkness of this world and wickedness in high places

What Satan Does

Satan Tempts People to Sin.

From Genesis 3:15 until Matthew 4, Satan's goal was to thwart the plan of God.

In Matthew 4 Satan came face to face with Jesus.

Satan had his chance to test or tempt the Master (Matthew 4: 1‑11).

The two were not strangers.

They had known each other since the creation of Lucifer (angels were created—Jesus was the Creator).

Jesus defeated Satan in the three testings and the devil left Him (verse 11).

Satan entered Judas Iscariot (Luke 22:3).

Read about Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5: 1‑11).

Acts 5:3 (NIV) ³Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

Satan Deceives the World

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV) ⁴The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Satan removes the Word from hearts.

Matthew 13:19 (NIV)...the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart...

Satan traps men—

"the snare of the devil" (2 Timothy 2:26), "the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6: 11), and "the devil ... seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

Satan Hinders the Work of God.

He opposed Paul's ministry.

1 Thessalonians 2:18 (NIV) ¹⁸For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us.

Satan uses Godly actions to his advantage if allowed.

2 Corinthians 2:11 (NIV) ¹¹in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Satan sifts the servants of God.

Luke 22:31 (NIV) ³¹“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.

Satan sows tares*** among the people of God.

Matthew 13:38-39 (NIV) ³⁸The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, ³⁹and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

(Matthew 13:38-39 NKJV) ""The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares*** are the sons of the wicked one. "The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels."

Satan can constantly cause problems for the servant of the Lord.

Paul's testimony is found in:

2 Corinthians 12:7 (NIV) ⁷To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

Satan's Limitations

Satan is NOT Omnipotent (all powerful).

Satan is limited in power by God.

He does have power, but he is not all powerful.

In Job 1 and 2, the great revelation is not the power of Satan, but the limitation of his power.

Satan CANNOT force people to sin.

He can tempt, coerce, entice, but he has no power to force transgression.

God limits Satan's power.

Job 2:6 (NIV) ⁶The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”

Job 1:22 (NIV) ²²In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Satan is NOT Omniscient (all knowing).

Satan is wise, but not as wise as God; he is not all knowing.

He knows the ones to attack, hurt and afflict.

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) ⁸Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Satan is NOT Omnipresent (everywhere present).

Satan cannot be in more than one place at a time.

When he was with Jesus, he was nowhere else.

When he left Jesus, it is recorded.

Matthew 4:11 (NIV) ¹¹Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Since Satan cannot be everywhere, he has his agents, demons, dispatched at his pleasure.

He does have a kingdom of his own.

Jesus spoke of that Satanic kingdom (Matthew 12:26).

Matthew 12:26 (NIV) ²⁶If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

Now that we know the origin of Satan—his names, where he works and how he works—the only weapon to defeat him is the Word of God.

Jesus used the Word (Matthew 4).

Paul instructs us concerning the enemy and how to overcome him in our lives.

Ephesians 6:12-17 (NIV) ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Satan is free on earth only in the permissive will of God.

He cannot go beyond God's permission—but we must carry out our responsibilities as Christians.

Ø We should not give Satan a chance (Ephesians 4:27).

Ø We should always accept God's way of escape when tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Our Lord Jesus Christ is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent.

He is always with us 1 Peter 5:7; 1 John 4:4.

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) ⁷Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 John 4:4 (NIV) ⁴You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Fallen Angels

This lesson shall deal with all of us—where we are, what we have felt in the past, what we face each day because Satan is always trying to entrap us.

The person who knows Christ has sufficient strength to overcome Satan because "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

This does not eliminate the temptation which is ever present, appealing to the carnal nature.

The person who does not know Christ as Lord and Savior is constantly seeking the things of this world. "All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:16).

They are open to the power of Satan and His emissaries.

The fallen angels are the servants of Satan, the old Devil.

The word "devil" is best translated "demon."

There is only one Devil and he is the leader of his army of demons.

Demon (devil) possession does take place in our day (1Timothy 4:1).

The only solution to such a malady is Jesus Christ.

The demons know Him and recognize His authority (Matthew 8:28‑32).

The fallen angels serve the Devil, and they are unclean, seductive, evil spirits called demons.

Fallen and chained angels

These are the angels who sinned.

Ø God did not spare them but cast them down to ''Tartarus'' (pit of darkness) where they are reserved unto judgment.

Ø They are bound in chains.

2 Peter 2:4 (NIV) ⁴For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;

Jude 6 (NIV) ⁶And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.

Some scholars assert that the sin of this group of fallen angels refers back to Genesis 6:4.

They contend that the ''sons of God'' were "fallen angels.''

This intrusion into the human sphere produced a race of giants by "the daughters of men."

There is great difficulty in accepting that view.

Angels were created a complete and perfect order.

They were not created with the ability of reproduction.

Matthew 22:30 (NIV) ³⁰At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

To be capable of changing their nature (one order to another order of created beings at will) has no support in the Scriptures.

The reference in Genesis 6:2‑6 has to do with the breakdown of the separation of the godly line of Seth by intermarriage with the godless line of Cain.

The context of Genesis 6:2‑6 states that God "saw the wickedness of man—and it repented (sorry at heart) the Lord that He had made man on the earth and it grieved Him at His heart."

The argument that angels appeared in human form in the Old Testament does not change the meaning of this subject.

The angels appearing in human form were always holy angels.

They were sent and given form by His sovereign power—for His sovereign purpose.

God made their presence visible and understandable to man.

Whichever view one might take does not change the message of God.

It is obvious that Satan attempted to corrupt the race so that the Messiah could not come to redeem man.

God salvaged a remnant and a godly line was preserved (Genesis 6:7‑8).

All the theories and arguments make little difference to the fact.

Some fallen angels, according to 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6, are already reserved awaiting judgment that shall come upon all evil demons, fallen angels.

The fallen and free angels

These are the fallen angels who are free to do the work of the Devil.

Ø The Devil is their leader.

Ø This group fell with the group which was cast into the "pit of darkness. "

Ø All of them were cast out of heaven with Lucifer, the leader who became Satan.

When the work of Satan and his angels is mentioned, remember that he is the "prince of this world" (Ephesians 6:12; John 12:31).

The Power Of The Fallen And Free Angels

Angels are created beings.

Ø They are everlasting but not eternal beings, Luke 20:36

Ø They are spirit beings, Hebrews 1:13-14

Ø They are powerful, 2 Peter 2:11 tells us they have power and might.

Their Names Denote Their Work.

The fallen and free angels are called "demons," meaning "knowing" or "to know."

The word in the King James Version is erroneously rendered "devils."

There is only one Devil but there is a great multitude of demons (Matthew 7:22).

"Satan” Is a Hebrew word meaning “adversary”.

“Devil” is a Greek word meaning "accuser" and is not used in the Old Testament.

They are also known as:

Ø "familiar spirits" (Leviticus 19:31; 20:6)

Ø "unclean spirits" (Mark 1:23‑27)

Ø "evil spirits" (Luke 7:21)

Ø "seducing spirits" (1 Timothy 4:1)

Ø "foul spirits" (Mark 9:25).

Demons are Spirits, Matthew 12:43, 45 calls them unclean spirits.

Demons vary in wickedness.

Matthew 12:45 (NIV) ⁴⁵Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

Their Activities Denote Their Power.

Ø Demon activity increases the power of Satan against the church (all Christians).

Ø Satan is the "prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).

The number of demons increases the power of Satan to control principalities, powers; and they are the rulers of darkness.

Their abode is in the heavenly (high) places (Ephesians 6: 12).

They can possess the bodies of individuals and animals.

Read the entire story of one possessed by demons (Mark 5:1‑9).

Mark 5:1-9 (NIV) ¹They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. ²When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. ³This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. ⁴For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. ⁶When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. ⁷He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!” ⁸For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!” ⁹Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”

Notice the power "no man could bind him even with chains."

A person possessed by demons has superhuman power.

Demons may possess people and cause physical maladies (Matthew 9:32; 12:22; Mark 9:25‑29).

People who are possessed by demons have increased propensity to lust, murder, and lying (John 8:44).

The demons always speak through the mouths of those individuals they possess (Mark 5:6‑12).

Demons are numerous.

Ø A legion in the Roman army meant 3,000 to 6,000 soldiers.

Ø In this case there were about 2,000 swine that ran into the sea.

They are the force behind idolatry (Acts 16:16).

In this passage, the "spirit of divination" is actually "the spirit of Python," an idol.

All of the terms used in Scripture concerning the work of demons are too lengthy to be covered in this lesson. Some of the terms are becoming popular again in our day:

Sorcery (Acts 8:9‑11)

Witchcraft (Galatians 5:20)

Necromancy (Isaiah 8:19; Deuteronomy 18:10‑12)

Astrologers (Daniel 1:20; 2:2; 4:7)

Divination (Ezekiel 13:6‑7; Acts 16:16)

Magician (Daniel 1:20; Exodus 7: 11, 22)

The word in Galatians 5:20 "witchcraft" in the Authorized Version is the Greek word "pharmakeia."

The use of "magic potions" (not to heal) to obtain a "high" or to alter minds is more prevalent than ever.

Ø The same word "pharmakeia" means "sorcery."

Ø We would call them today "fortune‑tellers," abuse of the mind with drugs, people who claim to have magical powers.

The word "necromancy" means "one who converses with the dead." Deuteronomy 18:9‑12

These terms and others are in headlines in our time.

Even television programs have a "diviner" talking with the dead relatives of viewers.

Ø All of this is demonic and the work of Satan.

Ø Do not underestimate the power of fallen and free angels.

Ø Demons seek embodiment, Matthew 12:43-44; Mark 5:7-12; Luke 8:31

Ø Demons Are Unclean, Sullen, Violent and Malicious: Matthew 9:33; 10:1; 12:43; Mark 1:23; Mark 5:3-5; mark 9:17.20; Luke 6:18; Luke 9:39

Ø Demons are Powerful, Acts 19:11-20

Ø Demons fear being out of a body, Matthew 8:29; Luke 8:31

Ø Demons affect people physically, (They can cause mental and physical problems for those they indwell.) Matthew 12:22; Matthew 17:15-18; Luke 13:16

Ø Demons find manifestation in forbidding tomarry, 1 Timothy 4:1-3 it is a doctrine of devils.

Ø Demons influence the believer by drawing them away from the faith through false teaching and false doctrine, 1Timothy 4:1

Ø Demons are in conflict with Spiritual Christians, Ephesians 6:12

Satan Has a Kingdom.

Jesus spoke of the kingdom of Satan.

Matthew 12:26 (NIV) ²⁶If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

Paul referred to "the rulers of darkness" when he spoke of the power of Satan.

The demons (fallen angels) are his subjects.

Jesus mentions them in Matthew 25:41 (NIV) ⁴¹“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Unregenerate (unsaved) human beings are his subjects.

In Matthew 13:38 Jesus said, "the tares are the children of the wicked one."

Jesus was very specific in the matter.

This verse speaks of the fatherhood of Satan (the Devil).

In contrast, John 1:12 speaks of the fatherhood of God.

John 1:12 (NIV) ¹²Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

Satan and His Demons Are Terrified of Christ.

Satan and his forces are in control of this present world appearing as an "angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14).

The grand news is that Satan was judged at the Cross.

Looking toward the cross, Jesus declared doom for Satan.

John 12:31 (NIV) ³¹Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.

"The demons believe and tremble" (James 2:19).

Demons Recognize Christ as the Son of God and as Their Future Judge.

Matthew 8:29 (NIV) ²⁹“What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

Mark 1:24 (NIV) ²⁴“What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

Demons knew Jesus.

Mark 3:11 (NIV) ¹¹Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”

Mark 3:22 (NIV) ²²And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

The demons knew Christ because they had known Him in eternity past.

They had been in His presence until their fall.

Even though these Scriptures seem to indicate to us that the demons were meeting Christ for the first time, they were in fact declaring His divine authority.

The Doom Of Fallen Angels—Demons

The fallen angel, demon, shall be judged.

Scripture indicates that they shall be judged in the "great day".

The “great day” is the day of the Lord (Isaiah 2:9‑22).

The judgment takes place because the "saints,'` the "saved ones," shall judge the angels with Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:3 (NIV) ³Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

Satan is judged.

Satan shall be judged and cast into the "lake of fire." Revelation 20:10 NIV And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

The fallen angels, even those held in chains, are "held for judgment"

2 Peter 2:4 (NIV) ⁴For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;

11. The Doctrine of Man

1 Corinthians 15:38-39 (NIV) ³⁸But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. ³⁹All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another.

The origin of man.

The Bible clearly defines the origin of man as a creative act of God. Genesis 1:26-31 and Genesis 2:7-25 give the specific details.

What does the Bible say about the origin of man? Where did man come from?

God did not use any existing living creature to bring man into existence.

Man was created a trichotomy – spirit, soul, and body, (1Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 4:12).

Evolution vs Creationism

“Evolution is the belief that all animals and plants are descended from one single primordial form.” (Origin of the Species, p 525 by Darwin)

There are two kinds of evolution:

Ø Atheistic Evolution states that matter is eternal or it was generated by inherent powers apart from a supreme intelligence or Creator.

Atheistic evolution attempts to explain the origin of man, animals, and plant life apart from any supernatural process.

The tenants of Atheistic Evolution imply that since there is no God who has created then man is not accountable to God or any moral structure.

If Atheistic Evolution is true there are no absolutes to which man must adhere.

Ø Theistic Evolution states that there was an “Intelligence” which created the substance of the universe and guided it in its evolutionary development. This intelligence may be personal or impersonal. Everything evolved from an original mass, a nebulous or primordial cell and so, man came up through the lower animals until he evolved in the image of God.

Theistic evolutionists attempt to harmonize the evolutionary hypothesis with the Bible.

Creationism stands against both Atheistic and Theistic evolution.

Creationism teaches that man was created by a separate act of God and so stands apart and above all the rest of creation.

If all animals and man evolved, then there were no first parents, no paradise, and no fall.

If there had been no fall, then the entire historic fabric of Christianity, the story of the first sin, and the reason for atonement collapses.

Man’s creation and likeness to God

Anthropology is the study of man.

This term has a scientific and a Theological use.

The Greek words anthropos – means "man", and logos, meaning – "word, or discourse".

Theological anthropology deals with man in relation to God.

Scientific anthropology deals with psycho-physical organisms and natural history.

It should be noted that scientific anthropology is no more scientific or factual than theological anthropology.

There are a variety of views by Christians and non-Christians about the origin of man.

Man’s attitude toward the opening statement of the Bible is the true test of faith in the rest of the Scriptures.

The creation is either literal or an allegory.

If literal this is the story.

If this is an allegory then we are not sure of the facts.

We may say without doubt that man was created in the likeness and image of God.

We have in the Scriptures the only reasonable explanation of the origin of man, and all creation.

God created: Genesis 1:27; Genesis 5:1-2; Genesis 6:7; Deuteronomy 4:32; Psalm 104:30; Isaiah 45:12; 1 Corinthians 1:9

God “made” and “formed” man out of the dust of the ground: Genesis 1:26; Psalm 100:3; Psalm 103:14; 1Timothy 2:13; Genesis 2:22; Genesis 6:6-7

Man’s body was made of the dust.

His immaterial nature (soul and spirit) was made by the inbreathing of God. Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4-5; Ecclesiastes 12:7.

God created the male and female genders (Genesis 1:27). The man and woman were both created directly by God. God gave them their gender by creating them male and female.

What is the likeness of God?

Physical Likeness

Mental Likeness, James 3:9; Genesis 9:6; Colossians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 11:7

Moral Likeness, Ephesians 4:24; Genesis 1:31

Social Likeness, Genesis 3:8; 2:18; 2:23-24

Compare the nature of man to God
Man at Creation	God
limited to knowledge good only	Knowledge of all things
	Holiness
	Righteousness
	Goodness
	Purity
	Power
	Virtue
	Faithfulness
	Mercy
	Spirit Being
	Eternity
	Immensity
	Sovereign

How far we can go in comparing man to the likeness and image of God is unknown.

We know that God gave man dominion over the whole earth.

What did God give man dominion over?

Because God made man in “His own likeness” He gave to man alone the ability to subdue the whole earth and exercise dominion over everything that moved on earth.

