Home/ Weekly Services/Mission Statement/Our Leadership/Think On This/Youth Corner/Lessons & Sermons/Membership Check-In
Skyscraper Ministries/Lectures/2006 Baptisms/The Other Seventy Training Academy

 

Christian New Convert Course

First Principles
by
Dr. AmmarSaheli


 

 

Theme & Text: Exploration of the First Principles Defined: Hebrews 5:12-6:1-3

 

 

Ø      Hebrews 5:12  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

Ø      Hebrews 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3  And this will we do, if God permit.

 

 

 

Introduction

Every Sunday school and Christian educational curriculum consists of many basic teachings but to be responsible the first principles in the book of Hebrews must be covered. In many Christian circles the terms first principles are alluded to but rarely are they defined. Some may feel that whatever appears to be simple and biblically academic is a first principle and not of strong meat. Someone once said the concepts in the plan of salvation (HBRCB) are the first principles. Concepts in the plan of salvation are included in the Hebraic look at the first principles (Belief, Repentance & Baptism), but it would be erroneous to believe that they are limited to that. The Hebrew writer provides the Bible student with a list of first principle concepts. This series of lessons is not designed to exclude every other teaching from being a first principle. However, its main thrust is to deal with the concepts that are clearly defined as first principles. The following concepts will be studied, learned, explored and explained in the six lessons listed below:

 

 

 

Repentance

Lesson #1

 

 

Repentance Defined

Metanoia/Repent: Reformation. "A change or alteration of mind." It is a change of mind from evil to good or from worse to better."

 

Metanoeo/Repentance: To think differently or afterwards (Reconsider).  "To repent with regret accompanied by a true change of heart toward God." "It signifies a change of mind consequent to retrospection, indicating regret for the course perused and resulting in a wiser view of the past and future."

 

Metamellomai/Repented: An ineffective repentance. To regret or feel remorse for the act, but having no effective change of heart or action. To feel regret because of the imminent consequence(s).

 

Without repentance people will perish (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38). The baptism of repentance will be covered in the section (The Doctrine of Baptisms).

 

 

Scriptural Examples of Metaneo, Metanoia & Metamellomaa

·        Metanoeo: Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19;  Revelation 2:5

·        Metanoia: 2 Corinthians 7:8-10; Acts 26:20; 2 Peter 3:9

·        Metamellomai: Matthew 27:3-5

 

 

Conclusion

Repentance is a first Christian principle that must be understood because God judges the heart of man and woman (Acts 15:8) and repentance first takes place in the heart. The evidence of a repented believer is manifested when the child of God begins to deny self, take up his/her cross, and lay aside the weight and sin that results in a carnal course (Matthew 16:24; Hebrews 12:1).

 

 

Questions for Further Study & Discussion

Questions can be answered on a separate sheet of paper. Please type or write clearly.

 

1.      In your own words and with scriptural support explain why repentance is essential to salvation?

 

2.      Based on Greek terminology what is the difference between Metanoia & Metamellomai?

3.      If Judas repented why did he commit suicide?

 

4.      In 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 what feeling(s) did the message of Paul evoke in the Corinthian Christians and what did his message lead to?

 

5.      In your own words and from a proper understanding of the Greek definitions, how would you describe repentance.

 

6.      Circle the word that helps describe the mental thrust behind the term Metanoeo the best?

 

Ø      Consequence

Ø      Mourning

Ø      Retrospection

Ø      Metamellomai

 

            7.  What is God truly afte, Metanoeo or Metamellomai?

 

     8.  Bonus Question: Based on the Greek, in 2 Corinthians 7:8, did Paul repent or not? If

          he did not, explain your answer. If he did repent what was it for?

 

 

 

Faith Toward God

Lesson #2

 

Along with the concept of repentance it is essential that all new converts have a firm grasp and understanding of the concept of faith. God through His Word provides the Christian and the Bible reader with a plurality of examples relating to faith. During the investigation of this second First Principle the necessity, purpose, meaning, and importance of faith will be observed.

