GOD'S WONDERFUL BOOK, GOD'S WONDERFUL PLAN

***God's Wonderful Book -* *God's Wonderful Plan***

Dedicated to
My Daughter Cynthia
My Son Michael

And to all their children and
their children’s children.

Deuteronomy 29:29 (GW) - “Some things are hidden. They belong to the Lord our God.
But the things that have been revealed in these teachings belong to us and to our
children forever. We must obey every word of these teachings.”

God’s Wonderful Book, God’s Wonderful Plan
2nd Edition, e-Book 2013

Book Copyright © 2004
by Virgil Wayne Davis

This material may not be reprinted without permission in part or whole
except for brief statements in book reviews. Members of the churches of Christ may
use it freely in sermons, classes and Bible study with a fervent prayer that mankind
may be led to love God’s Wonderful Book and follow God‘s Wonderful Plan.

All Bible quotes are from
GOD’S WORD unless otherwise indicated.

GOD’S WORD is a copyrighted work of God’s Word to the Nations Bible
Society. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God’s Word
to the Nations Bible Society. All rights reserved

Your word is a lamp for my feet
And a light for my path.
David in Psalms 119:105

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Section One - God’s Wonderful Book
1. Introduction

Section Two - God’s Wonderful Plan
17.   Chapter 11. The Authority of the Biblical Record
18.   Chapter 12. God's Plan: The Patriarchal Age
19.  Chapter 13. God's Plan: The Mosaical Age
20.   Chapter 14. God's Plan: The Christian Age
21.   Chapter 15. God's Plan For Redeeming Mankind
22.   Chapter 16. God's Plan: Identifying the Lord's Church
23.  Bibliography
Addendum: [ Charts used with God’s Wonderful Plan ]

===============================================

Click Here to Start Reading

Chapter 14
The Christian Dispensation

In our reading together up to this point, we have discussed the Patriarchal Dispensation or Age (Chapter 12), and then the Mosiacal Dispensation or Age (Chapter 13). In this chapter we want to study the Christian Dispensation or Age, the period of time in which you and I live today. Before we begin with this period, let us review for just a few moments.

You remember that in chapter 12, we discussed the book of Genesis as a book of beginnings. It tells us how the world came into being, the beginning of everything that was created, the beginning of sin, and the beginning of the revelation of God’s wonderful plan to redeem man from his sin. We noted the beginning of the nation of Israel which God established for the purpose of bringing His Son into the world. We learned in this chapter also, the history of this nation of people. We learned how the Egyptians made slaves of them, and how God delivered them from this bondage and brought them to Mt. Sinai, where He gave them the Law through Moses.
In the next chapter, we saw that the Law was given to the nation of Israel only, that it was made known at Mt. Sinai, and that it was not intended to be permanent. It was going to be replaced with a new promise or covenant. We learned that these people who made up the nation of Israel were under this Law down through their history until the Christ had died on the cross. We learned that the purpose of the Law was to bring men to Christ so that they might be justified by faith. When Christ came, the Law had been fulfilled and was done away with. Men are not under the Law now for they can be the children of God through faith. This brings us to this point in our reading, the Christian Dispensation or Age.

Now we want to look at another chart. Again a full size page chart can be found in the addendum of this book. We reproduce it here in miniature for reference only in our text. This Chart can be titled God’s Promises Fulfilled and we want to use it at this time to begin our study of the Christian Dispensation or Age. It is not my purpose in this book to seek to teach an “interpretation” of the Bible, but to see just what the Bible does teach without any admixture of human opinion. This is the only way that we will get the message that God intended to convey to us. We have seen that it is possible to pervert and twist God’s Word. If we do not love the truth and seek after it, God will allow us to believe a lie and be judged because we did not believe the truth. Here on the chart 2, which we will be referring to at this time, we see on the left hand side some promises that were made back in the Old Testament period, and these promises were not fulfilled in the Old Testament. On the right hand side, we see some passages listed that tell us that these promises were fulfilled in the New Testament. It is our purpose in this reading to note the promises made on the left hand side of chart 2 from the Old Testament one at a time, and then see the fulfillment of them in the New Testament.

You remember when we were discussing the events that took place in the garden of Eden, we noted that God had given the commandment to man “not to eat of the fruit of the tree that stood in the middle of the garden." The woman took of the fruit of this tree and “did eat,” and gave to her husband and he “did eat.” When God talked to the persons involved in this sin, He began by speaking to the serpent first, which in reality was Satan. In verse 15, let us note what God said to the serpent (or Satan) on this occasion.

Genesis 3:15 - “I will make you and the woman hostile toward each other. I will make your descendants and her descendant hostile toward each other. He will crush your head, and you will bruise his heel.”

God told Satan that there would be a spirit of hostility or antagonism between him and the woman, and that this would continue to be between those that followed after Satan and the descendant of woman. It is customary today, and in the Bible, to talk about the offspring as the descendants of the male. Here because it is spoken of as a “descendant of the woman” it is apparent that some special person is spoken of. All men that have ever lived on the earth after Adam were begotten by the male with the exception of the Lord Jesus Christ who was begotten of the Holy Spirit. He was truly the “descendant (seed) of women,” because he was not begotten of the male. So we see here that the “descendant of woman” would bruise the head of Satan, but in so doing, Satan would bruise his heel. It was Satan who caused Jesus to be put to death on the Cross, and this is referred to here by the figure of speech “bruised his heel.” When Christ was resurrected from the dead, He trampled under foot the head of Satan, and gave him a mortal blow that will eventually lead to his complete destruction. Here, we see that God, immediately after the first sin, promised that the “descendant of woman” would bruise the head of Satan from which he would not recover. This promise is not fulfilled in the Old Testament.

Genesis 12:3 - “I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you, I will curse. Through you every family on earth will be blessed.”

In an earlier reading, we noted that God told Abraham here in verse 3 that “in his descendant will all families of the earth be blessed.” The Apostle Paul tells us that this “descendant” was to be the Christ. At the conclusion of the Old Testament, Christ had come to fulfill the promise made here in this verse. But, let us note some other promises made back there and the fulfillment of them.

The children of Israel had been taken captive and were in Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which troubled him greatly, and Daniel the prophet was asked to interpret it for him. Remember, the word prophet means “one that speaks for another,” and in the Bible, it means “one that speaks for God.”

Daniel 2:28 - “But there is a God in heaven, who reveals secrets. He will tell King Nebuchadnezzar what is going to happen in the days to come. This is your dream, the vision you had while you were asleep:…”

The King had a dream in which he saw a great image with “a head of gold, breasts and arms of silver, belly of brass, legs and feet of iron, and toes of miry clay mingled with iron. Daniel says that this image represents the kingdoms which were going to rise and succeed each other. To the Babylonian king he says “You are the head of gold” (Verse 38b). Thus, the first kingdom is the Babylonian empire (from 606 BC to 536 BC). “Another kingdom, inferior to yours, will rise to power after you.” And world history tells us that this is the Persian Empire (from 536 BC to 332 BC). Then there will be a third kingdom." history also tells us that the next world power was the Grecian Empire under Alexander the Great (from 332 BC to 146 BC). “There will be a fourth kingdom,” which we know as the Roman Empire from history (146 BC to 476 AD). Then Daniel tells us what will happen during the time of the Roman kings of whom he had just been speaking.

Daniel 2:44 - “At the time of those kings, the God of heaven will establish a kingdom that will never be destroyed. No other people will be permitted to rule it. It will smash all the other kingdoms and put an end to them. But it will be established forever.”

We can see here that in contrast to these kingdoms of men which would rise and fall, the God of heaven is going to set up a kingdom that is going to stand forever, and shall never be destroyed. But here we are told when this kingdom would begin. Now we go over here to the New Testament as we see on our chart no. 2, item 1, and read some more concerning this kingdom.

Mark 9:1 - “He said to them, ‘I can guarantee this truth: Some people who are standing here will not die until they see the kingdom of God arrive with power.”
As Jesus was talking on this occasion, his disciples were present. He told them, that some of them present would not taste death until they saw “the kingdom of God arrive with power.” We know that the Roman Empire was a world power at this time and even Palestine was occupied by the Roman Army. It was the Roman Governor who sentenced Jesus to death, and the Roman soldiers who crucified him. But here, Jesus tells us more about the time of the establishment of the kingdom. It is going to be in the lifetime of the disciples. So we have seen that not only is the kingdom going to be established in the days of the Roman Empire, which lasted from 146 BC to 476 AD, but it was going to be in the lifetime of some of the men that were alive when Jesus was here upon the earth. Notice also in this passage, that the kingdom was to come with power. After Jesus was resurrected from the dead, He taught his disciples many things about the coming kingdom and one of those things was the location where they were to be when the power came.

Luke 24:49 - “I’m sending you what my Father promised. Wait here in the city until you receive power from heaven.”

So the power was to come on the Apostles in the city of Jerusalem. Again, when Jesus was talking to them after his resurrection he told them what this power was going to be.

Acts 1:8 - “But you will receive power when the Holy Sprit comes to you. Then you will be my witnesses to testify about me in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Here we see that the power was going to be the Holy Spirit. So far, we have seen this concerning the kingdom. It was to be established in the days of the Roman Empire and the lifetime of the Apostles. It is to come with power, and the power is to come in Jerusalem. The power is to be the Holy Spirit. Because the kingdom was to come with power, then the kingdom and the power were to come at the same time. The kingdom came when the power came when the kingdom came.

Acts 2:1-4 - “When Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Passover, came, all the believers were together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like a violently blowing wind came from the sky and filled the whole house where they were staying. Tongues that looked like fire appeared to them. The tongues arranged themselves so that one came to rest on each believer. All the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.”

Here we see that on this day, the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ from the dead, that the Holy Spirit, which was the power, came upon the Apostles and they began to teach. Verse 5, tells us that they were at Jerusalem when this took place. Therefore, we see that the kingdom of God which will stand forever was established on the first Pentecost after Christ was resurrected. The kingdom was coming with the power and the power came on that day.

Let us note some other promises: Look at number 2 on our chart.

Isaiah 2:2-3 - “In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s house will be established as the highest of the mountains and raised above the hills. All the nations will stream to it. Then many people will come and say, ‘Let’s go to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways so that we may live by them.’ The teachings will go out from Zion. The word of the Lord will go out from Jerusalem.”

Let us note several things that the Prophet says in these verses. First he says that “the Lord’s house will be established.”

Hebrews 10:21 - “We have a superior priest in charge of God’s house.”

Christ is now the high priest over the house of God.

1st Timothy 3:15 - “However, I’m writing this to you in case I’m delayed. I want you to know how people who are members of God’s family must live. God’s family is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”

Here we are told that the household of God is the church. Thus, we see that the Lord’s house has been built and exists today. Second, note the prophet said that this will take place in the last days. The first time the Gospel of Christ was ever preached, the Apostle Peter quoted from another Old Testament prophet named Joel, and in so doing, he tells us the meaning of this expression, “the last days.”

Acts 2:16-17a - “Rather, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour my Spirit on everyone.”

The Prophet Joel had said “In the last days, God says…” and the Apostle Peter, as he was guided by inspiration on that day, tells us this is that of which the prophet was speaking. Thus, Peter tells us that the last days are the Christian Age. We can read that this is true also from the book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 1:1-2 - “In the past God spoke to our ancestors at many different times and in many different ways through the prophets. In these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. God made his Son responsible for everything. his Son is the one through whom God made the universe.”

The last days is that period of time when God speaks to man “through his Son.” The Prophet also said that the “Lord’s house will begin in Jerusalem.” After his resurrection, Jesus said to his disciples concerning this question:

Luke 24:46-47 - “He said to them, ‘Scripture says that the Messiah would suffer and that he would come back to life on the third day. Scripture also says that by the authority of Jesus people must be told to turn to God and change the way they think and act so that their sins will be forgiven. This must be told to people from all nations, beginning in the city of Jerusalem.”

Let us note only that Jesus said this was to take place beginning in the city of Jerusalem. We have already seen from Verse 49, in this chapter that they were to remain in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high which they were to receive as a promise from the Father.

Acts 1:4-8 - Once, while he was meeting with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for what the Father promised. Jesus said to them, ‘I’ve told you what the Father promises: John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized by the Holy Spirit.’ So when the apostles came together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you’re going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ Jesus told them, ‘You don’t need to know about times or periods that the Father has determined by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you. Then you will be my witnesses to testify about me in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’”

When the power which was the Holy Spirit had come upon them, they were to be witnesses of Christ, or give testimony concerning him throughout the earth first in Jerusalem. We have already seen that the Apostles were at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they stood up and began to preach or give testimony concerning the Christ.

Acts 2:22 - “Men of Israel, listen to what I say: Jesus from Nazareth was a man whom God brought to your attention. You know that through this man God worked miracles, did amazing things, and gave signs.”

As foretold by the prophet 750 years before Christ, the word of the Lord did go forth from the city of Jerusalem.

Isaiah foretold that the Lord’s house would be established (which is the church) that it would be established in the last days (which is the Christian Age) that it would begin at Jerusalem. He also said that all nations would be admitted. Under the Old Testament only the nation of Israel had the law of Moses, but here Isaiah tells that when the Lord’s house is built, all nations are going to be admitted to it. On the day of Pentecost when the Apostles began to preach and witness for Christ, after Peter had proven to those present that Jesus was the Christ, let us read what happened when he did this:

Acts 2:36-39 - “All the people of Israel should know beyond a doubt that God made Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. When the people heard this, they were deeply upset. They asked Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter answered them, ‘All of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act, and each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift. This promise belongs to you and to your children and to everyone who is far away. It belongs to everyone who worships the Lord our God.’”

We are told in the earlier verses of this chapter that there were only Jews present at Jerusalem at this time. Peter, in speaking to these said, “The promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far away.” So we see that the promise is to the Jews or children of Israel, and to their offspring. Who are these other persons referred to as “far away?” At a later time, when the Apostle Paul was writing to the church in the city of Ephesus, he used this term in such a way that we can determine who is meant here.

Ephesians 2:11, 13, & 17 - “Remember that once you were not Jewish physically. Those who called themselves ‘the circumcised’ because of what they had done to their bodies called you ‘the uncircumcised.’ … But now through Christ Jesus you, who were once far away, have been brought near by the Blood of Christ. … He came with the Good News of peace for you who were far away and for those who were near.”

Note in verse 11, Paul is writing to “Gentiles” and in verse 13, he said you that were far away are now have been brought near by the blood of Christ, and that Christ came and preached peace to those that were far away (Gentiles) and those that were near (Jews). Thus, on the day of Pentecost when Peter said the promise is to those that were far away, he was speaking of the Gentiles.

Let us read how the Apostle Paul expresses this same thought to the Galatians who were Christians.