We know that Adam and Eve had God-given abilities and power to have dominion over

Fish in the sea

Fowl in the air

Cattle on the ground

Over the whole Earth

Over every creeping thing on the earth

What did God give to Adam and Eve and their offspring?

Everything on earth was for Adam and Eve and their offspring

Every tree

Every herb

Every fruit

Every vegetable

Every beast

Everything was under his dominion and productive control

Man bore the spiritual, moral and intellectual likeness of God.

He was a rational, intellectual being

He bore the likeness of God

Man was created with a threefold nature.

He was created a trinity of Body, Soul and Spirit.

Scripture makes a distinction between the physical body and the spirit/soul of man (2 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Genesis 2:7 (NIV) ⁷the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Man was created through the purposeful, planned, controlled wisdom of God.

Genesis 1:27 (NIV) ²⁷So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into His nostrils the breath of life, (Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:19; Psalms 104:19; Ecclesiastes 12:7).

He formed each intricate detail through His own wisdom, love and forethought.

Ø Man was unlike all other things God created.

Ø Man was the crowning of God’s creation.

God created man in the same form that Christ Jesus was manifested in.

John 1:14 (NIV) ¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Philippians 2:6-7 (NIV) ⁶Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

The Fall of Man

Psalm 8 (NIV) ¹O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. ²From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. ³When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, ⁴what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? ⁵You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. ⁶You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: ⁷all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, ⁸the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. ⁹O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

God blessed man above and beyond everything else.

Ø More than every beast

Ø More than every other creature

God blessed man.

Ø Nothing was lacking for his pleasure

Ø Endowed with all necessary talents, skills, and abilities

Nothing was omitted that would contribute to man’s enjoyment and ability to be successful.

Adam was made in the form and image of Christ.

Man’s position was exalted above any other of God’s creation.

Ø Man is created better than the angels

Ø Angels could not find redemption

Ø Christ did not die for the sins of angels

It cannot be said of any other of God’s creations that God breathed into them the breath of life.

Man’s intelligence was far greater than any of the other creation.

Man was endowed by God with spiritual, physical and moral likeness.

Man was created good and upright, with intelligence, conscience and will.”

He was; “made fully responsible for his actions” Luke 12:47-48; Joshua 24:15

Man was made uniquely in the likeness and image of God.

It is pre-supposed that Lucifer, the arch-angel of the Lord had already led the revolt in Heaven and had fallen.

Isaiah 14:12 (NIV) ¹²How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!

Romans 8:38 (NIV) ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

Ephesians 2:2 (NIV) ²in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

Colossians 2:15 (NIV) ¹⁵And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

2 Peter 2:4 (NIV) ⁴For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;

The Fall of Man is the result of the disobedience and sin of Adam and Eve from their original state of innocence and intended purpose.

Satan enticed Eve to discover through experiment whether it was in her best interest to do what God had forbidden.

In believing and acting on Satan's lie, Eve sinned and led Adam into sin, (1 Timothy 2:14; Romans 5:17-18).

Man’s fall is seen in Genesis 3; Genesis 6:5; Genesis 8:21; Psalm 14; Romans 3:10-23; Romans 5:12-19; 1 Timothy 2:14.

Romans 3:10–23 (NIV84)

¹⁰As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;

¹¹there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.

¹²All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

¹³“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.”

¹⁴“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

¹⁵“Their feet are swift to shed blood;

¹⁶ruin and misery mark their ways,

¹⁷and the way of peace they do not know.”

¹⁸“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

¹⁹Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.

²⁰Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

²¹But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.

²²This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,

²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 5:12–19 (NIV84)

¹²Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—

¹³for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.

¹⁴Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.

¹⁵But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!

¹⁶Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.

¹⁷For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

¹⁸Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.

¹⁹For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

1 Timothy 2:14 (NIV84)

¹⁴And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.

How did sin come into the world?

How did sin find it’s advent in man?

Sin was already in the world through Satan, because Satan fell.

Sin came into man by the free moral agent choice of Adam and Eve.

Man was intelligent enough to rule over the world and He was fully responsible for His acts.

The Fall of man was brought about by sin.

Man fell from this exalted position which God created for him and placed him in by sin.

Man’s sin was a result of:

Temptation

Free choice

Willful decision

Chart temptation and fall of man:

Temptation and steps to sin: The Fall of Man
1 John 2:16	Genesis 3:6
“The lust of the flesh”	“The tree was good for food”
“The lust of the eye”	“It was pleasant to the eyes”
“The pride of life”	“A tree desirable to make one wise”

Look at the steps of the temptation:

Questioning God- distortion or casting doubt on the word of God is the beginning of every temptation. Satan is powerless without man’s assent and consent, v.1

Contradicting God- denying His word outright, is the inevitable result of questioning it, v.4

Surpassing God is that satanic device in which some imaginary good is sought, above and beyond what God has offered, v.5

Disobeying God is the final result, v.6

1 John 2:16 (NIV) ¹⁶For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.

What did Satan say through the serpent? Genesis 3:1

Has God said, “You shall not eat of every tree of the garden...”

You will not surely die

You will be like God knowing good and evil

Temptation follows the same three steps look at James 1:13-15.

James 1:13-15 (NIV) ¹³When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. ¹⁵Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Is temptation evil? No

Is a man a sinner because he is tempted? No

Temptation is primarily an attempt to get one to act independently of God by implanting a desire for self-assertion or a determination to go one’s own way, Proverbs 14:12; Isaiah 53:6.

Was everything Satan said untrue? No

In what ways did Adam and Eve become like God?

“knowing good and evil”

What was the difference in the way they knew good and evil and the way God knows good and evil?

God is infinite and omniscience and knows all things good or evil.

Man could only know evil by falling into sin.

What are the immediate consequences of the fall and disobedience of God’s restriction, laws, and restraints?

Look at Genesis 3:8-10,16-24:

Sorrow in conception

Sorrow in child birth

Desire shall be to thy husband

Man shall rule over woman

The ground is cursed

In sorrow shall eat of ground

Thorns and thistles shall spring forth naturally

Herbs of the field for man’s diet

Labor by the Sweat of brow

Death

What was the duration of their punishment?

Romans 5:12 (NIV) ¹²Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—

Man was cursed with:

Ephesians 2:1	Spiritual death
Hebrews 9:27	Physical death
Romans 6:23; Rev. 20:14	Eternal Death

Not only was man cursed, he was driven from the garden and lost that privileged position.

The fall of man and the depravity of man came through the sin of man.

What is sin?

Sin is disbelief in the Word of God.

Sin is a specific kind of evil.

Sin is a lack of conformity to God,

Sin is a transgression of the Law of God. (Matthew 22:37-40)

Sin is a principle or nature as well as an act, (Matthew 15:19; Matthew 5:21-22,27-28; Romans 7:8-9).

Sin includes guilt and pollution.

The one expresses its relation to justice, and the other to the holiness of God.

Sin leads to a darkened understanding, Ephesians 4:18; Romans 1:31; 1 Corinthians 2:14.

Ephesians 4:18 (NIV84)

¹⁸They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

Romans 1:31 (NIV84)

³¹they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV84)

¹⁴The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

A darkened understanding is seen in the following verses.

Genesis 6:5, 12; Romans 1:21- Evil and vile imaginations

Romans 1:26-27 - Vile affections

Titus 1:15 - Defiled mind and conscience

Romans 7:18-19 - An enslaved perverted will

Ephesians 2:1, 5; Colossians 2:13 - Unable to please God

Sin is essentially selfishness, 2 Corinthians 5:15; 2 Timothy 3:2

Sin is rebellion to God’s laws.

What was the basic law of God for Adam and Eve?

“You can eat of every tree of the garden but one.”

God established a severe three fold penalty of that fall.

1. Physical death

2. Spiritual death

3. Eternal death

In addition to the three fold penalty on man, sin brought:

Genesis 3:17 -	A curse on the ground.
Genesis 3:16 -	Sorrow and pain would plague child bearing,
Genesis 3:19 -	Exhausting physical labor to live
Genesis 3:19; 3:2; 5:5; Romans 5:12	Physical and spiritual death
	Fear of God
	Shame, guilt
Genesis 3:8-11, 22-24	Expulsion from God’s presence and garden

What are the results of the fall of man on us today?

Ephesians 4:18 (NIV84)

¹⁸They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

Romans 1:31 (NIV84)

³¹they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV84)

¹⁴The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

All people, without respect of condition, class, or action are sinners before God.

The effect is seen in the nature of man.

By nature man is a sinner

This universal sinful condition is vitally connected to the sin of Adam,

Romans 5:12 (NIV) ¹²Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—

Romans 5:16 (NIV) ¹⁶Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.

Romans 5:19 (NIV) ¹⁹For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

The sin of Adam had conferred sin on the whole race.

The effect of that original sin is upon the whole world.

Effect on the nature of man

Unregenerate men are regarded as children of the devil and not sons of God.

1 John 3:8–10 (NASB95)

⁸the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

⁹No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

¹⁰By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.

John 8:44 (NASB95)

⁴⁴“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

1 John 5:19 (NASB95)

¹⁹We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Effect on relations to God

The whole race of men are in helpless captivity to sin and Satan.

Effect of bondage

The entire nature of man; mentally, morally, spiritually, physically is sadly affected by sin.

Sinful man has No Godlike qualities.

Romans 7:18 (NIV) ¹⁸I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

Their understanding is darkened

Ephesians 4:18 (NASB95)

¹⁸being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NASB95)

¹⁴But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

The Heart is affected,

Jeremiah 17:10 (NIV) ¹⁰“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”

Mind and conscience,

Genesis 6:5 (NIV) ⁵The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.

Titus 1:15 (NIV) ¹⁵To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

Flesh, spirit, and will

Romans 7:18 (NIV) ¹⁸I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

God did not leave man in a condition of utter hopelessness.

He promised him a savior.

The clothes of skins were a temporary covering, but they did not restore man to innocence.

Salvation would come through a savior who would provide a covering and cleansing for man’s sins.

12. Sin

Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4) or transgression of God's will by omission or commission.

Transgression can occur in thought (1 John 3:15), word (Matthew 5:22), or deed (Romans 1:32).

Sin originated in the heart and mind of the angel Lucifer, son of the morning.

The sin was pride—a desire to be above God.

The sin brought God's judgment.

The account of Lucifer and his fall is given in Ezekiel 28:15‑17 and Isaiah 14: 12‑15.

Jesus declared, "Luke 10:18 (NKJV) “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven."

There was no sin before Lucifer's fall.

He became the Devil, Satan.

This great deceiver used the form of a serpent to tempt the first human beings on earth.

Sin entered the human race through deception.

Mankind was created without sin, morally upright, and inclined to do good, (Ecclesiastes 7:29).

Sin entered into the human experience when Adam and Eve directly violated the express command of God to not eat the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, ((Genesis 3:6).

Their sin affected the entire human race and all generations of mankind, (Romans 5:12-21).

The Origin of Sin

Sin originated with Satan (Isaiah 14:12‑14).

Isaiah 14:12-14 (NIV) ¹²How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! ¹³You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. ¹⁴I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”

Sin entered the world through Adam.

Romans 5:12 (NIV) ¹²Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—

Sin is Universal.

Jesus is the only exception.

Romans 3:23 (NIV) ²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Galatians 3:22 (NIV) ²²But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Even nature proclaims the fact of sin.

Romans 8:22 (NIV) ²²We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

All Unrighteousness is Sin.

A good definition of sin is simply, "all unrighteousness is sin," says God's Word.

1 John 5:17 (NIV) ¹⁷All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

(1 John 5:17 NKJV) "All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death."

There are none righteous.

Psalm 14:1-3 (NIV) ¹The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. ²The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. ³All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Romans 3:10 (NIV) ¹⁰As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;

The Seven Sides of Sin

Sin is "transgression" which is overstepping the law, the divine boundary.

There was sin before the law, but no transgression (Joshua 7:11, 15).

Joshua 7:11 (NIV) ¹¹Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions.

Joshua 7:15 (NIV) ¹⁵He who is caught with the devoted things shall be destroyed by fire, along with all that belongs to him. He has violated the covenant of the Lord and has done a disgraceful thing in Israel!’ ”

1 John 3:4 (NIV) ⁴Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

Sin is "iniquity" which is an act inherently wrong—wrong morality.

Mark 7:20 (NIV) ²⁰He went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’

Colossians 3:5-9 (NIV) ⁵Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. ⁷You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.

Sin is ''disobedience'' which is rebellion against authority.

Ephesians 5:6 (NIV) ⁶Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

Sin is "missing the mark" which is a failure to meet the divine standard of God.

Romans 3:23 (NIV) ²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Sin is "trespassing" which is placing self‑will into the sphere of divine authority, intruding on the will of God.

Matthew 6:14 (NIV) ¹⁴For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Ephesians 2:1 (NIV) ¹As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,

Sin is "ungodliness.'' The Scriptures are self explanatory.

Romans 4:5 (NIV) ⁵However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

Romans 5:6 (NIV) ⁶You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

Sin is "unbelief'."

Matthew 13:58 (NIV) ⁵⁸And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Mark 9:24 (NIV) ²⁴Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Romans 3:3 (NIV) ³What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?

1 John 5:10 (NIV) ¹⁰Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.

Effects of Sin

Sin causes a distorted view of spiritual things.

John 9:39 (NIV) ³⁹Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

Romans 7:19 (NIV) ¹⁹For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

Sin corrupts the soul.

Romans 1:21-22 (NIV) ²¹For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²²Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

Romans 1:32 (NIV) ³²Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Sin blinds.

Ephesians 4:18 (NIV) ¹⁸They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

Sin hardens the conscience.

Ephesians 4:19 (NIV) ¹⁹Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

Sin brings the ultimate penalty imposed by God.

The consequence of sin is judgment and the torment of hell.

Romans 6:23 (NIV84)

²³For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Two Classes of Sin

Open sins—the sins committed openly, publicly, such as profanity, lying, theft, etc.

Psalm 90:8 (NIV) ⁸You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

Secret sins—thought of in the secret chambers of the heart, such as envy, jealousy, lust, pride, hatred.

The same verse (Psalm 90:8) reveals the secret sins openly in "the light of your presence."

Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV) ⁹The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Three Forms of Sin

Jesus presents the order of sin.

Mark 7:21-23 (NIV) ²¹For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, ²²greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. ²³All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’

The three forms of sin in that Scripture are:

In human nature ‑ "out of the heart";

In the human mind ‑ "evil thoughts";

In human action ‑ "adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, etc."

In Mark 7:21‑22, Jesus mentions 13 sins of the human heart.

Jesus was talking to His disciples about the heart of man.

The entire context should be read (Mark 7:14‑23).

Mark 7:14-23 (NIV) ¹⁴Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. ¹⁵Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean.’” ¹⁷After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. ¹⁸“Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him ‘unclean’? ¹⁹For it doesn’t go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods “clean.”) ²⁰He went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ ²¹For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, ²²greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. ²³All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’ ”

The totality of the effects of Sin.

All of man is sinful—his body, soul and spirit.

Romans 3:11-12 (NIV) ¹¹there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. ¹²All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

All of us were born with a sin nature.

Psalm 51:5 (NIV) ⁵Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

The sinful nature is like poison.

Psalm 58:3-4 (NIV) ³Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies. ⁴Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,

The Wages Of Sin (THE PENALTY).

The wages of sin is something we earn.

The term "wages" means we work for an end result.

In this life, for a paycheck, for fame, for worldly goods....

"The wages of sin is death"‑‑(Romans 6:23).

"Death" in Scripture never means "Annihilation."

The meaning of the sentence of death is:

2 Thessalonians 1:8‑9	"eternal death"
Matthew 7:13	"Destruction"
Matthew 25:4	"Everlasting punishment"
John 3:18	"Condemned"

God wants to have mercy and not sacrifice.

The Lord is not quick to discharge judgment.

God wants to draw us close and forgive.

Eternal punishment is intended for the unbeliever and sinner.

The Only Remedy For Sin

The Gospel of Jesus Christ presents the only remedy for sin.

Romans 1:16 (NIV) ¹⁶I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:

The Gospel of Christ provides the necessary grace, mercy, and sacrifice to cover your sin.

