The Gospel Revisited: Understanding Biblical Salvation

By Bobby Edward Long A Dissertation Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctorate of Philosophy In Theology At Northwestern Theological Seminary

2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments Abstract ---------------------------------------------------------------------iv 1 3 4 6 8 10 12

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----------------------------------------------1. Introduction: Why the Gospel? 1.1 The Great Shepard Knowing You ------------------------------------1.2 Famine in the Land ------------------------------------------------------------1.3 False Gospels ------------------------------------------------------------------1.4 Spiritualism of the Age --------------------------------------------------------1.5 The Deserving Child -----------------------------------------------------------2. The Gospel: 2.1- Salvation by Grace Through Faith ------------------------------------2.2- The Gospel is Near: Romans 10: 8-13 ----------------------------------2.3- The Gospel Defined: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 ------------------------------2.31- What Is the Gospel? --------------------------------------------2.32- Preaching the Word That Became Flesh --------------------------2.4- The Cross of Christ: The Atonement --------------------------3. Sin 3.9 - Sin, The Law, and The Resurrection of Christ ---------------------------3.6- Gods Desire Is To Kill You -----------------------------------------3.8- Gods Sovereignty, Mans Free Will, & the Faith Of Christ -----------4. Jesus The Most Unequal Swap of All Time 4.1- Jesus Our Kinsmen Redeemer --------------------------------------4.2- Sacrifice Made: The Death of The Son ------------------------------------5. Regeneration: The Effect of the Gospel: Romans 5 5.1- Imputed Righteousness ------------------------------------------------------5.2- Being Born Again ------------------------------------------------------5.3- Whos Keeping Whom ------------------------------------------------------7. Results of the Gospel 7.1- Forgiveness --------------------------------------------------------------------7.2- Sealed by the Spirit -----------------------------------------------------------7.3- Heirs by Adoption -----------------------------------------------------------7.4- The Doctrine of Preservation -----------------------------------------------7.5- The Doctrine of Assurance ------------------------------------------------7.6- The Eternal Security Question ----------------------------------------------

14 23 26 31 33 37

47 51 54

60 64

68 70 74

78 81 84 87 89 96

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8. CONCLUSION: Now What? 8.1- Baptism ---------------------------------------------------------------------------8.2- Continue to Believe in Christ ---------------------------------------------------8.4- Examine Yourself ---------------------------------------------------------------8.5- Strive for Maturity ---------------------------------------------------------------8.6- Love the Lord and Your Neighbor --------------------------------------------References

105 105 106 106 107

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ACKNOWLEGMENTS

The work is dedicated to my loving wife whose sacrifices and encouragement has helped bring me to this point. She is truly an inspiration to me and all who are privileged to know her. Along with my wife, I want to give honor to my mom and dad for raising me in the fear and admonition of the Lord; and lastly, my two sons, Parker and Greyson. When I look into their eyes, my resolve to teach the truth of the Word of God and to herald the gospel of Jesus Christ in a world that is hostile to it, overwhelmingly galvanizes my fortitude and I humbly fall at the feet of Jesus begging for strength, petitioning Holy Spirits power for the work that lies ahead. In the words of Peter, where else can I go, only Christ has the words of eternal life. I give Glory to God the Father; worship and praise to the Son in the Holy Spirit for allowing me the privilege of communicating this gospel of peace and reconciliation. I am and always will be held ecstatically captive to the gospel of Jesus Christ who is the lover of my soul and the forgiver of my sin. I respectfully express my deepest appreciation to Northwestern Theological Seminary and Dr. Galloza for making this experience a truly rewarding and enriching time in my life.

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ABSTRACT Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12 KJV The salvation of a soul; in many congregations, this supernatural work of God is treated as a hindrance to the Sunday noon time meal. When the Gospel preacher has poured out their heart to men and asks that all stand and pray, some find it an opportune time to dismiss themselves from the congregation. The roast is burning, or the lines are going to be outrageous at the restaurants, are the excuses. The redemption and regeneration of the human soul is the reason Jesus came1 yet we treat it as an occasion to excuse ourselves from the miracle of the moment. We sigh; look around; and say to our self, how much longer is he going to drag this on instead of praying that God would reveal Himself to those in need and draw men to repentance and belief. Jesus said in John 14:12 that those that believe on Him would do greater works than He did because He will go to the Father. Greater works than Jesus; He spoke and people were healed. He called forth rotting Lazarus from the grave and he came. What did Jesus mean by that statement? When Jesus walked on the earth, He was the Son of God (John 10:362; Acts 3:263); 100% divine in nature, essence, and substance. Jesus was also 100% man (Isaiah. 7:14)4; clothed in humanity in order to redeem mankind. No angel could redeem man; only a man could pay the price mankind owed for his rebellion. How can we do greater works than these? As one counted among those that

believe, we have within our regenerated soul, the very Holy Spirit of God tabernacling within us. He testifies to the truth of scripture (Acts 5:32) 5, convicts of sin (Heb. 3:7-8)6, and leads us into righteousness (Rev. 2:7)7.

As a man, Christ denied Himself the right to act as deity; one being His omnipresence; and another, certain aspects of His omniscience (Mark 13:32)8. Christ denied Himself the ability to be all places at all times and the knowledge of certain things. It wasnt that Christ couldnt, it was the fact that He didnt. humiliated himself and took the form of a servant. The Son did heal; He caused the blind to see, regenerated limbs and muscle, and even raised the dead. He did it one person at a time, or at least, that is the way the scripture reveals (Matt. 11:15)9. Christ even forgave sin; but He did it one person at a time. Christ IN us is our Hope of Glory (Colossians 1:27)10. We are preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the indwelling and power of Holy Spirit. This is the greater work; as the disciples were scattered through out the nations, they preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the power of Holy Spirit. (Luke 24:4911; Matt. 5:1412) Men came to true repentance throughout the known world and continue to do so even today as the Word of God and the truth of the gospel is shared (Matt. 28:19)13. Christ no longer is confined to one location; one person; or even one lifetime. Through the Holy Spirit, men and women of all ages declare the truth of the gospel; and in doing so, men are offered eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. It is with great hope and with great caution that the topics within this document are discussed. To dwell on the gospel is to search the greatest mysteries and revelations the universe holds. Within the gospel of Jesus lies the justice and holiness of the God of the universe, the sinful acts of man, and the sacrifice of God himself in the incarnate Christ. Christ, who never stopped being God,

INTRODUCTION In many Church circles today, the idea of study has been all but abandoned. We have conceded to the lie that those who call themselves Christian will not take the time to study, so pastors and teachers have conceded to study for them, spoon feeding them as if they are on life support. We should be Bereans and receive the Word with openness, then search the

scripture to see if those things be so. So study and be a Berean. (Acts 17:11) 14 Proverbs says it is an honor and privilege to search the scripture. [It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter. (Prov. 25:2 KJV) What must be realized is that ALL we know of God has been revealed by God in His Word15. How do we know the things we know about God? We know them because the Word bears testimony of that unfathomable truth. Derickson says that, I have gone through systematic theology in four colleges and seminaries. I have taught through the entire ten sections twice in a Bible Institute, yet I find that I am still playing with the surface of the topics involved.16 If our experiential theology does not coincide with the truth of scripture, it is not scripture that is wrong, but our theology. We can only scratch the surface of the vastness of Gods Word this side of heaven; however, there is unspeakable humility when truth is revealed after hard study. There are many worthwhile studies to engage; many topics and questions that need answering. There is, however, only one subject that has eternal consequences. One subject that when heralded to the lost, can transform the soul and translate that person from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. In an instant, the old retched man is dead and a new creation is born. This message is the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are no greater truths to be found, no higher subject to be expounded; no greater pursuit in life than that of the gospel.

Chapter 1 Why the Gospel?

1.1 The Great Shepard Knowing You Our desire should be that people know the Good and Great Shepard (John 10:1) 17. The late Adrian Rogers of Belleview Baptist Church in Memphis once told a story of a child who correctly misquoted the 23rd Psalm. She said, The Lord is my Shepard, I have all I want. YAWEH is one God (Deut. 6:4)18, who, seeing the depravity of man, clothed

Himself in humanity and bore our sin in our stead. He became our Provider (Gen. 22:14) 19, our Banner (Exo. 17:15-16) 20, our Peace (Judges 6:24) 21, our Healer (Exo. 15:26) 22, and our Righteousness (Jer. 33:16) 23; He is forever present with us. Man will have no peace, no

satisfaction, no healing, no righteousness, and no assurance outside a life IN Jesus Christ. The satisfied life will only come as that life is given away in submission to this Great Shepard. A more important aspect is this; while it is good and necessary for one to know the Good Shepard, it is more important that the Good Shepard know them. says, 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! Matt. 7:21-23. Matt. 7: 21-23 KJV I never knew you. These words will ring in the ears of the lost for an eternity. I never knew you. What horrible words to hear utter from the mouth of a holy God. I never knew you; the undeniable truth that brings eternal consequences of holy justice toward sin. The Matthew 7:21-23

tragedy of these verses is that those people thought they were pleasing the Lord; they felt themselves secure in their own deeds. They were blinded and overtaken by their own righteousness. It does a soul no good to rest in head knowledge of Christ but never meet the Savior face to face and heart to heart. Satisfaction within ones own accumulation of facts concerning the propitiation of sin does not equal salvation. One can knock on the gates of the White House all day long and spew facts about the building and call the President by full name proving they know him. However, entrance into the gates only comes when the owner of the house calls them by name and allows them to enter because there is a bi-lateral relationship there that goes beyond mere facts. In the instance of Christ, this relationship is intimate because this Christ was consumed by my sin and loves me all the same. I have shown up at His door naked, bruised, and offering nothing but filthy rags and He has covered me with His robe of righteousness, shod my feet with the gospel of Jesus, and has called me His own. Derickson explains that, God sent Christ, in love to a people that did not love Christ, or God. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.24 When we realize that our fleshly ideals of what makes us right or wrong, good or bad, moral or immoral, is like used menstrual rags (Lev. 15:3325; 20:1826; Lam. 1:1727) in the presence of God. We get a glimpse of how horrid they are when compared to the holiness of God (Isa.4:628). The soul of man will spend an eternity either paying the penalty for his own sin, or resting in the payment offer by Christ.

1.2 Famine in the Land The next reason for revisiting the Gospel is that famine is upon us. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: (Amos 8:11 KJV) The prophet of God says some interesting things in the passage above. A Google search will yield website after website of those encouraging people to prepare for the coming famine of the Word. This, however, is not what Amos said. He is not prophesying a famine of the Word, but a choice to ignore the Word. The word for hear ( )is shama. It means to hear with attention or interest or to listen to or obey.29 This is evident in the New Testament as 2 Timothy reads, And they

shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:4 KJV) Paul reiterates this in Romans when he states, [21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [ [25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. [26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: Rom 1:18-22, 25-26 KJV)

Here Paul states that these people knew God and the truth, yet exchanged that truth for a lie. It is not that they had never heard of God, or the truth was not there for their hearing. They simple did not receive the truth after they heard it.

Paul, in speaking to the Thessalonians, states a sobering thought in 2 Thessalonians when he says, [9] [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, [10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: [12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2Th 2:9-12 KJV)

The truth of the Gospel is love and it is this gospel of love and truth that can set men free. The rejection of Gods truth has severe consequences. In essences, Holy Spirit is called a liar when the truth of His Word is rejected. In the passage above, God sends a strong delusion to those that not only rejected the truth of God, but takes pleasure in openly mocking God in the process. This person seeks out the degradation and gutters of the age to willingly spite God and lure all they can into the same lifestyle and sin. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: (2 Peter 3:5 KJV) I heard a preacher state this phrase willingly ignorant means dumb on purpose. I tend to agree. The truth is heard and evaluated, then pride enters and the man falls. Mountains rise and God says, Stop and they stop. He gives the oceans their boundaries and tells the sun when to shine and they obey. He reveals himself to man only to see men shake their fist at God and say, Who do you think you are? This leaves us with the haunting question posted by Peter when he says, For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17 KJV).

1.3 False Gospels People are set back at the mention that there is another gospel, another Jesus, and another spirit. In this age of seeker concern it is not hard to see what Paul was

communicating when he says, For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him]. (2 Corinthians11:4 KJV) Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life and there is no other way to God other than by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. When Paul says that there is another Jesus then a

parallel can be made that there will be another way to God preached and pedaled; another truth other than that of holy writ, and another means to life presented and promoted. This is evident in that the very core teachings of the faith are under attack today. From the virgin birth to absolute truth, these are now becoming negotiable items within the belief system of todays church members. The fact of the matter is that sin has become an unpopular thing to talk about and the impotence of man to be righteous in Gods eyes on his own merit is harmful to the ego. Luther states, Now the true Gospel has it that we are justified by faith alone, without the deeds of the Law. The false gospel has it that we are justified by faith, but not without the deeds of the Law. The false apostles preached a conditional gospel.30

This false gospel Luther speaks of is a result of the serpents temptation of Eve in Chapter 3 of Genesis when the Devil tells Eve, she can be like God. The movement away from the

truth is something that does not take decades to see. It can happen with weeks if one is not careful.

Paul sees this and is taken back with the swiftness at which believers can move away from the pure truth of the gospel. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (Gal. 1:6-7 KJV)

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matt. 7:15 KJV) This false gospel with its false Jesus and false spirit has its false prophets. Those that spew death from their mouth by preaching a perverted gospel are of great concern and many in number within the churches of today. Dagg speaks to those that deny Christ when he says, Those who deny the divinity of Christ, deny also the doctrine of his vicarious sacrifice. When he is said in Scripture to die for us, they understand the import of the language to be, that he died for our benefit; but they exclude the idea of his suffering in our stead, bearing the penalty due to our sins, that we might be released from it.31

However, we must not feel defeated for Christ has overcome the world.

Our

commitment to preaching the undiluted word of God to a lost and dying world is our command. We are to hold ground until Christ comes. As we hold ground and overcome the gates of Hell, we will grow in faith and maturity in Christ, transforming us more and more into the image of Christ. So as to prove what the devil meant for our destruction, God will turn and use it for our benefit.

1.4 Spiritualism of the Age Another motivation for reiteration of the gospel is that we live in what seems like the most spiritually attuned time in all of history. However, this spiritualism that is taking hold of the minds of so many is not a spiritual mind set toward the heart of God, but a moving toward further degradation into an abyss as dark as the recesses of hell itself. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Tim. 4:1 KJV) From churches that refuse to have crosses in their sanctuaries for fear it might offend those seeking a church home to the lack of teaching on hell and the sinful nature of man, the spirit of this age is the idea that man is a god or at minimum, man isnt all bad. It seems all religions are accepted by the governments and establishments of men other than Christianity; yet the Christian community expects something different? It is the teaching

that man is impotent in his ability to save himself that offends the sinful heart. It is the truth that Jesus is the only way to be saved that chaps the hide of the unrepentant soul and says, How dare you declare me lost and bent for hell! The ecumenical postmodern double standard toward Christianity is outstanding. All roads do not lead to God yet some compromise foundational principles in the name of unity. As the postmodern thinker stands on the sandy foundation of refuting absolute truth, relativism sets in and says truth has its own set of variables. The spirit then becomes one

that sees any declaration of possessing absolute truth as a means of control which leads to distrust. When this spirit enters the church, absolute truth becomes a source of contention and leaders buckle under the thought of loosing the dollar behind the smile on Sunday mornings.

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This spiritism of this age is a calculated effort by Satan himself to deceive and distort for a specific purpose and that is to turn people from the truth of the gospel to something else; anything else. Paul writing to Timothy says, For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3 KJV)

No longer will the wounds of a friend be endured but the kisses of the enemy will be sought. These people who turn away from Christ will want to hear teaching and preaching that makes them feel good, that has no mention of hell, judgment, sin, or the holiness of God and the sinful nature of man. In a land where capitalism thrives and supply and demand is the

mainstay of the economy, the demand will surely produce the supply of these false teachers and preachers. People who have turned their ears away from the truth will pull these

teachers to them like a mother suckling an infant. It was once said that people will tend to believe a big lie more than a little lie. Now, lying is a sin, but it seems that the bigger the lie the more apt people are to consider it to be factual. Pauls words ring true when he indicates that in the last days there will be those that accept fables and made up stories as truth. There, in essence, are two damning aspects of

this atrocity: 1) People are turning away from the true gospel, and 2) they are exchanging the truth for an outright monstrous known fable or story. What people exchange for the truth

and believe is almost as bad as turning from the gospel, for what they are turning to is a made up story with no foundation and no support. People will not embrace the truth because the truth casts a spot light on their sin and frailty. When the truth is rejected, any alternative will do; especially alternatives that condone the lifestyle they wish to wallow.

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1.5 The Deserving Child I have twin boys. I look at mine and other children and purpose that they deserve to hear the truth of the gospel. I pray their reliance on anything other than God (including my wife and me) for salvation is utterly and without hope of resurrection; destroyed. In order for Christ to be King of their life, they must die to self. Their sin must break their heart and repentance must follow, leading to a life long belief in Christ as their Savior and provider. Nothing else is acceptable. Without exception, all who believe have traveled down that road. There is a legend of Helen of Constantine (250 330 A.D) that tells of her quest for the cross of Christ. While there is no credence to the story and should be taken as mere fiction, there is a lesson within fable that can be gleaned. The story goes that when the three crosses were found, the issue then became one of determining which one was the true cross of Christ. How this was determined was a simple matter. She found a woman with leprosy, and contact with the wood healed the leprosy immediately.32 Now, biblical teaching is that it is Christ that heals not the wood. At the same time, the parallel and teaching of the story is found in a question; What cross have you nailed your eternity to? In other words, all must ask, Where is my hope of eternal life anchored; To Christ, or something else? Many anchor themselves to their own intellect believing they will one day be a god. Some anchor themselves to their own knowledge of world religions. Others anchor

themselves to this world system and the money it produces. All these will perish and rot away.

