Your Growth
In Christ
A Summary of Biblical Doctrine
and
Self-Study Lessons for Christian Growth
Published January 2001 by Sola Scriptura
Ministries, a ministry of Grace Bible Church. Permission granted to
reproduce for a non-profit use.
Grace Bible Church is an independent local
church that is committed to the expository preaching and teaching of God’s
inspired and infallible Word as the sole authority in all matters. You are
invited to worship with God’s people there at any time. The address is: 460
Third Street (mailing address, Box 657), Meeker, CO, 81641. Contact us at
970-878-5490 (or 3228). Other literature and tapes are available.
This book may be reproduced for any non-profit
purpose for God’s glory, provided that credit is given to the authors.
You can also download this book in ready to
print layout (Word 2000 format) from our Download and Links page (ChGrowth.Zip). We print
this book in 8-1/2 x 11 inch format and bind it on a GBC comb binder.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
PART I – BASIC BIBLE
DOCTRINE
Chapter 1 – The Bible
Chapter 2 – God
Chapter 3 – Man
Chapter 4 – Sin
Chapter 5 – Christ
Chapter 6 – The New Birth
Chapter 7 – The New Birth (Continued)
Chapter 8 – Salvation
Chapter 9 – Grace
Chapter 10 – Faith
Chapter 11 – Heaven and Hell
Chapter 12 – Future Events
PART II – THE
CHRISTIAN LIFE
Chapter 13 – Results of Regeneration
Chapter 14 –Sure Salvation
Chapter 15 – Permanent Preservation
Chapter 16 – Triumph Over Temptation
Chapter 17 – Christian Conduct
Chapter 18 – Buried in Baptism
Chapter 19 – Choosing a Church
Chapter 20 – Wanting God’s Will
Chapter 21 – Prayer and Praise
Chapter 22 – Christian Witnessing
Chapter 23 – Searching the Scriptures
Chapter 24 – The Life That Counts
PART III – GROWING IN
CHRIST
Lesson 1 – Assurance of Salvation
Lesson 2 – Growth In Christ
Lesson 3 – Provision Through God’s Word
Lesson 4 – Prayer
Lesson 5 – Dealing With Sin In The
Believer’s Life
Lesson 6 – Baptism and The Church
Lesson 7 – Church Organization and
Membership
Lesson 8 – The Holy Spirit
Lesson 9 – Getting Along With God’s
People
Lesson 10 – Biblical Love
Lesson 11 – Biblical Separation
APPENDIX – Bible
Reading Schedule
What Is This Book About?
What you hold in your hand is a wonderful introduction to the Christian life. I have seen many such introductions in my almost 30 years of ministry, but this is the best I’ve come across. While it will be especially useful to the new convert to Christ, it will also be a blessing to the established believer.
This book is actually two books in one. Parts I and II are a reprint of a book entitled What Christians Believe (now in public domain). These studies were prepared by the following staff members of the Emmaus Bible School of Chicago back in 1959:
Alfred P. Gibbs Harold Shaw
R. Edward Harlow Dudley A. Sherwood
Harold M. Harper John Smart
George M. Landis C. Ernest Tatha.
Harold G. Mackay Ben Tuininga
William McDonald
I have also made a few minor contributions, but I could do little to improve this great summary. Any such additions appear in [brackets].
Part III is a reproduction of a booklet entitled Growing in Christ. These self-study lessons were prepared by Pastor-Teacher Gary E. Gilley of Southern View Chapel in Springfield, Illinois. They will build on Parts I and II by encouraging you to look up Scripture and find the answers to practical questions. As indicated above, any minor additions appear in [brackets]. (Anyone is free to use these lessons to God’s glory, provided they are not used for profit and credit is given to the author.)
How Do I Use This Book?
I would encourage you to read Parts I and II first. As you read, look up any Bible verses that are mentioned and read them in the light of the author’s point. Read each chapter prayerfully, asking God to teach you as you read and trust Him that He will do just that as you submit yourself to the authority of His Word. After finishing Parts I and II, move on to Part III. Do each lesson at your own pace—perhaps one per day, for example—and allow the Lord to work in your life.
What Version of the Bible Should I Use?
