Divine Sugar Sticks for March 2001

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Saturday, March 3, 2001

Principles on Physical Death

1. Physical death was the means of terminating a revolution. Num 16:25-31.
   
2. Physical death is a matter of the sovereignty of God based upon His perfect integrity and omniscient knowledge of all the facts. Psa 68:19, 20.
   
3. God prolongs life for certain believers who change their attitude towards the Word of God and begin the daily advance toward maturity. Psa 102:19, 20, 23, 24, 118:18; Prov 14:27.
   
4. Love is stronger than death. S.O.S. 8:6.
   
5. Women must be taught to face the death of loved ones. Jer 9:20-25.
   
6. The sin unto death does not bring glory to God. Isa 38:18.
   
7. Death cannot be faced when the norm and standard function of the soulish mind is destroyed. Lam 1:19-20.
   
8. Dying in Grace makes death a promotion for the mature believer. Phil 1:21.
   
9. God provides in dying Grace. Amos 5:8.
   
10. God delivers the Grace believer from death. John 5:20, Psa 33:19, Psa 116:8.
    

The Doctrine of the Classification of Death

1. Spiritual death is no relationship with God in time. We are born physically alive, but spiritually dead, possessing an old sin nature and the imputed sin of Adam.
   Gen 2:17, Prov 14:12, Ezek 18:20, Rom 5:12, 6:23, 1 Cor 15:22, Eph 2:1, 5.
   
2. Physical death is separation of the human soul, and in the case of the believer, the human spirit also, from the body.
   Matt 8:22, Rom 8:38-39, 2 Cor 5:1-8, Phil 1:20-21.
   
3. Second death is the perpetuation of spiritual death into eternity or eternal separation from God. It is the final judgment of the unbelievers in the human race and fallen angels whereby they are cast into the Lake of Fire forever.
   Matt 25:41, Heb 9:27, Rev 20:12-15.
   
4. Positional death is part of the baptism of the Holy Spirit which identifies all believers with Christ in His death on the Cross and specifically with the rejection of human good and evil.
   Rom 6:3-4, Col 2:12, 3:3.
   
5. Operational death is failure to produce Divine Good on the part of the negative believer under the influence of evil.
   James 2:26, 1 Tim 5:6, Eph 5:14, Rev 3:1.
   
6. Temporal death is the status of carnality or the believer out of fellowship through personal sin.
   Rom 8:6, 13; Eph 5:14, 1 Tim 5:6, James 1:15, Luke 15:24.
   
7. Sexual death is the inability to copulate.
   Rom 4:17-21, Heb 11:11, 12.
   

   

Old Testament Offerings

Burnt offering: Salvation, propitiation, the work of Christ.

Gift offering: No blood, salvation, propitiation, the Person of Christ.

Peace offering: Salvation, reconciliation.

Sin offering: Restoration of unknown sins.

Trespass offering: Restoration of known sins.

1. The promotion of Grace believers.
   A. The Grace believer is God’s man for a crisis. 1 Sam 17
   B. Unless God promotes the believer, he is not promoted. Psa 75:6-7
   
2. Areas of Grace capacity.
   A. Freedom. Rom 8:21, 2 Cor 3:17, Gal 5:1
   B. Life. 1 Sam 17:47, 18:5, 14
   C. Love.
   1. Category one: Love toward God. Deut 6:5, 30:20, Josh 23:10, 11, 1 John 2:5, 1 John 4:19
   2. Category two: Love toward the Right-Man or Right-Woman. S.O.S. 8:6-7
   3. Category three: Friendship. 2 Sam 1:26
   D. Happiness. Psa 9:1-2, 21:1, 31:7, 43:4, 97:12, John 17:13, 1 John 1:4
   E. Suffering. 2 Cor 12:7-10
   

Categories of Grace Represented by Jewish Heroes!

1. Abraham: Grace prosperity – foundation of a new race.
   
2. Joseph: Grace promotion and prosperity in a Gentile periphery.
   
3. Moses: Grace leadership – the father of the Jewish nation.
   
4. David: Grace leadership – both in the military and national setting.
   
5. Isaiah: Grace leadership in communication of the Word of God, the greatest prophet and Bible teacher in the period the Southern Kingdom.
   
6. Jeremiah: Grace in the time of national disaster – a monument to the sufficiency of Grace resources under maximum pressure.
   
7. Daniel: Grace blessing to a Jew in time of Israel’s dispersion under the last administration of the fifth cycle of discipline in 70 A.D. The Jewish Age is interrupted, but Abraham’s progeny, Paul, holds the all-time record for doctrinal blessing and communication of Divinely-revealed Truths.

Notice all the resources of Grace that are depicted in these believers!

Second Childhood!

You often hear of old men going through their second childhood and actually becoming senile. But that problem exists in Christianity. Most Christians are in their second childhood. Where there is supposed to be growth, there is retrogression.

The process of Christian growth is depicted for us in 1 John 2:13-14, where we have listed children, young men, and fathers. That is the normal cycle of growth, but what do we find? Second childhood!

1 Cor 13:11, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, and thought as a child, But when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

Nothing wrong with children, but they have to grow up. Most women marry children and find out they have another child they have to raise. 1 Cor 3:1, And I brethren, could not speak unto you as spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” No growth!

Heb 5:12, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.”

That is why this command is so imperative:

“Grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Sunday, March 4, 2001

Confidence

Many young people today lack confidence. Because of a lack of confidence, they sublimate and end up with a false sense of confidence. They do this by taking drugs, etc. and getting high. Even when they ask a girl out on a date, they are afraid that they may be rejected, so they get high so they don’t know they are rejected.

One of the by-products of the Word of God is confidence. It is explained over and over again in the Bible. Here is a simple illustration:

“We know” “We know” “Knowing this we have confidence.”

2 Cor 5:1, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens.”

2 Cor 5:6, “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in this body, we are absent from the Lord.”

2 Cor 5:8, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and face-to-face with the Lord.”

Knowledge of the Word of God builds confidence.

The Cure of Impotency!

Faith is a transitive verb, which means all the merit is not in faith, but the Object of faith.

For example, faith in Jesus Christ as personal Saviour brings eternal life. It is Christ where all the merit is. “Jesus Christ, the power of God.”

Faith in the Word of God as believers produces power in the Christian’s life because “the Word of God is alive and powerful.”

That is why three times in Scripture the believer is told that “the just shall live by faith.” “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.”

When the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ does not exercise His faith in the Word of God, he is without power and he is impotent. Power is another word for faith.

”O ye of little faith” = O ye of little power.

”A faithless generation” = A powerless generation.

”I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation; to everyone who believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Most Christians are impotent and there is only one cure: “Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

The Secret to Divine Guidance!

1. Three categories of will in history.
   A. Divine will
   B. Angelic will
   C. Human will
   
2. Cardinal principles of Divine Guidance.
   1 John 3:23, “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.” This is the will of God.
   A. For the unbeliever: Salvation, 2 Pet 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
   B. For the believer: Spirituality. Eph 5:18, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”
   
3. The humanity of Jesus Christ had free will.
   Matt 26:42, “He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.”
   Heb 10:7, 9, “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the Book it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O God.” “Then said He, Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second.”
   A. No free will in mankind would imply no free will in the humanity of Christ.
   B. The basic principle of Divine Guidance, however, is based on the fact that man possesses volition of the soul or free will.
   
4. Types of the will of God related to the human race, i.e., Balaam.
   A. Directive will. Num 22:12, “And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.”
   B. Permissive will. Num 22:20, “And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.”
   C. Overruling will. Num 23.
   
5. Academic principles of guidance.
   A. Knowledge of the Word of God in the human spirit.
   Psa 32:8, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye.”
   Prov 3:1-6, “My son, forget not My law; but let thine heart keep My commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and Truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
   Isa 58:11, “And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”
   Rom 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
   B. Yieldedness, which is the filling of the Spirit.
   Rom 6:13, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
   Rom 12:1, 2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
   Eph 5:17-18, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”
   1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
   C. Growth toward maturity and edification.
   2 Pet 3:18, “But grow in Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
   James 4:6, “But He giveth more Grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth Grace unto the humble.”
   

Monday, March 5, 2001

Secret of Divine Guidance – Part Two

1. Categories of the will of God for the believer in Christ.
   A. Viewpoint will of God. What does God want me to think?
   B. Operational will of God. What does God want me to do?
   C. Geographical will of God. Where does God want me to be?
   
2. Mechanics of the will of God. Acts 11.
   A. Guidance through prayer, verse 5.
   B. Guidance through the mind, verse 6.
   C. Guidance through the Word, verses 7-10.
   D. Guidance through providential circumstances, verse 11.
   E. Guidance through the filling of the Spirit, verse 12.
   F. Guidance through fellowship and comparison of data, verses 13-15.
   G. Guidance through remembering Scriptures, verse 16.
   

The Doctrine of the Importance of the Military

1. Protection of the national entity is two-fold.
   A. Interior – The objectivity of law and good law enforcement.
   B. Exterior – The military establishment. Neh 4:14-15.
   
2. In spite of man’s efforts for peace, warfare will continue until the Millennium. Matt 24:6, Mark 13:7, Luke 21:9. Therefore, warfare is not only a bona fide part of history, Ecc 3:8, Num 21:14, but very necessary for the maintenance of national sovereignty and freedom.
   