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Many anchor themselves to an unfinished cross. This cross requires good works to be complete. This fragmentary cross may require membership in an organization or group. This partial cross requires Christ plus ________. These are all false crosses because the

work Christ did on the cross requires no other supplement for satisfaction; no other ingredient for wholeness. Martin Luther bluntly states that, They admit that faith is the foundation of salvation. But they add the conditional clause that faith can save only when it is furnished with good works. This is wrong.33 If the cross we preach does not declare one and only one Holy and Just God then it is a false cross. If the cross does not paint man as degenerate, wicked, and impotent outside of Christ; it is an idol cross. If the cross we preach does not hail Christ as our propitiation for sin; it is a counterfeit cross. If the cross we preach does not depict the wrath of God being poured out on His only Son in our place; it is a phony cross. Our children deserve to be instructed in a way that will lead them to the true cross of Christ and repentance. They deserve to be trained in a way that leads to a life of repentance and believing in Jesus Christ. They deserve the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. We cannot make any decisions for them, but we can and should with all care, fear, and trembling, present to them the awesomeness and astonishing work of the Savior sent by the grace of God to a people in desperate need of mercy.

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Chapter 2 The Gospel

2.1- Salvation by Grace through Faith Ephesians 2:8-9 says that it is by grace through faith and not by works that men are saved. 34 The basis is grace and the method is faith. What is meant by that is that grace is the foundation by which all are saved. It is grace, or Gods unmerited favor, that provided His Son to die for the sins of all. It is by grace that men take their next breath. Men deserve death; it is Gods grace that allows an eternal alternative. Faith is the method or mechanism of grace. The saving grace of God is applied to the life of a sinner by faith in Christ as the propitiation whereby we are justified or deemed legally righteous before God. Calvin writes, Still, the Lord of mercy, who not only loves but is himself love and kindness, being ready in his infinite goodness to love him who deserved no love, did not altogether destroy men, or overwhelm them in the abyss of their iniquity.35

Many cults today such as the Jehovahs Witness and Mormons have made a fatal mistake in that their basis is misplaced faith and their method is works. Anyone can be sincere in their beliefs but if they have the wrong gospel of the wrong Christ, they are wrong for eternity. Faith in the wrong Christ is perpetually fatal (Gal 1:8-9) 36. As a matter of fact, faith is only as good as the person or object in which it is put. For example, the Mormons will say they believe in Jesus Christ. But the Christ they believe in is not the Biblical Christ. They believe in a Christ that was Lucifers brother. They believe in a Christ that was a result of sexual relations between Adam God and Mary. They believe salvation comes by works

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and inclusion in the Mormon Church. So, it is easy to see that the Mormon Christ is not the Christ of the Bible. Paul also states, in Galatians 1: 8-9 if any man or angel brings another gospel that he should be accursed. It is well said that if you have the right Jesus, you are right for eternity. If you have the wrong Jesus, you are wrong for eternity. Only when the object of our faith is the biblical Christ, can one be saved. This Christian life started by the faith of Christ is sustained by the faith of Christ. We could not muster enough faith by our own means to be saved and we cannot muster enough faith to keep our self saved. It is solely by the grace and faith of Jesus Christ that the converted soul lives and moves and has its being (Acts 17:28).37 The basis of our salvation is the unmerited grace of God. Archibald states that Spiritual life is progressive in its nature. Habitual growth in grace is the best evidence of its reality.38 The means or method of our salvation is faith. We are saved BY grace

THROUGH faith. I think of the story in Luke 5:4-939. Peter had worked all night casting the nets and caught nothing. Jesus tells Peter to cast his nets for a catch. Peter, being the experienced fisherman he was, educated Jesus with the fact that they had caught no fish. At the word of Christ, Peter let down the nets again and the haul of fish was enormous. What was the difference? By grace, Jesus supplied the fish, but it was faith that cast the net. This was not faith that Peter had, if it were then Peter would not have cast the net. It was faith that Christ gave Peter. Within salvation by grace, God gives us the faith of Christ to cast our net and take hold of the prize of eternal life.

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It has already been established that this saving faith given to us while we were yet sinners, was not a product of our own devices nor was it a creation of our own will. It is the faith of Christ given as a gift of God that resuscitates us by the hearing of the Word. In this state, the soul accepts or rejects the cure which is the work of Jesus on the cross. Youngs Literal Translation of Galatians 2:16 says, having known also that a man is not declared righteous by works of law, if not through the faith of Jesus Christ, also we in Christ Jesus did believe, that we might be declared righteous by the faith of Christ, and not by works of law, wherefore declared righteous by works of law shall be no flesh.' Gal. 2:16.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb 11:1 KJV. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. This word, substance is the Greek word hypostasis. In this context, substance means the foundation of something which is real or a reality. It also brings with it the idea of the nature or essence of a person. This

foundational faith is a reality. It is the very essence of divinity whose name is Jesus Christ. This faith of Jesus creates within the believer a steadfast courage and resolution that brings about fortitude and assurance that what we hope for will come to pass. According to Hebrews 11:1, our Hope has a reality and foundation. This substance has a name; JESUS. This hope that someday we will live in glory IS Christ IN us. Luther summarizes the difference between faith and hope when he says, Without hope faith cannot endure. On the other hand, hope without faith is blind rashness and arrogance because it lacks knowledge. Before anything else a Christian must have the insight of faith, so that the intellect may know its directions in the day of trouble and the heart may hope for better things. By faith we begin, by hope we continue.40

Without Christ in us, we have no hope of heaven. We have no hope of heaven, with out FAITH. Even our works are void without FAITH (James 2:18). 41

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It was said once and should be stated again, salvation does not begin with us, nor does salvation end with us. God, through Christ, is THE Author and THE Finisher of our Faith. It is not by anything we produce that declares the soul righteous. It is through exercising the unfailing faith of Christ in the finished work of Christ given to us as an unmerited gift found in the grace of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Rom. 12:3.

This measure of faith is given to every man. There is no such thing as limited atonement. I cant explain how, but scripture is the infallible and absolute truth of God, and Romans 12:3 stands as a testimony that every man will come face to face with the gospel of Jesus Christ and this gospel will be accompanied by conviction brought on by the Holy Spirit of God. This conviction will not be without sufficient measure of the divine faith of Christ that will be handled by the hearer of the Word. Some will exercise this faith to repentance and belief in the Gospel, and some will reject the faith of Christ and the Gospel of life for a lie. For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Romans 4:14 KJV. We have said much about faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Anything added to faith is no longer faith. Anything added to grace contaminates and the product is no longer grace; anything added to the finished work of Jesus Christ is heresy and an abomination. Christ plus anything else is no longer salvation but destruction and judgment on filthy rags.

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The good new is that if this faith is not a product of fallen men, but is the faith of Christ, then we can have assurances that if the grace of God will not fail, neither will the faith of Christ. Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and

upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Rom. 3:22 KJV. Our righteousness before God is based on the faith of Christ given to all, and applied by those that chose to believe. It is impossible to believe unto salvation without having the experiential faith of Christ operating in our life, or to please God without this faith of Christ in our life. The Bible says, But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 KJV Just as impossible it is to please God outside of the faith of Christ, it is just as impossible to displease God to the point of removing salvation having exercised the faith of Christ. The sanctification process has been initiated by God and Christ CANNOT fail! The Christian faith may waiver from time to time. Our faith may even falter in the heat of battle, but the faith of Christ that produced belief in Christ will not and cannot fail on an eternal scope. The faith of Christ that saves us will be the faith of Christ that sees us through to eternity. One cannot have salvation repealed because of the failing of a faith mustered in the flesh because salvation was not brought about by the faith of men but of Christ. Therefore, all that is expected of the fleshly faith is failure. We can see that grace is a total work of God and if anything is added to grace, it ceases to be grace and is, from that point on, works. We are the recipients of grace with

every breath taken and with every step walked. This is the grace that is afforded every man, woman, boy, and girl. There is a grace that is given to those that exercise the faith of Christ

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upon hearing the word of God. This grace shown by God removes sin and declares the sinner righteous. This is saving grace; available to all; received by few. Luther points out that our feelings have little to do with salvation by grace through faith. He states that, We possess Christ by faith and in the midst of our afflictions we hopefully wait for the consummation of our righteousness. You may say, The trouble is I dont feel as if I am righteous. You must not feel, but believe.42

Grace is defined as getting something that is undeserved. Grace is the basis by which we are saved. It is the very foundation of our salvation. It is like the sole argument in a legal case. Our argument for inclusion in to the presence of God and His kingdom is founded on one thing; the grace and mercy of God. This grace which is given is a mercy gift of God. Mankind deserved hell. Grace cannot be bought, extorted, earned or learned. It is a gift of God and not of anything we muster from our own being. Ephesians 2:8-9 says that, For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph. 2:8-9 KJV. Mercy is at the other end of the spectrum. Mercy is NOT getting something that is deserved. Grace is exhibited by God when salvation is granted to the repentant heart. Mercy is experienced in the cry of that repentant heart that pleads with God to with hold a judging hand and grant forgiveness. We are guilty and so we plead with the righteous Judge to not give what is deserved; we plead for mercy. Understanding this, we realize that if our good works cannot save us, then any works under grace cannot condemn us. If our salvation is not dependent on the works of our hand, then the works of our hand cannot remove salvation given by grace, once granted by God.

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This is freedom in the Christian life. We have the freedom to do the works of the Father because we love Him not out of obligation or coercion. The saved soul strives toward perfection knowing that the grace of God is sufficient for our life and cannot be deemed insufficient by cause of our sin. This sin occurring after salvation should break the heart of the believer, not because there is a fear of God taking back the eternal life given, but because it is contrary to the life and purpose that God deems for His own. If God gives everlasting life, then takes it back, is it everlasting? The Christian will be drawn to repentance because we have hurt the heart of the Father and our desire should be to turn from that which God hates and desire that which God loves. This amazing grace given by God is one of the various attributes of God. This expression of grace can be found throughout the scripture: Lot (Gen. 19:19) 43; Moses (Exo. 33:12) 44; Gideon (Judges 6:17) 45. We see God in the Old Testament as a God of grace. Many times we see God withholding judgment. From the righteous preaching of Enoch to Noah to the grace we experience today, God has always been slow to anger and quick to show grace (Gen. 6:8) 46. Even Methuselahs name means, His death shall bring. He was the oldest living person recorded in the Bible. 969 years, Methuselah walked the earth. With each passing day, the thoughts of mankind grew increasingly wicked in the midst of a call to righteousness. The longevity of Methuselahs life is a testimony to the grace of God. There is grace that is given to all humanity in that it rains on the just and the unjust (Matt. 5: 44-45) 47. It is astounding that the people who mock God and try their best to deny His very existence are benefactors of his sustaining grace with each breath taken. Because

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of this grace, God gives man ample time to repent and turn to Him (2Peter3:9)48 Therefore, in the day of reckoning, man will have no excuse. Grace is the very well spring of righteousness. The book of Galatians identifies the Law as a tutor that leads us to Christ (Gal. 3:24). 49 Righteousness is defined by the Law. Within the precepts of the Law, one can find no provision for grace; no provision for compassion. What one does find is a straight path to the source of righteousness and grace who is Jesus Christ. It is by the grace of God that the Holy Spirit convicts the unrepentant (John 16:8) 50, pricks the conscience (Acts 26:14) 51, pierces the soul (Acts 2:37) 52 and even opens the heart to respond to the Gospel (Acts 16:14). 53 There is no such thing as irresistible grace in that the person has no choice but to believe due to the fact that God has pre-determined them to accept this gospel by the implantation of a heart that can do no less. Some would say that one must be born again in order to choose Christ. This is... Well silly. Why would one preach the gospel to those already born again? Why would an evangelist plead for the soul to choose Christ if they had already been born again by the spirit? Note in the verse below, that man must first hear the Word and believe; THEN he is sealed with the Holy Spirit and born again. In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Eph. 1:13 Some teach that God removes the old heart of stone and replaces it with one that can do nothing but accept Christ as Savior and accept the gospel. In other words, man is placed IN Christ then they are saved. This is not the case because one cannot be IN CHRIST

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and not be REDEEMED (Rom. 8:1).

[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them

which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom. 8:1KJV A person is not placed in Christ to be saved; a person is IN Christ because they have already been saved. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things have passed away, behold all thing are new. 2 Cor. 5:17 It is true that man is spiritually blind. We must understand that no lost man seeks

God; God seeks man (Luke 19:10) 54. As the Holy Spirit testifies of the truth of the Gospel and opens the heart to receive the truth (Acts 16:14)
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, Christ draws us (John 12:32) 56.

Although Revelation 3:20 is contextually speaking of the door of the church, the request is a personal one to invite the Master in. 57 Although prior to salvation, the spiritual eyes of a

blind man must be opened before the light of the gospel can be seen, it must be understood that Christ called to dead Lazarus and the dead man stood up and walked out of the grave. [That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (John 1:9 KJV). According to John 1:9, every living breathing man upon the face of the earth will experience the darkness lifted by the one true Light. This is the grace of God.

This is why we pray before we share the gospel. We pray that God would graciously open their blinded eyes one more time in order to see the light of the Gospel.

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2.2- The Gospel is Near: Romans 10: 8-13 8But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;" that is, the word of faith, which we preach: 9. that if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Yeshua, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed." 12. For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him. 13. For, "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10: 8-13.

The first part of this is a direct quote from Deuteronomy which says, But the word [is] very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. Deut. 30:14 KJV. Paul is saying that this justification is not so high in the heavens that it is not

attainable, nor is it so far below that it is unreachable. This justification is in the mouth when the truths of the law are spoken, and is in the heart as God writes it on the heart. Paul is

reiterating that what justifies a man is not within him. If justification was something that could be mustered within ones own being, there would be no need to go after it for it would already be theirs. This justification is evidenced by what over flows from the heart. In the book of Luke we read, A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Luke 6:45.

Paul then takes the contexts from Deuteronomy and brings it to that day and to our day. This word of faith is as close to us as the words of the Gospel. That is, that

justification through faith in the gospel of Christ is as close as the gospel we preach. Justification concerns none other save Jesus Christ.

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Luther reiterates this when he says, When you argue about the nature of God apart from the question of justification, you may be as profound as you like. But when you deal with conscience and with righteousness over against the law, sin, death, and the devil, you must close your mind to all inquiries into the nature of God, and concentrate upon Jesus Christ, who says, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.58

The confession of the mouth is the evidence of that that faith. Confession does not save a person; faith in the work of Christ on the cross does. This type of confession is seen in 1 John when he writes, Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 1 John 4:15. KJV After faith is expressed by confession, Paul tags it by saying, "Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed." This word believes brings with it the understanding that the heart that believes will not flee in times of distress or persecution. It will stand firm. Just as John so eloquently puts it, They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 1 John 2:19 KJV. This does not mean that if we fall that we have no advocate with the Father. It is the SAVED individual who has the advocate with the Father. There are only two kinds of people in the world; Lost and Saved. Exclusion in one category is automatic inclusion in the other. Its like being pregnant; either one is or one is not. Since the Advocate, or the one who is on our side (Rom. 8:31) 59, performs that legal function for the saved, then He is not the advocate for the unsaved. Christ cannot be the advocate for the lost and the saved.

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If this be the case, if a once SAVED person then finds themselves lost, they no longer have an advocate in Christ; they have been removed from the family of God; they have had their sins that were once forgiven and forgotten charged against them; the Holy Spirit has unsealed them; they have broken the grip of the Fathers hand and of Christs hand; and they have over come the promise of God in that what God began, He was impotent to finished. This is not the case! God will finish what He started. NOTHING can separate me from the love of God found in Christ Jesus! I shall not be moved! This is not a statement concerning my own power, but Gods! Paul concludes by explaining the reason for this statement as being a clarification and declaration that salvation is not just for the Jew but for all men of all nationalities, races, and creeds. However, it must be understood that, there is only one way, one God, one Truth, and one sacrifice and this justification is found only in the person of Jesus Christ. Luthers words are of merit when he states, I, Dr. Martin Luther, the unworthy evangelist of the Lord Jesus Christ, thus think and thus affirm: That this article, namely, that faith alone, without works, justifies us before God, can never be overthrown, for Christ alone, the Son of God, died for our sins; but if Christ alone takes away our sins, then men, with all their works, are to be excluded from all concurrence in procuring the pardon of sin and justification.60

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2.3- The Gospel Defined: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 1) Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2) by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3) For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4) and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5) and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6) After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7) then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8) and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 1 Cor. 15: 1-8 In looking at this text, we can see the gospel laid out. The first thing that we need to look at is the fact that Paul preached the gospel. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:11KJV. As stated before, the preaching of the gospel will not return void. However, one must understand that what comes back does not have to be acceptance, but could be rejection. The gospel always demands a response. We preach the gospel and the response can be acceptance to one and rejection from the other. Either way, the preaching did not return void for the gospel was declared, opportunity was given and the glory of God was affirmed. Make no mistake; our lives should reflect a peace that is not of this world. Our lives should be lived as a holy example of an ambassador of the Heavenly Kingdom. At the same time, many have let anxiety take over to the point where they will not share the gospel to others. Bringing the gospel of Jesus was of first importance to Paul and it should be to those that believe as well. For if faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, those who will be saved must have the gospel shared with them in order to believe. For how can the people hear if there is not one speaking the words of truth? How can one hear if there is no one sharing the good news? Blessed are the feet that bring good new (Isa. 52:7) 61.

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We also find that they received the Gospel. It is a great thing to see the broken life laid down at the cross of Calvary then see the gracious and merciful arms of God pick this person up and call the once enemy of God, an adopted son. At the same time, to see the truth of the Gospel rejected for a lie is a travesty in a most eternal sense of the word (Rom. 1:25) 62. The gift of the Gospel cannot be realized until the gift is fully acclimated to the individual. Its like medicine. One can read all about the ingredients, the sacrifice made to bring the medicine to them, and even the effect the medicine has had in the lives of those who have taken the medicine. But, until the sick person believes the medicine can cure them, and the person by faith, ingests the medicine, the cure cannot take effect. Once the

commitment is made by faith and the medicine taken in, can the curing process start. In scripture, Christ is called the Great Physician. Our cure was His shed blood. It stands as a cure for the terminal disease of every man; SIN. This cure is mighty to save. The price has been paid by the Father. The remedy is available for those that will faithfully take it in. They now stand in the truth of this Gospel. This means they hold firm in the truth of that Gospel. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12 KJV. Just as a Roman soldier was virtually immovable except by death, due to the metal spikes in the soles of their shoots, our hope in Christ and eternal life is grounded not in a thing, but a person; the person of Jesus Christ. Death to the Christian is not the end, it truly is the beginning.