This is a great debate among many Christians today, and we at Grace Bible Church and Sola Scriptura Ministries have published what we believe are several helpful resources on this subject. To be brief, however, after many years of study on this issue, we are convinced that the modern translations—especially the New International Version (NIV), but most others as well—are weak in their translation methods and their resulting Bible doctrine. We believe for many reasons that the Authorized Version (King James Version) is the most accurate, reliable, and doctrinally sound translation ever produced in the English language. We highly recommend that this is what you use.
What If I Have More Questions?
If you have more questions on the Bible or Christian living, we would suggest three courses of action. First, and foremost, we encourage you to be under the preaching and teaching of God’s Word by a called and qualified pastor in a local church. You are invited to worship with us, but if that is not possible, you should find an evangelical church where the preaching and teach of God’s Word is the number one emphasis. This book says more about this later. Second, we have more printed literature (as well as computer resources) to aid your Christian growth. Write to us and/or visit our Internet web site. Third, write, call, or e-mail me, and I will do whatever I can to answer your questions.
We sincerely pray that this book will be a blessing, challenge, and encouragement to you. May God richly bless you as you grow in Christ and serve Him.
Dr. J. D. Watson
Pastor-Teacher
Grace Bible Church
1041 Cleveland St.
Meeker, CO 81641
docwatson@flattops.net
www.thescripturealone.com
I. INTRODUCTION
Someone has called the Holy Bible “the divine library,” and this is a true statement. Although we think of the Bible as one book, yet it is made up of sixty-six separate books.
These books, beginning with Genesis and ending with Revelation, are divided into two main sections. The first section is called the Old Testament and contains thirty-nine books. The second section is the New Testament and it has twenty-seven books.
At the beginning of each Bible is an index which lists the names of the books, and tells the page number on which each book begins.
II. WHO WROTE THE BIBLE?
From the human standpoint the Bible was written by not less than thirty-six authors over a period of about sixteen hundred years. But the important thing to remember is that these men wrote under the direct control of God. God guided them in writing the very words. This is what we mean by inspiration. The following Scriptures clearly teach that the Bible is inspired by God.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:21.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
Thus the Bible is the Word of God. It is not enough to say that the Bible “contains” the Word of God. This might imply that parts of it are inspired and parts are not. Every part of the Bible is inspired. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.”
Another important point to remember is that the Bible is the only written revelation that God has given to man. In the last chapter of the Bible God warns men against adding to the Bible or taking away from it. Revelation 22:18-19.
[Because it was God who wrote the Bible, It is therefore what is called “authoritative” and “sufficient.” One of the greatest statements of Biblical doctrine ever written is The Westminster Confession of Faith of 1646. It defines the authority and sufficiency of Scripture in this way:
“The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.”
All religions of the world embrace either their own traditions and teachings exclusively or add them to the Bible. But God says that only the Bible is authoritative and sufficient. (For deeper study of this, read the editor’s book, Sola Scriptura: A New Call To Biblical Authority as well as other resources on this subject from Sola Scriptura Ministries.)]
III. WHAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THE BIBLE?
Although the Bible is made up of sixty-six books, yet it has one main subject. Christ is the grand theme of Scripture. The Old Testament contains many predictions, or prophecies, concerning Christ. The New Testament tells of His coming, [His work of saving us, and how to live for Him].
IV. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE CONTAIN?
The Bible is the record of the world from the beginning of time until the future when there will be a new heaven and a new earth.
Genesis tells of the creation of the world, the entrance of sin, the flood, and the beginning of the nation of Israel. From Exodus to Esther we have the history of Israel up to about 400 years before the birth of Christ. The books from Job to the Song of Solomon contain wonderful poetry and wisdom. The rest of the Old Testament, from Isaiah to Malachi, is prophetic, that is, these books contain messages from God to Israel concerning its present condition and its future destiny.
The New Testament opens with four Gospels, each of which presents the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts tells the story of the Christian movement in its infancy and the life of the great apostle Paul. From Romans to Jude, we find letters to churches and individuals concerning the great truths of the Christian faith, and practical instruction concerning the Christian fife. Revelation gives us a glimpse into the future, to events that will yet take place in heaven, on earth, and in hell.