3. In both the struggle for and perpetuation of Jewish freedom after the Exodus, Jesus Christ Himself was the Lord of the Armies under the title, “Lord of hosts.” Joshua 5:13-6:2, Isa 1:24.
   
4. Armies both defend freedom and destroy freedom. In Jeremiah 34:7 the Jewish army fought to defend Jewish freedom while the Chaldean army fought to destroy Jewish freedom.
   
5. The issue of national sovereignty, integrity, and freedom depends upon which army wins. The Chaldean army won, and the Jews lost their freedom. Jer 40:1.
   
6. God uses the military in action to demonstrate the degeneracy of a nation. Failure of the military on the battlefield indicates the lack of self-discipline, spiritual incentive, motivation for courage, and respect for authority, which are so basic in perpetuating freedom.
   Failure of the military indicates lack of character and stability among the citizens of the national entity. Jewish military failure in 587-586 B.C. can be attributed to both a spiritual and moral decline of the people.
   
   More to follow …
   

   

   The Doctrine of the Importance of the Military – Part Two

7. Since the battlefield decides freedom, universal military training is an important function in national life. Num 31:3-5, Luke 14:31.
   
8. Importance of military leadership is an index of national character. Prov 24:1-6.
   Characteristics of leadership demand character:
   A. Self and group discipline.
   B. Relaxed mental attitude plus mental attitude dynamics, ability to think under pressure.
   C. Sense of responsibility and character to fulfill responsibility.
   D. Knowledge of military science, strategy and tactics, or whatever one’s part is within the military establishment. Confidence of leadership resides in the knowledge of the job.
   E. Common sense and good judgment.
   F. Loyalty and recognition of authority.
   G. Fairness to all personnel under one’s command in spite of personal prejudice.
   H. Understanding of others.
   I. Executive ability. Ability to organize, categorize, synthesize, systematize, delegate authority.
   J. Health. Endurance and emotional stability.
   K. Presence, poise, dress, carriage, courtesy, flair.
   
9. Importance of military training is useless if men of the nation are apostate, full of seared consciences, and emotional revolt, degenerate, and addicted to drugs.
   
10. Part of Divine judgment against a nation is military defeat, which precedes the fifth cycle of discipline.
    Ephram – 721 B.C. Assyria – 612 B.C. Judah – 586 B.C. Chaldea – 539 B.C.
    

The Biblical Perspective of Tongues!

1. The prophecy of tongues. Isa 28:8-11.
   A. A warning to the Jews of the fifth cycle of discipline. Lev 26:14-39, Acts 2:8-11 .
   B. The purpose of the warning was to turn the cursing of the fifth cycle of discipline into the blessing of regeneration. Acts 2:14-41.
   
2. Initial fulfillment of the prophecy of tongues. Acts 2:1-11.
   
3. Fulfillment interpreted. 1 Cor 14:21-22.
   
4. Operation of tongues. 1 Cor 13.
   
5. Regulation of tongues. 1 Cor 14.
   
6. Tongues abused. 1 Cor 1:1-18, 12.
   
7. Proper use of tongues as a sign of the fifth cycle of discipline set forth in “three Pentecosts of Acts.”
   A. Jewish. Acts 2:3-11.
   B. Gentile. Acts 10:44-46.
   C. Transitional. Acts 19:2-7.
   
8. Discontinuance of tongues after the fall of Jerusalem and the beginning of the fifth cycle of discipline. 1 Cor 13:8, 10.
   A. ‘That which is perfect” is a nominative singular, neuter gender, that indicates a “thing,” not a Person.
   B. It is a reference to the Word of God.
   C. Replacement of the gift of tongues by the Word of God written in Gentile languages.
   
9. Tongues perpetuated as a satanic operation. 2 Thes 2:7-12.
   
10. Mechanics of tongues as a satanic operation. Isa 8:18-19, 29:4, Rev 16:13-14.
    
11. Pseudo tongues as a false criterion for spirituality and the Christian way of life. Rom 16:17-18, 2 Cor 6:11-12.
    
12. The gift of tongues – its Biblical perspective:
    A. Not necessary for salvation. 1 Cor 12:3.
    B. Never a sign of spirituality. 1 Cor 12:11.
    C. Must not be confused with the baptism of the Spirit. 1 Cor 12:13.
    D. Should not cause other believers without the gift to have an inferiority complex. 1 Cor 12:15-16.
    E. Should not cause the user to have a superiority complex. 1 Cor 12:21.
    F. The least of all spiritual gifts. 1 Cor 12:28.
    G. Effectively used only when believers are exercising the gift if filled with the Spirit. 1 Cor 13.
    H. Temporary, therefore, not extant today. 1 Cor 13:8.
    I. Need for regulation because of its abuse. 1 Cor 14.
    

“From Henceforth Thou Shalt Have Wars,” 2 Chronicles 16:9

Apostasy always precedes Divine judgment. Apostasy weakens the military. God judges that nation with war.

All three factors are present in Judges 5:8. “They chose” – by their own volition. “New gods” – apostasy. “Then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?” There was not. Why? Because apostasy (religion) had destroyed the military.

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Earth” – omnipresence. “To show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars,” 2 Chr 16:9.

God is on a constant reconnaissance to protect believers whose heart (mind) is perfect (mature, has Divine viewpoint) toward Him.

Our hope in this country today lies with you as a believer. But you are no asset unless you function daily under the principle of growing in Grace. You cannot glorify God in the angelic conflict without the Word of God. The Jews had rejected the Word of God. “Therefore from henceforth, continually, thou shalt have wars,” 2 Chr 16:9.

Women – The Casualties of Warfare!

“Moreover the Lord saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty (i.e., mental attitude sins) and walk with stretched forth necks (literally, proudly elevated, pride) and wanton eyes (the result of pride, they flirt with everyone) walking and mincing as they go (short, sexy steps), and making a tinkling with their feet,” Isa 3:16.

In those days, certain women wore bells on their ankles to call attention to their beauty. As they walked with short, sexy steps, the little bells rang. These women had wiped out their mind, Titus 1:15b, with mental attitude sins. “Haughty and wanton eyes” is a prelude to “operation fornication.”

”Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion (discipline), and the Lord will discover their secret parts,” Isa 3:17. As a part of warfare, the women will be the recipients of violence. “Their secret parts” is simply a way of describing rape by invading armies.

”In that day the Lord will take away the bravery (glamour) of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls (hairnets), and their round tires (necklaces), like the moon,” Isa 3:18.

”And it shall come to pass, instead of a sweet smell (perfume), there shall be stink (of death); and instead of a girdle, a rent (a tear).” The result of rape, and instead of well set hair, baldness. In the violence of being raped, the hair has been ripped out of their heads, and instead of a stomacher (dress coat), a girdling of sackcloth (slavery); and burning (scars) instead of beauty,” Isa 3:24.

A flirting empty-headed woman can bring about her own destruction.

Women – the casualties of warfare.

Men – Casualties of Warfare!

“The men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war (literally, your heroes shall die in battle). And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground (slavery),” Isa 3:25-26.

This is a description of national discipline. So don’t let any woman ever do or say anything that would turn your husbands or sons into cowards. Such as “Oh Honey, I don’t want you to go into combat. You might get hurt.” They are protecting you!

In this country, the women have always had courage with regard to their men, and even though they may never see them again, they do not send them off to war with a weakened mentality. May it ever be so!

Jeremiah presents another aspect:
”My bowels, my bowels!” This is Hebrew for extreme, excruciating pain. “I am pained at my very heart” (description of mental anguish). “My heart (my mind) maketh a noise in me (his mind screams). I cannot hold my peace (stability), because Thou hast heard. O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war (of the enemy),” Jer 4:19.

This is a cry of a soldier who is wounded, who has battle fatigue, and who is about to go completely psychotic. What has happened to him? He keeps hearing the sound of the enemy’s trumpet and the alarm of war.

Tuesday, March 6, 2001

“By His Stripes Ye Are Healed”

There are many things that happen to us in the physical realm which teach spiritual lessons.

1 Pet 2:24 – “By Whose stripes ye are healed.”
Isa 53:5 – “And with His stripes we are healed.”

Now many interpret and teach this passage incorrectly, teaching that there is healing in the atonement. But that is incorrect. Having a physical ailment before salvation does not remove the physical ailment after salvation.

Recently I underwent surgery and incisions were made in my body. This passage brings out this principle of the application of the physical to the spiritual. The incisions that were made in my body have come together of their own accord. The incisions separated one part of my body from another and made a gap, and began to slowly come together.

The spiritual application is that there is an incision, a gulf between man and God, “and by His stripes we are healed,” is that the Cross has reconciled us back to God, just as when you have an incision and you are drawn together again.

Truly the body is wondrously made.

God Prepares Believers for War!

David is speaking in Psalm 18:34, “He (God) teacheth my hands to war.” 2 Sam 22:35, “He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.”

David was a shepherd. He knew nothing about war. But during his shepherd years, he learned the Word of God. This shepherd with the Word of God went to war. And he made a fantastic beginning. In single combat he dispatched the arrogant challenger to the Israelite army, Goliath And after that he learned war.

God taught him! He took basic training from the Lord. The Lord was his drill sergeant. But please notice. God does not teach us to murder!

When war is legitimate, killing is necessary. When it is not, then killing becomes murder.