Jesus paid the penalty for all sin.

1 John 2:2 (NIV) ²He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

You must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ if you will be saved.

What does John 3:16 say?

"The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord"(Romans 6:23b).

The crowning sin of all sins is to refuse the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

People are not lost because of sin, but because they will not surrender their hearts and lives to Christ.

Ø He came to change the hearts of all who would accept Him.

Ø He gives to everyone who accepts Him a new nature

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) ¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

We are not sinners because we sin.

We sin because we are sinners.

Acts 16:31 (NIV) ³¹They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

13. Salvation

Salvation is the work of God by which He saves man from the eternal doom of sin.

What is salvation?

Salvation is deliverance from the power of sin.

Salvation includes several things—redemption, cleansing, sanctification, justification, righteousness, adoption, and eternal life and glory.

The two major parts of salvation are sanctification and justification.

Sanctification is the purifying of the mind or making it holy.

Justification relates to the manner in which we are accepted and treated by God.

The way of salvation: it is by faith,

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Acts 16:30-31 (NIV) He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

Acts 2:21 (NIV) And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Acts 15:11 (NIV) No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Romans 5:9-10 (NIV) Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Romans 10:13 (NIV) for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Mark 16:16 (NIV) Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Fundamental steps to salvation

1. Believe in the Lord Jesus

2. Call on the name of the Lord

3. Believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus

4. Be reconciled to God by the death of His Son

5. Call on the name of the Lord

6. Believe and be baptized

7. By grace, through faith

Receiving God's salvation is simple. Understanding the working of God's salvation is more complex.

The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork, (Psalms 19:1), but they do not tell us whether a sinner can be saved.

The invisible things of God since the creation of the world are perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity, (Romans 1:20).

We cannot perceive in nature or God's creation the eternal Love of God for a lost world and His provision of salvation.

Theology can only teach us that there is a God.

The only way to learn of salvation is by God’s Gospel.

Salvation is provided by God, defined in the Word of God, and purchased by the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

In God's Word we learn that God desires to redeem man from his sins.

By grace we are saved through faith in Christ.

That grace provides eternal life now and forever.

Salvation is the work of God and not a work of man for God.

Salvation is "the new birth."

Jesus told Nicodemus: "You must be born again" (John 3:3‑7).

The new birth is a spiritual birth.

It is just as real as a natural birth.

The only way to become a Christian is to be "born again."

The meaning of salvation in the Hebrew and Greek embraces the ideas of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and soundness.

Only when a person receives Christ as Savior is there assurance of deliverance, safety, heaven, eternal life, hope, preservation, etc.

Good works cannot bring salvation to a soul.

Being a good person is not the same as being saved by God's grace.

The Bible declares that we are not saved by works.

Good works are the resulting fruit of salvation (Ephesians 2:10).

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) ¹⁰For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Salvation—The External Purpose Of God

Salvation was conceived in the mind of God.

Ephesians 1:4 (NIV) ⁴For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

Salvation was a result of God's foreknowledge.

Ø The plan of salvation was not an afterthought of God.

Ø He foreknew (being omniscient) the need for a plan of redemption.

1 Peter 1:20 (NIV) ²⁰He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.

Titus 1:2 (NIV) ²a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,

Salvation is through the Grace of God.

Salvation is not a result of anything we might do, but a result of God's grace.

The word "grace" means: God's Riches at Christ's Expense.

2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV) ⁹who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Titus 2:11 (NIV) ¹¹For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

Salvation is offered because of God's love toward us.

Romans 5:8 (NIV) ⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 4:9 (NIV) ⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

Chart: Words That Relate to Salvation

1	Grace	charis, khar'‑ece; graciousness of manner or act; the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; benefit, favor, gift, grace; joy liberality, pleasure ,God’s attitude toward the sinner.
2	Mercy	eleos, el'‑eh‑os; compassion (human or divine, espec. active):‑‑(+ tender) mercy. The attitude of God toward the distressed.
3	Faith	pistis, pis'‑tis; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
4	Confession	exomologeo, ex‑om‑ol‑og‑eh'‑o; to acknowledge or agree fully:‑‑confess, profess, promise. homologeo, hom‑ol‑og‑eh'‑o; to assent, i.e. covenant, acknowledge:‑‑confess (profess), confession is made, give thanks, promise. . homologia, hom‑ol‑og‑ee'‑ah; acknowledgment:‑‑confession, professed.
5	Forgiveness	apoluo, ap‑ol‑oo'‑o; to free fully, i.e. (lit.) relieve, release, dismiss or (fig.) let die, pardon, or depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty.
6	Redemption	apolutrosis, ap‑ol‑oo'‑tro‑sis; (the act) ransom in full, i.e. riddance, or (spec.) Christian salvation:‑‑deliverance, redemption. lutroo, loo‑tro'‑o; to ransom, redeem
7	Justification	dikaiosis, dik‑ah'‑yo‑sis; acquittal (for Christ's sake):‑‑justification. dikaioo, dik‑ah‑yo'‑o; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent:‑‑free, justify (‑ier), be righteous. dikaioma, dik‑ah'‑yo‑mah; an equitable deed; by implication a statute or decision:‑‑judgment, justification, ordinance, righteousness.
8	Assurance	plerophoria, play‑rof‑or‑ee'‑ah; entire confidence:‑‑(full) assurance. hupostasis, hoop‑os'‑tas‑is; from a comp. a setting under (support), i.e. (fig.) concrete essence, or abstract assurance, confident, person, substance.
9	Sanctification	hagiasmos, hag‑ee‑as‑mos'; purification, i.e. (the state) purity; concr. a purifier:‑‑holiness, sanctification. hagiazo, hag‑ee‑ad'‑zo; to make holy, i.e. (cer.) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: ‑‑hallow, be holy, sanctify.
10	Consecration	teleioo, tel‑I‑o'‑o; to complete, i.e. (lit.) accomplish, or (fig.) consummate (in character): ‑‑consecrate, finish, fulfil, (make) perfect.
11	Dedication	egkainia, eng‑kah'ee‑nee‑ah; renewal, dedication.
12	Cleansing	katharos, kath‑ar‑os'; clean (lit. or fig.):‑‑clean, clear, pure. katharizo, kath‑ar‑id'‑zo; to cleanse (lit. or fig.):‑‑(make) clean (‑se), purge, purify. katharismos, kath‑ar‑is‑mos'; a washing off, i.e. (ceremonial.) ablution, (moral) expiation:‑‑cleansing, + purge, purification, (‑fying).
13	Glorification	doxazo, dox‑ad'‑zo; to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application):‑‑(make) glorify (‑ious), full of (have) glory, honour, magnify. endoxazo, en‑dox‑ad'‑zo; to glorify:‑‑glorify.
14	Deliverance	didomi, did'‑o‑mee; bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), minister, eleutheroo, el‑yoo‑ther‑o'‑o; to liberate, i.e. (fig.) to exempt (from moral, ceremonial or mortal liability) :‑‑deliver, make free lutrotes, loo‑tro‑tace'; a redeemer (fig.):‑‑deliverer. rhuomai, hroo'‑om‑ahee; rescue:‑‑deliver (‑er).
15	Safety	soteria, so‑tay‑ree'‑ah; rescue or safety, health, salvation, save, saving.
16	Preservation	tereo, tay‑reh'‑o; to guard (from loss or injury, by keeping the eye upon; to prevent escaping; which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), to maintain; hold fast, keep (‑er), preserve phulasso, foo‑las'‑so; to watch, i.e. be on guard, to preserve, obey, avoid:‑‑beware, keep (self), observe, save
17	Healing	iaomai, ee‑ah'‑om‑ahee; to cure :‑‑heal, make whole. sozo, sode'‑zo; to save, i.e. deliver or protect :‑‑heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole. diasozo, dee‑as‑odze'‑o; to save thoroughly, to cure, preserve, rescue, etc.:‑‑bring safe, escape (safe), heal, make perfectly whole, save. hugiaino, hoog‑ee‑ah'ee‑no; to have sound health, i.e. be well (in body); to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine):‑‑be in health, (be safe and) sound, (be) whole (‑some).
18	Soundness	holokleria, hol‑ok‑lay‑ree'‑ah; integrity, i.e. physical wholeness:‑‑perfect soundness.
19	Imputation	logizomai, log‑id'‑zom‑ahee; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate, account (of), esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on)
20	Atonement	katallage, kat‑al‑lag‑ay'; exchange i.e. restoration to (the divine) favor:‑‑atonement, reconciliation (‑ing).
21	Reconciliation	katallasso, kat‑al‑las'‑so; to change mutually, i.e. to compound a difference:‑‑reconcile. apokatallasso, ap‑ok‑at‑al‑las'‑so; to reconcile fully:‑‑reconcile. katallage, kat‑al‑lag‑ay'; exchange i.e. restoration to (the divine) favor:‑‑atonement, reconciliation (‑ing).
22	Ransom	lutron, loo'‑tron; something to loosen with, i.e. a redemption price (fig. atonement):‑‑ransom
23	Confidence	hupostasis, hoop‑os'‑tas‑is; a setting under (support), essence, assurance, confident, person, substance.
24	Adoption	huiothesia, hwee‑oth‑es‑ee'‑ah; the placing as a son, i.e. adoption (fig. Christian sonship in respect to God):‑‑adoption (of children, of sons)
25	Regeneration	paliggenesia, pal‑ing‑ghen‑es‑ee'‑ah; (spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act), i.e. (fig.) spiritual renovation; spec. Messianic restoration:‑‑regeneration.
26	Seal	sphragis, sfrag‑ece'; a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); by impl. the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), seal

The Salvation of Man

Soteriology is the doctrine of salvation.

Deals with the communication of the blessings of salvation to the sinner

His restoration to divine favor

His reestablishment to intimate communion with God

Depends on a knowledge of God as man’s source, strength, life, & happiness

Salvation is the thought of God which demonstrates the mercy and grace of God.

Man did not initiate salvation.

On the heels of man’s sin God provided for his salvation.

Man did not author or finish the work of salvation.

Salvation is provided by God.

He purchased it by the sacrifice of Christ.

He gave it through grace.

Psalm 19:1 (NIV) "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Romans 1:20 (NIV) "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

The earth, the stars, the things seen and unseen are constantly declaring that there is a mighty God.

Men everywhere declare there is or was a God.

Salvation is not accomplished by merely coming to understanding that there is or was a God.

Salvation is revealed through the word of God and work of Christ.

This is the basic difference in a cult and true religion

All religions of the world are human attempts of men to reach out to God.

Christianity reveals God reaching out to men and revealing Himself as man's only hope of salvation.

Any other attempt at salvation, or knowledge of God, is doing so as a thief and a robber.

There is only one way of salvation and knowledge of God.

All men need to be saved.

The fall of man occasioned his loss of innocence, holiness and purity.

Man became depraved of goodness and lost his approach to God.

The curse was brought down to all men.

The fall has not taken away the knowledge of God.

Knowledge of God increased the separation between God and man.

Man was unholy, God was all holy...

Knowledge of God is not salvation, Romans 1:20

Knowledge of sin is not salvation.

Knowledge of a sacrificial offering is not salvation.

Knowledge of evil is not salvation.

Salvation is God's method, in spiritual work, to bring man from a fallen and sinful state into the glory which he was created.

This Glory includes fellowship with God

It includes holiness of Character

Blessings of a new nature

The purpose of God takes into account the fallen state of man

Man’s weakness and sinfulness made divine intervention necessary.

The doctrine of sin (hamartiology) declares the deviation of man from God’s requirements and the distortion, perversion, and warping of man’s nature, character, and destiny.

The provision of salvation is known in God’s purpose

His purpose is to give:

Grace

Mercy

Regeneration

Justification

Sanctification

Adoption

Perseverence

God’s purpose can be accomplished only under His prescribed and determined plan and method.

God had a preconceived plan of salvation.

This was not left to chance.

There is only one plan of salvation

The Father Draws

The Spirit Convicts

Son Saves

A Sacrifice was provided to secure salvation.

The Lamb that was slain:

John 15:13 (NIV)"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Galatians 1:4 (NIV)"who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,"

Ephesians 5:2 (NIV)"and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Titus 2:14 (NIV)"who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

1 John 3:16 (NIV)"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."

Revelation 1:5 (NIV)"and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,"

Christ died for the whole man.

He suffered and died to redeem the race.

Isaiah 53:12 (NIV) "Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

John 10:11 (NIV)"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

John 12:23 (NIV) "Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified."

John 12:24 (NIV) "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."

1 Corinthians 15:3 (NIV) "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,"

2 Corinthians 5:15 (NIV) "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."

Revelation 5:9 (NIV) "And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation."

Salvation- Predestination

ORDER OF THE DECREES*
Supra-lapsarian Limited Atonement	Infra-lapsarian Limited Atonement	Amyraldian Unlimited Atonement	Lutheran	Wesleyan	Roman Catholic
Election of some to eternal life.	Permission of fall of man equals guilt, corruption, total inability.	Permission of fall of man equals corruption, guilt, moral inability.	Permission of fall of man equals guilt, corruption, total inability.	Permission of fall of man equals guilt, corruption, total inability.	Permission of fall of man equals loss of super-natural righteous-ness.
Permission of fall of man equals guilt, corruption, total inability.	Election of some to life in Christ	Gift of Christ to render salvation possible to all.	Gift of Christ to render satisfaction for sins of world.	Gift of Christ to render satisfaction for sins of world.	Gift of Christ to offer satisfaction for all human sins.
Gift of Christ to redeem the elect and ground offer to all.	Gift of Christ to redeem the elect and ground offer to all.	Election of some for gift of moral ability.	Gift of means of grace to communicate saving grace.	Remission of original sin to all and gift to all of sufficient grace.	Institution of church, the sacraments, to apply satisfaction of Christ.
Gift of the Holy Spirit to save the redeemed.	Gift of the Holy Spirit to save the redeemed.	Gift of the Holy Spirit to work moral ability in the elect.	Predestination to life of those who do not resist the means of grace.	Predestination of life of those who improve sufficient grace.	application of satisfaction of Christ through sacraments under operation of second causes.
Satisfaction of all the redeemed and regenerated.	Satisfaction of all the redeemed and regenerated.	Sanctification by the Spirit.	Sanctification through the means of grace.	Sanctification of all who cooperate with sufficient grace.	Building up in holy life of all to whom the sacraments are continued.

* Benjamin B. Warfield, The Plan of Salvation (Reprint. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977), p.31.

There are at least five views on the doctrine of salvation:

Ø Supralapsarianism- believes in an unlimited atonement and irresistible grace

Calvin claimed both supralapsarianism and infralapsarianism. "It is not absurd," he says, "to assert that God not only foresaw, but also foreordained the fall of Adam and the ruin of his posterity."

God willed man to sin and provided unlimited atonement and irresistible grace. Both sin and salvation are outside of man's choice. Before man was created God decreed election and reprobation. Thus, man is without choice. He did not cause it, but neither can he prevent it. the doctrine states that the death of Christ actually put away the sins of all God’s elect and ensured that they would be brought to faith through regeneration and kept in faith for glory, and that this is what it was intended to achieve. From this definiteness and effectiveness follows its limitedness: Christ did not die in this efficacious sense for everyone.^{^[1]}

Ø Infralapsarianism- (sublapsarianism) teaches a limited atonement and irresistible grace.

God decreed to create man holy; then permitted him to fall by self-determination of his free will, then God determined to save a definite number out of the guilty mass of man, and leave the rest in sin to experience eternal punishment.

Calvinism, dissent from Calvin and his Supralapsarian view and hold that God offers irresistible grace to those whom he elects to save.

Actual Universalism- Christ’s death guaranteed salvation for every member of the human race, past, present, and future. Man does not have a choice.

Hypothetical universalism, Christ’s death made salvation possible for everyone but actual only for those who add to it a response of faith and repentance that was not secured by it.

Amyraldian- unlimited atonement with grace possible to the elect who believe. Create man, permit the Fall, provide redemption in Christ for all, elect some to salvation, and send the Spirit to effect salvation.