V. CONCLUSION
[As someone has rightly said,]
This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be saved, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of Hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It will reward the greatest labor, and condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. It is the Book of Books—God’s Book—the revelation of God to man. (Selected)
[And as Charles Spurgeon preached:
First, my friends, stand over this volume, and admire its authority. This is no common book. It is not the sayings of the sages of Greece; here are not the utterances of philosophers of past ages. If these words were written by a man, we might reject them; but O let me think the solemn thought, that this book is God’s handwriting-that these words are God’s! Let me look at its date; it is dated from the hills of heaven. Let me look at its letters; they flash glory on my eye. Let me read the chapters; they are big with meaning and mysteries unknown. Let me turn over the prophecies; they are pregnant with unthought-of wonders. Oh, book of books! And wast thou written by my God? Then will I bow before thee. Thou book of vast authority! thou art a proclamation from the Emperor of Heaven; far be it from me to exercise my reason in contradicting thee. Reason, thy place is to stand and find out what this volume means, not to tell what this book ought to say. Come thou, my reason, my intellect, sit thou down and listen, for these words are the words of God. I do not know how to enlarge on this thought. Oh! if you could ever remember that this Bible was actually and really written by God. Oh! if ye had been let into the secret chambers of heaven, if ye had beheld God grasping his pen and writing down these letters-then surely ye would respect them; but they are just as much God’s handwriting as if you had seen God write them. This Bible is a book of authority; it is an authorized book, for God has written it. Oh! tremble, lest any of you despise it; mark its authority, for it is the Word of God.]
No greater subject can occupy the mind than the study of God and of man’s relationship to Him.
I. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
1. The Bible does not seek to prove the existence of God. The fact that there is a God is assumed throughout the Scriptures. The first verse of the Bible is an example. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” God’s existence is presented as a statement of fact that needs no proof. The man who says that there is no God is called a fool in Psalm 14: 1.
2. However, even apart from the Bible, there are certain evidences for the existence of God. (1) Mankind has always believed in a universal being. (2) Creation must have a creator. The universe could not originate without a cause. (3) The wonderful design which we see in creation demands an infinite designer. (4) Since man is an intelligent, moral being, his creator must have been of a much higher order in order to create him.
II. THE NATURE OF GOD
1. God is a spirit. (John 4:24). This means that God does not have a body. He is invisible. However, He can reveal Himself to man in visible
form. In the person of Jesus Christ, God came into the world in a body of flesh. John 1: 14, 18; Colossians 1: 15; Hebrews 1: 3.
2. God is a person. Personal names are used in reference to Him. Exodus 3:14. Matthew 11:25. Personal characteristics are ascribed to Him, such
as (1) knowledge, Isaiah 55:9,10; (2) emotions, Genesis 6:6; and ( 3) will, Joshua 3: 10.
3. The Unity of God. Scripture clearly teaches that there is one God. I Timothy 2:5 (Read this verse.) The false teaching that there are many gods is contrary to reason. There can be only one Supreme Being.
4. The Trinity. The Bible teaches not on that there is one God, but also that there are three persons in the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is a mystery to the human mind, but although it cannot be understood, it can be believed because God’s Word says it is so. The word “trinity” is not found in the Bible, but the truth is found in the following passages.
(1) Baptism of Jesus, Matthew 3:16-17.
(2) The great commission, Matthew 28:19.
(3) The benediction of 11 Corinthians 13:14.
The Father is called God in Romans 1:7. The Son is called God in Hebrews 1:8. The Holy Spirit is called God in Acts 5:34.
III. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
It is difficult to define God. One of the best ways is to describe certain of His qualities or characteristics. These are known as His attributes.
1. God is omnipresent. This means that God is present everywhere at the same time. Jeremiah 23:24.
2. God is omniscient. In other words, He knows all things. He knows every thought and deed of man. Proverbs 15:3. He knows everything that takes place in nature, including even the death of a sparrow, Matthew 10:29.
Though limitless the universe,
and gloriously grand,
He knows the eternal story
of every grain of sand.
3. God is omnipotent. He has all power. He created the universe, and now controls it by His power. There is nothing that He cannot do. Matthew 19:26.
4. God is eternal. He never had a beginning and He will never cease to exist. Psalm 90:2.
5. God is unchangeable. “I am the Lord, I change not.” Malachi 3:6.
6. God is holy. He is absolutely pure and sinless. He hates sin and loves goodness. Proverb 15:9, 26. He must separate Himself from sinners and must punish sin. Isaiah 59:1, 2.
7. God is just. Everything He does is right and fair. He fulfills all His promises. Psalm 119:13.
8. God is love. Although God hates sin, yet He loves sinners. John 3:16 (Read this verse.)
Note: In speaking to God in prayer, we use the words “Thou” and “Thee.” The purpose of this is to show reverence for God. It is not proper to address Him in the same way that we would speak to our fellow-men.