”He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms,” Psa 18:34. The “breaking of the bow” is an idiom for the annihilation of the enemy. The same passage is found in Psalm 144:1.

This is dedicated to those believers and unbelievers who still think of themselves as “conscientious objectors.” ”Blessed is the Lord, my Strength (the Source of my military training) which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.” ”The Strength of the Lord” is the Word of God and therefore, the believer’s fortification.

Nevertheless, at certain times it is necessary, for the protection of our freedoms, to go to war. But since some cannot put on a uniform and stand at attention and salute, and automatically become a soldier, the art of war must be learned.

And so, “God teacheth my hands to war (which is combat) and my fingers to fight (strategy, the drawing up of the plan of battle).”

Believers Are Protected in Time of War

Job 5:20, “In famine He shall redeem thee from death, and in war, from the power of the sword.”

God is omnipotent and therefore able to protect the believer in any situation. You are just as safe in combat as you are anywhere else. If God’s plan is for you to continue to live, then God’s plan will go on.

”Knowest thou it (the Word of God), because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?” The Word has to be learned.

”Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?” Have you ever seen the design of a snowflake? You may have, but Job did not. He did not realize that every snowflake had been given a perfect design.

”Or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail?” Do you, Job, understand the composition of the hail “which I have reserves against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?” Job 38:21-23.

In other words, this passage explains that if God can design a snowflake, one different from any other, or hold the universe together, “God can preserve you against the day of battle and war!”

At this time there is a snow storm in the Northeast and also here in Indiana. So look outside at the snow and hail and snowflakes and relate.

Wednesday, March 7, 2001

You Have a Choice – Heaven or Hell!

“He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe is judged already, because he does not believe in the name of the Only Begotten Son of God,” John 3:18.

“He who believes in the Son has eternal life, but he who does not believe in the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him,” John 3:36.

“These have I written unto you that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His Name,” John 20:31.

“He who has the Son has life; He who does not have the Son does not have life,” 1 John 5:12.

“I am the Way and the Truth and the Life, and no one comes to the Father but by Me,” John 14:6.

“Verily, verily I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life,” John 6:47.

“I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone who believeth, to the Jew first and also the Greek,” Rom 1:16.

“We are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus,” Gal 3:26.

“He came unto His own, and His own received Him not; but as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God,” John 1:11-12.

“For there is salvation in no other, for there is no other Name under Heaven given to men whereby we may have eternal life,” Acts 4:12.

Jesus Christ Died For You!

“He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the Cross,” 1 Pet 2:24.

“God demonstrated His love towards us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” Rom 5:8.

“He made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him,” 2 Cor 5:21.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this present evil world, according to the will of God our Father,” Gal 1:3-4.

“He died for all that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died,” 2 Cor 5:15.

“Our great God and Saviour Christ Jesus who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us,” Titus 2:13-14.

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus who gave Himself as a ransom for all,” 1 Tim 2:5-6.

“For if we while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more being reconciled we shall be saved by His life,” Rom 5:10.

“He was delivered up for our transgressions and was raised because of our justification,” Rom 4:25.

“He who spared not His Son, but gave Him up for us, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things?” Rom 8:32.

“He is the Satisfaction for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world,” 1 John 2:2.

The Doctrine of Imputation!

1. Abraham is the pattern of imputation of Divine righteousness. Gen 15:6.
   
2. Divine righteousness is imputed only on the basis of faith in Christ. Rom 3:22.
   
3. Many Gentiles of Old Testament times found God’s righteousness by believing in Christ, while many Jews, hung up on the law, missed imputation. Rom 9:30-33.
   
4. Imputation is the basis of justification. Rom 4:22, 5:1.
   
5. Imputation encourages faith in Christ. Rom 4:24-25.
   
6. Imputation is a motivator for the Grace means for understanding and utilizing the Word of God. Phil 3:8-9.
   
7. Imputation is based on the work of Christ on the Cross.

“He made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him,” 2 Cor 5:21.

The Doctrine of Justification!

1. Definition: Justification means “vindication,” therefore, it is the judicial act of God whereby He imputes His righteousness to the new believer at the point of salvation, thereby vindicating, or justifying him.
   
2. The meaning is derived from three Greek words:
   A. DIKAIOO – To justify, to vindicate.
   B. DIKAIOSOS – justification, vindication.
   C. DIKAIOMA – An act of acquittal or justification.
   
3. Stage one justification or vindication occurs at the moment of faith in Christ. Rom 3:28, 5:1, Gal 3:24.
   
4. Stage one justification is based on the doctrinal principle of Grace. Rom 3:24, Titus 3:7.
   
5. Therefore, stage one justification does not occur through the Mosaic Law. Rom 3:20, 28, Gal 2:16.
   
6. The mechanics of stage one justification is the imputation of Divine righteousness to the one believing in Christ. Gen 15:6, Rom 3:22, 4:4, 5, Rom 9:30-32.
   
7. The work of justification was accomplished by Christ on the Cross. Rom 5:8-9.
   
8. Because the work for our justification was accomplished on the Cross, Christ was resurrected to relate justification, the strategic victory. Rom 4:25.
   
9. Stage two: The Christian way of life – justification or vindication is the function and production of the Grace life. James 2:21-25.
   
10. The means of stage two justification or vindication is the daily function of growing in Grace. Wisdom is the utilization of the Word of God resident in the mind. Matt 11:19, Luke 7:35.
    

Thursday, March 8, 2001

Doctrine of Positional Truth – Part One

1. Positional truth is one of the five ministries of God the Holy Spirit which occur at the point of salvation.
   A. Regeneration: John 3:1-16, Titus 3:5
   B. Sealing: 2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13, 4:30
   C. Indwelling: John 7:37-39, Rom 8:9, 1 Cor 6:19-20, Gal 3:2, 4:6
   D. Baptism: 1 Cor 12:13.
   E. Spiritual gifts: 1 Cor 12:11.
   
2. The baptism of the Spirit is the mechanics of positional truth.
   Acts 1:5, 1 Cor 12:13, Eph 4:5.
   The Holy Spirit places the believer in union with Christ.
   
3. Positional truth belongs to the carnal believer as well as the spiritual believer, and to the apostate believer, as well as to the believer growing in Grace.
   1 Cor 1:2, 30.
   
4. Positional truth protects the believer from Divine judgment in eternity. Rom 8:1.
   
5. Positional truth qualifies the believer to live with God forever.
   A. Eternal life: 1 John 5:11, 12.
   B. Imputation of God’s righteousness: 2 Cor 5:21.
   
6. Positional truth is the key to both election and predestination.
   Eph 1:3-6.
   
7. Positional truth creates a new creature – 2 Cor 6:17, Eph 2:10 – based on who and what Christ is, therefore, what Grace accomplishes. It’s not what changes we make at salvation or thereafter.
   
8. Positional truth guarantees the eternal security of the believer. Rom 8:38, 39.
   
9. Positional truth is classified under two categories:
   A. Retroactive – identification with Christ in His death, which connotes rejection of human good. Rom 6. Col 2:12, 3:3.
   B. Current – Identification with Christ in His victory, resurrection, ascension, and session.
   
   More to come ...
   

   

   Doctrine of Positional Truth – Part Two

10. Current positional truth implies that the believer shares certain things in union with Christ.
    A. Eternal life: 1 John 5:11, 12
    B. Righteousness of God: 2 Cor 5:21
    C. Election: Eph 1:4
    D. Destiny: Eph 1:5
    E. Sonship: John 1:12, 1 John 3:1, 2
    F. Heirship: Rom 8:16, 17
    G. Sanctification: 1 Cor 1:2, 30
    H. Kingdom: 2 Pet 1:11
    I. Priesthood: Heb 10:10-14
    
11. The characteristics of positional truth are six-fold:
    A. It is not an experience – neither emotional or ecstatic.
    B. It is not progressive – cannot be improved in time or eternity.
    C. It is not related to human merit, ability, or human good.
    Here are the implications of retroactive positional truth: there is no place in the plan of God for human good.
    D. It is eternal in nature, it cannot be changed by God, angels, or mankind.
    E. It is known only through the Word of God.
    F. It is obtained in toto at the moment of salvation.
    

    

The Doctrine of Reconciliation – Part One

1. Definition: Reconciliation is the removal of the barrier between God and man, or peace between God and man. While redemption is sinward, and propitiation is Godward, reconciliation is manward. 2 Cor 5:18, Eph 2:16, Col 1:20-21.
   
2. Reconciliation and the blood of Christ.
   A. The blood of Christ is a synonym for the saving work of Christ on the Cross and the basis for reconciliation. Col 1:20.
   B. Therefore, the work of the Cross is associated with reconciliation. Eph 2:16.
   
3. Reconciliation and mankind under the concept of reconciliation – Mankind is regarded as the enemy of God. Rom 5:10, Col 1:21.
   
4. Peace, a synonym for reconciliation – Reconciliation finds man the enemy of God, but the saving work of Christ on the Cross connotes peace between God and man. Eph 2:14, cf 2:16, cf Col 1:20.
   
5. Reconciliation portrayed in the Levitical offerings – the peace offering of Leviticus 3 depicts the Doctrine of reconciliation or Christ’s removing the barrier between God and man. Lev 7:11-38, 8:15.
   
