BASIC DOCTRINE

SERIES
Foundational Teachings of the
Fundamental Doctrines
of the Bible

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 Contents
1. Tract: The Gospel of Jesus Christ ................................... 3
-- Our Only Hope – Summary of the Gospel Story

2. Book One: The Doctrine of Salvation ........................... 9

-- Repentance from Dead Works and Faith Towards God
-- Teachings from Romans 1-8 and Related Scriptures

3. Book Two: The Doctrine of Baptisms .......................... 23

-- In Christ, Water, and the Holy Spirit

4. Book Three: The Resurrections & The Judgments .. 29

-- First Lessons on Eschatology ("Last Things")

5. Book Four: Who Is God? ................................................... 37

-- An Elementary Study of the Persons and Attributes of the Godhead

6. Book Five: The Kingdom of Heaven ............................. 49

-- Study of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12

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 The Gospel of Jesus Christ -- Our Only Hope!

In the Beginning
The Bible tells us in its first book that God created man in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). But WHY
did God create man? The Bible says that God created ALL things according to His pleasure, or desire (Rev. 4:11).
What was God's desire in creating man? After reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, the conclusion is that
God desired to have a family. A family to share in His LOVE, to love Him as He loves them.
But there was another of God's created beings that did not want this relationship to be developed.

The Root of Evil

Before God created man, He created angels, who were created "to minister for those who will inherit salvation"
(Hebrews 1:14). One of those angels was named "Lucifer". The Bible says that he had God's "seal of perfection, full
of wisdom and perfect in beauty" (Ezekiel 28:12). This wisdom and beauty evidently "went to his head" and he
became full of pride (self-exaltation) and said in his heart,
"I will ascend into heaven… I wall exalt MY throne above the stars of God… I will be like the Most High" (see Isaiah
14:13-14).
God calls this SIN. Lucifer had become "filled with violence within" (Ezekiel 28:16). God cast him out (of the
fellowship of Godly angels) as profane, to be brought down to… the lowest depths of the Pit… to be devoured by fire
(see Ezekiel 28:17-18 and Isaiah 14:15). Lucifer the "light bearer" became SATAN the "adversary". He especially
desires to destroy the special relationship between God and His highest creation -- man. For it is through this
relationship that God is most glorified. Therefore it is no surprise that Satan came to the garden

The Fall of Man Into Sin

God had provided for the man and the woman everything they needed to fulfill God's word to them to "be fruitful
and multiply" and oversee all the rest of the living creatures (Gen. 1:28). But with His provisions and privileges, He
gave one boundary: do not eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. For if you do you shall
surely die (Genesis 2:16-17).
Satan came to the woman in the garden, and challenged God's command, saying that if she would eat of the fruit
God had said not to eat, she would NOT die. He deceived her into thinking that God wanted her "eyes to be
opened", to know good and evil. But it was not God's will that they know good and evil as He did. The command
was for their good. Satan twisted the truth, calling that which was good evil, and that which is forbidden good. The
woman's heart was lifted up in pride, seeing in her mind's eye that the fruit of the forbidden tree was good for food
and would make her wise. She believed the lie, forgot God's command, and ate, and led her husband to do the
same.
With their disobedience to God, SIN entered their hearts. And then came God's judgment. With that judgment
came separation. God drove them out of the garden of God, separating them from the source of eternal life -- the
"tree of life". Satan is wrong and the wages of sin is and always will be DEATH. From Adam man has been outside
God's loving provision and protection, seeking his OWN will and ways, separated from God's love. The final destiny
of all rebellion against God is the eternal "lake of fire" known as HELL. Is there any hope for deliverance from our
rebellion? Read on!

God the Redeemer

The Bible tells us that God knew that man would rebel against Him, because before He created man He made an
unbreakable agreement (called a covenant) with His Son in heaven, that the Son would redeem men from sin, and
forever end the rebellious work of Satan. Oh what wondrous love is this! God made provision for the forgiveness of
sin even before man sinned! He WILL have a family to share in His love.

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God Establishes a Standard
Before the Son of God could come, God first established the pattern of His ways on the earth.
God spoke to a man named Abram, calling him to follow Him (see Genesis 12). Because Abram believed God, God
accounted his faith for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). Faith in God became the means of being established as a
people of God. Abraham's descendants became known as "Hebrews", and later, Israel.
The time came when the Hebrew people were in slavery in Egypt. They cried out to God, and He heard them, and
raised up a man to deliver them from their slavery. His name was Moses. This deliverer became an example for us
all.
Today, if a person will cry out to God for deliverance from the slavery of their sin, God will hear and deliver them if
they will trust and follow His deliverer. (Please keep reading!)
God then established an agreement (covenant) with these people. It was based on statements of God's divine laws.
The essence of all of them is "the Ten Commandments" and "the Greatest Commandment". We are to have NO
other gods but God, and we are to love God with ALL our heart, soul, mind, and strength (see Deuteronomy 5:6-21
and 6:4-5). Obedience brings blessing, and disobedience brings a curse (Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15).

