Dr. Douglas E. Tucker
pastordnlf@gmail.com
2360 Mt. Zion Rd., Brooksville, KY 41004
606-782-7017
Enclosed is a Statement of Faith for the Elevation Church family. It is not all we believe; however, it will confirm concerned major doctrine. (Numerous other theologies are weaved in the following ten).
What we believe about:
I. The Bible
II. The One True God
III. Salvation (Human nature defined)
IV. The Church
V. Holiness (3 categories of N.T. gifts)
VI. The Existence and Work of the Devil and Demons
VII. The Existence and Ministry of Holy Angels
VIII. Hell
IX. Heaven
X. Eschatology
Researched and written by Dr. Douglas E. Tucker
(Statistics aided by Apologetics Research Ministry)
I. The Bible
A. The Bible consists of 66 books: 39 in the O.T. and 27 in the new.
1. The O.T. has 23,214 verses.
2. The N.T. has 9,959 verses.
B. The Bible took about 1600 years to write.
1. It was written in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek).
2. It has approximately 40 authors and is internally consistent throughout.
C. The first translation of the English Bible was initiated by John Wycliffe and completed by John Purvey in A.D. 1388.
D. The first American edition of the Bible is believed to have been published some time before A.D. 1752. The Bible has been translated in part or in whole as of 1964 in over 1,200 different languages or dialects. (More have been added since)
E. The Bible was divided into chapters by Stephen Langston about A.D. 1228. The Old Testament was divided into verses by R. Nathan in A.D. 1448 and the New Testament by Robert Stephanus in A.D. 1551.
F. The Old Testament – a total of 39 books and 5 main divisions: Pentateuch (Genesis to Deuteronomy), Historical (Joshua to Esther), Poetic (Job to Song of Solomon), Major Prophets (Isaiah to Daniel), Minor prophets (Hosea to Malachi).
G. New Testament – a total of 27 books and has 4 main divisions. Gospels (Matthew to John), History (Acts), Epistles (Romans to Jude), Prophetic (Revelation).
H. Reliability of the biblical documents.
1. The Bible is 98 ½ % textually pure. This means that through all of the copying of the Biblical manuscripts of the entire Bible, only 1 ½% has any question about it. Nothing in all the ancient writings of the entire world even approaches the accuracy of transmission found in biblical documents.
2. The 1 ½% that is in question does not affect doctrine. The areas of interest are called variants and they consist mainly in variations of wording and spelling.
3. The O.T. does not have as many supporting manuscripts as the N.T., but it is, nevertheless, remarkably reliable.
a. The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew O.T. done around 250 B.C., attests to the reliability and consistency of the O.T. when it is compared to existing Hebrew manuscripts.
b. The Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in 1947 also verify the reliability of the O.T. manuscripts.
c. The Dead Sea Scrolls were ancient documents that were hidden in a cave in Israel about 2,000 years ago. The scrolls contained many O.T. books, one of them being Isaiah.
1. Before the Dead Sea Scrolls the earliest existing manuscript of the O.T. was dated around 900 A.D. called the Masoretic Text.
2. The scrolls contained O.T. documents 1000 years earlier. A comparison between the manuscripts revealed an incredible accuracy of transmission through copying, so much so that critics were silenced.
4. The N.T. has over 5,000 supporting Greek manuscripts existing today with another 20,000 manuscripts in other language.
a. Some of the manuscript evidence dates to within 100 years of the original writing.
b. There is less than a 1% textual variation in the N.T. manuscripts.
5. Estimated time of writing of the N.T. documents.
a. Paul’s letters, 50-66 A.D.
b. Matthew, 70-80 A.D.
c. Mark, 50-65 A.D.
d. Luke, early 60’s.
e. John, 80-100 A.D.
f. Revelation, 96 A.D.
6. Some of the supporting manuscripts of the N.T. are:
a. John Ryland’s manuscript written around 130 A.D., the oldest existing fragment of the N.T.
b. Bodmer Papyrus II (150-200)
c. Chester Beatty Papri (200 A.D.), contains major portions of the N.T.
d. Codex Vaticanus (325-350 A.D.), contains nearly all of the Bible.
e. Codex Sinaiticus (350 A.D.), contains almost all of the N.T. and over half of the O.T.
f. No other ancient writing can boast of having copies so close to the original time of writing. With the Bible, the difference is about 50 years. With Plato and Aristotle, for example, the difference is measured in hundreds of years.
I. Prophecy and mathematical odds of fulfillment.
1. The odds of Jesus fulfilling 48 of the 61 major prophecies concerning Him are 1 in 10 (157); that is a one with 157 zeroes behind it.