6. Application of reconciliation to the royal family of God – Every member of the royal family of God, the Church Age believer, is an ambassador representing Christ on Earth. Therefore, each member of the royal family has the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Cor 5:18-20.
   
7. The prophecy of reconciliation. Isa 57:19.
   
   More to come ...
   

   

   The Doctrine of Reconciliation – Part Two

8. The mechanics of reconciliation – The removal of the barrier.
   A. Sin removed by unlimited atonement. 2 Cor 5:14-15, 19; 1 Tim 2:6, 4:10; Titus 2:11, Heb 2:9; 2 Pet 2:1; 1 John 2:2.
   Redemption: Gal 3:13; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; 1 Pet 1:18-19.
   
   B. Penalty of sin – Removed by expiation. Psa 22:16; Col 2:14.
   
   C. Problem of physical birth – Removed by regeneration. John 3:1-18; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet 1:23.
   
   D. Relative righteousness – Or human good removed by imputation. Rom 3:22, 9:30-10:10; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9; Heb 10:14.
   And justification Rom 4:1-5, 4:25, 5:1, 8:29-30; Gal 2:16; Titus 3:7.
   
   E. The barrier of God’s perfect character – Removed by propitiation. Rom 3:22-26; 1 John 2:1, 2.
   
   F. Problem of position in Adam – Removed by positional sanctification. 1 Cor 15:22; 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 1:3-6.

”We have peace with God.”

Science and the Bible!

1. The pre-chaotic Earth, which abounded with animals and plant life, was apparently the headquarters for Satan.
   
2. The fall of Satan and the resultant angelic conflict led to the destruction of planet Earth with its animals (TOHU) and its plant life (BOHU) – “Became empty and desolate” – no animals, no plant life.
   
3. The Earth, for a time, was covered with an ice pack. The ice pack was the result of freezing waters by darkness ( the complete absence of heat).
   
4. With regard to the antiquity of the Earth, neither science nor the Bible gives us a clear picture. We have some methods of measuring age, such as carbon dating and carbon 14, but these are not accurate in determining the antiquity of the Earth.
   
5. There is never a conflict between what the Bible says in the original language and the true observations of such sciences as cosmology, geology, astronomy, chemistry, anatomy, anthropology, and even psychology.
   
6. However, actual scientific data and information in the Bible is extremely limited. The Bible is not a scientific textbook, nor was it designed to be.
   
7. Being a book of God’s Doctrines and filled with spiritual phenomena, it is obvious that the Bible will occasionally allude to or comment on what we classify as scientific subjects.
   
8. Wherever the Bible comments on scientific subjects, the Bible is always accurate in the original languages. God is the origin of all the laws and all the phenomena which science seeks to categorize and classify.
   
9. Therefore, science does not confirm the Bible, but occasionally the Bible confirms scientific data or some scientific classification.
   
10. If scientific speculation does not line up with the Bible, then such speculation is inaccurate. If there is a true conflict between scientific speculation, not observation, but speculation, and what the Bible says, then the Bible is right. Just as when there is a conflict between some historical interpretation and what the Bible says, the Bible is right. In other words, where the Bible comments on science, science must agree with the Bible. The Bible is not required to agree with science.
    

    

The Doctrine of Scientific Laws and the Universe

1. The continuation of the Earth and the universe, including homo sapiens, animal life, plant life, the stable state of our atmosphere with its various components, all depend on the “omnipotence” and the “immutability” of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col 1:17, Heb 1:3.
   
2. “Scientific laws” is a misnomer. Scientific laws, as such, do not exist because science did not develop these laws and science cannot enforce them. For example, in chemistry, God promises that when certain elements are combined, certain results will follow. This is a “Divine law” not a scientific law.
   
3. So-called scientific laws are based on the statistical assumption that the universe, which operates according to a fixed norm, will continue to do so. Science can “observe” and science can “apply.” Learn how to distinguish between “observation,” “classification,” and the “speculation” of science. Science can observe and classify certain Divine laws and then apply them productively, but only God in His sovereignty can guarantee the continuation of these laws.
   
4. The universe, with the function of matter and energy, will not always exist as it does at the present time. 2 Pet 3:10-12, Rev 20:11.
   
5. Known scientific laws and phenomena which man has been able to observe, classify, and apply, depend entirely upon the “faithfulness of God.” Jesus Christ at this present time is guaranteeing the function of every bona fide scientific law. Col 1:17.
   
6. The reason for preserving the universe is to resolve the angelic conflict in human history, “and to bring many sons into glory.” Heb 2:10.
   
7. The Word of God will survive the destruction of the universe. 2 Pet 3:10, for the Word of God will exist forever.
   
8. Regenerate man in a resurrection body will live forever and survive the changes in the universe, even surviving the destruction of this present universe. Heb 12:26-28.
   
9. It is Jesus Christ who holds the universe together by the power of His Word, Heb 1:3, at the same time He is holding back eternity in order for the human race to have the opportunity to appropriate the Grace of God. This begins at the point of faith in Jesus Christ, so that the angelic conflict will be resolved and ultimately God will be glorified forever and ever and ever.
   

   

The Doctrine of Days!

The word “day” is used in the Bible in three different ways. If you study the six days of “restoration,” you must learn to differentiate among them.

1. The day which is less than 24 hours.
   A. The day of salvation – This is the moment of time when an individual believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and refers to that moment of faith in Christ. Act 16:31, 2 Cor 6:2.
   
   B. The “day of Christ” is the Rapture of the Church, which will be instantaneous, “in the twinkling of an eye.” 1 Cor 15:52, Phil 1:10, 2:16.
   
   C. The “day of wrath” is the Great White Throne Judgment, which is described as “a day of wrath” in Rom 2:5. That will be the moment when the unbeliever is judged by Jesus Christ and is cast into the Lake of Fire. Rev 20:11-15.
   
   D. A “day of declaration” refers to the judgment seat of Christ. 1 Cor 3:13. It will be the judgment of the Church Age believer’s human good. 2 Cor 5:10.
   

   

   The Doctrine of Days – Part Two

2. The day that is more than 24 hours.
   A. The day of redemption – which refers to the believer in eternity in a resurrection body, Eph 4:30.
   B. The day of the Lord can have one of two meanings, depending on the context.
   1. It can refer to the Tribulation, Second Advent, and Millennium – a combined period of approximately 1007 years. Or,
   2. It can refer to any one segment of the Tribulation, Second Advent, or Millennium. Isa 2:12; 1 Thes 5:2; 2 Pet 3:10.
   C. The day of God – which refers to eternity, 2 Pet 3:12.
   
3. The 24 hour day – which is a solar day.
   A. The six days of the Earth’s restoration were literal 24-hour days, Gen 1:3-31.
   B. The Sabbath. Ex 20:11, a holy day in the dispensation of Israel.
   C. The Lord’s day – which is Sunday, Rev 1:10.
   D. “One day at a time” concept in the Christian way of life, Rom 14:5-6.
   E. Taking in the Word of God daily, Psa 119:97, functioning under growing in Grace in every 24-hour period.

Some people don’t know what day it is!!

Friday, March 9, 2001

The Process of the Hardening of the Heart!

1. While the believer is commanded to persist in the daily intake of the Word of God, there are certain attitudes and moods that hinder persistence and become enemies of positive volition to the Word of God. These attitudes are disillusion, boredom, discouragement, self-pity, loneliness, frustration, bitterness, and jealousy.
   
2. The believer often caters to these attitudes by reacting with a frantic search for happiness, be it a system of self-righteousness or lasciviousness.
   
3. The frantic search always upsets the balance of the soul – emotion takes over from the mind, the mind becomes hardened because the emotion does not respond to it. Remember that the soulish mind is the “right man” and the emotion is the “right woman”. It is called the emotional revolt of the soul, which supplies additional intensity to the frantic search for happiness.
   
4. The status of the soul results in a changed attitude toward the Word of God and it may be apathy, indifference, or antagonism, but all lead to a negative volition toward the Word of God.
   
5. Negative volition toward the Word of God produces calluses on the soul. The mind has already been hardened and a vacuum is formed in the soul and it draws in the doctrine of demons, 1 Tim 4:1. This is how we get the “cup of demons” in the devil’s communion table, 1 Cor 10:21. You cannot drink of the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons at the same time. To drink of the cup of the Lord is Grace. To drink of the cup of demons is disgrace and negative volition toward the Word of God. This is not demon possession but demon influence. Only unbelievers can be demon possessed, for the believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor 6:19. Therefore, a believer cannot be demon possessed.
   
6. Demon influence shorts out all systems of the soul and results in “blackness of the soul.” This is immediately followed by a complete change of life, a blackout of the soul.
   
7. Under the hardening process, the believer begins to reap what he sows. First in the category of self-induced misery, second in the category of Divine discipline – warning, intensive, and dying stages.
   

   

Why Suffering?

1. General causes for suffering.
   A. Health.
   B. Justice, imprisonment, etc.
   C. People, gossip, war, social conflict, etc.
   D. Privation, hunger, thirst, etc.
   E. Weather, heat, cold, tornado, hurricanes, etc.
   F. Mental pressure, worry, fear, jealousy, etc.
   G. Isolation by society, loneliness, ostracism, etc.
   H. Mental attitude sins, self-induced misery.
   I. Negative volition toward the Word of God – reaping what you sow.
   