Arminian- unlimited atonement with grace possible to all who believe, those believing being elected to receive eternal life and all other blessings and benefits of the atonement

Arminianism, insists that God’s grace is the source of redemption but that it can be resisted by man through his free choice.

Stresses the freedom of human beings to cooperate with God in securing their salvation; named for James Arminius, sixteenth/seventeenth-century theologian; in general, holds to (1) election on the basis of God’s awareness of who would believe, (2) resistible grace, (3) possible loss of salvation, (4) unlimited atonement, (5) the death of Christ as a suffering for human beings, not the payment of a penalty.

Arminians, Quakers, Baptists, Wesleyans, Presbyterians, and is now adopted by almost all Protestant churches.

We believe in this manner:

Ø The divine decree of predestination is conditional, not absolute

Ø That the atonement is in intention universal

Ø That man cannot of himself exercise a saving faith

Ø That though the grace of God is a necessary condition of human effort it does not act irresistibly in man

Ø That believers are able to resist sin but are not beyond the possibility of falling from grace

Ø God’s plan of salvation requires man to co-operate with God.

Ø Repentance- Matthew 3:1,2; Matthew 4:17; Luke 24:47; Mark 6:12; Acts 2:38; Acts 20:21; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3

Repentance is based on knowledge

Ø Knowledge of God

Ø Knowledge of sin and guilt

Ø Knowledge of the plan of salvation

Repentance is being sorry for sin’s committed

Repentance involves emotion, intellect, will and disposition

Faith-

Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—"

True faith in God and Christ’s atonement is the means of attributing salvation to man.

Faith is a Gift of God

Faith comes from God

Faith is God’s gift we can use to appropriate the gifts of God.

By faith we accept His gift of salvation (Acts 11:18; 2 timothy 2:25; Acts 5:30-31; Acts 2:37,38,41; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Romans 2:4)

Faith is:

Knowledge of God’s Word, Psalms 9:10; Romans 10:17

Belief- Mark 12:32; John 1:12

Appropriation- John 1:12; John 2:24; John 8:30-31

Faith is used:

With the Name of God- Heb 11:6

With the Person and Works of Christ- John 9:35-38; John 10:30; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 20:28; Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 24:27,44; (Knowledge) John 16:30; John 20:28; Matthew 16:16; John 6:68-69 (assent) John 1:12; John 8:21,24; John 5:24 (appropriation)

With Prayer- 1 John 5:14,15; James 1:5-7

With the word and promise of God- 1 Corinthians 10:32; Tit 1:2; Hebrews 11:1,11

Faith Produces:

Salvation

Rest

Peace

Assurance

Joy

Exploits

Regeneration- Titus 3:5; Eph 5:26

Regeneration is New Birth, a spiritual quickening, Genesis 1:26; John 3:3-7; John 5:21; Ephesians 2:1,10; 2 Cor 5:17;

Eph 2:1 we are dead in sin

John 5:24 we are made alive in Christ

Regeneration is receiving a new nature- 2 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 4:24; Col 3:10 Gal 2:20; 1 John 3:9; Galatians 5:17

Regeneration is God’s Work- John 1:13; James 1:18; Titus 3:5; John 3:5

The human side to the work of regeneration is to receive what God has done, John 1:12-13.

The Need of Justification-

Man is a child of the Devil, a transgressor and a criminal Romans 3:23; Romans 5:6, 8, 10; Colossians 1:21; Titus 3:3

What is Justification?

Remission of Penalty- Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 5:12-14; Romans 6:23

Restoration to favor with God- Romans 1:18; Romans 5:9; Galatians 2:16-17

Imputed the righteousness of Christ- Psalms 32:2; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 1:17; Matthew 22:11-12

How are we justified?

Not by the Law- Matthew 7:12; Galatians 3:24; 2:16; 3:10; Mark 10:17-22

By the Grace of God- Romans 3:24; Titus 3:5,7

By the blood of Christ- Romans 3:24; Romans 5:9; Hebrews 9:22

By faith- Romans 3:26-30; Galatians 2:16

Adoption-

We are made to become a son of God- Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 9:11; Romans 11:5-6

We are brought into the family all at once- 1 John 3:2; Galatians 3:26; John 1:12

We are completed at the resurrection- Romans 8:23; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 John 3:1-3

The Meaning of Christ’s Death

Isaiah 53:1-10

Christ’s death is necessary to purchase man’s salvation and provide God’s method of salvation.

Christ's death is vicarious in nature- the suffering endured by one person in the stead or another, or in his place.

A vicar is a substitute.

Christ did not die for His own sins,

John 8:46; 1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:15; Isaiah 53:5-6;1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 10:11; Romans 5:8; Mark 10:45; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Isaiah 53:10

Sin Offering - Leviticus 6:24-30; Hebrews 10:1-4

It is satisfaction - God is fundamentally holy.

The death of Christ satisfies the indictment and outrage of sin.

It satisfies the justice of God

No further punishment can justly be demanded for the offense of sin.

Christ’s death perfectly satisfies the demands of justice.

The value of that satisfaction is dependent on the dignity of Him who suffered.

It satisfies the laws of God.

All of the demands of the Law were satisfied by Christ.

By His obedience and suffering by His whole righteousness.

He as our representative and substitute died and endured all that the laws demands.

All who receive His righteousness and trust on it for justification are saved.

It is involved in atonement-

The death of Christ satisfies all the demands for atonement and propitiation-

Leviticus 6:2-7; Lev. 4:13-20.

Forgiveness is possible only on the ground of the death of the substitute.

The suffering of the substituted bullock or ram has the effect of covering over the guilt and thus makes it invisible to the eye of God. Psalm 51:9; Isaiah 38:17; Micah 7:19

It is involved in Propitiation.

By the suffering of the sinners atoning substitute the divine wrath over sin is propitiated and the due punishment is released (not inflicted).

This satisfaction is involved in reconciliation.

Christ’s death propitiated God and as a result His is reconciled (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Ephesians 2:16)

The offender reconciles the person offended by undergoing loss or suffering.

Christ does this by being treated as a sinner for us.

Christ's death is a Ransom

He is the Kinsman redeemer who pays the price in full in order to set another free from bondage, (Matthew 20:28; Mk 10:45; Luke 1:68; Luke 2:38; Hebrews 9:12; Luke 21:28; Romans 3:24; 8:23; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:7, 14).

This ransom is not paid to Satan but to God.

Satan has no legal claim against the sinner but God does.

For whom did Christ die?

Christ died for the Elect- 1 Timothy 4:10; Matthew 20:28; John 17:9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 5:25; Romans 3:25

He died for the elect, not only making salvation possible for them, but also actually saving them when they believe on Christ.

Christ died for the world as a whole- 1 Timothy 4:10; John 1:29; 1 Timothy 2:6; Titus 2:11; 2 Peter 2:1 2 Peter 3:9; Hebrews 2:9; 1 John 2:2

His death secured for all men a delay in the execution of the sentence against sin, space for repentance, and the blessings of life which were forfeited by transgression.

His death removed from the mind of God every obstacle which hindered pardon of the penitent and restoration of the sinner, except his willful opposition to God.

It procured for the unbeliever the powerful incentives to repentance presented in the cross by preaching of the Word and the work of the Spirit.

The Resurrection and Ascension

It is fundamental to the doctrine of Christianity. (1 Corinthians 15:4, 12-19; 2 Timothy 2:8)

It has an important part in the application of salvation.

God has raised Him up and exalted him to His own right hand that He might be head over all things to the church. (Ephesians 1:19-23)

Thus, He baptizes us in the Holy Spirit. (John 1:33; Acts 2:32-33; John 15:26; John 16:7)

His death, resurrection, and ascension is preparatory to His bestowing of gifts on men. (Ephesians 4:8-13)

What is the nature of Christ's resurrection?

It was actual.

His death was real

Declared dead by centurion and soldiers (Mark 15:45; John 19:33)

The woman came to the grave expecting to anoint the dead body. (Mark 16:1)

Blood and water flowed from His opened side (John 19:34, 35)

He did not appear to the disciples on the 3^rd day as half dead, but as the Conqueror of death. (Revelation 1:18)

It was a bodily resurrection.

He possessed a real body, not just a spiritual body.

He had flesh and bones. (Luke 24:39,40)

The women held Him by the feet. (Matthew 28:9)

David declared that His body should not see corruption. (Psalms 16:10; Acts 2:31)

The tomb was empty and the grave clothes were left behind. (Mark 16:6)

He ate food in the disciple's presence after He arose. (Luke 24:41- 45)

He was recognized by the disciples after the resurrection. (He showed His wounds) John 20:25,27-28; 21:7; Luke 24:34, 37-40

Christ predicted He would rise again bodily. (John 2:19-21; Matthew 12:40)

Angels in the tomb declared that He had risen as He said, (Luke 24:6-8)

Scripture is only intelligible if He bodily rose. (John 5:28-29; 1Corinthians 15:20; Ephesians 1:19-20)

It was a unique resurrection.

The Scripture tells of several individuals who rose from the dead:

Son of the widow of Zaraphath	1 Kings 17:17-24
Shunamite's son	2 Kings 4:17-27
Jarius' daughter	Mark 5:22-43
Young man of Nain	Luke 7:11-17
Lazarus	John 11
Tabitha	Acts 9:36-43
Eutychus	Acts 20:7-12

*All of these died again.

Christ received a resurrection body that was not subject to death.

It was a real body. (Matthew 28:9)

It had flesh and bones. (Luke 24:39-40)

It could be touched. (Matthew 28:9)

It was recognizable (His wounds). (John 20:27; Revelation 1:7; Zechariah 12:10)

His resurrection body was different.

He passed through closed doors. (John 20:19)

He did not need to eat and sleep after the resurrection.

He was now alive forevermore. (Romans 6:9-10; 2 Timothy 1:10; Revelation 1:18)

The credibility of Christ's resurrection

The resurrection of Christ is a miracle.

A miracle is a departure from natural laws of operation.

Testimony

Eye witnesses

A large number of witnesses

Witnesses had a good reputation (Luke 24:33-36; John 20:19, 26; Acts 1:3,21-22; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 – more than 500 witnesses)

These men had no ulterior motive for proclaiming Christ's resurrection at the risk of their own lives.

He was seen in many different settings with various groups present.

Three women saw Him at the tomb and also saw the angels. (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-8)

They separated at the tomb; Mary Magdalene went to tell Peter and John (John 20:1-2) and the other two went to Bethany to tell the others (Luke 24:9-11).

Peter and John ran to the grave ahead of Mary without seeing the Lord. (John 20:3-10)

To Mary who came to the tomb after Peter and John left, (Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18)

To the other women on the way. (Matthew 28:9)

To the two on the way to Emmaus, (Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-35

To Simon Peter, (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5)

To ten apostles (John 20:26)

To the eleven (John 20:26)

To the Apostles at Tiberias (John 21:1)

To the apostles on the mount in Galilee, Matthew 28:16-17

To above 500 brethren at the same time, 1 Corinthians 15:6

To James (1 Corinthians 15:7)

To the disciples on the mount of Ascension (Luke 24:50-51; Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9)

To Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8)

By argument of cause and effect

The tomb was empty - all evidence proved He arose and not that His body was stolen (John 20:3-8)

They found the napkin (grave clothes) undisturbed (John 20:3-8)

The observance of the Lord's Day - the disciples changed the observance from the Sabbath to Sunday in honor of His physical resurrection.

The Christian church is established around the risen Savior.

The New Testament is an effect of the resurrection

If Christ had remained dead, there would be no need for the story of His life and death.

The results of Christ's resurrection

Attests Christ's deity (Romans 1:4; Matthew 12:38-40; John 2:18- 22)

Assures the acceptance of His works (Romans 4:25)

It has made Christ our

High priest –

Intercessor,

Executive,

Protector

Provided many additional blessings:

Forgiveness

Regeneration

The Holy Spirit

Assurance (Ephesians 1:18-20; 4:8)

All our needs supplied (Philippians 3:10)

Guarantee of our resurrection (Romans 8:11; John 5:28-29; Acts 4:2; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:14)

Guarantee of judgment to come (Acts 10:42; Acts 17:31)

Prepared the way to the eternal throne (Acts 2:39)

14. Sanctification

Sanctification is that continuous operation of the Holy Spirit, by which the holy disposition which is imparted when one is born again is maintained and strengthened.

It is the process God uses to promote holiness and to produce righteousness.

Sanctification continues from the new birth by a process of growth and development, and is consummated in a glorious transformation of soul and body into the image of the Son of God

Romans 8:29 (NIV) ²⁹For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

1 John 3:2 (NIV) ²Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

The doctrine of sanctification has been a matter of great debate in church history.

How is holiness acquired and what is the nature of holiness?

Some have seen it as a ritual.

Others believe it to be a form of self-discipline.

More commonly, it is explained as a process of moral and spiritual transformation.

Two False Teachings

The Antinomian View

The term "antinomian" means "against law" and teaches that the forgiveness found in Christ makes it legitimate for a Christian to do things which the Bible forbids.

In other words, one can live as one pleases.

The more one sins, the more chance there is for divine grace to work.

Paul touches on this false view in his teaching:

Romans 6:1-2 (NIV) ¹What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? ²By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

The Perfectionist View

This theory teaches that a person can become perfectly free from sin in this life.

This is called sinless perfection.

These brethren believe that there is a character transformation to a higher-life.

There is no foundation in Scripture for this belief.

No one, except Jesus, ever claimed to be without sin.

Paul never made such a claim.

Paul stated quite the opposite in describing the two natures (Romans 7:15‑25).

The Bible definitely declares that no one is without sin.

1 John 1:8 (NIV) ⁸If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Both extremes are dangerous and not Scriptural.

From the moment of initiation into Christ, growth in holiness has been expected in the everyday life.

To truly understand sanctification one must see that holiness is primarily a description of the character and nature of God.

God is a Holy Being.

He is High and Lofty.

He inhabits eternity.

Isaiah 57:15 (NIV) ¹⁵For this is what the high and lofty One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Isaiah goes on in that verse and says that God is high and lofty and holy but, that he dwells with those who are contrite and humble in spirit.

The holiness of God is essential to His character.

The Name of God is closely associated with His character and person.

This nature and character of God is distinctive.

There is no other like unto Him. HE is holy God.

God is separate and distinct because He is God.

God is Holy in Himself.

This is the character of God.

He is ethically, morally unique.

He is pure and holy.

The holiness of God is revealed in the Old Testament in God’s dealings with men. (Isaiah 37:16; Psalms 72:19; Isaiah 6:1-7)

As the Israelites were going through the exodus God demonstrated His holy character.

The tabernacle and the temple were physical testimonies of His holy presence in their midst.

Isaiah saw the Holy God as one enthroned in a heavenly place.

The angels were proclaiming: “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Host; the whole earth is full of His glory.”

Isaiah was overcome by what he saw and said: “Woe is me! For I am Lost” “For I am a man of unclean lips, and dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips... for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts.”

Isaiah recognized his failure and the failures of the people of God.

It was at that point that God sent an angel who took a coal from the altar and placed it on his lips and said “your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” (Isaiah 6:6-7)

We must look at the holiness of God’s people.

The Biblical Meaning of Sanctification

Sanctification means "to be set apart" or "separation."

To sanctify always means to be set apart for a purpose—the purpose of God.

There are two words in the original from which our English word "sanctification" comes.

One is in the Old Testament Hebrew, "qadash" kaw‑dash'; to be or make clean (ceremonially or morally) consecrate, dedicate, hallow, (be, keep) holy (‑er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (‑ied one, self), wholly.

One is in the New Testament Greek, "hagios'' hag'‑ee‑os; sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremoniously consecrated):‑‑(most) holy (one, thing), saint.

These two words are the root words for a number of words in English.

The Hebrew word is translated as: saint, sanctify, holy, consecrate, hallow, dedicate.

The Greek word is translated as: saint, sanctification, holiness, consecration, dedication.

The Old Testament uses the term, generally speaking, to describe things.

The New Testament uses the term to denote persons.

Throughout Scripture, both persons and things are spoken of as "holy"‑‑"set apart" for a divine purpose.

Sanctification is initiated by God.

God sanctifies believers forever for Himself.

Without the Blood of Christ, the Holy Spirit cannot sanctify the soul.