The Pattern For Forgiveness of Sin

We cannot keep all the commands of God. Our sins are always before us. God established the principle for
forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God in His divine laws. What is this principle? The innocent dies for the
guilty. The people were to sacrifice a perfect, unblemished animal (usually a lamb) on an altar. The blood of the
animal would be taken by a priest and sprinkled on the place called the "Mercy Seat". The life of the lamb on the
altar bore the sin of the one offering it, and its blood made atonement -- the sin which he has committed, "it shall be
forgiven him" (Leviticus 5:10, 13, 15, 18). The sacrifices were effective ONLY if the people believed God and made
these sacrifices in the manner specified, for it was God's sacrifice.
These sacrifices were set up by God to operate on a continual basis. "This shall be a statute forever for you"
(Leviticus 16:29). Why so? Because the people kept on sinning! The Bible says, "Everyone did what was right in his
own eyes" (Judges 21:25). This is the pathway of all sin.
The Bible also tells us this sacrificial system was limited. It brought reconciliation with God, but this was temporary
because it did not change their nature. The blood of lambs and goats could not rid the conscience of its guilt. A
new agreement was needed, not based on keeping laws (external), but based on a higher principle (internal), with
power from God to free the sinner from the power of sin.

The New Covenant Prophesied

God revealed in visions to the prophets this better covenant to come. Jeremiah wrote,
”Behold the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant… I will put My law in their minds, and
write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people… For I will forgive their iniquity, and their
sin I will remember no more” (31:31-34).
God revealed that a Redeemer would come to make this covenant effective. God said to this Redeemer,
"I will give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open their blind eyes, to bring out prisoners
from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house [of sin]" (Isaiah 42:6,7).
The people would know of his arrival by the following sign:
"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).
THIS HAS COME TO PASS -- Please read on!

Jesus, the Son of God, is Born

When it was just the right time, God sent an angel name Gabriel to a virgin name Mary, and announced to her that
she had found favor with God and would give birth to a son, ”conceived by the Holy Spirit" as prophesied. He was to
be named JESUS, "for He will save His people from their sin" (Matthew 1:21).

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John the Baptist declared, when Jesus came to be baptized,
"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)
In this announcement God was declaring that Jesus was the Lamb of the sacrifices whose blood would take away the
sins of His people.

The Message and Ministry of Jesus

Jesus' first message was: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel"
(Mark 1:15).
He then spent three years teaching and demonstrating the gospel of the kingdom of God. He was tempted by the
devil, but did not sin, defeating the devil with truth. He preached the words of God. He did many miracles, healed
the sick, and cast out demons from the possessed, all to confirm his authority from God to forgive sins. To his
closest followers he revealed the motive behind his life and ministry:

"The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like
manner… I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who sent Me." (see John 5:19-30)
What was God's will for His Son? Jesus knew He was born to fulfill the required payment for sin as established in the
sacrifices and foretold by the prophets (700 years earlier):
"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities… All we like sheep have gone astray; we
have turned, every one, to his OWN way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all…. Yet it pleased the Lord
to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin… He shall see the labor of His soul,
and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities"
(Isaiah 53:5-6, 10-11).
Jesus said it this way: "The Son of Man comes to seek and save those who are lost". This includes every one of us.

Jesus, the Son of God, is Crucified

At the appointed time, Jesus was betrayed by one of his own followers, arrested, and tried on false charges. Why?
The Bible says jealousy (Matthew 27:18). Jesus did not answer the charges or protest for his innocence. He said to
the Roman Governor:
"For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the
truth"(John 18:37)
The Governor, Pontius Pilate, then declared publicly, "I find no fault in Him at all" (John 18:38). He wanted to set
him free, but he feared losing his political position as a "friend of Caesar" (John 19:12). So he did the unthinkable
act: as one charged with upholding the truth, he handed over a man he knew was innocent to a murderous mob.
And Jesus went willingly. The innocent died for the guilty.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever will believe on Him shall not perish
but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

God Raised Jesus from the Dead

When He was crucified outside of Jerusalem, Jesus said, "It is finished!" In other words, the plan of redemption was
complete. The problem of sin had now been given a permanent solution. It was conquered on the cross. Because
sin's wages is death, he also conquered death itself -- He rose from the dead! He confirmed this by appearing to
many people, especially His disciples. They saw the wounds in his hands, feet and side, and they then understood
His message. They knew without doubt that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Jesus Sends the Holy Spirit

Shortly before his death, Jesus instructed his disciples about the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit (see John 14-16). After
the resurrection, Jesus came to the disciples and " breathed on them, and they received the Holy Spirit" (John
20:22).

