The
Bible declares that every person born in the world is a sinner and needs
to be born again. Salvation is the solution to the problem of sin and
death. This solution to the problem can only be satisfied through
receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. It is a simple
childlike faith act. Believing in the death, burial and resurrection of
God's son, Jesus Christ, or receiving him as Lord and Savior saves you.
The scriptural references to support this kind of salvation faith are:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For
God did not send His son in the world to condemn the world, but that the
world through Him might be save
(John
3:16-17)
"But as many as received Him to them gave He the power to become the
children of God."
(John 1:1)
Jesus said to Him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes
to the Father except through Me."
(John 14:6)
For all have sinned and have come short of the Glory of God."
(Romans
3:23)
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death
through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.
(Romans
5:12)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans
6:23)
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you,
which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are
saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you - unless you
believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also
received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and
that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to
the Scriptures.
(I Cor.
15:1-4)
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and
opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with me
(Rev. 3:20)
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart
that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved. For with the
heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is
made to salvation."
(Romans.
10:9-10)
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name [Jesus]
under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
(Acts
4:12)
And this is
the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is
in His Son. He who has the son has life; he who does not have the
Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you
who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that
you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the
name of the Son of God.
(I John 5:11-13)
"For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
(Romans.
10:13)
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of the gospel of Christ, for it is
the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew
first and also for the Greek.
(Romans.
1:16)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
(II Cor. 5:
5:12)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should
boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
Here is a
simple prayer to invite Jesus Christ into your heart:
Dear God,
I believe in the Bible about the gospel of your son Jesus Christ. I am a
sinner and believe Jesus died for me and rose the third day. I invite
Jesus Christ to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior (take
control of my life). Please make me the kind of person you want me to
be. In Jesus name I pray and thank you. And thank you for saving my
soul. Help me to read my bible and pray everyday and be assured of my
salvation. Amen!!!
ETERNAL
SECURITY
After explaining
how to be saved, we want to further explain "How you can be saved" and
not lose your salvation.
How can I be
sure that I have eternal life (everlasting life)?
There
are two Greek words for life: (1) BIOS and (2) ZOE'. BIOS is where we
get our English word biology which is a term life. It has a beginning
and an ending from the cradle to the grave, from birth to death. ZOE' is
not term life, it is the life of God which is an everlasting life
(eternal life). This is why God's son came to give us the "abundant
life" (John 10:10) Further scriptural support for this is:
John 3:3-8 John 10:28
HOW TO
EVANGELIZE AND DISCIPLE OTHERS
"How to Share
your Faith"
We are disciples
of Jesus Christ which means we are learners and followers of Jesus
Christ and we are commissioned and compelled to "share our faith" which
means to be His witnesses and missionaries.
The Great
Commission (Matt. 28:19-20)
To Be His
Witnesses (Acts 1:8)
To be Students
in fellowship and prayer with other
Believers (Acts
2:40-42)
Your
main tools are the Word of God, the Bible, prayer, fellowship and
complete dependence on the Holy Spirit who will guide you. The Holy
Spirit is the "helper" and "comforter" who will guide you, teach you,
empower you and convince you in sharing your faith. This should be the
passion that drives you in sharing your faith.
Acts 2:40-42
Acts 4:12
John 3:16
John 5:9-10
John 5:24
John 14:15-17 &
26
John 15:16 & 26
John 16:7-15
"debtor, ready,
not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:13-16)
Romans 5:8
Romans 8:37-39
I John 5:11-13
****Other
Tools****
Tracts (Christian
handout literature) & Christian books
WHAT IS AND HOW
TO STUDY THE BIBLE
The Bible is the
inerrant Word of God. It is the Holy Verbal Plenary (whole) Inspired
(VPI) Scriptures of God's revelation to man regarding His works of
creation and the Universe..