2. Categories of suffering.
   A. Time.
   1. Unbelievers in two categories.
   A. Violation of Divine laws.
   B. Self-induced suffering.
   B. Eternity.
   1. Believer has no more suffering, Rev 21:4.
   2. Unbeliever, Lake of Fire, Rev 20:12-15.
   
3. Premise of suffering.
   A. All suffering is designed for blessing in the Christian life. 1 Pet 1:7, 8, 1 Pet 4:14.
   B. The exception is discipline, Heb 12:6.
   C. The exception is removed by restoration, 1 Cor 11:31, 1 John 1:9.
   D. Suffering follows is the principle of Grace, Rom 8:28, 1 Thes 5:18.
   
4. Purpose of Christian suffering.
   A. To receive discipline for carnality or negative volition, Psa 38.
   B. To glorify God, Job 1-4, Luke 15:20-21.
   C. To illustrate Doctrine – the Book of Hosea.
   D. To learn obedience, Phil 2:8, Heb 5:8.
   E. To keep down pride, 2 Cor 12:1-7.
   F. To develop faith, 1 Pet 1:7-8.
   G. To witness for Christ, 2 Cor 3:4.
   H. To demonstrate the power of God, 2 Cor 11:24-33, 12:7-10.
   I. To manifest the fruit of the Spirit, 2 Cor 4:8-11.
   J. To help others who suffer, 2 Cor 1:3-5.
   K. From indirect action, because other believers get out of fellowship, Rom 14:7; 1 Cor 12:12, 13, 26; 1 Sam 21; 1 Chron 21.
   

   

“He Restoreth My Soul,” Psa 23:3

1. Restoration must be understood in light of relationship with God, Jer 3:13, or in the light of positional Truth. Rom 8:1.
   
2. The frame of reference for restoration is the efficacious death of Christ on the Cross where He paid for our sins. 2 Cor 5:21, 1 Pet 2:4, 1 John 1:7.
   
3. Eternal security is the prerequisite to understanding the restoration technique, Rom 8:38-39. The believer sins after salvation but such sin is categorized as “carnality,” not loss of salvation. 1 Cor 3:1-3, 1 John 1:8, 10.
   
4. Restoration means fellowship with God and the filling of the Holy Spirit. Prov 1:23, Eph 5:14 compared with Eph 5:18.
   
5. The alternative to restoration is Divine discipline. 1 Cor 11:31, Heb 12:6.
   
6. The mechanics of restoration is to confess your sin, 1 John 1:9. Forget it, Phil 3:13, 14. Isolate it, Heb 12:15.
   
7. The discouragement to restoration is legalism and other Christians, Luke 15:11-32.
   
8. The Grace provision for helping others to be restored:
   A. The mechanics, Gal 6:1 .
   B. A mental attitude of Grace, Matt 18:23-35.
   C. Grace orientation, Col 3:13.
   D. Reward for assisting others, James 5:19-20.
   
9. Biblical synonyms for restoration.
   A. Confess, 1 John 1:9.
   B. Judge self, 1 Cor 11:31.
   C. Yield – an aorist tense, Rom 6:13, 12:1.
   D. Lay aside every weight, Heb 12:1.
   E. Be in subjection to the Father, Heb 12:9.
   F. Lift up the hands that hang down, Heb 12:12.
   G. Make straight paths for your feet, Heb 12:13, Matt 3:3.
   H. Arise from the dead, or literally, “Stand up again out from deaths,” Eph 5:14.
   I. Put off the old man, Eph 4:22.
   J. Acknowledge thine iniquity, Jer 3:13.
   
10. Old Testament restoration commands. Psa 32:5, 38:18, 51:3, 4; Prov 18:13.
    

    

What Christians Believe!

Christians believe that He who had no beginning ...

Had a beginning!!!

What Christians Believe!

Christians believe that Mary had a baby Boy …

And the baby Boy was older than His mother!!!

Saturday, March 10, 2001

The Doctrine of Divine Discipline!

1. Divine discipline from God is designed for the believer only, Heb 12:5.
   
2. Divine discipline is based on God’s love for the believer, Heb 12:6, Rev 3:19.
   
3. Divine discipline, no matter how severe, does not mean loss of salvation, Gal 3:26, 2 Tim 2:12-13.
   
4. Discipline is related to the Grace principle of turning cursing into blessing. Discipline may be removed by confession, 1 Cor 11:31. Exception is found in recession of any stage of growth to total apostasy. The negative believer manufactures his own discipline, Psa 7:14-16, through his negative volition and only his positive volition toward the Word of God can reverse the trend of the intensification of discipline.
   
5. If suffering continues after the believer is restored back to fellowship, the purpose of that suffering is no longer for discipline, but for blessing, Job 5:17-18.
   
6. All Divine discipline is confined to time. There is no discipline for the believer in eternity Rev 21:4.
   
7. Triple-compound discipline combines self-induced misery with Divine judgment.
   A. Mental attitude sins motivate sins of the tongue. These mental attitude sins are subject to discipline.
   B. Sins of the tongue are the basis for further punitive action from God, Matt 7:1.
   C. Whatever sins are attributed to the victim of sins of the tongue are also added to the maligner, Matt 7:2.
   
8. There are three categories of discipline in negative volition.
   A. “The knocking at the door,” James 5:9, Rev 3:20. A general category of discipline which may be removed by confession.
   B. The intensified stage, which includes loss of heath and other extreme types of discipline, the sphere of strong delusion.
   C. The dying stage, the believer is under the sin unto death. 1 John 5:16.
   
9. Continuation in the status of negative volition results in the sin unto death, 1 John 5:16.
   

The Importance of Bible Doctrine – Part One

1. Definition.
   
   A. Bible Doctrine is the content of the Canon of Scripture with emphasis on communication of that content by teaching and instruction.
   
   B. The communication of Bible information on the basis of exegesis of the original languages or an analysis and classification of the English text.
   
   C. Doctrine is “the mind of Christ,” 1 Cor 2:16, and must be communicated by authorized personnel – prophets and Levitical priesthood in the age of Israel and pastor-teachers in the Church Age.
   
2. Biblical nomenclature for Doctrine.
   
   A. Hebrew noun, “EMETH,” Psa 31:5, emphasizes true Doctrine as apposed to false Doctrine, Psa 25:5, 26:3, 86:11, 119:142, Prov 22:21.
   
   B. Hebrew noun “CHAKMAH” refers to Doctrine with emphasis on its residence in the soul, Prov 8:1.
   
   C. Hebrew noun “SHEMUAH” translated “Doctrine” in Isa 28:9 means “What is heard” which emphasizes growing in Grace from the standpoint of concentration.
   
   D. Hebrew noun “MUSAR” means, “instruction” and stressed the communication of Doctrine from the disciplinary aspect of learning, Jer 10:8, Prov 1:2, 4:13, 23:23.
   
   E. Derivates of Greek verb “GINOSKO” which denotes intelligent comprehension
   of an object or a matter, therefore “to perceive” related to the function of growing in Grace.
   
   1. “GNOSIS” Doctrine in the mind comprehended as objective reality.
   2. “EPIGNOSIS” Doctrine in the human spirit cycled into the mind where it is useable.
   3.”PROGNOSIS” Doctrine in the mind of God billions of years ago, therefore, an extension of God’s omniscience sometimes translated “foreknowledge,” 1 Pet 1:2.
   4. “GNOSTOS” “Known, capable of being known intelligible" emphasizes the potentiality of learning Doctrine, Rom 1:19.
   5. “GNOSTES” an expert in Doctrine, Acts 26:3.
   
   F. Hebrew noun “LEQACH” translated “Doctrine” actually connotes the poise and self-discipline necessary to consistently assimilate Doctrine and to fulfill the tactical objective of victory in the spiritual life, Deut 32:2, Job 11:4, Prov 4:2.
   
   G. Greek word “DIDASKALIA” used for both the teaching of Doctrine and what is taught, Matt 15:9, Eph 4:14, Col 2:22, 1 Tim 1:10, 4:1, 6, 13, 16, 2 Tim 3:10, 16, 4:3
   
   H. Greek word “DIDACHE” means “act of teaching or what is taught,” Matt 7:28; 22:33; Mark 1:22, 27; Acts 2:41, 5:28; Rom 6:17; 1 Cor 14:6; 2 Tim 4:2; Heb 6:2.
   
   I. Greek “LOGOS” often used for Doctrine, Heb 6:1.
   
   J. Doctrine bequeathed to royal family of God as their spiritual legacy in the dying words of the Lord Jesus Christ, Psa 31:5, Luke 23:46.
   

   

   The Importance of Bible Doctrine – Part Two

3. Doctrine bequeathed to the royal family of God as their spiritual legacy in the dying Words of the Lord Jesus Christ.
   
   Psa 31:5, “Into thine hand I commit My Spirit: Thou hast redeemed Me, O Lord God of Truth.”
   Luke 23:46, “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit: and having said thus, He gave up the Spirit.”
   
4. Existence of this legacy in Old Testament times.
   
   Psa 138:2, “For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.”
   
   A. God the Father attaches the highest importance to Doctrine because it expresses Who and What Christ is.
   B. God the Father attaches the highest honor to the Person and the Work of Christ on the Cross.
   
5. Pre-existence of Bible Doctrine to the human race, Prov 8.
   
6. Believer’s attitude toward Doctrine – the basis for blessing or discipline.
   
   Prov 8:33-36, “Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the posts of My doors. For whoso findeth Me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. But he that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate Me love death.”
   