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Jesus had said early in His ministry that unless one is born again (literally means born "from above") -- i.e. born of
the Spirit of God -- he cannot see or enter the kingdom of God (see John 3:3,5,7). Receiving the Holy Spirit IS what
Jesus meant by being BORN AGAIN. It is the basis for the new NATURE God gives the believer in Christ. It is also the
power to live as God desires us to.
"If anyone is IN CHRIST, he is a new creation (creature); old things have passed away [the life of sin]; behold, all
things have become NEW" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The Gospel of God

This message is written to share with you the gospel that the Bible says will save you from your sins. It is the
message of Jesus Christ. You may ask, "How does this message apply to me?" Here is a summary of how the New
Testament applies this gospel to YOU (and me):
1. The Bible tells us that we ALL have sinned and do not come close to the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The pride
that led to sin in Adam and his wife has been inherited by all. We too are like lost sheep seeking out own way
(Isaiah 53:6). Because of this we have followed the ways of this world and the devil, making ourselves enemies
of God. The Bible says we are by nature children of wrath (see Ephesians 2:1-3).
2. God judges sin. He does so because He is righteous, and NO sin can enter His presence. So the Bible says that
"the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). This means not only the grave, but separation from God for eternity.
This is called the second death. All who reject the gospel and Jesus Christ will die in their sins and face the
second death.
"But the cowardly, unbelieving [in God and Christ], abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers,
idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the
second death" (Revelation 21:8).
3. God has given to us the way to be saved from our sins. Jesus Christ, God's Son, came into the world to die on an
altar of sacrifice called a cross, bearing our sin and dying our death, that we might live for God. He fulfilled the
principle of the sacrifice set down in the Law of Moses. His precious blood flowed from His side to cleanse us of
our sin.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more
then, having now been justified [brought into right standing with God] by His blood, we shall be saved from
wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much
more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" (Romans 5:8-10).
"[Jesus] Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for
righteousness" (1 Peter 2:24).
"In [Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace"
(Ephesians 1:7).
4. God's Spirit makes it possible for us to believe. It is the Spirit of God that opens our hearts to understand our
need to be saved (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit desires to do this, for the Bible says that God does NOT delight in
the death of the wicked, but that the wicked would turn [to God] and live (Ezekiel 18:32).
IS GOD'S SPIRIT DEALING WITH YOUR HEART? Will you respond to the message of Jesus Christ? Jesus calls us to:

"REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL" (Mark 1:15)

Repent of Your Sins
Before one can be saved from his sins, he must be convinced in his heart that he has sinned against God. Are you
now convinced of your hopelessness without God, and genuinely sick of you sins? Then hear the word of Jesus: turn
from your sin. Renounce it and submit to the authority of God by trusting Jesus Christ. Sever any confidence in
yourself, and give yourself up to be led and controlled by God's Spirit.
The Bible says that we are responsible to do this, and are condemned if we don't.
"God, forgive me, a sinner! Not my will anymore be done, but Yours, in Jesus' Name!"

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Believe the Gospel
Having faith in God is believing in Jesus Christ. There are those who say they believe in God but the name of Jesus is
not cherished in their hearts. This is not true faith. Jesus declares,
 "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6).
 "He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him" (5:23).
 "If you do NOT believe that I am He [God's Son], you will die in your sins (John 8:24).
 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God
abides on him" (John 3:36).[see also 5:24]

If you do not know Jesus Christ, you do NOT know God!

So what does it mean to "believe in Jesus Christ"? It is more than just mental agreement with facts and truths. The
demons "believe" (James 2:19) but will end up in hell. Salvation is deeper:
 "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)
 "He [Abraham] did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory
to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform" (Romans 4:20-21)
 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he
goes and sells all that he has and buys that field" (Matthew13:44).
Therefore, believing in Jesus Christ IS:
 The heart-felt conviction that Jesus Christ is ALL that He and the Bible says He is, and will do all He says He will
do -- for YOU. He is the ONLY way to know God.
 The heart-felt conviction that knowing God through Jesus Christ is more to be desired than all the world.

The Cost of Following Jesus

Jesus tells us that there is a cost to following Him: ALL of what and who we are and have been in this world.
"For whoever desires to save [keep control of] his life will lose it, but whoever loses [surrenders control of--to God]
his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or
what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:25-26)
But there is also another cost that comes with following Christ: persecutions (Mark 10:30).
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love
its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. If
they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:18-21).