In the course of our sanctification there are three are specific areas in which God is at work:

the spirit,

the soul, and

the body

There are three Bible-directed steps ordained by God for this purpose:

Separation from sin,

Separation unto God, and

Being conformed into His likeness

The believer is sanctified from experience.

1 Corinthians 6:11 (NIV) ¹¹And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

We are sanctified the moment we believe.

The Scripture declares that we are sanctified before we are justified.

1 Corinthians 1:2 (NIV) ²To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV) ¹³But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

1 Peter 1:2 (NIV) ²who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

God places us in the position of being "set apart" to Him.

This is a way of life.

We are through the atonement and redemption made the Lord’s.

In the experience of salvation, God "sanctified" us at that moment.

We have been set apart.

We have been set apart, sanctified, in Christ.

Jesus’ sacrifice, atonement, and justification is sufficient to bring about cleansing and sanctification.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 (NIV) ³It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; ⁴that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable,

Sanctification is the believer's present state of growth.

Faith in the blood of Christ is the one thing that makes the doctrines of salvation, grace, deliverance, and healing possible.

The blood of Jesus Christ has fully atoned for us.

The Blood of Jesus Christ has fully delivered us from the power of Satan and sin.

We have been redeemed (bought back) and set apart for God by the shedding of Jesus’ blood on Calvary.

A person is sanctified when saved.

God does that work in us.

Justification is what Christ has already done for us on the Cross.

Sanctification is what He is doing now in us.

Sanctification is a past experience at the time of our new birth and a present progressive work in us now.

The believer is to grow in grace.

Sanctification is "being set apart" each day for Christ.

It is a growth process of Bible study, prayer, yielding, cleansing, seeking to become more like Christ.

This growth continues throughout life.

John 17:19 (NIV) ¹⁹For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

John 17:14 (NIV) ¹⁴I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.

John 17:16 (NIV) ¹⁶They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

Colossians 1:10 (NIV) ¹⁰And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Hebrews 2:11 (NIV) ¹¹Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

The ultimate sanctification of believers is in the future.

Finally, we will be completely perfected in Him.

This is the goal of our salvation—the ultimate purpose of our redemption.

When we meet the Lord—then, we shall be like Him‑‑-sinless.

Paul speaks of the church (saved ones) when he says,

Ephesians 5:27 (NIV) ²⁷and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

The bride will be totally sanctified and ready for the wedding.

Sinless perfection is to be realized in the resurrection.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV) ²³May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Sanctification has to do not only with our soul and spirit but also with our bodies.

Since these bodies will not become completely, fully and actually redeemed until Jesus comes, our sanctification cannot be complete until our bodies are perfectly redeemed.

Philippians 3:20 (NIV) ²⁰But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 (NIV) ¹²May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. ¹³May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

The Source Of Sanctification

It is not of Man.

Sanctification pertains to our soul, spirit and our bodies.

Since these bodies will not become completely, fully and actually redeemed until Jesus comes, our sanctification cannot be complete until our bodies are perfectly redeemed.

1 Corinthians 1:2 (NIV) ² ...to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy,...

Sanctification is dependent upon Christ.

It is initiated by God.

It is completed by Christ.

The old nature cannot be eradicated by an experience which renders a person sinless in this life.

The Apostle Paul was struggling over his lack of control over the sinful nature.

In Romans he declares that he was not perfect within himself.

Then he rejoices that Christ is our sanctification...

Romans 7:24-25 (NIV) ²⁴What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? ²⁵Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Romans 8:1-2 (NIV) ¹Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ²because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

Jesus was the only sinlessly sanctified one (John 10:36).

The only method of our sanctification is in Christ.

He has become our wisdom, righteousness and sanctification.

The involvement of the Trinity in sanctification.

God the Father sanctifies:

***NIV does not use the word "sanctified".

(Jude 1:1 NKJV) ...”To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:"

Christ sanctifies:

The acceptance of Christ as Lord is essential to being "set apart" for God.

Jesus died for our sanctification.

Hebrews 10:10 (NIV) ¹⁰And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:10 (NKJV) "By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

The work of Jesus was perfect and everlasting.

Hebrews 10:14 (NIV) ¹⁴because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

(Hebrews 10:14 NKJV) "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified."

1 Corinthians 6:11 (NIV) ¹¹And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

The Holy Spirit sanctifies:

The Holy Spirit convicts and is active in us and is the active cause of sanctification.

We should never underestimate the value of the work of the Holy Spirit.

While the blood purges us from all sin with a holy cleansing.

The Word gives us a holy insight into the requirements of holiness.

The Holy Spirit reveals to us the holy Person of God.

It is by the Holy Spirit that we come into contact with the awesome holiness of Almighty God.

It is the Holy Spirit that takes the things of Christ and reveals them to us.

The Spirit delights in revealing the deep and hidden things of Christ to us.

We must remember that our sanctification is not accomplished without the help and work of the Holy Spirit.

We must see the cleansing power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Word of God sanctifies:

Jesus declared the fact of sanctification by the Word.

John 17:17 (NIV) ¹⁷Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Paul preached sanctification by the Word.

Ephesians 5:26 (NIV) ²⁶to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

The Evidence Of Sanctification

There is evidence of sanctification.

Without knowable evidence sanctification is invalid.

1 Corinthians 6:9-12 (NLT) "Don't you know that those who do wrong will have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, who are idol worshipers, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, {10} thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers, and swindlers--none of these will have a share in the Kingdom of God. {11} There was a time when some of you were just like that, but now your sins have been washed away, and you have been set apart for God. You have been made right with God because of what the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God have done for you. {12} You may say, "I am allowed to do anything." But I reply, "Not everything is good for you." And even though "I am allowed to do anything," I must not become a slave to anything."

If you are sanctified unto God then there should be a cleansing from the filth of sin.

If you are cleansed from the filth of sin you must be kept in holiness.

If you are kept in holiness you will be invested with glory from God.

Jesus said in John 17:19 (NIV) ¹⁹For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

What did Jesus mean by "I sanctify myself"?

He was perfect, holy, and sinless.

The answer is in John 17:18.

John 17:18 (NIV) ¹⁸As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

Jesus is speaking of service of the redeemed in this world. He is speaking of service with power to carry out the assignment He gave to them.

He "set Himself apart" in the form of humanity for us.

He was holy, He was God, and He was made flesh "for our sakes."

Sanctification is the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit

The fruit (notice, singular) of the Spirit should be evident in the believer's life.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Our good works should please the Lord Jesus.

Hebrews 13:21 (NIV) ²¹equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Sanctification is evident in obedience to the word of God.

The Christian is cleansed by the Word.

Psalm 1:2 (NIV) ²But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

John 15:3 (NIV) ³You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

Sanctification presents one separate from sin and submissive to God

The "saved ones" are to resist the devil.

James 4:7 (NIV) ⁷Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Christians are to stay close to the Lord and humble in His sight.

James 4:8 (NIV) ⁸Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:10 (NIV) ¹⁰Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Christians are to be "holy"‑‑"set apart" in conversation.

1 Peter 1:15 (NIV) ¹⁵But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;

We are to be holy because He is holy.

1 Peter 1:16 (NIV) ¹⁶for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Pursuing Holiness

True holiness does not consist merely of believing and feeling, but of doing and bearing, and a practical exhibition of active and passive grace.

Our tongues, our tempers, our natural passions and inclinations

Our conduct as parents and children, as husbands and wives

Our dress, our employment of time,

Our behavior in business

Our demeanor in sickness and health, in riches and poverty

All these will be affected by Holiness.

It is not enough to speak of what we should believe and feel.

We must get to the particulars.

We must specify what a holy man should do if he abides in Christ.

On the Day of Judgment, it will be utterly useless to plead that we believed in Christ, unless our faith has had some sanctifying effect, and has been seen in our lives.

How can I become holy?

This is the pursuit of the saint.

We have been set aside for the Lord through salvation and justification.

Then we are exposed to the process of maturing and sanctification.

After you have come into the family, you must begin pursuing holiness.

You are separate from the world.

You must live the life.

Through your commitment to God and surrender to His will:

He will discipline and train you.

He will cleanse and sanctify

He will purify and instruct

He will guide and mentor

He will make you holy

But you must surrender to His washing and renewing

You must yield to His guidance and instruction

But when he is finished He will present you Holy.

15. Divine Healing

Exodus 15:26 (NIV) "He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”"

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Of all the enemies that man faces, there is one that almost everyone faces often during their life, and that is sickness.

Sickness is part of the curse that came upon man because of the fall.

Sickness is a great enemy.

What is Divine Healing?

First, look at what Divine Healing is not.

It is not Christian Science.

We neither deny the reality of matter nor pretend that everything depends entirely on our thoughts

Many diseases are psychosomatically induced and can be removed by changing the way you think.

This is not divine Healing.

It is not Spiritism-

We do not deny existence of Spirits, but we do not seek their aide in being helped.

It is not hypnotism, mesmerism, or magnetism.

A hypnotist cannot cause the deaf to hear, the blind to see or the lame to walk.

Divine healing is God’s supernatural impartation of life, health, and strength to afflicted souls and bodies.

C.I. Scofield states in his notes on Romans 1:16 “The Hebrew & Greek words for salvation imply the ideas of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and soundness.”

God is able to heal and give soundness.

Purposes of Divine Healing

Jesus healed because he had mercy and compassion on the people and wanted to help them.

Christ healed people so they would believe on Him and thus, receive the gift of God, eternal life, John 11:45; 12:10-11

Healings attracted great crowds, John 6:2

Healings performed by Christ glorified God, Matthew 15:30-31; Luke 13:13

Healing the sick in Christ’s ministry enabled the person who was healed to serve Christ better, Matthew 8:15; Mark 5:19

The Source of Divine Healing

Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)"“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."

John 10:10 (NIV) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

John 14:6 (NIV)"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father exc ept through me."

Acts 3:15 (NIV) "You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this."

Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

God is a supernatural God.

What is naturally impossible to man is possible and easy for God.

God is omniscient- all knowing

God is omnipresent- he is at hand

God is omnipotent- He has all power

He is available to all, all the time, with all power.

We can truly say, “Nothing is too hard for God..”

Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV) "“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."

Acts 26:8 (NIV) "Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?"

Review of God’s miracles:

His miracles by Moses to Egypt

The plagues

The crossing of the Red Sea

The 40 years of wilderness wandering

The manna, water from a rock, and supply

The crossing of the Jordan River

The walls of Jericho falling down

Joshua’s long day

Christ’s many miracles

Lame

Blind

Paralytic

Issue of Blood

Feeding of 1,000's

Lazarus

Causes of Sickness

Sometimes sickness comes as a judgment or punishment

Miriam was stricken with leprosy, Numbers 12:1-13

Gehazi (Elisha’s servant) with leprosy, 2 Kings 5:20-27

Sometimes sickness comes to arrest us and turn us from wrong.

Psalm 119:67 (NIV) "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word."

Psalm 119:71 (NIV) "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees."

Hebrews 12:5 (NIV) "And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,"

Hebrews 12:6 (NIV) "because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”"

Hebrews 12:7 (NIV) "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"

Hebrews 12:8 (NIV) "If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons."

Hebrews 12:9 (NIV) "Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!"

Hebrews 12:10 (NIV) "Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness."

Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

The Lord smote certain people as an example to others.

Acts 12:20-23 Herod was stricken by taking the glory that belonged to God

Acts 5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira were stricken by lying to the Holy Ghost.

Sin of Irreverence

Numbers 4:15- touched the ark and fell dead

2 Samuel 6:6-7, 19-20 disobeyed God and were smitten

1 Kings 13:5- Jeroboam stretched out his hand against the prophet of the Lord

2 Chronicles 26:16-21 acted as a priest and offered incense on the altar and was stricken with leprosy

2 Corinthians 11:20-22, 27-30 Irreverence at the Lord’s table, thus many were weak and sickly.

Sin is the main cause of sickness and death.

John 9:3 (NIV)"“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."

Not everyone that is sick is sick because of sin in their life.

Sickness is not always a result of sin in one’s past

Sickness is not always a result of a parent’s sin

Many are ill because of improper care of the Body

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV) "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;"

1 Corinthians 6:20 (NIV) "you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

God does not suspend the laws of nature just because you are a Christian.

If you need rest, God has ordained that the body will wear out and become exhausted.

Even Christ needed times away from the pressing crowds.

If you jump off a cliff you may break a bone or die.

If you take drugs you may destroy your health or mind

If you live in lasciviousness you will likely contract one of many sexually transmitted diseases.

Intemperance often causes sickness.

Obesity, mortality increases with every pound of excess weight...

Promiscuity, venereal disease, AIDS, HIV

Alcoholism, causes hardening of the liver, paralysis of certain muscles, neuritis, inflammation of the stomach lining, larynx, esophagus, and liver.

Smoking, causes lung cancer and is a definite factor in many other diseases attacking.

Emotional and mental stress causes 80% of physical suffering- Dr. William Saddler said “Large percentage of human disease and suffering is directly traceable to worry, fear, conflicts, immorality, dissipation, and ignorance to unwholesome thinking and unclean living."

Drug abuse-

Depending on the drug and the degree of abuse may cause simple nervous system damage

Mental and emotional dependency

Mental loss

Physical weakness

It is God’s Will to Heal.

Seven Reasons why I believe God wants to heal.

Christ Came to do the will of the Father, Hebrews 10:7; Matthew 8:16; Matthew 9:35; Matthew 12:5; Matthew 14:35-36

Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil, 1 John 3:8

Luke 13:16 (NIV)"Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”"

Acts 10:38 (NIV) "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him."

God plays no favoritism

Matthew 8:2 (NIV) "A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”"

Matthew 8:3 (NIV) "Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy."

Acts 10:34 (NIV) "Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism"

God wants to give good things to His Children - Psalms 103:13; Matthew 7:11; Psalms 27:10; James 1:17; 2 John 2

Christ revealed Himself as our healer, Exodus 15:26; Exodus 23:25; Psalms 103:3

Christ bore our sickness in his own body, 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5-6

Jesus Christ is the same today, Hebrews 13:8

Hindrances to healing-

Ignorance of God’s Word and will

Doubting the Word

Romans 1:16 (NIV) "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."

Hebrews 4:2 (NIV) "For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith."

Wrong motives,

James 4:3 (NIV) "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

Misplaced faith-

Jesus told the Samaritan woman that it was not the place but God that was powerful and brought the answer, John 4:19-24

Faith in a shrine, chapel, holy place, church, etc.

Faith in preachers, evangelists, pastor, etc

Faith in Aunt Susie or Uncle Louie.

Trusting in merit-

We are not healed because we deserve to be healed.

Works is not the basis of healing.

God is merciful and compassionate

Sometimes there can be a cause and effect relationship between sin and sickness.

John 5:14 (NIV) "Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”"

John 5:15 (NIV)"The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well."

Rebellion against God can bring on sickness.

Abuse of the laws of Good Health

Lack of prayer and fasting

Mark 9:29 (NKJV) "So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”"

Lack of intense desire-

James 5:16 (NIV)"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

Looking at the symptoms-

Ephesians 6:7 (NIV) "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,"

James 4:7 (NIV)"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from

you."

Pain, worry, discomfort, and etc. can distract your faith in God...

Hebrews 9:27 (NIV)"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,"

There are reasons not all are healed.

God’s delays are not denials

Abraham believed God but did not receive the promise for years.

Special times are appointed for healings.

John 9:3 Lazarus was allowed to die before Christ came to set him free.

Psalm 119:71 (NIV)"It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees."

God is Sovereign.

He can do whatsoever He will.

Appropriating Healing

Healing is a work of the Holy Spirit

Luke 4:18 (NIV) "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed"

Romans 8:11 (NIV)"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you."

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 The supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit working in the church produces miracles.

Healing through the Word

The highest authority we have in our hand is the Word of God.

Luke 4:32; Matthew 8:26-27; Mark 11:14; Hebrews 11:3

The Word has creative power

Word has regenerative power, 1 Peter 1:23

Word has healing power- Psalms 107:20;

Matthew 8:8 (NIV) "The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed."

Healing is through the Name of Jesus-

Mark 16:17 (NIV) "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;"

Mark 16:18 (NIV) "they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”"

James 5:14 (NIV) "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord."

