God’S Basic Doctrines

© 2014 Caleb MacDonald. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/02/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-1394-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-1392-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014909511

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Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 A Foundation

Three Steps to Each Phase of Building

Begin Building the Foundation in Jesus

The Bible Is Part of the Foundation

The Bible is Written by God

Covenant

The Old Covenant (Old Testament)

The New Covenant (New Testament)

The Old and New Testaments Combined

The Fruit that God’s Words Produce within a Believer

Faith

New Birth

Spiritual Food or Nourishment

Physical Health and Healing

Understanding

Strength against Sin

Power over Satan

Cleansing and Sanctification

A Mirror

Chapter 2 Being Saved from Sin

Salvation

Studying The Bible

Bad Bible Study Habits

Making an Outline

Beginning the Outline

How Does a Person Go to Heaven?

Why Is the Phrase Go To Heaven Not in the Bible?

The Kingdom of Heaven

The Kingdom of God

The Third Heaven

Facts about Heaven

Salvation

The Covenant of Grace

Making It into Heaven

Obeying God’s Personal Will

Chapter 3 Repentance

John the Baptist

Repentance from Sin

Repentance from Dead Works

Chapter 4 Faith

Bible Faith

Examples of Faith from the Bible

Present Faith

Walking by Faith

Faith and Works

A Law of Righteousness

Acts of Faith

Faith and the Law

Chapter 5 Baptisms

John’s Baptism

Water Baptism

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit Baptism Is Being Born Again

Outward Manifestations of the Holy Spirit

Receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

The Purpose of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

To Receive the Power of the Holy Spirit

Flowing in Power

The Exaltation of Jesus

A Foretaste of Things to Come

Effective Praying in the Holy Spirit

To Receive Teaching

Guidance

To Walk in Divine Health and Divine Healing

To Walk in God’s Love

To Be Changed and Bear Fruit of the Spirit

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Chapter 6 The Laying on of Hands

To Bring Healing to the Sick

To Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

For the Imparting of Spiritual Gifts

Recognizing Those Called for a Work from God

Chapter 7 The Resurrection of the Dead

Eternity and Time

The Resurrection of the Dead

Where Does a Man’s Spirit Go at Death?

The Pit

Paradise

All the Dead Must Return to Their Former Bodies

All Who Have Died Must Be Resurrected

What Happens at the Resurrection?

There Are Two Resurrections

The Great White Throne Judgment

Chapter 8 Eternal Judgment

God’s Standard of Measurement for Judging

Two Stages of Judgment

A Closer Look at Eternal Judgment

Chapter 9 Summing Up

A Secret Insight

Contact Caleb Ministries

Monthly E-Mail Newsletters

About the Author

About the Book

Endnotes

Introduction

G od’s Basic Doctrines is all about God, his Son Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and man. The man who wrote this book came to know God personally at the age of ten in 1963. The author, Caleb, has walked with God for fifty years, gaining a wealth of experience and knowledge. He now is passing along some of this knowledge and wisdom to you.

What Caleb found so shocking during these fifty years are all the false teachings or doctrines that have been incorporated into the church today. Caleb was horrified to discover that very few true doctrines are taught today. The church is so watered down with junk that even God is unable to be himself in any assembly. In God’s Basic Doctrines, Caleb shares what the Bible is truly teaching. He takes the time to reveal all the scriptures about the basic subjects of Christianity. At the same time, Caleb exposes many of the false teachings that have been adopted by the modern church. Once you read through each chapter, you will agree with Caleb about what is truly taught in the Bible. Caleb leaves no doubt about what is taught in the Bible.

God has now called Caleb to be a prophet to all the earth, beginning in America. Part of this calling includes revealing what is false. God’s Basic Doctrines teaches the truth about the Bible and exposes some of the heresies and false doctrines. The first disciples warned the first church that destructive false teachings would arise. Two thousand years have passed since this warning, and the modern church has evolved into a sick mass of trashed doctrines. Millions of people are searching for God, and the church can’t show anyone how to get to God because of all the false doctrines. Caleb attacks these doctrines and also shows the truth. Doubtless, Caleb has gained a lot of clergy enemies because of exposing these false teachings.

This book was written for the millions who want to know the truth about God and then decide if they want to go on to have a relationship with him. Caleb also warns the millions that there is a price to pay for this relationship. The cost of knowing God can be daunting.