Galatians 3:26-29 - “You are all God’s children by believing in Christ Jesus. Clearly, all of you who were baptized in Christ’s name have clothed yourselves with Christ. There are neither Jews nor Greeks, slaves nor free people, males nor females. You are all the same in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants and heirs, as God promised.”

The promise was given also to the Gentiles, and in Christ Jesus there is no difference. Those in Christ are “Abraham’s descendant and heirs according to the promise.”

Let us continue though with another Old Testament promise. This time from the Prophet Jeremiah as indicated by item 3 on our chart #2 following:

Jeremiah 23:5-6 - “ ‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘When I will grow a righteous branch for David. He will be a king who will rule wisely. He will do what is fair and right in the land. In his lifetime, Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety. This is the name that he will be given: The Lord our Righteousness.’”

Here we are told that a righteous branch or descendant of David, shall at some future time reign as king, and He shall execute justice and righteousness in the land in contrast to the way things were done under the king of Judah at that time. We are told in the first verse of the New Testament that Jesus was a descendant of David. After he was resurrected from the dead, He came to his disciples and said to them:

Matthew 28:18 - “When Jesus came near, he spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’”

Thus, if Jesus had all authority, then he must be a king. A king is a male ruler with absolute authority: legislative, judicial and administrative. But let us see what is said later from the teaching of the Apostles on this matter.

Acts 2:29-33 - “Brothers, I can tell you confidently that our ancestor David died and was buried and his tomb is here to this day. David was a prophet and knew that God had promised with an oath that he would place one of David’s descendants on his throne. David knew that the Messiah would come back to life, and he spoke about that before it ever happened. He said that the Messiah wouldn’t be left in the grave and that his body wouldn’t decay. God brought this man Jesus back to life. We are all witnesses to that. God used his power to give Jesus the highest position. Jesus has also received and has poured out the Holy Spirit as the Father had promised, and this is what you’re seeing and hearing.”

The prophet Jeremiah, guided by the Holy Spirit, tells us that a branch of David will reign as king. The Apostle Peter, as he was guided by the same Spirit, tells us that Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy. David was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him that he would place one of David’s descendants on his throne and that he (David) foreseeing this, spoke of the resurrection of Christ. Thus, on the day of Pentecost, Peter proved that Christ was indeed king, and was reigning on the throne from heaven and in his conclusion he said “All the people of Israel should know beyond a doubt that God made Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord (king) and Christ (The Anointed One).” (Acts 2:36)

But there are yet some other promises and their fulfillment which we want to note on our chart:

Zechariah 6:12-13 - “Then say to him, ‘This is what the Lord of Armies says: Here is the man whose name is Branch. He will branch out from where he is, and he will rebuild the Lord’s temple. He will rebuild the Lord’s temple and receive royal honor. He will sit and rule from his throne. He will be a priest on his throne. There will be a peaceful understanding between them.’”

As we did with prophecy of Isaiah, let us note several things that this prophet tells us here:

The man would be named the Branch. This we have just seen from the writings of Jeremiah which referred to Jesus Christ.
He will branch out from where he is. The branch will grow up out of his own place among those of low origin in the earth, to the place of highest glory.
He will rebuild the Lord’s temple. What is the temple of God? Let us see how it is spoken of elsewhere.

1st Corinthians 1:2 - “To God’s church that was made holy by Christ Jesus and called to be God’s holy people in the city of Corinth and to people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We see here, when Paul was writing to the Christians at Corinth he addressed them as the church of God which is at Corinth. Later on, we read where he said to these same people:

1st Corinthians 3:16-17 - “Don’t you know that you are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him because God’s temple is holy. You are that holy temple.”

He said to these people that you are God’s temple. Therefore, we see that the church of God is also the temple of God and that these terms refer to the same people in the Bible. Remember, the house of God, the temple of God, the church and the kingdom are used interchangeably in the scriptures and refer to the same group of people. Zechariah said He will rebuild the Lord’s temple, which is the church.

Matthew 16:18 - “You are Peter, and I can guarantee that on this rock I will build my church. And the gates of hell will not overpower it.”

Thus, Jesus who was the builder of the church, Is also the builder of the temple. And then Zechariah said, “He will sit and rule from his throne. He will be a priest on his throne. Thus, we see that the Branch was to be a priest, and to sit and rule upon his throne at the same time. Let us read from the Bible further regarding this.

Hebrews 3:1 - “Brothers and sisters, you are holy partners in a heavenly calling. So look carefully at Jesus, the apostle and chief priest about whom we make our declaration of faith.”

This chief priest sat down at the right hand of Majesty on high, God, a minister of the true tabernacle, which the Lord built, not man.

Hebrews 8:1-3 - The main point we want to make is this: We did have this kind of chief priest. This chief priest has received the highest position, the throne of majesty in heaven. He serves as priest of the holy place and of the true tent set up by the Lord and not by any human. Every chief priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, this chief priest had to offer something.”

This chief priest through the offering of his own blood entered once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. We see that Christ is now our high Priest. Let us continue by examining his work.

Hebrews 9:11-12 - “But Christ came as a chief priest of the good things that are now here. Christ went through a better, more perfect tent that was not made by human hands and that is not part of this created world. He used his own blood, not the blood of goats and bulls, for the sacrifice. He went into the most holy place and offered this sacrifice once and for all to free us forever.”

This high priest through the offering of his own blood entered once for all into the holy place, having eternal redemption. We see that Christ is now our high Priest. Let us continue by examining his work.

Hebrews 9:24-26 - “Christ didn't go into a holy place made by human hands. He didn't go into a model of the real thing. Instead, he went into heaven to appear in God’s presence on our behalf. Every year the chief priest went into the holy place to make a sacrifice with blood that isn’t his own. However, Christ didn't go into heaven to sacrifice himself again and again. Otherwise, he would have had to suffer many times since the world was created. But now, at the end of the ages, he has appeared once to remove sin by his sacrifice.”

We see that Christ as our high Priest has entered into heaven and offered himself before the face of God as a sacrifice for sins. But now, at the end of the ages, he has appeared once to remove sin by his sacrifice. So we see that Jesus is a Priest on a throne in heaven.

Revelation 3:21 - “I will allow everyone who wins the victory to sit with me on my throne, as I have won the victory and have sat down with my Father on his throne.”

Here we see that Jesus has sat down in heaven that is with the Father in his throne. From these several passages and the prophesy as given by Zechariah, we have seen that Jesus is:

The man whose name is the Branch.
He is the builder of the temple of God which is the church or the house of the Lord.
He shall sit and rule upon a throne which He is now doing over his kingdom, and
He shall be a Priest on his throne at the same time He is reigning.

We can know from this that Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise made by God in this prophesy which He gave through the mouth of Zechariah.

But let us go now to other promises which are made in the Old Testament, and examine their fulfillment. Let’s note item 4 on our chart below that there is to be a New Covenant that is binding.

Jeremiah 31:31 - “‘The days are coming.’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will make a new promise (or covenant) to Israel and Judah. It will not be like the promise that I made to their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of Egypt. They rejected that promise, although I was a husband to them,’ declares the Lord: ‘I will put my teachings inside them and I will write those teachings on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.’”

Again, let us note some of the things that are said here.
1. There is to be a New Promise or Covenant.
2. It is not going to be according to the covenant that God made with their fathers when He lead them out of Egypt.
3. Under the New Promise or Covenant the laws will be written on the heart rather than on tables of stone.
4. Under the New Promise or Covenant there will be forgiveness of sin which was not possible under the old covenant.

Let us see that all of these things are actually present under the Covenant we have today.

Matthew 16:18-19 - “You are Peter, and I can guarantee that on this rock # I will build my church. And the gates of hell will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you imprison, God will imprison. And whatever you set free, God will set free.”

Jesus said that He was going to build my church and that He would give to Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven, thus showing us that the church and the kingdom of heaven are the same group of people. However, what Peter was to imprison or bind on earth would have already been imprisoned or bound in heaven. Thus, under the New Covenant the Apostles were to teach the terms of the covenant. When Peter, on the day of Pentecost, preached the Gospel or Good News for the first time, he told those present on that day:

Acts 2:36-38 - “All the people of Israel should know beyond a doubt that God made Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. When the people hear this, they were deeply upset. They asked Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter answered them, ‘All of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act, and each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.’”

After Peter had proved that Jesus was both Lord (Ruler) and Christ (the Anointed One), he told these believers what to do to receive the remission of sins promised under the New Covenant. To the believer he said, All of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act (in other words repent of sins), and each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (For what reason Peter?) so that your sins will be forgiven. In an earlier reading we have noted that Jesus died to put this new will, testament or covenant in effect and that we are to live under the terms of it today in order to please him. But let us read again for the sake of review:

Hebrews 9:15-17 - “Because Christ offered himself to God, he is able to bring a new promise from God. Through his death he paid the price to set people free from the sins they committed under the first promise. He did this so that those who are called can be guaranteed an inheritance that will last forever. In order for a will to take effect, it must be shown that the one who made it has died. A will is used only after a person is dead because it goes into effect only when a person dies.”

Therefore, Christ died to put the new promise or covenant into force that we can be guaranteed an inheritance that will last forever, because this promise was a part of his testament, and it had no force at all until He died. Thus, those that receive this promise must do so by complying with the terms of this covenant, isn’t this true?

But let us see even more about this new promise, covenant or testament if you will.

Hebrews 8:6-8 - “Jesus has been given a priestly work that is superior to the Levitical priests’ work. He also brings a better promise (or covenant) from God that is based on better guarantees. If nothing had been wrong with the first promise, no one would look for another one. But God found something wrong with his people and said to them, ‘The days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘when I will make a new promise to Israel and Judah.’”

Here we see that Christ is the Mediator of a BETTER covenant which is enacted upon BETTER promises, for if the first covenant had been faultless (or without fault or in which nothing is lacking) then there would have been no place sought for the second covenant. So we see that there was a fault, or there was something lacking in the first covenant. This is the reason the new one was given. But here after the Apostle said these things, he continues by quoting the passage in Jeremiah 31:31-34 which we just read and made an application to the covenant that was given to Christ. After this quotation we read in verse 13, “God made this new promise and showed that the first promise was outdated. What is outdated and aging will soon disappear.”

Thus, the new covenant which was better, made the first covenant old, and it vanished away. But we have yet to see what the fault was in the old covenant, so let us note that before going on from the Holy Scriptures.

Hebrews 9:22 - “As Moses' Teachings tell us, blood was used to cleanse almost everything, because if no blood is shed, no sins can be forgiven.”

“Because if no blood is shed, no sins can be forgiven.” Under the old covenant the people of Israel offered many animal sacrifices, but we are told that one of the differences between the old covenant and the new, was that there would be forgiveness of sins under the new covenant. Let us now see why the animal sacrifices were offered.

Hebrews 10:1-4 - “Moses' Teachings with their yearly cycle of sacrifices are only a shadow of the good things in the future. They aren't an exact likeness of those things. They can never make those who worship perfect. If these sacrifices could have made the worshipers perfect, the sacrifices would have stopped long ago. Those who worship would have been cleansed once and for all. Their consciences would have been free from sin. Instead, this yearly cycle of sacrifices reminded people of their sins. (The blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins.)”

The sacrifices offered under the Law of Moses were merely a shadow or type of the offering that would be made to take away sin. They were offered every year when the worshiper was to remember his sin but “The blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins.” In conclusion of this point, let us read one other passage of Scripture.

Hebrews 10:8-10 - “In this passage Christ first said, ‘You did not want sacrifices, offerings, burnt offerings, and sacrifices for sin. You did not approve of them.’ (These are the sacrifices that Moses' Teachings require people to offer.) Then Christ says, ‘I have come to do what you want.’ He did away with sacrifices in order to establish the obedience that God wants. We have been set apart as holy because Jesus Christ did what God wanted him to do by sacrificing his body once and for all.”

Men under the new covenant are cleansed by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, it was impossible to be cleansed under the law by the animal sacrifices. For this reason, Jesus takes away the first promise or covenant, that He might establish the second covenant or new promise.

There is yet one other promise made in the Old Testament which we want to notice before we conclude this chapter of our book.

Joel 2:28 - “After this, I will pour my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. You young men will see visions.”

In this passage, the prophet Joel foretells a number of things that will take place in the last days. In the New Testament, we read from the words of the Apostle Peter.

Acts 2:16-21 “Rather, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about: ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will speak what God has revealed. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour my Spirit on my servants, on both men and women. They will speak what God has revealed. I will work miracles in the sky and give signs on the earth: blood, fire, and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will become as red as blood before the terrifying day of the Lord comes. Then whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved..’”

Here on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit had come upon the Apostles, Peter tells us that “this is what the prophet Joel spoke about.”

Again we see the promises made in the Old Testament fulfilled in the New Testament. In giving consideration to these promises, we have noted that every one of them was fulfilled in Acts chapter two; The events recorded in Acts 2 are the events that took place on just one day, the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ from the dead. This day is the focal point of all religious history. Every passage speaking of the kingdom, the church or the house of God before Acts 2, always speaks of it as being in the future, every passage speaking of the kingdom, the church or the house of God after Acts 2 speaks of it as being in existence. Thus, we see that the coming of Christ and the establishment of the kingdom on the day of Pentecost was the event pointed forward to in every prophecy or promise made in the Old Testament beginning from the garden of Eden. When this event took place, God’s wonderful plan for redeeming mankind from their sins had been completely revealed, and as we have noted earlier, those who are redeemed must be redeemed by the plan which is revealed to us in the New Covenant or Testament.

I have pointed out some things concerning the Christ, but let us use this Chart #3 as shown here on the next page to note some other things about Jesus the Christ.

Since Jesus came to the earth as a man, there have been discussions of the question “Who is this man Jesus?.” The only way we could possibly know anything about Jesus, his life or his works, is through a study of the Bible, the only revelation we have concerning him. Many men have opinions that are contrary to the teachings of the Scriptures, but this does not change what the Scriptures say. On one occasion, Jesus said “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me.” Let us search the Scriptures to see what they teach concerning the Christ. What think ye of Christ? Will we accept what the Scripture says concerning him? The Scriptures says that He is the Divine Son of God. Will we be willing to accept that? On one occasion Jesus asked his disciples “What do people say the Son of Man is? Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered as follows:

Matthew 16:16-17 - “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, you are blessed! No human revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven revealed it to you.’”

When Peter said that Jesus was the “son of the living God”, Jesus said “Simon, son of Jonah, you are blessed!” agreeing with what Peter had just said. If this had not been true would not Jesus have corrected this at this time? Some people say that Jesus was not divine, but that He was a good man. Can you be a good man and be a liar, which is what He would be if He claimed to be the Son of God and was not. If He said that he was the Son of God and was not, can we have any confidence at all in anything that He said? If He was wrong in this one thing, is it not likely that He could have been wrong in other things? He was the Son of God or He was a liar. Is this not true? Of course it would be.