2. By comparison, the estimated number of electrons in the entire known universe is about 10 (79); that is one with 79 zeros behind it.
J. Inspiration and Inerrancy- the Bible is inspired by God. Inspiration means that God, through the Holy Spirit, caused the writers of the Bible to write the accurate and authoritative self-revelation of God. It is God breathed (2 Tim 3:16) through the vessels instrumentation of the apostles and prophets (2 Peter 1: 20,21).
1. It is without error in the original manuscripts and is absolutely reliable and true in all areas it addresses.
2. Every true Christian accepts the inspiration and authority of the Bible.
K. Scientific Accuracies in the Bible
1. The spherical shape of the earth (Isaiah 40:22).
2. The earth is suspended in nothing (Job 26:7).
3. The stars are innumerable (Gen. 15:5).
4. The existence of valleys in the seas (2 Sam. 22:16).
5. The existence of springs and fountains in the sea (Gen. 7:11; 8:2; Prov. 8:28).
6. The existence of water paths (ocean currents) in the seas (Psalms 8:8).
7. The water cycle (Job 26:8; 36:27-28; 37:16, 38:25-27; Pslms 135:7; Ecc. 1:6-7.
8. The fact that all living things reproduce after their own kind (Gen. 1:21; 6:19).
9. The nature of health, sanitation, and sickness (Gen. 17:9-14, Lev. 12-14).
10. The concept of entropy, that energy is running down (Psalm 102:26)
II. The One True God
A. God is a trinity
God is a triune (trinity) God. He eternally and simultaneously exists in three persons. Each person, Father, Son and Holy Spirit is not the other. Without either, there is no God; all comprise the one true God. They are distinct persons, yet they are all the one true God. They are in absolute perfect harmony consisting of one substance. The one triune God does show His different functions. For example: The Father chooses who will be saved (Eph. 1:4); the Son redeems him (Eph. 1:7); the Holy Spirit seals him (Eph. 1:13). This is but one example in one book of the Bible. (NOTE: God’s choosing I believe, is based upon His fore knowledge. This would be consistent with how the Bible doctrines of Free Will and Election compliment instead of contradict each other (John 3:16, Rom. 8:29, I Pet. 1:2, 2 Pet. 3:9 etc.)
Let me also state that for anyone to try to define God is an awesome task and responsibility. I have found that many theologians admit the term “person” is a difficult word to use because we as mankind normally use the work “person” to mean physical individuals who exist as separate beings from other individuals. However, in God, there are not three entities, not three beings. God, is a trinity of persons consisting of one substance and one essence. God is numerically one. Yet, within the single divine essence are three individual subsistences that we call persons. Truly God’s ways are not man’s ways. The devil has wreaked havoc on cults who believe the Bible teaches three Gods, or one God at a time or teaches that only one of the three is really the true God. When one clearly understands the one true triune God, it will do away with the cultic teachings of Polytheism, Pantheism, Deism, and Theism. Theism may be the one less likely known, it is a belief that yes, there may be one God, but this is not necessarily the Christian God. Understanding God’s Word does away with these four false teachings. The one true God is the God of the Holy Bible.
B. Scriptural Chart of Recognition of One God in Trinity.
The chart below should help you to see how the doctrine of the Trinity is derived from scripture. The list is not exhaustive, only illustrative. “I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God.” (Isaiah 45:5)
The Trinity
Father Son Holy Spirit
Called God Phil 1:2 John 1:1, 14; Col 2:9 Acts 5:3-4
Creator Is. 64:8, 44:24 John 1:3, Col. 1: 15-17 Job 33:4, 26:13
Indwells 2 Cor. 6:16 Matt. 28:20 John 14:17
Everywhere I Kings 8:27 John 16:30, 21:17 Ps. 139: 7-10
All Knowing I John 3:20 Hebrews 2:11 I Cor. 2:10-11
Sanctifies I Thes. 5:23 John 1:3, 5:21 I Pet. 1:2
Life giver Gen. 2:7 1 Cor. 1:9 2 Cor. 3: 6,8
Fellowship I John 1:3 Micah 5:1-2 2 Cor. 13:14
Eternal Ps. 90:2 Luke 22:42 Romans 8:11
A Will Luke 22:42 Luke 5:20, 7:48 I Cor. 12:11
Speaks Mt. 3:17 Eph. 5:25 Acts 8:29; 11:12; 13:2
Love John 3:16 Rev. 2:23 …
Searches the heart Jer. 17:10 John 17:6
We belong to John 17:9 John 2:19, 10:17
Resurrects I Thes. 1:10 2 Tim. 2:19
Savior I Tim. 1:1, 2:3, 4:10 John 1 …
We serve Mt. 4:10 Col. 3:24 …
Believe in John 14:1 John 14:1
Here are a few more verses from the Bible that clearly teach that the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one essence and is our one true God. Genesis 1:26/ Genesis 3:22/ Genesis 11:5-8/ Duet. 6:10/
John 1:1-3, Isaiah 9:6/ I John 5:20/ I Cor. 8:4/ John 8:58 John 10:30/ Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:6 etc.
