*COVENANTS*
part 2 of 2

*7. THE COVENANT WITH DAVID* (2Sam7:4-16).

This covenant, likewise, is unconditional. By its terms David is promised an unending royal lineage, a throne, and a kingdom, all of which are to endure for ever. In the declaration of this covenant, God reserves the right to interrupt the actual reign of David’s sons if chastisement is required (2Sam7:14,15; Ps89:20-37); but the perpetuity of the covenant cannot be broken. As the Abrahamic covenant guaranteed to Israel an everlasting entity as a nation (Jer31:36) and an everlasting possession of the land (Gen13:15; 1Chron16:15-18; Ps105:9-11), so the Davidic covenant guarantees to them an everlasting throne (2Sam7:16; Ps89:36), an everlasting King (Jer33:21), and an everlasting kingdom (Dan7:14). From the day that the covenant was made and confirmed by God’s oath (Acts2:30) to the birth of Christ, David did not lack for a son to sit on his throne (Jer33:21), and Christ the Eternal Son of God and Son of David, being the rightful heir to that throne and the One who will yet sit on that throne (Luke1:31,33), completes the fulfillment of this promise to David that a son would sit on his throne forever.

*8. THE NEW COVENANT MADE IN HIS BLOOD* (Mark14:24; Luke22:20; Jer31:31-33; Ez37:26; Heb8:6, 10-13; 10:16).

This, again, is an unconditional covenant and it is most important for every child of God to recognize this fact since this covenant forms the very basis of his own relation to God. What may be proposed for Israel or the nations may be of interest to the believer, but it does not directly apply to him; but the covenant of divine grace is of infinite import to all who are saved.
The New Covenant guarantees all that God proposes to do for men on the ground of the blood of His Son. This may be seen in two aspects:

(a) That HE WILL SAVE, PRESERVE AND PRESENT in Heaven conformed to His Son, all who have believed on Christ. The fact that it is necessary to believe on Christ in order to be saved does not form a condition in this covenant. Believing is not a part of the covenant, but rather is the ground of admission into its eternal blessings. The covenant is not related to the unsaved, but it is made with those who believe, and it promises the faithfulness of God in their behalf. “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6), and every other promise concerning the saving and keeping power of God is a part of this covenant in grace. There is no salvation contemplated for man in this age that does not guarantee perfect preservation here, and a final presentation of the saved one in glory. There may be an issue between the Father and His child as to the daily life, and, as in the case of David’s sons, the Christian’s sin may call for the chastening hand of God (Heb12:6); but those questions which enter into the daily life of the believer are never made to condition the promise of God concerning the eternal salvation of those whom He has received in grace.
There are those who emphasize the importance and power of the human will and who contend that both salvation and safe-keeping must be made conditional on the cooperation of the human will. This may seem reasonable to the human mind; but it is not according to the revelation given in the Scriptures. In every case God has declared unconditionally what He will do for all those who put their trust in Him (Jn5:24; 6:37; 10:28).
We are told that God controls the will of man (Jn6:44; Phil2:13) and at the same time appeals to and conditions His blessing on the will of man (Jn5:40; 7:17; Rom12:1; 1Jn1:9)
Those who believe are saved and safe forever because it is according to the unconditional covenant of God.
(b) THE FUTURE SALVATION OF ISRAEL is promised under the unconditional New Covenant (Is27:9; Ez37:23; Rom11:26,27). This salvation will be accomplished only on the ground of faith in the shed blood of Christ. Through the sacrifice of Christ, God is as free to save a nation as He is free to save an individual. Israel is represented by Christ as a treasure hid in the field. The field is the world. It was Christ, we believe, who sold all that He had that He might purchase the field, and in order that He might possess the treasure (Matt13:44).

*Conclusion*
In contemplating the eight covenants, too much emphasis cannot be placed on the fact of the sovereignty of God as it is related to those covenants which are unconditional, and the absolute failure of man as it is revealed in the outworking of those covenants which are conditional. Whatever God undertakes unconditionally will be completed in all the perfection of His own infinite Being.

*THE COVENANTS*
part 1 of 2

*EIGHT COVENANTS BETWEEN GOD AND MAN* are recorded and they incorporate the most vital facts in man’s relation to God throughout the history of the race. Each covenant represents a divine purpose and the majority of them constitute an absolute prediction as well as an unalterable promise as to the accomplishment of whatever God has designed. Reckoning from the time a covenant is made, it always anticipates the future and is intended to be a message of assurance to those to whom it is addressed.
The covenants of God are grouped into two classifications:

*1. THOSE THAT ARE CONDITIONAL*
A conditional covenant is one in which God’s action is made to be contingent upon some action on the part of those to whom the covenant is addressed. A conditional covenant guarantees that God will do His part with absolute certainty when the human requirements are met; it also declares with equal certainty that He will not do according to the expectation of the covenant should the human responsibility fail.

*2. THOSE THAT ARE UNCONDITIONAL*
An unconditional covenant is simply a declaration on the part of God as to what He is going to do and is made without reference to human action, purpose, or merit. This form of covenant is illustrated in Gen15:1-18. Believing fully in the promise of God concerning a seed (Gen15:6; Rom4:16-22), Abraham sought to have that promise ratified by an outward seal in action. Thus God directed in the preparation of the bodies of the animals to be used in this ratification, and though it was no doubt the custom that both parties thus entering into covenant should walk together between the pieces of the carcasses, God caused Abraham to become utterly inactive by a deep sleep while He passed through alone. Since this was an unconditional covenant in which Abraham had no responsibility, it was fitting that he should in no way appear in the ratification of the covenant. God had not said: ”So shall thy seed be, if…”; but He had said, “So shall thy seed be.”
Since all human life is lived under some qualifying conditions belonging to the covenants of God, and since every passage of Scripture draws its color to some degree from the covenant under which it belongs, the importance to the Bible student of a clear understanding of these age-characterizing, world-transforming declarations of God cannot be estimated.

The eight major covenants are:

*1. THE COVENANT WITH MAN IN EDEN* (Gen1:26-31;2:16,17).
According to this record, God entered into a conditional covenant with Adam in which life and blessing or death and cursing were made to depend on the faithfulness of Adam. Human failure followed and the terms of the covenant were executed in righteousness.

*2. THE COVENANT WITH MAN AFTER THE FALL* (Gen3:16-19)

This is an unconditional covenant in which God declares to man what his lot in life will be because of his sin. There is no appeal allowed, nor is any human responsibility involved.

*3. THE COVENANT WITH NOAH AND HIS SONS* (Gen9:1-18)

In declaring the far-reaching details concerning the course and destiny of the human family as represented in the sons of Noah, in faithfully promising that there would be no recurrence of the flood, and in establishing the authority of human government on the earth, God again entered into an unconditional covenant. However, this covenant anticipated the most minute control of all human life and destiny and could in no case be realized apart from the cooperative action of uncounted numbers of human wills; yet by the terms of this covenant God is committed to accomplish everything He has promised even to the molding and moving of the will of each individual who makes up the countless myriads of humanity who were to appear on the earth.
There is an insoluble mystery presented in every effort to reconcile the facts of divine sovereignty and human choice; but in an unconditional covenant, God is seen to be in absolute authority over all the forces of the world as well as over every thought and intent of the human heart. Yet in the outworking of the covenant no human being is conscious of divine coercion or of restraint upon his own freedom of choice. “Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance” (Is40:15)

*4. THE COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM* (Gen12:1-4;13:14-17; 15:1-7; 17:1-8)

In like manner, this covenant reaches on through all time and into eternity and involves the blessedness of all the families of the earth. It is unconditional in the most absolute sense, being set forth in seven ”I will’s” of God, and is confirmed to Isaac (Gen26:24) and to Jacob (Gen35:12). This covenant anticipates the sovereign will of God in Abraham’s personal blessing, in the everlasting mercy to Israel, and the coming of the Seed which is Christ.

*5. THE COVENANT WITH MOSES* (Exod 20:1 to 31:18)

In transmitting the three-fold law (the commandments, Exod20:1-17; the judgments, Exod21:1 to 24:11; and the ordinances, Exod24:12 to 31:18) to Israel through Moses, God entered into a conditional covenant with that nation. The terms of the law may be stated in the phrase — ”If ye will I will, and if ye will not I will not”. In Deut28:1-62, as in various portions of the Old Testament, these stipulations which condition the covenant of the law are expanded in greater detail as to their application. Though the covenant was made to depend on the faithfulness of Israel, God foretold their failure and the suffering that would follow (Deut28:63-68). History has only confirmed the divine prediction as to their failure. It should be noted that no child of God under grace is subject to this hopeless conditional covenant of law works (Rom6:14).