Healing comes through Faith-

Hebrews 11:1; Matthew 9:22, 28-30; Hebrews 11

James 5:14-15 Prayer of Faith (Elders Faith) heals the sick.

Mark 2:1-12 Faith of four friends

Acts 6:8 Individual Faith

Faith will cause corresponding actions.

Moses and the Red Sea

Joshua at Jordan and Jericho

Noah at the Ark

Peter walking on the water

What is it that we base our faith upon?

Not faith in faith.

Have faith in God.

Healing through Praise-

2 Chronicles 5:13 (NIV) "The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud,"

2 Chronicles 5:14 (NIV) "and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God."

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

16. Thanatology, the Doctrine of Death

Death is the most natural of things: ‘it is appointed for men to die once’ (Hebrews 9:27).

Death is also one of the most unnatural of events.

Romans 6:23 tells us it is the penalty for sin.

Death takes place in two ways: Physically and Spiritually.

Due to the sin of Adam death is now a necessary thing for bodies constituted as ours are.

Physical death is a result of Adam’s sin.

Romans 5:12 (NIV) " Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—"

We know that the day the Adam sinned he did not physically die.

Yet, it is from that sin physical and spiritual death came upon man.

The possession of eternal life was canceled.

From the day man sinned he began to die.

Adam’s sin affected both the spiritual and physical man.

Death involves the whole man.

Man does not die as a body.

He dies as a man, in the totality of his being.

Physical death is a symbol and expression of the death that sin brings.

Spiritual death is a divine penalty.

We have not known the full horrors of death.

We have observed loved ones die.

We have noticed the natural process of our own bodies deteriorating.

Spiritual death is seen in Jude 12, and Revelation 2:11

Jude 12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;

Revelation 2:11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’

The second death is the real and eternal judgment that is a result of sin.

Physical death falls very short of the descriptions which that eternal punishment describes.

The final state of the impenitent sinner is described as death, punishment, being lost, being in eternal torment, etc. (Matthew 25:41,46...)

What happens when a person dies?

Physical death is the separation of the soul, including the spirit, from the body.

Spiritual death is the separation of the soul from God:

It is the ultimate judgment where man is banished from God

The final misery of this judgment comes when the body and soul are reunited (Hebrews 9:27; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 7:24; Ephesians 2:1; Revelation 2:11; 20:14; 21:8).

There are many aspects of death that we cannot understand in this life.

While it is a result of the fall and original sin of man, the scriptures tell us that the death of the righteous is blessed in the sight of God.

In 2 Corinthians 5:8 Paul says: We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

To neither saint nor sinner is death a cessation of being.

Though the outward man perish, the inner man shall live forever.

Since the soul and spirit never die, what happens to them when a person physically dies?

The Intermediate State

The intermediate state of the righteous is much different from that of the wicked.

The intermediate state is the existence of both the righteous and the wicked after death.

In the intermediate state the soul is without its permanent body.

For the righteous, it is one of conscious joy.

For the wicked it is conscious suffering.

The righteous do not receive their permanent glorified bodies at death:

1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Where are the dead?

They are not asleep. The scripture clearly illustrates their active pleasure or torment. (Remember the story of Lazarus and the Rich man.)

They are not in the same place.

There is no intermediate place called purgatory.

Purgatory is a theoretical place that has been created by the Roman Catholic Church.

There is no Biblical evidence that supports purgatory.

The intermediate state of the righteous:

The soul of the believer, at its separation from the body, enters the presence of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:1‑8; Luke 23:43)

The spirits of departed believers are with God (Hebrews 12:23; Ecclesiastes 12:7)

They have entered Paradise, the third heaven, (Luke 23:42-43; 2 Corinthians 12:4; Revelation 2:7)

The state of the believer immediately after death is greatly to be preferred to life in the body upon the earth (Philippians 1:23).

The departed saints are truly alive and conscious (Matthew 22:32; Luke 16:22; 23:43 ["with me" = in the same state]; 1 Thessalonians 5:10).

Departed believers are in a state of rest and blessedness (Revelation 6:9‑11; 14:13).

The intermediate state of the wicked:

They are in prison, that is, are under constraint and guard (1 Peter 3:19)

There is no need of putting unconscious guard; restraint implies the power of action.

They are in torment, or conscious suffering (Luke 16:23)

They are under punishment, Hebrews 9:27; 2 Peter 2:4,9

In hell, Sheol, Mark 9:48

Where are Heaven and Hell?

17. Heaven and Hell

Isaiah 14:7‑17

Ephesians 4:8

The Old Testament teaches that there is life after death. It represents all men as going down to Sheol (the Hades of the N.T.). The wicked, of course, go there, (Psalms 9:17; 31:17; 49:14; Isaiah 5:14).

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram are said to have gone down alive into Sheol (Numbers 16:33). But the righteous also go there, (Job 3:11‑19; 14:13; 17:16; Psalms 6:5; 16:10; 88:3).

Jacob looked forward to going to his son Joseph in Sheol (Genesis 37:35; cf. 42:38; 44:29,31). Hezekiah looked upon death as a going"into the gates of Sheol" (Isaiah 38:1). This Sheol is the place of the departed souls, (Proverbs. 30:15‑16; Isaiah 5:14; Hebrews 2:5).

Going to Sheol is expressed in the phrase,"he was gathered to his people", (Genesis 25:;8,17; 35:29; 49:33; Numbers 20:24; 27:13; Deut 32:50; Judges 2:10).

In the New Testament Christ testifies of Dives and Lazarus going down into Hades. There they were within speaking distance in the region, (Luke 16:19‑31). Obviously they were in separate chambers, for Dives was in torment and Lazarus was comforted. Jesus went into Hades, (Acts 2:27,31), and now has the keys of death and Hades, (Rev. 1:18). Some day He will call up the dead that dwell there, (Revelation 20:13‑14).

The Word "hades" occurs ten times in the Greek New Testament:

Matthew 11:23; Luke 16:23; Revelation 6:8; Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:27, 31; Revelation 20:13, 14; Luke 10:15; Revelation 1:18

The Old Testament depicts an existence after death but does not describe fully the extent of that existence.

Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10 says there is no work, device, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol.

(The book is written in relation to man's existence and knowledge here on earth)

Isaiah.14:9‑11, 15‑17 indicates that there is a conscious existence.

In Matthew Jesus taught plainly that a man can talk, remember, can know and be known, feel, and think in Hades. (Luke 16:19‑31).

Jesus implied the same thing to the penitent thief when He said he would be in Paradise with Him, (Luke 23:40‑43).

The teaching of Christ plainly indicates there were two chambers in Hades and that there was a great gulf (chasm, abyss) between so none could cross over.

When Christ arose from the dead there was a dramatic change made in the region. "This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.”" Ephesians 4:8 (NIV)

In Revelation 6:9‑11 the souls of them that had been slain are under the altar and conscious. The souls of the dead still go into Paradise, but Paradise is now above, (2 Corinthians 12:2‑4).

It is generally accepted that when Christ arose from the dead He took with Him not only the first‑fruit of men whom He raised bodily (Matthew. 27:52‑53), but also the souls of all the righteous in Hades, (Ephesians 4:8; Psalms 68:18).

Although, the Greek and Hebrew words for hell, paradise and the grave are used, in a great degree, interchangeably, sufficient clarification is given to distinguish them. Hades and Sheol are frequently used to describe the abode of the dead, whether that be the grave, paradise or the place of torment.

Gehenna is the Greek for the place of torment,

tartarus‑ the place of punishment,

abussos frefar‑ the bottomless pit, and several words are used to describe the pit that man goes down into indicating the grave or the prison for their soul.

Biblical language gives strong indication as to the location of these two ageless abodes.

Heaven is said to be above.

Jesus ascended through the clouds into heaven.

Elijah was caught away in a fiery chariot through the clouds into heaven.

Satan was cast down out of Heaven.

Joshua 2:11....for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above and in earth beneath. {mahal} 4605 the upper part

Psalms 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth.... {al} the highest, the top

Ephesians 4:10 ascended up far above all heavens {huperano} greatly higher, above upward, far above, over.

There are indicators both in Scripture and tradition that there are various degrees or levels of Heaven.

1. The Firmament

2. The area between the firmament and the abode of God, this is probably the area of the stars

3. The third heaven is the abode of the righteous dead who are awaiting the resurrection of their bodies.

4. The forth Heaven would be the area below the throne

5. The Fifth heaven would be the throne area

6. The Sixth heaven would be the area directly above the throne

7. The Seventh heaven is the highest heaven.

2 Corinthians 12:2 plainly says there was a man caught up into the third heaven.

Hebrews 4:14 says that Christ passed through the heavens.

Another view which is noteworthy is that there are three degrees of heaven:

1. The Firmament

2. The Stars

3. God's abode

A Third view is there are five degrees of heaven:

1. The firmament

2. The stars

3. The Altar area (where the souls of the righteous dead remain until the resurrection)

4. The throne area

5. The Highest heaven

The book of Isaiah 14:13 indicates that Heaven is somewhere on the sides of the North. (It must be noted that this is the word of Lucifer in relation to his rebellion.)

Of the 14 words the Scriptures give referring to hell and the grave four are most common, Sheol, Hades and Gehenna.

Gehinnom has an obscure original derivation.

Hell, or Gehenna, is the final destiny of the wicked.

The Valley of Hinnom was situated outside Jerusalem.

There are three possible locations of this valley, one in Kidron Valley the other is Wadi al‑Rababi, the third is the valley of Tophet .

This is the place Children were sacrificed by fire to Molech. 2 Chronicles 28:3; 2 Chronicles 33:6. It became a prophetic symbol of the judgment which was to come, Jeremiah. 7:31‑32. It is a place of unquenchable or eternal fire. God will cast both body and soul into hell, Luke 12:5; Matthew 10:28. In latter times it had been used for burning the corpses of criminals, animals and any refuse.

The symbolism of Gehenna is explicitly clear in view of the torments of sacrifices to Molech, by the Ammonites, Syria, and Baal worshipers. The worship of Molech was associated with the sacrifice of children, Leviticus. 18:21; 20:2,3,4,5; 2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 32:35; 2 Kings 17:31.

The Valley of Hinnom contained a large brazen idol fashioned to Molech. The Ammonites would heat their god with fire until it glowed and then they would throw their Children on the Idols lap.

Psalms 55:15 Let death seize upon them, [and] let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness [is] in their dwellings, [and] among them.

Proverbs 5:5 (NIV "Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.")

Proverbs 7:27 (NIV) "Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death."

Isaiah 14:15 (NIV) "But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit."

Ezekiel 31:16 (NIV) "I made the nations tremble at the sound of its fall when I brought it down to the grave with those who go down to the pit. Then all the trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, all the trees that were well-watered, were consoled in the earth below."

Amos 9:2 (NIV) "Though they dig down to the depths of the grave, from there my hand will take them. Though they climb up to the heavens, from there I will bring them down."

Matthew 11:23 (NIV) "And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day."

Luke 10:15 (NIV) "And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths."

2 Peter 2:4 (NIV) "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;"

Acts 2:19 (NIV) "I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke."

Acts 2:20 (NIV) "The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord."

Acts 2:21 (NIV) "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’"

***It must be noted that the people of the Bible were of the persuasion that the earth was flat. The firmament was a solid substance similar to a bowl and the earth had foundations.

Above the firmament was a span and then there was the heavens where God dwelt.

***Within this concept the grave was a chamber below the earth. Hades was somewhere below the grave. Paradise was one side of that place and Gehinnom or Tartarus was the other.

Somewhere above was heaven where God dwelt.

The Word of God gives strong evidence to man's experiencing through his sensual perception the existence of the eternal abode. Throughout time God has limited the various contact man has had through revelation, dreams, visions or by being in the spirit.

The Scripture intimates the real existence of these places of abode. We are not given all that is to know about heaven or hell, but sufficient is stated to know the reality of their existence.

Let's discuss scriptural evidence for the existence of a real place called HELL and how the Word of God describes it, and where the Scriptures locate it.

I. Hell is a fact.

A. We have established the fact that hell is the abode of the souls of the wicked dead.

B. When Christ arose and went to the Father: between John 20:17 when he told Mary not to touch Him and John 20:27 when He told Thomas to thrust his finger into the prints of the nail; He delivered the souls of the Saints He set free from Sheol into the Third heaven or the Paradise above.

C. From that time until the present Sheol/Hades/Gehinna or Tartarus has become the abode of the Wicked Dead.

D. God has limited access and exposure to the regions of the condemned

1. He has placed special condemnation on the practices of wizard, witches, and mediums who attempt to contact the dead.

2. In the Scripture and in these last days through special revelation God has given greater exposure and understanding of what this existence is.

E. Biblical evidence has always indicated that Hell is:

1. A real place

2. The abode of the departed souls

3. A place of severe torment

4. A place of sorrows beyond compare

5. That region that is below the grave.

6. Under the observation and control of God, Prov. 15:11

7. Filled with various chambers:

a. Sheol‑ Gehinna‑ Luke 16:23

b. Hell and the lowest hell‑ Psalms 86:13; Deut 32:22

c. Chambers of death‑ Prov. 7:27

d. Dead (souls) are guests of hell‑ Prov 9:18

e. It is never full‑ Prov 27:20

f. It is constantly being enlarged‑ Isaiah 5:14

g. There are sides to the pit‑ Isaiah 14:15

h. It is like being behind bars in a pit‑ Job 17:16

I. It is in the lowest pit, in the darkness in the deep‑ Psalms 88:6

II. Hell (Tartarus/Gehinna) is a real place.

A. It is difficult for man to accept the seeming mythological place called hell.

B. God has never presented heaven or hell as a myth or a purely spiritual place.

C. God prepared hell for the Devil and his angels‑ 2 Peter 2:4; Rev. 9:11....

D. Hell/ the pit/ the bottomless pit/ was purposefully created a prison and house of torment for fallen angels.

1. Their sins were of such a character that God confined them into this chamber.

E. This Chamber or pit is not the grave.

1. The Greek word ‑bore‑ describes it as a dungeon, prison, or pit.

2. Revelation depicts it as a bottomless pit‑ Abussos frehar. A Deep pit which appears to be bottomless, a prison, a dungeon.

3. Revelation 9:1‑11 says the fifth angel will release Abaddon or Apollyon from the bottomless pit along with hordes of demon locust.

4. Revelation 20:1 God sends an angel from heaven to bind the Devil, Satan with a great chain and cast him into the bottomless pit for a thousand years.

F. When man fell by sin the wicked dead were consigned to this place of torment.

G. Hell is not the Grave‑

1. Even with the original language giving reference to the grave and hell through word usage of Sheol, hades, bore, and others, the context clearly defines them as being separate places.

2. Hades and Sheol can indicate either hell or the grave.

3. The description of the grave and hell are completely different.

a. The grave is a place of silence, no knowledge, darkness

b. Hell is a place of knowledge, pain, fire, heat, torment, dryness...

c. The grave is an end of existence

d. Hell is an ongoing existence

e. The grave is the abode of the decaying dead body

f. Hell is the abode of the Soul.

III. Hell is below!

A. The Language is clear that hell is below the grave.

B. Theologians disagree as to where that "below" is.

1. To some it is figurative

2. Others feel it is a totally undesignated place

3. Some feel it is a purely spiritual place and existence

4. Still others feel it may be subterranean

C. To answer the question we must first determine if the language describing its locality is figurative or literal.

1. In relation to heaven, hell is down,

Job 11:8 (NIV) "They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave—what can you know?"

Psalm 139:8 (NIV)"If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there."

Amos 9:2 (NIV) "Though they dig down to the depths of the grave, from there my hand will take them. Though they climb up to the heavens, from there I will bring them down."

Luke 10:15 (NIV) "And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths."

2. Hell is down in the same sense that earth is down from heaven,

Revelation 12:9 (NIV) "The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him."

Revelation 12:10 (NIV) "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down."

3. Hell and the grave are both referred to as being down,

Psalm 30:3 (NIV) "O Lord, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit."