This book is intended for those who have accepted Jesus into their hearts. The book was written for those who have never known about maturity and growth in God’s kingdom. The book was written for those who have not gotten much beyond accepting Jesus into their heart. This book is for those who have just come to accept Jesus into their lives and who want to understand more of how God works in his kingdom and how to utilize the basic principles of a foundation in God.

This book can also to be used by those who have been wondering what Christianity really is about. It will provide a very descriptive explanation about what Jesus taught and what God’s kingdom entails. God’s Basic Doctrines will definitely give every reader a thorough knowledge of who Jesus and God are all about.

Once you’ve finished the book, you will have a very different understanding about God. This book will shake and rattle your beliefs as they have never before been challenged. You will learn how much false trash we have all been fed by the church. You will gain a very clear understanding of what is taught from the Bible. You will have an extremely accurate view of God’s world.

CHAPTER 1

A Foundation

T hroughout this book I will be quoting lots of Bible verses. This is so that the reader doesn’t have to use a Bible as a separate companion alongside this book and thereby require much more time in looking up verses. I use the New King James Version for most all of the verses used in this book. The reader is more than welcome to use their favorite Bible version alongside this book. For those who are more interested in accuracy or the use of several translations you will find the use of a lap top computer to be quick. Much of this book was written with the use of the software Quick Verse 10. With this software you can have several Bible versions that can be used simultaneously. You can also purchase other add-on software or Bible software programs that offer many versions of the Bible as an aid to studying the Bible. Many of these software programs work as an add-on to Quick Verse 10.

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1–2, NKJV)

The subject that I deal with in this chapter is not mentioned as one of the basic doctrines in Hebrews 6:1–2. I’m going to include the Bible as part of one of the basic foundational doctrines in Christianity. In the New Testament time, there was no Bible as we know today. All that existed in the first-generation church was the Old Testament and letters that where written to various churches scattered across the earth.

It was taken for granted that the first believing Christians had access to the Old Testament books and these letters (epistles). Thus the subject of written scripture is not part of the basic doctrinal requirements listed in Hebrews 6:1–2. Just because the Holy Scriptures do not mention the Bible and salvation in Hebrews 6:1–2 as two of the basic doctrines does not mean that the Bible and salvation are not part of the basic doctrines.

For believers today, the Bible plays a critical role in the development of maturity and fundamental beliefs of Christianity. Because of the major role of the Bible, I choose to teach about the entire Bible as part of the development of a believer in God. In the second chapter, I teach all about salvation. In the rest of the chapters, I teach about the six remaining basic doctrines mentioned in Hebrews 6:1–2.

In the Bible, there are a few references that mention a foundation. This foundation is what I want to use as a true life structure in everyone’s lives, including my own. It is extremely critical that anyone who wants to get to know God and become powerful in his kingdom must have a correct foundation. I’m amazed by how few Christians take the time to learn from someone who knows about the Christian foundation. I’m even more amazed by how few pastors and teachers instruct new Christians about Christian foundations. It is extremely critical that anyone who wants to get to know God and become powerful in his kingdom must have the correct foundation.

Any time you intend to learn something or build something, you will need a platform or a foundation. You will need a solid base to work upon. If you’re going to produce a product, you will need a factory. If you are going to build a business, you will need a fundamental amount of money to start it. If you want a good, lasting marriage, you will need a foundation of basic understanding and knowledge of relationships.

The Bible uses buildings as an example of a spiritual foundation in God. God wants us to build ourselves into fully mature Christians. Building a proper foundation in God is the act of building and growing into that fully mature spiritual man or woman of God. The Bible compares a believer’s life to the construction of a building and also to a farmer, but for now, I will use the analogy of a building. Every believer is called to first build and later be used in God’s service. You will not find, in the entire Bible, God using immature or baby Christians to perform his great deeds. You will find God using mature people to perform his wonders and deeds among men and women.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. (Jude 1:20, NKJV)

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. (1 Corinthians 3:9–10, NKJV)

In whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22, NKJV)

Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:7, NKJV)

To build a solid and secure building requires a good foundation. A poor or weak foundation will not support much weight of the materials used in a building. A strong and solid foundation will support a lot of weight of the materials that are used in a building. The same principle applies to a believer’s life in God’s kingdom.