*6. THE COVENANT WITH ISRAEL CONCERNING THEIR LAND* (Deut30:1-10)

This unconditional covenant looks on to Israel’s final possession of the land. Nothing will hinder this blessing. Even Israel herself will be willing in the day of His power, regardless of what the modern Jew or the foe of Zionism may be saying today. Coming up out of Egypt, that nation came to Kadesh-barnea where God made it a matter of their own choice as to whether they would at that time enter the promised land. By so much He then put them upon a basis similar to that of a conditional covenant. They rebelled and were turned back into the wilderness for thirty-eight more years of wilderness wandering. Later, and without the slightest reference to any choice on the part of Israel, God took them into their land with a high hand. He did not take them in against their wills, but He so controlled their wills that they went in with songs of rejoicing. The time is coming when that nation, though scattered over all the earth, will all be regathered into their own land to possess it forever. At that time Israel will not limit God by her own choice in the matter. God will regather them with sovereign power. Nor are their wills to be coerced; for it is written that they shall enter with songs of praise, and “everlasting joy” shall be on their heads (Is35:10;51:11; 55:12;61:3,7). The heart-attitude of Israel toward God in the kingdom is also anticipated in this covenant, which attitude is fully stated under the New Covenant (Jer31:31-33). The final placing of Israel in her own land is thus assured by an unconditional covenant of God which can never be changed or broken (Jer23:8; Ez37:21-28).
…end of part 1 of 2

Pastor Daniel

*WHAT IS THE CHURCH?* (part 2 of 2)

*III. THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH*
In Matt.16:18, the Lord considered the Church to be a future institution: “I WILL BUILD My church.” In John 17:11 and 21, Christ prayed that all believers WOULD become one. According to 1Cor12:12-13, the oneness in the body of Christ, the Church, comes about by Spirit baptism. Therefore, the origin of the Church must be traced back to the beginning of the Holy Spirit’s baptizing ministry.
Throughout the gospels Spirit baptism is presented as a future work. At the ascension, the Lord said that Spirit baptism would occur “not many days from now” (Acts1:5). Peter in Acts11:15,16 teaches that Spirit baptism had already occurred and did so “at the beginning.” Therefore, the Church was formed not long after the events in Acts 1:5 but long before the times of Acts 11:15,16, at Pentecost in Acts 2.

*IV. THE CHURCH AS A UNIQUE WORK OF GOD*
*1. The Importance of “DISPENSATIONALISM”*
Dispensationalism is a school of thought that maintains that God’s work in the world has been operated by different systems or administrations (Dispensations: Innocence, Conscience, Promise, Law, Church, Millennial Kingdom, followed by Eternal Kingdom; in all these salvation is received by grace on the basis of the sacrifice of Christ, some looking forward to the cross in time, others backwards). Ask me for a more detailed study on dispensations.

Those who confuse God’s various administrations will make serious mistakes in secondary areas of doctrine. Those who do not realize that the Holy Spirit works differently in the church administration may, for example, believe that Luke11:13 teaches we must plead with God in order to obtain the Holy Spirit. This verse, however, pertains to the disciples who were living under the Law dispensation when not all believers were indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Denominations that call clergy “priests” confuse the difference between Judaism and the Church. Under the Law, believers HAD a priesthood (Jesus sent someone he had healed to a priest Mat8:4). Under the Church, believers ARE a priesthood. Furthermore, it is important to realize that the “servants” in the gospels who are cast into outer darkness (e.g., Matt8:12;25:30; Luke12:46 etc.), refer to unbelieving Israelites under the Law of Moses, not to believing servants in the church. Thus, the doctrine of Eternal Security need not be compromised. Example after example could be given to show errors that will result from a failure to distinguish between the dispensations (administrations), especially between the dispensations of Law, Church, and Kingdom. See Rom.6:14,7:4,10:4,Jn.1:17,2Cor.3:7-8,11, Gal.3:24-25, Eph.2:15,Col.2:14,Heb.7:11-19,22,8:7,13. See our study ”Old Covenant vs. New Covenant”. Many Christians mix these up.

*2. The Church is UNDER A COVENANT BETWEEN GOD THE FATHER AND JESUS* and beneficiaries of this covenant are those who believe in Jesus: 2Sam7:12-16, Ps89:3,4, Ps89:28,29, Ps89:33-37, Mat26:28. The word ”covenant” in Greek is ”diateke”, which can also be translated ”testament”; we are beneficiaries of a testament through faith in Jesus, we are not in a works or merits contract with God.

The Old Testament prophets also spoke of a New Covenant that would be made with Israel. The New Covenant is based upon Christ’s blood (Matt. 26:28). It is in force with the Church but will eventually also be ratified with the nation of Israel (see also Heb8:7-13). This New Covenant is unconditional. It cannot be broken, and thus, guarantees a future for Israel. This means a Kingdom dispensation will follow after the present Church dispensation. Amos9:11, Jer31:31-37, Is55:3, Jer30:8,9, Hos3:4,5, Jer.32:40;Ezek.36:24-26;37:12-14;Isa.2:2-4,60:3,5.

The Old Testament promises that Israel will be the center of a worldwide and enduring Kingdom. Unless we are to believe that either God is a liar or is too weak to keep His promises, we must maintain that there is coming a future Kingdom for Israel. (See also Jer31:3, Micah4:1-3, Zech8:20-23,14:11,14;Ps2:6, Is9:6,7;Jer23:5,6;Dan.7:13,14)

All these promises (covenants) find their ultimate fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ who will return to give Israel her eternal right to the land and her eternal Davidic throne. Many verses focus upon Messiah’s role in a coming Kingdom.

*3. The Church as a MYSTERY revealed*
In the New Testament, the word mystery does not refer to a truth that is so difficult that it is virtually impossible to understand. A mystery is a truth that had been secret or hidden for a while. The Church was a brand new aspect to God’s work in the world. Truths about the church were completely unknown to the Old Testament saints who lived under the Law of Moses. This establishes that a great distinction exists between Israel and the Church. When God inaugurated the Church, He was initiating a completely new administration in His divine government.
Many texts speak of the new truths being given to the apostles as being a mystery in general terms. They, in a general sense, were unknown under the Law (Rom.16:25-26; 1Cor. 2:7;4:1; Eph1:9;6:19, 5:30-32;Col2:2;4:3; 1Tim3:9,16).

Another mystery that had been unknown to the Old Testament saints is the truth that Israel would be temporarily set aside and then restored at a later time in God’s program Rom11:25-29

The Old Testament saints never dreamed there would be two Messianic advents with a time period in between them. They did not know God would cease working through Israel for a time. Additional references to the mystery show the mystery that the Church was a brand new revelation and that the Church did not exist under the Law (this is the essence of dispensationalism) Eph3:2-6. The word stewardship in Col1:25-27 means “dispensation.”

God began a brand new work when He instituted a body composed of both Jews and gentiles. No longer did He work through Judaism, but all believers became one in Christ. Take note that the context calls this new union of believers “the church” (Eph3:10) and that Paul said this new revelation (mystery) brought to light a new administration that had been secret. The words for stewardship in Eph3:2 and administration in Eph3:9 mean dispensation. They are the same Greek word.
Another mystery that was unknown under the Law was that God Himself would INDWELL this group of believers comprised of both Jews and gentiles. Under the Law only a few believers were indwelt temporarily by the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit came UPON them, but in the church the Holy Spirit comes INSIDE the believer. Old Testament saints did not experience an actual union with God. Once again the Church is shown to be a new work of God in great distinction from Israel under the Law.

–The moment someone places his faith in Christ as Savior Jn3:16, he is placed in Christ, becoming part of the universal church 1Cor12:13, being saved forever 1Jn5:13; that person then should choose a local church (assembly), which is not a condition for salvation, but for spiritual growth (ask me for the study ”How to choose a local assembly”).

–The universal church is not separated in denominations, but the local churches are, for different good reasons: doctrinal, organizational, administration, geographical, or often for bad reasons (personal ambition, wrong doctrines). There are about 40,000 denominations today (from 1600 in year 1900). A denomination is a Christian branch of Christianity that agrees with the major biblical doctrines; cults are not Christian denominations as they reject major Christian doctrines (examples of cults: Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Christian Science and others).

Pastor Daniel

*THE CHURCH* (part 1 of2)

*I. INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITION*

The Greek word for church is EKKLESIA from which we derive ‘ecclesiastical’, ‘ek’ meaning “out of” and ‘kaleo’, meaning “to call.”; called out from the world unto God. James, in Acts 15:14, refers to God’s work for this age as being that of “taking from among the gentiles a people for His name.” They are united with Jews to form a new group, the Church, or Church of God (Eph3:6,10 and 1Cor10:32 which give three categories of people, Jew, gentile, and church of God, and 1Pet2:9 which refers to “a people for God’s own possession.”)
–”Church” might refer to the UNIVERSAL Church or a LOCAL church. The universal Church is the entire group of believers in the Lord Jesus (between Pentecost Acts1:8 and the Rapture 1Thes4:17). The universal Church includes people who have died and are in heaven, as well as, believers who are on earth. The Bible likens it not to an organization but to an organism, “Christ’s body.” Several passages refer to this universal Church. (See 1Cor12:28; 15:9; Eph5:23-27, 32, Eph1:21-23, 1Cor10:32.)
“And I also say to you that you are Peter (‘Petros’ is ‘Peter’, in Greek means stone), and upon this rock (‘Petra’ means rock) I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (hell) shall not overpower it” Matt16:18.