If we want to know the truth about man, we must turn to the Bible. [We have all heard the question: “What is truth?”] Truth is what God says about a thing. The Bible tells us about man’s creation, nature, relation to other beings, his fall and destiny.
I. MAN’S ORIGIN
It is only natural that man should be curious about his origin. He always has been. Various theories have been put forward at different times by philosophers. The most modern is the theory of evolution, which asserts that man’s ancestors are the lower animals.
But the Bible tells us: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth ... God created man. Gen. 1: 1, 27.
God says concerning His creature man, “I have created him for my glory, I have formed him: yea, I have made him.” (Isaiah 43:7). So the old question, “What is the chief end of man?” is properly answered, “The chief end of man is to glorify God [and enjoy Him forever].”
II. MAN’S NATURE
Anyone who has witnessed a deathbed understands vividly that man has a physical body and also a soul or spirit. At one moment the person is alive ... the next he is gone. Yet his body is still there. But the life principle has departed; a dead body remains. Man is not merely a body, but also is or has a soul and spirit.
The Bible teaches us that man exists as a threefold being: body, soul and spirit (I Thessalonians 5:23). While it is hard for us to distinguish between soul and spirit, since both are in contrast with the physical body, the Bible shows that there is a difference. Animals have a body and soul, but no spirit. A man has body, soul and spirit.
The soul distinguishes a living being from a dead one, but the spirit distinguishes a man from an animal. The spirit of man makes it possible for him to have communion or fellowship with God. The soul is the seat of the emotions and passions, while the term spirit includes our ability to know and reason. Man is responsible to God and it is his greatest duty to find out what God wants him to do, then do it.
III. MAN’S FREE WILL
There are other beings in the universe which God has created. These are angels or spirits. They do not have human body or soul. They are mightier than we are. They, were also created to serve God, but since they have a free will, some of them fell into the sin of disobedience.
God could have made a number of machines to do His will mechanically. Instead He chose to create beings who could, if they wished, serve Him voluntarily and love Him freely. We can quite understand why He would desire to have it so. A man could get protection for his house by means of a burglar alarm system. But there is something about a dog which draws out our affections in a way no machine ever could.
IV. MAN’S SIN
When God created free beings, able to do His will or refuse to do so, He must have known that some would choose the wrong way. And so it turned out. A great angel called Lucifer, now known as Satan, decided to set his will in opposition to God’s. He was immediately cast out of heaven, and many other angels were cast out with him. From that time on, Satan has sought to hinder the plans of God in every possible way. When man was created with a free will, Satan immediately planned to tempt him from the path of obedience. God had warned man, but Satan succeeded only too well in drawing him into sin as well. The well-known story is found in Genesis 3.
Now God, as the moral Governor of the universe, cannot tolerate in His presence any being who deliberately disobeys His commands. This is why Satan was cast out of heaven when he defied God’s will. The same treatment was necessary for man, and so Adam was driven from the presence of God.
Adam’s nature has been passed on to every member of the, human race. We are all born with a tendency to [and bent toward] sin. This nature responds to temptation from without and so we yield and grievously sin.
[So, as a result of sin, man’s will is now in bondage. He no longer has a will that is “free” in the same sense that Adam’s will was free before the fall. Man now leans toward sin. He has a bent toward sinning. His need now is the drawing of God to bring him to Christ. (For deeper study on this subject, see the editor’s book, Salvation Is of the Lord.)]
V. MAN’S FUTURE
Just as the Bible tells us of man’s origin, as coming from the hand of God; and of man’s shameful fall and the consequent separation from God; so it faithfully tells us that every man, woman and child will some day stand before God as his Judge. The fact of death is so common that everyone understands the inevitable end of every man. But the Bible adds, “After this the judgment.” God has created man and revealed to him His will. God will absolutely hold every person responsible for everything he has done. This life is primarily a preparation for the next one. Man does not die like the animal. His spirit must go to God, his Creator and Judge.
I. WHAT IS SIN?
No one can read the Bible very much without realizing that a great deal of attention is given to the subject of sin, its cause and cure. We often think of sin in connection with crime and murder. But sin in the Bible refers to anything short of God’s perfection. In Romans 3:23, we read, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” The “glory of God” includes the thought of absolute perfection. Sin is therefore falling short of the mark. All men are guilty of this.