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Our faith will not fail because Christs faith will not fail. then our hope is as sure as the sunrise and seasons.

If our hope is in Christ,

Jesus says emphatically that, Heaven

and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matt. 24:3 KJV. Paul points out that it is the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ that saves. (Romans 1:16)63. In the grand scheme of things, our responsibility is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ who gives the faith to believe; Holy Spirits job to testify to the truth of the Gospel and draw men to the Father (1 John 5:6) 64. The Father hears the cry for mercy and forgiveness from the repentant heart and grants salvation based on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is this work that we claim hold to as Christians. This work encompasses the virgin birth of Christ, the sinless life of Christ, the complete obedience of Christ to the Father, the undeniable fulfillment of prophecy in Christ, the death of the sinless Christ for the transgression of the sinful, and the pleased Father as demonstrated by the resurrection and ascension of Christ. Easton quotes Hodges as to the

basis by which Christ can be both faithful and just to forgive sin when he says, It is the plain doctrine of Scripture that Christ saves us neither by the mere exercise of power, nor by his doctrine, nor by his example, nor by the moral influence which he exerted, nor by any subjective influence on his people, whether natural or mystical, but as a satisfaction to divine justice, as an expiation for sin, and as a ransom from the curse and authority of the law, thus reconciling us to God by making it consistent with his perfection to exercise mercy toward sinners (Hodges Systematic Theology).65

It is a conceited man that thinks himself something when a soul is given to the Lord. Pride enters and the man falls (Prov. 16:18) 66. It is not us who give them the power to

become the very sons of God. This is Gods work at the time of believing in the resurrected Christ (John 1:12). 67 Men are not born sons of God. Men are born sons of Adam; fallen and wicked from the days of our youth. We are given the power to become sons of God by

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adoption when we are given the faith of Christ. When we receive Christ as our Savior by repentance and believing, the old man dies and we are a new creation; (2 Cor. 5:1768; Gal. 6:1569) not just a revamped or reconstructed life. We are a totally new, undeniably polar opposite of the person we were before (1 John 1:6) 70. J.L. Dagg states that, This change, it is the office of the Holy Spirit to effect. Pardon, justification, and adoption, are changes in a man's condition; but if no other change were wrought, the man would remain a slave to sin, and unfit for the service and enjoyment of God. Grace, therefore, does not stop with a mere change of condition, but it effects also that change in the character, without which the individual could not participate in the holy enjoyments of heaven, or be fitted for the society of the blessed.71

We can look at our flesh and see no change; we do not get skinny if we are fat and dont get fat if we are skinny; our eyes are the same color, we are still the same height. How can we be brand new? This flesh we see is not the ultimate reality of our being. The part that becomes new is the part that it eternal. Our spirit is revived and quickened with the Spirit of God. Throughout our lifetime, our transformed spirit will struggle with the fallen flesh of our dirt suit. Know this, in the Christian life, there will be victory and there can be, and should be, a lifestyle of living for God through the power of God. Does this mean we will never sin; NO. Scripture teaches that, If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:10 KJV. What this means is that if someone were to follow a person around with a video camera for a month, the film would testify to a lifestyle of living for Christ. Yes, it would capture the sin; it would also capture the repentance and brokenness brought on by that sin and the worship that overflowed because of the grace and forgiveness given by God.

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In Calvin: Commentaries we read, We know God, not to use him, but to worship and obey him. Therefore we know, not Gods essence (as we know the essence of an object), but his grace and will by and for worship and obedience.72

It is not a snapshot photo of a second in time, but an overall view of the life. Someone can take a picture of a person in sin and give that one picture as testimony of a person bent for hell. This is not the teaching of scripture. However, if this snapshot is

supported by a video in which sin is the lead man in the production, then the man has a reason to be very afraid. What was received was also delivered. 3) For I delivered to you as of first

importance what I also received, 1 Cor. 15:3a KJV. We see here that this saving gospel is not of Pauls own intellect. For who would image or even contemplate God clothing Himself in human flesh to die a death, even a death on a cross, for those who were, and are, at enmity with Him (Rom. 5:10)73. Our minds cannot fathom the depth and breathe of the love of

God. (Rom. 8:39)74 Christ came for a cross not a crib. This delivered message is of first importance to Paul. It is the first thing on the agenda. When we are saved, the most important thing on our agenda should be to share the gift that we have been given. In love, we testify to the realization of our shortcomings and to the death those shortcomings declared on our life when placed in view of the holiness of God. We can then provide THE way of escaping this death in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The old saying is true, Born once, Die Twice -- Born Twice, Die Once.

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2.31- What Is the Gospel? Many want to go down the Roman road and that is fine. Many have memorized the four spiritual laws; thats fine. Scripture is scripture, but do not fall into a trap of presenting a gospel that asks a few yes / no questions then ends is a canned prayer resulting in an arrogant declaration of salvation and another name on a church role. You, I, nor any person should think them selves high enough to declare someone saved. It is the Word of God that affirms the soul saved! It is the Word of God that gives us assurance! The Word of God is our lifes test to know we have a guarantee of everlasting life. The Bible is plain in the fact that we are to test ourselves to see if what our mouth is declaring is the true condition of our heart. We cannot trust our heart of hearts, because if lost, our heart will deceive us. Jeremiah say that, The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], And desperately wicked; Who can know it? Jer. 17:9. It is not a burning in the bosom as the Mormons would have you believe, it is an examination of ones spiritual condition revealed by their lifestyle as compared to Holy Scripture, testing our selves in the light of that scripture to see if we are in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5). We are not to look for assurance of our salvation in the words of a pastor, youth leader, or anyone else (1 John 5:13) 75. We are to look for that assurance in the Word of God, for only it ALONE is true and trustworthy. Just a note to those in leadership roles within the church or anyone that has the privilege of leading someone to Christ; realize all that is being done is LEADING someone TO Christ. The question, Am I truly saved? should be answered in the same way if asked by someone who just got off their knees or if they have professed salvation for decades. The answer is this, I dont know Lets go the Bible to shed some light on that question. Take

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them to 1 John and read the first 5 chapters and allow Holy Spirit to work as they read what God says concerning what a transformed life should desire and what the true pursuit of their life. Why is it we think we must have all the answers? It is ok to say, I dont know if youre saved. It is ok to leave a lost person ALONE with God at the altar. It is ok to allow God to break the heart of sinful man. Why do we feel the need to console and mend the stony heart God is in the process of removing? It is ok for God to convict a child of sin and draw them to repentance. We must realize that most of the time it is good to leave people at the altar with God so God can speak to their life or situation. WE DONT HAVE TO BE THERE. Many time all we do is get in the way. The true Gospel is confrontational. The true Gospel is cutting; it breaks hearts and pierces the consciousness (Heb.4:12)76. It floods the wickedness of mens lives with the holy light of the righteousness of Gods law that was willingly broken by every man. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as our propitiation for this sin is offensive to the lost. How dare condemn us or call us sinners says the lost soul. To make it any other thing is NOT the gospel. Paul was aware of this every time he preached to the Jew or the Gentile of that culture in that time for the gospel was offensive to both sects. It is a supernatural work of God brought about by the hearing of the Word of God moving the faith of Christ in the believer to a CHOICE. The right choice will result in repentance and belief as the

regeneration of the soul by the Holy Spirit of God takes place. The wrong choice calls the Holy Spirit a liar and the wrath of God abides on that life.

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2.32- Preaching the Word That Became Flesh Gospel And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14 KJV. If we could only get a mere glimpse of what really happened outside the obvious when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. If we could only realize the sacrifice inherent in those seven words, we would understand the heart of the Father as demonstrated in and through the Son. The shocking reality is the cross is not only a symbol of the love of God, but also the impotence and utter wickedness of man. As this light is revealed, mens wickedness is exposed causing a reaction (Rom. 5:20) 77; they will fall on their face and repent or harden their heart toward God and His gospel. All the goodness of man is only by the Spirit of God living in us by the grace of God (James 1:17)78. All that is eternal, holy, good and just comes from the Spirit of God living in us. If we say we have love, and the spirit of God is not in us, we are a sounding brass (1 Cor. 13:1)79. However, if we preach through the power of the Holy Spirit, there will be fruit.

(Matt. 13:880; Mar. 4:2081; John 15:2-482; Rom. 7:483; Eph. 5:9-1084). When we preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, (1Cor. 15: 1-4) 85 men are cut to the core being convicted of sin by the Spirit of God (Acts 2:37)
86

. Thomas Watson says that,

Ministers are but the pipes and organs. It is the Holy Ghost breathing in them that makes their
words effectual:87

Through the preaching of the Word, men are given the faith of Jesus
88

Christ to repent and believe the Gospel unto salvation (Gal. 2:20)

. All believers are

brought face to face with the reality of the Holy God, the wickedness of their existence, and the due penalty of their sin.

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To leave the condition of men in this state would be utter suicide. But God, through the death of His Son, offers grace to the humble and mercy to the undeserving (James 4:689; Matt. 18:490). In Acts chapter 2, Peter preached the gospel under the power of Holy Spirit, and the response was, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? (Acts 2:37b KJV). Peters response is the same response we must have; Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38 KJV). Peter is implying that in light of the Gospel, our sin is exposed as it really is; putrid to God. By acting on the faith of Christ, we believe the gospel and forsake our sinful life. Through faith, we repent and receive forgiveness from God. We accept the mercy gift of grace purchased by Christ on the cross. Forgiveness is possible only by the sacrifice of the Son. As a response to our redemption and the salvation granted, we are to be baptized, first as an act of obedience to God, second, as a symbol of what has taken place in our spirit and our dedication to Christ as our for-runner of the resurrection. Salvation comes by

repentance and belief brought on by faith, baptism is an act of obedience in light of what has already occurred. Baptism does not save and has no part in salvation. This forgiveness cannot be seen, it cannot be earned, and there is no documentation on paper of this forgiveness other than scripture telling us so. It is solely by faith

(Heb.11:1)91. The Holy Spirit of God regenerates the dead spirit and starts a transforming work in the repentant life that God Himself has promised to complete (John 17:19) 92. This sanctifying process is marked from that point on by a lifestyle of good fruit (Matt. 7:1893; 12:3394; John 15:595), repentance and believing in Jesus Christ as the Author and Finisher of that faith (Heb. 12:2) 96.

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As one is confronted with the gospel, they realize the helplessness of their own will and power to save their own soul. Man is extended the call to come and dine with the King. He is given the never failing and sure faith of Christ to exercise and believe the Gospel. This faith will never fail. The faith of Christ that called Lazarus forth from the grave is the same faith that is given to each one that believes (John 11:43-44) 97. This faith that caused the storms to cease is the same faith that is given to every soul that is drawn to repentance (Mar. 4:39) 98. This is the faith of Christ that leads to a belief in Christ that ends in eternal life with Christ when we become apart of the body of Christ. (Rom. 3:2299; Gal 2:16100; 3:22101; Phil. 3:9102) This summit between man and the gospel will result in a choice. There is no reprieve in this encounter; there are no time-outs in this meeting. A choice is made to reject Christ or to receive Him. There is no middle ground and no negotiating of terms. We come to God by His stipulations not ours. To negotiate mean one has something of value to offer. All we bring to the table is failure and filthy rags. We are at the complete mercy of God. Conviction may last for days until repentance and surrender comes or total rejection is conceded. Take heed though, there is no guarantee that conviction will ever come again. (Joshua 24:15) 103 Those that reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ call the true testimony of the Holy Spirit a liar (Matt. 12:31) 104. To choose not to exercise the faith of Christ and believe could bring upon the heart a hardening in the destructive direction they are headed (Rom. 1:28) 105. An example of this would be Pharaoh. God hardened Pharaohs heart (Exo. 7:3) 106 only after Pharaoh hardened his own heart against God and Moses pleas to release the nation Israel (Exo 8:15)107. God gave Pharaoh exactly what he wanted and solidified his heart in that direction.

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I ask; if God were to harden your heart in the direction it is heading right now, where would it take you; toward God or away from God. Hearing the Gospel is a sobering thing. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Once ears have heard the gospel, they are responsible for the truth of the Gospel. The Gospel that is preached must be the Biblical gospel or the words of Paul written under the power of the Holy Spirit will ring out for an eternity. In Galatians, Paul says those that come with another Gospel other than what he preached should be accursed or anathema; meaning worthy of the divine curse. 108 So

please realize, preaching the gospel is serious and worthy of great study and preparation. Paul says it like this: But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Galatians1:8-9KJV

The words of the gospel are life, light, and salvation.

Within Scripture is the

revelation of God Himself; His mercy; His grace; and His judgment. The Gospel is good new to those that will receive it and allow it to change their life, grafting them in the body of Christ. The Gospel also strikes fear and conviction in the unsaved and rejoicing in the life of the believer. It should permeate our being to the point where every piece of our fiber declares the grace and glory of God in our life and our lips proclaim, pronounce, and present the true gospel of Jesus Christ to a dying world.

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2.4- The Cross of Christ The Atonement 3), that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 1 Cor. 15:3b Within this one verse we find a doctrine of the church that is almost non-existent in both teaching and understanding. This teaching is of Atonement. Isaiah 53:10a- Yet it was the will of the

Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin. Isa. 53:10a KJV. Paul says, 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we

might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2Cor. 5:21KJV; this is atonement. It is a humbling thing to be wrapped in a perfect love that willingly became sin so that we could be righteous in Gods eyes. By this substitutionary act, the sinless Christ became sin. As a result of this act, Christ, Gods own Son, became the target and focus of the undiluted wrath of Almighty God. To the lost world, the cross is nothing; to the repentant heart, it is everything. To the believing heart, it is life. In short, the work of Christ on the Cross made the way for mankind to escape the eternal wrath of God that is upon all who have not accepted this work by faith. To understand the cross of Christ is to be near to salvation. There at that tree some 2000 years ago is the full measure of the nature of God as exhibited by Christ on the cross. For there on that hill we see the justice, holiness, mercy, grace, wrath, and love of the one true God. We see Old Testament prophecies fulfill in the giving of a perfect life; Christs life. To merely proclaim that Christ died is doing a severe injustice to the events of

Golgotha.

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To get a clearer understanding of what actually happened at the cross, we need to look closer at the following scripture as listed earlier: 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:12KJV. He became sin... Christs own words give insight into this phrase when He said, And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Mark 15:34KJV Even on the cross, Christ was teaching. As he quotes the opening phrase of the prophetic Psalm 22, he brings to recollection the ancient writings of David as he describes the events as if he were there. Within these verses, we see the forsaking of a Son; for this

Son was now a worm to be trodden. When the scripture says that, He became sin it means that some how, some way, Christ not only bore the sin of the world for all time past, present, and future, but He embodied and internalized that sin in His flesh. Gods focused wrath was poured out on what Jesus willingly became; SIN. David writes in Ps. 22: 1My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? 2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. 4 Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them. 5 They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed. 6 But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people. 7 All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 "He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!" 9 But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother's breasts. 10 I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother's womb You have been My God. 11 Be not far from Me, For trouble is near; For there is none to help.

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12 Many bulls have surrounded Me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me. 13 They gape at Me with their mouths, Like a raging and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. 16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; 17 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. 18 They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots. 19 But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me! 20 Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. 21 Save Me from the lion's mouth And from the horns of the wild oxen! And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Mark 15:34

It is interesting that this is the only phrase that Matthew and Mark record as being a direct quote from Christ from the cross. Marks gospel portrays Jesus as the suffering servant. In Mark we find no lineage and no genealogy, for who is concerned with the genealogy of a servant? Mark focuses on the suffering of the One who came to serve not to be served. As Mark records these words, I recall the upper room experience when Jesus took the basin and the towel and God incarnate washed the feet of men. Now as Christ hung on the cross, Mark sees and hears the voice of a Son calling to His Father and there is no reply. John and Luke record the crucifixion in their gospels but do not record this phrase, but focus on other utterances of Jesus. John portrays Jesus as the incarnate God in human flesh. Luke paints the picture of Christ as the Son of Man. There are two quotes from Christ that draw Lukes attention. These quotes surround Christs position on the cross as being between two thieves, and Christs interaction with those thieves.