The Apostle John wrote more about him:

John 1:1-3, 14 - “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was already with God in the beginning. Everything came into existence through him. Not one thing that exists was made without him. … The Word became human and lived among us. We saw his glory. It was the glory that the Father shares with his only Son, a glory full of kindness (or grace) and truth.”

In these verses we read that the Word was in the beginning with God. Beginning refers to time and here it is talking about the time of creation when everything was made through him. We need to note also that this Word was God. That is, it was Divine or of the same substance as God. He was a part of Deity and every characteristic that other Divine Beings had, He also had. He was not a created being for all things were made through him and without him nothing was present at the beginning and was with God, was the one through whom everything that was made had been made. He became flesh and lived on this earth in the form of man. Let us read more about this:

Philippians 2:5-11 - “Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Although he was in the form of God and equal with God, he did not take advantage of this equality. Instead, he emptied himself by taking on the form of a servant, by becoming like other humans, by having a human appearance. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, death on a cross. This is why God has given him an exceptional honor -- the name honored above all other names -- so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth and in the world below will kneel and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”

Paul tells us that Jesus did exist in the form of God which means of the same substance, and that he took upon himself the form of a servant or man, doesn’t he? Does the expression form of a servant here mean the body of man or flesh as mankind is? If form of man means that he had the same characteristics as other Divine Beings? Does not this passage tell us that Jesus was indeed Divine, but that He came to the earth in the form of man to die on the Cross for the sins of the world. Because He did this, every knee should bow to him, and every tongue should confess that He is Lord. This will glorify God the Father. The Apostles themselves knew that Jesus was Divine. After Jesus was resurrected from the dead He appeared to some of the Apostles, but Thomas was not present. When they told Thomas that Jesus had risen he would not believe it. Let us read what happened:

John 20:25-28 - “The other disciples told him, ‘We've seen the Lord.’ Thomas told them, ‘I refuse to believe this unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my fingers into them, and put my hand into his side.’ A week later Jesus’ disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Then Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Take your hand, and put it into my side. Stop doubting, and believe.' Thomas responded to Jesus, ‘My Lord and my God!.’”

After Jesus had shown Thomas that He was the same person who had been crucified, Thomas recognized that He was divine, and said to him “My Lord and my God!” There are many passages that discuss this subject, but from these few we have seen that Jesus is the divine Son of God.

But as noted on our chart below, He is also the Savior of the World.

When the angel appeared to Joseph to tell him that Mary was going to have a child, the angel spoke the following:

Matthew 1:21 - “She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus (He Saves), because he will save his people from their sins.”

John the Baptist was teaching in Judea preparing the people for the coming of the Lord. We read what he said when He saw Jesus.

John 1:29 - “John saw Jesus coming toward him the next day and said, ‘Look! This is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

The Apostle Paul wrote Timothy about this question:

1st Timothy 1:15 - “This is a statement that can be trusted and deserves complete acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the foremost sinner.”

We have read before in our reading that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” then all mankind are sinners. Even Paul admitted he was the foremost of sinners. Christ came to save not only Paul but all of mankind.

But, let us see how Jesus will save the world. Let us note what Paul says concerning him at this present time.

Ephesians 1:22b-23 - “He has made Christ the head of everything for the good of the church. The church is Christ’s body and completes him as he fills everything in every way.”

Here we read that Christ is head over all things to the church which is his body. So the church and his body are the same people. Now let us read more.

Ephesians 5:23 - “The husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. It is his body, and he is its Savior.”

Here again, we read that Christ is the head of the church, but he is also the Savior of the body. Because the church is the same as the body, and the body are the saved, then the church, the body and the saved are all one and the same group of people. Also, if Christ is going to save the body, he will not save anyone outside the body. Isn’t this correct? How can we draw any other conclusion except that this is a true statement. So we see that the Christ came into the world to establish his church, and that all men who would be saved will be saved though this body, which is the church.

Our chart #3, item 3, here says that Christ is a prophet.

Let us read from the writings of Moses on this subject.

Deuteronomy 18:18-19 - “So I will send them a prophet, an Israelite like you. I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. Whoever refuses to listen to the words that prophet speaks in my name will answer to me.”

Jehovah tells men through the Prophet Moses, that in the future He “will send them a prophet, an Israelite like him. I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him.” In the New Testament as the Apostle Peter is preaching, he said the following:

Acts 3:22-23 - “Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will send you a prophet, and Israelite like me. Listen to everything he tells you. Those who won’t listen to that prophet will be excluded from the people.”

Here, the Apostle Peter quoted this prophecy of Moses and made application of it to Jesus (verse 20). Thus we see that Jesus is the prophet whom God was going to raise up, and he is the one to whom we should listen in all things. Remember that the definition of a prophet is one that speaks for another or in the Bible it is one who speaks for God.

Let us now read that God speaks to us through Jesus.

Hebrews 1:1-2 - “In the past God spoke to our ancestors at many different times and in many different ways through the prophets. In these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. God made his Son responsible for everything. his Son is the one through whom God made the universe.”

Christ is the prophet through whom God speaks to man today. At another time, three of the Apostles were in the mountain with the Lord and there Moses and Elijah appeared talking to Jesus. In order that the Apostles might know how they were to receive the teaching of Jesus there was a voice out of Heaven which spoke to them and said:

Matthew 17:5 - “He was still speaking when a bright cloud overshadowed them. Then a voice came out of the cloud and said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love and with whom I am pleased. Listen to him!.’”

God made it known that we were not to hear Moses, or the prophets who were here represented by Elijah, but that we were to “hear Christ” who is God’s prophet, the way that He speaks to men today.

Again, our chart tells us that Jesus is a Priest.

We have read this earlier, but let us read again what the prophet Zechariah said concerning this.

Zechariah 6:12-13 - “Then say to him, ‘This is what the Lord of Armies says: Here is the man whose name is Branch. He will branch out from where he is, and he will rebuild the Lord’s temple. He will rebuild the Lord’s temple and receive royal honor. He will sit and rule from his throne. He will be a priest on his throne. There will be a peaceful understanding between them.”

The man named, the Branch was to build the temple of the Lord. Which is the church, and he is to sit and rule upon his throne. He is to be a priest on his throne. So Jesus is to be a priest and reign on his throne at the same time.

Let us read some of the things noted in the book of Hebrews concerning this priesthood.

Hebrews 6:20b - “…He has become the chief priest forever in the way Melchizedek was a priest”

Hebrews 10:9-14 - “Then Christ says, ‘I have come to do what you want.’ He did away with sacrifices in order to establish the obedience that God wants. We have been set apart as holy because Jesus Christ did what God wants. We have been set apart as holy because Jesus Christ did what God wanted him to do by sacrificing his body once and for all. Every day each priest performed his religious duty. He offered the same type of sacrifice again and again. Yet, these sacrifices could never take away sins. However this chief priest made one sacrifice for sins, and this sacrifice lasts forever. Then he received the highest position in heaven. Since that time, he has been waiting for his enemies to be made his footstool. With one sacrifice he accomplished the work of setting them apart for God forever.”

Here we read that Jesus is a priest forever, and after he had made an offering of his own body for sins forever, he sat down at the right hand of God. Now let us note one other passage concerning this.

Hebrews 7:25-27 - “We need a chief priest who is holy, innocent, pure, set apart from sinners, and who has the highest place in heaven. We need a priest who doesn’t have to bring daily sacrifices as those chief priest did. First they brought sacrifices for their own sins, and then they brought sacrifices for the sins of the people. Jesus brought the sacrifice for the sins of the people once and for all when he sacrificed himself.”

Thus, we see Jesus is out high Priest and that He lives forever to make intercession for us. But our Chart tells us also that Jesus is king.

Luke 1:30-33 - “The angel told her, ‘Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor (or grace) with God. You will become pregnant, give birth to a son and name him Jesus. He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most high. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever, and his kingdom will never end.’”

Here the angel who appeared to Mary and told her that she would give birth to the Lord, also told her that God would give him the throne of his ancestor David. Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever, and his kingdom will never end. God was going to give David’s throne to Jesus. When he began to reign, He was to reign forever, and of his kingdom there would be no end. If we can determine then, whether or not Jesus has received David’s throne, then we can know if this has been fulfilled. Let us read what the Apostle Peter says.

Acts 2:29-33 - “Brothers, I can tell you confidently that our ancestor David died and was buried and that his tomb is here to this day. David was a prophet and knew that God had promised with an oath that he would place one of David’s descendants on his throne. David knew that the Messiah would come back to life, and he spoke about that before it ever happened. He said that the Messiah wouldn't be left in the grave and that his body wouldn't decay. God brought this man Jesus back to life. We are all witnesses to that. God used his power to give Jesus the highest position. Jesus has also received and has poured out the Holy Spirit as the Father had promised, and this is what you’re seeing and hearing.”

Let us see what the Apostle did say here. Read the verse above again. There was a prophet (David) that from his descendant He (God) would set one upon his (David’s) throne and David foreseeing this spoke of the resurrection of Christ. God brought this man Jesus back to life. We are all witnesses to that. God used his power to give Jesus the highest position. Here we see that as David prophesied, he foresaw the resurrection of Christ as a fulfillment of God’s oath to set one on his throne. Thus when Jesus was raised up and ascended to the right hand of the Father in Heaven, He began to reign as king on David’s throne. The promise that Christ would reign forever was fulfilled when He began to reign on the day of Pentecost and his reign will continue until the end of time. The Lord himself said in the book of Revelation:

Revelation 3:21 - “I will allow everyone who wins the victory to sit with me on my throne, as I have won the victory and have sat down with my Father on his throne.”

Jesus says that those who overcome may sit with him in his throne as He overcame and sat down with his father in his throne. Jesus then has sat down on his throne.

Colossians 1:13-14 - “God has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of his Son, whom he loves. his Son paid the price to free us, which means that our sins are forgiven.”

The Apostle Paul said here, that he had been brought into the kingdom of his Son, whom he loves. The word used, brought into, means basically to have been changed over or passed over into. Note that the words used here are past tense and that this event had already occurred with Paul. So we can see that Christ is a king, He is now reigning over his kingdom at the right hand of God the Father in Heaven. But let us see some of the blessings promised through Christ.

In his kingdom the Apostle Paul said that there is forgiveness of sins, (Colossians 1:13-14). We are told that the saved are placed in his church (Acts 2:47).

Acts 2:47b - “Every day the Lord saved people, and they were added to the group.”

Note the saved were added to the group. To whom does the word group refer? Go back to verse 41b. We read, “That day about 3,000 people were added to the group." We again notice the words to the group. What do they mean? In answer to this let us turn to the 1st Corinthians’ letter and read a portion of a verse there.

1st Corinthians 12:27, 28a - “You are Christ’s body and each of you is an individual part of it. In the church God has appointed first apostles….”

Here we read that God created the church, and then He set the Apostles in it. So on the day of Pentecost when the church came into being, the Apostles were set in it by God. In Acts 2:41b when the 3,000 were added to the group, they were added to the apostles in the church. In Acts 2:47b where all of the saved were added to the group, it merely means that they were added to the apostles who were the church at that time. Thus we see that the saved are in the church because the Lord adds them to it. If the Lord adds the saved to the church, are there any saved outside of the church? Well, does the lord add any unsaved to the church? The church is then made up of the saved. If men tell us that we can be saved outside the church, they show us they are ignorant of what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches that the saved are added to the church or group by the Lord himself. A person who is saved does not have to go and join a church, for when he is saved, the Lord has added him to his church. There is another expression which is often used in the New Testament which we will discuss, and that is “in his body, which is the church” there is salvation.

Colossians 1:24 - “I am happy to suffer for you now. In my body I am completing whatever remains of Christ’s suffering. I am doing this on behalf of his body, the church.”

Here the apostle tells us that his (Christ’s) body is the church. Let us read further concerning this body.

Ephesians 5:23 - “The husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. It is his body, and he is its Savior.”

This passage teaches us that Christ is going to save the body. This body is the church. Therefore the body, the church and the saved are one and the same group of people.

Many times in the New Testament the term in Christ is used to designate the Lord’s people. This term includes only those people who have done what the Lord has said that they must do to get in Christ. Let us read what the New Testament says about this.

Galatians 3:27 - “Clearly, all of you who were baptized in Christ’s name have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Here we see that a person is baptized into Christ which is the only way that person can put on Christ (NKJV) or be clothed by him, has the same meaning. When a person has been baptized into Christ, he is added by the Lord to the church. He is a member of Christ’s body which is the saved, and he is in the kingdom, and has the forgiveness of sins. But, there are many other blessings that are in Christ.

At this time please note a few by taking your Bible and looking up the passages below and fill in the Blessing in the blank provided by the passage. Or do this on a separate sheet of paper if you are reading this on-line.

1. Romans 8:1 ________________________________________
2. Ephesians 1:3 ________________________________________
3. Ephesians 1:7 _________________________________________
4. 2nd Timothy 1:1 _______________________________________
5. 2nd Timothy 2:10 _______________________________________

All these wonderful blessings can be yours because Jesus the Divine Son of God has laid out his Wonderful Plan and was willing to take upon himself the form of man and die for your and my sins. Because He did die for our sins, you will not suffer punishment if you will accept the salvation that can be yours by obeying what He has said. In concluding this part of our chapter let us read one other verse.

Romans 6:23 - “The reward for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives, is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In our reading at this time, we have seen that Jesus is a King and that He is at this time reigning over his kingdom. There are several things that are essential before we can have a Kingdom and we have seen that these are present in the Kingdom of God. Please note Chart #4

Sometimes men discuss the idea of the church being a Democracy, but the New Testament tells us that the church is not a democracy, but a monarchy. Because it is a kingdom, it is ruled over by a male ruler who has absolute authority. Jesus said, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on the earth.” So with absolute authority He is a King. He is the legislature, judicial, and administrative branches of the government. The word kingdom has reference to the form of government and being ruled by a king, it is a kingdom. Because the chart above is repetitious of the things that we have already read about, we will not go in to detail concerning it but want to note the territory of the kingdom of God is “All The World.” The Subjects in the Kingdom is Who-So-Ever Will, the king is Jesus the Christ, and the law is given by the King himself says “the words that I have spoken will be your judge in the last day.”

The Apostle Paul teaches us that this arrangement will continue until the end. Let us read what he says:

1st Corinthians 15:24-26 - “Then the end will come. Christ will hand over the kingdom to God the Father as he destroys every ruler, authority, and power. Christ must rule until God has put every enemy under his control. The last enemy he will destroy is death.”

In this chapter of the Bible, the apostle had been discussing the resurrection. Here he said that the present order will continue until the end comes. Christ is to reign until all his enemies are put under his feet and the last enemy that shall be abolished is death. We still have death, so we know that Christ is still reigning and will continue to do so until the end.