C. Each in the Trinity briefly defined
1. The Father- He reigns from His throne in Heaven (Acts 7:49, Mt. 6:9)
2. Jesus Christ- is now at the right hand of the Father making intercessory for us. Jesus Christ left the bosom of the Father in Heaven and was born of a virgin birth on earth through the chosen servant named Mary (Luke 2). Jesus was on the order of Melchizadek. He had no beginning and no ending. He took on a physical body, lived a perfect, holy and sinless lifeupon the earth and the plan and will of God was fulfilled that He became the substitutionary atonement for man’s sins. His innocent blood was shed and though the wages of sin is death, He had no wages owed. The wages of sin He died for was for the sin of the human race. “And He is the propitiation for our sin and not ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (I John 2:2). However, salvation is not automatic as noted in our brief study on salvation (III). Jesus the Christ bore man’s sins and died on the cross of Calvary and was buried and resurrected from the dead on the third day.
Included are three enclosures (pages 16-18) from the Christian Apologetics research ministry. It is scriptural truth on three passages that some critics use and perhaps some unlearned Christians struggle with. However, when scripturally understood, it is clear that Jesus is God.
3. Holy Spirit- He has been sent into the world to reproof it of sin, righteousness and judgement (John 16:7-11). For the believer, the Holy Spirit seals (Eph. 4:30), lives in (Rom. 8:9) and desires to fill (Eph. 5:18) every true born again believer. The believer’s lack of holiness in their lives through sins of commission and/or omission will grieve (Eph. 4:30) and potentially quench (I Thes. 5:19) the Holy Spirit. We need to follow His promptings which will always be in accordance to the Word of God, for He is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13,14/ I Cor. 2:10-12/ I John 2:27). The Spirit of God works with us differently (Js. 4:17/ Rms. 14:23b etc. depending on if we are new born babes in need of spiritual milk (I Peter 2:2) or elder sons in need of spiritual meat (Heb. 5:11-14 etc.). More of the work of the Holy Spirit will be discussed in our brief study on Holiness (V).
D. There is but one true God:
1. He is the only Supreme Being. He is Holy (Rev. 4:8), Eternal (Isaiah 57:15), Omnipotent (Jer. 32:17,27), Omnipresent (Psalm 139: 7-12), Omniscient (I John 3:20) ETC.
2. He is Love (I John 4: 8,16); Light (I John 1:5); Spirit (John 4:24); Truth (Psalm 117:2); Creator (Isaiah 40:12,22,26) etc.
3. He is to be worshipped (Gen. 24:26; Ex. 4:31; 2 Chr. 29:28; I Cor. 14:25; Rev. 7:11)
4. He is to be served (Matt. 4:10, I Cor. 6:19, Phil. 3:7, I Thes. 1:9, Heb. 9:14).
5. He is to be proclaimed (Matt. 28:19f; John 14:15f; Acts 1:8).
III. Salvation – “Salvation belongs to the Lord” (Psalms 3:8)
A. Mankind is a sinner by nature and actions
When Jesus’ disciples asked Him who can be saved, He replied, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19-26). Salvation rests in God alone (Eph. 2:8-9)
The Bible has a phrase that describes the non-Christian. It is “natural man”. In I Cor. 2:14, Paul says, “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (Rms. 3:10, 3:23 etc.) Our human condition can be compared to a drop of dark poison (sin nature inherited from Adam). When put into a glass of water (our life); all of the water is poisoned but it is not as bad as it could be. However, the water is incapable of being pure or good. What good we seem to do could never take away the impure. We need to be purified and changed (Rms. 5:12).