”…to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect” Heb12:23. All these “enrolled in heaven”, all those saved, are members of the Church.
–The Church in its entirety is invisible. It includes both the living and the dead. It can never be brought to assembly at one place or at the same time before the Rapture. By contrast, the local church is the visible manifestation of the universal Church. Obviously, the local church excludes that portion of the universal Church that has died and gone to be with the Lord. Unlike the universal Church, the local church can have unbelievers associated temporarily with it. A majority of the approximately one hundred fifteen uses of the word ekklesia in the New Testament refer to a local church or local churches (the church in Jerusalem, Acts8:1;11:22; the churches of Galatia, 1Cor16:1; the church of Macedonia, 2Cor8:1; the churches of the Thessalonians, 1Thess1:1, the 7 churches in the Book of Revelations 2,3, the churches in the epistles etc.).

Therefore someone who stays home watching church services on Christian TV is disobeying the plan of God by not attending a local church; excuses are: ”I can pray at home”, ”I am part of the universal church”, ”churches around here have hurt me…”. Such a Christian is as a sheep without a flock: he lacks pastoral care and the edification that is only available in the church Eph4:11,12; this believer also robs the other believers from benefiting of his spiritual gifts 1Cor12:12-31; he fails to hear what Jesus has to say to a specific church (as Jesus spoke to the 7 churches in Revelations).

*II. WORD PICTURES OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH*

*A. THE SHEPHERD AND THE SHEEP*
The Old Testament pictures the people of God as sheep, with the LORD being their shepherd (Ps23:1;74:1; 78:52; 79:13; 80:1; 95:7; 100:3; Is40:11; Jer23:1; Ezek34; Zech13:7). In the lesson of the good shepherd Christ teaches that He was bringing His sheep out of the fold (Judaism) and that He had other sheep of a different fold (gentiles). These would be united to form a new flock (see Jn10:16). Christ is the head of this new flock, called the church (Acts20:28). Jesus is the Chief Shepherd (1Pet.5:4; see also 1Pet2:25), and the Great Shepherd (Heb13:20). Pastors (shepherds) are His representatives or under-shepherds (Acts20:28; Eph4:11; 1Pet5:2,3).
The picture of a shepherd and sheep teaches that Christ is the authority over the church (just as God the Father was the shepherd of Israel). He offers protection, guidance, and nurture to believers. Believers, as sheep, tend to wander and need our Shepherd’s wisdom and strength.

*B. THE HEAD AND BODY*
A second common Biblical figure for the church is that of a body with Christ as the Head. (See Rom12:5, 1Cor10:17, 12:12-27; Eph2:16; 3:6,10; 4:4, 12, 16; 5:23, 30; 6:15,16; Col1:18,24, 2:19; 3:15.)

*C. THE BRIDE AND GROOM*
The Old Testament likens the relationship between God and Israel as one of husband and wife. Usually, there is a mention of Israel being an unfaithful wife with the promise that she will eventually be restored (see Isa.50:1; Jer2:2; 31:32; Ezek16:32; Hosea2:2ff.; Is54:5-8; 62:4,5).

Christ assumes the figure of the groom while His followers, particularly John the Baptist, have the role of friends of the groom. (See Matt9:15; 25:1-13; Mark 2:19,20; Luke5:34,35; Jn3:29; Rom7:3,4, 2Cor11:2, Eph5:22-31, Rev19:7,9, Rev21:2,9,22:17.)

Through the Scriptures addressed to the Church, it becomes clear that Christ is as a groom who is engaged to His bride, the Church. In Jewish culture, a betrothal was much more binding than is a modern engagement. Nothing can ever break the covenant between Christ and His Church. The Church is now betrothed to Christ, and this is a relationship that cannot be broken. It culminates in the marriage of the Lamb in the heavenly city.

*D. THE TEMPLE, HOUSEHOLD, OR BUILDING WITH CHRIST AS THE CORNERSTONE*
There are probably different shades of truth intended by these overlapping figures. The comparison of a church to a temple conveys the truth that God Himself through the Holy Spirit indwells the Church – and individual believers, just as God took up residence in the Old Testament tabernacle. Verses: 1Cor3:16, 6:19, 2Cor.6:16 and Eph2:19-22 )

— Ps118:22ff. refers to a “stone which the builders rejected (that) has become the chief corner stone.” Christ claimed that Psalm 118 teaches about Himself (Matt21:42; Mark12:10;Luke20:17). Peter also found the fulfillment of Psalm 118 in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts4:11). Christ is the cornerstone. The 12 apostles and the prophets are the foundation. 1Cor3:9-11, Eph2:19-22, 1Pet2:4,5, Rev21:14

The comparison of the Church to a “household of faith” is closely related to the figure of a temple or building. Sometimes all the terms are included in the same passage (Gal6:10, 1Pet4:17, Eph2:19to22: household, v19; building, v21; temple, v21). The concept of a household speaks of unity and a family relationship.

*E. A PRIESTHOOD WITH CHRIST AS THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST*
The doctrine of the priesthood of believers was one of the three major tenets of the reformation, along with justification by faith alone and the doctrine that Scripture alone and not church tradition is the final authority. Protestants objected to the Roman Catholic practice of giving confession to a human priest or praying to some dead saint as intermediary between God and a believer. Also, they objected to the philosophy that Scripture should only be studied in ancient languages by a class of priests. They believed that God wanted common people to study the Bible in their own language. (This did not, however, mean the Reformers believed scholarship was unnecessary or that every man should have equal authority in governing the church or teaching its doctrine.) All believers are priests 1Pet2:5,9, Rev1:6, 5:9,10;20:6.
The book of Hebrews stresses that Jesus Christ is the Great High Priest for believers. He is the only perfect and final mediator between God and man (1Tim2:5). He offered the perfect sacrifice to end all sacrifices and bring about a lasting relationship between God and man without any further need for continual animal sacrifices or a special priesthood (Heb2:17; 5:5,6,10; 7:17, 26; 9:11; 10:11,12,21).

At the time of the Law’s introduction, God promised to make Israel a Kingdom of Priests; “if you will indeed obey my voice…” (Ex19:5,6). However, Israel broke the Old Covenant (The Law of Moses) and, therefore, lost the privilege of becoming a kingdom of priests. Later Israel rejected her Messiah. Based upon the blood of Christ, God offers a new covenant that is now in force with the Church (and will be eventually ratified with the nation of Israel). All in the Church, i.e., all believers, have been made a kingdom of priests with Christ as the High Priest.

Because all believers are priests, they all have the privilege of direct access to God without any need to pray through a human mediator (Eph2:18). Furthermore, it is God’s will that all believers have access to His Word in their own respective languages in order to develop personal convictions and validate doctrines from teachers in the church (Acts17:11; 1Jn4:1).
Priests have the obligation to offer sacrifices. The New Testament mentions at least three sacrifices that believer-priests should offer.
First, we should offer OURSELVES AS A LIVING SACRIFICE (Rom12:1).
Next, God wants us to offer up willingly our WEALTH to advance His work (Phil4:18).
Finally, believer-priests are to render a sacrifice of PRAISE and WORSHIP not only Sunday in church with our mouths, but with our heart all the time (Heb.13:15,16).

*F. THE PILLAR OF TRUTH*
The imagery of the Church as a pillar of truth 1Tim3:15 ought to be very dear to those in Bible teaching churches. A local church has a responsibility to preserve the truth in the midst of a dark world (Phil2:15, 2Tim2:2). One of the foremost responsibilities of the church is that of teaching the Scriptures.

…end of part 1 of 2

*WILLIAM BRANHAM*

He has about 2 million followers, mostly in the third world. He was born in 1906 and died in a car accident in 1965.

QUESTION: Was Branham a false teacher, a cult leader?
ANSWER: YES. And here is why:

First of all, we don’t judge people when we point them as false teachers, but we discern their false teachings and we point them out to the flock of Jesus, just as Paul did in 2Tim2:17 about 2 false teachers, Hymanaeus and Philetus. We only touch here on beliefs Branham made public.

*1. BRANHAM DENIED THAT JESUS IS GOD:*
Branham said: ”He was Jesus when He was born. But when the Holy Spirit came upon Him after His baptism, He was anointed with God. God was in Him, ’cause He came to fulfill the Word.” –The Messiah, Jan 17,1961 (tape #61-0117)
“And this little Boy, twelve-year-old Child, no wisdom at all, why, but just a twelve-year-old Boy… The Father didn’t dwell in Him at that time, because He came on the day when He baptized Him; he saw the Spirit of God coming down, and went in Him.” –Paradox, February 6, 1964 (tape #64-0206B
“The Spirit left Jesus in Gethsemane and He became just a man– When God looked down upon the body… The Spirit left Him in the Garden of Gethsemane; He had to die a man.” –It Is the Rising of the Sun, April 18, 1965 (tape #65-0418M)

Branham’s teaching is a variation of a second century heresy taught by Sabellius know as Modalistic Monarchianism.