In this chapter of the Christian Dispensation or Age, we have seen that God made several promises concerning this age in the Old Testament and they were fulfilled at the beginning of this Age. We have seen that these several promises were fulfilled in Acts 2. That Acts 2 is the focal point of the entire Bible, with everything that happened before then, pointing forward and everything that happened after Acts 2, pointing backward to it. We have seen that Christ is the covenant that God has made with man, that everything that happened in the Old Testament period was in preparation for his coming, and that He is the fulfillment of God’s Wonderful Plan. We hope that you are now very familiar with this age or dispensation.

This concludes this chapter and before you go on to the next chapter, I would like to suggest that you book mark it and pickup your Bible and turn to the book of Acts and read the entire book of Acts, then come back to this book and begin the next chapter. †

Return to the beginning of this book

Chapter 15
God's Wonderful Plan of redemption

[My Friend, before we begin this chapter, at this time I would like for you to get a separate sheet of paper and jot down the following questions and answer them. It is imperative that you be completely truthful about the answers as it will help you to better understand the subject matter that we will discuss in this chapter. The questions are:
1. Have you been saved? (yes or no)
2. When were you saved? (i.e. “Saved June 10, 1985”)
3. How were you saved?
4. When were you baptized? (i.e. baptized July 11, 1985)
5. What were you baptized for?
6. Who baptized you?
7. What did the person who baptize you say beforehand?
8. What did you say?

Now, for the present time I want you to fold this piece of paper up and lay it aside and we will consider the things on it later on in this chapter. Put it in your pocket, so it will not distract you from your reading of this chapter.]

Let us read the notes made here at the bottom of Chart 1 (above) to remind us of some of the things that we have already gone over in previous chapters of Part Two, God’s Wonderful Plan. You remember over here in the Patriarchal period, we saw that God dealt with men through the Patriarch or the father in each family. At that time, the worship and service of God was conducted on a family basis. We saw there were altars built by these men and animal sacrifices was offered in worship. Laws were oral and were given by God as needed to the persons to whom they pertained. Abraham, whom God chose as the father of the Hebrew nation was a great man of faith, and in the New Testament he is used may times as an example to us today.

This dispensation or arrangement continued until God led the nation of Israel out of Egypt, to Mt. Sinai, where God gave Moses His laws and statutes and then began the Mosaical Dispensation or Age. It is then God dealt with a whole nation through one man, Moses. In this period of time God was worshiped in a tabernacle or tent that was made exactly as God had specified in the Law that He gave as a guide to these people. This law also contained the Ten Commandments that embodied all of the principles in the law. Moses was the Mediator through whom God spoke to these people, and he foretold that God was going to raise up another prophet like him, and to him we should listen or hearken unto in all things.

This prophet, who was Jesus the Christ, came and died on the cross to put his Will into effect. It is through this New Will or Testament that this Prophet speaks to us today to those who live in the Christian dispensation period. In this period of time, God has given a universal covenant that is for all men everywhere. This Good News or the Gospel is to be preached to all mankind that they might believe and obey. We have seen that in this age God placed upon the Church the responsibility to teach the Gospel to every creature. We have noted that Jesus is now the Head of the church, He is a King reigning over his kingdom from his throne in Heaven. We have seen that people who are in the kingdom, in the church, or in the body of Christ are the saved, the family of God, Clothed with Christ, are all the same group of people.

You remember, we concluded our last chapter of reading together by discussing the many wonderful blessings that are promised to people who make up this group “in Christ.” You remember that we read, in Christ there is no condemnation, all spiritual blessings are to be found, we are redeemed, we have the promise of life, and this is where salvation is found. Therefore, we should be interested in finding out how to get into Christ where these blessings are. This is what we will read about at this time.

Let us begin by reading from the words of Jesus:

John 3:2-6 - “He came to Jesus one night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that God has sent you as a teacher. No one can perform the miracles you perform unless God is with him.’ Jesus replied to Nicodemus, ‘I can guarantee this truth: No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ # Nicodemus asked him, ‘How can anyone be born when he’s an old man? He can’t go back inside his mother a second time to be born, can he?’ Jesus answered Nicodemus, ‘I guarantee this truth: No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Flesh and blood give birth to flesh and blood, but the Spirit give birth to things that are spiritual.’”

Jesus says that a man cannot see the kingdom of God except that he be born again or from above. The old man, to whom he was talking did not understand how a person could be born again when he was old. He thought Jesus was talking about a fleshly birth. But Jesus explained that no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. As the Lord said, Spirit give birth to things that are spiritual, so we can know He was speaking of a spiritual birth. In other words, a person must experience a spiritual rebirth by being born of water and the Spirit, in order to enter the kingdom of God. The spirit of man is that which motivates him to think as he does. In the Bible the words heart, spirit, mind and soul are sometimes used interchangeably to denote the center of one’s life or the spirit that directs his life. The spirit of man must be renewed or changed when he is born of water and the Spirit, and having then a new spirit, he becomes a new man. Isn’t this true? Let us read now from the Apostle Paul.

2nd Corinthians 5:17 - “Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.”

Notice here the man that is “in Christ” is a “new creation” with all old things having passed away, and now all things are new. Remember, that Jesus said that a man must be born anew of water and the Spirit in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Here Paul says that “Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation…” So we learn that those in the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven have been born again, and that those that are a new creation are in Christ. So these terms designate the same group of people. But how is a person born again? What takes place in this new birth? Let us read from the Apostle Peter.

1st Peter 1:22-23 - “Love each other with a warm love that comes from the heart. After all, you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth. As a result you have a sincere love for each other. You have been born again, not from a seed that can be destroyed, but through God’s everlasting word that can’t be destroyed.”

The Apostle Peter said that the persons to whom he wrote had “purified yourselves by obeying the truth. … You have been born again, not from a seed that can be destroyed, but through God’s everlasting word that can’t be destroyed.” And in verse 25, “But the word of the Lord lasts forever." A birth involves two things: be born again (or begotten) and being born (coming forth). Here we see that the Word was preached to these people, they were to be born again or begotten through the Word of God, and then they purified themselves by obeying the truth. Or to see the parallel with John 3:3-6, we must note that the Holy Spirit gave us the Word of God by directing those who spoke, and wrote it. Thus, when a person is born again of the word, he is born again of the Spirit, for the Spirit gave us the Word. Because the Word commands that a believer is to be baptized in water to get into Christ, when a person understands the word, and believes it, and is baptized in water. In obedience to it, then he is born of water and the Spirit. This baptism has put him into Christ and he has purified his soul. He has been born of water and the Spirit, and he is a new creation. He is then in the kingdom of God. But let us note some of the principles that are involved in this by using as an illustration some of the things which we have read in our study before. Study the chart below very carefully first and then we will proceed.

Do you remember when we were studying about the creation that we noted some principles.

Genesis 1:11 - “Then God said, ‘Let the earth produce vegetation: plants bearing seeds, each according to its own type.’ and so it was.”

In order to refresh our minds concerning these principles I enlarge the sketch so you have to do is click on the illustration to enlarge it.

We see that in the beginning God created the earth. Then He set the plants in it full grown. He gave the plants a seed or the ability to reproduce. Then He gave a Law that every seed would produce according to its type or kind. Thus we can know that every plant present today has the same characteristics as the ones that God created, because every plant will reproduce according to its type. Looking at chart 5, the Vegetable Kingdom, so when the seed is sown at the proper place, it germinates, and come forth at birth to be a new plant. This is a result of God’s Law, and there is no exception to this law. Every time the seed is planted according to the Law of God, a new plant will be produced exactly like the parent. These principles are very simple and I am sure that most people accept them and understand them. Let us go on now to the animal kingdom on chart 5. Though man is not an animal, his body has the characteristics of an animal’s body, and we will use man as our illustration in the animal kingdom. If we go back to the Creation, we read that God created the first man and woman by his miraculous power, and He set them in the earth in the same way that He did the plants. We can know that this man was full grown or mature, for God gave him a seed or the ability to reproduce. He also gave a command to multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it…. Therefore, we see that when the seed of man is planted at the proper place, which is the womb of woman, though it is alive, it is not in the family, it does not have a name, and it is not an heir. This child is not recognized as a member of the family until “birth.” At the proper time, the child comes forth from the womb or is born, and then it is a child in the family, it is named, it is subject to the inheritance. This is a result of Law and there is no exception to this Law. Every time the things that God has said in his Law concerning reproduction are carried out, the results are always a new child in the family. Thus, birth is a change of location and relationships. Aren’t these principles easily understood? Isn’t it true that most persons understand and accept these principles in the physical realm? Do you agree that these principles are taught here? Have you to this point been asked to accept anything as a fact which we have not read and studied from the Bible?

Now let us see then the parallel to these principles in the spiritual kingdom. Let’s look at our chart #5.

In the same way that we have seen the miracle of creation in the vegetable and the animal kingdoms, let us study the creation of the spiritual kingdom. In our earlier readings we saw that all religious history pointed to the day when the kingdom or the church would be established, and that Christ would reign as king or as head of the body. We have seen that his kingdom was to begin with the pouring out of God’s Spirit upon the Apostles that they might be guided into all truth. We have read that in Acts chapter 2, the Gospel that would save men from their sins. But let us note what Paul said about the beginning of the church.

1st Corinthians 12:28 - “In the church God has appointed first apostles, next prophets, third teachers, then those who perform miracles, then those who have the gift of healing, then those who help others, those who are managers, and those who can speak in a number of languages.”

So we see that when God brought the Church into existence as shown by the manifestations of his power in the events that took place, then He set the apostles in it. Why were the Apostles set in or appointed first?

Ephesians 4:11-12 - “He also gave apostles, prophets, missionaries, as well as pastors and teachers as gifts to his church. Their purpose is to prepare God’s people, to serve, and to build up the body of Christ.”

They were set in for the perfecting of the saints and for the building up of the body of Christ. This tells us of their work after being set in the church by the Lord. These men were set in the church full-grown or mature. They had everything that they needed to carry out the purpose for why they were set in the church. Before Jesus went to heaven he made them a promise concerning this, and I want you to read it at this time.

John 16:13 - “When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into the full truth. He won’t speak on his own. He will speak what he hears and will tell you about things to come.”

These men were spiritually full-grown or mature for they had all truth. When you and I have all truth, will we not be spiritually full-grown? So we see that God created the Spiritual Kingdom. He set the Apostles in it to prepare God’s people, to serve, and to build up the body of Christ. He made them full-grown spiritually by giving his Spirit to them to guide them to all truth. But let us go on and see the Law that God has given in the kingdom to provide for the propagation of the kingdom. As in the other kingdoms, it is essential that we have a seed, a field, or place to sow, and a sower. What is the seed of the kingdom?

Luke 8:9-11 - “his disciples asked him what this story meant. Jesus answered, ‘knowledge about the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given directly to you. But it is given to others in stories. When they look, they don’t see, and when they hear, they don’t understand. This is what the story illustrates: The seed is God’s word.’”

Here, Jesus in talking to his disciples was explaining to them the mysteries (or secrets) of the kingdom of God. They were not to be known to others at this time. One of these things which Jesus explained to them about the kingdom of God is that the seed is the word of God. So we see that which germinates and produces a new creation is the seed of the kingdom or the word of God. Next, we see that there must be a field in which the seed is to be sown. In this same passage, after Jesus told the disciples that the seed is the word of God, he continued by explaining the types of soil into which the seed might be sown, and the results of the sowing of these various soils. Let us read further.

Luke 8:15 - “The seeds that were planted on good ground are people who also hear the word. But they keep it in their good and honest hearts and produce what is good despite what life may bring.”

The field is the heart of mankind. A person having heard the word, if he has an honest and good heart, will hold it fast and bring forth fruit with steadfastness. But, also we see, we must have someone to sow the seed. Let us read from the Apostle John.

John 6:44-45 - “People cannot come to me unless the Father who sent me brings them to me. I will bring these people back to life on the last day. The prophets wrote, ‘God will teach everyone.’ Those who do what they have learned from the Father come to me.”

When a person is teaching God’s word, he is sowing the seed of the kingdom. Remember, Jesus said, “that the good ground are those with an honest and good heart, having heard the word bring forth fruit.” In this kingdom as in the others, there must be a seed. In this case it is the word of God. There must be a field. In this case it is the hearts of mankind. Finally, there must be a sower, which in this case is the Word. But what happens when the seed is sown? How does this affect mankind? How is he “born again ” of the word?

Let us see further what takes place when the seed is planted.

Hebrews 11:6 - “No one can please God without faith. Whoever goes to God must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Here we see that No one can please God without faith, so that which we do to please God must be done by faith.

Romans 10:17 - “So faith comes from hearing the message, and the message that is heard is what Christ spoke.”

Here we see that faith comes from hearing the message (understanding) of the Word of God. Until a person hears (or understands) the word he cannot have faith, because this is how faith comes. Unless there is faith it is not possible for him to be well pleasing to God. Let see what “faith” is.

Hebrews 11:1 - “Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see.”

We are told that Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see. Thus faith is a conviction. Conviction means to know or be convinced that something is true even though we may not have seen it. Thus, when a person hears God’s Word it will produce faith in him or a conviction that it is true. The only way then that a person can have faith is to hear or understand the word, and then he can have a conviction about it. So faith comes from hearing the message, and the message that is heard is what Christ spoke. When we hear God’s Word and have faith (or believe it) this is the Spirit leading us for the Spirit has given us the Word. After a person has faith (or believes), is he saved?

Luke 13:3 - “No! I can guarantee that they weren’t. But if you don’t turn to God and change the way you think and act, then you, too, will all die.”

Jesus said that unless men repent they shall all perish. Therefore, there is more that a person must do than believe only. The Apostle Paul tells us the following:

Acts 17:30 - “God overlooked the times when people didn’t know any better. But now he commands everyone everywhere to turn to him and change the way they think and act.”

God, has overlooked the ignorance of men in the past but now he commands them to repent or change the way they think and act. Let us hear the Apostle Peter.

2nd Peter 3:9 - “The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act.”

The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but they are to perish unless they come to repentance. From these passages we can see that the Lord commanded that a man must change the way they think and act (repent) or perish, and the apostles taught this. But what is repentance? The best way to explain is to read from the words of Jesus.

Matthew 21:28-29 - “What do you think about this? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go to work in the vineyard today.’ his son replied, ‘I don’t want to!’ But later he changed his mind and went.”

The definition of repent is to have a changed mind to the extent that it will cause you to change your life. This man said “I don’t want to!” but later he repented and went. Thus, repentance caused him to change the way he thinks and acts. When a person understands God’s Word, he will recognize what sin is, and that it is displeasing to God. He will repent of his sin, turn away from it, and turn to God. The prophet Ezekiel put it in these words in the Old Testament.