B. Salvation
When someone sincerely appeals to God by faith and seeks forgiveness in Jesus for their sins, they have a change of mind (repentance -Luke 13:3,5/Acts 20:21). His sins are removed, he is cleansed and his relationship with God is restored. He is made a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17) and given pure Living Water (Holy Spirit) of Titus 3:5. All of this is the work of God (Phil. 1:6, 2:13). Salvation for man is a free gift and no merit by man can obtain it (Romans 6:23)
C. Justification
Justification is the work of God where the righteousness of Jesus is imputed to the sinner and the new believer is declared by God as being righteous (Rom. 4:3, 5:1,9/ Gal. 2:16, 3:11). This righteousness is not earned or retained by any effort of the saved. Justification is an instantaneous occurrence with the result being eternal life. It is based completely and solely upon Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (Rom. 5:8, I Pet. 2:24) and is received by faith alone (Eph. 2:8-9). No works are necessary whatsoever to obtain justification. Otherwise, it is not a gift (Rom. 6:23). Therefore, we are justified by faith (Rom. 5:1). However, sanctification is a different story and will be covered in our brief study on Holiness (V). The Father draws, The Holy Spirit convicts of sin unto regeneration and Jesus saves! What a mighty God we serve!
God is just. God is merciful. God is gracious. In the justice of God, He took our place. In the mercy of God we don’t get punished. In the grace of God, He gives us eternal life. Even though we are unworthy of salvation, even though we are unworthy of God’s love, even though we are unworthy of mercy, even though we are worthy of wrath, God saved us. He did so not because of who we are, but because of who He is, not because of what we do, but because of what He did. God is love (I John 4:16). God is holy (I Pet. 1:16). God is good (Psalms 34:8). We could never, through our own efforts, attain Him. There is only one thing left for us to do. We must worship Him, love Him, and serve Him. He alone is worthy. “Blessed be the name of the Lord”.
IV. The Church (Ekklesia “called out ones”)
A. The universal church- is made up of all true born again Christians (Mt. 16:18 etc.)
B. The local church- This is a local assembly together of baptized (immersion, John 3:22, 23) believers who periodically partake of communion in remembrance of our Lord’s death (I Cor. 11:23-26). We are commanded by God to meet (Heb. 10:23.25) regularly (I Cor. 16:1-2 etc.) for the following:
1. To equip the saints for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:8-16).
2. To fulfill the Great Commission- (Mk. 16:15-20/ Mt. 28: 18-20) These passages are confirmed throughout the New Testament and particularly in the book of Acts. This should be accomplished as the local church leadership seeks to move forward and maintain a balance in the following five:
*Evangelism (lost)
*Worship (God)
*Discipleship (maturity)
*Fellowship (body)
*Ministering (discovering and applying one’s God-given motivational gifts for life mission -Rom. 12)
3. To obey the Great Commandment – (Mt. 22:36-40/ Duet. 6:4,9) This ought to be our
heart’s motivation for ministry.
4. To become a self propagating church- We must have a vision that extends beyond
our own community for world wide missions, particularly advancing the kingdom of
God to those untouched by the gospel. Jesus, in the gospels and the apostles in
Acts along with multiplying disciples and local churches had a real focus on
preaching, teaching and advancing the kingdom of God beyond their own
Jerusalem (Acts. 1:8)
5. To accomplish all the previous, we must also follow our Lord’s direction (Bible)
for proper church leadership. Following (a-c) is a basic leadership pyramid,
explanation of each and an overview chart of ministry.
a.
Jesus
Plurality of elders
Ministry of Deacons
Lay leadership involved in various ministries
The congregation of the local church
b. *Jesus is of course the head of the church and always will be. He as our Lord,
gave us an example as a “servant leader” (Phil. 2:5-16/ Mk. 10:44-45). We ought
to follow in His steps (I Pet. 2:21).
*Plurality of elders for a local church is found in various N.T. passages: (Acts
14:23, 20:17/ Titus 1:5/ I Peter 5:1/ James 5:14 etc.) Some elders may find
themselves like the Apostle Paul working a secular job. (Acts 18: 1-3, 20: 33,34/
2 Thes. 3:8 etc.)
Elders are equal in leadership and accountability. However, one cannot
overlook the scriptural fact that God will put His spiritual mantle upon one to
be senior elder. It will be recognized by the church body and confirmed by God.
More than likely, it will be the prominent teaching and preacher elder (I Tim.
5:17) (Examples: Abraham, Moses, Peter, Barnabas, Paul, Timothy, Titus,
Ignatius, Polycarp, etc.) Elder requirements are found in the following passages
(I Tim. 3:1-7)/ Titus 1:5-9/ I Peter 5:1-4). Elders are gifts to the church from the
Lord to equip His body (Eph. 4:7-12).
*Deacons were first chosen in Acts 6. They were chosen by the local body of
Christ with guidelines and confirmation coming from the elders (Acts 6:1-7).
They have the primary responsibility to oversee the physical plant and physical
needs of the local church body. They still have similar requirements as elders
(I Tim. 3:8-13). Deacons help free up the elders from some of the physical
ministry that they can give themselves more to prayer, study of the Word and
it’s implementation (Acts 6:4).