*2. BRANHAM BELIEVED BAPTISM SHOULD BE DONE IN JESUS’ NAME ONLY:*
Branham claimed that proper baptism was needed to avoid the “Mark of the Beast” of denominational churches and escape the danger of missing the rapture and entering the Tribulation. He wrote: ”Proper baptism must be in the name of Jesus only. Baptism with the Trinitarian formula of Matt28:18 (“in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”) is unacceptable to God”.
If an incorrect formula was spoken during baptism, Branham felt the convert would go into darkness. “But a tritheist, triune baptism was never recognized in the Church, the New Testament… Now you know what to do, that’s right; and if you refuse to walk in Light when Light’s brought forth, you turn to darkness. Right! Amen!” –Conduct, Order, Doctrine Q and A, p.178,181,182,184,190).

*3. BRANHAM MADE FALSE PROPHECIES:*
”I sincerely believe and maintain as a private student of the Word, along with divine inspiration that 1977 ought to terminate the-World systems and usher in the millenium.” (Seven Church Ages p.322)

*4. BRANHAM PREACHED THAT HE WAS CARRIED BY THE SPIRIT THROUGHOUT HISTORY:*
”I preached with Moses and war-with Noah and warned the people of the oncoming judgment, to be a real Christian. I was with Moses at the burning bush; I saw the Pillar of Fire; I saw His glory. I was with Moses up there in the wilderness. To be a Christian, I have to be identified with everything God was, to be a Christian. I seen His glory; I heard His voice. Don’t try to explain it away from me now, ’cause I was there. I know what I’m talking about. I have seen what happened…
I was at the Red Sea …I stood by Mount Sinai …I ate manna with them out there. I drank from that Rock; I’m still doing it tonight…I was with John the Baptist …I was with the 120 in the Upper Room …I was identified there. I’m one of them. I was identified; I got the same experience they had. I was there when it happened, to be a true Christian.” (THE MIGHTY GOD UNVEILED BEFORE US p.27).

*5. BRANHAM PREACHED THAT EVE HAD SEX WITH THE SERPENT AND PRODUCED OFFSPRING, CAIN:*
Branham taught that Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden (Gen3) was sexual sin. According to Branham, Eve was seduced into a sexual relationship with the serpent and became impregnated with her son Cain, which contradicts Gen4:1 which says Adam had sex with Eve, not Satan. Branham wrote:
“Here is what actually happened in the Garden of Eden. The Word says that Eve was beguiled by the serpent. She was actually seduced by the serpent. He was as close to being a human that his seed could, and did mingle with that of the woman and cause her to conceive.” (The Original Sin, p.2,3).
”Since THREE sons were born from TWO acts of Adam, You know POSITIVELY that ONE of those three WAS NOT the son of Adam. The truth of the matter is that eve had two sons in her womb TWO sons (twins) from separate impregnations. She was carrying twins, with Cain’s conception sometime previous to that of Abel’s.” (W. M. Branham, An Exposition of The Seven Church Ages, p.98,100-101, also ‘The Toronto Blessing’, Stephen Sizer, 1990).
‘The serpent’s seed was Cain and all his descendants. They are predestined for Hell. The Godly seed is Seth and his descendants who have been revealed by their call to Branham’s ministry. A third group, represented by those still in denominational churches have freewill to choose Heaven or Hell. The Godly seed are the Bride of Christ and will be raptured before Tribulation. Denominations are or eventually will be the Mark of the Beast and those who remain therein will go through the Tribulation.’ (Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, p. 96, also ”William Branham, The Original Sin”, p.2,3)
“Eve’s eating was adultery with the serpent. Remember, he was not a snake at this point. That curse came after the act. … It was not an apple that caused Adam and Eve to realize they were naked. But it was a sex act. … The serpent was an upright handsome creature. He was, in fact, `the missing link’ that science even in their unspiritual wisdom, can see is missing `between man and monkey.’ … Satan used this creature to get himself into the Human race.” (Was it an Apple? Lima, Oh: Bible Believers of Lima).
”The serpent is that missing person between the chimpanzee and the man, ’cause, listen, notice this now, that the serpent was not a reptile. 23-4 What did he do? He begin making love to Eve. And he lived with her as a husband. And she saw it was pleasant, so she went and told her husband; but she was already pregnant by Satan. And she brought forth her first son whose name was Cain, the son of Satan.” Now, this serpent, when he stood there… This great big giant of a fellow stood up there. He was guilty of committing adultery with Adam’s wife. Where’s sin lay today?…” (William Branham The Serpent’s Seed delivered Sunday evening, September 28th 1958 at the Branham Tabernacle in Jeffersonville, Indiana, U.S.A.)

*6. BRANHAM DID NOT BELIEVE THAT HELL IS ETERNAL*
”Satan – – awaits his time of eternal annihilation – We believe that he will absolutely be done completely away and annihilated.” (W. M. Branham, The Revelation of the Seven Seals, pp. 28, 48; W. M. Branham, An Exposition of the Seven Church Ages, p.134-135).

*7. BRANHAM BELIEVED HE WAS ELIJAH THE PROPHET:*
”He was Elijah the prophet, the seventh angelic messenger to the Laodicean Church Age (Footprints on the Sands of Time, p.620)”

*8. BRANHAM BELIEVED MILLIONS WILL ENTER HEAVEN EVEN WITHOUT BEING BORN AGAIN*
“Multitudes who were not born again will go into eternal life.” (SCA,266,13.)

*9. BRANHAM DID FAKE HEALINGS:*
In a Winnipeg crusade, a newspaper told of many healings. Later, reporters checked and found all had become worse or died. It was a form of mass hysteria and hypnotism where people see what they want to see. With slight of hand and mind he created the mirage of healing and claimed to discern cancer through vibrations and swelled hands. He prayed for people and declared the cancers dead then said they would be sick for a few days until poisons came out of their bodies. Did Jesus ever say that to people? Branham left town well healed in his wallet but his patients died.
www.wayoflife.org/index_files/william_branhams_bogus_healings.html

*10. BRANHAM SPOKE IN ‘TONGUES’, YET HE WAS UNSAVED*
Branham claimed to speak in angelic languages COD, 554:276-277,298 (ask me for the study ”Angel’s languages or national languages’). However, he was not born again, in the light of his beliefs; he did not have the Holy Spirit Rom8/9, but he faked miracles and speaking in tongues to foul others that he is a true prophet of God.

*11. BRANHAM WAS INVOLVED IN OCCULT*
Another of Branham’s teachings was that the Zodiac and the Egyptian pyramids were equal to the Scriptures in the revelation of God’s Word (Branham, Adoption, Jeffersonville, IN: Spoken Word Publications, p.31,104).

Websites of interest:
www.letusreason.org/Latrain4.htm
www.patheos.com/blogs/amsanchezwalsh/2013/06/the-curious-life-and-death-of-william-branham/
www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=127&Itemid=8
http://jesus-messiah.com/html/branham.html
http://westerntractmission.org/T/Occ/Branham-TruthorError.shtml
http://acfar.org/william-branham-healing-and-heresy.aspx
www.apologeticsindex.org/5870-william-branham
http://wmbranham.net/index.html
www.christswitness.com/branham.php
www.forgottenword.org/branham.html
www.christswitness.com/branham.php

Pastor Daniel

*THE BIBLE, THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOK EVER*

–The BIBLE is an eyewitness account of historical events of such magnitude that they have literally shaped the world in which we live.
-Without this Book the Western world and a good deal of the Eastern world would be completely different today than if the events of this Book had never occurred.
–The events recorded in this Book are claimed by a significant percentage of people who have ever lived on this earth to be the most important events ever recorded in the history of the world. This Book is foundational to just about everything mankind will ever know or accomplish. It has directly led to massive undertakings of good will and charity. Because of this Book, great projects have been undertaken, hospitals have been built, multitudes fed and clothed and orphanages founded.

*REASON #1:*
*THE BIBLE HAS TRANSFORMED THE WORLD*
–It would be impossible to claim to be an educated person in today’s world without having at least some familiarity with the events contained in this Book.
–It is the MOST PUBLISHED AND PRINTED book in the history of the world.
–It has been printed in 3000 LANGUAGES (including braille) and it is being translated right now in 2300 other languages, while 1800 languages (representing 180 million people) still wait for a translation project to start (some of these do speak another language, however).
–since it was first written, it has been the WORLD’S GREATEST BESTSELLER year after year.
–The Bible was the FIRST Book EVER PUT TO THE PRINTING PRESS. The man who first printed it, Johannes Gutenberg, was recently voted the most important man to have ever lived within the past 1000 years!
–A good number of MUSEUMS exist today which are dedicated solely to this very Book and the events contained therein.
–The Bible is AVAILABLE IN EVERY CORNER OF THE GLOBE, even where it is illegal to own or read this Book.
–Worldwide ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS have been formed because of this Book and its message, many of them existing for centuries. Together they represent multiple hundreds of millions of members.

*REASON #2:*
*PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO LIVE AND DIE FOR THIS BOOK*
–People have died torturous deaths simply to gain access to this Book.
–In many countries it is a crime to distribute or even possess this Book: 50 Muslim countries, plus communist countries as China, Ex-soviet states, North Korea, Vietnam (totaling about 3-4 billion people). In U.S.A. It is now illegal to open a Bible in many universities and public schools.
Satan is working hard to keep many away from this Book, has he managed in your case?
–This Book has been praised, cursed, restricted, banned, desecrated, burned and fought over. People swear on it and at it.
–Some have tried to eliminate it. All who have tried have failed. People have suffered tortures and loss of freedom and even their lives for printing it. Many thousands of Christians are martyred every year because of this Book.
–This Book is hated and loved. Once read it would be impossible to be indifferent to it; for its claims are monumental. It provokes a strong response in either a positive or negative direction; you will either love it or hate it. It was meant to be so by design. It is so controversial that wars have been fought over its interpretation. Governments have toppled on account of it and kings have been deposed because of it. Most importantly, lives have been dramatically changed for good because of this Book.