Inspiration is
God's breathing on the Holy Apostles so that they could record exactly
what God wanted man to know about creation, man, sin redemption (love)
and future restoratio..in the Bible
Canonicity is the 66 acceptable books of the Bible (39 Old Testament
(OT) and 27 New Testament (NT)) which the early Church father's agreed
were VPI. God is the only one that is the source of canonicity because
He is the one who inspired the writers to make the Bible 'inspired'. The
Holy Spirit aids us in making the discovery of inspiration and
canonicity of the Bible. This includes understanding the relationship
between the OT and NT. Christianity was birth from the cradle of Judaism
which was the prophecy of God's love and fulfilled promise of a Savior
to come and save His people in the world. His Son, Jesus Christ the
Messiah is the fulfillment of the "volume of the Book" at the Cross of
Calvary. This is evidence of Inspiration and Canonicity.
The
responsibility for developing a good Bible study method is to learn how
one can read, understand, interpret, and not deviate from the Original
Text or recording of the Scriptures (II Tim 2:15, 3:16-17). "So Faith
comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God"
(Rom 10: 17)
Authenticity is the authority and validation that the Bible (Original
Text) is absolutely the Word of God in spite of the multiple
translations we have today. The transmission of the Scriptures from the
Original Text is protected by the Holy Spirit who is the true
Interpreter to the Believer who is born into the family of God.
Alterations have occurred, but authenticity is discerned by revelation.
(John 14:16-17, 26; 15: 26; 16: 13-15; II Cor. 2:14; II Tim. 3:16-17)
Revelation - God's Word is revealed by the Holy Spirit to born again
Christians to know His works in the Universe and creation. His Word also
reveals the origin of sin and the fall of man; redemption/salvation
(love), prophesy, the Church, God's Kingdom and future restoration.
A Simple Bible
Study Method
Read every
day/night (Joshua 1:8; Acts 2:42; II Timothy 2:15)
Pray everyday
(Acts 2:42 and I Thess. 5:17)
Meditate on God
and His Word (Isaiah 26:3; Psalms 1:2; 4:4; 19:14; 63:6 119:11, 97; and
Phil. 4:8)
Develop a simple
quiet time with the Lord consistently for your spiritual growth in the
Lord as a disciple of Christ (disciplined life of learning and following
Christ)
A good outline or
study method for learning those 66 books is as follows: learn and
memorize books, themes, key words (kw), key verses (kv) and life
applications of Biblical principles for the Christian journey
39 Old Testament
Books
I. Pentateau (Law
- 5 books)
1.
Genesis -
discusses the Beginning(s)..creation of God's works in the universe,
earth, man, family, sin and the fall, redemption (love) people and
Nation of God,..(50 chapters) kw: beginning kv: 1:1
2.
Exodus -
discusses the deliverance and exodus of God's people from captivity. A
call from bondage to God's promises (moral and spiritual freedom). (40
chapters) kw: deliver or bondage kv: 6:6
3.
Leviticus -
discusses God's call to holiness, sacrifice, redemption and laws of
moral responsibility. (27 chapters) kw: blood/attonement kv: 17:11
4.
Numbers -
discusses how the first generation of the people of God were commanded
and numbered, how they wandered/complained in the wilderness, their
experiences (obedience/disobedience) and how they were delivered and
given instruction and preparation for the new life. (36 chapters) kw:
commanded, numbered kv: 1:54; 3:16
5.
Deuteronomy -
discusses God's call to instruction/direction and God's plan for
promises and the new life. (34 chapters) kw: wandering/wilderness kv:
2:7
II . Historical
Books (12 books)
The Judge Period
(3 books)
1.
Joshua -
discusses how the second generation learned to succeed, conquer, possess
and become a victorious people of God. (24 chapters) kw: good success
kv: 1:8
2.
Judges - Judge
period: ("Everyone did what they thought was right in their own
eyes'(Saviors or deliverers") kw: right, judged kv: 21:25
3.