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Luke records Christ as saying, Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. Luke23:24 KJV. These were not just words. These words are the foundation by which Christ keeps us safe in Him. When Jesus pronounced from the Cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." He was pronouncing, in our defense, our status as being unintentional murderers in the second degree and therefore granting us the ability to run to Him and be safe. He is our strong tower. Christ speaks first to the Father allowing us the ability to run to Christ as our City of Refuge. A wonderful picture of God's longsuffering with mankind in ancient Israel is found in the provision by the Lord of six special Cities of Refuge where those who had unintentionally killed another, might flee for temporary safety from the Goel or the Avenger of Blood. The accused remained safe within the city walls until the death of the current high priest. Only those guilty of what we would call "murder in the second degree" were granted safe haven. A deliberate murderer was banished outside the walls only to be met by the man whose obligation it was to avenge the death of the murdered relative. Thus Jesus is the

Christian's City of Refuge for those that believe. Jesus is our Great High Priest, whose physical death releases us from the blood-guilt of sin. Isnt it awesome that our defense counsel is also the Judge? As the narrative continues, we see Jesus being spoken to by both thieves but He only responds to one. The Bible says the first thief railed on Jesus. The word used here is blasphme or to blaspheme. The words spoken by the thief were not the issue for the thiefs

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request was, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

If taken at face value with no other

inference, this was a valid request from a desperate man. However, Christ did not reply to the mocking words of this selfish, hard heart. Christ was rejected and mocked by both the religious leaders and the worst thief, yet He hung for both. The heart of the other thief can be heard as he responds to the evil spoken to our Lord by the first thief as he says, But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. Luke 23: 40- 41 KJV. The second thief realizes the penalty is fitting for his actions and does not try to alleviate or forgo the punishment. He is coming to the realization that he will soon face God a condemned man. He realizes if He enters eternity without an advocate, he will face a punishment far greater that the cross on which he hung. In that hour he realized that the one hanging in the middle is who He said He was and the thief is trusting Christ. This thief must have been familiar with the words and deeds of Christ for he knew that Christ was being punished for crimes He did not commit. He may have heard his teachings and his claims to be the Messiah. He may have seen the miracles and events of the past week. For the repentant thief humbled himself and made the request that produced a response from the Savior. The words from the heart of the thief filled Christ with compassion and this compassion led to the salvation of the thief. These simple words were, And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. Luke 23:42KJV

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This man acknowledged Christ as Lord. The word used here is kyrios which is a title is given to God, the Messiah. These words were uttered in reverence and respect

recognizing Christ as the sovereign disposer of the souls of men. To this thief, Christ was his only hope from the wrath of God that awaited him. This thief realized something that Judas Iscariot did not. In Matthews gospel we find the disciples contemplating over Jesus revelation that one of them would betray him. The other disciples called Jesus Lord or Master, yet Judas says, Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, "Rabbi, is it I?" He said to him, "You have said it." Matt. 26:25 KJV. In these words, we see Judas calling Jesus Rabbi which means honorable sir or teacher. Judas was as close to salvation as one

could get yet was a million miles away. He saw the miracles; he witnessed the healings; he heard the words of life; he walked with the creator of the universe. Yet in all this, the most potent response the heart of Judas could muster was honorable sir. Pride would not allow him to call Jesus Messiah for he felt not the need for being saved. Arrogance could not bring him to declare Christ Lord of all. Satanic pride and greed filled Judas to betrayal. Yet, unlike Judas, this lowly thief who would soon become a king and a priest recognizes Jesus for who He really is. This condemned man found himself hanging beside the sinless Son of God. As Jesus hung on the cross, He identified with the thief. As Jesus paid for the sins of both men; of all men; only one accepted the reality of their situation, understood the disparity of the actions, and understood the consequences. Within the shock of true eternal reality, the thief cries for mercy and God replies, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43bKJV)

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Christ only responded to the thief that engaged Him as who He is. Jesus engages the world even today by the Word of God and the testimony of the Holy Spirit. The cross of Christ testifies even today. However, only those that respond to the truth will Christ utter

the words, enter in my good and faithful servant. The cross stood pleading all to come. The cross still stands pleading those who will come and die. All who are exposed to the words of the Gospel look upon Christ. Just as the bitten children of Israel had to look upon the serpent to be saved from death, so we must gaze upon Christ as our salvation. Christ became what men are, in order to deliver us from our rightful payment. In Numbers 21: 4-9 we read, 4 Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread." 6 So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live." 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. Numbers 21:4-9

The symbolism in this Old Testament account finds its realization in the person of Jesus Christ. In verse 5 we find the people complaining and grumbling about the provision God had send in the form of manna. They went so far as to say the provision of God was causing them to loath the bread. This word in essence means that it made them vomit.

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In response to this, the Lord sent fiery serpents that bit the people. These were called fiery because of the terrible inflamed venom that was injected into the victim. As these serpents ravaged the people causing the bitten to die, they pleaded with Moses to pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us. This was not to be the plan of God. God told Moses to have the people make a likeness of a fiery serpent and raise it up on a standard (or rallying point). Those who had been bitten could look upon the image and be saved. John relates to us that, And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: John 3:14KJV. Just as Israel was stricken with the bite of a serpent for despising Gods provision and desiring more that what God gave, man is also stricken with sin for the same reason. Man rejected Gods provision in the garden when all the fruit of the trees were no longer satisfactory and man wanted more. As a result, mankind became stricken with the bite of sin. The lure of Satans words of being like God enticed and deceived Eve but Adam disobeyed willingly. This bite can only lead to death. Israel didnt want to change their heart; they just wanted the trial to go away. Had God just taken away the serpents, the people would have still died. There would have been no remedy for the bitten. Just as Adam and Eve in the garden; mans first act of religion

was to try and hide sin by fashioning a covering of fig leaves. Gods plan was that sin could only be covered by the skins of an animal. In order for that to take place, the sacrifice of the innocent had to occur; blood was spilled and the guiltless died. He instructed them to take an image of that which was the cause of their death, and look upon it for salvation. In scripture, Bronze is representative of judgment. This serpent was entirely made of bronze. Again, scripture relates that Christ BECAME sin. This image

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was raised up on a standard or a rallying point. God didnt call them to run from the standard, but rather gather around it. They did not have to be baptized under it, or perform any ritual to it; they just had to have faith in God and look upon it in belief. It was a fool who was bitten by the serpent then ran away from the standard. It is the fool that realizes their sin and runs from the Cross of Christ. It was on that cross that Christ became sin for us. Just as the serpent represented the essence of that which killed, Christ became the sin that so easily kills us. The instructions were simple, trust God, look upon the serpent for salvation, and healing would come. Ours is the same, trust God, believe upon the Son, run to the cross and be saved. As we have seen, the Old Testament types and shadows come alive in the New Testament. In Leviticus 16, we read of the scapegoat. 18 And he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD, and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around. 19 Then he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, cleanse it, and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel. 20 "And when he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place, the tabernacle of meeting, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat. 21 Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man. 22 The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness. 23 "Then Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of meeting, shall take off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and shall leave them there. 24 And he shall wash his body with water in a holy place, put on his garments, come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for himself and for the people. 25 The fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar. 26 And he who released the goat as the scapegoat shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp. 27 The bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Holy Place, shall be carried outside the camp. And they shall burn in the fire their skins, their flesh, and their offal. 28 Then he who burns them

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shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp. Leviticus 16: 18-28

The death of the Messiah could only be portrayed by the use of two goat offerings. The first goat spilled its blood in order to atone for the Holy Place, the tabernacle, and the altar. Only then would the priest call for the scapegoat. The priest would lay both hands on the animal and confess ALL transgressions, ALL sins, and ALL iniquities of the entire nation thus symbolizing that the entire sin debt of the entire nation was placed on that animal. This goat was then led outside the city walls and into a desolate place in which no man lived. It was in this place that the goat would die; alone and forsaken. Oh the death of Christ on the Cross; for it was His blood that consecrates the heart of man. It is by His blood that atonement comes. In the scapegoat we see that just as the goat had all the sins of the nation upon him, so Christ bore the entire sins of the world. Just as the goat was led outside the city walls, so was Christ led outside the city gates. Just as the goat was left to die in a desolate uninhabited place, so Christ went where no other man could; He bore what no other man could; He suffered what no other man could; and yet for all that was done for man; Christ hung on the cross forsaken and alone bearing the sin of all. God let us not forget the cross! Let us not call the provision of God vomit! Let us understand the weight of what Christ said and did on that tree. Then let us embrace the work at Golgotha and the Savior that died on it but rose again. We can be wise beyond measure and retain exceeding amount of knowledge and still perish. We can be as strong as the day is long and still expire, we can be rich with the wealth of this world and still enter eternity damned. But without intimacy with the Lord, we are undone.

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Chapter 3 Sin
3.1 - Sin, The Law, and The Resurrection of Christ Sin, in its simplest form is disobedience to God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the Children of disobedience. Eph. 5:6 KJV. Mans sin started in the garden, was paid for at the cross, and will be fully dealt with at the Great White Throne of Judgment when death and hell will be thrown in the lake of fire for an eternity (Rev. 21:8) 109. It is truly amazing that man can square up to the Holy God and call Him a liar. To curse with a breath, the author of that very breath is utter stupidity and testifies of the depravity of the lost soul. These who snub their nose at God will one day find themselves face to face with the only Holy and Just God at a time when all pleading is futile and the time for repentance has passed. All that remains for that soul is the wrath of God for an eternity (Matt. 7:23) 110. This is why preaching the gospel is important. This is why the Gospel is crucial. This life is but a vapor; here to day and gone tomorrow, but mans soul is eternal. It will spend eternity in heaven or hell. The time of contemplation and reckoning is now for tomorrow is not promised. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Rom. 5:12 KJV.

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Man has sinned; YOU have sinned. I have sinned. Man has disobeyed Gods law and this disobedience requires judgment. Paul states that, As it is written, There is none We cannot escape that sin that so easily

righteous, no, not one: Romans 3:10 KJV. entangles us111.

It is a condition of mankind that all humanity after Adam would be

separated from God and this separation would manifest itself in rebellion against God and His law. The Law of God had no provision for grace; it had no place for mercy. John Calvin writes in his institutes that, What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh, (Rom. 8:3).112 The law condemns sinful men because no man born of Adam can keep it. The God of the law is holy therefore making the Law of God holy 113. Sinful man hasnt a chance and we cant get out of game. Yet this law proved its purpose as it brought to light the sins of man and pointed the way to Christ 114. 4) and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5) and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6) After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7) then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8) and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. I Cor. 15: 4-8

In Romans 7: 1-9, Paul speaks of one who was alive and subject to the law as long as the law is alive. But when she dies, the law then has no hold or jurisdiction over them because they are dead in the eyes of the law and are therefore, legally able to marry another. He states that those in Christ are dead to the law and free to marry another. This other is our bridegroom; Jesus Christ.

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As we, through faith, share in the death of Christ, we are dead to the law. Not mostly dead, but no hint of life. If our old self is alive then we are making Christ an adulterer. If we trust in anything other than Christs work on the cross for justification and righteousness, the law is still alive in us and we are married to it. If we depend in any way on a work of any sort for our salvation then we are alive to the law and it will KILL. If we depend on our abilities, the law is still alive and it will CONDEMN. If we rely on rituals, then we are alive to the law and it will DAMN. Christ will not be an adulterer; one is alive to the law or dead to it. There is no middle ground. Just as we share in Christs death, we share in his burial and resurrection. Christs burial and resurrection was foretold in the prophets and declared in the gospels. John writes, For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. (John 20:9 KJV) The law, the prophets, and the psalms declared that the Messiah would die and be resurrected. Jesus, at His ascension, said, And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24: 44-47 KJV.

Youngs Literal Translation puts the emphasis and importance on the resurrection of Christ by translating Paul in this way, for if dead persons do not rise, neither hath Christ risen, and if Christ hath not risen, vain is your faith, ye are yet in your sins; If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 1 Cor. 15:16-7 & 19 (YLT)

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Without the resurrected Christ there is no forgiveness of sin, and without forgiveness of sin, the Gospel is vain preaching and we of all men should be pitied. It is by the resurrected Christ that we live 115. Had Christ not risen from the grave then He would not have been the Messiah. Had Christ not risen from the dead then our faith and hope would have been placed in a rotting corpse not unlike Mohammad or Buddha. But, praise to the Father that Christ did rise from the dead and was seen by over 500 people. As Christ was resurrected, so are those who believe and trust in His work and not their own. Calvin in his institutes writes, In the Confession of Faith, called the Apostles Creed, the transition is admirably made from the birth of Christ to his death and resurrection, in which the completion of a perfect salvation consists.116 The Christian faith is founded in a resurrected Christ as proved by an empty tomb. The death, burial, and resurrection is the good news of the Gospel because it made a way for sinful man to be made righteous in the eyes of the Holy God through the substitutionary sacrifice on our behalf of God Himself clothed in flesh; Jesus the Christ. Death cannot touch the one who shares in Christs death because death could not keep Him. Hell has no power over the one in Christ because the grave could not hold Him. To be in Christ means to share in the sufferings of Christ. To be in Christ means to share in the rejection that Christ withstood. However, to be found in Christ means we will share also in the resurrection of Christ. We are approved by the Father because Christ is approved by the Father. We will be resurrected by Christ as he was resurrected; we are righteous because Christ is righteous.

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3.6- Gods Desire Is To Kill You Gods desire is to kill you. One might call this a harsh statement; that it is to bold, and it is terribly wrong. I say, it is the truth and to the truly saved, it is cause for great joy.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20.

Only the prideful heart wails about for its own existence. Only the sinful heart struggles for breath and demands a foothold in the actions of our life (Gal. 5:17) 117. To die to ones self is to allow Christ to live in us and through us producing eternal fruit. For us to die is the only way that Christ will live in us (Gal. 2:20) 118. The dead flesh cannot live. We must hang on the Cross of Christ in order to share in the resurrection of Christ. The fruit of the Christian life is that which can not perish and attains treasures that cannot be over taken by rust or moth .119 To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Colossians 1:27KJV. Our hope is not in a thing or a place. It is not in the governments of the world or the money, power, and prestige this earth has to offer 120. It is in a person and that person living in us. This person is Jesus Christ. Yes, in us; living, moving, convicting, revealing truth, and empowering us for ministry 121. One might ask how Christ can be in us. The answer is by the Holy Spirit living in us. Christ lives in us, through the Holy Spirit setting up residence in us. 122

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For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. Romans 7:9 KJV. God kills us by revealing Himself to us. As God reveals Himself and His Law to us, we see the dark recesses of our life. Our eyes are opened by the light of the Word that reaches the most hidden places of the human heart. The law kills all our worldly dreams, hopes, and aspirations outside of Christ and calls them as they are; rubbish that will fade away. Everything about the old man must utterly be destroyed. Paul makes this point in Romans 7:9 as he explains that the very law that he thought he was keeping was the same law that was pronouncing his death sentence. The law that Paul pompously tried to keep prior to conversion was in reality, death to him. When he realized that the justified life was not a life of trying to keep the law, but was a life of faith; He died. (123Hab. 2:4; 124Rom. 1:17; 125Gal. 3:11; 126Heb.10:38). But in this death of self was born the new life in Christ, by faith. 127 Paul and every other person who is saved travels down the road of self-death to a place of repentance and grace. As we repent, we see the grace of God upon our life, and rejoice making our joy full. The most joyous Christian is the most broken Christian. As this life of ours is broken in the transition process, more of Christ can be seen. Life and love

pour out through the brokenness of our own lives as Christ conforms us into the image of His Son. This conversion is cause for great joy as we become more like Christ. I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3KJV. This repentance is not repentance unto death, but unto life. When God reveals sin to His child, it is not an epiphany of damnation but of communion and transformation leading to holiness and conformity of that person to Jesus Christ (Rom. 12:2128; 2Cor. 3:18129).

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Listen; when in rebellion prior to salvation, we were under the righteous judgment of God. The wrath of God abided upon our life; not only in this physical life, but upon our eternal soul130. John puts it very clear concerning the wrath that abides on the unrepentant life when he says, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36 KJV. It is crucial to have a right understanding of sin and the law. It must be realized that salvation comes to the one that has been utterly broken, stripped, and rendered helpless by the law. Only then can Christ be seen in a light that leads to salvation. Only then can Christ be seen as the only means of hope, the only means of escaping the judgment of God, the only hope of being justified before God. Matt. 7:13-14 speaks of a narrow gate to life. The gate is narrow to salvation. It is approached by all, but few enter. Once one passes through the gate, God will keep them on the difficult and narrow path that leads to life. Now, as children of God, we are under the loving correction of a loving Father131. This correction is not administered in hatred or wrath, but out of love and a desire to see the child grow up into the image of their heavenly Father which should be the desire of every converted heart132. The writer of Hebrews puts it plainly concerning the loving discipline of the Father when he says, It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? Heb. 12:7 KJV.

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3.8- Gods Sovereignty, Mans Free Will, and the Faith Of Christ Some would have us believe that God picks and chooses who will come and who will not. They would have us believe that scripture teaches that man has no free will and even if we did, its desires would be to be at war with God. One cannot deny that man is hopelessly wicked133. One cannot deny that God did choose us before the foundations of the world 134. If this be the case then how can the free will of man coincide with the pre-destination of God? This is where man gets into trouble. When we start denying a Biblical truth based on our own inability to understand. Does the Bible teach predestination of the human soul? YES. Does the Bible teach that man has choices and is responsible for those choices? YES. Calvin states that, History is tragic; but it is neither hopeless nor futile. Universal though evil is, men act as responsible beings, under the mercy as well as the judgment of God who is wise and knows what he is doing.135

There is a perceived conflict between the sovereignty of God and the free will of man. The good thing about this is that the conflict is only in the minds of men; God is perfectly at ease with the relationship between the freewill of men and His sovereignty. The conflict can be understood as this: If God predetermined the course of man according to His purpose; then man had no choice but to follow that purpose. It was predetermined that he would choose God when it was also predetermined that others would not. If that is case then Gods pre-determined will would be, by default, that some were created for hell. This is not the case!136 Jesus said in the book of Matthew that it is the will that any little child perish.137

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So the question is whether or not the sovereignty of God pre-determines who will accept Christ and live in glory and who will reject him and spend eternity in hell? If the truth be known, that is the totality of the rub. A.W. Pink indicates that to believe that the will of God is that none should perish and then to see men perish is saying that the will of God is disappointed, Christ is dissatisfied and the Holy Spirit is defeated. John Piper has written that Romans 9 is a raging tiger devouring free will thinking men. Piper, like others of that persuasion, sees Gods foreknowledge as

being founded on His pre-determination of events. In other words, Gods decrees are allinclusive by nature of being all-determinative. God determines everything, therefore He knows everything; thus, foreknowledge is a product of the determination of events. There are no free acts of man because God had determined every action ahead of time. We are in a sense, just playing out the role and script God has given. This is at error with the teaching of scripture and can lead to a fatalistic mindset. This would negate the fact that God is not a respecter of persons and if salvation was not free to choose, then salvation is only available to those whom God elected and the death of Christ was only for the saved and not for the populace of mankind which is the clear teaching of scripture. Romans 9 is a celebration of the inclusion of the saving grace of the gospel by the inclusion of the Gentiles. I have no issue with the fact that all men deserve

hell, I just have biblical issue with the teaching that atonement is NOT available for the all and did not pay for all.