In past centuries, men used a large cornerstone to begin a foundation. The Egyptian architects used this first. The cornerstone was one massive, solid stone. The bigger the stone that was used, the better the foundation. The same parallel is used in Christianity.

Jesus Christ is referred to as the main cornerstone of Christianity. Without Jesus, you cannot build anything in God’s kingdom. Jesus is the required cornerstone to anything that is done within God’s kingdom. Anything done outside of Jesus is religion—man’s attempt to appease God through man’s own efforts.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. (1 Corinthians 15:50, NKJV)

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11, NKJV)

Therefore, it is also contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. (1 Peter 2:6, NKJV)

Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily. (Isaiah 28:16, NKJV)

God the Father and the Holy Spirit also make up the foundation having a vital role along with Jesus as being the corner stone. The basic subjects of this foundation are: salvation in Jesus, the Bible, faith, repentance, baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal punishment. It all begins with Jesus. That is why he is referred to as the chief or main cornerstone. Jesus is like a door to the kingdom of heaven. To get to God and all that he has for us, you have to go to Jesus first.

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1–2, NKJV)

13When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? 14So they said, Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. 15He said to them, But who do you say that I am? 16Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the son of the living God. 17Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:13–18, NKJV)

The direct translation of verse 18 explains that Peter’s name means small rock or pebble. Rock means a large rock. In verse 18, Jesus is telling Peter that his name means small rock. Jesus is using the word rock in reference to himself. Peter is a pebble, and Jesus is a large rock. Why does Jesus use this analogy? God can’t use a pebble for a foundation. God requires a large rock for a secure foundation.

The entire point of these verses is that Peter finally understands through revelation that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. With this revelation to Peter, Jesus is saying that He Himself is like a large rock to build the church of God upon. This statement probably sounded very strange to Peter and the rest. Then Jesus gave them an insight to their calling.

A revelation in the Bible is when God speaks to a person and reveals a fact or certain bits of information. A revelation is God’s voice within a person. A revelation is when God is speaking to you personally. I go into more detail about how God speaks to someone in the chapter about faith. This subject is also discussed in the book: America’s Resurrection – A Modern-Day Prophecy.

Each and every time that God speaks, New Testament believers call it a revelation from God. It is like a being in a classroom after reading the assigned chapter, but you still don’t understand the theory being explained. When the professor goes into more detail in the lecture, you suddenly come to understand the theory. This is a revelation in the classroom. A revelation from God is when God speaks to you personally, and you suddenly gain some facts about the kingdom of God from God himself.

And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:19, NKJV)

Jesus is trying to show the disciples that God desires to use them to build the church of Christ. They probably didn’t understand verse 19 until later.

The point of this passage is that Christ is the cornerstone for Christianity and that select people are called to be builders while the rest make up the entire structure of Christianity in a church. I might also mention that God desires to dwell in the midst of his church in the hearts of men and women.

Every believer has a specific task to make up the church structure or church building. The church building is not a material building; instead, it is made up of a group of believers. Each believer is just as important as another. The more people who believe in Jesus, the bigger the church of Christ. As believers grow and mature, they will be shifted to other parts of the building structure.

Whatever the duty or calling, church members are vitally important to the health of the church building. As a member increases in maturity, so will the calling and responsibilities of that individual increase. The more members of a living church, the more powerful the church becomes; God can use His church to destroy Satan’s structure as well as convince the world about God. As the church becomes larger, God can pour out more power through his church.

A good solid foundation in every believer’s life is the main key to building a powerful church. With a weak foundation, the entire building will be weak, cracked, and unstable—eventually crumbling and falling apart. I have personally witnessed this crumbling and falling with many believers and several new churches within my first fifty years of life.

In whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22, NKJV)

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:9, NKJV)

So, how does a person build his or her spiritual life? How do you build your life in God’s kingdom? What must believers do to build our lives in God? How do we build upon the foundation of Jesus?

Three Steps to Each Phase of Building

There are many phases of building upon the foundation in God’s kingdom; in fact, there is no end to building. For each phase that a believer undergoes, there are always three steps that occur. As you begin to build upon Jesus’s rock, you will notice these three steps occurring and reoccurring in every phase you encounter. These three steps are also signs that you are building correctly. I call these three steps The Revelation Steps.