Ruth -
discusses the "kinsman's law of redemption". (4 chapters) Kw: kinsman's
law kv: 4:6
The Kingdom Period (6 books)
4. I
Samuel -
discusses the history of transferring leadership. Prophet è judge è
kings of Isreal (31 chapters) kw: kingdom, king kv: 1:8
5. II
Samuel -
discusses the reign of King David. (24 chapters) kw: kingdom, king
kv:2:11
6. 1
Kings -
discusses the united kingdom and divided kingdom (22 chapters) kw:
kingdom, king kv: 1:1
7. II
Kings -
resumes the continuation of the divided kingdom and the surviving
kingdom (25 chapters) kw: kingdom, king kv:18:1
8. I
Chronicles -
discusses the genealogy and history of Israel and the united kingdom
under King Saul and King David. (29 chapters) kw: kingdom, king kv: 9:1,
29:22,23
9. II
Chronicles -
discusses the divided kingdom - Northern/upper/Israel and
Southern/lower/ Judah. (36 chapters) kw: kingdom, king kv:1:1
Post-Exilic Period
(3 books)
1.
Ezra -
discusses the rebuilding of the temple. Kw: build kv: 4:2
2.
Nehemiah -
discusses the rebuilding of the wall. Kw: build kv: 3:13
3.
Esther -
discusses the rebuilding of the people. Kw: build kv: 4:14
III. Poetical
Books (5 books)
1.
Job -
discusses the patience of the man of Job. kw: upright kv: 1:1, 21-22
2.
Psalm - the
book of praise & call to worship. Kw: praise,thanksgiving kv: 95:1-3,
10:7
3.
Proverbs - the
book of wisdom. understanding kv:1:1-
4.
Ecclesiastes -
the book of vanity & managing frustration &futility. Kw: vanity kv: 1:2
5.
Song of Solomon -
discusses and
symbolizes the love of Christ for His Church His Bride. Kw: My Beloved
kv: 1:15-16
All God's prophets
are major and none of them are minor prophets. For categorical reasons,
we identify them as major & minor.
Iv. Prophetic
Books (17 Books)
(Five Major)
1.
Isaiah -
discusses the warning and judgment upon Judah and
Jerusalem. Kw: judgment, judge kv: 2:4
2.
Jeremiah -
discusses the judgment on the nation and the fall of Jerusalem:
backsliding people of God. Kw: backsliding, return
kv: 3:22, 4:1
3.
Lamentations -discusses
the prophets cry over the destruction of
Jerusalem & prayer for restoration. Kw: lament (cry) kv: 2:19
4.
Ezekiel -
discusses judgment on Israel & departure of the glory of
the Lord. Kw: judgment, glory, vision kv: 1:28
5.
Daniel -
discusses the Babylonian captivity of the lower kingdom (Judah) - 70
years. Israel: upper, northern & Judah: lower, southern. Kw: knowledge,
skill, wisdom, understanding, vision kv: 1:17
(Twelve Minors)
1.
Hosea -
discusses God's love for an adulterous people.. unfaithful wife (Gomer).
Kw: harlotry, adultery, departing from the Lord, unfaithfulness kv: 1:2,
3:1
2.
Joel -
discusses prophecy of the coming of the Messiah: the day of >the Lord.
The pouring out of the Spirit. Kw: "Day of the Lord", God's Spirit
poured out. Kv: 2:1
3.
Amos - this
book discusses the justice of God (the standards) & the injustices of
the people in the Land. God's promise for judgment & future restoration.
"Prepare to meet your God". Kw: burden, burden-bearer, return kv: 4:8-12
4.
Obadiah -
discusses God's judgment on Edom and the nations; God's restoration of
Israel; his name means 'servant of the Lord' kw: judgment, the day of
the Lord, distress, calamity, destruction kv: 1:1, 15
5.
Jonah -
running from the will of God; submitting to the will of God; fulfilling
God's
will; questioning God's will kw: flee; fish kv: 1:2, 17; 2:1, 10
6.
Micah -
God's forgiveness of sin; Micah means is like the Lord'. Discusses the
Northern Kingdom (Israel) who is to fall into the hands of the Assyrian
captivity kw: woe kv: 2:1; 7:1
7.