7. Doctrine resident in the soul – the basis for the distribution of Grace blessings.
   
   Isa 53:12, “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
   
8. Doctrine is the basis for the distribution of surpassing Grace blessings in eternity.
   
   Heb 11:9-10, “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
   Compared with Heb 11:13, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the Earth.”
   James 1:25, But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
   Compared with James 2:12-13, “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”
   
9. Reality of Doctrine over empirical knowledge, 2 Pet 1:12-21.
   
10. Destruction of a nation through lack of Doctrine.
    
    Hosea 4:1-6, “Hear the Word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no Truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away. Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest. Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”
    
11. Bible doctrine is part of the principle of living Grace for the believer in time.
    
    A. Under living Grace, God provides temporal and spiritual factors to keep the believer alive in time.
    B. Temporal factors include food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities.
    C. Spiritual factors are in the realm of academics. A text book, the Word of God, a classroom, the local Church, a communicator, the Pastor-Teacher.
    Eph 4:11-13, “And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
    Col 1:25-29, “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the Word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily.”
    Heb 13:7, 17, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
    
12. Advancement and vindication of the plan of God through Bible Doctrine.
    Isa 53:10, “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.”
    Rom 3:4, “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”
    
    More to come ...
    

    

    The Importance of Bible Doctrine – Part Three

13. Balance of residency established in the soul of the believer through the communication of Doctrine by the Pastor-Teacher:
    
    A. Balance of residency based on the fact that believers in the Church Age comprise the royal family of God.
    B. Doctrine is transferred from the written page of the Bible to the soul of the believer under the function of Grace. 2 Cor 2.
    C. The purpose of this transfer is to establish in the soul of the believer a balance of residency.
    D. As a badge of royalty, the body of every Church Age believer is indwelt by God the Holy Spirit.
    E. When the believer is filled with the Spirit in compliance with Eph 5:18, a residency of the Third Person of the Trinity is established in the soul of the believer.
    F. Since the Holy Spirit works through the Word of God, the filling of the Spirit creates a vacancy of residency in the soul.
    G. The vacancy is filled by the daily function of growing in Grace, which creates a balance of residency necessary for the function of the royal family of God on Earth.
    
14. The importance of consistency in the function of growth.
    Heb 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Heb 10:35, 36, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
    Col 2:6-7, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”
    
    A. Every believer has a “paragraph” of Grace blessings in the Divine Decrees promised by God in eternity past.
    B. Consistency is the secret of growing up spiritually and taking the highest ground of a Grace status.
    C. Therefore the believer must function in Grace growth daily.
    

    

    The Importance of Bible Doctrine – Part Four

15. Results of Doctrine resident in the soul.
    
    A. Produces confidence for the believer in time.
    Job 5:24-27, “And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin. Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the Earth. Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season. Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.”
    2 Cor 5:6-8, “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
    Heb 10:35, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.”
    
    B. Orients the believer to the plan of God.
    Isa 26:3, 4, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.”
    Rom 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
    
    C. Causes Divine viewpoint in the mind and therefore mental attitude dynamics.
    Isa 55:7-9, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
    2 Cor 10:5, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
    
    D. Produces stability of soul.
    James 1:8, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
    
    E. Basis for Divine guidance and execution of the will of God.
    Rom 12:2, 3, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the Grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
    
    F. Leads to maximum capacity to love God and occupation with Christ.
    Eph 3:19, “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
    Phil 3:10, “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death.”
    Heb 12:2-3, “Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
    
    G. Enables believers to attain and hold a Grace status.
    Phil 3:12-14, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
    
    H. Means of attaining surpassing Grace for eternity.
    Heb 11:9, 10, 13, “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the Earth.
    James 1:15, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death,” compared with James 2:12, 13, “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”
    
16. Synonyms for Bible Doctrine resident in the soul:
    
    A. Crucifixion synonym – Taking up the Cross and following Christ.
    Matt 10:38, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23, 14:27.
    
    B. Priestly synonym – Construction of an altar in the soul.
    Heb 13:10.
    
    C. Building synonym – Edification of the soul.
    Eph 4:12, 16.
    
    D. Theological synonym – More or greater Grace.
    James 4:6
    
    E. Military synonym –
    1. Putting on the full armour of God.
    Eph 6:11, 13.
    
    2. Following the colors to the high ground of Grace.
    Heb 12:1-2.
    
    3. The establishment of a “command post” in the soul.
    Col 2:5-8.
    
    F. Language synonyms –
    1. Hebrew noun “CHAKMAH”
    2. Greek noun “EPIGNOSIS”
    3. Greek verb “EPIGINOSKO”
    
    G. Time synonym – Redeeming the time.
    1. Toward God.
    Eph 5:16-18.
    2. Toward the unbeliever.
    Col 4:5.
    
    H. Chemical synonym – Salt, used for maximum Doctrine resident in the soul which results in Grace status.
    Matt 5:13, Mark 9:50, Luke 14:34a. Col 4:6.
    
    I. Central control synonym – Having your own control system rather than being a drone.
    Eph 6:10.
    

A Marriage Made in Heaven – What God Has Joined Together …

“The Marriage of Grace and Faith”

1. Grace and faith are like the Right-Man and the Right-Woman in Category Two Love.
   1 Cor 11:7 – Grace is analogous to the Right-Man and faith to the Right-Woman. “For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.”
   
2. Therefore, Grace is the initiator and faith is the responder.
   
3. Just as there is one Right-Man for one Right-Woman, so Grace is the only match for faith.
   
4. Grace and faith meet at the Cross. Grace and faith “marry” in salvation. Acts 16:31, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Just as marriage is the framework for Category Two Love, so salvation is the framework for Grace and faith.
   1 John 5:4-5, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”
   
5. At the Cross, faith responds to Grace and results in salvation.
   Eph 2:8-9 , “For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
   
6. As in marriage, faith in the Christian life continues to respond to Grace.
   2 Cor 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight:”
   Col 2:6, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.”
   The faith response is both inhale of the Word of God and the exhale of faith in the Promises of God.
   
7. Conclusion: We are saved by faith and we live by faith.
   2 Cor 5:7, Col 2:6,
   Heb 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”
   
8. Faith excludes both human merit and works. Works is the wrong woman. Works is the harem with which faith will not coexist.
   Eph 2:9 , “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
   Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
   
   Neither will Grace tolerate works. Faith is the only bride acceptable to Grace. Therefore, faith must come alone to the Cross.
   John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.”
   
   Grace as the Right-Man rejects the harem of works.
   Gal 2:16 , “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
   
   Faith is the only true responder to Grace.
   
9. Since faith is the only true responder to Grace, faith is a part of the Grace apparatus for perception.
   A. For the Old Testament saints, faith was the basis of intellectual comprehension in the mind and transfer of the Word to the human spirit.
   Heb 4:2, “For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”
   Heb 11.
   
   B. For the Church Age believer-priest, faith is the basis for the transfer of the Word to the human spirit.
   Eph 3:17 , “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”
   
   More to come …
   

   

   Marriage of Grace and Faith – Part Two

10. Since Grace and faith become one at the Cross, they live together in the Christian way of life. Divorce occurs when the believer switches to legalism.
    
11. In growing in Grace, all systems of works-perception are excluded. Works is to Grace what calluses are to the lungs of the soul.
    
12. The marriage of Grace and faith in the Christian way of life demands production. And this is the subject of James. Human reproduction is based on the sex apparatus. Spiritual production is based on the union of Grace and faith. The Word is the seed, just as only human seed can conceive in the womb. So the Word, the Seed, only conceives in the believer’s human spirit.
    
13. For conception and production of Divine Good, faith transfers the Seed, from the mind to the human spirit, where there is conception.
    
14. Therefore, perception only becomes conception by means of faith. Faith, therefore, is the key to growing in Grace.
    
15. Conception of the Seed of the Word in the human spirit results in Category Four – children.
    
    A. Frame of reference progeny – Doctrine in the human spirit is cycled into the mind as a frame of reference, and Doctrine is built upon Doctrine.
    
    B. Application children – Exhale of Doctrine out of the left and right banks of the soul is comparable to application and resting in faith.
    
    C. The edification children – This is a building built up in the soul, a “super structure.”
    
    D. The Divine Good children – Bona fide production in the Christian’s life.
    
16. This explains how man becomes the image and the glory of God. 1 Cor 11:7, “For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.”
    

    

What Christians Believe!

Christians believe that Mary gave birth to a Baby Boy

And the Baby Boy whom she held in her arms was older than His mother!

Sunday, March 11, 2001

How a Catholic Became a Christian

I grew up in the Catholic Church and I am familiar with the low and high masses and the confessional box and the absolution slips and the Hail Marys and the our Fathers. More Hail Marys than our Fathers???

I met a group called “The Christian Anti-Communism Crusade when I lived in Miami. Cuba was only 90 miles away and I was concerned with the evils of Communism.

One day there was an announcement in the paper that one of the members of “The Christian Anti-Communism Crusade” was going to speak at a “Protestant” Church in Miami. While growing up in the Catholic Church, I knew I could not be seen in a Protestant Church. But because my wife wanted to go and since she was dying of cancer, I went to oblige her.

I sat on the last seat on the last row expecting all hell to break loose. As soon as I sat down, the lights went out and I thought I was doomed.