Ezekiel 18:21 - “But suppose a wicked person turns away from all the sins that he has done. He obeys all my laws and does what is fair and right. He will certainly live. He will not die.”

On the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the Apostle Peter had convinced these Jews that they were guilty of crucifying the Christ. We read the following:

Acts 2:26-38 - “All the people of Israel should know beyond a doubt that God made Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. When the people heard this, they were deeply upset. They asked Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter answered them, ‘All of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act, and each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.’”

Thus these people had been convicted or convinced of their sins, and we know that they were convinced, for they were deeply upset. The Apostle told these people who were believers that they were to “repent.” Therefore, we see that the planting of the seed produces faith, and faith will cause repentance. Is a person “in Christ” then? Is he saved then? Let us hear the Lord on this point.

Matthew 10:32-33 - “So I will acknowledge in front of my Father in heaven that person who acknowledges me in front of others. But I will tell my Father in heaven that I don’t know the person who tells others that he doesn’t know me.”

We see that a person must also confess the name of Christ before mankind, before he can expect to have his name confessed before the Father. The Apostle Paul tells us more about this in the Roman letter.

Romans 10:9-10 - “If you declare that Jesus is Lord, and believe that God brought him back to life, you will be saved. By believing you receive God’s approval, and by declaring your faith you are saved.”

Here we are told that when a person believes, then he may declare or confess with his or her mouth that Jesus is the Lord in order to be saved. Thus the person merely confesses with his or her mouth what he believes in his heart before he is saved. Before Jesus was crucified He had asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” He was told that some said He was John the Baptist, others Elijah, or one of the prophets. But then Jesus asked the following:

Matthew 16:15-18a - “He asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. ' Jesus replied, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, you are blessed.' …I can guarantee that on this rock I will build my church.’”

When Peter said, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God, Jesus answered, Simon, son of Jonah, you are blessed. and he also said, I can guarantee that on this rock I will build my church, and every person that enters that church must make this same confession. Let us see more about this in the book of Acts.

Acts 8:35-37 - “The official said to Philip, ‘I would like to know who the prophet is talking about. Is he talking about himself or someone else?’ Then Philip told the official the Good News about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water. The official said to Philip, ‘Look, there’s some water. What can keep me from being baptized?’ Philip said to the official, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you can be baptized. The official answered, ‘I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’”

Thus, we see that this man had to confess his faith before he could get into Christ. But after the seed has been planted, after it produces faith in the heart of the person, after this person has repented of his sins and has confessed the name of Christ, he is still not in Christ where salvation is found. Remember Jesus said that, “No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.” Though this person has heard the word and understood, he must be born of water and the Spirit. Therefore, he is not at this time in the kingdom of God. We have noted earlier that those in the church, in the kingdom, or in the body of Christ are one and the same with those “in Christ.” We want to read the only three verses in the Bible that will tell us what a person must do in order to get “into Christ.”

1st Corinthians 12:13 - “By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether we are Jewish or Greek, Slave or free, God gave all of us the Spirit to drink.”

The Holy Spirit has led all who have obeyed the Lord to be baptized into one body. We have seen that the body is the church, or those in Christ. Thus a man must be baptized into one body or into Christ.

Galatians 3:26-27 - “You are all God’s children by believing in Christ Jesus. Clearly, all of you who were baptized in Christ’s name have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

For as many as were baptized in Christ’s name have clothed yourselves with Christ, or in other words, “put on Christ”. Again we see that a person must be baptized into Christ in order to obtain the blessings that are promised to all in Christ.

Romans 6:3,4 - “Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? When we were baptized into his death, we were placed into the tomb with him. As Christ was brought back from death to life by the glorious power of the Father, so we, too, should live a new kind of life.”

Here we are told that all who are baptized into Christ are baptized into his death. The blessings found in Christ can only be obtained by those that have been baptized into Christ. Notice here that we are buried with him by baptism into death (we were placed into the tomb with him), and like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father; we also arise to walk in newness of life. When do we walk in newness of life? After being buried with him in baptism, we arise to begin a new life. We read earlier that if any man be in Christ he is a new creation…but he must first be baptized into Christ before he begins the new life. We see that when a person understands God’s Will, he repents of his sin and puts the old man of sin to death (or separates himself from it). The old man is buried with Christ in baptism into his death, and then he arises to walk in newness of life. When a man is led by the Spirit working through the word to be baptized in water, when he comes forth from that water, he has been born of water and the Spirit.

Because of the confusion concerning what the New Testament teaches about baptism, let us investigate the New Testament on this subject. Because baptism is a command in the New Testament, we should search to understand what it is, so that we can obey it. Let us first notice how many baptisms there are. There are several baptisms that are mentioned in the New Testament, but let us read from the writings of the Apostle Paul to the church at Ephesus:

Ephesians 4:4-5 - “There is one body and one Spirit, In the same way you were called to share one hope. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,…”

We see here that when Paul wrote this, there was only one baptism and it was a command that men had to obey. Let us see what it is.

Acts 8:36 - “As they were going along the road, they came to some water. The official said to Philip, ‘Look, there’s some water. What can keep me from being baptized?”

Acts 10:47 - “Then Peter said, ‘ no one can refuse to baptize these people with water.”

Baptism requires water.

John 3:23 - “John was baptizing in Aenon, near Salim. Water was plentiful there. (People came to John to be baptized), …”

Baptism requires much water.

Acts 8:36-38 - “As they were going along the road, they came to some water. The official said to Philip, ‘Look, there’s some water. What can keep me from being baptized? Philip said to the official, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you can be baptized.’ The official ordered the carriage to stop. He and Philip stepped into the water, and Philip baptized him.”

Baptism requires going into the water.

Acts 8:38 - “The official ordered the carriage to stop. He and Philip steeped into the water, and Philip baptized him.”

Baptism requires a going into the water by the teacher and the one being baptized.

Romans 6:3-4 - “Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? When we were baptized into his death, we were placed into the tomb with him. As Christ was brought back from death to life by the glorious power of the Father, so we, too, should live a new kind of life.”

Baptism is a burial. Why, because it is a like figure of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ which is "the gospel of Christ."

Matthew 3:16 - “After Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up from the water."

Acts 8:39 - When they had stepped out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away. The official joyfully continued on his way and didn’t see Philip again.”

Baptism requires a “coming up out of the water."

Romans 6:4 - As Christ was brought back from death to life by the glorious power of the Father, so we, too, should live a new kind of life.”

Baptism is being raised to live a new kind of life.

Now we see that the one baptism described in the New Testament required much water, a going down into the water, a burial in water and a coming up out of the water. This is not done when water is sprinkled on or poured on a person. The immersion of the body in water is the only way all of these requirements can be met, and this is what is done in the baptism which we are commanded for all to obey. Though men have attempted to change and make more convenient the things that the Lord has said, the fact remains that the Lord has still said them and men can not change it. There is one baptism and it is a burial in water. Nothing short of this is obedience.

Let us note other passages.

Acts 2:38 - “Peter answered them, ‘All of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that you sins will be forgiven. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.”

Who was to do this? All of you. Why were they to do it? so that you sins will be forgiven and receive the Holy Spirit as a gift. Can we receive forgiveness of sins any other way? Listen now to what the Holy Spirit told Saul of Tarsus.

Acts 22:16 - “What are you waiting for now? Get up! Be baptized, and have your sins washed away as you call on his name.”

What was baptism for? “Be baptized, and have your sins washed away." Could this be done any other way?

1st Peter 3:20-21 - “They are like those who disobeyed long ago in the days of Noah when God waited patiently while Noah built the ship. In this ship a few people -- eight in all -- were saved by water. Baptism, which is like that water is a request to God for a clear conscience. It saves you through Jesus Christ, who came back from death to life.”

Here the Apostle tells us near the close of the New Testament Period, that baptism saves you in the same way that water saved Noah and his family from the flood. Baptism is not the taking of a bath as some thought in that day, but it is the answer of a clear conscience towards God which can only be realized by obedience to him. So we have seen that a person gets in Christ by being baptized into him, and when this is done his sins are washed away, his sins are forgiven, and he is saved according to the Apostles and writers of the New Testament. But let us return and note again the words of the Apostle Peter which we read in the beginning of our study of this subject.

1st Peter 1:22-25 - “Love each other with a warm love that comes from the heart. After all, you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth. As a result you have a sincere love for each other. You have been born again, not from a seed that can be destroyed, but through God’s everlasting word that can’t be destroyed. That’s why Scripture says, ‘All people are like grass, and all their beauty is like a flower of the field. The grass dries up and the flower drops off, but the word of the Lord lasts forever.’ This word is the Good News that was told to you.”

Peter says that the word was preached to these persons, they were born again of this incorruptible seed, which is the word, and in so doing they had purified their souls. Don’t you think that everyone can understand God’s wonderful plan to save mankind if they would study it from the New Testament? Isn’t it true that many things that mankind tell us are not important, become very important, when we see what God has said about them?

But let us notice here in the last column the change that takes place in the person that has been baptized into Christ. Just as the baby at birth experiences a change in location and in the relationships to those around him, so also does man experience a change at his new birth into Christ.

First he becomes a child in the family.

Galatians 3:26-27 - “You are all God’s children by believing in Christ Jesus. Clearly, all of you who were baptized in Christ’s name have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

If God has children then there must be the family of God and a person becomes a child when he is led by faith to be baptized into Christ.

2nd Corinthians 5:17 - Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.”

A man is a new creation when he is in Christ. Can he be a new creation before he is in Christ? Can he be a new creation without being in Christ at all? Isn’t it true that when he has been baptized into Christ, he begins to walk in newness of life? Please do not be offended when I ask a lot of questions. I ask these questions only to make you think about what God is saying to you.

Acts 11:26 - “After finding Saul, Barnabas brought him back to Antioch. Barnabas and Saul met with the church in Antioch for a whole year and taught a large group of people. The disciples were called Christians for the first time in the city of Antioch.”

God has always given the name which He wanted his people to wear. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah foretold that God would give his people a “new name” (Isaiah. 62:2). Here we are told that the disciples were called Christians. Let us see if this name was given by God for his people to wear. Remember, that when the Apostles were speaking, they were guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit. In effect, when the Apostles spoke, it was the same as the Lord himself speaking, for they were both guided by the Spirit of God. Let us read from Peter.

1st Peter 4:16 - “If you suffer for being a Christian, don’t feel ashamed, but praise God for being called that name.”

Peter, one of the Apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit, said the above. What name is Peter talking about? Christian. According to Peter, can a man glorify God in other names? Why do men wear other names in religion today? Is it not true that they have ignored what God has said? Isn’t it true that religious people who wear other names are not hearing Christ in all things, and they have really rejected his Word? Peter says here that if we are to glorify God we are to do it under the name Christian which he gave for his people to wear. When a person is in Christ, they are entitled to wear the name that God has given for his people. There are some people who might try to wear this name who are not entitled to it, for they are not a member of the Lord’s family. But let us notice now that when a man is in Christ, his relationship to God is changed.

Galatians 4:4-7 - “But when the right time came, God sent his Son into the world. A woman gave birth to him, and he came under the control of God’s laws. God sent him to pay for the freedom of those who were controlled by these laws so that we would be adopted as his children. Because you are God’s children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into us to call, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer slaves but God’s children, Since you are God’s children, God has also made you heirs.”

Here, Paul is continuing with the line of thought that we read earlier in chapter 3. He emphasizes that we are children of God. Here, he says that we become the adopted sons of God, and that God becomes our Father. If we are sons, then we are heirs through God. Let us see more in the Roman letter.

Romans 8:16, 17a - “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. If we are his children, we are also God’s heirs. If we share in Christ’s suffering in order to share his glory, we are heirs together with him.”

Wow! What a bold statement! We can be heirs together with Jesus Christ! Whatever the inheritance of Christ includes, we shall inherit it together with him or participate together with him in it! So we see that when a person is baptized into Christ, they become a child of God. Because they are children, they are heirs of God, but only through Christ.

Can you not see that the law of procreation in the spiritual kingdom is parallel with the law of procreation in the vegetable and animal kingdoms? Is it not true that when a person is baptized into Christ, he becomes a child of God as a result of law? Will this same thing not happen to every person who does this? Can a person become a child of God by doing something else?

Acts 10:34-35 - “Then Peter said, ‘Now I understand that God doesn’t play favorites. Rather, whoever respects God and does what is right is acceptable to him in any nation.’”

Would God be a respecter of persons if He put you in the kingdom one way, and me in the kingdom another way? Did not God give one plan for all men to obey in order to be saved from their sins and be added to the family of God?

My friend, do you understand the word love as it is used in the Bible? Love is a feeling that produces action in favor of another. This love is not passion which is primarily a fleshy relationship, but love in the Bible seeks the benefit of others. Let us note the great love that God has for mankind.

John 3:16 - “God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.”

God the Father in Heaven has such a great love for his creation (for you and I) that He was willing to give his only begotten Son to die for my sins in my stead. Remember, the Apostle Paul told us that the wages of sin is death so someone had to die for my sins. The love of God was so great that He sent his Son to die for my sin in my stead. Can there be any greater love than this?

Romans 5:8 - “Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God’s love for us.”

God has shown his love for mankind even though all of mankind was in rebellion against him or transgressing his Will, with each going his own way, God sent his Son into the World to die for the sins of the world.

1st John 4:19 - “We love because God loved us first.”

When we know and understand God’s wonderful plan to save us from the horrors of our sin, then we will love him because of the great love that He has shown toward us. Jesus said as follows:

Matthew 22:36-40 - “ ‘Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in Moses' Teachings?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ All of Moses' Teachings and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Love is the foundation principle of the entire Bible. Jesus said that everything in the Old Testament could be reduced to love. The Love of God and the Love of our fellow humans. Let us note further the importance of love.

1st Corinthians 13:1-3 - “I may speak in the languages of humans and of angels. But if I don’t have love, I am a loud gong or a clashing cymbal. I may have the gift to speak what God has revealed, and I may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains. But if I don’t have love, I am nothing. I may even give away all that I have and give up my body to be burned. But if I don’t have love, none of these things will help me.”

Love then is an essential element in every act committed in an effort to please God. Without love, then every act is in vain or worthless. God’s favor rests upon those that love him.

Romans 8:28 - “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God -- those whom he has called according to his plan.”

All things work together for good of who? Those who love God -- those whom he has called according to his plan.

Ephesians 6:24 - “his favor # is with everyone who has an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Favor be upon them that love God. Favor means grace. The grace of God means the unearned favor of God.

1st Corinthians 2:9 - “But as Scripture says: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.’”

Today, God has prepared the plan of salvation to redeem those that love him.

James 1:12 - “Blessed are those who endure when they are tested. When they pass the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

The eternal kingdom is promised to those that love God.

James 2:5 - “Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Didn't God choose poor people in the world to become rich in faith and to receive the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?”