*Lay Leaders using their motivational gifts (Rms. 12:4-13) can help teach,
serve, give time etc. and take part in the ministry. They will be greatly used of
the Lord much like the men and women that ministered with Jesus in the
gospels. Then later, those that ministered with the apostles in the book of
Acts and others who help in the churches throughout the New Testament. I
have found Christians find greater fulfillment and joy of their God-given
giftedness instead of just their availability.
*Congregation of the local church – The following chart (from Purpose Driven
Church Conference) should help you get a bird’s eye view of the overall
Ministry of the local church.
*We reach out to bring in the core, to send (back) out to the community
(and communities of the world) (Mt. 9:36-38. Prov. 29:18 etc.)
*The congregation should also be taught to properly submit to God’s ordained leadership
as they (leaders) are submitting to God’s. (I Peter 5:1-5/Heb. 13:17,18) In other words,
“follow me as I follow Christ”. (Phil. 3:17)
V. Holiness
A. Sanctified (“Set Apart”)
To speak about holiness, I’m actually referring to progressing in our sanctification. In our English
Bibles, at times the word for holiness is also translation “sanctification”. I understand that when
we become a Christian, we are sanctified (I Cor 6:11 etc.) In the sense that we have been “set
apart” as instruments to be used in God’s holy service. In fact, in the Old Testament, God had His
tabernacle, temple instruments and His ministers anointed with oil (set apart) to be actively used
for His service. (Ex. 40: 9-13/ Num. 7:1 etc.). We as New Testament Christians have been anointed
by the “oil” (Holy Spirit) of God. We have been “set apart” for holy service as instruments (Rom.
6:13) and holy temples (I Cor. 3:16) for our God.
B. The difference between justification and sanctification
Where justification is a legal declaration that is instantaneous at salvation (Rom. 4:3-5). In Jesus,
we have satisfied the law and been justified. Where justification comes from outside of us, from
God, sanctification comes from God within us by the work of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we
contribute to sanctification through our efforts. In contrast, we do not contribute to our
justification through our efforts.
C. Holiness is a purpose.
Sanctification is a process and involves the work of the person. But it is still God working in and
with the believer (Phil. 1:6, 2:12, 13 etc.) to produce more of a godly character and life in the
person who has already been justified. The justified person will be led of the Holy Spirit to be
actively involved in submitting to God’s will, resisting sin, seeking holiness and good works. The
Holy Spirit within us will bear His fruit (Gal. 5;22,23) and produce good works through us.
( Eph. 2:10).
We are “set apart” to maintain and actively be used for God’s holy service. When we sin, we should
confess our sin (I John 1:9) and seek God’s help to walk in victory. If we do not confess and repent,
God has an obligation to discipline (Heb. 12: 5-13) us for we are “set apart” (sanctified). This is so
that we can continue in holiness. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification...” (I Thes.
4:3). “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and
meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21).
Just because we were once filled with the Holy Spirit and still operate in the gifts of the Spirit, by no
means concludes our sanctification. The gifts are beautiful and awesome in operation, but are not
an end in themselves. They are part of the process the Holy Spirit uses to aid in our sanctification.
Just look at the character of some of the Christians in the church at Corinth who were known for
operating in the manifestational gifts mentioned in I Corinthians (Chapters 12-14). Then in 2 Cor.,
see how the Apostle Paul is used of the Holy Spirit to teach on the need for holiness.
Remember as Christians, there are not many sealings of the Holy Spirit and one filling, but one
sealing and many fillings. According to Eph. 4:30, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of
redemption. But we will find that in our Christian journey from time to time, we will have to come
back to God and get a fresh anointing and filling (Eph. 5:18). We as Christians living in this fleshly
body, will grieve (Eph. 4:30) or even quench (I Thes. 5:19) the Holy Spirit because of the weakness of
our flesh.
D. It Happens in our soul
The process of holiness in a believer takes place in our soul. God has made man a trichotomy. This
truth is found in various scriptures in the New Testament, but let me quote one. “May the very
God of peace sanctify you holy; and I pray God, your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved
blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Man was created a trichotomy and not a
dichotomy like animals.
Remember what died in Adam when he first sinned was not his body or soul (intellect, will and
emotion). It was his spirit. That is why we must be born again. The Holy Spirit comes into our spirit
and we become one spirit with the Lord (I Cor. 6:17). In fact, Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:6…”
That which is born of the Spirit is spirit”. Those who translated the English Bible would always seek
to capitalize “spirit” when it was in reference to the Holy Spirit. When it was referring to another
spirit, they put a small “s” so that the reader could interpret the context to determine. There are
four eternal spirits: God is a spirit (John 4:23), holy angels are spirits (Heb. 1:14), evil spirits (Eph.