I’ll use the verses mentioned above in Matthew 16:13–18 for an illustration how these three steps occur. In the first step, Peter has a direct personal confrontation with Jesus as did all the disciples.

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? So they said, Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. He said to them, But who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16:13–15, NKJV)

Jesus speaks to them all directly. Jesus did not single out Peter. Jesus spoke to all the disciples in the past just like in this direct personal confrontation. This is what is required for step one. You have to have Jesus, God, or the Holy Spirit speak to you directly. You must have a confrontation from one of the three.

For step two, there must also be a revelation within your spirit that accompanies what is spoken. A revelation from God is when someone receives an inner understanding within his or her spirit about what is being spoken. Only God can do this within anyone. You suddenly are experiencing a spiritual understanding that is coming from God himself. No one can understand what a revelation from God is like until they experience one for themselves. A revelation from the Father is the most wonderful and exciting experience that any human can ever experience. This revelation experience can last or linger up to two days. I personally live for the next revelation from God. Getting revelations from God is that exciting.

In verse 17, we read, Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.’

For the first time, Peter has a revelation from the Father concerning who Jesus really is. The Father puts the revelation of who Jesus is within Peter’s spirit. Peter understands with his mind and his spirit.

Two things are happening within Peter at the same time. Jesus is speaking to Peter’s mind, and the Father is placing this revelation within Peter’s spirit. Every time God speaks to you, it will be to your spirit. God communicates to us through our spirits. By experiencing this, you will truly understand how God speaks to anyone.

In the third step, there is a personal acknowledgement of the revelation of what you just experienced. You will speak about the revelation you have experienced from God. You will find yourself confessing to others about your revelation—even though they may not understand.

Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:16, NKJV)

I’ll give a modern-day example. When someone accepts Jesus into his or her heart, these three Revelation Steps occur. Revelations begin when someone hears another preacher talking and telling stories about Jesus. You will hear other people talking about Jesus, but nothing really happens inside you.

One day, you will hear someone, usually a preacher, talking about Jesus and his role in people’s lives. When this person speaks about Jesus, a revelation occurs within your spirit. God is revealing within your spirit about Jesus, and within a few minutes, you understand with your mind and spirit what is being spoken and revealed. It’s not just with the mind; your spirit is involved now. You understand within your spirit who Jesus truly is and why he came to earth.

You will also know that you must respond with your mouth. You follow the preacher’s instructions and confess your sins. In an instant, Jesus cleanses you of your sins, and you are clean within your spirit. You can’t keep quiet about this experience because it’s so exciting. You will speak to someone else about what happened. This example is the first of many revelations that God wants to bring into everyone’s lives.

These Revelation Steps always occur this way for every revelation that you will ever receive from God. These three Revelation Steps are required for building your life in God’s kingdom. This is how God establishes growth and maturity in your life and your spirit.

Growth and maturity are controlled by God and not by you. You must build God’s way. When you begin building, God will do his part. I have seen tens of thousands of people try to build in God under their own initiatives. They never grow or mature. In fact, they always end up in false doctrines and usually fall away from God. They didn’t receive revelations from God.

Building your life in God takes time and patience. The truth is that it takes years to build, mature, and grow in God’s kingdom. There is no quick building program for your life in God. If you apply yourself to all the instructions in God’s written Word (the Bible), you will be able to build a wonderful, successful life in God’s kingdom. I will show you how to build this later.

Also be aware! Getting revelations from God will become very addictive. Each time you receive a revelation from God, you will be living in the ultimate ecstasy. Nothing in life is more exciting than revelations from God. The more revelations you have, the more revelations you’ll want. And there is no end to receiving revelations from God. After a revelation, you move onto the next revelation. One revelation at a time is how you build on the foundation.

Understanding the Revelation Steps will help you understand one of God’s ways of establishing a true foundation in Jesus. I will be referring to the Revelation Steps many times throughout this book.

Begin Building the Foundation in Jesus

Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. (Matthew 7:24–27, NKJV)

What is being painted in this passage? The difference is between a wise man and a fool. God considers a wise man to be the person who reads the Word of God and does what it says. There are various commands written in the Bible that we are all to practice. This involves hearing God’s voice and reading the Word of God—and then doing what you’re instructed to do. The fool just reads or hears the Word of God but does not do as instructed. I call the fool and the wise, hearers and doers. Being wise involves obeying all of God’s words, not just part of them.

