Category: Scriptural understanding

The Theme/Subject of the Bible

The Bible is comprised of 39 OT books and 27 NT books = 66 books in total.
 What’s it all about?
Today’s lesson:

The Theme/Subject of the Bible

1. The Hebrew Scriptures (predominantly the OT) = Christ is coming!
2. The so-called Gospels (so-called Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) = Christ has come!

3. The rest of the NT books = Christ is coming again!

We have several recently baptized Christians among us who might like to have an overview of the
contents of the Bible.
 And those of us who have been Christians much longer can always benefit from reminders.

Three Different Receptions of the Holy Spirit in “Acts”

Three Different Receptions of the Holy Spirit in “Acts”

Three Different Receptions of the Holy Spirit in “Acts”
1. Baptism with

the Holy Spirit

 2. Indwelling of

the Holy Spirit

 3. Laying on of

Apostles’ Hands

WHO? Apostles (1:2,5)

Cornelius+ (11:16)

 All Christians

(2:38,39; cf. Rom. 8:9b)

 Some Christians

(8:14-19)
HOW? From heaven (2:2)

Fell (10:44; 11:15)

 Received at baptism

(2:38; cf. 1Cor. 12:13)

 Apostles’ hands

(8:18)
PROOF? Miraculous

(2:4,8; 10:46)

 Promise, not miraculous

(2:38,39; cf. 8:12-16)

 Miraculous

(19:6)
WHY? God accepts them

(2:32,33;

10:47; 11:17,18)

 Seal (Eph. 1:13f.)

Strengthen (Eph. 3:16)

Intercedes (Rom. 8:26)

 Sign to unbelievers

Edification

(1Cor. 14:22,26)
WHEN? Temporary

(Eph. 4:5; 5:26)

 To the end of the age

(Matt. 28:19,20)

 Temporary

(8:18; cf. 1Cor. 13:8f.)

Lessons

 

  1. No “baptism with the HS” today, despite the claims of the false teachers to the contrary (cf. # 1 above).
  2. But there is indwelling of the HS today (= sealing, strengthening, interceding, etc.) for those who become Christians (cf. # 2 above) – rejoice!
  • Recall Isa 44:3 ‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants;
  1. No miraculous gifts of the HS today (e.g., tongues, prophecy, healings), despite the claims of the false teachers to the contrary (cf. # 3 above).

Justification – Grace, Faith & Works (“Faith alone” is false!)

Justification – Grace, Faith & Works

(“Faith alone” is false!)

1. Justified by grace, faith & works. “Faith alone” is false!
2. Does James contradict Paul? Never! (Both men were inspired – how can the Holy Spirit contradict Himself??)
3. What about baptism (in water)? Part of the obedience of faith – it is not earning salvation by works according to the inspired apostle Paul.
4. The example of Naaman the leper. Naaman had to obey in order to be healed!

An Ideal Audience

What makes an ideal audience?

Some audiences are clearly not ideal:
– Acts 13:44-45  Some are full of jealousy, or have other hidden agendas.
– And are we an ideal audience here this morning?

1. “We are all here”
2. “Present before God”
3. “To hear”
4. “All that you have been commanded by the Lord”

Conclusion
An ideal audience says,
– Acts 10:33, 24
1. Let’s all be here always (barring illness, etc.), on time, and with as many others as we can bring.
2. Let’s know that God sees all that we do and strive to please God.
3. Let’s come to listen carefully and not sleep through the message.
4. Let’s hear only the word of God and hear all of the word of God.

Note: We will also do God’s will:
– Matt. 7:24-27
And Cornelius and his friends also did God’s will:
– Acts 10:48

Was Cornelius forgiven BEFORE baptism in water?

Was Cornelius forgiven BEFORE baptism in water?

1. Are tongues/prophecy evidence of salvation?

2. There is one baptism – which is it?

We can only be forgiven of our sins through the blood of Jesus (Rev. 1:5).
But when does that blood become effective in our lives? Jesus said:
 Mk. 16:15-16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
o These are plain words which are easy to understand!
o i.e., Belief and baptism are essential to salvation.
But many today are saying/teaching that baptism is not essential to salvation!
 e.g., Many claim today that Cornelius and the rest were saved before and without baptism in water.

Was Cornelius forgiven BEFORE his baptism in water?

No! Cornelius (and his) spoke in tongues to change the Jews way of thinking about the Gentiles.
 It wasn’t evidence of salvation any more than it was with Balaam’s donkey!
 Cornelius and his were forgiven when they were baptized in water, as Jesus said (Mk. 16:15,16)!

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit Have Ceased

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit Have Ceased

1. What were the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit and why were they given?

2. Why have the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit ceased?

3. Other Scriptures showing that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased

4. There are many false claims today

A Trip that Changed a Life. Acts 8:26-40

A Trip that Changed a Life. Acts 8:26-40

Have you ever made a trip that changed your life completely?
 Well the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8b) did!
 He thought that he was on the road back to Ethiopia.
o Actually, he was also on the road to salvation!
 His life was completely changed (cf. Col. 1:13,14)!

——————————————————————————————————

Sadly today:
Today, few preachers preach Jesus as Philip did; few people obey as the man of Ethiopia did; and only those few can go their way rejoicing for exactly the same reason he did, because they have come ‘into Christ’ by the only way the Lord has commanded.
Let’s obey without delay as the eunuch did.
Let’s preach as Philip always did!
Let’s have the real joy which both the eunuch and Philip had!
Let’s think long and hard about “The Trip That Changed A Life”.

Rapture Ravings

Rapture Ravings

1. What is the supposed Rapture?

2. What is the truth about the future?

The “450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah” (1Kgs. 18:19) failed Elijah’s challenge:
– They raved on, but there was no god and consequently no answer (1Kgs. 18:29)!
–  These false prophets were put to death by Elijah (1Kgs. 18:40; 19:1).
Sadly many people today are “raving” about the so-called rapture

Recall that Jesus’ teaching on the future is easy to understand, simple, ELEMENTARY (Heb. 6:1,2):

  • 4:13-18 = no rapture, but reassurance with reference to deceased Christians.
  • 5:1-11 = an encouragement to remain ready.