 

Faith Defined & Illustrated

Pistis/Faith:  Faith defined in the Greek language means to believe confidently in the divine truths of God to such a strong degree that it not only results in belief, but belief coupled with action.

 

The Hebrew writer (Hebrews 11:1) defines, from a Biblical perspective, the meaning and components of faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. People operate under the notion of faith everyday. When a person sits in a chair or purchases some fast food they already have faith, believing the chair will hold them up and their food is free from various toxins and germs. Therefore, the person sits down without checking their chair, and eats their food without asking the manager pointed questions about the preparation of their meal.

 

To truly understand faith we must strive to understand two concepts:

 

 

When a person enters a four-way intersection in their vehicle they are approaching a situation that demands faith. This process involves two things that must work together: The traffic lights and the obedience of the other drivers. In this scenario, the “substance of things hoped for”  rests in the hope that the traffic lights are working correctly and that the other vehicles will obey and stop at their red signal while you proceed through your green signal. “The evidence of things not seen”  rests in the fact that you do not know what is in the mind of the other drivers, you do not know if there is a speeding drunk driver coming to run their red light, but because you have faith you can go through your green signal although you cannot  necessarily see what everyone else is doing or thinking. However, because you have faith you can go though your green traffic signal with a confident hope that all other drivers will follow the rules of the road.

 

Using this example we can clearly understand why God instructs Christians to “Walk by faith and not by site” (2 Corinthians 5:7). If we have to see everything before we actually engage in it we have no faith in God and cannot please Him. Many people believe in God, but those who have faith toward God act and carry out the commands of the Almighty.

 

 

Scriptural Commentary on Faith Toward God & Its Necessity

When a child of God begins to lose faith their vision toward God becomes blurred and their walk in Christ becomes misguided. Peter was able to walk on water as long as he maintained his faith in Christ (Matthew 14:29). However, the minute Peter began to replace his faith with fear he began to sink and needed Christ to restore him. While Peter had faith he was able to walk on water. In others words his faith (belief in God) resulted in action which resulted in Peter walking on water.

 

The Hebrew writer informs the Bible reader that Christians cannot please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). God can be pleased by and with His children but without faith it is an impossibility. Faith is such a critical part of Christianity that as Paul chronicled the spiritual clothing that makes up the Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:11) he said “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (v. 16). When Peter lost faith on the water he lost his protection because he was unable to please God. Our faith in knowing that all things will be alright for the Christian (Romans 8:28) acts as our shield of spiritual protection.

 

 

A Mere Believing Faith is not Enough

Some may believe that faith is simply believing that God is, and in essence that is partially true. Faith does consist of belief in God but that is not the totality of faith, it is simply a portion. A person who has faith toward God understands His will and therefore carries it out.

 

The epistle of James clearly illustrates that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-20). A Christian cannot claim to be holy simply because they believe God Is. There must be some evidence of faith. Faith plus works equals faith and faith without works equals no faith at all. When things get rough for the Christian the faithful continue to thrive and flourish in their Christianity and Christ-likeness because of their faith. When Paul was troubled and perplexed by his thorn in the flesh he continued in his faith toward God and grew stronger (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

 

Many people do not have various things they desire because they have no faith. Some people talk to God in prayer daily, but they do not believe God will provide. Again, James instructs us that even our prayer must be riddled and laced with faith (James 1:6). If the Christian does not believe God can provide, He will not. And it will not be because He cannot provide, it will be because the Christian does not believe He can provide.

 

 

Faith as a Crucial Component to Salvation

The Bible illustrates that the faith of the believer coupled with the grace of God, results in Christian salvation (Ephesians 2:8). Grace (the unearned favor God provides to an undeserving people) is His part and faith is the Christians embrace of God, His church, and His principles. “…For he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” Hebrews 11:6).

 

The Developing of Faith

 

Faith toward God is simply developed through hearing the Word (Romans 10:17). People can easily sit in a chair or travel through a traffic signal because they have done it and they have seen people do it successfully on numerous occasions. Because of that, it helps them continue to believe they can successfully do the same thing.