Also notice that there is mention of various storms that came along. This is part of real life. It is the same in your life in God. Spiritual storms are going to come along. Satan is going to try to stop you in every attempt at building a foundation or building upon the foundation. Like it or not, you’re going to experience Satan and his horde of demons because you choose to mature in God.

Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22, NKJV)

There are going to be many tribulations in your life in God. Most all these trying times will be from Satan. He is going to attack you mainly to keep you from God. I’m not saying he might attack you; instead he is going to attack you over and over and again and again. Satan’s attacks are going to occur throughout the rest of your Christian life. In the Book of Job, you will see how serious Satan is. It is critical to build a correct foundation in order to survive so many tribulations or attacks. In God’s Advanced Doctrines, I expound upon Satan’s ways and why God has us suffer tribulations, but for now, I’m only interested in teaching you how to build a strong foundation in Christ.

You need to build a foundation before you begin to build a structure. When I first accepted Jesus into my heart, no one had told me that Satan was going to attack me. I quickly discovered that Satan is continually attacking God’s believers. He can be relentless. I was never taught how to deal with such a powerful opposition. Even Bible school didn’t deal with the power of Satan. I had to learn it on my own. Very few people know how to go to war against such a powerful enemy. You need a foundation to build upon to experience more of God and grow and mature in his kingdom, and you also need a foundation to be able to weather all the storms or attacks from Satan.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV)

The Bible Is Part of the Foundation

You have Jesus as the cornerstone. You have the three steps to getting revelations from God. Now you must add the Bible—the Word of God.

A believer who has decided to practice the written Word and be a doer of the written Word must become a diligent reader of the Bible. You will have to become a lifetime student of the Bible. I have done this and still study the Bible. God has designed the Bible as a help towards maturity as well as a manual of instructions.

God designed the Bible only for doers. The Bible is only designed and written for the seeker and doer. For anyone else, it will be a mass of confusion. God designed the Bible to work along with the Holy Spirit and the believer. When the doer is reading and studying the Bible, the Bible becomes alive and full of life within your spirit. The Holy Spirit will unlock all the hidden meanings and secrets within the Bible.

I’m forever amazed how people are always trying to use Bible verses to try to persuade non-believers to become believers. This is the stupidest thing I have ever seen Christians do. And if you are one of the Christians who do this, then you’re utterly stupid. The Bible is written for believers. It is a mirror for us to see ourselves and what we need to correct in our lives. Quoting verses of scriptures to non-saved people will only do more harm to them than good.

The church is always teaching believers to use the Word of God to bring sinners to repentance. This is so utterly false. Jesus said, If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me. He didn’t say if you quote verses of scripture, then men will come to God. Remember the three Revelation Steps? No man comes to the Father unless he is drawn. you are to work with God. God has to first speak to an individual and do the persuading.

The Bible is intended for believers. You must read and read and read the Bible. This is part of your work as a builder on the foundation.

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63, NKJV)

One of God’s ways is that he hides himself. He makes himself difficult—but not impossible—to be found. You have to search for him and anything about him and his kingdom. The reasons he does this are explained in God’s Advanced Doctrines. Knowing that this is one of God’s ways about himself reveals you will have to seek to find him. Part of this difficulty will be in reading the Bible. The translation barrier can really mess things up, but we have all kinds of tools that can resolve this problem.

Another difficulty is coming across apparent mysteries of God in the Bible. God does some very different things, but there are reasons why he does what he does. As you build on the foundation and mature, you will come to understand his seemingly strange ways. It will all be very logical once he reveals these ways to you, but this requires maturity in God and a proper foundation.

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:14, NKJV)

The entire Bible is designed for doers who are going to have to apply themselves to studying the Bible. When you study and work with the Holy Spirit, you will receive revelations about God. You will be utterly amazed and excited beyond anything you have ever thought possible. You will quickly discover how exciting God is and learn all about his kingdom. I will show you how to work with the Holy Spirit later. I have spent many sleepless nights marveling and rejoicing at the revelations that God reveals, and I’m not usually one to stay awake all night. I have discovered that God is the most exciting being in existence. The doer who does not give up will go on to do the difficult work and attain life in God.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receive, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7–8, NKJV)

But those who seek the LORD understand all. (Proverbs 28:5, NKJV)

So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:32, NKJV)

God’s written Word builds you up even to you gaining an inheritance from God. Wow! An inheritance!