Sin is also spoken of in the Bible in the following ways.
1. Breaking the law of God. Romans 5:13.
2. Rebellion against God, or lawlessness. I John 3:4
3. Moral impurity. Psalm 32:5.
Evil thoughts are sinful, as well as evil deeds. Matthew 5:28.
II. THE ORIGIN OF SIN
The first recorded instance of sin took place in heaven. The angel Lucifer became ambitious to be equal with God. Isaiah 14:12-14. For this sin of pride, he was cast out of heaven, and became the one whom the Bible elsewhere describes it’s the devil or Satan.
The first instance of sin on earth is described in the Third Chapter of Genesis. It took place in the Garden of Eden. God forbade Adam and Eve to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit. They thus became sinners.
III. THE RESULTS OF SIN
1. As soon as the parents of the human race sinned, they became conscious of the fact that they were naked, and they tried to hide from God. Genesis 3:10.
2. The penalty of sin is death. Adam became spiritually dead the moment he sinned. By this we mean that he became separated from God, and banished from God’s presence. He also became subject to physical death. Although he did not die immediately, his body was doomed to die eventually.
3. Adams’ sinful nature was passed on to all the human race. Every child born of sinful parents is a sinner by birth. Thus Adam’s oldest son, Cain, was a murderer. Because all men are born sinners, they are all dead spiritually, and are all doomed to die physically some day. (Read Romans 5:12,18 carefully at this point.) Other evidences are mentioned in Genesis 3:14-19.
4. Man’s sin brought God’s curse upon all creation. Thorns and thistles, for instance, are an evidence of this. Sin needs no proof as long as we have prisons, hospitals, and funeral parlors. Tears, sickness, sorrow, pain and death are some of the results of sin.
IV. THE PENALTY OF SIN
“The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. God has pronounced the penalty of sin as being death. We have already seen that this means spiritual death and physical death. This penalty must be paid. God must punish sin.
As long as a man lives in his sins, he is dead spiritually and is facing physical death. If he is still in his sins when he dies, he is subject to eternal death. This means that he will be forever banished from God and will suffer for his sins in the lake of fire. This is the second death spoken of in Revelation 20:14.
V. THE REMEDY FOR SIN
God has provided a remedy so that men do not need to suffer everlasting punishment for their sins. He sent His Son into the world to provide a way of escape for man. The Lord Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary. He did not inherit Adam’s sinful nature. He was the only sinless man who ever lived. On the Cross of Calvary He willingly suffered the penalty of sin, and satisfied all God’s holy demands. Since the penalty of sin has been met, God can now give eternal life to every sinner who confesses the fact that he is a sinner and receives the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. (This will be more fully explained in the lesssons on the New Birth and Salvation.)
When a person trusts in Christ, he is saved from the penalty and power of sin. This does not mean that he no longer commits sin. But it does mean that all his sins, past, present and future, have been forgiven, that he will never be judged for them, and that he has power to live for God instead of for the pleasures of sin.
This Lesson concerns the Lord Jesus Christ--the central theme of Holy Scripture. We shall consider His deity, His incarnation, His work and His offices.
I. HIS DEITY
The deity of Christ means that Christ is God. Scripture clearly teaches this important fact in the following ways.
1. The attributes of God are used in speaking of Christ.
a. His preexistence. Christ has no beginning. John 17:5.
b. His omnipresence. He is with His servants everywhere. Matthew 28:20.
c. His omnipotence. He has unlimited power. Revelation 1:18.
d. His omniscience. He has unlimited knowledge. John 21:17.
e. His unchangeableness. He is “the same, yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.
2. The works of God were performed by Christ.
a. He created all things. John 1: 3.
b. He upholds the universe. Colossians 1: 16.
c. He raised Himself from the dead. John 2:19.
3. The titles of God are given to Christ.
a. God the Father addresses the Son as God. Hebrews 1:8.
b. Men called Him God, and He did not refuse their worship. John 20:28.
c. Demons recognized Him as God. Mark 1:24.
d. He declared Himself to be God. John 10:30.
II. HIS INCARNATION
By the incarnation of Christ is meant His coming into the world as a man.