The Conclusion of the Story

Dear friend, remember that God created you that He may enjoy a relationship with you and you with Him. But for
this to happen you must first be adopted into His family. This is by "birth": when you trust Jesus Christ for salvation
and are "born of the Spirit".
"But as many as received Him [Jesus], to them He gave the right (authority) to become children of God, to those who
believe in His name: who were BORN, not of blood, nor of the flesh [our natural birth], nor of the will of man, but OF
GOD" (John 1:12-13).
Soon, Jesus will be returning to do gather His saints (His "Bride") to their heavenly home and their eternal rest in
Him.
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it
were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come
again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:1-3).
Jesus will then judge this world and establish His kingdom forever (see Revelation 20-22).

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Everyone will stand before God.
 Those who have done good in believing God, in His promises and His gospel and therefore doing the will of God,
are brought forth to the resurrection of life.
 Those who have done evil, rejecting God's gospel and promises and dying in their sins are brought forth to the
resurrection of condemnation. (see John 5:28-29)
Where will you be? God desires that all men would come to repentance and be saved. He has given us His Son. He
has done ALL that is needed for life and godliness! He invites us to come to Him. But He then leaves the invitation
with us. It is ours to choose to receive. Will you now call on Jesus Christ and be saved? Do it TODAY!

God, forgive me, a sinner! I know that I have sinned and deserve death for my rebellion against you. But now I
believe in my heart that Jesus IS Your Son. I believe that He shed His precious blood and died on a cross FOR ME,
that my sins may be forgiven that I may know You. I believe that He rose from the dead that I may be born again.
Jesus, I can't save myself! I believe in You! Change me, and make me like You! I repent of my sins and surrender my
will to You. I believe now that my sins are FORGIVEN, and I thank you, and praise your holy name!

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 BOOK ONE

The Doctrine of
Salvation
Romans Chapters 1-8
And other Scriptures

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 Introduction To the Series
Hebrews 6:1-2 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, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying
on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
The writer of Hebrews was admonishing the Christians of his day for their failure to understand the deeper teachings
of the doctrines of Jesus Christ (Read 5:11-14). They had been Christians for some time, but were "dull of hearing"
(5:11). Spiritually they were like babies, only able to digest simple food—"milk"—teachings (5:12). What was the
consequences of that (5:13-14)?
 They needed to be taught AGAIN the first principles of the faith.
 Those who live only on "milk" teaching are unskillful in the words of truth – they remain like (crying) babies --
spiritually immature.
 The deeper teachings—"meat" of the Word—are for mature people. Mature Christians are those who are doers
of the Word.
 We must exercise our spiritual senses (discernment) – "by reason of use". By putting the truth we know into
practice, we train ourselves to discern (recognize) what is true from what is evil. Many Christians are failing on
this last point.
There are SIX fundamental teachings stated in 6:1-2. We teach them in this "Basic Doctrine Series" so that Christians
can understand them quickly so that they can continue to mature in the Faith of Jesus Christ. We will group them
into FOUR GROUPS:
1. The Doctrine of Salvation: "repentance from dead works" and "faith toward God". Jesus' words: "Repent and
believe..."
2. The Doctrine of Baptisms: In Christ, in water, in the Spirit
3. The "Laying on of hands": basic ministries mentioned in Mark chapter 16 – healing, raising the dead, casting
out devils, etc.
4. The Doctrine of Last Things ("Eschatology"): The "basics": The "resurrections of the dead" and the "eternal
judgments".

BOOK ONE: The Doctrine of Salvation – What is "Salvation"?

There is a lot of confusion in God's Church today because of teachings claiming to be God's Gospel but instead are
what Paul describes as:
 Another Jesus
 Another Gospel
 Brought by another spirit
Paul did not start the Church of Christ in Rome. He heard about them and as the apostle raised up by God to set the
fundamental teachings of Christ into the Church, he wrote to them a detailed explanation of the salvation they had
received – what it is and what it then requires.
The word "salvation" means more than just "getting saved". Peter says we are "called OUT OF darkness" and at the
same time "called INTO the Light (God's truth)". What we go INTO is more important than what we came out of.
The way we finish a race is more important than the way we start it. To understand "salvation" we need to know all
of the following:
1. Our condition outside of Christ – why we NEED salvation
2. Who Christ IS – His person – and His work – to save!
3. How we are justified – made righteous – By Mercy and Grace.
4. The ongoing work after justification to become more like Christ – we call it "Sanctification". In other words,
being holy.
5. The ministry of the Holy Spirit throughout the entire process.
To be a Christian IS to be IN Christ, because the Holy Spirit lives IN you. Unless a person is born of the Spirit of God
he is not a Christian (as the Bible defines it). Paul concludes in chapter 8 what a truly spiritual life IS, and the
confidence before God it brings.