 

 

 

 

Questions for Further Study & Discussion

Questions can be answered on a separate sheet of paper. Please type or write clearly.

 

  1. How is faith developed?

 

  1. What two elements does faith consist of?

 

  1. Why does God command that we walk by faith and not by sight?

 

  1. What piece of armor is faith referred to as and what scriptural text indicates that without faith God cannot be pleased?

 

  1. In your own words define faith and write out an illustration of faith.

 

  1. What two elements come together that results in Salvation for the Christian?

 

  1. Why did Peter begin to sink after initially walking on water?

 

8.      Bonus Question: Select two Bible figures from Hebrews chapter 11 and explain why their faithful acts were so great.



Doctrine of Baptisms

Lesson #3

 

In Hebrews 6:2 we find our third biblical first principle. In this third first principle the Hebrew writer is referring to water baptism(s), perhaps using plural terminology to illustrate the two main agents of Christian baptism, water and Spirit. The second possibility could be that the Hebrew writer, through the divine inspiration of God, was indicating that church members need to have a grasp of all forms of previous biblical baptisms, concluding with the fact that under the church dispensation there is only the baptism, baptism for the remission of sins. I believe both aspects and positions are noteworthy, but the latter provides the Christian student with a clear pattern of Gods plan and leaves the person with the ability to contend for the faith more perfectly. The Bible does speak of other types of baptisms in the Old and New Testaments, but it is clear that by the time of this writing (the book of Hebrews) there was one Lord, one faith and one baptism (Ephesians 4:5).

 

 

Non-Christian Baptisms Explored

First Corinthians 10:1-4 illustrates that the passing through of the Red Sea was a type of Israelite baptism for the Jews. In addition, the teaching and doctrine of Moses was a type of baptism for the Nation of Israel. The teaching of Moses, as given to him directly by God, was the way in which they learned to identify with the only true and living God (Deuteronomy 32:1-4). Moses likens his divine teaching of God as various forms of water encountering and covering God’s Old Testament people. The previous Mosaic passage resembles an action describing what Christ did for His bride/church, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26).

 

Before Christ instituted baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), a man named John the Baptist, the second cousin of Jesus (Luke 1:36), paved the way for Christ to come, preaching the baptism of repentance (Matthew 3:11; Acts 19:1-5). Although the baptism of John the Baptist was a baptism in water it was not for the remission of sins (Mark 1:9-11).

 

If man and woman refuses to be baptized with the one baptism of today they will eventually receive the final baptism of Christ, but it will not be for salvation it will be for damnation. John the Baptist spoke of the baptism of repentance, baptism of the Holy Spirit and the baptism of fire (Matthew 3:11-12). Nobody wants to receive the baptism of fire because it will be the casting of disobedient and self-centered people into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20; 20:10, 14-15, 21:8). The second death will be the sinner’s baptism of fire. This will be the immersing of the sinner into unquenchable fire for eternity.

 

 

Baptism Defined

 

 

 

 

 

The Doctrine of Water Baptism Today

Around the time Ephesians 4:5 was recorded (A. D. 60-64) the church had been established for a few decades and only water baptism existed. Below is a list of all New Testament conversions. Each conversion/baptism consisted of the element water.

Ø      Acts 2:38, 41 (First believers)

Ø      Acts 4:4 (Second group of believers)

Ø      Acts 8:12-13; 8:36-39 (Samaritans & Eunuch)

Ø      Acts 9:18

Ø      Acts 10:47-48 (House of Cornelius)

Ø      Acts 16:15 16:33 (Lydia & household/Philippian Jailer & all his)

Ø      Acts 18:8 (Crispus & household)

Ø      Acts 19:1-5 (The 12)

 

There has been the age-old debate as to whether or not baptism is essential to salvation. Water baptism is a doctrine of Christ and is required for one to enter into the Kingdom of God (Mark 16:15-16; John 3:3-6; Acts 2:38). Many people are confused over the necessity of water baptism because they fail to make the connection between God’s Old and New Testament covenants. Although the Old Testament Law has been nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:13-14), the Old Testament scriptures speak to and compliment the New Testament (Isaiah 52:15).