Nahum - means
'comfort or consolation'. Discusses the capital of Assyria which is
Nineveh; describes God's judgment and destruction kw: desolate, woe kv:
2:10
8.
Habakkuk -
means 'one who embraces'. Discusses the prophets clinging to God in the
spirit of His judgment on the Southern kingdom (Judah); the city of
Jerusalem kw: complaint, cry; violence kv: 1:2
9.
Zephaniah -
means 'the Lord hides'. Discusses the prophets message and theme is the
day of the Lord - judgment; a call to repentance kw: judgment kv: 1:8,
14
10.
Haggai - means
'the festal one'; the rebuilding of Gods temple; a command to build
God's house kw: built kv: 1:2, 7
11.
Zechariah -
means 'the Lord remembers'. This prophet arouses the people of God with
rebuilding the temple and remembering God's promise to send the Messiah
(who will bring complete restoration) kw: build kv: 1:16; 5:11; 4:6
12.
Malachi -
means 'my messenger' or 'the Lord's messenger'. God writes through
Malachi to emphasize on marriage, injustice and tithing; a reminder of
God's love for Israel kw: messenger kv: 3:1
INTERTESTIMENTAL
PERIOD
(aprox. 400 years
between O.T. & N.T)
There
was no writing of scriptures for approximately 400 years between the Old
Testament and the New Testament writings (Genesis - Malachi). However,
there were many propagators of philosophical views and religious ideas
of life, good, bad and evil.
Four
intellectual thinkers who's philosophies still rule in our culture
todays are contributors of voluminous amount of ideas and thoughts.
These men among many are dead and in their graves, but their philosophy
still influence the world and remain.
They are:
Socrates -
contribution to logic and methodology and the importance of clearly
defined concepts of life…
Plato
- the attainment of
wisdom through a vision of absolute ideas: beauty, truth and goodness..
Aristotle -
explaining Phenomenon to escape ignorance through knowledge. This
pursuit of philosophy is not an end in of itself. Rational thinking has
shaped Western thought and culture. The above are all from the West
culture
Confucius -
From the East culture (Chinese thinking) investigation of 'things' and
of 'the extension of knowledge' - a way of ordering the world. A
political and governing philosophy. Religion is not a rational basis
like West culture, but rather East culture---a harmony of nature and
creation..
Christianity came on the scene approximately 2000 years ago. It was
birth out of the cradle of Judaism, which is the fulfillment of Old
Testament's teachings on the presentation of the Promised Messiah, who
is the Lord and Savior sent by God. Jesus Christ.came at the right time
in World History(Gal. 4:4). The Gospel of Jesus Christ came at the time
that a good philosophy and Good News was needed. Two prominent
philosophies of that time were Epicurean..a philosophy of self
indulgence in pleasure "eat and drink and be merry because tomorrow we
die" and Stoicism..a philosophy of indifference to pleasure and
pain..abstaining and strict discipline of the fleshly appetite. Jesus
philosophy of life was the Gospel of Good News which was Christianity
and based on His Person and building of His Church (Mat. 16:13-18).
Jesus establish
His Church which is the only "..WAY, TRUTH and LIFE"' (John 14:6) and
"..the abundant life" (John 10:10)
New Testament
There
was about 300 to 400 years of silence between the Old Testament (O.T.)
and the New Testament (N.T.). The New Testament came at the right time
because people at that time were interested in hearing something "new".
That new information was the New Testament Gospel which was the Gospel
of Jesus Christ (The Good News).
A good outline
study of those 27 books is as follows:
I. The Gospel
Books (4)
The
four Gospel books are short simple parallel recordings of the life and
works of Jesus Christ. Three Gospel books are referred to as the
"Synoptic". These books include His birth, childhood, public ministry,
crucifixion (passion), burial, resurrection, The Great Commission and
His Ascension. The Gospel of John is the "unique" book. It does not
discuss His birth or childhood, but does discuss His public ministry,
crucifixion (passion), burial, resurrection, The Great Commission and
His Ascension. Each of these Gospel books present Jesus Christ's
personhood in a distinct way and to a distinct group of people.