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 LESSON ONE – Our NEED of Salvation
From the beginning let us say that "salvation" is not about US – in the sense of what we GET out of it. But that is
what the doctrine has become in our day. "Come to Jesus to GET this, to get that..." We have made God into the
Servant of Man when we are to be the servant, the "slave" of God. We were created in God's image FOR GOD, not
for ourselves. He created us to be a living testimony to the GLORY of His marvelous Life and Being. When we
become like Him, we show forth His glory. Salvation is all about becoming like the God who created us. It is not
about power—Force and the Miraculous—but Character. Because of SIN – selfishness – we have fallen from God's
nature and standard and cannot become like Him until we are first RECREATED in Christ Jesus, His Son. This is only
possible by the work of His unchanging Word and His precious Holy Spirit. So let us state a summary verse written by
Paul as a beginning (Titus 3:4-7):
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we
should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Notice the following important truths from these verses:
1. Salvation comes to us because of LOVING-KINDNESS. This is the primary characteristic of God presented in the
Old Covenant by which God can be known. It is unselfish benevolence. We do not deserve it.
2. Love can only be known through the work of MERCY, which is "love in action" meeting NEED. Outside of Mercy
is only FORCE and WRATH.
3. Salvation is a work of GRACE. The power of God's kingdom. This will be defined later.
4. Regeneration is a revolution, not just a renovation. The NATURE of Christ is created IN us by His Spirit. Our
sinful NATURE must DIE.
5. Renewal speaks of sanctification – changing are natural character to be like Jesus. It is only possible by the Holy
Spirit teaching and leading us.
The Bible clearly establishes that God created man in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27) that He would have a
people to be in relationship with, that would receive His love and in turn voluntarily give love back to Him.
We were created for His pleasure
 thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Rev. 4:11)
 God adopted us by Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of His will (Ephesians 1:5)
 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). We are HIS
workmanship (Ephesians 2:10).
So what happened? REBELLION. Genesis chapter three tells the initial story. Through the clever lies of Satan, Adam
and his wife disobeyed the clear command of God. Satan appealed to the natural desires of their creation (which
GOD gave them for His glory) and they were deceived to think that they had been "deprived" by God of a right to
know everything God knows. Thus they ate the "fruit" that would open them to know both good and evil. When we
obey God, evil things do not matter. They are not even an issue with the righteous. They are not interested in them.
Men have been fighting God for "their rights" ever since. "My rights!" are the banner of lost mankind. But what
about God's purpose for us?
Paul summarizes the rebellious nature of man in Ephesians 2:1-3, where he addresses Christians as to what they
were (past tense) by nature:
1. Spiritually dead IN trespasses and sins.
2. Living our lives according to the world's philosophies and principles.
3. Living under the direction of "the prince and power of the air" – this is Satan, who rules the kingdoms of this
world.
4. The spirit of disobedience that IS Satan is at work in the disobedient.
5. Living according to, and fulfilling the lusts (evil desires) of the flesh and mind
6. BY NATURE, we were children of WRATH. Sin is offensive to God. It creates enmity (hostility) between us –
therefore there is NO PEACE.
The only answer is to be quickened and raised by the Holy Spirit to a new life in the Life of God's Son, Jesus Christ
(Eph. 2:4-6). More on this later.

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The Bible teaches that we "reap what we sow". The consequences of sin are horrendous. Paul explains in some
detail to the Romans in 1:18-32.
The Fruit of Rebellion – Moral Corruption and a Reprobate Mind.
Read Romans 1:18-32. It is too long to print here. There is a clear pattern that can be pictured as descending stair
steps – steps DOWN in to the ways and nature of evil, Satan, and eventually, HELL.
IN THE BEGINNING: Innocence. Man knew God through the created order and the principles of truth written in his
conscience. 1:19-20 and 2:12-16. Remember God breathed His Life into Adam that made him ALIVE.
STEP ONE DOWN – "When they knew God {in creation & conscience), they neither glorified Him as God nor gave Him
thanks" (1:21). WHY? Selfishness. Lost men are focused on themselves. How do we know this? What do they
continually think about? Paul says later, "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh. They that
are after the Holy Spirit mind the things of God's Spirit" (Romans 8:5).
THE FIRST CONSEQUENCE – Confusion of mind (1:21). It specifically says:
 Vain imaginations – "Vain" means futile, useless. "Imagination" is the power of the mind by which it conceives
and forms ideas of things communicated to it. The opposite of "sound reasoning". Confusion.
 A foolish heart that goes into darkness. Proverbs defines a fool as one who has rejected God's knowledge and
instruction (Proverbs 1:7). Since God's word is Truth, which is the "light of our path", then to reject it
automatically puts one in darkness – the most important symbol of DEATH – in this case, speaking first of
spiritual death.
There is no rebel who "thinks straight" – because thinking "straight" is thinking according to God's mind. It is
impossible. He has rejected it.