1. The coming of Christ was predicted in the Old Testament. Isaiah 7:14,
2. History records the birth of our Lord. His birth was different from all other births.
a. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost. Luke 1: 3 5.
b. He was born of a virgin. Matthew 1: 2 3.
c. Yet He was truly man, possessing a body Hebrews 10:5), soul (Matthew 26:38) and spirit (Luke 23:46).
3. Christ came in human form in order to:
a. Reveal the Father. John 14:9.
b. Put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Hebrews 9:26.
c. Destroy the works of the devil. I John 3:8.
NOTE WELL: One of the foundation truths of the Christian faith is that Jesus Christ is truly God and that He came into the world as a man by the miracle of virgin birth. As a man, He was absolutely sinless.
III. HIS WORK
Under this heading, we shall discuss the Lord’s death, resurrection and ascension.
1. His death.
a. The death of Christ was necessary. John 3:14. It was part of God’s eternal purpose. Hebrews 10:7. It was necessary to fulfill Old Testament prophecies. Isaiah 53:5. It was necessary to provide salvation for man. Ephesians 1: 7.
b. The death of Christ was for others. He died as a substitute. I Corinthians 15:3.
c. The death of Christ was sufficient. It completely meets God’s claims because Christ endured and exhausted the judgment of God against sin. It completely meets man’s need because it was the death of an Infinite Person, and therefore its value is infinite.
2. His resurrection.
a. The resurrection of Christ was necessary to fulfill prophecy, to complete the work of the Cross, Romans 4:25, and to enable Christ to undertake His present work in heaven.
b. Christ’s resurrected body was real. It was not a spirit. Luke 24:39. It was the same body which was crucified because it had the print of the nails and the spear wound. John 20:27. Yet it was a changed body, with power to overcome physical limitations.
c. After His resurrection, Christ appeared to certain of His followers at least ten times. More than five hundred reliable witnesses saw Him after He arose. I Corinthians 15:6.
d. The resurrection of Christ is an important truth. If there had been no resurrection there would be no Christian faith.
3. His ascension.
a. At the end of His ministry on earth Christ was carried up into heaven. Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9.
b. He ascended so that He might enter into His reward, John 17:5, and continue His ministry for His people.
IV. HIS OFFICES
Christ is presented in Scripture as a Prophet, a Priest and a King.
1. As Prophet, He tells men what God has to say to them, and He thus reveals God to men. John 1: 18.
2. As Priest, He represents believers before God. Hebrews 4:14-16.
3. As King, He reigns today in the hearts of those who are loyal to Him. In a coming day, He will reign upon the earth for one thousand years. Psalm 72 describes His reign on earth. Then throughout eternity the Lord Jesus will continue to serve His blood-bought people.
Read John 3:1-21
INTRODUCTION
The reader must be struck by the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, solemnly impressed upon a most religious and moral person named Nicodemus the absolute necessity for him to be born again, if he would see or enter the Kingdom of God (vs. 3, 5). The new birth is one of the three great “musts” of all humanity. 1. The “must” of death (11 Samuel 14:14; Hebrews 9:27). 2. The “must” of the judgment (Romans 14:12; Revelation 20:11-15). 3. The “must” of regeneration, or the new birth.
In view of much ignorance and misunderstanding concerning this vital matter, let us first view it negatively.
I. WHAT THE NEW BIRTH IS NOT.
(See John 1:12,13)
1. It is not of natural generation or descent--”not of blood.” Though one may be born of Christian parents this does not constitute him a Christian.
2. Not of self-determination--”will of the flesh.” Just as a child cannot will itself to be born physically, so no one can produce the new birth by his own efforts.
3. Not of human mediation--”nor of the willof man, but of God.” No human being, however eminent his ecclesiastical position, can impart the new birth to another. All the rites and ceremonies of any or of all organized religions can never produce the new birth.
4. Not a physical change. Christ corrected Nicodemus’ misunderstanding as to this, and showed him it was a spiritual change (vs. 4-6).
5. Not a social and geographical change. The born again person is not suddenly translated to heaven, but continues to live on earth, but now to please his Lord and Saviour. (I Corinthians 7:20-24; Colossians 3:22-24).
6. Not an intellectual apprehension of what it is. A person can be religiously educated, ordained to the ministry, and become a preacher without being born again. There are many such. Theoretically they may know its necessity, yet know nothing of it by experience.
7. Not an evolutionary process. It is not a gradual development of some germ of spiritual life that is within (Ephesians 2:2). Sinners are described as being spiritually dead. Life cannot be developed where it does not exist!