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The God of the Bible is sovereign, loving, and just. God provided the means and the method of salvation to all men. God even gives the gift of the faith of Christ to every man for the purpose of believing the gospel 138. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Rom. 12:3

If God predetermines some to hell thereby rendering that man incapable of choosing Christ and exercising the faith of Christ given to him, then God gave the gift of faith to a man that had no ability to exercise that faith. This would be like giving the cure to a deadly disease to a person, then not allowing them to take the cure just so you could say, well, I gave it to him. The truth is that men can reject or accept the gospel thereby being accountable for their own decision139. God knows the end from the beginning and knows

the choices that were made140. This, in no way, conflicts with the ability for man to choose and the sovereignty and will of God. Gods sovereignty is, in no way, harmed by the free will of man being included in the will of God. As a matter of fact, it actually works better. God is sovereign and man is responsible. God knows the free actions of man prior to him making them, and has taken them in account before they ever were a reality in the constraints of time. In essence, what was pre-determined was the free will of man; this made free will apart of that which was predetermined according to the foreknowledge of God. These are respectful God fearing men. The scripture calls us all to examine the scripture141. In listening to a sermon preached by David Guzik, he stated that some reformed theology is correct in what they confirm, yet errors in what they deny. God is sovereign yet scripture

clearly indicates mans choice to accept or reject the Gospel. This is evident in the very

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words of Pink himself in the observation that men are dying without Christ, yet Matthew states that, Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Matt. 18:14 KJV. One of the most inclusive verses of the entire Bible is found in John where he writes, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV. All mankind can be found in the category of whosoever making every man a candidate for salvation. Notice it does not say, whosoever is baptized will have everlasting

life. It does not say whosoever will do good works will be saved. Whosoever believes in Christ will not perish. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter. 3:9 KJV. The plain reading of the text states clearly that it is the heart of God that all men repent. The plain observation is that all men do not. Does this reduce the power of God to save; ABSOLUTELY NOT. The power of God is mighty to save those who call on His name142. The Word of God, in conjunction with the conviction of the Holy Spirit, is a

catalyst to the faith of Christ. The willing repent and belief thereby taking hold of the grace of God setting in motion a process in that life which will lead to everlasting fellowship with the Father. Men have a choice. Men are responsible. God is Sovereign. Gods purposes, decrees, and will, do not occur in sequential order but rather, was established in eternity; outside of time. With man however, we have a purpose, then we decree according to that purpose. Our will struggles to make those decrees a reality so as to fulfill our purpose. How many times have we seen churches involved in building programs

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that speak to this very truth?

The board will have a purpose of building a structure. The

board will decree that desire to the congregation. Then spend the next several years or months struggling to make those decrees a reality in order to meet the desired purpose. God does not work that way. God is outside of time, therefore his purposes, decrees, and will cannot be seen in sequential parameters, although to man, they appear to be happening in a sequence. God in essence pre-determines according to His foreknowledge as is stated in the word; Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 1 Peter1:2 KJV. Also Acts 2:23 declares plainly that, Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Acts 2:23 KJV. To deny that God knows

everything; even the course that men will take, would be do deny Gods omniscience. Romans 8:29-30 indicates this when it states that, For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Rom. 8:29-30 KJV

What can we say then? Scripture teaches that within the pre-determined sovereignty of God, He has allowed man to choose to believe or not believe on the gospel of Jesus Christ. In any case, Calvins doctrine of providence, with all the thought he spent upon it, means that whether we are good or evil, whether we live or die, we are Gods.143 Man is without excuse and is responsible for his choice of whom or what he will serve 144. Christ has made the way of redemption by shedding His own blood. The word of His testimony has outlined the consequences of each decision.

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I would give the example of being an Elder in the church.

In order to be an Elder,

one must be capable of teaching (see Timothy and Titus). However, one can be a teacher and not be an Elder. However, these two categories are not mutually all inclusive. Romans
145

8:28-29, God foreknew the course of men; knowing those that would accept Him.

He

predestined those to be transformed into the image of Christ 146. God is faithful to complete that work He started 147. When God starts a work in a person; He was the one who called

that person. He justified them by work of Jesus on the Cross (Rom 5:9) 148, and He glories in them as they live and move IN Christ 149. Those that He foreknew would not accept Him, He marked for wrath. God foreknew Pharaohs actions and rejections before time and used that knowledge to show Himself strong. Should we feel sorry for Pharaoh saying that he didnt have a chance if God hardened his heart? No, we should not. Why? Unlike us, God knew the end from the beginning. He knew that Pharaohs heart would grow harder and harder each time Moses would call for Pharaoh to acknowledge the God of the Jews, worship, and obey Him by letting the Israelites go. Knowing this, God used a life that He knew was hell bent, to show His power. God solidified Pharaohs heart in that with each appeal to obey, Pharaoh

hardened his own heart. Pharaoh will have no excuse on the Day of Judgment. True love can only be demonstrated by those with a free will. One cannot confuse the sovereignty of God and the power of God. Sovereignty speaks to the ability to do a thing and power speaks of the available resources to achieve that which is decreed God is not lacking in any aspect. God is sovereign and at the same time there are things that God will not do. The only restraints to God are those that deal with His promises to men and those actions that violate His nature. God says we have a choice; therefore we choose.

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Chapter 4 Jesus The Most Unequal Swap of All Time

4.1- Jesus Our Kinsmen Redeemer Christ is the true, resourceful, Kinsmen Redeemer, willing to take on ALL mans debts and set us free from the penalty laid on us due to our sin. (Rom.
150

3:23;

151

6:23;

152

5:8)

The

book of Ruth is a wonderful account what a Kinsmen Redeemer is and why Jesus as ours, is so vitally important. 153 In essence, Naomi (a type or shadow of Israel) and her family move away from their home land of Bethlehem Judea due to famine in the land. Through a series of events, Naomi has to sell their land, her husband and her two sons die leaving her and her two daughters in laws to fend for them selves. Naomi hears that things are better now in Bethlehem and releases her two Gentile daughters in law of all obligations to her so they may return to their homeland and remarry. One goes, but Ruth stays out of love for Naomi. When they return, Naomi tells Ruth to go and glean in the fields for grain as was the custom for the destitute. This was the only form of welfare there was at that time. The harvesters could go through the field only once. After that, what was left over could be gathered by the poor. All this time, Naomi was

teaching Ruth concerning the ways of the Jews, their customs, and laws. As Ruth was gleaning, she found herself in the fields of Boaz. He asked one of his servants who this lady was that had wondered into his fields prior to harvesting. Boaz was taken by Ruth. When Boaz learned of Ruth and Naomi, he instructed his servants to not harm Ruth but to purposefully drop handfuls of grain in her path.

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Upon returning with the incredible amount of grain, Naomi inquired as to the field where Ruth had been. When Ruth said that she had gleaned in the fields of Boaz, Naomie understood that Ruth had been in the fields of a family member who could assume the role of a Kinsmen Redeemer. During this time, people did not own the land. They understood that the land belonged to God. They could however, sell the use of their inherited land if they became

destitute. Naomis family had to do just that. There was a provision in the law for the person to get back what they had. If the person could find a family member or kinsmen that was ready, willing, and able to take on all the debts of the person, he could redeem the lost possessions, fully restoring the family member. Naomis situation was a bit more complicated. Her debt not only included redeeming lost land, but also included Ruths right to have a family member of Naomis dead son give Ruth a child. So not only would the Kinsmen have to be willing and able to pay 100% of the amount required buying back the land of Naomi, he would also have to take Ruth and give her a child. This was no trivial request due to the fact that Ruth was a Moabite Gentile. For a Jewish man to take a Moabite woman and have children with her could endanger their own inheritance. Boaz was not concerned with Ruth being a Moabite because his mother was

Rahab the harlot of Jericho. He not only was an influential Jew but a son of a Gentile harlot who was honored by Joshua.

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In order to find out if Boaz was willing to be the Redeemer, Naomi instructed Ruth to go to the threshing floor while all were asleep and place herself under the hem of Boazs robe. This was not a sexual proposition; it was something even greater. Ruth was asking Boaz to take her under his authority and protection and be her Kinsmen Redeemer. Boaz was overwhelmed with joy. As a hidden coded message to Naomi, Boaz gave Ruth six measures of grain and told Ruth to take this back to Naomi. When Naomi got the grain, she new that just as God didnt rest until His six days of creation was completed, so Boaz would not rest until this transaction was finished. But there was a problem. There was a nearer Kinsman that could perform this duty if he so chose. The next day Boaz went to the city gate and waited on the near kin to come to the gate. When Boaz saw the man, he called him over so as to be witnessed by the city councilmen. When the near kin heard of the land, he was willing, but when he realized that he would have to take a Gentile woman and give her children, he refused leaving the way clear for Boaz to do that which he wanted to do. Boaz and Ruth were married and Naomi got her land back. This, of course, is a very brief rendition of the book of Ruth, but it serves the purpose. Ruth (a type of the Bride of Christ the Church) learned about the concept of the Kinsmen Redeemer (Christ) from Naomi (a type of Israel). Boaz (a type of Christ- Kinsmen

Redeemer) was introduced to Ruth (the Church) by an un-named servant (Holy Spirit). Boaz (Christ) instructed the unnamed servant (Holy Spirit) to give gifts of grain to Ruth (Church).

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Boaz (Christ) never forces himself on Ruth (Church), but woos her. Ruth (Church) comes to Boaz (Christ) and asks for His protection and provision knowing that she (Church) has no ability on her own to save herself. Boaz (Christ) is overjoyed, however, He knows there is another kinsman (the Law). But what the near kin (Law) couldnt do, Boaz (Christ) did. He showed mercy and compassion on the undeserving. Boaz (Christ) received a loving bride in Ruth (Church) and Naomi (Israel) got the land back. This is a great shadow of our relationship with Christ. We are destitute and unable to save ourselves. The Holy Spirit draws us to Christ, but Christ does not force Himself on us. The decision to come to Christ is only after our realization that we are not able to make it on our own. When we ask Christ to be our redeemer, protector, and provision He does so with Joy. He paid the debt owed to the Law in full clearing the way for us to become His bride. Jesus was born Jew but He Identified with the whole of humanity.

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4.2- Sacrifice Made: Death of The Son The Old Testament is filled with historical events that shadow the events in the New Testament. It is said that, In the Old Testament, the New Testament is Concealed; In the New Testament, the Old Testament is Revealed. A fathers sacrifice of his son is not

without exception. We find the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. Abraham was 100 years old when he and Sarah had the child of promise; Isaac.154 God had called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees into the Promised Land. He had promised Abraham that, in him, would all the nations of the world be blessed. There was an issue in the eyes of Abraham. He and Sarah, his wife, was getting old and she had never bore Abraham any children. Abraham and Sarah took matters into their own hands and Abraham had a son by Sarahs handmaiden Hagar. They named him Ishmael. When God came to Abraham again and said that Sarah was going to bear him a child, Abraham and Sarah laughed noting that they were way past child bearing years. Still yet,

God did allow them to have a son whom they named Isaac. Several years later, God came to Abraham again, And he said, Take now thy son, thine only [son] Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. Gen. 22:22

Abraham had seen God do many things. Now, God is asking him to take his son and sacrifice him on a hill. The son of promise was the sacrifice God had required from a man whose historically was probably one of the richest men alive at that time, if not the richest. Yet God required his son; Abrahams only son (I know there was Ishmael, we will explain later); the son whom Abraham loved. Would he pass the test? God was testing Abrahams faith and devotion.

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Abraham gathered the wood and along with two young men, he and Isaac headed off for the place of sacrifice where God would show them. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. Gen. 22:4-5

Abraham and the young man Isaac left the others behind and took off up the hill together with a single purpose. As Isaac carried the wood on his back, he asked his father where the sacrifice was. Abraham told him that God would provide himself a lamb for the altar. When the two came to the place where God commanded in the mountains of Moriah, Abraham built the altar to God, places the wood in the correct manner, and bound his son. He laid Isaac on the altar and was about to strike Isaac with the knife and the angel of the Lord stopped Abrahams thrust. Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw a ram caught in the bushes. It was that ram that Abraham sacrificed. Abraham named that place Jehovah Jireh or the Lord sees. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son] from me. Gen. 22:12.

It is within this story that we find the prelude of a more important story; a story of a Father who gave His only Son for the sins of the many. It is within that passage in Genesis

when the word love is first mentioned in the bible. How profound that LOVE is first used within the context of a fathers sacrifice of a son. Only Abraham and Isaac could accomplish this task God laid out before them. The other men were left behind. It was only God that could provide a perfect sacrifice and no man could bear Christs load. It was only Abraham that could perform the sacrifice.

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Just as Isaac asked Abraham about the lamb for the sacrifice, we see Christ in the garden asking His Father, if there by any other way, let the cup of the cross pass. Let the wrath of God be satisfied another way. There was no other way for we hear Christ saying, yet not my will, but yours be done. Within these few verses in the garden are found the

humanity of Christ as He wrestles with the coming events. We also see the submission of Christ as He yields his own will to the Fathers. Isaac willing lay on the pile of timber just as Jesus willing hung on the cross. Jesus declared that no man took his life, He willingly laid it down. Isaac trusted his father that this was the will of God and anything other than that would be disobedience. Jesus decision to do the will of the Father was not determined in the garden. It was not settled upon in the midnight hour before the arrest, trials, and beatings. The decision to follow the will of the Father was determined long before that. We see Jesus at twelve years old in the temple

teaching the teachers and saying that he must be about his Fathers business. Our decision to follow Christ and yield to the will of the Father must follow the same path. Our resolve to follow Christ no matter what must be made in advance of the trial otherwise we may fail the test. Our resolve must be made not in times of distress but in times when cooler heads prevail and clearer heads can prevail. There is a striking reality in this story; a contrast to the Nth degree. As the hand of the father in Genesis 22 was stayed by the Lord, the hand of God the Father was not stayed. God crushed His Son for the sins of the many. Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for that man. Not only was Abraham willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac was content to be the sacrifice. Neither could do the job without the other; it took both men in complete accord and agreement.

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As Isaac was raised from the wood so was Jesus raised from the Dead. In the eyes of Abraham, from the minute God said sacrifice your son, Isaac was a dead man. It took them three days to reach the place of sacrifice. Yet it was at the end of the 3rd day that Isaac was resurrected. As Abraham pulled his son off the wood pile, he was actually seeing his son as a living person again. Jesus was laid in a tomb for 3 days. On the 3rd day, He rose again. Abraham was man of faith. God had made a promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, so the onus was not on Abraham to keep Isaac alive, but it was on God; and God never fails. Two thousand years later, God would call His Son, the one whom He loved, up the same hill. He would crush His Son as He literally bore the sins of all men for all time.

Scripture says that Jesus became sin. As Christ hung on the cross, so did the sin of every man, woman, boy, and girl that has lived or would ever live. Jesus came to earth so we could go to heaven. He paid our price in full on the cross as the Father crushed Him for our sin. He was our propitiation; our substitute; our Savior! Isaiah 53:10 says, But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting {Him} to grief; If He would render Himself {as} a guilt offering, He will see {His} offspring, He will prolong {His} days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. Isa. 53:10

Our sin was not just pushed under a rug or pardoned without payment. The sin debt we owed was not forgotten; it was paid. Not by the one owing the debt, but by the blood of the innocent; not only the innocent, but by the sinless Son of God155. perfect man; and that man died for you, for me, for the sins of the world. God became man;
156

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Chapter 5 Regeneration: The Effect of the Gospel

5.1- Imputed Righteousness What in the world is imputed righteousness? The word imputed means to bestow upon; to attribute something to someone, or to assign. In a more broad sense, it is the condition that declares one justified or without no debt. Righteousness is the virtue that gives each his due. If we are clothed in the pure holy righteousness of Christ then when God looks upon us, He sees our condition as righteous. When God looks upon those that are clothed in their own righteousness, the result is Judgment. righteousness they exhibit. When these two words are put together, they describe the result of salvation by grace through faith. We no longer strive to look good in the eyes of God in our own power or works. When the lost soul is regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit, repentance comes and a broken heart cries out for forgiveness. Forgiveness is granted and the most uneven swap in the universe takes place. Christ removes our filthy righteousness and attributes to us, His own righteousness. As we believe by faith that the crushing wrath of God fell on His Son and paid for our sin, and as we confess our sins to God, He forgives our sins and makes us clean in His sight. Our forgiveness is not based on our work, but faith in Christs work on the cross. But to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 4:5 KJV. This righteousness that we have is not our own. It is the righteousness of Christ in which we are clothed. These garments of Each is given what is due based on the

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righteousness were given to us; they were imputed to us; assigned to us; the righteousness of Christ is attributed to those that repent and believe. The gospel of Matthew tells of a king who had a wedding feast. When the invited guests rejected the invitation, he instructed his servants to go into the highways and byways and gather guests. As the king reviewed those who came, he noticed one that did not have on the proper garment the king had given to the guests. Matthew tells the rest of the story like this: 11 "But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt. 22: 11-13.

It can easily be seen that we come to God not on our terms dressed in the garments we feel are appropriate. We come to Christ empty, naked, and dirty. He takes us as we are, but will not leave us in that condition. He fills us up and clothes us in the garments that please our King the One true God. When Christ died on the cross, He prepared for us a garment of righteousness singlehandedly woven in anguish, dyed in blood, created in love. When we repent and believe unto salvation, by grace through faith in Christs work on the cross, we are then given that garment as our own. 157 The good news is that just as the faith of Christ will not fail and the grace of God will not fail; neither can the righteousness of Christ leave us naked and lacking. In Him is all sufficiency.

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5.2- Being Born Again To be born twice is to live once, to be born once is to die twice. This may sound a bit confusing but the term being born again is an idiom used to describe the new life in Christ that salvation brings. All humanity is born once of water. There is a physical birth that all humanity goes through. However, there is a spiritual birth in which the regenerated soul is born into the family of God. This is the second birth. Those who experience the second

birth will NOT be subject to the second death. Those only being born of the flesh will not only experience the death of their flesh, but will be resurrected in that terrible day of the Great White Throne judgment, only to be sentenced to an everlasting death in the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth for eternity. Nicodemus has issue with understanding this concept as do many today. In John chapter 3 we read, 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:3:8.

There are a few crucial points to glean from this passage from a conversation between our Lord Jesus Christ and a religious leader named Nicodemus. 1) Being born again is a necessity to going to heaven; it is not a suggestion. 2) Being born again is something different than the physical birth all humanity experiences. 3) Being born again is describing a spiritual birth into the Family of God.

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In our language, we reiterate an important point by raising our voice or changing the inflection of our tone or body language. In Hebrew, important issues were spoken or

declared again and again. To say something twice would be to put great importance on a statement. To say something three times would be to declare that point monumentally crucial. Thus is the statement, you must be born again. This phrase is used by Christ in this one passage of scripture three times in some form or fashion. Alexander Archibald

states that Spiritual life is extinct, and, therefore, if any are saved, they must be regenerated. Life cannot spring from death. Life is a gift of God in all cases.158 Peter explains being born again like this, Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 1 Peter 1:23 KJV. Adam was a direct creation of God. All of Adams sons and daughters were sons of Adam. When Adam fell in Genesis chapter 3, this same sinful nature of Adam is passed on to every son and daughter that sprang from Adam. All humanity fits within this category. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Romans 3:10 KJV. There is no escaping it. Paul explains the situation of every person born to the family of mankind when he writes, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12 KJV. Peter states that everyone born of men will see corruption, or, in other words, will see death. Paul reiterates when he says, For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.: Romans 6:23 KJV. He then says that when sin entered the world through the fall of Adam, so did the penalty for that sin, which is death.