Proverbs 1:12 (NIV) "let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;"

Isaiah 14:19 (NIV) "But you are cast out of your tomb like a rejected branch; you are covered with the slain, with those pierced by the sword, those who descend to the stones of the pit. Like a corpse trampled underfoot,"

Isaiah 38:18 (NIV) "For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness."

Ezekiel 32:23 (NIV) "Their graves are in the depths of the pit and her army lies around her grave. All who had spread terror in the land of the living are slain, fallen by the sword."

Ezekiel 32:24 (NIV) "“Elam is there, with all her hordes around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword. All who had spread terror in the land of the living went down uncircumcised to the earth below. They bear their shame with those who go down to the pit."

4. It is referred to as 'descending into the pit', etc.

Numbers 16:33 (NIV) "They went down alive into the grave, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community."

Proverbs 1:12 (NIV) "let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;"

Isaiah 38:18 (NIV) "For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness."

Ezekiel 26:20 (NIV) "then I will bring you down with those who go down to the pit, to the people of long ago. I will make you dwell in the earth below, as in ancient ruins, with those who go down to the pit, and you will not return or take your place in the land of the living."

Ezekiel 32:18 (NIV) "“Son of man, wail for the hordes of Egypt and consign to the earth below both her and the daughters of mighty nations, with those who go down to the pit."

5. The pit is described as the 'lowest pit', the 'lowest hell', the 'deeps'.

This is the same language that describes Jonah, a deep well, the place where Christ Descended, and the deep foundation a man builds on...

Psalm 88:6 (NIV) "You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths."

Deuteronomy 32:22 (NIV) "For a fire has been kindled by my wrath, one that burns to the realm of death below. It will devour the earth and its harvests and set afire the foundations of the mountains."

Psalm 86:13 (NIV) "For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave."

Jonah 2:3 (NIV) "You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me."

Luke 6:48 (NIV) "He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built."

John 4:11 (NIV) "“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?"

Romans 10:7 (NIV) "“or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)."

6. The Bottomless pit, Rev 9:1‑11; 11:7‑8; Rev 20:1‑3 is referred to as being subterranean.

Revelation 9:1 (NIV) "The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss."

Revelation 9:2 (NIV) "When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss."

Revelation 9:3 (NIV)"And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth."

Revelation 17:8 (NIV) "The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come."

7. The beast that controls the earth during the tribulation will ascend out of the bottomless pit, and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, Rev.17:8.

18. The Second Coming of Christ

The Second Coming of Christ can be best understood by looking at the two phases of it separately.

His coming into the air

His coming to the earth

His coming into the air

1 Thessalonians 4:16‑17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; John 14:3; Matthew 25:6; Luke 19:15; Luke 17:34‑36

This is the time Christ will come for those He has redeemed.

The events of this phase of His coming cover the events that take place in the air, and in heaven.

While many things transpire during the 7 years of tribulation, as God pours out His wrath on wicked men, the events in Heaven reveal the blessedness of the resurrection unto Life.

Will all the saved be taken at the Rapture?

The nature of the Church would seem to require that everyone who belongs to it should be taken.

The Church is a Temple (1 Corinthians 3:16,17; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:20‑21; 1 Peter 2:5)

Will any part of the building in which the Holy Spirit dwells be left behind?

The Church is the Lord's bride (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:24,32; Revelation 19:6‑9).

Will any part of His bride be left behind?

The Church is Christ's body (1 Corinthians 12:12‑27; Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:12; 5:29,30; Colossians 1:18,24; 2:19).

Surely He will not leave any part of His body behind.

His coming in the air will lead to the believers' judgment and reward.

His judgment will be on the basis of the:

1. use of the talents given, (Matthew 25:14‑30)

2. the pounds, (Luke 19:11‑27)

3. the opportunities (Matthew 20:1‑16) entrusted to him.

It is with regard to "works" that the believer will be judged.

Romans 14:10‑12, 2 Corinthians 5:10

The BELIEVERS REWARD will be on the basis of:

1. his stewardship, (1 Corinthians 4:1‑5; Matthew 25:14‑30; Luke 19:11‑27; Matthew 20:1‑16);

2. manner in which material possessions have been used, (Matthew 6:20; Galatians 6:7);

3. for the souls won to righteousness (Daniel 12:3, 1Thessalonians 2:19‑20);

4. care of the needy, (Matthew 25:34‑40, 10:42);

5. for persecution for Christ's sake, (Matthew 5:11‑12; Luke 6:22‑23; 2 Timothy 2:12; James 1:12)

His coming to Earth

The purpose of Christ's coming to earth is quite different from His purpose in coming in the air.

To reveal Himself and His own. (Zechariah 14:5; Joel 3:11; Matthew 16:27; 24:29‑31; 25:31‑32; Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Jude 14‑15; 1 John 3:2).

This host of holy ones is both the saints and angels. Christ has been hidden from the gaze of the natural eye for nineteen centuries. Revelation 1:7 says "every eye shall see Him". The first resurrection will be completed at the moment of Christ's coming to earth (Revelation 20:4).

To judge the Beast, the False Prophet, and their Armies. (Revelation 19:19‑21; 2 Thesssalonians 2:8).

The years of unprecedented tribulation, which are between the two phases of His coming, are nearing an end and the dragon, the beast and the false prophet go forth and gather the kings of the earth to capture and plunder Jerusalem and the Jews of Palestine. (Zechariah 12:1‑9; 13:8‑14:2).

When they feel the victory is sure, Christ will return to earth and the conflict is short and the outcome certain, (Psalm 2:3‑9; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:19‑21; 2 Thessalonians 1:7‑10).

To bind Satan, (Revelation 20:1‑2; Romans 16:20)

To save Israel, Romans 11:1,5,25‑26; Zechariah 14:1‑4; Jeremiah 31:35‑37; Isaiah 11:11‑14; Ezekiel 37:18‑25; Zechariah 12:10‑13:6; Isaiah 66:8; Jeremiah 31:31‑34; Hebrews 8:8‑12...

To Judge the nations, (2 Thessalonians 1:7‑10; Matthew 25:31‑46; Joel 3:11‑17; Acts 17:31).

He will judge the beast, the false prophet, and their armies at His return; but kings, and captains, and armies do not constitute the whole people. After Christ has dealt with these in the battle of Armageddon, He will have all nations gathered before Him for judgment. This judgment takes place before the Millennium.

To deliver and bless creation (Matthew 19:28; Isaiah 11:1‑9, 35:1‑10; Romans 8:19‑22).

Many physical changes will take place on the earth, (Zechariah 14:4‑8; Ezekiel 47:1‑12; Isaiah 2:2),

The earth shall yield her increase, (Ezekiel 34:25‑26).

To set up His Kingdom (Luke 19:12, 15‑19; Jeremiah 33:19‑22; Luke 1:31‑33; Daniel 2:44‑45; 7:13‑14; Revelation 11:15).

Jerusalem will become the capital of the renewed earth (Isa. 2:2‑4; Micah 4:1‑3).

All the nations will come up to worship at Jerusalem at the feast of tabernacles, (Zechariah 14:16‑19).

Peace and righteousness will characterize the reign of Christ (Zechariah 14:16‑19).

The second resurrection and the judgment of the wicked will take place after the thousand years, (Revelation 20:5, 11‑13).

God puts off the day of final reckoning until after the millennium. But though it tarries, it will surely come. Ecclesiastes 11:9; 12:14; Romans 2:15‑16; Hebrews 10:27;

19. Tribulation

REVELATION 5:1‑19:21

The Seven Sealed Book‑ Revelation 5:1‑10

The Book written within and on the backside sealed with seven seals.

The LAMB of God in Heaven opens the Seven Sealed Book one seal at a time.

The Opening of the Seven Sealed Book signifies the beginning of the Tribulation

(Tribulation‑ Daniel's 70th week, The Day of the Lord, The Time of Jacob's Trouble, The Great Tribulation...)

The Tribulation is a Seven year period which is broken into two sections, at the half‑way mark.

Daniel indicates the break by the words, "in the middle of the week" or after 3½ years.

Revelation determines the middle of the tribulation with reference to a 42 (forty-two) month period, or "a thousand two hundred and three score days" Revelation 11:3; 12:6

The First half of the Tribulation involves Revelation 6‑10.

Seven Seals

the First SIX of the Seven Trumpets

The Raptured Church rejoices in the presence of God, while the earth begins to feel the effects of the absence of the church and the wrath of God on sin.

The Church is the salt of the earth

The Hindering of Evil in man's heart is taken out of the world, 2 Thessalonians 2:7

THEN THE WICKED SHALL BE REVEALED‑‑2 Thessalonians 2:8‑10

THE FIRST SEAL‑ Antichrist appears. {the first seal is conquering power}

Revelation 6:1‑2; Daniel 7:8,23,26; Daniel 8:8‑10, 20‑25; Daniel 11:35‑45; 2 Thessalonians 2:1‑12; Revelation 13:1‑18; Revelation 17:10‑16.

The First glimpse of Antichrist in Revelation, 2 Thessalonians 2:3,8,9

That man of sin

That wicked one

Whose coming is after the working of Satan

He comes as an Imitator of Christ, Revelation 6:1‑2

(Revelation 19:11‑21 Christ comes to Earth on a White Horse)

He carries a bow‑ a sign of conquest, Psa. 46:9, Jer. 49:35

Following his arrival is political, economic, social, terrestrial, and celestial upheavals.

Earthquakes, hailstones, volcanic eruptions, war, famines, pestilence, and meteoric showers.... have been throughout time, but an intensified fulfillment awaits this period of Divine judgments.

The White Horse Rider promises peace, but has no intention of bringing peace to earth.

[Note: none of the events that transpire on earth are without the Sovereign control of the one who sits on the throne in heaven.]

THE SECOND SEAL‑ The Red Horse Rider‑ Wars and Rumors of War‑ Revelation 6:3‑4; Matthew 24:6‑7

War and bloodshed

Peace Promised by the Antichrist does not last long...

The White horse rider came conquering and to conquer.

This is not necessarily global war‑

Peace is removed from the world.

Civil strife

Class conflict

Murder

Violence

Terrorism

Hatred

Prejudices

Revelation 6:4 "to take peace from the earth, and that they should KILL ONE ANOTHER..."

THE THIRD SEAL‑ The Black Horse Rider‑ Revelation 6:5‑6; Matthew 24:7- Famine and food rationing.

When Scripture takes note of bread being measured and weighed it is indicating and dramatizing famine, (2 Kings 7:1; Ezekiel 4:10‑17...)

It will take a whole day's wages to buy a loaf of bread...

Malnutrition, and starvation on a mass scale

This will not be isolated and local, it will affect the whole world.

THE FOURTH SEAL‑ The Pale Horse Rider‑ Revelation 6:7‑8; Matthew 24:6‑7: This is Pestilence

Death and Hell are rampant.

1/4 the earth will be given to death by hunger and the sword.

Death and hell come to receive the victims.

NOTICE THERE IS NO HOPE HERE....

1/4 of the population of the earth will die of the sword and hunger and famine, and with 'death, and with the beast of the earth'

Pets will become so hungry they will turn on men.

This will worsen until the middle of the tribulation when man cannot buy or sell without the mark of the beast.

{Notice: 1/4 of the population of earth will be affected}

THE FIFTH SEAL‑ The First Martyrs of the Tribulation‑ Revelation 6:9‑11, Matthew 24:9‑13

Souls under the Altar‑

It is important to note that even while Satan and the Antichrist is loosed on the earth, the Holy Spirit is at work convicting men of sin.

Those who are saved in the Tribulation will be martyrs for their faith.

They will be "Slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held..."

THE SIXTH SEAL‑ The Wrath of the Lamb‑ Revelation 6:12‑17, marks the beginning of God's wrath, which continues until the battle of Armageddon is completed.

Physical changes occur on the face of the earth.

Read Revelation 6:12‑17

The Sixth Seal begins the wrath of God:

A Great earthquake

The sun becomes black

The moon is as blood

Stars fall to earth

The heavens depart as a scroll

Every mountain and island is moved out of place.

All men cry for rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from God's wrath....

THE SEVENTH SEAL‑ The Silence for 30 minutes.... Revelation 8:1

The Seventh Seal bring about the seven trumpet judgments and the seven vials of the last 3½ years

PARENTHETICAL EVENTS explain events which transpire simultaneously with other described events.

Revelation 7 ‑

144,000 Jews sealed to protect them from the trumpet judgments

Resurrection of the Tribulation Saints‑ Rev. 7:9‑17

Revelation 8:2‑6‑

Seven angels sent with trumpets preparing to sound.

Christ‑ the High Priest‑ will offer the Prayers of the Saints on the Golden altar as an incense

The Golden Censor is cast to the earth which causes voices, thunderings, and lightning and an earthquake

When the Seventh Seal is broken a chain of events begin which last 3½ years:

Hell and fire mingled with blood is cast upon the earth and 1/3 of the trees and grass are burned up

A Burning meteor is cast into the sea and 1/3 of the sea becomes blood. 1/3 of all that has life in the sea dies and 1/3 of all the ships in the sea are destroyed.

The star wormwood falls upon the rivers and fountains and 1/3 of all the waters are made bitter.

1/3 of the planets are darkened.

1/3 of the sun , moon and stars are darkened.

(The day shone not for a third part.)

Demon locust are loosed upon the earth to bite, torment, and sting... 6.200 million demons are loosed to slay 1/3 of the population

By the time the Seventh Seal is completed 7/12 of the population will have died.

THE SEVENTH SEAL AND THE SEVEN TRUMPETS‑ Revelation 8:1, 7‑9:21; 11:14‑19.

The First Trumpet‑ Revelation 8:7

Hell, fire, and blood fall from heaven.

1/3 of the trees and grass is burned up

The Second Trumpet‑ Revelation 8:8‑9

A Burning mountain or meteor is cast from heaven

1/3 of the ships are destroyed

1/3 of the sea is turned to blood

1/3 of the creatures of the sea die

The Third Trumpet sounds‑ Revelation 8:10‑11

The Star wormwood is cast into the rivers

Drinking waters are poisoned

1/3 of the water is made bitter

The Fourth Trumpet Sounds‑ Revelation 8:12

1/3 of all the Planets are darkened the 5th, 6th, and 7th Trumpets and the Three Woes last through the duration of the Tribulation

The Fifth Trumpet and the First Woe‑ Revelation 9:1‑12

When the Trumpet Sounds the First woe is proclaimed

WOE 2. Demon locusts are loosed out of the pit and they torment men for 5 months.

The Sixth Trumpet brings about the Second Woe‑ Revelation 9:13‑21

200 Million demons are released out of the pit to slay 1/3 of the men.

WOE 2. Russia and its confederacy will see Israel asleep and resting and will determine to plunder it, Ezekiel 38:11‑12; Daniel 11:40

Ezekiel says only 1/6th of Russia's army will escape death in the battle.

Antichrist will use this as an excuse to move into Israel for protective custody.

The Seventh Trumpet Sounds and the Third Woe is pronounced‑ Revelation 11:15

Hell, Lightning, thunderings and earthquakes take place.

WOE 2. The Third Woe begins at Revelation 11:14 and last through 13:18

When the 7th trumpet sounds the Orient will see the destruction of Russia and invade Israel. [this takes place as a part of the 3rd Woe in Revelation 16:12]

By the time the battle is over Blood will be to the horse's bridle in Migiddo.

Of the Population that is left 1/3 will be killed during this battle.

Israel will bury dead for 7 months and no tree will need to be cut for fuel for 7 years.

PARENTHETICAL EVENTS

Revelation 10‑11:14

A Mighty angel sets his foot on the land and on the sea, (this is Christ) Revelation 10:1‑2

Seven Thunders‑ judgments so severe that the Lord required John to not disclose their events. Revelation 10:3‑4

John eats the Little book and not allowed to reveal its contents at this time; the Little Book contains the remainder of the events of the judgments to be poured out on the Earth, Revelation 10:8‑11

The Temple of God and Jerusalem taken over by the Antichrist, worship of him as the god of this world, profaning the temple, Revelation 11:1‑2

The TWO WITNESSES, Revelation 11:3‑13 ‑ they will come from heaven with extraordinary powers, they will prophecy for 3½ years

Their witness

Their death ‑ they will lie in the street dead for 3½ days

Their resurrection and rapture, 1 Corinthians 15:20‑23; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 11:9‑12

A Great earthquake‑

1/10 of the city fell

7,000 men slain {Elijah left 7,00 prophets of Baal dead before he was translated}

{Reminder: the events that transpire as a result of the Seventh Seal continue into the second half of the tribualtion. These judgments aide in making up the Wrath of God on the wicked.}

THE MIDDLE OF THE TRIBULATION

THE LAST HALF OF THE TRIBULATION

The Seventh Seal set into action events that lead into the wrath of God and fill up judgments on the wicked.