*REASON #3:*
*IT’S THE MOST ACCURATE BOOK OF ANTIQUITY*
–The Bible is the most copied Book of antiquity.
–Written over a time period of 1,500 years, it was completed approximately 2,000 years ago. Yet, in all the centuries that have passed, none of its contents have ever been found inaccurate.
–It has been translated into its present form directly from the original languages from a vast supply of ancient manuscripts sifted by the best minds and most competent scholars of our day (some non believers) and of many prior generations.
–It is accurate to the smallest details. New discoveries of previously unknown ancient manuscripts continue to provide ever greater accuracy to the contents of this Book.
–It has been studied and commentated upon more than any book in history. Volumes of books have been written about it and if they were stacked on top of one another they would reach to the sky.
–This Book can be verified by external events such as archeology, geography, custom, politics, culture, known world history and writings in other ancient texts and it has been so verified as to be accurate in all respects. New discoveries always support it.

*REASON #4:*
*IT CONTAINS A LIFE-CHANGING MESSAGE OF FREEDOM*
–The Bible has LIBERATED MANY from oppression by its clear teachings (also it is/was used to oppress many through wrong interpretation or ignorance). It raises the dignity and rights of every human being ever born. It contains clear teaching on the value and worth of every individual.
–It has freed minds and hearts throughout history. The events recorded in this Book have generated more great WORKS OF ART (and some not-so-great ones, as well) than any other subject matter in the history of the world. All the museums in the world, added together, could not possibly contain all of the artwork inspired by the events of this Book.
–This Book contains A MESSAGE TO ALL PEOPLE EVERYWHERE, in every time period, relevant to their everyday lives. It claims to be the very words of God… an audacious claim, for sure. It is for you to decide whether to believe the message of this Book and apply it to your own life.
–If you now know nothing about God, YOU WILL KNOW A LOT ABOUT GOD after reading this Book. You may even decide to re-evaluate your knowledge of God after reading it.

*REASON #5:*
*IT CONNECTS YOU TO HISTORY’S MOST IMPORTANT FIGURE*
You may have heard of the “God-man,” JESUS OF NAZARETH, also called the “Christ” (i.e.”Anointed One”). You may even think you know him. But if you have not read the account offered throughout this Book, you will, in effect, know nothing definite about him. The entire Old Testament points to his coming, and the entire New Testament testifies to his teachings and actions.
–HIS NAME HAS BEEN USED TO BLESS PEOPLE AND IT HAS BEEN USED AS A CURSE WORD by those who despise him. People have been healed and set free in his name. One thing is for sure: when you meet Jesus in the pages of this Book and understand who he claims to be it is impossible for you to remain indifferent to him.
–This story is either the biggest fraud ever perpetrated on mankind or it describes Jesus as exactly who he claims to be: THE SUPREME LORD AND RULER over all of mankind and the VERY CREATOR God of the Universe. Logically speaking, this is either a nice poetic story created from a fantasy with an intent to deceive you or a clear and accurate picture of God, who is our judge (both mine and yours). You decide. If you think you know about God already, consider the source of that “knowledge” and examine if this Book may, in fact, be a better source for true knowledge about the one true Creator God.
–People are FREE to reject this Book and what it says. God made us “free moral agents” to choose as we desire. Yet, people violate the teachings and wisdom of this Book at their own peril.
–Because of the main person in this Book, Jesus of Nazareth, TIME HAS BEEN SPLIT into two main epochs (B.C. “before Christ” and A.D. “anno Domini” for “year of our Lord”; we are now in 2016 A.D.)
–2 billion people CELEBRATE HIS BIRTH, HIS DEATH AND HIS BODILY RESURRECTION from the dead (Christmas, Easter, Baptism, Lord’s Supper).
–Jesus is the only religious leader ever to make the claim that he has RISEN FROM THE DEAD. All others are dead and buried. Abraham is dead. Moses is dead. Mohammed has died and remains dead, Buddha is dead, Gandhi is dead. Only Jesus claims to be alive. Even Muslims revere Jesus as a holy man and a great prophet (but not God), who will come back as a judge. All told, about half of the world today accepts that this Jesus was a great and remarkable person.

*CONCLUSION*
–KEEP TURNING THE PAGES of this remarkable Book. Read it with an open mind and open heart. It contains the pure truth about God, about life, the nature of mankind and our own hearts as human beings. The Gospel of John is a wonderful place to start, but read the whole Book — Old and New Testaments. You’ll be amazed what you discover about God, and about yourself.
–This Book presents the history of mankind: in Genesis man lost through sin the right to be in the garden in the presence of God, in the Gospels Jesus paid for man’s sin, then the end of the Book of Revelations presents man and God again in a garden together. The condition to enter it is to trust in Jesus Christ.
–Be warned: you will not be the same after you read this Book.
Pastor Daniel

*THE BEMA – JUDGMENT THRONE OF CHRIST FOR BELIEVERS*

Heb9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this THE JUDGMENT”
2Cor5:10 ”For we must all appear before THE JUDGMENT SEAT of Christ”

As there is more than one resurrection (resurrection of Christ, then resurrection of the dead in Christ at the rapture, then later of the dead unsaved), also there is more than one judgment.

Word ”to judge” in Greek can mean to analyze but also to condemn.

God has appointed His Son Jesus Christ to be the Judge of all the earth Acts10:42.

The word ”BEMA” is taken from games where the contestants would compete for the prize under the careful scrutiny of judges who would make sure that every rule of the contest was obeyed (2Tim2:5). The victor of a given event who participated according to the rules was led by the judge to the platform called the Bema. There the laurel crown was placed on his head as a symbol of victory (1Cor9:24,25). Bema was not a place to punish the looser but a platform to recompense the victors.

*THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF AT LEAST SEVEN DIFFERENT JUDGMENTS:*

1.The Savior on the cross being judged for our sins Is53:5-8

2.The believers’ self-judgment 1Cor11:31, “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” At Communion and daily the saint judges himself

3.The judgment of the believers at the BEMA – the subject of this lesson

4.The judgment of the nations; Matt25:32 (division of the sheep and the goats)

5.The judgment of Israel, Ez20:30-44, post-tribulation

6. The judgment of angels, Jude6. They are reserved in darkness, waiting

7. The judgment of the wicked dead, Rev20:12-the great White Throne Judgment

*I. DESCRIPTION OF THE BEMA-THE JUDGMENT SEAT (third in the list above):*

In 2Cor5:10 BEMA it is translated “the judgment seat of Christ”.

It is generally conceded that this judgment will take place in the air. This fact is probably drawn from 1Thess.4:13-17, which speaks of the Second Coming, the first resurrection and then says, “… to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

*II. TIME OF THE BEMA-THE JUDGMENT SEAT*

1. At the first resurrection. Luke14:14, “… for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”

2. At the Second Coming of Christ. Matt16:27, “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.”

*III. WHO WILL BE JUDGED AT THE BEMA?*

Only believers will be judged at this judgment. In II Cor. 5, the pronoun “we” is used 26
times and in each instance it refers only to believers. See also 1Cor3:10-15.

*IV. WHAT IS BEING JUDGED AT THE BEMA?*

This judgment is not a trial to decide the fate either of the saved or unsaved; salvation is a gift Rom6:23.

The Bible is very plain, Jn3:16-18, that salvation is not the issue. The salvation issue is settled in life by accepting or rejecting Jesus.

At BEMA the believer is being judged for his works. The returning Lord examines the servants in the use of the one, two or five talents that He has entrusted to them.

Sins committed before or after conversion will not be judged. Heb10 :17, “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” To judge them, God would need to remember them, to dig them up from the lowest sea Micah7:19.

Heb.11 sees the saints as perfect, for all their sins and imperfections were hidden beneath the blood of Christ.

The believer’s sins committed after conversion will not be judged at the Bema either. 1Jn1:9, confessed sin is forgiven and cleansed forever; unconfessed sin draws chastisement Heb12:6 and it is washed by walking in the light 1Jn1:7. Jesus has paid even for the believers’ unconfessed sins. Which believer can say that he has confessed all his thousands of daily sins? Unconfessed sins break fellowship with God, not relationship (sonship).

*1. OUR WORKS WILL BE JUDGED* 1Cor3:13, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest. . . and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”
Eccles.12:14, “For God shall bring every work into judgment.”

*2. OUR WORDS* Matt12:36,37, “… That every idle word that men speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” The believer will not be punished for idle words but he will be ashamed as having missed opportunities to glorify God with his words.

*3. OUR THOUGHTS* Matt15:19,20, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts. . .these are the things which defile a man . . .” See Matt5:28,”…looketh. . . lust. . .”

*4. OUR SECRETS* Rom2:16, “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel.”