THE FOUR GOSPEL
BOOKS
(Three Synoptic Books)
1.
MATTHEW --
presents Jesus Christ as the King to the Jews.
kw: king, Jew, Savior (save), Immanuel. kv: 1:21, 2:2, 1:23
2.
MARK --
presents Jesus Christ as the servant to the Romans. kw: Son, servant.
kv: 1:1, 1:11
3.
LUKE --
presents Jesus Christ
as the Man to the Greeks (Gentiles). This is the first treatise. Acts is
Luke's second treatise. kw: man, son kv: 2:51
One Unique Book
4.
JOHN --
presents Jesus Christ as God to the World (Cosmos). kw: Word (Theos),
love, life, light. kv: 1:1, 1:14, 3:16, 8:12
One Church History
Book
(Acts of the Holy Spirit)
ACTS
- the book of Acts is
the origin and history of the Church starting with the day of Pentecost.
It is the fulfillment of the prophet Joel and
Jesus
Christ's promise of sending the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the
"paraclete'" (helper, comforter, dweller, guide, empowers and is the one
along side you and also in you. This is the second treatise of Luke. The
book of Acts reveals the acts of the Holy Spirit thru the apostles.
According to Acts 2:42, the characteristics of the early Christians are
steadfast in Prayer (Acts 2:42), Word of God (apostle doctrine),
fellowship ("koinonia"), communion "breaking of Bread". Kw/kv: Pentecost
(2:2), Church, apostle, disciple.
Acts is a
transitional book discipling begins in Jerusalem then on the Judea,
Samaria and world wide (reaching gentiles and all people groups).
21 Epistles
Letters or Epistles to the Churches and Pastors
1.
ROMANS - this
letter discusses the sinfulness of man and righteousness of God. Man is
born of sin and death (Romans 5:12). We learn in this book: the Divine
righteousness of god and the sinfulness of man
"the Law of Imputation" of righteousness thru Christ Jesus our Lord who
is the only way to be redeemed and provided forgiveness and "imputing"
righteousness of God through Jesus Christ (vss: 2 Cor. 5:17; 5:21). Kw:
righteousness, sin. Kv: Romans 1:7, 3:23, 6:23.
2. I
CORINTHIANS -
this letter was sent to the Church to correct divisive behavior (Sin).
this was not to be accepted in the Church. We learn several commentaries
in this letter: Commentary on wisdom and power, commentary on the gift
(Ch. 12-14), commentary on love (Ch. 13), and the commentary on the
resurrection (Ch. 15). Kw: wisdom, power, gifts. Kv: Chapters 2, 5 and
6.
3. II
CORINTHIANS-
this letter was to defend the apostles doctrine of Christ recorded in
Acts and I Corinthians, assurance of the gospel and blessed resurrection
and judgment (Chapter 5). Kw: creation… kv II Corinthians 5:2
4.
GALATIANS -
this letter is doctrinal teachings on justification by faith. It also
discusses the argument regarding grace and the law. Kw: crucified, law,
freedom, bondage kv: 2:20-21; 4: 22-23
5.
EPHESIANS -
this book teaches on two major doctrines: the POSITION of the believer
and the PRACTICE (lifestyle or the walk) of the believer. (Chps 4-6). Kw:
grace, faith, walk kv: 2:8-9;5:2
6.
PHILIPPIANS -
this letter focuses on the doctrine KENOSIS (the self-humiliation and
emptying of Christ). Thematically, it discusses the joy and rejoicing of
the Christian in respect to knowing Jesus Christ in pursuit of the
higher calling. Kw: joy or rejoice kv: 4:1, 4; 1:18
7.
COLOSSIANS -
the theme of this letters is the supremacy and all-sufficiency of Jesus
Christ. This thematically discusses the exaltation of Christ's
Christianity and the Christian call. Kw: firstborn, first place,
fullness kv: 1:15-19; 2:9-10
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