 

Males of the Israelite Nation did not have to be baptized in water they had to be circumcised at the age of 8 days (Genesis 17:10-12). This was a necessity without option that indicated a male was a child of God. Circumcision marked him as Gods elect. The biblical connection is made between Old and New Testament scripture as evidenced by Colossians 2:11-12 which speaks of the spiritual circumcision known as baptism. Based on verse 12 of the above passage, through water baptism God operates on the penitent believer and washes their sins away.

 

The other element that is often missed in understanding the baptismal command is the purpose of blood. Under Old Testament Law it was the blood of sacrificed animals that atoned for the sins of Israel, i.e. Leviticus 16:20-30. In the New Testament it was is the blood of Christ that was shed for the remission of sins. The Hebrew writer said “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). The entire chapter 9 of the book of Hebrews speaks to the reality of the sacrifice and blood of Christ being more powerful and precious than that of animals. It is baptism that allows us to start a new life in Christ (Romans 6:4).

 

The Christian has been washed by the blood of Christ (Revelation 1:5). To understand the essentiality of baptism a person must realize they need to be washed and the methodology of the washing. For the Apostle Paul to enter into the Apostleship he had to be personally taught by Christ (Galatians 1:12) and baptized into the body of Christ. If baptism was necessary for a man as awesome as Paul, surely it is required for individuals today. In relationship to the methodology, God said to Paul, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). For Paul to become a Christian he had to be immersed into water for the remission of his sins. Not only is baptism essential, it has the spiritual ingredients to save (1 Peter 3:20-21).

 

The doctrine/teaching of baptism rests in the fact that it is of water and is also where the child of God receives the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Romans 5:5; Titus 3:5).

 

 

 

Questions for Further Study & Discussion

Questions can be answered on a separate sheet of paper. Please type or write clearly.

 

 

1.      What is the relationship between the concept of circumcision and baptism?

 

2.      What two elements make up church-age baptism?

 

3.      What passage(s) help explain that water baptism is essential?

 

4.      What is the baptism of fire and what scripture explains it?         

 

5.      What was Paul instructed to do in relationship to his sins?

 

6.      In relationship to baptisms, what took place in Acts 19:1-5?

 

7.      How and when were the Israelites baptized?

 

8.      Explain Romans 6:4

 

9.      Explain 1 Peter 3:20-21      

 

10.  Bonus Question: Explain the atoning and remission of sin process between the Old and New Testament. In other words what method were used to atone remit sins and how do they correlate.

 

Laying on of Hands

Lesson #4

 

The biblical concept of laying on of hands is often perceived as a deep and weighted issue for members of the church, but the Hebrew writer categorizes it as a first principle. There is much religious confusion surrounding the concept of laying on of hands today. This lesson is designed to provide an historical New Testament look at the doctrine of laying on of hands.

 

The concept of laying on of hands cannot be discussed without mentioning the Holy Spirit. Many people in the world today believe they can receive the Holy Spirit or have received the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. Some early New Testament Christians received certain spiritual gifts through having hands laid on them. The only two instances where individuals received spiritual gifts without being physically touched by someone were the apostles (Acts 2:1-4) and Cornelius and his house (Acts 10:44-48). These two incidents were related to each other and remain isolated from all miraculous gift giving accounts in the book of Acts.

 

Although the concept of laying on of hands was a real part of the early New Testament church history, it must be clearly understood that the first principle concept of laying on of hands no longer serves a purpose or has a function in God’s church today.

 

 

Laying on of Hands in the Book of Acts

 

In every case where someone had hands laid on them in the New Testament, where it resulted in a spiritual gift, the apostles did it. We do not have any New Testament biblical account of someone other than an apostle laying hands on someone with the result being the ability to perform a spiritual gift. Therefore the student of the Bible must answer the question as to where the apostles received their power.