All things that the Father has are Mine. All that are Mine I give to you. (John 16:15, NKJV)

And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:17, NKJV)

All we have to do is built through studying the Bible and then practice it. By doing this, we gain an inheritance. That is one of our rewards from God. By being doers and practicing God’s rules, we will gain an inheritance. I’m very much interested in gaining an inheritance. This is also called a promise from God.

You will soon notice that there are a lot of promises in the Bible. How wonderful can this be? It just gets better and better. God literally gives promises to doers of his Word. Understand that God is not a liar. This means that all his promises are true. A promise involves God’s provision and requires our provision. Every promise has a requirement from each person. You have to take action and be a doer of each promise in order to cause the promise to work in your life.

• False Doctrine: Just claim the promises—and they will happen for you!

When you become a doer, you gain an inheritance and promises from God. Wow! How are all these things possible? Why should God do all this for doers? When you read the Bible, you will discover the answers to these questions.

This leads us to a most important understanding in our walk with God, which is the relationship between Jesus (the Savior) and the Bible. More precisely, this relationship explains how the Word of God interacts between your relationship with Jesus and the Father and the Holy Spirit. You have Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and you the believer. All five must work together. All depend upon each other. All work in harmony together. Without one of the five, nothing will happen.

It is most important to understand that all five of these subjects work together. You must employ all five to grow in God’s kingdom or build upon the foundation. Failure to actively participate in all five will not produce growth or maturity. Having knowledge of the Bible is not enough. It’s not enough to just have Jesus. It’s not enough to just have yourself. It’s not enough to just have the Father and the Holy Spirit.

So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:32, NKJV)

A key part of this verse is which is able to build you up. It does not say that it will build you up. It says, "Which is able to build you up." This implies that you will have to be a doer, and if you do all that is written, you are going to be built up!

The promise is that if you do all of the provisions, you will be built up. I put this to the test in my life and can tell you that it truly works. The way it all works is that all five—the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and you—work together.

The important part of the verse is that you are going to have to go to work. God is not going to do it all for you. You will literally have to do work. You will have to read the Bible and pray and study the Bible and pray and ask and ponder. When you do all this work, you will be rewarded.

Notice that it doesn’t give you a certain time for when this happens. I have seen baby Christians who are twenty years old in Christianity that never grew or developed because they don’t do the work. I have seen Christians grow to a certain point and then stop growing because they quit doing the work. Most growth happens slowly, over several years. This is normal in Christianity. A lot of growth depends upon the zeal you have and are able to maintain. Apostle Paul was this way. I’m this way. Sometimes you can grow at a faster pace than normal, but it all still takes time. There is no instant maturity with God.

But those who seek the LORD understand all. (Proverbs 28:5, NKJV)

As you gain revelation understanding, you grow. As you build, you gain many things in heaven and on earth. Most importantly, you become wiser. Also, it is important that you build. The principle is that you must do the building upon the foundation that I’m teaching in this book. God is not going to do the building for you.

You must seek the Lord. Sometimes seeking takes a lot of time and effort. Sometimes seeking requires a lot of effort or work; other times, it doesn’t require so much work.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV)

Notice the phrase diligently seek. This does not say casually seek or sometimes seek. What does diligently seek really mean? You must be aggressive and not give up in your efforts to get answers. You may even have to add some fasting to your seeking. In Greek, diligently means being careful or thoroughly investigating. It means that you want to be sure that your answer is correct. Sometimes the answers seem to be delayed. There are reasons why there are delays to answers, but the one who keeps pounding away will get an answer. The one who gives up will never get an answer. You have to determine and set your heart that you will not give up.

I’ve talked to thousands of Christians who give up seeking when confronted with delays. There are many reasons why delays occur. If you’re going to grow and mature, you are going to experience delays in getting answers to your questions. Delays can become very frustrating, but the faithful seeker will get an answer.

Understand that the subject of this verse is really dealing with getting faith from God, but it also