THE SECOND STEP DOWN – Suppression of truth (1:18, 22). Again, Paul said the lost man knows (about) God, but
what he knows he now purposefully suppresses – pushes down and out of his mind. This is rebellion! What is the
root of this willful suppression of truth, which is really a depression? It certainly leads to depression.
 Pride – SELF-centeredness; exalting self will over others, esp. God.
 Self Deception – they "profess" to be wise. The world's wisdom. "Wisdom of the natural mind apart from God's
word. They do not know they have become "fools" as God defines it.

THE SECOND CONSEQUENCE – Idolatry (1:22-23)

The importance of understanding this step down is that this is the FIRST act of rebellion that brings a stated PENALTY
– i.e. judgment from God (1:24).
What is Idolatry? Paul says, "And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible
man... " This is man playing God. In a rebellious attitude man thinks things about God that are not worthy of Him.
He then fashions images of Him after those thoughts and the natural things of the earth as representing Him. This is
with words as well as with visual things like art and things that represent power, like money. This is the reverse of
God's created order – it is man making God according to his sinful likeness, instead of man being a reflection of God's
image and God's glory. This is an ABOMINATION to God, and it brings His first judgment.
THE FIRST JUDGMENT– "And God gave them up to..." (1:24). and
What horrible words! This means that God no longer restrains them, no longer attempts to get them to change... He
lets them have what their hearts really want. THIS IS SCARY. This is happening today everywhere you can look. The
consequences are in the continuation of this pattern being described.
THE THIRD CONSEQUENCE – "Uncleanness" (1:24)
At this point, it is "Uncleaness" – evil lusts that "dishonour their own bodies between themselves" (1:24). The first
understanding of this is sexual immorality – a violation of the purity of covenant relationship with God. It also
suggests behaviours like immodest dress, tattoos, body piercing, radical hairstyles – anything that casts a reproach
on the glory of God that we should be clothed in.
THE THIRD STEP DOWN – "Exchanging the truth for a LIE" (1:25).
Specifically Paul speaks here of the truth of what God says HE is, and what he says MAN is. Again man has rejected
God's clearly revealed order, especially in regard to worship. This leads to the next consequence.

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THE FOURTH CONSEQUENCE – False Worship and Service (1:25)
Man places HIMSELF (the "creature") as the object of worship and service ahead of God (the Creator). The
examples of this are too numerous to count or describe. The key issue: man worshipping self.
THE SECOND JUDGMENT - "And God gave them up to..." (1:26).
Notice that this is the SECOND "giving up" – God allowing men to have what their wicked hearts desire without any
attempts by Himself to restrain them in any way. Dear Christian, you need to wake up and comprehend how serious
this issue is. Being given over to evil means you are OUT OF the Mercy of God which means being the realm of wrath
and brute force.
THE FIFTH CONSEQUENCE – "Vile Affections 1:26)
This is specifically speaking of unnatural sexual relations (1:27). God calls sexual behaviour against His created order
VILE. What is the created order? Adam and Eve -- one woman for one man. These two verses tell us four things
about homosexuality:
1. It is unnatural – in other words, against God's created order.
2. It is a fruit of lust – which the Bible defines as evil desire.
3. It is "unseemly" – not decent; that which causes SHAME.
4. It is an "error" that has an appropriate compensation. "Error" is the word for fraud—a deceitful straying away
from the just-righteous way.
MAN'S LAST STEP DOWN – Willful rejection of the knowledge of the Truth.
In the light of the issue of vile affections, it means first of all the rejection of the truth of God's purposes in the
creation of the man and the woman, sexual and otherwise. Thus we see in these last days the rise of homosexual
rights, as well as many other issues of role reversal of men and women – in other words, women usurping the
authority of men, and men willingly, passively giving up their God-given leadership to women.
THIRD – AND LAST – JUDGMENT OF GOD – "And God gave them OVER...
This has the authority of FINALITY – there is no turning back after this one.
THE END – THE BOTTOM – The REPROBATE MIND, Corrupt Life
Jesus said that the Last Days would be like the days of Noah. Genesis says of that day: "And GOD saw that the
wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil
continually... the earth was filled with violence" (Gen 6:5,11)
Paul says it this way: "FILLED with ALL Unrighteousness. Then he names 32 examples of unrighteousness. Notice
the word "FILLED" – same word for being FILLED with the Spirit. A deliberate contrast being made here. These
behaviours are complete opposites to the fruit of the Spirit. We need Jesus!
SUMMARY: If a person is to understand the Gospel of God in Jesus Christ he MUST come to terms with what they
ARE BY NATURE – rebels!
Notice the ORDER of changes in man's thinking as a result of his rebellion:
1. Failing to give God the GLORY and THANKSGIVING He demands.
2. Foolish thinking – "leaning on your own understanding" (Prov. 3:5-6)
3. Confusion of mind – therefore futile (useless) thinking
4. Suppression of truth – willful pushing away of truth that does not agree with our own estimations.
5. Exchanging of truth for a lie – that which was suppressed WILL be replaced with something. This is eating from
"the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" instead of eating from the Tree of Life.
6. Willful rejection of the truth – legalizing what the Bible says is evil and legitimizing what is evil as good.
Notice the ORDER of the corruption of behaviour: "What a man thinketh in his heart, so IS he" (Prov. 23:7)
1. Darkness in the heart
2. Idolatry
3. Uncleanness (moral)
4. False worship and service
5. Vile affections – especially homosexuality
6. Filled with all unrighteousness – described in Rom. 1:29-32