 

·        Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

·        Acts 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 

The apostles were instructed to wait for the power and in Acts 2:1-4 they received the power and the immediate result was the ability to speak in tongues, prophesy, perform miracles and lay hands on others, providing them with similar abilities. Even while Christ was on earth He instructed His disciples that they would receive this Power: Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

 

The apostles received this special power and the book of Acts provides us with apostolic evidences of this special power:

 

·        Acts 28:3  And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4  And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5  And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. 6  Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

 

People who believe they received the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands should also have the ability to drink poison without harmful effect, endure a venomous bite of a cobra, speak in earthly languages never studied, heal the sick and even raise the dead. Because of the Power, soon after Peter preached the church into existence he healed a cripple man at the temple gate  called Beautiful (Acts 3:1-10). What kind of religious person has this ability today? The apostle Peter even brought a dead woman named Dorcas (Tabitha) back to life:

 

·        Acts 9:40  But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41  And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 

 

The technical thing to understand with this first principle is that the people the apostles laid hands on could not in turn lay hands on others. This is vitally important to understand. Those who had hands laid on them could perform the apostolic gift, but they could not pass it on to another believer. Only the apostles had that ability. Look critically at the following two passages:

 

·        Acts 6:5  And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6  Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

 

·        Acts 8:12  But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13  Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16  (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

 

Philip was ordained as a special servant in the church and along with six other servants had hands laid on him by the apostles. Because he had hands laid on him by the apostles, he was able to perform miracles (Acts 8:6). Although Philip could perform miracles he could not pass the ability to perform miracles on to anyone else. When Philip preached the gospel and baptized people in Samaria he had to wait for the apostles Peter and John to come from Samaria and lay hands on the people.

 

Although Philip could perform miracles he was not an apostle and could not impart a spiritual gift to anyone. When the apostles and the people they laid hands on died, miraculous gifts ceased in the church of our Lord. If a person believes they have the ability to perform a miraculous spiritual gift, who touched them? The apostles and the house of Cornelius received the ability of spiritual gifts from God, but the apostles physically touched everyone else.

 

More Scriptural Evidence

·        Acts 19:1  And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2  He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3  And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

 

 

Additional Passages:

·        1 Corinthians 12:28-31

·        1 Corinthians 13:8-10

·        James 1:25

·        Ephesians 4:11-16

·        1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 5:22

 

 

Questions for Further Study & Discussion

Questions can be answered on a separate sheet of paper. Please type or write clearly.

 

 

 

  1. How did the apostles receive the Holy Spirit and what passage explains it?

 

  1. What happened to Cornelius and his house?

 

  1. Who gave Cornelius and his house the ability to speak in tongues?

 

  1. In the New Testament, who had the ability to lay hands on people on earth?

 

  1. In what way can we lay hands on people today?

 

  1. Who had to come and lay hands on the Samaritans?

 

  1. What was the purpose of laying hands on people?

 

  1. How did Paul prove Mark 16:18 to be true?

 

  1. Who laid hands on Philip and for what purpose?

 

  1. Bonus Question: Why did Cornelius and his house receive the ability to speak in tongues without having hands laid on them?

 

 

 

Resurrection of the Dead

Lesson #5

 

 

“The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection” (Matthew 22:23).

 

 

Introduction

 

The above statement captures the current sentiments of many people today. Although the Bible records the resurrections of men and women from the dead, several people fail to understand and believe. Although many people have difficulty understanding this phenomenon, and others flat out refuse to believe in God’s divine and authoritative power, God views this concept as a first principle. For God, the resurrection of the dead is a fundamental fact of Christianity. This first principle should not be of great debate, it is a simplistic principle of the Christian faith. 

 

Jesus was approached by the Sadducees, a religious group of people who failed to believe in the resurrection of the dead (Matthew 22:23-33). Perhaps they presumed that God’s omnipotent power was limited. They asked Jesus a series of foolish questions, attempting to challenge His intellect and theological perspective. God has no problem with being challenged, for He wants to prove all things through His Word and power. Yet, the world would fare better if people would take heed to what God proves through His power and Word, the Bible.

 

A Discussion Regarding the Resurrection of the Dead

From Genesis to Revelation, God has given the world pieces of His revealed mystery (Colossians 1:26). Living in New Testament times, God’s revelation has been clearly revealed, excluding portions of the book of Revelation. However, God began preparing His children to understand and teach that one day there will be a resurrection.