The crown of life is for those that love God. We can see from these passages that Love of God is necessary to receive his blessings but how will this love affect us? Let us read from the words of Jesus.

John 14:15 - “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.”

If a person loves God then he will obey him. We know that we will seek to please those that we love. Our love for God will cause us to obey him for we want to please him.

1st John 5:3 - “To love God means that we obey his commandments. Obeying his commandments isn’t difficult.”

Again, the love of God is obedience to his Will for us.

2nd John 6 - “Love means that we live by doing what he commands. We were commanded to live in love, and you have heard this from the beginning.”

The same statements made again showing that a person who professes to love God will be seeking to please him by obeying him.

We have seen that the love of God for us was so great that He was willing to send his Son to die in our stead. Now that we understand this great love that God had for us, it will produce love in our hearts for him, will it not? If this love is in our hearts we will want to obey him, will we not?

Now, my friend, do you understand how a person becomes a Christian? Do you understand why these things are to be done? Do you understand what you must do in order to be saved? Do you believe that Jesus the Christ is the Divine Son of God? Do you want him to be your Lord? Do you want to become a Christian now?

Read out loud Acts 22:16 as follows: “What are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized, and have your sins washed away as you call on his name.”

We of the churches of Christ, teach and preach the Word just as it is found in this book. I am not saying all those who have the sign "church of Christ" on the door are the Lord’s church, however, we will discuss recognizing the Lord’s church in our next chapter. But someone can assist you at a congregation of the church of Christ with your baptism, just find one in the phone book and call them. Ask for the minister or one of the Elders(Pastors) of the church.

If not, why not? My friend, did you understand what you must do to be saved, that is, you understand why and how. What does hinder you, or prevent you from becoming a Christian right now? You can continue your life, knowing that so long as you live according to the instructions in the New Testament, you will go to heaven when this life is over. I have tried to present God’s wonderful plan from the Bible. I am not the teacher, however I am the presenter. God has taught you through his Word. I have not tried to teach you anything that we cannot read in the Bible? You are not asked to do anything that we cannot read in the Bible. Wouldn't you like to become a Christian now? You can go to bed tonight having a good conscience towards God as the Apostle Peter said.

1 Peter 3:18-22 This is true because Christ suffered for our sins once. He was an innocent person, but he suffered for guilty people so that he could bring you to God. His body was put to death, but he was brought to life through his spirit. (19) In it he also went to proclaim his victory to the spirits kept in prison. (20) They are like those who disobeyed long ago in the days of Noah when God waited patiently while Noah built the ship. In this ship a few people-eight in all-were saved by water. (21) Baptism, which is like that water, now saves you. Baptism doesn't save by removing dirt from the body. Rather, baptism is a request to God for a clear conscience. It saves you through Jesus Christ, who came back from death to life. (22) Christ has gone to heaven where he has the highest position that God gives. Angels, rulers, and powers have been placed under his authority.

In our reading in this chapter, we have noted what the Lord requires of every person in order to enter the kingdom or church and be saved. Once again they are in summary listed below the steps necessary to become a Christian and now take that list I ask you to fill out at the beginning of our study in this chapter, and compare it below. Have you obeyed the true and complete gospel of our Lord; are you in Christ?

Will not you take those final steps to be in Christ, to be saved,
to enjoy all the Blessings found in Christ, and the hope of Heaven! †

Click Here To Return to the beginning of This Book

Chapter 16
History of and identifying of the
New Testament Church

In our previous chapters together we have studied The Patriarchal and Mosaical Dispensations or Ages, and then we saw that the Christian Dispensation or Age began as a fulfillment of things that were foretold in the Old Testament periods of time. This dispensation or arrangement will continue until the end of time and the end of the world. In our previous chapter, we considered the question “What must I do to be saved” and we saw that the New Testament does have a plan that God has given with which all men must comply before they can expect to be saved. We noted that such terms as the saved, the body of Christ, the church, the kingdom are used interchangeably in the New Testament and they all refer to the same group of people. One who is a member of one of these groups is a member of all, for they are one, and the same group of people. We also saw that mankind cannot join or affiliate with the church or God‘s people, but that his only choice in the matter is to obey what God has said, and when he does, the Lord adds him to the church. Thus, the question as to who is a member of the church is not decided by men here on the earth, but this is determined by the Lord, and he has said that when men comply with the conditions of His will, then, He will add them to the church.

When a person is saved or added to the church, there are certain identifying marks or characteristics that are given in the New Testament, so that one might be sure that the church one is in fellowship with is not one that originated with man, but the one that the Lord established. Because man brought many churches into the world, it is necessary that we know these marks for the sake of identification.

There are such questions as: What name should I wear? What is my creed? What is my work now that I am a Christian? And What is the result if I fail to carry out the responsibility given me? Which must be answered as a Christian.

So in this chapter, we want to read about the New Testament Church and note its characteristics, its worship, its works along with other particulars. In our reading we will use the following chart that is also found in the addendum of this book with the other charts. It is listed as Chart 8 and is titled "The New Testament Church." Some things that we consider will be repetitious but this will help us to remember them.

The first thing that we want to notice about the church in the New Testament is that it was founded by Jesus Christ. Let us note what He said about it. On one occasion Jesus asked his disciples “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Simon Peter answered and said the following:

Matthew 16:15-18 - “He asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.' Jesus replied, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, you are blessed’! No human revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven revealed it to you. You are Peter, and I can guarantee that on this rock I will build my church. And the gates of hell will not overpower it.’”

Jesus said, “I will build my church” identifying both the owner and the builder. He did not say “a church” or “the church” but “my church.” The pronoun “my” is possessive showing that the church to be built was the church that belonged to the Lord. Note also that the church had not been built at this time, for Jesus said, “I will build.” The words “will build” are future tense, so at the time that Jesus was speaking the church had not been built, even though there are some men today who tell us that the church did exist at that time. But before leaving this passage, let us note also that when Peter said that “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” Jesus said to him “…I can guarantee that on this rock I will build my church.” The rock on which Jesus was intending to build the church was not Peter, but the foundation of truth that he uttered when he said “you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Note that this is expressed in the language used here. Jesus said to Peter “You are Peter, and I can guarantee that on this rock (foundation of truth) I will build my church.” Jesus was addressing Peter and said not upon you but upon this rock. So from this one passage we are able to see that Jesus is the builder of the church, it was to be built in the future from the time that He made this statement, and it was to be built upon the rock or foundation that Jesus was the Son of the Living God. Let us note further what the Apostle Paul said.

1st Corinthians 3:11 - “After all, no one can lay any other foundation than the one that is already laid, and that foundation is Jesus Christ.”

The foundation of the church has been laid by Jesus Christ. No man is able to lay another, or to change that which has been laid down already. There are several churches in the land in which we live, and many of them freely admit that they were not founded by Christ. They were founded by some man at a later time. But we can know that any church that was founded by someone other than Christ, is not the church in the New Testament. The New Testament is an inspired book which tells us that Christ is to be the founder of the church. This one characteristic tells us that any church not founded by Christ is not the church in the New Testament.

Now let us consider the place at which the church was to begin. If inspiration tells us where the church was to begin, and we find churches that began somewhere else, then we can know that these churches are not the church described in the New Testament. We have already seen what Isaiah the Prophet had foretold about this, but let us note it again:

Isaiah 2:2-3 - “In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s house will be established as the highest of the mountains and raised above the hills. All the nations will stream to it. Then many people will come and say, ‘Let’s go to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways so that we may live by them.’ The teachings will go out from Zion. The word of the Lord will go out from Jerusalem.”

Isaiah was saying here that the “Lord’s house” would be established at some future time, and all nations would be admitted to it when “the teachings will go out from Zion.” and “the word of the Lord will go out from Jerusalem.” Zion was the name of the mountain on which the city of Jerusalem was built. When did the teachings or law go forth out of Zion? The Moses’ Teachings came forth from Mt. Sinai, didn’t it? The Moses’ Teachings was given 700 years before Isaiah was speaking, but he said that the teachings or law would come out of Mt. Zion. Was this not on the day of Pentecost when the Apostles began to teach at the city of Jerusalem, when for the first time, men were told that “all of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act (repent), and each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven.” When the Holy Spirit came upon these men on that day, they then began to set forth the law of God for those that would live in the Christian Dispensation. As we read in detail before, we know that the church in the New Testament began in the city of Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ from the dead as described in Acts chapter 2. Isn’t it true, that any church not founded at Jerusalem is not the New Testament church? Isn’t it also true, that any church not founded on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ from the dead is not the church in the New Testament? Any church that was earlier than, or later than, this time, is not the New Testament church. Is this true? But now let us consider the Head of the church in the New Testament. Let us read some of what the New Testament says about this Head of the church:

Ephesians 1:22-23 - “God has put everything under the control of Christ. He has made Christ the head of everything for the good of the church. The church is Christ’s body and completes him as he fills everything in every way.”

Notice that here the Apostle tells us that Christ is Head over “all things” to the church which is his body. If Christ is the Head in all things then there is nothing left for men to be the head of in the church. Remember in Matthew 28:18, Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Thus, we can see that Christ has all authority over the church in all things, in heaven and on earth. Let us read one other verse concerning this:

Colossians 1:18 - “He is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, the first to come back to life so that he would have first place in everything.”

Again to the Colossians, Paul repeats that Christ is the Head of the body, the church, so that in all things He might be the pre-eminent One. Again inspiration tells us that Christ is the Head and pre-eminent One in the church, both in heaven and on earth. Any church that has another Head is not the church in the New Testament, is it? There are those who say that Christ is the Head of the church in heaven and that men can be appointed as Head of it here on earth. Let us read what the Lord said about this:

Matthew 28:18 - “When Jesus came near, he spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Jesus, who is the Head, has all authority in heaven and on earth and there can be none left for men if He (Christ) has all.

Let us go on to some of the other characteristics that belong to the church revealed in the New Testament. Let us consider the organization of the church. We know that there are several different types of organizations that churches have which are around us today. If the New Testament gives an organization, it is an inspired organization and we should know that any church not having this organization is not the New Testament church. Hear what the Apostle Paul said to the church at Philippi.

Philippians 1:1 - “From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus. To God’s people in the city of Philippi and their bishops and deacons -- to everyone who is united with Christ Jesus.”

The church at Philippi was made up of these three groups of persons. Note that all of these persons listed were in the plural. Let us consider each of these groups one at a time by reading some of the passages listed here. We will consider first, the bishops.

Titus 1:5-9 - “I left you in Crete to do what still needed to be done -- appointing spiritual leaders # in every city as I directed you. A spiritual leader must have a good reputation. He must have only one wife and have children who are believers. his children shouldn't be known for having wild lifestyles or being rebellious. Because a bishop# is a supervisor appointed by God, he must have a good reputation. He must not be a stubborn or irritable person. He must not drink too much or be a violent person. He must not use shameful ways to make money. Instead, he must be hospitable, love what is good, use good judgment, be fair and moral, and have self control. He must be devoted to the trustworthy message we teach. Then he can use these accurate teachings to encourage people and correct those who oppose the word.”

Paul says here that one of the things wanting or lacking are spiritual leaders. Then he begins immediately to tell us what the qualifications of an spiritual leader are. In verse 7, he says “Because a bishop…." Here Paul uses the terms spiritual leader and bishop interchangeably, doesn't he? Notice also that an spiritual leader or bishop must have concerning the qualifications given. “Must” means it is necessary, so any person that does not have the qualifications given can not be an spiritual leader or bishop and be pleasing to God, can they? Let us read now a passage in Acts concerning this:

Acts 14:23 - “They had the disciples in each church choose spiritual leaders,# and with prayer and fasting they entrusted the leaders to the Lord in whom they believed.”

Let us mention two things about this verse. It tells us that there were spiritual leaders (plural) in every church. We have already seen that spiritual leaders means pastors or bishops and here in the footnotes elder is added to that title. So by this we can see that spiritual leader is synonymous with elder, bishop, or pastor, all referring to the same office or set of people appointed as spiritual leaders and that there is a plurality of them appointed. Many churches of today have one bishop over a city, or a country or a number of churches, but if the New Testament is the pattern, there must be a plurality of bishops or elders over each church.

1st Peter 5:1-3 - “I appeal to your spiritual leaders.# I make this appeal as a spiritual leader who also witnessed Christ’s suffering and will share in the glory that will be revealed. Be shepherds over the flock God has entrusted to you. Watch over it as God does: Don‘t do this because you have to, but because you want to. Don‘t do it out of greed, but out of a desire to serve. Don’t be rulers over the people entrusted to you, but be examples for the flock to follow.”

The Apostle Peter tells us that he was a spiritual leader (elder or pastor) or one of the elders of the church. In pointing out the work of these men here, he said shepherd the flock God has entrusted to you.. Some translations of the Bible here read Tend the flock of God or pastor the flock of God. The word here translated means shepherd or pastor. The term is never used in the New Testament to designate the minister or preacher. We have already noted that the elders, bishops, or pastors are always plural in number, so being the preacher does not make him a pastor. We have already pointed out that the elders, bishops, pastors are always in the plural in number. That means more than one, so the preacher could not be the (one) pastor. He may be a pastor however, he can only be one of the pastors if he has the qualifications given in the New Testament, and if he has been appointed by the congregation of people that he is serving. Just because he is a preacher does not make him a pastor. But the preacher like all other members, is to be in subjection to the elders of the church. The Bible says that a pastor must have the qualities given, and no one else can serve in this office acceptably. But notice here also that Peter said in verse 2, shepherd the flock God has entrusted to you, exercising the oversight of the flock or church. The word bishop means overseer and it is translated that way many times. This word is written in the margin of the American Standard Version of the Bible. Here Peter says that the elders are to pastor the flock, exercising the oversight. Because the Apostle Peter uses the word elder and pastor to refer to the same men, then we can know that the New Testament church anyone who wears these titles must possess the qualifications given by the Holy Spirit. But let us read more:

Acts 20:17 - “From Miletus, Paul sent messengers to the city of Ephesus and called the spiritual leaders of the church to meet with him in Miletus.”

Paul called to him, the spiritual leaders (elders or pastors) of the church and when they arrived, he began to speak to them. The things that he said to them continued down through verse 35 but let us note what he said in verse 28-30. Remember, that he is speaking to the spiritual leaders or elders if you will.

Acts 20:28-30 - Pay attention to yourselves and to the entire flock in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as bishops# to be shepherds for God’s church which he acquired with his own blood. I know that fierce wolves will come to you after I leave, and they won’t spare the flock. Some of your own men will come forward and say things that distort the truth. They will do this to lure disciples into following them.”