8. Not a reformation or self-improvement by which outwardly bad habits are relinquished. It is not a change of manners, but of the man.
9. Not a religious belief. It is possible to be sincere in one’s religious convictions, be baptized, confirmed, join the church, take communion, teach a Sunday School class, occupy a church office, and even be a preacher, without being born again. The necessity for the new birth was stated to one of the most religious, sincere and moral men of his day. (John 3:1.)
II. WHAT THE NEW BIRTH IS
The new birth is a spiritual change (v. 8). This can be
brought about only by God (John 1:13).
Now let us ask three questions regarding the new birth. WHY? HOW? WHEN? The first one is discussed below. The other two will be taken up in the next lesson.
III. WHY MUST A PERSON BE BORN AGAIN?
Note verse 7, “Marvel not.” The necessity for the new birth is perfectly logical and reasonable, and should not awaken incredulity.
1. Because of a spiritual nature that man naturally lacks (v. 6). Here the word “flesh” refers to that sinful nature which a person receives at his physical birth. Leave off the letter “H,” and spell it backwards and its meaning will be seen, i.e. “self.” Through his sin, Adam acquired a sinful nature, and this nature has been transmitted, by birth, to each of his descendants. (See Romans 5:12, 18, 19; Psalm 51:5.) The character of this sinful nature, called “the flesh,” is described in Romans 8:5,8. It is “enmity against God, not subject (or obedient] to the law of God,” and consequently is incapable of pleasing God. In other words, man does not naturally possess a spiritual capacity which would enable him to either desire understand or enjoy the things of God. (See I Corinthians 2:14.)
Just as a musical, artistic or poetic capacity can be communicated to a person only by a physical birth, so a spiritual capacity, by which the things of God can be appreciated, must be communicated to a person by a spiritual birth. The flesh can be educated, cultivated, and religionized; but its nature remains unchanged and unchangeable in its enmity to God, and is incapable of pleasing God. The new birth is the impartation of a spiritual or Divine nature, by which alone man can possess this spiritual capacity to understand and enjoy the things of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh.” Like can produce only like!
2. Because of a spiritual kingdom that man cannot naturally see or enter. (See vs. 3, 5.) What is meant here by “the Kingdom of God?” It is described as a spiritual experience. We read, “The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink [or physical], but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17.) Let us think of two kingdoms or spheres; one called “the kingdom of men,” and the other “the Kingdom of God”; or one called “the flesh,” and the other “the spirit.” All humanity enters the kingdom of men by a physical birth, which communicates to him a, physical nature, which fits him for a physical sphere, peopled by men. In this sphere he lives, moves, and has his being. Now how is man to be enabled to see the value of and enter this other sphere called the Kingdom of God? The answer is surely quite obvious. He must be born again, or have a spiritual birth, which will introduce him into this new realm. Through this new birth he will become possessed of a spiritual nature which will fit him to enjoy the spiritual realities that characterize the Kingdom of God.
[The Greek word translated] “born again” [can also be translated] “born from above.” This serves to indicate the source of the birth. Physical birth is of man and the earth; spiritual birth has its origin in God and is from heaven. Now read Romans 8:9. Here Paul speaks to a people who were no longer “in the flesh” as to their position before God; but were “in the Spirit.” How were they translated from one kingdom to the other? By the Spirit of God, upon their acceptance of Christ as their Savior.
3. Because of a spiritual life man does not naturally possess. Man, by nature, is described as being “dead in his trespasses and sins”; “alienated from the life of God”; as “having not life.” (See Ephesians 2: 1; 4:18; 1 John 5:11-12.) Just as a body without physical life is declared to be physically dead, so any person without spiritual life is described in the Bible as being spiritually dead. (See I Timothy 5:6; Luke 15:24.) Death therefore means separation. For a person to be separated from Christ, in Whom is life, is to be dead spiritually. John 1:4.) How can this spiritual life be imparted to the spiritually dead? Let Christ Himself answer it. Turn to John 5:25 and the problem is solved. All who hear the Son of God, receive His Word and trust Him as their Savior receive spiritual life, or are thus born again. See also John 3:16; 5:224; 6:47; 10:26-28; 1 John 5:13.
Chapter 7 - The New Birth (continued)
I. HOW CAN A PERSON BE BORN AGAIN?
Christ indic