 

Before and after Christ was resurrected the Bible provides examples of resurrected men and women. There were/are two things God was trying to reveal to the world, and now the church:

 

1.      Christ would be resurrected before returning to heaven.

2.      Man/woman will be resurrected before entering heavenly eternity.

 

Christian resurrection from the dead (at the return of Christ) is such a crucial component to Christianity, Paul informs the church that if resurrection from the dead is not a fact, Christians are dispositionally miserable, conditionally worshipping under a vain religion, teaching a false gospel.

 

·        1 Corinthians 15:12  Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13  But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15  Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16  For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

 

Resurrection from the dead is a first principle of Christianity. Without a resurrection there is no ascension, and without ascension there is no judgment, and without a judgment there is no invitation to enter into the presence of God. The resurrection of Christ helps the Christian understand his/her necessity and reality of one day being resurrected. Paul indicated that he wanted to know the power of the resurrection of Christ so he could one day attain the same resurrection.

 

·        Philippians 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

 

The concept of eternal judgment will be discussed in the next lesson, but before a person can be judged they must be resurrected. When Christ returns to judge the world, all of the dead will be resurrected. It will be the dead in Christ, or members of the church who will be resurrected first.

 

·        1 Thessalonians 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

 

When the world comes to an abrupt end there will still be some who are alive. The Bible clearly defines what will happen to those who may still be alive at the return of Christ.  

·        1 Thessalonians 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

What an amazing scene: The resurrected dead and those alive being lifted up in the clouds of the air to meet the Lord. Some still may wonder about the mental condition of the living individuals being lifted in the sky. The Bible explains what will physically happen to these individuals in regards to their instantaneous preparation for the journey:

 

·        1 Corinthians 15:51  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

 

 

Resurrection Examples

As stated before, the Bible provides pre and post resurrection examples to the death of Christ. Below you will find the resurrection of Lazarus (Before death of Christ) and the resurrection of Dorcas/Tabitha (After the death/ascension of Christ).

 

·        Acts 9:40  But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41  And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 42  And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

 

·        John 11:38  Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.  39  Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40  Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42  And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43  And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44  And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

 

 

The Purpose

Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of the Christian faith, and it was Christ who had to be resurrected before He could return to the right hand of God (Hebrews 12:2). The process of resurrection prepares the Christian and the non-Christian to meet God. Without the resurrection, God’s glory would never be fulfilled because His human creation would never know Him eternally.

·        Luke 24:5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6  He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

 

Christ had to be resurrected to complete the redemption process for believing men and women and Christians will be resurrected to complete their salvation process, the meeting of God in judgment.

 

 

 

Questions for Further Study & Discussion

Questions can be answered on a separate sheet of paper. Please type or write clearly.

 

 

  1. Who raised Tabitha from the Dead?

 

  1. In what book and chapter can the resurrection of Tabitha be found?

 

  1. How many days was Lazarus in the grave and who raised him from the dead?

 

  1. At the return of Christ what will happen to the dead members of the church and in what text can it be found?

 

  1. At the return of Christ what will happen to those still alive and in what text can it be found?

 

  1. What will specifically happen to people at the sounding of the last trump?

 

  1. Based on the words of Paul, if there is no resurrection what is the disposition of the Christian and condition of his/her religion?

 

  1. Based on the Words of Christ in Matthew 22:23-33, what was His doctrine? Explain in your own words?

 

  1. Bonus Question: How would you explain the theology of Christ in Matthew 22:23-33?

 

 

Eternal Judgment

Lesson #6

Introduction

After the return of Christ from heaven to the earth, judgment will begin. The student of the Bible must conclude that judgment will be executed in heaven, considering that the Lord will be met in the sky (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).  What every Christian must be keenly aware of is that everyone will be judged. Eternal judgment is a critical first principle for the Christian to grasp because it continually reminds him/her that God is watching and is to be reverenced. Paul informed the Christians in Rome that every one of them would have to give an account of themselves to God: So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:12).