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To escape the penalty of sin, man would have to come out from under the family of mankind and be place in a family that was not of corruptible seed, but of divine seed. It has

been stated earlier that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. This Word of God is referred to time and time again in the scripture as seed. Jesus used this analogy several times in His teaching. In Luke chapter 8, Jesus explicitly explains a parable and identifies the seed as the Word of God; Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Luke 8:11 KJV. Peter takes this analogy and compares the beginnings of faith, as a seed, and this seed is the Word of God which is not of man but of God; not only of God but Is God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 KJV. Archibald again comments on this analogy when he states As God the Holy Spirit is the Author of regeneration; so the instrument employed is the Word of God.159 Being born again means the regenerated soul no longer falls under the penalty of the family of man; but now lives in the righteous family of God. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: John 1:12 KJV. It means that death no longer has any hold on the soul because the old man born of corruptible seed has died and the new man born into the family of God by the Spirit, now lives. Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV. This new birth is a spiritual birth and the Father is God by the Word of God. Once in the family of God, there is no desire to be in any other family. No other family compares to the family of God. There is protection, security, and eternal life, compassion of a loving Father and the brotherhood of

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those that believe.

The Creator of heaven and earth whose wrath the unbeliever was once

under, can, in an instant, be transformed into the family of the Creator. Once under the righteous wrath of God, the new family member is now under the protection and loving correction of the Holy Father (Prov. 13:24160; Job 5:17161; Prov. 3:12162). I am a son of my father. I can deny that fact all day long but it remains, I am my fathers son. From time to time we get angry at our earthly father and can even deny him at times. The truth of the matter remains; we are connected at a level mere intellectual assent or descent can not change. The same is with our Heavenly Father. Even if we wanted to, our intellectual denial of the Father does not negate or diminish the reality of the situational adoption. I can say this with all certainty, there will be no one heaven that does not desire to be there. This desire does not spring from the longing to see the streets of gold, or the mansion prepared, but it springs from a desire to see our Redeemer and Savior face to face and worship Him forever.

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5.4 Whos Keeping Whom? We are the sheep of His pasture and this Shepard has never lost one of His own. When the Christian understands that there are TWO hands involved in their salvation, the idea of preservation becomes evident on who is holding on to whom. The question is, who is doing the keeping? I think of my twin boys. When they were young, I would ask them to hold on to my hand as we would cross the street. As they put their hand in mine, they may squeeze as tight as they can and think they are doing a good job. They are being obedient and that is what I asked of them. Make no mistake though; as they put their hand in mine, I have a hold on their hand as to keep tight grip even if they loose or even stop holding on. The point is this, when their hand enters mine, from that point on, it matters not if their hold on me slips or even fails; on purpose, or accidental; My grip will not fail and it is my grip that ultimately will keep them safe. As we hold on to the hand of Christ, the Christians desire will be to never let go. We may try to jerk our hands away as we are distracted by the things that could cause us harm, but our Father will rebuke us and keep us on the correct path. As we understand that those distractions would cause us harm, we repent and ask forgiveness and we are thankful that God kept us on the path.

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Our grip may slip and we may fall, but rest assured, we are safe in the hand of God and His Divine Son; Christ, and their grip on us is sure. God will pick us up and dust us off, heal our scrapes, and wipe our tears, then tell us to keep on moving. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. 28 My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand. I and [my] Father are one. John 10:27-30.

In this passage in John we can see that if we are truly followers of Christ, then our life as a whole, will exhibit a following of the Great Shepard. As a part of the fold, we are 1) 2) 3) 4) Given eternal life. (Define Eternal) We shall never perish. (Define Never) We will never be plucked out of the hand of Christ. (Define Never) We will never be plucked out of the hand of the Father. (Define Never)

Please hear the truth of this. In the first place, if I were granted eternal life and declared never to perish, then, if it were possible, loose that salvation or eternal life after one second or 100 years of having it, how long was eternal life? Answer: 1 second or 100 Years. Eternal life can only be eternal life if it is everlasting. If a soul was granted the unmerited favor of the grace of God, and exercised the unfailing gift of the faith of Christ leading to repentance, this same soul will continue in repentance and belief in the finished work of Jesus Christ not out of his own strength, but the keeping power of God. With a new garment of the imputed righteousness of Christ, the saved man finds himself secure in not only the hand of the SON, but ALSO the hand of the Father163. How can this soul ever find itself in a state of perishing with out BOTH, the hand of God and the hand of Christ, failing?

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If the soul described above finds itself condemned and among the perishing on the Day of Judgment, then the Bible is a liar. If this is so, then the grace of God has failed, the faith of Christ has fallen short, and the righteousness of Christ that was imputed to us was insufficient and the Bible lied when it said, eternal life was given. The hand of the Father and the Son, to whom the soul was entrusted, was found weak and impotent against the flesh, and the cross was in vain. This is not the case! The grace of God is sufficient, the faith of Christ is enough, the righteousness of Christ is not impotent and the repentant believing soul is totally safe in the hands of both the Father and the Son whose hands bears the nail prints of the payment for the sins of the many
164

. That soul will not perish on the day of reckoning because the day of

reckoning for the saved soul already occurred on the cross of Calvary; that soul cannot perish! If one soul under the blood of Jesus Christ perishes, then the cross of Christ failed and my friend that is impossible! Paul writing to young Timothy says, For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2Tim. 1:12

Paul sates the object of his belief is not a what but a whom.

Knowing the object of his

belief, Jesus Christ, he is fully persuaded or convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christ is able to keep the committed soul that has been entrusted to him. Paul restates this persuasion again in Romans when he writes, For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39.

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If the committed soul can be lost, then God has failed in keeping that which was committed to Him. If the soul had eternal life in heaven, and Christ promised to be with us always 165, then that soul was found in hell; Christ would be a liar, or in punishment. This is not the case. It stands to reiterate, the soul will stand eternal166. This eternity will be consumed with the love of God found in Christ Jesus, or it will be consumed in the righteous, undiluted wrath of the Almighty God. To examine our soul and find it secure in Christ is to know and exhibit the love of the Father167. To examine ones soul, and find it at enmity with God is a reason for great fear and repentance unto salvation168.

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Chapter 7 Results of the Gospel

7.1- Forgiveness As we are afforded grace by God, we receive the forgiveness of God according to the measure of the infinite grace of God and Christs death on the cross. 169 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Ephesians 1:7 KJV. Within this verse we find three words, 1) redemption, 2) forgiveness, and 3) grace. Redemption is the Greek word, apolytrsis. Redemption means, A

liberation or releasing effected or procured by a ransom payment. It is a reality of scripture that the soul is born in captivity to sin and held ransom under the law. 170 It is amazing to see a world that rejects the freedom in Christ for the bondage of sin leading to death. Grace is not getting what we deserve. It is grace that is the foundation for forgiveness. The forgiveness we have from the Father was not without cost. The depravity of man was paid for by the blood of the innocent Christ. The ransom price assigned by God was set at the life of His own Son. behalf. (172Isa. 53:7;
173 171

Christ, knowing the price, willingly gave Himself on our

Acts 8:32) No man took the life of Christ as if by struggle or brawl.

No man forced Christs stripes against His will. Christ gave Himself for us. Jesus said, No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:18.

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The sacrificial cost was counted and Christ paid the debt. The sin of Adam resulted in the spiritual death of mankind, so the sacrifice of the one, brings life to the many (Rom. 5:12). Paul states, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet

sinners, Christ died for us. Rom. 5:8 KJV. The forgiveness that we have is immeasurable because the price paid was divine. As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12 KJV. To understand this verse, we have only to look at the globe we live on. In the days of Columbus, the world was thought flat, though here in scripture we have the understanding of the polar globe. With this understanding, we can see the depth and breathe of the reaching finality of the forgiveness of God.174 You see, one can measure the

distance between the poles. This distance is about 12,427.4 miles. From the North Pole, one can travel south to a point so many miles away, but at that point, further traveling in that direction will result in going north. So from a logical standpoint, there is a finite distance between north and south. However, there is no east and west pole. There is no point at which one can cease to travel west and come to east. One could forever travel east and never find west. Thus is the truth of Psalm 103:12175. The payment of sin on our behalf removed our guilt from us as far as the east is to the west. If eternity was set on a straight line, our sin would be removed

from us as far as one end is to the other. Our sin debt was paid in ONE event in time, never to be duplicated again, or else we crucify Christ a new. 176 Our sin was paid for by an event at the cross of Calvary in the first century.

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And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Eph. 4:32 KJV. This forgiveness God gives is not given to us based on our worth, but for Christs sake. For God to take back the forgiveness freely given would be in essence to bring against that person, the sin that was removed as far as the east is from the west. Ephesians 4:32 states that God has forgiven us (past tense) and we are to be forgiving one another. Every sin ever committed by a New Testament believer was committed AFTER the cross. Every sin committed by an Old Testament believer was paid for at the time of the Cross. When Jesus said, it is finished, it was finished. The debt had been paid. Not just some of the debt, but ALL the debt .177 Therefore, in order for the saved soul to revert back to the perishing, the sin debt that was forgiven and removed never to be brought up again, would have to be laid back on that life; the words of the Logos would be meaningless. This is not the case. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 KJV. If a full pardon was granted by the righteous Father who is the judge, not for our sake, but for the sake of Jesus Christ, then how does God view His Sons work on the cross and the promise of His Word if that pardon was repealed and the soul fall again under weight of their sin? Christ is mighty to save says Isaiah. 63:1! The writer of Hebrews states, Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 KJV. God is the righteous Judge, and His Son is our defense attorney and jury. What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us? Romans 8:31.

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7.2- Sealed by the Spirit When we bought our home, we were asked to put down an amount of money to show our seriousness in purchasing the home. It was a sign of our commitment and dedication to the transaction; it was our claim to the house and no one else could touch it or lay claim to it. This earnest money was not some little token, but was an unrefundable amount that, if we backed out of the transaction, the full amount was turned over to the sellers of the home. Once the offer was accepted and the earnest taken, only the buyer can back out of the contract at that point. The seller starts making plans to move seeing that there dwelling place they once called home is now only a temporary dwelling place which will be forfeited at the time of closing. Paul sees the indwelling of Holy Spirit as this earnest of God given to us as a commitment that one day, He will redeem that which was purchased and committed to Him. 20For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.21And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,22and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 2 Cor. 1:20-22.

Verse 22 states that God has put His seal on us and has given us His Spirit to dwell in our hearts as a guarantee of our redemption. We will discuss later the doctrine of assurance of our salvation and as we are convinced and have established that God will finish what He started, it must be just as well established that there are proofs that the work was started. As the Holy Spirit lives in us and moves in us we should produce fruit consistent with that which is alive in us. Do we have as a testimony, fruit of the Spirit or fruit of the flesh?

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Upon salvation, your life was purchased is no longer your own. Paul states that, Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit [who is] in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV. It is false to say that you owned your own life even prior to salvation. Humanity has never owned its own life. Prior to salvation, sin and death owned the soul; we were the slaves of sin (Rom. 6:16) 178; bound to death by the shackles of our own wickedness. Christ paid the debt, and made a way for mankind to move out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.179 Even though the debt was paid, the choice was mans as to which kingdom he would remain. Upon repentance and believing in Christ through

faith, mans soul becomes Gods. God then gives man His Spirit to dwell in Him to produce fruit and that fruit produces assurance that the soul is the property of God. Jesus said at the Great Commission that, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age." Amen. Matt. 28: 19-20.

Jesus promised to be with us always. He fulfills this promise by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God. If Jesus promise holds true, then once a soul is sealed, it is forever sealed. [Let your] conduct [be] without covetousness; [be] content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Heb. 13:5 KJV. If it were possible for a soul that was sealed by the Holy Spirit to be damned to hell, then at the judgment, Christ would be a fraud, or the Spirit of God, and Christ Himself would be cast into Hell for eternal punishment. This, of course, is ludicrous and absurd on both accounts and in that order.

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This seal can be seen in the analogy of the Roman Empire seal such as the one that sealed the tomb of Christ. The seal was backed up with all the power and authority of the establishment whose seal was represented. The breaking of a Roman seal brought upon it

the wrath of the entire Roman Army; therefore, it was suicide to purposefully break that seal. This is the case with the seal of the Spirit. This seal carries the weight of all the power and authority of God Almighty and cannot be broken. Once sealed, always sealed. Ephesians 1:13-14 says that, In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Eph. 1:13-14.

Ephesians plainly reiterates that faith comes by the hearing of the Word. This Word is the gospel in which we believe. After we have believed, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God that causes us to continue to believe. This Holy Spirit is not only a promise that God will come for those who are sealed, but is also the evidence of the promise of the saved persons inheritance that God gives us until God takes possession of us to live with Him forever to the glory of His name.

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7.3- Heirs by Adoption When a soul is born again, they are no longer citizens of the kingdom of darkness that leads to death, but are now born into the kingdom of God and of light.180 The enemy of God has surrendered and now the righteous King bestows upon the broken and contrite heart, a new nature and calls him son. One cannot be an heir by the work of their hand, only by the spiritual re-birth into the family of God.181 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9 All who come into the family of God come by way of adoption. 182 Remember, all humanity is originally born into the family of humanity; not God. Therefore, when we repent and believe on Christ, we enter the family of God as he adopts us out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light. Galatians 4:5-6 says, 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Gal. 4: 3-7 This Adoption was made available by Christ who was born of a woman. Christ was born of the seed of the woman after being overshadowed by the Holy Spirit of God.
183

Christ was born a human baby with a heavenly Father. Setting aside the abilities of deity, He wrapped Himself in flesh and became a man in order to make way, the redemption of mankind.184 Only a man could pay for the sins of men.

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Christ was born under the law of God in order to keep the law of God.185 This accomplishment could not have been done by any other man other than the incarnate Son of God.186 As Christ lived a sinless life, this perfect life was eligible to become the sacrifice for mankind.187 Christ became our kin so He could die for us and in place of us so as to be the Savior of us. As the death of the perfect paid for the sins of the many, the way was paved for man to partake of the work of Christ on the cross. By this sacrifice, the way was made for us to receive adoption by God. As a surety of our salvation, God sends His Spirit into our hearts and our hearts cry, Abba Father, or when translated, means daddy 188 God, the Creator of heaven and earth is not a distant figure that is unapproachable and cold. But rather God is our Father and our Daddy who can be closer to us that any other person alive. He is the perfect Dad that will never fail.189 unconditional. He is the perfect Father who delights in His children. His love is

17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19 To know the love of God is to be in the object of unconditional love. Oh who can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus? 190 There is no one or no thing in heaven or earth that can remove me from the family of God and love of the Father. Because of this

love, our hearts worship God and praise Him for the sacrifice of His Son, our Redeemer, Jesus the Christ. 191

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When Paul speaks of adoption as in Romans, Ephesians, and Galatians, he does so in a metaphorical nature much like Christ would in a parable. As Paul was Roman, many of the analogies were gathered from the Roman culture yet possibly colored with adoption proceedings of other adoption traditions as well. In some cultures the adoption proceedings could be generalized as a freedom from slavery where in the Roman culture it was mostly tied to citizenship. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia sheds light in to the analogy in this way. In the Roman culture, adoption was a process by which the adoptive son would be transferred from the natural fathers rule and authority to the adoptive fathers rule and authority.192 These proceedings were extremely serious in nature and were always initiated by the father. This fathers patria protestas or parental authority was almost slave like in

nature. The adoption proceedings ended in a fictitious sale of the son by the natural father to the adoptive father. Paul draws on the many cultural aspects of adoption to describe our relation to God both in a family aspect and a legal one. In the legal aspect, we are no citizens of a heavenly kingdom. We are adopted by the King with all the rights and privileges of a natural son. As a family member, our natural father has renounced all ties to us and our heavenly Father now has made a slave to sin a child of the King; from slavery to son ship. The redemption is only a precondition of adoption, which follows upon faith, and is accompanied by the sending of "the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father," and then all bondage is done away (Galatians 4:5-7).193 The believer is then a son in two different aspects. We are sons by the new birth and adoption as God takes control of our lives from our natural father.

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7.4- The Doctrine of Preservation looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 Keep in mind that the grace of God and the keeping power of God are not trivial things. Yes, there is preservation for those that have truly been saved.194 At the same time, this saving faith will produce a life of repentance and believing. Christ in that life will produce the fruit that is consistent with the fruit of a changed life. Thorns do not grow on fig trees nor do figs grow on thistle bushes. The fruit of a tree will be consistent with the type of tree it is.195 The house built upon the foundation of

FAITH in Christ will prove sturdy in the times of trouble. The house built on the sand and the faulty foundation of faith in this world will falter consistently in the times of testing and will be destroyed. 196 This worldly way may seem right, and in the eyes of the lost, seem fair and just. However, There is a way [that seems] right to a man, But its end [is] the way of death. Proverbs 14:12 KJV. The doctrine of preservation in regards to salvation of the soul is a beautiful thing that should well up within the saved worship and praise and spur us on to good works that shows our faith.197 At the same time, I want to stress, that a life that reveals no repentance, no conviction of sin, no signs of life, or no desire for holiness is in danger. One should examine themselves as to the condition of their soul. 198

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The word, preservation means to keep safe. When speaking in terms of salvation, we have to look at the ability of the one doing the keeping. Paul writing to the Philippians said, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete [it] until the day of Jesus Christ; Phil. 1:6 KJV. The very person who is the author of faith will also complete that faith.199 offered by Dr. Johh H. Stoll, Ph.D is that, Once an individual has willfully accepted the regenerating work of Christ, and is justified (i.e. declared righteous by God), it is impossible for God's child to become an eternally lost person. In John 10:27, Christ says of His own, "... I know them". This is the Greek present tense, which never ends.200 A brief definition of the doctrine of preservation as

As we have already established, salvation does not begin with us nor does our salvation end with us. Even while we were the enemy of Christ, we receive a gift from God; the first gift received by all that calls Christ their own. It is the gift of the faith of Christ. Jesus is the author of our faith. He started this good work and will finish it.201 The bornagain repentant believer cannot ultimately fail because Christ cannot fail. A true Christian may fall, but they will not fail.202 A Christians preservation is not based on the acts of the individual but the perfect acts of Christ. Preservation is based on the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross, our identification with the death burial and resurrect of Christ from the dead, and the supreme keeping power of God. Another aspect of this preservation is that we are a new creation, not just an overhauled person. This new creation is not a physical person but a brand new

spiritual person. Prior to salvation we were in the Adamic family and this blood line failed; therefore all after Adam failed. Now we are born by the blood of Christ. This blood has never failed. As we abide in Christ; we never fail.