*5. OUR MOTIVES:*
-Correct-Constrained by His love, 2Cor.5:14.
-Wrong-Self glory, 1Cor3:21, “Therefore let no man glory in men. ”

*V. HOW WILL GOD JUDGE AT THE BEMA?*

The test of our work on this life is exemplified by Paul as the test through fire upon a construction: if building materials are burned then reward is lost but salvation is not lost; if building materials are not burned then a reward is given. 1Cor3 :13, “… for the day shall declare it, because it shall be
revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”

This will be a fair impartial public display of justice. No one will be able to say that God showed favoritism.

Gal6:7,8, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

*VI. WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF THE BEMA?*

For the works that remain, there will be rewards. For that which is burned, the individual will suffer loss of opportunities of rewards. 1Cor3:15, “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

”He shall suffer loss” from the context is understood to be loss of eventual rewards that could have been won, not loss of salvation. Such a Christian will be ashamed 1Jn2:28.

See crowns offered as rewards: 2Tim2:5, 2Tim4:8, Jam1:12, 1Pet5:4, and Rev2:10. Jam1:12 .

*Building materials are of two classes:*

*1. Fireproof: gold, silver and precious stones*
–GOLD speaks about the nature of God (see wood covered in gold at the tabernacle, speaking about Jesus being human and God, also about us having human nature and the Holy Spirit living in us); building with gold means that you build in the nature and will of God;

–SILVER speaks of redemption (silver tools used by priests at the tabernacle and silver coins used as a symbolic redemptive fee); building with silver means that you elevate the redemptive sacrifice of Christ in all areas of your life;

–PRECIOUS STONES speaks about the Body of Christ (see the 12 precious stones on the chest and shoulders of the high priest, also 1Pet.2:5); it speaks about being involved in a local church

*2. Combustible-wood, hay and stubble* –wood speaks about human nature, weak, decays; hay speaks about emotions: can do a great fire but not lasting; stubble speaks about something you cant rely on Is.36:6.

*VII. HOW CAN I BE PREPARED TO MEET THE BEMA?*

-By constant communion with our Savior Jesus Christ.

-By constant confession of sins (Don’t confess the same sin twice. God forgives after the first honest confession 1Jn1:7-9)

-By prayer, study and meditation on the Word of God.

-By constant attention to the will and leading of the Holy Spirit.

-By having a conscience void of offense before God and men, Acts24:16.

*CONCLUSION*

To the Christian the Bema should hold no terrors, for it ought to be the best day he has ever had. It will be his crowning day.

1Cor4:5, “… and then shall every man have praise of God.” Much of our works may be burned, but God will find at least one thing to praise and reward.

Pastor Daniel

*BRIEF DOCTRINE OF BAPTISM*

*”Baptidzo”* – Greek = *”to immerse”*; used 115 times in the New Testament.

Baptism means to identify with – to make one with. It means that something is so identified with something else that its nature or character is changed.

Baptism does not save a person’s soul. Salvation is by faith alone in Jesus. What washed away our sins is the blood of Jesus, not the water of baptism Rev1:5, 1Jn1:7-9. Water baptism and the holy communion are the only 2 ceremonials ordained by Jesus, none of these save from sin.

‘Baptismal regeneration’ (being saved through baptism) denies grace, denies the Finished Work of Jesus Christ. It is apostasy and a doctrine of demons.

Water baptism symbolizes the change that has already taken place by believing in Jesus Christ. When the Holy Spirit placed us in His death and burial, we shared in the likeness of His resurrection, and it already took place at the point of salvation.

At the point of salvation, a vital thing takes place: the baptism OF the Holy Spirit. In Matt.3:11, where it says that Jesus baptizes “WITH the Holy Spirit,” the Greek preposition translated to “with” is en, which primarily means “in,” or “by means of,” and not “by.” It refers to the fact that the Spirit was the element, just as the believer is baptized IN water and not just WITH water.
The actual identification takes place in God’s eyes.

The baptism of the believer in the Church Age is a ritual picture of the real baptism by the Spirit. Ritual baptism must follow salvation – never precede it.

The believer in the early Church was baptized very soon after he was saved. As soon as a person was saved, they were immediately given a long lesson in the Word of God (6-7 hours).

Baptism is:
–commanded in Matt28:19
–to be practiced by all believers
–an act of obedience that the Lord commanded
–a public declaration of the faith of salvation to an unsaved community, as well as a tremendous demonstration of identification in the angelic conflict to the elect and fallen angels

Because of the seriousness and importance of baptism, a believer should have an understanding of the following before he is baptized:

1. The Finished Work of Jesus Christ.
2. Positional truth.
3. Retroactive positional truth.
4. Current reckoning process of truth.
5. Experiential positional truth.
6. The difference between eternal viewpoint and natural viewpoint.
7. The difference between divine good and self-righteousness.
8. The difference between relationship and fellowship.

…In detail:
*1. The Finished Word of Jesus Christ* means that on the cross Jesus finished the work of salvation, we can add nothing but only receive, Jn19:30: ”It is Finished!”

*2.Positional truth* means that now you are a child of God, placed in the heavenly places (see our study ”Our position in Christ)

*3. Retroactive identification with His death.* Believers have a real identification with Christ in His death and in His resurrection (which is retroactive positional truth and current positional truth).

The burial takes place to make sure the death is final – many people don’t experience the finality of their death with Christ and never have a burial – they are always bringing up the past, their hurts and wounds, etc, they dont have an understanding of baptism.

*4. In reality, baptism means you have died.* It is an historical fact. Your burial is a result of your death in Christ. There isn’t anything more to remember about your body – you are dead and are now sharing in current positional truth and experiential positional truth by reckoning that you are dead and alive unto God.

Water baptism is a ritual baptism – the water being symbolic of the Person and the work of Jesus Christ so that when a believer is baptized, they are being identified with the water; therefore, they are identified with the work and Person of Jesus Christ. The person going into the water is saying, in effect, “I am identified with Christ in His death and in His burial.” Because of this, the person now rejects self-righteousness, relevant righteousness, good religious trends in his life, bringing up anything about his past unless it can help him if he is ignorant, and trying to be good in the flesh.

*5. The burial means victory.* No matter what you think or feel – your feelings have no more dominion over divine facts – facts lead the way – feelings are irrelevant.

*6. The person coming out of the water is identified with the air that represents identification with Christ in His resurrection.*

*7.He is seated at the right hand of the Father and the work is finished.* Sins are gone and paid for; death has been executed; burial is completed; and resurrection and ascension have taken place.

*8. Relationship takes place at the moment of salvation.* Everyone enters into a relationship by the baptism of the Spirit into the Body of Christ when they are saved and believe in Jesus. They do not enter into sharing His death, burial, and resurrection until they have grace understanding, understanding of categories, and some understanding of faith rest.
Fellowship takes place at the moment of understanding Finished Work doctrine.

*SEVEN BAPTISMS:*

Four Actual Baptisms:

*1. Baptism of Moses* – children of Israel identified with Moses and the cloud as they passed over the Red Sea 1Cor10:1,2

*2. Baptism of the Cross or the Cup* – Acts20:22 – 2Cor5:21 – Jesus Christ drank the cup filled with our sins – poured out by God (His wrath) – identified with our sins – bore them on the Cross and He was made sin for us – 1Pet2:24

*3. Baptism of the Holy Spirit* – is not speaking in tongues. Baptism of the Spirit happens at the point of your salvation by God – not a feeling, but a fact – (1Cor12:13; Acts1:5; Rom6:3,4; Gal3; Col2:12; Eph.4:5) called the one baptism. We are placed (immersed) into the Body of Christ

*4. Baptism of Fire* – has nothing to do with tongues – Matt3:11. It has to do with God’s judgment at the Second Advent (Coming) on all unbelievers at the Battle of Armageddon (Matt25:31; Matt25:33; Lk3:16; 2Thess1:7-9). God takes all the unbelievers and immerses them forever in the lake of fire.

RITUAL BAPTISMS:

*5. Baptism of John* – Matt3:6 and Matt3:11a – water is symbolic of the Kingdom of God which John preached. The people, when baptized by John, were indicating that they have previously believed in Christ and now they were symbolizing that identification with Jesus’ Kingdom by baptism unto repentance.

*6. Baptism of Jesus Christ* – This was the most unusual baptism: Jesus was not a sinner, but when He went into the water, He identified with God’s will (His Father’s will). He was saying, “I am immersed unto the Father’s will through the Spirit in my humanity.” He identified Himself with the Father’s will in the execution of salvation in identifying with our sins and our sin – Matt3:13-17. We cannot duplicate this baptism.

*7. Baptism of the Believer in the Church Age* – water represents the Person of Jesus Christ, also His Word (Jn13:10,15:3, Eph5:26, 1Pet1:22). Believers are identified with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection – this symbolizes retroactive and current positional experiential truth – it is the ritual of the real baptism of the Holy Spirit.