6:12) and of course, man has a spirit (Heb. 4:12). Man is the only spirit confined to a physical body.
This will change at the rapture (I Cor. 15: 48-57)
The word soul or it’s suffixes are mentioned over five hundred times in the scriptures. If one does
Not understand the salvation of the soul (sanctification), they will use many of the verses to imply
that you can lose your salvation. For instance, let me quote James 1: 21,22 “Wherefore lay apart all
filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meekness the ingrafted Word which is
able to save your souls. Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves”.
This passage with many others has nothing to do with eternal salvation. If it did, it would be works
and not a gift of grace. This passage and other similar ones has everything to do with holiness and
our sanctification, as does I Peter 1:9 “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your
souls”.
It is important to know the truth about our Savior, self and Satan. We are not to be ignorant of
Satan’s devices (2 Cor. 2:11). God said “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea
4:6). When it comes to self “seeing that you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through
the Spirit (in our spirit)” I Pet. 1:22. We must know how to take the “logos” and “rhema” it properly.
Remember, the Armor of God goes on the soul. David in his battle with Goliath realized this
and took off Saul’s armor and got his soul dressed with the Ephesians 6 armor. The soul must also
be protected by standing in our God given “exousia” (position of authority) and from there,
operate in “dunamis” power. The victory or defeat will be found in our soul (intellect, will and
emotions). God knows it, the devil knows it and so should we. “….in all things we are more than
conquerors through Him (Jesus) that loved us…” (Rom. 8:37).
I do not believe we will reach total salvation of our soul (perfect holiness) until God completes this
in us at the rapture (I Cor. 15:48-57). However, we are to strive to “be ye holy for I am holy”
(I Pet. 1:16). Understanding the soul helps one realize the “importance of discipleship” (see VI).
Holiness will produce a godly lifestyle, but it is more of a heart condition than outward perfection.
Remember David’s life (Acts 13:22) and God’s desire for us (I Thes. 3:13).
Past- our spirit has been saved.
Future- our body will be glorified (rapture).
Present- our soul is in the process of salvation (completed at rapture- I Cor. 15:42-58).
E. I do believe the following three categories of New Testament gifts are applicable for today. I have
added them here for they are given specifically to aid the believer in holy service.
1. Three categories of N.T. gifts
*Ministry leadership gifts -Eph. 4:7-15.
*Manifestational gifts- I Cor. 12:4-12
I Cor. 12 - introduces these gifts.
I Cor. 13 -should operate in love (agape).
I Cor. 14 -guidelines must be followed.
*Motivational gifts -Romans 12:4-12
Lost people also have these gifts (Rom. 11:29). They are what motivates our lives.
2. I spent two years in our midweek cell groups (in one of our church plants) teaching through
all three sections of gifts. I dare not expound on it in a few pages. When in operation, they
will impact not only the church, but the lost world around us (Mk. 16:15-20/ I Cor. 14:24,25).
VI. The Existence and Word of the Devil and Demons.
A. They are literal (Eph. 6:10-18 etc.)
There is a literal devil and multitude of literal fallen angels (evil spirits) who roam this earth.
B. They have a task in mind (I Pet. 5:8) to devour:
1. Lost people –(2Cor. 4:3,4/ Eph. 2:1-3 etc.).
2. Christians (Eph. 6:10-18/ Js. 4:7,8 etc.)
3. The spiritual infrastructure of the church – (Acts. 20:28-30/ 2 Cor. 11:13-15/ See Church IV.
4. The devil(s) seek to gain ground (Eph. 4:27) by developing strongholds (2 Cor. 10:3-5) in our
souls (intellect, will and emotions).
5. The devils are out to make word (logos) churches (or no church). God wants his churches
to be logos (word), rhema (word in action) and dunamis (power) to churches. (I Thes. 1:5/
Acts 1:8 etc.).
6. Jesus said “The gates of hell shall not prevail against the church!” (Mt. 16:18b)
C. Their defeat is inevitable (see Eschatology X).
VII. The Existence and Ministry of Holy Angels
A. They are God’s ministering Spirit’s throughout the O.T. and N.T.
B. Specifically, in the N.T. they are sent to minister to Christians. (Heb. 1: 14/ Remember
Jesus -Matt. 4: 10,11). Plus, Peter, Paul, Phillip and Cornelius etc. in N.T.
C. Generally speaking, they have a ministry to all children (Matt. 18:10).
D. We are not to worship (Col 2:18) them or seek them out, but we may entertain
angels unaware (Heb. 13: 1-2).