To these elders he said, the Holy Spirit has placed you as bishops, and then he said, to be shepherds (or overseers) for God’s church. I think that we can very readily see that these inspired Apostles used the terms elders, bishops, overseers, pastors or shepherds interchangeably because they were one and the same persons. There was a plurality of men in each church who were appointed to the office by the members of that church. They had to be appointed by people who knew them because they were the only ones who could know whether or not they possessed the qualifications given. We can see that the New Testament church has men who guide and direct the affairs of the local congregation of which they are a member. The preacher, if qualified, may be a pastor but not the only pastor in the New Testament church. In the New Testament there was no earthly organization larger than the local congregation. Each church was responsible for it’s own work and worship to the Lord, there being no conferences, diocese, or district or national headquarters to which they were responsible. Each congregation was separate and independent of every other congregation with the elders directing the activities of the local church and being accountable directly to the Lord for their actions. Let us consider some other phases of the organization. Next, we will consider the deacons. In the first place, these men also had to possess some qualifications that were given by the Holy Spirit.

1st Timothy 3:8-13 - “Deacons# must also be of good character. They must not be gossips, but they must control their tempers and be trustworthy in every way. A deacon must have only one wife. Deacons must manage their children and their families well. Those deacons who serve well gain an excellent reputation and will have confidence as a result of their faith in Christ Jesus.”

We see that because the qualifications were given which a man must have, then any person who did not have these qualifications could not be a deacon. These men were not overseers or directors but the word means those who serve or servants. They were a class of servants, or ministers in the local church who were to work under the oversight of the elders. In Acts 6:1-6, we can note that they were appointed to take care of the distribution of food for the needy. Both Stephen and Philip, who later were preachers and teachers, had both been appointed to this work while with the church in Jerusalem. The work that is to be done by these men is any work assigned by the spiritual leaders or elders for them to do, and they, like all members of the church must be in subjection to the elders of the church.

Now let us note the members of the church. We have already seen that if a person obeys the Lord, the Lord will add him to the church. The men who become Spiritual Leaders and Deacons in the local church are men who have a high degree of spiritually about them as shown by the qualifications they must have. When a person becomes a Christian, he is beginning a new life and as he continues to study and mature in the faith, some will develop these qualities, for there is nothing given in these qualifications that the Lord doesn’t expect every Christian to have.

The New Testament gives an organizational structure for the church. The organization given there is an inspired organization. Any church that has an organization that includes more or less than the New Testament organization, is not the church in the New Testament. Is this true? Then we should want to be a member only of the church that insists that the organization given in the New Testament is the one that will please the Lord.

It has been a while since we have looked at our chart above. Let’s take another look at it. As we do, let us go on and consider the name the Lord has given his church (collectively). We have read from the Scriptures in an earlier chapter the names and designations used in the New Testament to describe the Lord’s people (individually). Most often they are just called the church, the body or the kingdom. Let us read a verse where they are called this:

Ephesians 5:23 - “The husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. It is his body, and he is its Savior.”

Christ is the head of the church.

Ephesians 1:22, 23 - “God has put everything under the control of Christ. He has made Christ the head of everything for the good of the church.”

Christ is the head of the church which is his body.

Colossians 1:13-14 - “God has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of his Son, who he loves. his Son paid the price to free us, which means that our sins are forgiven.”

Here we see that Christ has a kingdom and that his people are sometimes just designated the kingdom. But notice it continues with the term of his Son which merely means “the church which belongs to Christ." Let us read again from the words of Jesus himself:

Matthew 16:18 - “You are Peter, and I can guarantee that on this rock I will build my church. And the gates of hell will not overpower it.”

Here the Lord says that “I will build my church.” The word “my” here is a possessive and it shows that the church will belong to the Lord.

Romans 16:16 - “Greet each other with a holy kiss, All the churches of Christ greet you.”

Here we have the term used, the churches of Christ which merely means the churches which belongs to Christ. The word “of” here is also used to show possession. The term “the body of Christ” means that body which is the possession of Christ and “the kingdom of Christ” meaning that group of people over which Christ is reigning as king, and it is the kingdom that belongs to him. There are several terms used in the New Testament that designate God’s people. When we use these terms in the New Testament they are given by inspiration, but if we use other names or terms that are not given by inspiration, are we not guilty of adding to what the Lord has said? God warned the people in the Old Testament that “Never add anything to what I command you, or take anything away from it. Then you will be able to obey the commands of the Lord your God that I give you” (Deut. 4:2). Does He still feel the same way about the things that He has said? Can we add another name to his church and be pleasing to him?

“Any Name Will Do” Church? Would that Please the One Who Died For It?

But let us now determine the name that the individual members of the church or the kingdom are to wear. Does the New Testament authorize all of the names men use to identify themselves in religion today? Did the Lord leave men in confusion concerning what name his people are to wear? These are all questions each of us must determine. Let us read from the New Testament some terms used to designate the individuals that make up the Lord’s church.

John 15:8 - “You give glory to my Father when you produce a lot of fruit and therefore show that you are my disciples.”

The word disciple means learner or follower. Jesus said that God the Father was glorified when men produce something in obedience to him, and then that person is a disciple. Let us read further:

Acts 11:26b - “… The disciples were called Christians for the first time in the city of Antioch.”

The disciples were called Christians. Back under the Old Testament, God had given his people the name of the children of Israel. Isaiah foretold that God would give his people a new name which the Lord himself would name (Isaiah 62:2). But the term disciple designates the relationship that a Christian has to the Lord -- that of a “learner” or “follower.” Next we notice on our chart the word saint. This term is only a shortened form of the word sanctify, and it means set apart. There are those today who would tell us that a person may be voted into “sainthood” after their death if they have lived a good life and done some benevolent work or other things that would benefit mankind. The Apostles and other writers in the New Testament did not use this term in this way. Since our version GOD’S WORD renders the word saints as his holy people, we will use the American Standard Version in our next verse. Hear the Apostle Paul:

Romans 1:7 - “To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” ASV

Even though GOD’S WORD rendered the word saints as his holy people, the meaning is the same. Did Paul write this letter to persons who were already dead?
1 Corinthians 1:2 ASV - “… unto the church of God which is at Corinth, even them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their Lord and ours: …”

Again, did Paul teach that only dead persons were saints? Did he not teach that every Christian was a saint, or God’s holy people as the GOD’S WORD version has rendered the word saint. It means those who have been set apart to serve God in Christ. The Apostles also have been called saints or God’s holy people. Though men may pervert and twist what the Lord said, they cannot change it. So the relationship of the Christian to the world is that of being “set apart from the world.”

But let us note the term priests. In the religions of men, they sometimes have different classes, usually the clergy which is higher and the laity. In the New Testament there is no such distinction made, for the Lord says that all members of the church are the same. Let us read:

Matthew 23:8-10 - “But don’t make others call you Rabbi, because you have only one teacher, and you are all followers. And don’t call anyone on earth your father, because you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Don’t make others call you a leader, because you have only one leader, the Messiah.”

Isn’t It true, that if any person in the New Testament church would have needed a title by which to be addressed, it should have been the Apostles? However, Jesus said that they were not to be called by a special name or title, for he said, you are all followers. They were no more or less, than any other member of the church. And don’t call anyone on earth your father, yet there are men today who do this in religion. Isn’t this contradictory to the desire expressed by the Lord here? Doesn’t this condemn all titles given to men in religion. All titles such as reverend, and pastor for the preacher, are additions of men to what God has said, and are an attempt to exalt one class of men above another. But in the New Testament, there was no separate class of priests, for all Christians are priests. Let us read further:

1st Peter 2:2-5 - “Desire God’s pure word as newborn babies desire milk. Then you will grow in your salvation. Certainly you have tasted that the Lord is good! You are coming to Christ, the living stone who was rejected by humans but was chosen as precious by God. You come to him as living stones, a spiritual house that is being built into a holy priesthood. So offer spiritual sacrifices that God accepts through Jesus Christ.”

1st Peter 2:9-10 - “However, you are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people who belong to God. You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not God’s people, but now you are. Once you were not shown mercy, but now you have been shown mercy.”

Here, the Apostle Peter, after reminding these people how they had become Christians, and encouraged them to continue to desire the “sincere milk of the Word,” told them “come to him as living stones.” Who are these living stones? Were not each of these folks “living stones” He said, “You come to him as living stones, a spiritual house that is being built into a holy priesthood.” Each of these persons were “living stones” and were equally important in this “spiritual house,” and that each of them were to offer up spiritual sacrifices. Now, in verse 9, he says that you are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people who belong to God. Every one of these Christians were a member of this priesthood, were they not? All were to share equally and alike in offering up the spiritual sacrifices. In other words, in the Lord’s church there is no distinction between laity and clergy or priesthood, for all Christians are members of the royal priesthood. But let us read more, this time from the Apostle John:

Revelation 1:5.6 - “…and from Jesus Christ, the witness, the trustworthy one, the first to come back to life, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. Glory and power forever and ever# belong to the one who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and has made us a kingdom, priests for God his Father. Amen.”

John tells us here that those who were freed us from our sins, he said, has made us …priests for God his Father, doesn’t he? Who has been freed from their sins? Only the preachers or everyone that has obeyed the plan of salvation in the New Testament? But let us continue by reading further from the New Testament:

Revelation 5:9, 10 - “Then they sang a new song, ‘You deserve to take the scroll and open the seals on it, because you were slaughtered. You bought people with your blood to be God’s own. They are from every tribe, language, people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests for our God. They will rule as kings on the earth.’”

These persons were men who were bought with Christ’s blood to be God’s own and made them a kingdom and priests for our God and They will rule as kings on the earth. Thus, we see that the Christian is a priest and he is to offer up spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ. We have seen before that the relationship of the Christian to God is that of a child. Let us read a passage we have read earlier:

Galatians 3:26-27 - “You are all God’s children by believing in Christ Jesus. Clearly, all of you who were baptized in Christ’s name have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

When a person is baptized into Christ, then they are a child of God, and God becomes their Father. I am sure that all of us understand that this term is used to give the relationship sustained by the Christian to God the Father. There are other terms in the New Testament which are used by the inspired writers to designate the Christian. They show a relationship or a characteristic like these four terms just considered. However, let us see what the New Testament does say about the matter of a name. We see out here the word Christians and the chart implies that all these terms we have discussed are included in this name. Let us ask the Apostle Peter about this name. Remember, Peter was an Apostle and the Holy Spirit was given to him “to guide him into all truth.” If he gave a name, then that is the name which is included in “all truth” and which the God of Heaven intended for his people to wear. Let us read.

1st Peter 4:16 - “If you suffer for being a Christian, don’t feel ashamed, but praise God for being called that name.”

What is the name that we are to wear? Can a man wear the names Baptist, Lutheran, Roman Catholic and please the Lord? Did not Peter say that the name through which man will glorify God will be the name Christian? Can we glorify God in some way other than the way the Holy Spirit directed? If we can add the name of our choice and be pleasing to God, why can we not add anything else that we choose?

Now, let us consider the creed of the New Testament church. The word creed comes from the Latin word credo and it means I believe. What is the creed of the New Testament church, or what do the members of the church believe? The answer is Jesus Christ. The church is the possession of Christ. He is the Head of it and has all authority in it. What should I believe or what is my creed? That Jesus is the Lord, and if I believe that He is the Lord or ruler, then I will believe and obey everything that He says. Peter set forth the creed of the New Testament church when he said to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” and because it is Jesus whom the church is to hear in all things, then He is the Creed of the New Testament church.

"Jesus answered him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one goes to the Father except through me.'" John 4:6

But we must move on to another characteristic of the New Testament church. This one is the rule of faith. Let us hear the Apostle Paul about this:

2nd Timothy 3:16-17 - “Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God’s approval. They equip God’s servants so that they are completely prepared to do good things.”

We have seen before that this passage tells us that all Scripture comes from God and that it is all that is needed to equip God’s servants completely to do good things. The word Scripture means sacred writings. If the Scripture (or sacred writings) will furnish us completely, what else do we need?

Luke 8:11 - “This is what the story illustrates: The seed is God’s word.”

The Word of God is the seed of the kingdom. It is that by which a man is born again, and it is that which will completely prepare us to do good things. Thus, it is all that he needs to please his God, isn’t it? What about those who would add something to this or make some other requirement for men today? Do they have the right or authority to do so? So we see that the inspired writers tell us that God’s word is all that we need to guide us in living the Christian life.

But now let us consider the Unity of the New Testament church.

We all recognize that there are hundreds of denominational churches in the world today, all wearing different names, all having a different organization, all having a different form of worship, and all teaching a different doctrine. What does the Lord say about this condition? Is He pleased or is this contrary to his Will? Let us hear first the Apostle John about this. He says the following:

2nd John 9-11 - “Everyone who doesn't continue to teach what Christ taught doesn’t have God. The person who continues to teach what Christ taught has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and doesn't bring these teachings, don’t take him into your home or even greet him. Whoever greets him shares the evil things he’s doing.”

John says that if a person goes outside and does not continue (remain) in the teachings of Christ, then that person does not have God. But if he will continue (remain) in the teachings of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son. But if some one comes along teaching something that is not to be found in the teachings of Christ, then we are not to encourage him in any way. If we so much as greet him or wish him success, then John says that we are sharing in the evil things he is doing. So under no circumstance can a Christian promote, or encourage that which is different from the New Testament. In so doing, he may have the praise of men but he no longer has the blessings of God. So then men who teach and practice things in religion that are not found in God’s Word, do not have the hope of receiving God’s approval. Let us listen to the Lord himself:

John 17:20,21 - “I’m not praying only for them. I’m also praying for those who will believe in me through their message. I pray that all of these people continue to have unity in the way that you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they may be united with us so that the world will believe that you have sent me.”

Jesus, as he worded this prayer was not praying only for the Apostles, was he? He was also praying for those who will believe in Jesus through their message, which would be us today if we believe on him, wouldn’t it? So Jesus was praying for us or everyone who becomes a believer in him. Let us see what He said in his prayer concerning us, I (Jesus) pray that all of these people (us) continue to have unity in the way that you, Father, are in me and I am in you. Thus, the unity that is to be among God’s people is to be the same unity which existed between God the Father and the Son. Do we have that today among those who claim to be Christians, and profess to be following Christ? We know that the divided conditions in the religious world today exist because of men teaching different things than those given by the Lord, for the teaching of God’s word will always produce exactly the same results. If men will teach only the word of God, this will make men Christians only. But let us hear more:

1st Corinthians 1:10-13 - “Brothers and sisters, I encourage all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to agree with each other and not to split into opposing groups. I want you to be united in your understanding and opinions. Brothers and sisters, some people from Chloe’s family have made it clear to me that you are quarreling among yourselves. This is what I mean: Each of you is saying, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Chephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ.’ Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in Paul’s name?.”