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Notice the three distinct JUDGMENTS of God for these behaviours. Why?
1. AFTER idolatry – "Thou shalt have no other gods... graven images"
2. AFTER false worship – " thou shalt not bow down to or serve... images". Acceptable worship: "in [God's] spirit
and truth [the Word]"
3. AFTER willful acceptance of vile affections – homosexuality. God created man... and the woman from his side...
to be one flesh.
The judgment? GOD GAVE THEM UP... He took away all restraints, lifted his restraining mercies, allowing them to
have what they want, but with consequences appropriate for their behaviour which vindicate His holiness and
purposes in our creation.
Yes, being given up is a judgment – it is a rejection, a repudiation, a denial of acceptance, a withdrawal. This always
ends in chaos, confusion and DEATH.

Definitions of the Characteristics of a Reprobate – Romans 1:29-31

V.29 BEING FILLED with…

*all unrighteousness Everything not right by the laws of God
*fornication (sex. Imm.) Unlawful and unnatural sexual behaviours
*Wickedness Depravity, malice, wicked thoughts (Greek)
*Covetousness Inordinate desire to obtain and possess…
*Malice Disposition of heart to cause injury or distress without cause
V.29 FULL OF…
*Envy Resentful awareness of another's advantages
*Murder Killing with malice and aforethought
*Debate [NKVJ - Strife] Conflict, strife, struggle - SYN discord, contention
*Deceit Misleading to ensnare; cheat; cause to believe lie
*Malignity [evil-minded] Evil disposition toward someone; extreme enmity; malice without provocation
V.30 THEY ARE…
*whisperers those who speak (secrets) in a low voice
*backbiters Speak mean/spiteful things about per. when absent
*haters of God Intensse hostility and aversion toward God
*violent Extreme; intense [SYN: Insolent]
*proud Excessive self esteem: haughty [SYN: Arrogant}
*boasters excessive praise of self; expression of self-glory
*inventors of evil things Invent: to think up; to create or produce
*disobedient to parents not obedient to parents
V.31 *without understanding NKJV: undiscerning. Also, "dull", "foolish"
*covenant-breakers NKJV: untrustworthy
*without natural affection NKJV: unloving [but here natural - soulish - love]
*implacable [unforgiving] not capable of being appeased, mitigated, changed
*unmerciful without mercy

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 LESSON TWO – Who is Jesus Christ?
Jesus' first message was, "Repent, and believe the Gospel." Lesson One explains why we need to repent. SIN has
separated us from God. But now we need to understand WHAT we are to believe in – the Person and Work of Jesus
Christ. Who is He?
FORETOLD in the Old Covenant Law, Psalms and Prophets:
The LORD who is MERCY and LOVING-KINDNESS:
 The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping
mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty...
(Ex. 34:6-7)
 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. (Psalm 103:8)
 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For
he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. (Psalm 107: 8-9)
The SUFFERING SERVANT – Isaiah 53
 He was despised and rejected by men... we did not esteem Him.
 Surely He has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows...
 He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities...
 The chastisement (of God) FOR our peace was upon Him, and
 By His stripes we are healed.
 It pleased God to... make His soul an offering for sin...and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand
 He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the
transgressors. [us!]
The GOOD SHEPHERD – Ezekiel 34: 11-31
 I will seek out My sheep and deliver them... feed them in good pasture
 I will seek the lost... I will bind up the broken and strengthen the sick
 I shall judge between sheep and sheep, rams and goats...
 I shall save my flock... establish One shepherd over them...
 You are My flock of My pasture... you are men, and I AM YOUR GOD.
REVEALED in His Names given in the Birth Narratives: (Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:5—2:80)
 Jesus – "He will save His people from their sins" (Mt. 1:21)
 Savior – Hebrew Yeshua (Luke 2:11)
 Christ – "Anointed One" (Luke 2:11) – fulfilling Isaiah 61:1-3. "Messiah"
 The Lord – Greek Kurios – supreme in authority (Luke 2:11)
 Immanuel – "God with us" (Mt. 1:23)
 King of the Jews – the fulfillment of the Kingdom prophesied to David
 A Light to bring revelation (Luke 2:32)
 The Glory of Israel (Luke 2:32)
REVEALED in the Introduction of John's Gospel
 The WORD (1:1-5) – who became flesh (1:14).
 The Light (1:7-9)
 The Only Begotten (1:14, 18)
 Grace (1:14)
 Truth (1:14)
 The Lamb of God (1:29)
 "A Man preferred before me...(John Baptist) (1:30)
 The Son of God (1:34)
The GOD-MAN – the most important theological understanding to present in a foundation teaching. Key verses:
 The Word become Flesh (Jn. 1:14). God Became a Man.
 He is the Son of God – Conceived by the Holy Spirit (Mt. 1:20)
 Born of a Virgin (Mt. 1:23) (Isa. 7:14) – Free of the sin nature of Adam