*VERSES ON BAPTISM:*
—1Pet 3:21 ”The like figure (”antitupon” means ”symbol”, ”figure”) whereunto baptism doth also now save us (”sozo” in Greek means ”to save”, but also ”to liberate, protect”) not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This verse shows that baptism is a symbol of a spiritual reality and it does not remove sins: the blood of Jesus removes sins: 1Jn1:7-9, Rev.1:5.
—Rom6:4 ”Therefore we are buried with him BY BAPTISM INTO DEATH: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
—Eph4:5 ”One Lord, one faith, ONE BAPTISM”
—1Cor12:13 is the baptism symbolized by the water baptism.
—1Cor12:13 ”For BY ONE SPIRIT are we all BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY…” THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT VERSE ON BAPTISM. It means that the Holy Spirit immerses you into the Body of Christ at the moment of salvation, not at the moment of water baptism Rom8:9
—Col2:12 ”BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”
—Acts22:16 ”…BE BAPTIZED, and wash away thy sins by calling on the name of the Lord”, the washing of sins is not by water baptism but by calling on the name of Jesus
—Rom6:3 ”Know ye not, that so many of us as were BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST WERE BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH?”
—1Cor1:13,14-16 …”For CHRIST SENT ME NOT TO BAPTIZE BUT TO PREACH THE GOSPEL…”, If water baptism was necessary for salvation, Paul would have baptized all believers
—1Cor15:29 Paul here is speaking of Christians that before being killed for faith and were asking others to get baptized in their name; Paul is not supporting their request (which is not doctrinal) but Paul is applauding their faith in the resurrection
—Gal3:27 ”For as many of you as have been BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST have put on Christ.” Again, baptized into Christ is 1Cor12:13 baptism. When do you put on Christ? When you first believe in Jesus as your Savior
—Baptism is to be done “in the NAME – singular – of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit”, therefore immerse only once not 3 times

You are baptized into the Body of Jesus (universal Body which is Jesus’ universal church), not into a local church, therefore you don’t have to get baptized again if you change your local church. Adventists and different cults (Jehovah Witnesses) add for baptism to the name of the Trinity the name of their organization, which is not biblical. If you got baptized in a cult, you got baptized into another Jesus 2Cor11:4 therefore you should get baptized again in a biblical way.
Pastor Daniel

*THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD*
part 2 of 2

*2. GOD IS TRUE*
To say that God is true involves at least three distinguishing concepts. First, God gives factual truth. Secondly, He is true in the sense of being reliable and dependable as in the phrase “a true friend.” Thirdly, to say God is true means He is the real or genuine God as opposed to false or counterfeit gods. One could say that God is true in the sense of being factually true, ethically true, and metaphysically true. The proof-texts for God being factually and ethically true overlap.
a. God is factually true (Ex34:6;Jn14:6,17;15:26;16:13;17:17;1Jn4:6). These verses contain the following phrases: “I am the way, and the Truth,” “the Spirit of truth,” and “Thy Word is truth.” God does not make factual error. He is always correct
b. God is ethically true. God is trustworthy and reliable. His ethical truth is a synonym for His faithfulness. God would never lie to us or mislead us. He is not only factually correct, but He is faithful to His promises (Num23:19; Deut32:4; 1Sam15:29; 2Sam7:28; Ps19:9;25:10;31:5;33:4; 36:5; 57:3; 89:14;111:7;119:86,142,151; 138:2; Is25:1; Jer5:3; Lam3:23; Rom1:25; 3:4; 1Corl:9; 2Cor1:20; 1Thess5:24; Tit1:2; Heb6:18)
”God is not a man, that He should lie…” Num23:19
”And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind…” 1Sam15:29
”Thy lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens, thy faithfulness reaches to the skies” Ps36:5
”They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness” Lam3:23
”let God be found true, though every man be found a liar”Rom3:4
”God is faithful…”1Cor1:9.
”Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass” 1Thess5:24.
”God who cannot lie”Tit1:2.
”it is impossible for God to lie”Heb6:18.
c. God is metaphysically true. God is real and genuine. All other claims to deity are false
”But the LORD is the true God…”Jer10:10
”And this is eternal life that they may know Thee, the only true God…”Jn17:3
”and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God” 1Thessl:9
”This is the true God and eternal Life” 1Jn5:20

*3. GOD IS GOOD*
The idea that God is good encompasses a massive amount of truth and numerous characteristics (mercy, longsuffering, grace, love, kindness, gentleness, and possibly even ethical holiness which equals sinlessness and ethical truth which equals faithfulness). While some would classify each of the above as a separate attribute, it is perhaps more logical to view them all as extensions of God’s goodness
”For the LORD is good; His loving-kindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations” Ps100:5
”The LORD is good to all and His mercies are over all His works” Ps145:9
”And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone” Mark10:18
”Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…”Jam1:17

a. God is merciful
God’s mercy is an expression of His goodness toward those who are in misery or distress. It is similar to pity or compassion (Ps103:13;116:5; Is55:7; Lam3:22; Matt9:13, 36; Lk1:50;Rom11:32;12:1;15:9; 2Cor.1:3,4; Eph.2:4;Phil1:8;Tit3:5;Heb2:17;4:16; Jam5:11; 1Pet1:3).
”Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him” Ps103:13
”The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail” Lam3:22
”And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them…”Matt.9:36
”…that He might show mercy to all” Rom11:32
”But God, being rich in mercy…”Eph2:4
”He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy…”Tit3:5
”Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need” Heb4:16
”who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again” 1Pet1:3

b. God is longsuffering
Longsuffering is an expression of God’s goodness towards those who deserve punishment. He is patient with those who deserve immediate punishment (Ex34:6;Num14:18;Neh9:17; Ps86:15;103:8;145:8; Joel2:13; Jonah4:2; Nah1:3; Rom2:4;3:25;9:22; 1Tim1:16;2:4; 2Pet3:9,15).
“The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger” Ex34:6.
”The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving-kindness” Ps103:8
”The Lord is slow to anger…”Nahum1:3
See also: Rom2:4, 1Tim1:16, 2Pet3:9

c. God is gracious
God’s grace is also an expression of His goodness to those deserving punishment. However, there is a distinction between being longsuffering and being gracious. In being longsuffering, God withholds punishment to those who deserve punishment. On the other hand, being gracious is not just negatively withholding punishment, it is positively showing kindness and favor to those who deserve wrath and punishment. God’s grace is undeserved favor, unmerited kindness (Ex34:6; Jn1:14,17;Rom3:24;5:20; Eph2:7-9; Titus2:11;1Pet5:10).
“The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious” Ex34:6.
”and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.…For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ” Jn1:14,17
”the surpassing riches of His grace”Eph2:7
”the God of all grace”1Pet5:10

d. God is love
God’s love is an expression of His goodness. It is a commitment to do what is best for the objects of His love regardless of the pain or cost. God’s love is eternal, sacrificial and unconditional. One could classify kindness and gentleness under love (Jn.3:16;15:13; Rom.5:8; Gal.2:20; 1Jn.3:1;4:8-10).
”For God so loved the world”Jn3:16
”Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends”Jn15:13
”But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” Rom5:8
…”who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me”Gal2:20
…”God is love”1Jn4:8

*4. God is Righteous or Just*
Some would combine the attributes of righteousness and holiness, especially ethical holiness. However, in both Hebrew and Greek the words for righteousness differ from the words for holiness. Unlike holiness, righteousness conveys action. To say God is holy means He is separate from sin. He is holy because of what He does not do. To say God is righteous means He acts in righteousness and must demand that all other creatures do so as well. Holiness is more intransitive and pertains to His transcendence. It is what God is. Righteousness has been called God’s “transitive holiness.” It involves what a Holy God does and insists others do. It pertains more to His immanence. By the righteousness and justice of God we mean that phase of the holiness of God which is seen in His treatment of creatures. God is called righteous or just approximately 112 times in the Old Testament and 44 times in the New Testament (Deut10:17;32:4; Job37:23; Ps19:9; 33:5;89:14;92:15; 96:13; 103:6;111:7; Jer.9:23,24; Jn17:25; Acts3:14; 17:31; Rom3:26; 2 Thessl:5to9; and 1Jn2:1).
”For all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He” Deut32:4
”He loves righteousness and justice”Ps33:5
”Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne”Ps89:14
”there is no unrighteousness in Him”Ps92:15
”I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth”Jer9:24
”O righteous Father”Jn17:25
”But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One”Acts3:14
”an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”1Jn2:1

*5. God is Wise*
To say that God is wise can be different than saying He is omniscient. God is more than an “infinite computer.” He knows all, but He also can choose the best means for the best end.
He is wisdom in that He applies His omniscience to the best possible control of the universe (Ps.19:7; Prov1:7;8:22,27; Rom16:27; 1Cor1:24,30).
”The LORD possessed me wisdom at the beginning of His way….When He established the heavens, I wisdom was there”Prov8:22,27
…”Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom”1Cor1:30

*6. God is Blessed*
In references to God’s inner character, blessed means God is completely and eternally satisfied with Himself. He is joyful and content with His own perfection. It is best not to view this as an attribute. Rather God is inwardly blessed because of His perfections from His attributes. Human happiness is grounded in this aspect of God’s person. Our God, perfect in Person and works, is the source of our satisfaction in life. The sum of His attributes equals perfection. This perfection makes Him inwardly “blessed”
”the glorious gospel of the blessed God”1Tim.1:11
”He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords” 1Tim.6:15

*7. God is Glorious*
The sum of God’s perfection results in His internal blessedness and also His external glory. Again, glory is not an attribute in the truest sense. God is glorious in all of His attributes. Humans should recognize God’s glory and glorify Him (Ps.24:7-10; 96:3; 138:5; Is.6:3;42:8; Matt25:31;Jn1:14;17:5; Rom3:23; Eph1:17; Heb1:3;Jam2:1)
”I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another”Is42:8
”And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth”Jn1:14
”that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory”Eph1:17.
”And He the Son is the radiance of His the Father’s glory”Heb1:3.
”My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism”Jam2:1 Amen.

*THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD*
part 1 of 2

The attributes of God are those qualities which are the essential, permanent, and distinguishing features of His person. One satisfying way to classify God’s attributes is to divide His non-moral attributes from His moral attributes. Another possible strategy would be to list all attributes under either “infinity” or “goodness.” A third would be to classify attributes under incommunicable (attributes humans can never share) or communicable (attributes that saved humans can share in glory).

*A. GOD’S NON-MORAL ATTRIBUTES*

*1. GOD IS SPIRIT*
Although God may assume bodily form either temporarily as in the Angel of the Lord or permanently as in Christ, God is not a physical being. God neither needs a body nor can His fullest essence be contained in a body alone. God’s spiritual character also relates to His invisibility.
”God is SPIRIT”Jn4:24.
”And He is the image of the INVISIBLE God”Col1:15.
”Now unto the King, eternal, immortal, INVISIBLE, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever”1Tim1:17.
”and whom no man has seen or can see”1Tim6:16.

*2. GOD IS ETERNAL*
God is infinite in relation to time. He is without beginning and without ending. Eternality means not only that God dwells in unending duration from eternity past to eternity future, it also means He dwells in another dimension outside of time. To God all history appears past. The Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world (Rev13:8). The justified are as good as already glorified (See past tenses in Rom8:30). All history is also present (Ex3:14; Jn8:58). We view the parade of time from the street corner. God above sees the whole parade past, present and future at once. Eternality seems to be an “infinite” attribute that is at least partially communicable to believers. (See Gen21:33; Ex3:14; Deut.32:40; Job36:26; Ps90:2;93:2;102:27; Is9:6;40:28;41:4;57:15; Micah5:2;Jn1:1;8:58;Rom16:26;1 Tim1:17;6:16;Heb1:10-12;2Pet3:8;Rev1:4,8;10:6;15:7.
”…even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God”Ps90:2.
”Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired”Is40:28.
”For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever”Is57:15.
”Now to the King eternal…”1Tim1:17.
”But Thou art the same, and Thy years will not come to an end”Heb1:12.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty”Rev1:8.

*3. GOD IS OMNIPRESENT*
God is not only infinite relative to time, He is also infinite relative to space. God is above being subject to time, and He is above being subject to space. He is ever present both in time and in space, and He is greater than either time or space. Nevertheless, the Bible teaches there is a special presence of God in certain places: heaven (Matt6:9;Col3:1;Heb1:3;12:2), the tabernacle (Ex.25:8;40:34-35), the temple (Matt23:21), between the cherubim (Ps80:1), in Jerusalem (Matt5:35), inside believers (Jn14:16-17,23; Rom8:9-10; 1Cor6:19-20), and with the humble (Jam4:6-8; Is57:15). The Bible also teaches there is a special removal of God’s presence from the wicked and proud (Is59:1-2; Hab1:13;2Thess1:8-9; 1Pet3:12). Thus, difficult as it may be to grasp, we must distinguish between a general presence of God in all places and a special presence of God in certain localities. Here are proof-texts for omnipresence: 1Kg8:27;2Chron2:6;6:18;Ps139:7ff.;Prov15:3;Is66:1;Jer23:24;Matt18:20;28:20;Acts17:27;Heb4:13;13:5.
”But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain Thee, how much less this house which I have built!”1Kg8:27.
”Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there”Ps.139:7,8.
”The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good”Prov.15:3.
“Can a man hide himself in hiding places, so I do not see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?”Jer.23:24.

*4. GOD IS IMMUTABLE*
Although God can and does vary His works, He never changes in His attributes. He is infinite in perfection. He cannot change for the better because He is already perfect. He cannot change for the worse, because He would no longer be perfect. This attribute relates to the dependability of God’s promises and predictability in His standards (Mal3:6;Jam1:17; Heb1:12,13:8).
”For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed”Mal3:6.
”but Thou art the same”Heb1:12.
”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever”Heb13:8.
”Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow”Jam1:17.

*5. GOD IS OMNISCIENT*
God is infinite in knowledge. He knows about inanimate creation (Ps147:4), animals (Matt10:29), Sheol (Job26:6; Ps139:8; Prov15:11), the days in a man’s life (Job14:5; Ps139:16), and hairs on a head (Matt10:30). God knows about the future (Is.41:22;42:9;44:7;46:10;Acts2:23) and about our needs before we discover them (Matt6:8,32). Not only does God know all things actually in the future, He knows all things potentially in the future (1Sam23:11-12;2Sam12:8;2Kings13:19;Ps81:14-15; Jer. 1:5;38:17-20;Ezek3:5-7;Matt11:21-24). God knows the most secret thoughts (1Sam16:7; 1Kings8:39; 2Chron16:9; Job34:22; Ps44:21;139:1,4,23-24;Prov16:2; Jer11:20;17:9-10;20:12;Ezek11:5; Lk16:15; Rom8:27;1Cor3:20). God’s omniscience is supported by many texts (Ps147:5;Is40:13-14, 28;Jn2:24;16:30;21:17;Rom11:33-34;1Jn3:20).
”Great is our Lord, and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite”Ps147:5.
”His understanding is inscrutable”Is40:28.
”Lord, You know all things”Jn21:17.
”Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”Rom11:33.
”for God is greater than our heart, and knows all things”1Jn3:20.

*6. GOD IS SELF-EXISTENT*
God is self-sufficient. He never has depended upon another for existence. He is the uncaused first cause, infinite in self-sufficiency.
”For just as the Father has life in Himself”Jn5:26.
”I AM WHO I AM”Ex.3:14(also Jn8:58).
”For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things…”Rom11:36.
”the first-born of all creation. For because by Him all things were created”Col1:15,16.

*7. GOD IS OMNIPOTENT*
God is infinite in power. This assumes He will not do anything contrary to His own nature. He cannot deny Himself (2Tim2:13), lie (Num23:19;1Sam15:29; Tit1:2;Heb6:18), be tempted with evil (Jam1:13), change (Jam1:17), or tolerate sin (Hab1:13). See also Gen17:1;18:14;Ex6:3; Job42:2; Ps62:11;Is.9:6;26:4;Jer32:17,27;Matt19:26;28:18;Lk1:37;18:27;Eph3:20; Rev1:8;4:8,11;16:14;17:14;19:6,15-16).
”Is anything too difficult for the LORD?”Gen18:14.
”Ah Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by thine out-stretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee”Jer32:17.
”Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?”Jer32:27.
“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”Matt19:26.
”For nothing will be impossible with God”Lk1:37.
”Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us”Eph3:20.
”They do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”Rev4:8.
“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns”Rev19:6.
”God the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS”Rev19:15,16.

*8. GOD IS UNITED*
See our study on the Trinity.

*B. GOD’S MORAL ATTRIBUTES*

*1. GOD IS HOLY*
Holiness means God is separate and distinct from all His creatures, exalted above them, transcendent. Holiness also means that God is totally separate from all sin and impurity. Some theologians distinguish “majestic holiness” from “ethical holiness.” Majestic holiness means God is separate, transcendent above His creatures. Ethical holiness means He is separate from any sin. Holy is used approximately 699 times in the Old Testament with 111 of these references referring to an attribute of God. The New Testament contains 230 references to holiness. (Approx. 94 of these attribute holiness to the Holy Spirit, 6 to God the Father, and 3 to God the Son.) The last 4 references in this list concerning God’s holiness do not contain the word holy but assert that God the Son is “without sin” (Ex15:11; Lev11:44;19:2;20:26;21:8; Josh24:19; 1Sam2:2;6:20; Job6:10; Ps22:3;30:4;47:8;60:6;89:35;92:15; 97:12;99:3,5,9;145:17; Is5:16;6:3;43:14;47:4;49:7;57:15;Ezek39:7; Hos11:9; Hab1:12-13; Luke1:49; John 17:11; Heb.12:10; 1 Pet1:15-16; Rev4:8;15:4; Mark1:24; Lk4:34; Jn6:69;8:46; 2Cor5:21; Heb.4:15; 1Pet.2:22).
”who is like Thee, majestic in holiness?” Ex15:11.
”and be holy; for I am holy”Lev11:44.
”And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory” Is6:3.
”For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy” Is57:15.
“Art Thou not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One? Thine eyes are too pure to approve evil.” Hab1:12-13.
”saying, “What do we have to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are the Holy One of God!” Mk1:24.
”Holy Father, keep them in Thy name” Jn17:11.
”who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth” 1Pet2:22.
…end of part 1