As a point of reminder:

The Seventh Seal is broken and there is silence for 30 minutes

From it proceed the Seven Trumpets

Three Woes

The Seven Thunder judgments

The Events of the Little Book

The Judgments of the Two Witnesses

The Great Earthquake

7,000 Slain

SEVEN PERSONAGES

THE SUN CLOTHED WOMAN‑ Revelation 12:1‑2

Who is the Sun Clothed Woman?

The Virgin Mary

The Church, Spiritual Israel

Natural Israel

It is obvious that Mary is not the Woman.

She flees into the wilderness without her child.

Mary fled into Egypt with her child.

If the Professing Church is the Woman, then the True Church is not Raptured, "caught out", until the "Middle of the Week"

Natural Israel is the "Sun Clothed Woman",

Joseph's dream‑ Genesis 37:9‑11

Isaiah 54:5‑10

Jeremiah 3:1‑14

Hosea 2:14‑23

Hosea 3:4‑5

Micah 5:3

Zechariah 12:10

Romans 11:25‑27

Matthew 24:15‑22

The True Church is not on the earth at this time.

The False Church of Revelation 17 is Babylon.

Babylon is not the mother of the "Man‑Child", Israel is.

The Woman fled into the Wilderness of Edom and Moab.

It is commonly believed that Petra is the place to which they will flee, Isaiah 26:20‑21; Isaiah 42:11; Psalm 60:6‑12; Psalm 108:8‑13; Ezekiel 20:33,44; Daniel 11:36‑45; Hosea 2:14‑23.

THE DRAGON‑ Revelation 12:3‑4

Revelation 12:9 "the dragon is clearly defined as Satan"

The Dragon is RED, the color of Blood, for he was a murder from the beginning, John 8:44

The 7 heads represent 7 world empires

Egypt

Assyria

Babylon

Medo‑Persia

Greece

Rome

Revised‑ Rome

7 Crowns represent he is the ruler over the 7 empires

10 Horns represent 10 Kingdoms (different types of governments)

These are the same ten kingdoms represented by the Ten toes of Daniel 2:40‑45, and Ten Horns of Daniel 7:7‑8, 19‑24.

These 10 horns do not have crowns, representing the fact that they have given their power to the rule of the beast.

The 1/3 of the stars of heaven are the fallen angels. These are all cast out of heaven. This is the Third Woe.

The Dragon stood before the Woman ready to devour her child as soon as it was born.

Satan's efforts to prevent the birth of Jesus, and then after His birth to destroy him before the cross are shown here by type.

The Persecution of the Jews and the death camps of Nazi Germany should also be considered.

THE MANCHILD‑ Revelation 12:5‑6

Who is it that will rule the Earth with a rod of iron? Revelation 19:11‑16

What is His name?

Lord of Lords, King of kings, The Word of God.

The Manchild is represented as being‑

Christ‑ Psalm 2:8‑9; Revelation 19:11‑16

144,000 sealed Jews who are caught up‑ Revelation 7:1‑8; 9:4; Daniel 9:27; 11:40‑45; Daniel 12:1; Isaiah 66:7‑8; Matthew 24:15‑22; Revelation 14:1‑5

The Overcomers‑ Rev. 2:26‑27

It is probable here that the 144,000 are the ones that represent the man‑child.

Christ is on the throne giving the vision to John

The woman is national Israel

A natural response is that the man‑child is the 144,000, and this is the time of their catching away to God in heaven.

The reason for the great wrath on the remnant of Israel is that the 144,000 believers in Israel are caught up to heaven.

THE ARCHANGEL‑ Revelation 12:7‑12

Michael and his angels fought against the Dragon

The heavens are purged of Satan's influence, Job 15:15

Satan is called the Prince of the Powers of the Air, Ephesians 2:2

The Ruler of the Powers of darkness, Ephesians 6:11‑12

Satan is cast down into the earth, Daniel 11:45‑12:1; Isaiah 24:21‑22; 25:7‑8; Daniel 27:1; Revelation 12:7‑12

Michael is one of the Chief princes, Daniel 10:13

...your prince, Daniel 10:21

...Great Prince, Daniel 12:1

...an Archangel, Jude 9

PART OF THE GREAT WRATH THAT WILL COME ON THE EARTH WILL BE A RESULT OF SATAN BEING CAST DOWN TO THE EARTH, Rev. 12:12

THE JEWISH REMNANT‑ Revelation 12:17

The remnant of Israel keeps the commandment of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The Antichrist's Armies will pursue the remnant of Israel but the earth will swallow them, Revelation 12:15‑16

Thousands will die a martyr's death.

THE BEAST OUT OF THE SEA‑ Rev 13:1‑10

The incarnation of the Dragon

This is the Anti‑Christ man.

The Dragon gives him his power.

The beast, Antichrist, has Seven heads and ten horns and ten crowns on the ten horns, Revelation 13:1‑10

Daniel 7:23‑24, Daniel's fourth beast is the same one John sees.

The identity of the Antichrist man will not be revealed until after the ten kingdoms are formed inside the Revised Roman Kingdom

The Domain of the Antichrist appears to be limited to the area of his kingdom, however the extent of his control will be global.

He will arise from one of the four divisions of Greece, Daniel 8:8‑9

He will subdue three; Greece, Turkey, and Egypt; of the ten nations, and the remainder will submit to him, Daniel 7:8

He will begin to reign from Babylon, Isaiah 14:4‑11, for 3 1/2 years and from Jerusalem for the final 3 1/2 years, Daniel 9:27; 11:45; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3‑4; Revelation 11:1‑2

Satan will give him great power and authority,

He will be worshiped, Revelation 13:4

He will conquer other nations, Revelation 13:7

He will change times and laws, Daniel 7:25

He will control religious life, Revelation 13:1‑18

He will subdue kings, Revelation 17:1‑27

He will bring fear on nations, Revelation 13:4

He will work miracles, Revelation 13:13

He will revive an ancient government Revelation 13:3

THE BEAST OUT OF THE EARTH, Revelation 13:11‑18

Revelation 16:13; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:8‑12

He has horns like a lamb, (he appears to be harmless) but he speaks like the dragon, (Satan).

The false prophet is active to attract attention to the Antichrist by performing great wonders and signs, Revelation 13:13

His activity to present to minimize the power of the two witnesses, who will also be active at this time.

The Antichrist is established as a deity by the False Prophet.

THE MARK OF THE BEAST‑

His mark, Rev. 13:16

His name 666

The Number of his name

The Price of the mark, name, or number will be one's soul.

THREE ANGELIC MESSENGERS‑ Revelation 14:6‑11

The First Angel, Revelation 14:6‑7‑ preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone on earth

The Second Angel, Revelation 14:8‑ declared the fall of Babylon

The Third Angel, Revelation 14:9‑11‑ declares the doom coming to those who receive the mark of the Beast and worship him.

THE HARVEST VINTAGE‑ Revelation 14:14‑20

Armageddon‑ the harvest vintage. Revelation 14:14‑20

The Wine press of the wrath of God‑ (These events described in Revelation 14:14‑20 will be discussed in chapter 19).

THE SEVEN VIALS OF THE WRATH OF GOD‑ Revelation 15,16

"For in them is filled up the wrath of God..." Revelation 15:1

Seven Angel come out of the temple in heaven clothed in pure white linen and having golden girdles about their breasts, Revelation 15:5‑8, to pour the seven vials on the earth.

These judgments are poured out and are included in the judgment of the last 3 ½ years

The FIRST VIAL‑ Sores‑ Revelation 16:2

Everyone who worships the beast and takes the mark.

This is limited to a certain group of people.

it is a plague of sores, or ulcerous boils

The SECOND VIAL‑ Sea to Blood Revelation 16:3

This is greater in scope than the Second Trumpet judgment

In the Trumpet judgment 1/3 die. Here the whole sea is turned to blood, and everything in the sea dies.

The THIRD VIAL‑ Rivers to Blood‑ Revelation 16:4‑7

For they have shed the blood of the saints and prophets, and it is fitting that they should drink blood to quench their thirst.

The FOURTH VIAL‑ Great heat‑ Revelation 16:8‑9

The fourth trumpet caused the light of the Sun, Moon, and Stars to be darkened.

The fourth Vial caused the sun to scorch like a great oven.

The FIFTH VIAL‑ Darkness‑ Revelation 16:10‑11

Darkness on the Antichrist's kingdom.

Their pains will be so severe they will gnaw their tongues (chew) {possibly go into convulsions because of the pain}

The SIXTH VIAL‑ Euphrates Dried up‑ Revelation 16:12

Euphrates will be dried to enable the Kings of the East to invade Israel

THREE UNCLEAN SPIRITS WILL COME OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF THE DRAGON, THE BEAST, AND THE FALSE PROPHET. Revelation16:13‑16

These demonic spirits will gather the kings of the earth to the battle of Armageddon.

The SEVENTH VIAL‑ a Great Earthquake and great hail‑ Revelation 16:17‑21; 17:18‑18:24

The seventh seal and the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet and the pouring out of the Seventh Vial bring the same occurrence.

Voices and thunderings are heard

Great lightning is seen

A Great earthquake like none in history, every mountain is not found, and every island fled away. Revelation 16:20. Jerusalem will be split into three parts.

At the Seventh Trumpet and the Seventh Vial there is a Great Hail Storm, 114 pound hail stones.

At the pouring out of the seventh vial a Great voice cries out, "It is done" Revelation 16:17

SCENES IN HEAVEN JUST BEFORE CHRIST RETURNS TO EARTH‑ Revelation 19:1‑6

THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB Revelation 19:7‑9

CHRIST RETURNS TO EARTH‑ Revelation 19:11‑14

This is the day of the Lord ‑ Isaiah 63:1‑6; Joel 3:13‑14; Zechariah 14:1; Revelation 14:17‑20

THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON‑ Revelation 19:15‑19.

this is the day of vengeance, Isaiah 63:4

the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God, Revelation 19:15

"Jerusalem shall be taken, the houses rifled, the loot divided, the women raped; half the population will be taken away as slaves, and half will be left in what remains of the city," Zechariah 14:2 Then the Lord will go out fully armed for war to fight against those nations.vs3.

The Battle will be so severe that scripture says "Except those day be shortened, there should no flesh be saved..." Matthew 24:22

There will be an overflowing rain which will mingle with the blood of the slaughter, Ezekiel 38:22

The blood will run in the valley for 200 miles up to the horses bridles. Revelation 14:20

THE ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET CAST ALIVE INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE‑ Revelation 19:20‑21

SATAN BOUND FOR A THOUSAND YEARS AND CAST INTO THE BOTTOMLESS PIT‑ Revelation 20:1‑3

THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM‑ Revelation 20:3‑7

CHRIST WILL RULE AND REIGN ON EARTH FOR A THOUSAND YEARS.

The seat of the government will be in Jerusalem

The New City will be 9 miles square, and suburbs 1/2 mile on each side, (the city will thus be 10 miles square)

It will have 3 gates on each side

The gates will be named for the sons of Jacob

See Ezekiel 48:15‑18, 30‑35

The Temple will be built outside the city; a 12 mile boulevard lined with shade trees will lead from the city to the temple. The Temple will be 1 mile square, Ezekiel 42:15‑20. This will be in the center of the Holy Oblation

Living waters will flow out of Jerusalem, half to the Red Sea and half to the Mediterranean, Zechariah 14:8, Ezekiel 47:8‑12

The Mount of Olives will be split in the middle, and a great valley will run from the east to the west, Zechariah 14:4,10,11

This will probably be similar to a earthquake and volcano combined, Micah 1:3‑4

Palestine will bring forth abundantly, Deuteronomy 11:13‑17, Joel 3;18; Isaiah 35:1; Isaiah 55:13; Psalm 67:6; Joel 2:24‑26

The Character of animals will change, Isaiah 11:6‑9

Human Life will be prolonged, Isaiah 65:20; Isaiah 65:22; Zechariah 8:4

The light of the sun and moon will be increased sevenfold, Isaiah 30:26; Isaiah 60:19‑20

The Shekinah Glory will rest on the temple, Revelation 21:23‑24

SATAN'S LAST REVOLT‑ Revelation 20:7‑8

Gog and Magog will be the place where Satan draws the people that will be in number as the sand of the sea. Revelation 20:8‑9

The Revolt will be worldwide, Revelation 20:9

This is the last war.

Fire will come down from heaven and devour them, Revelation 20:9

Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire for ever Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:10.

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT‑ Revelation 20:11‑15

This is the judgment of the Wicked‑ Acts 17:31; Romans 2:16

This is the judgment of fallen angels‑ 2 Peter 2:4

The end of this judgment is the Lake of Fire, this is an eternal judgment‑ Matthew 5;22; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 13:42‑50; Matthew 25:30‑46; Mark 9:32‑48; Hebrews 6:2; Hebrews 10:26‑31; Revelation 14:9‑11

SEVEN NEW THINGS‑ Revelation 21

New Heaven, Revelation 21:1

New Earth, Revelation 21:1

New City, Revelation 21:9‑23

the city is 1,500 miles square

(would reach from Maine to Florida from the Atlantic seaboard 600 miles west of the Mississippi River)

The length breadth and height of it are equal; it will probably be a mountain with the Lamb's throne in the upper-most center.

the wall of the city is 216 feet high

there are 12 gates 3 on each side, each of one pearl

the wall is pure Jasper and the foundations are garnished will all manner of precious stones...

The foundations contain the names of the 12 Apostles of the Lamb

the 12 gates bear the names of the 12 tribes of Israel.

The Lamb of God is the Light thereof, Revelation 21:23

The City is pure gold as clear glass, Revelation 21:18,21

New Nations, Revelation 21:24‑27

The City will never be contaminated by evil.

God has not revealed as yet where the people will come from that populate the earth.

It is speculated that those who live in the millennium who do not rebel against Christ with the Devil will be kept and brought into the new earth.

Read Isaiah 66:22

There will be saved nations, Revelation 21:24

New River, Revelation 22:1

The New Tree of Life, Revelation 22:2

The New Throne, Revelation 22:3‑4

GOD'S FINAL TESTIMONY AND WARNINGS‑ Revelation 22:6‑21.

20. Final Things Recap

We are living in a period of Grace.

Grace and mercy are God's expressions to those who seek Him in faith and trust.

Rapture‑ The Lord will resurrect from the dead those who have died in faith,

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV) "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."

Tribulation‑ REVELATION 5:1‑ 19:21, 2 Thessalonians 2:3‑13 When the body of believers, the Church, is taken out of this world at the rapture the evil that is in the world, and all Satanic powers will no longer have restraint. Evil men and evil spirits will continually do increasing vile activity.

The Millennial (1000 year) reign of Christ. Revelation 20:3‑7

Revelation 19:15 (NIV) This will be a time when Jesus the King will rule and reign from Jerusalem. "Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty."

Remember:

We are living in a period of grace, Revelation 22:17.

There will be a rapture of the Church, when the saints of God will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, 1 Thessalonians 4:16‑17.

After this a period of seven years of tribulation will come, when wickedness will abound.

After the tribulation Christ will return to earth for a 1,000 year reign. During this time he will rule in righteousness.

At the end of the thousand years Satan will be released for a short time and then Christ will defeat him and cast him into the lake of fire, Revelation 20:10, death and hell also, Revelation 20:14, and whoever is not found in the book of life Revelation 20:15.

At the end of Christ's judging the wicked, the earth and the heavens will be burned up 2 Peter 3:10.

It is at this time all things will be made new, Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13.

^{^[1]}Packer, J. I. (1995, c1993). Concise theology : A guide to historic Christian beliefs. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.