The man got up and said that his mother didn’t raise any crazy children. He said he had a beautiful home in Houston, but it was nothing compared to his mansion in Heaven. That caught my attention. So, I followed him outside and asked him to show me where that statement appeared. He said it was in the Bible. But I had never seen a Bible. So, he
showed it to me and it really did say what he said it did.

It was John 14:1-6 and on the basis of that verse, along with John 3:16 and Eph 2:8-9, this Catholic became a Christian.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me,” John 14:1-6.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” John 3:16.

“For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast,” Ephesians 2:8, 9.

Try it you will like it!

The Doctrine of the Human Spirit!

1. Definition: The human spirit is that immaterial part of man designed by God to store and utilize spiritual phenomena.
   
   A. In original creation, man received the human spirit along with the soul, Gen 2:7, “Breath of lives” including both soul and spirit.
   
   B. The human spirit is not the same as the soul. It is distinguished in the Bible. Heb 4:12, “dividing of the soul and the spirit.”
   
2. Variations in the spiritual status of mankind.
   
   A. Original man was trichotomous, Gen 2:7.
   
   B. At the time of the fall, Gen 3:6, both Adam and the woman suffered immediate spiritual death, Rom 5:12. This entailed the loss of the human spirit plus the acquired permanent residence of the old sin nature in the soul.
   
   C. From the time of the fall, the unbeliever is dichotomous, 1 Cor 2:14, Jude 19.
   
   D. The believer is trichotomous – possessing, spirit, soul, and body. 1 Thes 5:23.
   
   E. Therefore, the believer receives the human spirit at the point of salvation simultaneously with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And the two spirits are the Grace keys to growing in Grace.
   
3. Perception by means of two spirits. 1 Cor 2:12-16.
   
4. The reality of spiritual phenomena resident in the two spirits, Rom 8:16.
   
   A. The Holy Spirit is the Teacher of Doctrine. John 14:26, 16:12-16, 1 Cor 2:9-16, 1 John 2:27.
   
   B. The human spirit is the target for Doctrine – the converter and dispenser of Doctrine – and the foundation for edification. Eph 4:20-24.
   
5. The storage of Doctrine in the human spirit.
   
   A. The area of refreshment, 2 Cor 7:13.
   
   B. The basis for Grace orientation, Philemon 25.
   
   C. Spiritual I.Q. related to Doctrine stored in the human spirit, Job 32:8, Rom 8:16.
   
6. The human spirit as the storage and distribution center of categorical Doctrine, Eph 3:18-19.
   
7. The Holy Spirit as the substitute for the human spirit in the comprehension of the Gospel, Gen 6:3, John 16:8-11, 1 Cor 2:14, 16.
   

Monday, March 12, 2001

The Doctrine of the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit!

1. The Scriptural documentation of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Church Age.
   John 7:37, 39, 14:16-17; Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 3:16, 6:19-20, Gal 3:2.
   
2. The purpose of the universal indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
   A. The unique characteristic of the Church Age, which is necessary because of the strategic victory of Christ through His death, resurrection, ascension, and session.
   B. The intensification of the angelic conflict with the new dispensation.
   John 7:37-39.
   C. The sign of escutcheon of royalty.
   
3. The distinction between salvation and post-salvation ministry of the Holy Spirit.
   A. The indwelling or residency occurs at the moment of salvation. It is permanent and immutable.
   B. The Holy Spirit accomplishes five things for every Church Age believer at the point of salvation – baptism, regeneration, sealing, indwelling, and providing a spiritual gift.
   C. The post-salvation ministry of the Holy Spirit is the inner control of the believer’s soul known as “filling” or “walking.”
   D. The vocabulary Paul. Eph 5:18, Gal 5:16.
   The vocabulary of John. 1 John 2:27, 28.
   E. Both carnality and negative volition result in loss of the “filling” but not the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
   F. Personal sin in the life “grieves” the Spirit, Eph 4:30, while human good “quenches” the Spirit. 1 Thes 5:19.
   
4. Nomenclature for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
   A. Anointing.
   Acts 4:27, 10:38, 2 Cor 1:21, 1 John 2:20, 27.
   B. Unction.
   1 John 2:20.
   
5. The prophecy of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
   John 7:37-39, 14:16, 17.
   
6. The distinction between the indwelling of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
   A. Christ indwells the believer for the purpose of fellowship on the road to maturity.
   Rom 8:10, 2 Cor 13:5, Gal 2:20, Eph 3:17.
   B. The believer who is in negative volition is not indwelt by Christ.
   2 Cor 13:5.
   C. The Holy Spirit’s indwelling of the royal priesthood of the Church Age is both permanent and functional.
   Gal 5:22-23.
   
7. The primary objective of the indwelling.
   A. The function of growing in Grace in learning the Word.
   John 14:26, John 16:12-15, 1 Cor 2:9-16, 1 John 2:27.
   B. The universal priesthood of the believer demands the permanent indwelling or residency of the Holy Spirit for achieving the tactical objective of the Grace life.
   
8. The suppression, control, and neutralization of the functions emanating from the old sin nature in the believer. Gal 5:17.
   

   

The Doctrine of Redemption!

1. Etymology of redemption.
   
   A. A compound Greek word “ANTILUTRON,” the substitution of money for a slave or a prisoner. Therefore, payment for the freedom of a slave or a prisoner, translated “ransom.”
   
   B. “LUTROTOS,” Redeemer, deliverer. “LUTROSIS,” Redemption, deliverance. “LUTROO” to release for a ransom, to redeem “AGOPAZO” to redeem, to buy, “EXZAGORAZO” to redeem, to purchase from a slave market, to set free are cognate words.
   
2. Definition.
   
   A. The work of Christ on the Cross directed toward sin.
   
   B. The saving work of Christ by which He purchased the freedom of the human race, born spiritually dead and in the slave market of sin, and set them free.
   
3. Jesus Christ, the only qualified Redeemer.
   
   A. By the virgin birth. Matt 1:23, 1 Tim 3:16, Heb 1:3.
   
   B. By the impeccability of his humanity. Isa 53:9, John 8:46, 19:4, 2 Cor 5:21.
   
4. The positive volition of Jesus Christ.
   
   A. The redemptive work of Christ on the Cross was an act of His own free will. Luke 22:42.
   
   B. Christ was obedient to the Father’s plan. Rom 5:19, Phil 2:8.
   
5. Animal blood – the means of teaching the Doctrine of redemption in the Old Testament. Job 19:25, 26, Heb 9:22.
   
6. Blood of Christ – the ransom money or purchase price of redemption. Eph 1:7, Col 1:1.
   
   A. The “coin of the realm” – 1 Pet 1:18-19 – by which the purchase was made.
   
   B. Depicts by representative analogy the saving work of Christ on the Cross or spiritual death in which He was judged for our sins. 2 Cor 5:21, 1 Pet 2:24.
   
   C. A real analogy would be a literal death compared to a literal death.
   
   D. In a real analogy, the physical death of the animal would be compared to the physical death of Christ.
   
   E. However, Christ did not die by bleeding to death.
   
   F. Here, therefore, we have a representative analogy in which the physical death of the animal on the altar represents the spiritual death of Christ on the Cross – Two deaths of Christ on the Cross. Isa 53:9, “Deaths,” plural.
   
   G. The representative analogy demands that the blood of Christ be taken figuratively.
   
   More to come …
   

   

   The Doctrine of Redemption – Part Two

7. The soul of the believer is redeemed in salvation. Psa 34:22.
   
8. Condemnation by the Mosaic Law resolved by redemption. Gal 3:10, 13.
   
9. Results of redemption.
   
   A. Forgiveness of sin. Isa 44:22, Eph 1:7, Col 1:14, Heb 9:15.
   
   B. Basis for justification. Rom 3:24.
   
   C. Basis for sanctification. Eph 5:25-27.
   
   D. Basis for the eternal inheritance of the believer. Heb 9:15.
   
   E. Basis for strategic victory of Christ in the angelic conflict. Col 2:14, Col 2:15, Heb 2:14, 15.
   
   F. Redemption of the soul in salvation leads to redemption of the body in resurrection. Eph 1:14.
   
   G. Redemption of the body is the ultimate or stage three status of the royal family of God forever. Rom 8:23, Eph 4:30.
   
10. Redemption related to the Mediatorship of Christ. 1 Tim 1:5, 6, Heb 9:14, Heb 9:15.
    

The Four Enslavements!

John 8:33, “They answered Him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man, How sayest Thou, ye shall be made free?”

At this point, the religious Kibitizers answered Him in pride, in egocentricity, “We are Abraham’s seed.”

Remember that religion is the devil’s ace trump, and when a religious man opens his mouth, what he says is often wrong. You can visualize the Pharisees as they swelled with pride and boasted of their lineage. They were very proud of their Jewish heritage and the fact that they were descended from one of the greatest men of all times. They were
counting heavily on their human relationship with Abraham. Heaven would be wide open to them, since the Pearly Gates would never shut on any of Abraham’s seed.

They go on to make a statement that is typical of anyone who has lost touch with reality and is distorted in his perspective. “We were never in bondage to any man.”

It is interesting to note that at the time this phrase was uttered, they were under four different systems of bondage:

1. They were in bondage to the Mosaic Law.
   
2. They were in bondage to their religious system.
   
3. They were in bondage to the Roman Empire.
   
4. They were in bondage to sin.
   

Grace Found A Way!