E. Angels attend our worship services (I Cor. 11:4-11)
F. Angels may not need to, but do have a motivation to serve us – I Cor. 6:3)
VIII. Hell
A. Hell is a literal place (Luke 16:19-20)
B. Hell is an eternal place of punishment (Matt. 25:41)
C. Hell was not prepared for mankind. People that go to hell are in a real sense,
intruders (Matt. 25:41/ 2 Peter 3:9)
D. Hell is like a furnace of fire (Matt. 13:40-42).
E. The Bible does hint at different degrees of punishment in hell (Rev. 20:11-15).
Let it not be misunderstood by the lost world, for to be thrown in the lake of fire
to “dogpaddle” or end up in the “bottomless pit” with Satan, none of it is good and
all is eternal punishment (Rev. 20: 7-10).
F. Hell cannot be visited or exited (Luke 16:20).
G. Many will end up in Hell (Matt. 7:13,14)
In the western civilizations (America) many will end up in Hell because the light of the
gospel is as a bright flashlight in someone’s face and they are blinded by the light.
Some third world countries, the sins of the forefathers have visited their children. They
don’t have enough light because they refuse to go forward with the spiritual light that
God has given them. In either case, God is just a God.
IX. Heaven
A. Heaven is a literal place (John 14:1-3 etc.).
B. Heaven is an eternal place (Rev. 22: 1-5 etc.).
C. Heaven is a big and beautiful place (Rev. 21-22).
D. Heaven is God’s dwelling place (Matt. 6:9).
E. Heaven is God’s throne room (Acts 7:49)
F. Heaven is known as the third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2). (Outer space and earth’s sky being
the other two mentioned in an atmospheric sense).
G. Heaven is a place of eternal blessings. A place where all true Christians, all O.T. saints,
All holy angels and our Great God will live together in unbroken fellowship forever (Rev.
21-22 etc.).
*There are so many more blessings about our eternal home. Let it suffice for me to quote the following
verse: “But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of
man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (I Cor. 2:9).
X. Eschatology
A. There will be a rapture of the church. It will include all born again Christians asleep
(dead) or alive (I Thes. 4:13-18/ I Cor. 15:48-58 etc.).
B. A literal seven year Tribulation Period (Dan. 8: 11-14/ Daniel 9:24-27/ Matt. 24/
I Thes. 5: 1-9/ 2 Thes. 2: 1-12/ Rev. chapters 4-19 etc.).
C. The Judgement Seat of Christ- only believers (2 Cor. 5:10). Shortly after will be the
Marriage Feast of the lamb with His bride (church).
D. A literal millennial (1,000 year) kingdom reign by Jesus Christ (Rev. 20 etc.) with His
church.
E. Satan bound at the conclusion of the 7 year tribulation for 1,000 years (Millennial
Kingdom). He will be then loosed again, but soon forever sentenced and punished (Rev.
20:7-10 etc.).
F. The Great White Throne of Judgement for the lost at the conclusion of the Millennial
Kingdom (Rev. 20: 11-15).
G. Eternity in either Heaven or Hell (Rev. 20-22) for all.
*A note worth making- Being at the Judgement Seat of Christ or at the Great White Throne Judgement of God is not to determine if a person is saved or lost. That has already been determined just by being there. The believer must answer for how he spent his life (I Cor. 3:12-23, I Cor. 4:4,5, II Cor. 5:10 etc.) The lost will be judged according to how they lived their life (Rec. 20: 11-15). What a motivation to stay in fellowship with our Lord and keep short accounts of our sins with God. We should also be “salt and light” to a lost world in need of Jesus and heading to a sad eternity.
*The three following enclosures (pgs. 16-18) are in reference to Jesus Christ (pg. 6, C, 2).
If Jesus is God, then why did He say that the Father was greater than He?
by Matt Slick | Nov 24, 2008 | Jesus, Questions
Jesus said the Father was greater than Him. But, it was not because Jesus is not God. Instead, it was because Jesus was in a lower position than God the Father. He was “…made for a little while lower than the angels…” (Heb. 2:9). In Gal. 4:4, it says He was made under the Law. So, as someone under the Law, he had to pray to the Father and do the Father’s will. Also, in Phil. 2:5-8, it says that Jesus “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men…”
“You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I,” (John 14:28).
Jesus has two natures: divine and human. Jesus was not denying that He was God. He was merely acknowledging the fact that He was also a man. Jesus is both God and man. As a man, he was in a lesser position than the Father because he had added to Himself human nature (Col. 2:9) and was made under the Law (Gal. 4:4). He became a man to die for people (1 Cor. 15:1-4).