Paul said that these Christians at Corinth ought to (1) agree with each other , (2) not to split into opposing groups, (3) be united in your understanding and opinions. How could this be unless they all teach the same thing? Is not this the reason that God’s word only should be taught? If we are going to teach opinions of men, then one opinion is as good as another, but God’s word is contained in the Scriptures and when we all teach that, and only that, then we will all be united in the same thing. But notice here the parallel with the conditions in the world today. One would say “I am of Paul,” another “I am of Apollos,” another “I am of Chephas.” Is Christ divided, was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Don’t we have the same conditions in the world today. Some men say “I am of Luther,” another “I am of Roman Catholic,” another “I am of Greek Orthodox” or “I am a Baptist,” and on and on the list goes. If Paul were here today, would he not be asking the same questions today that he asked then? What does the Bible teach regarding the unity of the church of Jesus Christ? Does God authorize Christians to be divided into denominational ism, to follow Christ by the teachings of men as they choose, or is there one specific way for men to follow Christ? Let us read more:

Ephesians 4:1-6 - “I, a prisoner in the Lord, encourage you to live the kind of life which proves that God has called you. Be humble and gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other. Through the peace that ties you together, do your best to maintain the unity that the Spirit gives. There is one body and one Spirit. In the same way you were called to share one hope. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over everything, through everything, and in everything.”

Paul said that we ought to give diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit. Why Paul? When the words of the Spirit are taught there is unity, but if men teach opinions and the doctrines of men, this is what divides. But see what Paul says about this unity of the Spirit. In the unity of the Spirit there is one body. Yet today men have ignored what the Spirit says and we have many bodies. There is only one Spirit, yet is it possible for this Spirit to cause men to be divided up into sects, denominations and factions? Paul says here one faith, yet men today teach many faiths. Paul says here that there is one Lord and everybody agrees with this, and will insist that there is only one Lord, yet the very next words say that there is only one baptism. However, men today teach and practice several baptisms. Paul said that there is one God that is over everything, through everything and in everything, yet men do not believe this for they change things that He has said, and do not let him occupy the place over everything. Members of the New Testament church all believed the same thing, they taught the same thing, and they did the same thing. They were to be united in everything the Lord had said to them.

Hear the Apostle Paul in this next verse.

1st Corinthians 4:17 - “That’s why I’ve sent Timothy to you to help you remember my Christian way of life as I teach it everywhere in every church. Timothy is my dear child, and he faithfully does the Lord’s work.”

Here, the Apostle said that he taught the same thing in every church. Men today do not do this, do they? We need to seek for the unity of the Spirit if we are to please God, don’t we? Study the illustration on the next page as refresher.
But let us consider now the next item on our chart, worship of the New Testament church.

John 4:23-24 - “Indeed, the time is coming, and it is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. The Father is looking for people like that to worship him. God is a spirit. Those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Here we see that worship, in order to be acceptable, must be in spirit and truth. We have noted earlier that a man’s spirit is that which motivates him to do what he does. Often in the Scripture, it is expressed from the heart. So worship then must come from the heart and be in truth. What is truth?

John 17:17 - “Use the truth to make them holy. Your words are truth.”

God’s word is truth. Worship that will please God must be from the heart and according to his word. But what does the New Testament say about worship?

Worship is not a performance that is acted out by some person or persons with others merely as spectators or an audience observing the things taking place. They that worship God must do it in spirit and in truth. So then, every member of the church is to worship. The New Testament tells us that there are five avenues in which a person expresses their worship to God when it is done in truth. First, let us notice that when Christians come together to worship, they are to sing. Let us read about this:

Ephesians 5:19 - “By reciting psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for your own good. Sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts.”

Notice that the speaking or reciting to one another is in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs and the melody is to be made with the heart to the Lord. Again let us read:

Colossians 3:16 - “Let Christ word with all its wisdom and richness live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and instruct yourselves about God’s kindness (grace). Sing to God in your hearts.”

In this passage we read that the singing that we do in our worship is also teaching and instructing yourselves as well as one another as expressing the gratitude that is in our hearts to God. Notice that both of these passages specify singing as does every passage in the New Testament that discusses the subject of music in worship. Because God specifies singing, then men who have added the instrument and play it in worship to God have gone outside the teachings of Christ. The New Testament church is to sing, but there is no authority for the instrument to play in the worship. Also, the New Testament church partook of communion, or the Lord’s Supper, every first day of the week.

Acts 20:7 - “On Sunday we met to break bread, Paul discussing Scripture with the people. Since he intended to leave the next day, he kept talking until midnight.”

We can see that it was the regular practice for the New Testament church to come together on the first day of the week to break bread. Let us hear Paul further:

1st Corinthians 11:23-29 - “After all, I passed on to you what I had received from the Lord. On the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread and spoke a prayer of thanksgiving. He broke the bread and said, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.’ When supper was over, he did the same with the cup. He said, ‘This cup is the new promise (testament or covenant) made with my blood. Every time you eat this bread and drink from this cup, you tell about the Lord’s death until he comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks from the Lord’s cup in an improper way will be held responsible for the Lord’s body and blood. With this in mind, individuals must determine whether what they are doing is proper when they eat the bread and drink from the cup. Anyone who eats and drinks is eating and drinking a judgment against himself when he doesn’t recognize the Lord’s body.”

Here we have an inspired explanation as to what the Lord’s Supper is. It is not a sacrifice but is a memorial to Jesus. It is to be done in memory of him and so it is a spiritual supper. There is no blessing promised to anyone who just eats a piece of bread and drinks a little grape juice. The New Testament church came together on Sunday to partake of the Lord’s Supper, and thus he worshipped him in doing this. The New Testament tells us that another act to be done in worship was teaching or preaching.

Acts 20:7 - “On Sunday we met to break bread, Paul discussing Scripture with the people. Since he intended to leave the next day, he kept talking until midnight.”

When the New Testament church came together, Paul was discussing the Scripture with the people or in other words he was preaching or teaching. Thus we have here an example of two things the church did when Christians came together with the approval of the Apostles. The next of these avenues of worship is prayer. Let us see what the New Testament teaches regarding this:

1st Thessalonians 5:17 - “Never stop praying.”

The Apostle tells us that prayer ought to be a continual thing, and that we should always have the attitude of prayer.

1st Corinthians 14:15 - “So what does this mean? It means that I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray with my mind.”

Here we are told that we must pray with the spirit and the understanding. There are numerous examples of the New Testament church praying together. But let us consider the last of these activities done in worship, and that is the weekly collection or contribution.

1st Corinthians 16:1-2 - “Now concerning the money to be collected for God’s people in Jerusalem: I want you to do as I directed the churches in Galatia. Every Sunday each of you should set aside some of your money and save it. Then money won’t have to be collected when I come.”

Notice that Paul specifies who is to have a part in the collection -- each one of you -- and that the amount is to be given on Sunday, the first day of the week. Why on Sunday? Because this is when they came together to break bread or share communion together in worship to the Lord. Let us read more on this subject:
2nd Corinthians 9:6-7 - “Remember this: The farmer who plants a few seeds will have a very small harvest. But the farmer who plants because he has received God’s blessings will receive a harvest of God’s blessings in return. Each of you should give whatever you have decided. You shouldn’t be sorry that you gave or feel forced to give, since God loves a cheerful giver.”

Notice here we are to give whatever we have decided and not feel sorry or forced to give. God loves a cheerful giver. So we see that the contribution is to be participated in by every one. Giving as they have purposed in their hearts to give. In other words, they are to give consideration to, and plan before hand, what they intend to give, knowing that a person who sows their seeds bountifully, shall reap also bountifully, and he that sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly. God loves a cheerful giver.

We have mentioned briefly the acts of worship the Lord has directed which are to be done by the New Testament church. Note that these acts are not ritualistic, but are so simple that every member of the church can participate in them, and this they must do in order for their worship to be acceptable before the Lord.

Now let us consider the work of the church.

Romans 1:16 - “I’m not ashamed of the Good News. It is God’s power to save everyone who believes, Jews first and Greeks as well.”

The Good News or Gospel of Christ is that which will save the souls of mankind. This is the work the Lord has given to the members of the church when He gave the Great Commission in the gospel of Matthew as follows:

Matthew 28:19-20 - “So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.”

Jesus said, wherever you go, make disciples of all nations and then teach them to do everything I have commanded you. The Lord had just commanded them to go and when men become disciples, they are to observe all that Jesus commanded them to do. Those who became disciples have the same responsibility and command that the disciples received, and that is to take Good News to others. This is the only thing that will save mankind. Let us hear the Lord:

John 6:44-45 - “People cannot come to me unless the Father who sent me brings them to me. I will bring these people back to life on the last day. The prophets wrote, ‘God will teach everyone.’ Those who do what they have learned from the Father come to me.”

Here we see that a person must be taught, and when they have learned, they can come to the Lord. This is what saves mankind. Let us read from the Apostle Paul’s writings:

1st Timothy 4:15-16 - “Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress. Focus on your life and your teaching. Continue to do what I've told you. If you do this, you will save yourself and those who hear you.”

So we see that the work of the church is to teach the word of God to everyone. When a person becomes a New Testament Christian, he becomes an instrument through which others are to be led to the Lord. The New Testament teaches that every Christian is to be a teacher. After a person becomes a Christian, he continues to study, and it should not be long before he will be capable of bringing others to Christ. Christianity is such a blessing to us we will want everyone to enjoy it.

But last on the chart, let us consider the warnings given.

What happens if we change the Lord’s plan? What happens if we fail to teach exactly what the Lord said? Fail to work? Let us ask the inspired writers to answer these questions.

Galatians 1:6-8 - “I’m surprised that you’re so quickly deserting Christ, who called you in his kindness (grace), to follow a different kind of good news. But what some people are calling good news is not really good news at all. They are confusing you. They want to distort the Good News about Christ. Whoever tells you good news that is different from the Good News we gave you should be condemned to hell, even if he is one of us or an angel from heaven.”

So we see that not even an angel from heaven can change the Good News or Gospel of Christ which is what the Apostles taught because they were the things that God wanted taught and they are unchangeable. If a person does teach something different, well we know what his fate is, don’t we?

Matthew 15:8-9 - “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is pointless, because their teachings are rules made by humans.”

The Lord said the worship which is offered according to the traditions and precepts of men is worthless, and will not accomplish anything. In talking about things religious in the next verses, Jesus said the following:

Matthew 15:13 - He answered, ‘Any plant that my heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted.”

In conclusion, let us read from the writing of the Apostle John:

Revelation 22:18-19 - “Warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy in this book: If anyone adds anything to this, God will strike him with the plagues that are written in this book. If anyone takes away any words from this book of prophecy, God will take away his portion of the tree of life and the holy city that are described in this book.”

Of course, the Apostle here is talking primarily about the book of Revelation, but this idea is carried throughout the Bible. God’s condemnation has always rested upon those who would attempt to change his word. When men attempt to change God’s word, and, being the word of men, it does not have the power to save.

We have seen in this chapter some of the characteristics of the New Testament church. We have noted that any church which does not have all of these characteristics is not the church in the Bible, but is one that originated with human traditions or with mankind. The church revealed in the Bible has an inspired organization, an inspired name, an inspired rule of faith, and every other characteristic that is inspired. The word inspired, as we have seen, means it originated with God and we have no authority to change or alter anything about it in any way.

My friend, if you have not obeyed the Good News or Gospel of Christ, do you now understand about the New Testament church? Don’t you see the plan of salvation much more clearly now, than you did? Have I asked you to accept anything in this section that we have not read or studied from the Bible? Do you believe that the things which we have discussed are the things God wants you to do? Why don’t you become a Christian now, and you can have a happier life here on this earth, and have the hope before you of some day living in heaven? Don’t you want to have that hope? What is keeping you from obeying the Lord this very day?

If you are already a Christian, that is a good thing. After you have finished with this book, share it with someone who is very close to you whom you love. Or share it with a stranger who shows an interest in knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. Spreading the word is such a vital part of every Christian’s life, and sharing this book can be your way of doing that. Remember: “Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress. Focus on your life and your teaching. Continue to do what God has told you through His Word. If you do this, you will save yourself and those who do.” (1st Timothy 4:15-16 )

If you decide not to obey the Gospel at this time, we will always be friends, but please keep this book and ponder these things in your heart. I would like to close with a Scripture from God‘s Wonderful Book:

“The Lord, who is always thinking about us, will bless us. ... He will bless those who fear the Lord, from the least important to the most important. May the Lord continue to bless you and your children.” Psalms 115:12-14

Bibliography

Books

Brownlow, Leroy (1945) Why I Am A Member Of The Church of Christ. Fort
Worth, TX; Brownlow Publishing Company, Inc.

DeHoff, George W. (1978) DeHoff’s Bible Handbook. Tennessee, DeHoff
Publications.

GOD’S WORD to the Nations Bible Society, (1995) GOD’S WORD
Michigan, World Publishing , Inc.

Howard, David M (Ed.). (1998) Fascinating Bible Facts; People, Places &
Events. Illinois, Publications International, LTD.

Lanier, Roy H. (1969) Outlines of Bible history. Louisiana, Lambert Book
House

McDowell, Josh (1972) Evidence That Demands A Verdict. San Bernardino, CA.
Campus Crusade for Christ International, Arrowhead Springs.

Smith, Foy L. (1959) The World is Yours and other sermons. Riverside, CA; Foy
L Smith Publications.

Smith, William LL.D. (1970 7th Printing) Old Testament History; Joplin Mo.
College Press

Stewart, Ivan R. (1956) From House to House, A Manual on Personal Work.
Texas, Firm Foundation Publishing House.

Stone, A. C. (1958) Bible Reader’s Digest Sixth Ed. Dallas, TX. Visual Aids.

Trimiew, Anna (1998) Bible Almanac, Understanding the World of the Bible.
Illinois, Publications International, LTD.
Ward, Kaari (Ed.). (1987) Jesus and his Times. New York, The Reader’s
Digest Association, Inc.

Willmington, H. L. (unknown) Book of Bible Lists. (Unknown, missing first
pages of book) Tyndale Publishing House.

Wright, G. Ernest (Ed.). (1974) Great People of the Bible and How They Lived.
New York, The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.

Periodicals

Bryan, Ray. (1968). Except Someone Shall Guide Me, A Personal Work Manual.
Philippines, Clark Church of Christ Press LTD.

Hill, Marcus T. (1984) A Parallel Between the Old Testament and the New
Testament. Classroom Handout with notes. Arizona, Palo Verde Church of Christ.

Illustrations and Charts

Broderbund Inc., Click Art, Christian Graphics Deluxe, 88 Rowland Way, Novato, CA

Ellis Enterprises, Inc., Ellis Christian Clipart, 4205 McAutey Blvd. #385, Oklahoma City, OK

Bryan, Ray. (1968). Except Someone Shall Guide Me, A Personal Work Manual.
Philippines, Clark Church of Christ Press LTD.

Other

Internet. www.christianlibrary.org