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7.5- The Doctrine of Assurance The doctrine of preservation deals with the fact that God will finish what He started. It is a fact that regardless of whether or not it is ascended to, it still remains. The true

conversion of the soul carries with it the preservation of it, not by our will but by the Author of our faith and the Finisher of that faith; Jesus Christ. I can reject the notion that 2 x 2 = 4 all day long and even write a book concerning the proofs that 2 x 2 = something other than 4. This has no bearing on truth. Assurance is a way that we can know the condition of our soul and if we are truly in the faith. Scripture is the revelator and answerer of that question when the life is compared to it. By the light of scripture we can know the condition of our soul. It is scripture that that declares, in no mincing of words, the state of our soul. The doctrine of assurance is not that we are persevered and kept by God unto that day when He comes for His own, but rather the confidence we have concerning the condition of our soul and whether or not we are truly His or are we being deceived. Mark 1: 15 says, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the

kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:15 KJV. Repentance comes first then believing. These are not to be seen as one time events even though there is a single moment in time for conversion. This is saying that now that there has been repentance and belief; continue repenting and believing and evidence of a truly changed life. Paul started out as the least of the Apostles and at the end of his life, was the chief of all sinners. This not some attempt of Paul to be coy or polite. This is the true status of his heart. Paul may have been the most broken of all, but at the same time, I can find no one in scripture whose joy was more full.

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One of the most debilitating teachings today is that which says we cannot know that we are Gods own; that salvation can be a here one minute and gone the next and you may not even know it thing. This teaching produces scared children that are afraid to step out in the grace and mercy of God the Father for fear that they may do or say something that will cause God to love them less or at worst go back on His promise of eternal life once granted and the soul transformed. We attribute to God characteristics of human fathers instead of realizing the unwavering commitment He has to finish the work He started in us; not for our name sake, but for His. God will preserve us because of who He is not because of what we say or do. There are only two conditions for the human soul. It is under mercy and grace afforded by God, through Christ; or the soul finds itself under the law which requires works for righteousness. There is no other. For if righteousness comes by works, then faith is void and it is no longer faith. If righteousness is found in Christ, then the law no longer has any offence against that soul because the righteousness of Christ is pure and holy. Lets say someone comes to the altar and cries crocodile tears with a friend. We have no dialoged with them other that to ask them whether or not they asked Jesus in their hearts. If they said yes we arrogantly proclaim them saved and put them teaching a Sunday school class, which is, if they ever come back. Many have made this mistake and after hearing this preached, I was so convicted and repented immediately and prayed that God make right any harm that might have come from this.

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No human alive should have the audacity and arrogance to proclaim a soul saved. This is reserved for God and God alone through the Word of God. Romans 8:27 says,

Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit [is], because He makes intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God. Rom. 8:27 KJV. A sincere prayer is not the evidence of a saved soul, but a life lived in repentance and believing in Jesus Christ is the evidence of the saved soul. We are not saved by our works, but rather our works and good fruit is the evidence of our conversion. A life of growing and becoming more and more set apart from the world and being transformed into the image of Christ will confirm the testimony of the mouth that Jesus is Lord. James says that he would show the realization of a living faith by the good works and fruit that his life produces. No fruit; no life: Bad fruit; Bad life. Godly fruit; Regenerated life. If this be the case, then where can one go to find the Biblical standard that would reveal the condition of the soul? The book of 1 John start out by saying, And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1John 1:4-5 KJV. What things is John talking about? He is talking about the things written in the following chapters of the book. John wrote the first 5 chapters so that we can know we have

fellowship with the Lord.203 He writes these things so that we can know that not only we know the Lord but that the Lord knows us. To a Christian, this examination should be both joyful and challenging as we examine our life against the life scripture says we should be living. As these match up, our joy is fulfilled knowing that we truly are in the faith.

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As is evident, this joy does not come by someone declaring us saved, or even that we said a prayer once. It comes by an honest examining of the life proclaiming to live in Christ. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says to prove your own selves. It does not matter what other people think, it does not matter what other people say. What matters is whether or not Holy Scripture confirms the declarations of the mouth as to the condition of the soul. 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.1 John 1:5-7 Our own declaration of Christ is not proof of our conversion.204 The testimony from our own mouth is not proof of our conversion. What should be looked at as a sign that we are in the light is if we walk, as a style of life, in the light. Do we, as a rule, practice the

truth of Scripture or not? If our desire is to walk in light of scripture and we do so, then we can say that the blood of Jesus has removed from sin. If we say we are a Christian, but our

life exhibits consistent sin with no Godly repentance or conviction; then examination is in order. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 8:10
8

This does not mean that a Christian will not sin. If any says they are above sin, they are a liar. But worse yet, the one that says they have not sinned make Christ out to be a liar. Read verse 10. It says if we say we have not sinned, then we make Christ a liar proving that the truth of the Word in not in us. This means that our life, as a whole, is reflective of one that loves the thing that God loves and hates the things that God hates. Our life movie is

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scene after scene of one following hard after God. Within some scenes, there will be failure and sin, but, those frames will be followed by scenes of repentance, believing that God is faithful and just to cleanse us from our sins. Our advocate, or legal counsel, is Jesus Christ, the Son of the Righteous Judge (1 John 2:9) 205. Every sin the believer will ever commit, past, present, and future, was paid for at the Cross. When a believer sins, the intimate communion may suffer but the relationship will not falter. As a believer, this broken communion will not last because when conviction comes, the converted soul will cry out in repentance and God will forgive and restore that communion. It is not possible for a true believer to live in habitual sin. The Father will not act in judgment, but as a loving Father disciplining his Children. The believers in the Corinthian church were in sin. Some died and the other got right, but no true believer remained in the state of sin they were in. Here it is. It cannot get any clearer that this. Now by this we know Him. How do we know; we keep His commandments.

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 1John 2: 3-6. One can say, scripture says it is impossible to keep the commandments. This is why Christ had to come. If this is a requirement then no one is saved. This does not mean that. The entirety of scripture points to the fact that those who love God love His commandments. They acknowledge the fact that it is impossible to keep the commandment, but the truly converted life will live not in bondage to the commandments, but delight in striving to keep them as they have faith in the one that did; Jesus Christ.

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The Law is not something that the saved soul is in bondage to unto salvation. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: Romans 7:22 KJV Rather now; the saved soul is free to strive toward that goal relying on Jesus as the fulfiller of the Law. Jesus said the law and the prophets can be summed up like this; Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matt. 22: 37 39. John puts it like this, 9He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 but he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2: 911. The question is, do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ or do we seek to see them faith and hold contentiousness and malice toward them in our heart? Do we love the family of God? If the answer is no, then we have reason to revisit what we thought was our salvation experience. What we love speaks to the condition of our soul. John continues in chapter 2 and writes,

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17. Someone stated that the true test of what one loves in their life can be seen by what they spend their time, money, and resources advancing. So the question is do we love what God loves and hate what God hates. Do we love the things of the world as evidence by what we pour our time, efforts, and resources into, or do we love God as evidence by the time, efforts, and resources give to His Glory? John finishes the second chapter by exhorting those

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to abide in the Lord and in the truth of the Word of God. To abide means to rest in as a primary residence. We are to live, move, and have our being in the Lord. We are to walk in the light as He is in the light. In 1 John 3 we read, 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 1 John 3: 18-19. The Christian life should be one by where we say matches what we do. If we say we love our brother, but our actions speak something to the contrary, then we have cause to be alarmed. God wants us to not only be exhorters, but a family that comes to the aid of one another. In this, we can know that we have eternal life and can have joy in that knowledge.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1John 5:13 In the way of a warning, we cannot be impatient with new believers. It takes a while for seeds to grow, so it can take time for the evidence of faith to manifest itself. One must remember that we must look for evidence and not perfection.206 In conclusion, the doctrine of assurance is a doubled edged sword according to Jonathan Edwards. As he promotes, the scripture does two things as the individual searches for assurance of salvation; 1) it warns the reader of a false faith, and 2) is comforts and exhorts the believers of the scriptural basis of the genuineness of their faith. 207 Some of the signs of that a believer can point so for assurance is a love for fellowship with other believers, a deep conviction of sin leading to repentance, a lifestyle of obedience, and a glad confession of Christ.

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7.6- The Eternal Security Question There comes a time in every believers life in which the question of whether or not one can loose their salvation. The two arguments can be summed up in two views: Calvinistic View: This view says that once saved there is no way salvation can be undone by any work of man because the work was not started by the sinner and therefore the work will not end with them either. The phrase, Once Saved Always Saved comes to mind. Armenian View: This view says in a nutshell that a saved person can, by their own means, loose that salvation that was granted to them. This view holds that even though salvation is by grace, there is a way by which the once saved person can find themselves in the realm of the perishing and damned.

These are very brief summaries and in no way encapsulate the teaching in total. They are mere overviews of the line of thought. It must be said that there are good scholars on both sides of this issue. First, let us examine a question that will hopefully put into perspective the reality behind the obvious question at hand. Can a person have their salvation revoked? is the obvious question. However, there is a subtle underlying question that, when answered, can put the obvious into perspective; Is Jesus who He said He is, and if He is, can He / will He, do what He said He would do? This is a very important question and one that can influence your relationship with God. Not in a way that determine eternity, but one that can affect the relationship with the Father. For example, if it is believed that one can loose their salvation, then that person might fall into the error of trying to keep their salvation by means of their good works.

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This is a serious error when the Bible explicitly says, O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would learn of you, Received ye the Spirit or by the works of the law, or by the hearing of the faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Gal. 3:1-33)

On the other hand, if it is believed that one cannot loose their salvation, in there lies another trap of sorts. This person is prone to fall into the error of presuming on the grace of God and therefore fall into the error of believing that repentance is a one time thing, mistaking conviction for guilt. He lives a life full of sin because of the grace of God. This is equally dire according to scripture in that, 1 What shall I say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Rom. 6:1-2) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead in deed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts of the flesh thereof. (Rom. 6:11-12)

A Biblical view of Salvation is one that understands that, 1) 2) 3) 4) 4:7) 211 Fortunately as we have said before, whether one believes they can or cannot lose salvation does not affect their salvation. Salvation is dependent on the grace of God, faith in Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross for the payment of the sin debt. What is important is that this subject is prayerfully studied out.212 Works plays no part in it AT ALL. (Rom. 4:5) 208 It is a free gift. (Rom. 6:23) 209 It is received by grace- through faith. (Eph. 2:8-9) 210 After salvation, we are to strive to live a holy life of repenting and believing. (1 Thes.

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Derickson reiterates this point when he says, it was propitiation through faith in His blood. There is no propitiation by the blood alone. Man must mark his claim to salvation on his faith in the work of Christ on the cross.213 He goes on to say, Christ died for the sin nature as well as for personal sin. He removed all barriers between The Father and the sinner. The sinner has only to accept that work on the cross as payment for all that is owed. Salvation is free in all areas for the receiving.

What is meant is that Christ spilling his blood on the cross is of no effect if He is not who He says He is. By faith we trust and believe that this payment for sin is sufficient. We believe by faith that the Word of God is true. Understand that faith is different than believing. Faith is belief in action. I can believe that a particular chair with sustain my weight. I can proclaim from the roof tops the attributes of strength of the chair. I can do all these things, but until I sit in the chair myself my belief is not proven. Only when I sit, has my belief been put into action by faith. There are scriptures that some suggest that it is possible to loose ones salvation. Examples of these would be, [4] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (Gal 5:4 KJV) Looking at the passage in its entirety, we begin to see the message of the text more plainly. Before we do this, it is of great importance that we realize that scripture taken out of context to prove a point is wasted time; for what good is it to prove a point if the truth of scripture is lost. Those that do this knowingly are those that value their opinion and theology over truth and should therefore examine themselves and the motive behind their actions.

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An expansion of this passage reads, I Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to everyman that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. [4] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Gal. 5:1-6

We can see here that Paul is talking to two different groups of people; those that trust in the faith of Judaism which is the keeping of the Law of Moses and those that trust in the grace of God by faith in Jesus Christ; our hope of righteousness. entanglement of trying to keep the law as bondage. As we said earlier, Christ plus anything else is not the gospel. Paul is relating a very important fact. We come to Christ for salvation naked, impotent, and without anything to give but our sin and our filthy rags. We bring nothing of value to the table that makes Christ says, Oooh, this is good, I can use this to add to salvation. Christ is either everything, or He is nothing. The term, fallen from grace, is not in the sense of loosing salvation, but if one feels himself justified, or made right by the workings of the law, then it is by the law he will be judged and not by grace. This complements 1 John 2:19 when John writes, They went out from us, but th4ey were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us. 1John 2:19 Paul relates the

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Another passage, and one that we will take great care in discussing, is; [4] For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, [5] And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, [6] If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame. (Hbr 6:4-6 KJV)

In order to understand this passage we have to see that neither the Armenian view nor the Calvinistic view fit in the context of salvation. Calvinist would say that these people were never saved, however, in earlier passages, Paul calls them holy brethren (Heb. 3:1). He also states that we have a high priest. We is inclusive to the writer and the reader and the only ones that have a true high priest is the Christian. Not only that but, these people

have tasted the heavenly gift. This word is the same word used to describe the same way that Jesus tasted of death in Heb. 2:9. Therefore, it can be established that this group of people whom Paul was writing to in Hebrews were saved believers and the Calvinistic view point would not fit in the context of salvation because they were saved. However, the Armenian view is probably scarier. Remember, they would say that these people were saved and then lost their salvation. This is probably the most frightening view because this would entail that once a saved individual loose their salvation, it is IMPOSSIBLE to renew them to repentance. Some theologians have stated that this word impossible stands immovable. In other words, it means what it says. If this be the case,

then those that are saved have one shot and after that they are hopelessly lost and will never find their way back to the Lord. So, rededication of a life to Christ is outside the realm of possibility and the Armenian view fails. If this text is focusing on the salvation of the readers, then both Calvinists and Armenians are both in a world of hurt. But then, if salvation is not the thrust of concern, then what it?

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Now that we have really stirred up the waters, lets try to get a grip on this passage and see what the text says. Paul, as we can in many of his other letters, consistently compares the Christian life to a race. He constantly urges believers to run the race set before us and to finish strong. We are to run for the prize, he says. We must understand that the race is set before US (Christians) and therefore, has only SAVED RUNNERS. There are no lost people on the track. With this in mind we can see that the race is not a race where the end result of our labors of running is the prize of salvation, but crowns gained by our labors as we allow the Holy Spirit to work out the good works God has set before us. Salvation is by grace through faith, our crowns are gained by the Christian and will one day be thrown at the feet of Jesus in heaven.214 This passage holds to the theme of the entire book of Hebrews which is a call to MATURITY.215 These people to whom Paul was writing have been believers long

enough to where they should have been teachers, yet, their maturity level were as those who only can handle milk and not solid food. In Hebrews, we see Paul urging them on to fruitfulness or in other words; productive lives. Paul is saying that those that fall out of grace fall out of the means to a productive life in Christ and will not fair well when crowns are handed out because all their works will be wood, hay, and stubble. For over 1000 years, the Jews have lived under a law. Now in

Christ, this law was not done away with, but fulfilled which was a task not even the best Pharisee could hope to do.216

The risk Paul was trying to get them to avoid was returning to Judaism; we seem to fight the same battle, only ours is with self-righteousness or legalism and even worse;

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complacency.

We must realize that even though our salvation was afforded to us by no

means of our own, we are in a race and we cannot sit lazily back on our grace. We are to run the race and live in victory. Pauls fear was never that he would loose his salvation or that he would wake up one day, not realizing that it was gone, but that he would get complacent and fail to run the race set before him. At the end of the day, he didnt want fall short of the best race he could have ran. Paul was extremely concerned for the witness that his life represented. I have read so many bumper stickers that said, Im not perfect, just forgiven. This is true. At the same time, this can not be a justification to ease the pain of conviction or to haughtily presume the forgiveness of others. Paul did not want to be set down early on in the race because of a hurt witness. Paul did not want to become ineffective because his failure to watch where his feet took him, or what his eyes looked upon, or what his hands were found doing. He strived for

holiness not because it was essential to attain his salvation, but that it was a necessity to effectively run the race set before him. Lets look at another passage of scripture that some would use to suggest that salvation can be lost. In the book of Psalms we find an interesting prayer of David toward his enemies. It reads, 28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. Psalm 69:28 In examining this text, we need to make a few

observations. The first is to distinguish between the Book of the Living and the Lambs Book of Life. We can see the difference between the two if we look at the passage in Revelation which reads, And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Rev. 20:12

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There are books in which God has record of every living soul that has ever or will every walk the face of the earth. The names of the saved and lost both appear in the pages for we are all born physically. The physical death of an individual would in essence remove his name from the book of the living. When David prayed that his enemies would be blotted out of the book of the living, he was in essence praying that their life would end. There is ANOTHER book that is called the Lambs Book of Life. This book has no eraser marks. Within these pages are those who are born spiritually into the family of God. This not a physical birth, but a registry of the saved only. To be written in this book is to escape the wrathful judgment of God at the end of the age. The names in this book were written in blood on a cross in the hills of Judea in the first century. Revelation 20:12 makes this clear that there is a contrast between the volumes of one kind of book and THE book known as the Book of Life. In Revelation, 20, we have the

dead being judged out of their own lifetime of works of righteousness. Not only are their deeds judged, but their names are searched against those found in the Book of Life and are not to be found. In reality, these individuals were raised from the dead out of a place of torment, only to be judged and cast into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth for ever.217 Born once, die twice. This is called the Great White Throne of Judgment and occurs at the end of the Millennial Reign of Christ. Notice also that David prayed that his enemys names be blotted out of the Book of the Living, but that ALSO their names would not be written with the righteous. There are two items of prayer here. Names can be blotted out of the book of the living in that all must die and therefore are no longer apart of the physical realm.

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The second part is that their names are not written with the righteous.