A comparison of differences of position can be found in the marriage relationship. Biblically, a husband is greater in position and authority than his wife. He is her head (Eph. 5:23); but, he is no different in nature, and he is not better than she. They share the same nature, being human, and they work together by love and commitment to the Lord.
So, Jesus did not deny that He was God. He was acknowledging that He was also a man, and as a man, he was subject to the laws of God so that He might redeem those who were under the law, namely, sinners (Gal. 4:4-5).
Scriptures quoted:
Phil. 2:5-8, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Col. 2:9, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.”
Gal. 4:4-5, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
Heb. 2:9, “But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.”
If Jesus is God, then why did He not know the time of His return?
by Matt Slick | Nov 24, 2008 | Jesus, Questions
If Jesus is God in flesh, then shouldn’t He know what the day and hour of his return would be? After all, God knows all things (1 John 3:20). Therefore, if Jesus doesn’t know all things, then how can He be God?
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah,” (Matt. 24:35-37).
This objection is most often raised by the Jehovah’s Witnesses but is also echoed by the Christadelphians. It is a good question. The answer is simple. Jesus was both God and man. He had two natures. He was divine and human at the same time. This teaching is known as the hypostatic union, that is, the coming-together of two natures in one person. In Heb. 2:9 it says Jesus was “…made for a little while lower than the angels…” Also, in Phil. 2:5-8, it says that Jesus “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men…” Col. 2:9 says, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” Jesus was both God and man at the same time.
As a man, Jesus cooperated with the limitations of being a man. That is why we have verses like Luke 2:52 that says “Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Therefore, at this point in His ministry, He could say He did not know the day nor hour of His return. It is not a denial of His being God but a confirmation of His being man.
Also, the logic that Jesus could not be God because He did not know all things works both ways. If we could find scripture where Jesus does know all things, then that would prove He was God, wouldn’t it?
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep,” (John 21:17).
Jesus did not correct Peter and say, “Hold on Peter, I do not know all things.” He let Peter continue on with his statement that Jesus knew all things. Therefore, it must be true.
What if we have a verse that says Jesus did not know all things and another that says he did know all things, then isn’t that a contradiction? No, it is not.
Before Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, He said the Father alone knew the day and hour of His return. It wasn’t until after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection that omniscience was attributed to Jesus. As I said before, Jesus was cooperating with the limitations of being a man and completed His ministry on this earth. He was then glorified in His resurrection. Yet, He was still a man (cf. Col. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:5). After Jesus’ resurrection, He was able to appear and disappear at will. This is not the normal ability of a man; it is, apparently, the normal ability of a resurrected and glorified man. Jesus was different after the resurrection. There had been a change. He was still a man, and He knew all things.
If Jesus is God, then who did He pray to?
by Matt Slick | Nov 24, 2008 | Jesus, Questions
If Jesus is God, who’d he pray to is a very common question and the answer is found in understanding the Trinity and the incarnation of Jesus.
The Trinity is the doctrine that there is only one God in all existence. This one God exists as three persons: The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are not three gods, but one God. Each is a distinct person, yet each of them is, in essence, divine in nature.
A close analogy of the Trinity can be found by looking at the concept of time. Time is past, present, and future. There are three “aspects” or “parts” of time. This does not mean that there are three “times,” but only one. Each is distinct, in a sense, yet each shares the same nature or essence. In a similar way, the Trinity is three distinct persons who share the same nature.
The Incarnation
The doctrine of the incarnation in Christian teaching is that Jesus, who is the second person of the Trinity, added to himself human nature and became a man.
The Bible says that Jesus is God in flesh, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God….. and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1, 14); and, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Col. 2:9). Jesus, therefore, has two natures. He is both God and man. Jesus is completely human, but He also has a divine nature.
GOD
He is worshiped (Matt. 2:2,11; 14:33; 28:9)
He is prayed to (Acts 7:59; 1 Cor. 1:2)
He was called God (John 20:28; Heb. 1:8)
He was called Son of God (Mark 1:1)
He is sinless (1 Pet. 2:22; Heb. 4:15)
He knew all things (John 21:17)
He gives eternal life (John 10:28)
The fullness of deity dwells in Him (Col. 2:9)
MAN
He worshiped the Father (John 17)
He prayed to the Father (John 17:1)
He was called man (Mark 15:39; John 19:5).
He was called Son of Man (John 19:35-37)
He was tempted (Matt. 4:1)
He grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52)
He died (Rom. 5:8)
He has a body of flesh and bones (Luke 24:39)
As a man, Jesus needed to pray. When He was praying he was not praying to Himself, but to God the Father.