John 8:31, “Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed on Him, ‘IF ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed.”

Once a person has received Christ as personal Saviour, He must constantly study the Word of God if He is to discover and utilize the Divine operating assets available to Him.

Jesus Christ was emphasizing this point when He said, “If ye continue in My Word.”

Based on the technical structure of the Koine Greek language, every time you find the word “if” in the New Testament, it means one of four things.

First class condition – “If and it is true”
Second class condition – “If and it is not true”
Third class condition – “If maybe yes or maybe not”
Fourth class condition – “If I wish it were true, but it is not”

The “if” in our passage, John 8:31, is a third-class condition and it is the expression of free will and volition. Maybe you will and maybe you won’t. You have a choice to make whether or not you want to take in the Word of God.

Catholic Prayers I Was Taught!

There is a prayer in the Catholic Church where you are sure to get what you want. The name of that prayer is “Fatigue Deos,” which means to tire out God. In other words, if you don’t get what you want, just keep on asking Him and He will be tired and finally answer you. You fatigue Him.

What a malign that is to God’s character!

Then I was told to pray to Mary and Mary will ask her Son, and what Son wouldn’t listen to His mother and give her what she asks. Well, first we don’t pray to Mary – ever. We always pray and address God our Father. But Jesus Christ doesn’t take orders from Mary.

”He told her, know you not that I am about My Father’s business.”

He also said to Mary, “What have I to do with thee.”

He said to His disciples, “Behold your mother and from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”

I was also told that in 1954 Mary ascended up into Heaven in a physical body. So that now we have a co-redeemer. And co-mediator.

But the only Person in Heaven with a resurrection body is the Lord Jesus Christ.

”And there is one Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus.”

But listen to what Mary says, “His mother said unto the servants.” “Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.”

”Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord.”

”And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”

Her body produced the Lord Jesus Christ, being overpowered by God the Holy Spirit. She magnified God in her spirit and soul and body.

Tuesday, March 13, 2001

The Doctrine of Polygamy!

1. Polygamy was never authorized by the Word of God. Lev 18:18, Deut 17:17.
   A. Polygamy is never the permissive will of God.
   B. Only a man in negative volition or human viewpoint rationalism condones polygamy.
   
2. Polygamy is related to negative volition and is an expression of negative volition.
   A. Found in the line Lamech because of negative volition. Gen 4:19.
   B. Jacob’s polygamy, Gen 29, set a precedent for the Jews, but was not approved by God.
   
3. Polygamy violates the doctrine of “Right-Man, Right-Woman.”
   A. By an act of violation, a man can destroy his Right-Woman.
   B. Man is not designed for an intimate relationship with more than one woman.
   
4. Polygamy is a form of self-induced misery and unhappiness for man.
   
5. Monogamy is God’s order under the laws of Divine establishment. It weakens a man to violate the laws of establishment.
   
6. Many great believers had one wife, therefore, understood the Doctrine of “Right-Man, Right-Woman.” Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, etc.
   
7. Trouble related to polygamy.
   A. Concentration of jealousy of wives under one roof, illustrated by Jacob’s wives in Gen 29, 30 and Elkanah’s wives in 1 Sam 6:1 ff.
   B. Gideon’s polygamy caused trouble among his children. Judges 9.
   C. David’s polygamy compounded the problems in the children, and the discipline carried to the second generation. 1 Chron 3:1-9.
   

   

The Prohibition of Adultery!

Prov 5:15, “Drink waters of pleasure from your own cistern, and flowing waters from your own well.”

First – a command to drink water. Water as an analogy of Grace is used three ways in the Word of God. Here the water is the “Right Woman.”

In Isa 55:1 water is used as salvation. In Eph 5:26, water is used for the Word of God.

So, we have here three great gifts from God to man. The command to drink indicates that all Grace gifts must be received. However, this word means, “to drink and enjoy it,” or “to drink and have your thirst quenched.” It has the meaning of “living it up” in a good sense.

In this context it is used for the man who is thirsty for his Right Woman. His thirst is quenched and he is gratified in his relationship with her. This is one of the greatest happinesses of life.

All of the great happinesses of life are related to the gifts of Grace.

”Waters of pleasure” is plural because there are many acts of the relationship between Right Man and Right Woman. But please notice:
”From your own well.”

There are many acts of drinking but “one well,” one Right Woman. A cistern in Hebrew phraseology refers to a covered well. 2 Kings 18:31. The Right Woman is covered to everyone else. Who pulls the cover off the well? Only the Right Man. She is designed to be appreciated by one man only.

Proverbs 5:15, “Flowing Waters From Your Own Well.”

“Flowing waters” repeats the same principle as before. However, this time, since the waters are running, the well is not covered.

So we have a different Hebrew word. The first word indicates the outside, “The well is covered.” But where the Right Man is, the well is “not covered.”

The “flowing waters” describe the response of the woman to her Right Man. “Flowing” has another beautiful connotation. When you are in water, it always accommodates itself perfectly to your body. And that is the key here. In Divine Design there is a perfect physical coalescence, Divine Design programmed the Right Woman for the Right Man only.

Therefore, adultery is prohibited. If either the man or the woman fornicates under negative volition to the Word of God, they destroy their Divine programming for each other.

As the waters flow to slack the thirst of the man, so the response of the woman gives complete satisfaction. Nothing really quenches the thirst like plain, cold water, no matter how plain a woman may appear overtly.

She was designed by God to satisfy the thirst of one man. David is here once again trying to teach Solomon to wait for his Right Woman. She is the only one who can slake his thirst. And he blew it!

Proverbs 5:15, “Drink Waters of Pleasure From Your Own Cistern, and Flowing Waters From Your Own Well.”

When anyone swallows cool, or cold water, the body heat immediately takes care of it. By the time it reaches the stomach, it is warmer than it was before. It adjusts itself to the body temperature.

Just so, in the relationship between Right Man and Right Woman. The woman is also satisfied. However, the danger is that if she enters into fornication or adultery, she becomes dissatisfied and frustrated. In her frustration she is willing to give herself to anyone in the hope that just around the corner there will be some man who will satisfy her physically.

She is trying to find Divine Design. But she is going about it in the wrong way. It is like water jumping out of the well and splashing itself on every stranger who walks by. A well is not designed to do that.

The water waits in the well for the one who has the right to drink there. If the water is all splashed out through fornication, by the time the Right One comes along, there is nothing in the well but sand. I have never yet seen anyone who was satisfied with a bucket of sand when he wanted water.

There is a similar passage in S.O.S 4:12, “A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.” The “fountain sealed” is a virgin. Here is a woman who is holding all her water for the quenching of the thirst of her Right Man.

"A Deep Ditch”

Another verse which is closely related to the analogy in Prov 5:15 – “Drink waters of pleasure from your own cistern and flowing waters from your own well” – is this passage

Prov 23:27, “For a whore is a deep ditch, and a strange woman is a narrow pit.”

It is impossible to get water out of a deep ditch. Therefore, the person who goes to the deep ditch or the narrow pit for the alleviation of thirst never succeeds.

In other words, a person who goes to a whore to satisfy his libido is not going to have his soul thirst satisfied. The water cannot be reached. It was also dangerous to drink from an open ditches. The water was polluted.

Therefore, not only does one not receive the quenching of the thirst from the deep ditch, but one might pick up a disease. By analogy, of course, this would be venereal disease. It was safe only to drink from your own cistern, which was covered storage for rainwater, or to drink running water, which was pure.

The whore has made what water she had for her Right Man unavailable to him, and he has spent so much time exploiting sex, they simply become “ships that pass in the night.” Both of them have destroyed that wonderful thing which is one of the greatest happinesses in life.

When God forbids adultery, He is not being unkind. He is trying to save something that is really great for every one.

”Thine own well” means the Right Woman that God has designed for you only. Every time you go to another well you are trying to make it your own. You are trying to program that well to you, to manufacture your Right Woman out of everyone with whom you have a relationship. You will never slake your thirst at anyone else’s well.

Many a man goes through life being totally frustrated because he is drinking at everyone else’s well. Prov 9:17, “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant,” verse 18, “But he knoweth not that the dead are there and that her guests are in the depths of hell.”

“Not Good”

When Jesus Christ looked at Adam, before the woman was “built,” He said, “LO TOBH.” “Not good” that man should be alone. So Jesus Christ provided a Right Woman, a partner, for the first Adam.

Grace takes care of loneliness. And a Gracious gift was provided. The Right Woman cancelled out “LO TOBH.”

Now, it was not good that Jesus Christ should be alone on the Cross. But just as man had to be alone after he was created so that the Grace gift could come, so the Last Adam had to be alone so that the gift of salvation could come to mankind.

While bearing our sins on the Cross, God the Father and God the Holy Spirit forsook Jesus Christ. Matt 27:46. When Christ came out from the grave He was alone in a resurrection body.

Today Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, alone. He is waiting for His bride.

As Christ gave Adam a Right Woman, so the Father gave the Son a “Right Woman,” the Church, the bride of Christ. The bride, which is being prepared during the Church Age, is called “a body” because it is being “built.” Eph 4:16.

It was not good for man to be alone!
And it was not good for the God-man to be alone!

The Father gives the bride away!

A No Verb Verse on the Fulfillment of a Marriage Made in Heaven