Notice

something interesting here. David not only prayed that their names would be blotted out of realm of the living, but that they would die prior to their names being written among the righteous. comprehend. David understood that once the name was written among the righteous, there would be no chance of blotting it out, therefore, his prayer was that it would never be written in the first place. So, in reality, this verse is not a verse substantiating the view that one can loose their salvation, but rather further validation that one cannot after their name is written in the Lambs Book of Life. As we look at those passages that would seem to suggest a person can loose their salvation, we get the feeling that those passage are viewed more in an observational sense. When compared to those passages that support eternal security, the later seem to convey a more eternal God perspective. There is an understanding here that goes deeper than what we sometimes

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Chapter 8 CONCLUSION:

Now What? This is the question that believers have once saved and that Church leaders have once they are faced with discipling the new convert. This in itself is a tragedy. The new life in Christ is a joy and the truly converted will want nothing more than to better understand the new life they have in Christ and more concerning the One who gave them life and saved them from the wrath of God. Why should we expect anything different? 8.1- Baptism In Obedience, as a believer; be baptized. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38. Water Baptism is not a requirement for

salvation but an act of obedience. As was said earlier, Peter is saying in light of what has already happened; In other words, because your sins have been forgiven be baptized. If it were an act on the part of men that was necessary for salvation then Paul would have been enthusiastically eager to immediately baptize; yet we find him saying, For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 1 Cor 1:17. 8.2- Continue to Believe in Christ Jesus said this, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mar. 1:15. This word, believe, means to be fully

committed to and trust wholly in the Gospel. This trust or faith will be evidenced by good works because that is what faith does. As Martin Luther puts it, faith doesnt say should I do good works, but just does good works.

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8.4- Examine Yourself In other words, make your calling and election sure. 218 Mark 1:15 says to repent and believe. This phrase means to live a life of believing and repenting. If the only time you have every repented of sin is the day you were saved, then I would revisit that experience and read 1 John chapters 1-5 to see if you are in the faith. Remember, no one can tell you if you are saved, the scriptures reveal the way that we can know and have assurance. 8.5- Strive for Maturity 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Heb. 5:12-14. The writer of Hebrews indicates that a healthy Christian life will exhibit one that grows in the precepts of the Word of God. They study the word and can take a passage of scripture and extract the meaning of the passage as it relates to the entirety of scripture. God wants us to grow in wisdom and knowledge of the word so we are not tossed about by every whim of doctrine that comes down the pike. Ephesians 4:14 says, That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

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8.6- Love the Lord and Your Neighbor As John was getting old, he wrote three short letters. 1John has been examined in that we took from it, precepts as to how to know that we have the truth living in us. 1 John gives in great detail how one can be assured that they are in the faith. The other two, are summaries of an Apostle who called himself, the disciple that Jesus loved. This man was the one chosen to write the Revelation of Jesus Christ. In these last two books, we find John expressing what pleases him as he looks upon the lives of those that he has taken under his wing and has called them children. There is a phrase in both books that set the tone for both and can be heard in the words of John as his heart is poured out knowing that his life is coming to a close. He writes in 2 John, 4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 2 John 1:4-6. In this passage, we read that it gives John great joy to see the church walking in truth. I think in this passage, John is recalling the times when Jesus would call himself The Way, The Life, and The Truth. In the book of John, he declares, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14.

Just think, when Johns ministry started, the Holy Spirit had not permanently come to dwell in the lives of the saved; all that was a mystery. John saw that all men could muster was greed and coward ness in the face of persecution and ridicule. Then after Pentecost, he saw the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This permanent third Person of the

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Godhead brought with Him courage in stead of coward ness, boldness instead of apathy, and power for ministry instead mediocrity. He understood that Truth was not a thing, but a

person. He understood that a life reflective of truth can only be attained in a life lived in Christ who is truth and this life would be a life of Love, because God is Love (2191John 4:8). In 3 John, he writes, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:4. John understood that walking in Truth was the same as saying walking or living a lifestyle emission not reflection of the love of Christ. If our life reflects Christ, then our life does not retain what is reflected. It does not emit anything. We have the Holy Spirit living within us. Our lives are to be transformed by the power of Holy Spirit living in us. We are not to reflect anything; we are to emit that which lives within us. This emission of love and truth is many times diffused by our outer man or the flesh that so easily entangles us. Our goal should be to grown in the knowledge and power of God by prayer, reading and retaining the Word of God and then living the teachings of the Word. As we do this, those things that once dimmed the pure light coming from our inner man, will be reduced allowing the inner light of Holy Spirit to shine more brightly in this dark world around us. We become the city on a hill. We emit the light of the Gospel as our changed life testifies of the power of the Gospel.

We become like Christ.

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REFERENCES
1

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10 KJV)

Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (John 10:36 KJV)

Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. (Acts 3:26 KJV) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isa 7:14 KJV) And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. (Acts 5:32 KJV) Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: (Heb. 3:7-8 KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Rev. 2:7 KJV) But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. (Mark 13:32 KJV) The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.(Matt. 11:5 KJV)
10 9 8 7 6 5 4

To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Col. 1:27 KJV) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:49 KJV) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matt. 5:14 KJV)

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12

13

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matt. 28:19KJV)

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11 KJV)
15

14

[7] Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [it is] written of me, (Psa 40:7 KJV)

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Derickson, Stanley L.PhD., Dericksons Notes On Theology A Study Book In Theology Pg. 22 As extracted from www.NTSLibrary.com on 10/9/2009. [1] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. (Jhn 10:1 KJV) [4] Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD: (Deu 6:4 KJV)

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18 19

[14] And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said [to] this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. (Gen 22:14 KJV)

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[15] And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: [16] For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn [that] the LORD [will have] war with Amalek from generation to generation. (Exd 17:15-16 KJV) [24] Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it [is] yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. (Jdg 6:24 KJV)
22 21

20

[26] And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee. (Exd 15:26 KJV)

23

[16] In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this [is the name] wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. (Jer 33:16 KJV)

24

Derickson, Stanley L.PhD., Dericksons Notes On Theology A Study Book In Theology Pg. 261 As extracted from www.NTSLibrary.com on 10/9/2009.

[33] And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean. (Lev 15:33 KJV) [18] And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people. (Lev 20:18 KJV)
27 26

25

[17] Zion spreadeth forth her hands, [and there is] none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, [that] his adversaries [should be] round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them. (Lam 1:17 KJV) [6] But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isa 64:6 KJV)

28

29

As extracted from http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H8085&t=KJV on 1011-2009.

Luther, Martin. (1483-1546) A Commentary on St. Pauls Epistle to the Galatians pg. 46. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Project Wittenberg. As extracted from www.ntslibrary.com on 10/9/2009.
31

30

Dagg. J.L., Manual of Theology As extracted from www.ntslibrary.com on 10/9/09.

32

St. Helena of Constantine (c250 330). Created 7th July, 2006. As extracted from http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A11953280 on 10/13/2009. Luther, Martin. (1483-1546) A Commentary on St. Pauls Epistle to the Galatians pg. 16. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Project Wittenberg. As extracted from www.ntslibrary.com on 10/9/2009.
34 33

[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Eph 2:8-9 KJV)

Calvin, Jean. Calvin: Commentaries Library of Christian Classics. Vol. XXIII. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library (1958) pg. 59. As extracted from http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom.html on 10/9/2009.

35

110

[8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [9] As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Gal 1:8-9 KJV)
[28] For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (Act 17:28 KJV)
37

36

Alexander, Archibald. A Practical View of Regeneration. Published in The Biblical Repertory and Princeton Review, volume 8 (1836) pg.15
[4] Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. [5] And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. [6] And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. [7] And they beckoned unto [their] partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. [8] When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. [9] For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: (Luk 5:4-9 KJV)
39

38

Luther, Martin. (1483-1546) A Commentary on St. Pauls Epistle to the Galatians pg. 199-200. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Project Wittenberg. As extracted from www.ntslibrary.com on 10/9/2009.
41

40

[18] Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (Jam 2:18 KJV)

Luther, Martin. (1483-1546) A Commentary on St. Pauls Epistle to the Galatians pg. 199-200. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Project Wittenberg. As extracted from www.ntslibrary.com on 10/9/2009.
43

42

[19] Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: (Gen 19:19 KJV)

[12] And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. (Exd 33:12 KJV)
45 [17] And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me. (Jdg 6:17 KJV) 46

44

[8] But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (Gen 6:8 KJV)

47 [44] But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Mat 5:44-45 KJV)

[9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2Pe 3:9 KJV)
49

48

[24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Gal 3:24 KJV) [8] And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (Jhn 16:8 KJV)

50

[14] And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (Act 26:14 KJV) [37] Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? (Act 2:37 KJV)
52

51

111

[4] And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. (Act 16:4 KJV) 54 [10] For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luk 19:10 KJV)
55

53

[14] And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard [us]: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. (Act 16:14 KJV) [32] And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me. (Jhn 12:32 KJV)

56

[20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Rev 3:20 KJV)

57

Luther, Martin. (1483-1546) A Commentary on St. Pauls Epistle to the Galatians pg. 16. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Project Wittenberg. As extracted from www.ntslibrary.com on 10/9/2009.
59

58

[31] What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us? (Rom 8:31 KJV)

The Historical Viens of Justification, The Doctrine of Justification Part 2 Samworth, Dr. Herbert, as extracted from http://www.solagroup.org/articles/understandingthebible/utb_0007.html on 10/21/2009
61 [7] How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! (Isa 52:7 KJV)

60

[25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Rom 1:25 KJV)
63

62

[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Rom 1:16 KJV) [6] When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time [in that case], he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? (Jhn 5:6 KJV)

64

65

Eastons Bible Dictionary A Dictionary of Bible Terms. Easton, M.G., from Illustrated Bible Dictionary. 3rd Edition. Thomas Nelson Publishing. As extracted from www.ntslibrary.com on 10/9/2009.
[18] Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (Pro 16:18 KJV)

66

67

[12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: (Jhn 1:12 KJV) [17] Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2Cr 5:17 KJV) [15] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (Gal 6:15 KJV) [6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: (1Jo 1:6 KJV)

68

69

70

71

Dagg. J.L., Manual of Theology As extracted from www.ntslibrary.com on 10/9/09.

Calvin, Jean. Calvin: Commentaries Library of Christian Classics. Vol. XXIII. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library (1958) pg. 35. As extracted from http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom.html on 10/9/2009.
73

72

[10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Rom 5:10 KJV) [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:39 KJV)

74

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75

[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1Jo 5:13 KJV)

76 [12] For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hbr 4:12 KJV) 77

Rom. 5:20- Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

78

James 1:17- Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

79 I Cor. 13:1- Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 80

Matt. 13:8- But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Mark 4:20- And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive [it], and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. John 15:2-4- Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
83 Rom. 7:4- Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, [even] to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 84 Ephesians 5:9-10- (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 85 82

81

1Cor. 15:1-4; Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

86 Acts 2:37- Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do?

87

Watson, Thomas (1668). Repentance As extracted from www.ntslibrary.com on 10/10/2009. pg. 9

Gal. 2:20- I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
89

88

James 4:6- But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Matt. 18:4- Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Heb. 11:1- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. John 17:19- And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Matt. 7:18- A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

90

91

92

93

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Matt. 12:33- Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by [his] fruit. John 15:5- I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

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96 Heb. 12:2- Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 97 John 11:43-44- And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. 98

Mark 4:39- And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Rom. 3:22- Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

99

100 Gal. 2:16- Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 101

Gal. 3:22- But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Phil. 3:9- And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

102

Joshua 24:15- And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
104

103

Matt. 12:31- Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy [against] the [Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

105 Rom. 1:28- And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 106

Exo. 7:3- And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.

107

Exo. 8:15- But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

Gal. 1:8- But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
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108

[8] But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Rev 21:8 KJV) [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Mat 7:23 KJV)

110

[1] Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hbr 12:1 KJV)
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Calvin, John. The Institutes of Christian Religion. Pg. 290. Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI. As Extracted from http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.html on 10/9/09
[12] Wherefore the law [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. (Rom 7:12 KJV)

113

114

[24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Gal 3:24 KJV)

114

115

[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Rom 10:9-10 KJV)

116

Calvin, John. The Institutes of Christian Religion. Pg. 314. Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI. As Extracted from http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.html on 10/9/09.

[17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Gal 5:17 KJV)
118 [20] I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20 KJV) 119

117

[19] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Mat 6:19-20 KJV) [7] Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (Psa 20:7 KJV)

120

[49] And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luk 24:49 KJV)
122

121

[11] But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; (Hbr 9:11 KJV) 123 [4] Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. (Hab 2:4 KJV)
124

[17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Rom 1:17 KJV)

125 [11] But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (Gal 3:11 KJV) 126

[38] Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (Hbr 10:38 KJV)

127

[17] Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2Cr 5:17 KJV)

128 [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:2 KJV) 129 [18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2Cr 3:18 KJV)

[17] But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Gen 2:17 KJV)
131

130

[5] Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, [so] the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. (Deu 8:5 KJV)

132 [10] For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be partakers of his holiness. (Hbr 12:10 KJV) 133

[9] The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jer 17:9 KJV)

134 [4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Eph 1:4 KJV)

Calvin, Jean. Calvin: Commentaries Library of Christian Classics. Vol. XXIII. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library (1958) pg. 37. As extracted from http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom.html on 10/9/2009.

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136 [9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2Pe 3:9 KJV) 137

[14] Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. (Mat 18:14 KJV)

138 [3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (Rom 12:3 KJV)

[20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Rom 1:20 KJV) [10] Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: (Isa 46:10 KJV)
141 140

139

[11] These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Act 17:11 KJV)

142 [1] Who [is] this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? This [that is] glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. (Isa 63:1 KJV)

Calvin, Jean. Calvin: Commentaries Library of Christian Classics. Vol. XXIII. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library (1958) pg. 40. As extracted from http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom.html on 10/9/2009.
144

143

[20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Rom 1:20 KJV) [28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. [29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Rom 8:28-29 KJV)

145

[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2Cr 3:18 KJV) [6] Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ: (Phl 1:6 KJV)
148 147

146

[9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Rom 5:9 KJV)

[28] For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (Act 17:28 KJV)
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149

[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Rom 3:23 KJV) [23] For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 6:23 KJV) [8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8 KJV) [6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (Jhn 14:6 KJV) [5] And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. (Gen 21:5 KJV)

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152

153

154

155

[21] For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2Cr 5:21 KJV)

John 1:29- The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

156

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157

[9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (Phl 3:9 KJV)

Alexander, Archibald. A Practical View of Regeneration. Published in The Biblical Repertory and Princeton Review, volume 8 (1836) pg.2. Alexander, Archibald. A Practical View of Regeneration. Published in The Biblical Repertory and Princeton Review, volume 8 (1836) pg.4
160

158

159

[24] He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. (Pro 13:24 KJV)

161

[17] Behold, happy [is] the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: (Job 5:17 KJV) [12] For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son [in whom] he delighteth. (Pro 3:12 KJV)

162

[27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: [28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. [29] My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand. [30] I and [my] Father are one. (Jhn 10:27-30 KJV)
164 [9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2Cr 12:9 KJV) 165

163

[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen. (Mat 28:20 KJV) [27] And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hbr 9:27 KJV)

166

167

[1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1Jo 3:1 KJV)

168 [12] Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Phl 2:12 KJV) 169

[14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins: (Col 1:14 KJV) [56] The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. (1Cr 15:56 KJV)

170

171 [39] And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt]. (Mat 26:39 KJV) 172

[7] He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isa 53:7 KJV)

[32] The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: (Act 8:32 KJV)
174

173

[5] Thy mercy, O LORD, [is] in the heavens; [and] thy faithfulness [reacheth] unto the clouds. (Psa 36:5 KJV) [12] As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us. (Psa 103:12 KJV)

175

176

[6] If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame. (Hbr 6:6 KJV)

177 [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1Jo 1:9 KJV) 178 [16] Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Rom 6:16 KJV)

117

179

[13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Col 1:13 KJV)

180 [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together. (Rom 8:17 KJV) 181

[14] For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: (Rom 4:14 KJV) [29] And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal 3:29 KJV)

182

183

[35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luk 1:35 KJV)

184

[9] But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (Hbr 2:9 KJV) 185 [4] But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (Gal 4:4 KJV) [6] And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. [7] And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. [8] And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. [9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; [10] And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Rev 5:6-10 KJV)
187 [19] For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Rom 5:19 KJV) 188 186

[15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Rom 8:15 KJV) [33] Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. (Psa 89:33 KJV)

189

190

[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:39 KJV) [13] And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (Rev 5:13 KJV)

191

192

As extracted from http://www.internationalstandardbible.com/A/adoption.html on 10/26/09. Ibid.

193

194 [18] And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve [me] unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen. (2Ti 4:18 KJV) 195

[16] Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (Mat 7:16 KJV)

196 [48] He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. [49] But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. 197

[18] Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (Jam 2:18 KJV)

118

[5] Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2Cr 13:5 KJV)
199

198

[2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hbr 12:2 KJV)

200

As extracted from http://www.leaderu.com/offices/stoll/etsecuri.html on 10/26/2009.

201 [6] Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ: (Phl 1:6 KJV)

[19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (1Jo 2:19 KJV)
203

202

[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1Jo 5:13 KJV)

[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (Mat 7:22 KJV)
205

204

[9] He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. (1Jo 2:9 KJV)

206

Ehrhard, Jim, The Doctrine of Assurance under the Microscope of Jonathan Edwards. As extracted from http://www.teachingresources.org/insights/Jonathan%20Edwards/The%20Doctrine%20of%20Assurance%20un der%20the%20Microscope%20of%20Edwards,%20Ehrhard.htm on 10/26/2009
207

Ibid

208

[5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Rom 4:5 KJV) [23] For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 6:23 KJV)

209

[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Eph 2:8-9 KJV)
211

210

[7] For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. (1Th 4:7 KJV)

212

[5] One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. (Rom 14:5 KJV)

213

Derickson, Stanley L.PhD., Dericksons Notes On Theology A Study Book In Theology Pg. 465 As extracted from www.NTSLibrary.com on 10/9/2009.

The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Rev. 4:10-11 KJV.
215

214

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,: Heb. 6:1 KJV

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5:20 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:14-15 KJV.
217

216

119

[15] And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (Mar 1:15 KJV)
219

218

[8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1Jo 4:8 KJV)

120