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  He is the Son of Man – The seed of the woman (Mary), flesh and blood
 He MUST be FULLY God because only God can forgive sins
 He MUST be FULLY a man – He had to identify with men, be tempted in every way as we are, yet with sin (Heb.
4:15). He is our substitute.
Jesus came to fulfill the law of the sacrifice which is: "The innocent dies in the place of the guilty". If Christ had been
born of the seed of a man He would have had the sin nature of man passed from Adam (Rom. 5:12). God used a
Virgin so that there could be NO DOUBT that there was NO human agency in His birth. His NATURE was DIVINE
because He was born of the seed of the HOLY Spirit. He had to be WITHOUT SIN.

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 LESSON THREE – Salvation: Justified and Redeemed in Christ
The apostle Paul quotes the Old Covenant to reinforce the truth that men are ALL under sin. Dead. Unable to justify
(save) themselves before God.
"There is NONE righteous, no not one... NONE who understands (truth)... NONE who seek after God... they
have ALL turned aside... there is NONE who does good... their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness... the
way of peace they have not known... there is NO FEAR OF GOD in their eye." (Rom. 3:10-18)
But Christ came to be the sinless sacrifice for our sin. He came to bear it on the Cross to put the NATURE of sin TO
DEATH and create a NEW nature born of His Spirit. We have no righteousness of our own merits. We have to have
God's righteousness IMPUTED (credited) to us.
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the
prophets; 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: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified
freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a
propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and
the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
There are FOUR important doctrines summarized in these verses.
 By the power of GRACE, working through faith:
 Jesus is our Justifier
 Jesus is our Redeemer
 Jesus is our Propitiation before God
What is Grace?
Many teach it is the "unmerited favor" of God. It is more than that. It is the POWER of the Kingdom that enables
everything that happens there. It is "God's sufficiency for every good work" (2 Cor. 9:8). Paul certainly related "God's
sufficient Grace" with "the Power of Christ upon me" (2 Cor. 12:9).
The Kingdom of Heaven is the dominion of Grace. For the sinner it is the welcoming face of God in Christ when He
says, "Come unto Me all ye who are weary and burdened (with sin), and I WILL GIVE YOU REST" (Matthew 11:28).
For the Christian it is summed up best in Rom. 5:1-2 and Heb. 4:16):
"Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have
ACCESS by faith INTO THIS GRACE in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God" (Rom. 5:1-2).
"Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need"
(Hebrews 4:16).
 Jesus is the forever "open door" to the unending supply of enabling Grace in which a Christian is now standing
because he is IN CHRIST.
 The Throne of God is the SOURCE of God's Mercy and His Grace. Notice that we FIND Grace and OBTAIN
(receive) Mercy there.
Notice the PURPOSE of both Mercy and Grace: to find HELP in the time of NEED. The Old Covenant helps see the
relationship of Mercy with Grace:
 MERCY is the primary characteristic of God given in the Old Covenant as to what God IS. The Hebrew word also
means loving-kindness.
 Grace is the primary word, along with Love, that describes what God IS in the New Covenant.
 The Hebrew Christians understand that the two are equivalent. The New Testament in Hebrew uses the
Hebrew word for mercy (hhesed) in the place of the English word Grace in almost every reference.
 Grace is the favor, the smiling welcoming face of Love
 Mercy is what love does in filling any need – love in action. It describes God's nature as Loving-kindness.
 Compassions are love choosing to bear and suffer for and with another in the distress of their need.
GRACE is a part of who God IS as a person and therefore is a part of every work of God in His Kingdom. It is not
received on merits. However:

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It is not given out in full measure all at once. We receive a measure of it to be able to believe for salvation. We
receive additional measures of it in the gifts God gives (Rom. 12:6) ("gifts" mean "enabling graces"). But God then
tests us and we GROW in Grace as we WALK in Obedience (2 Peter 3:18).
What is Justification?
the legal action of God where in the sinner is declared righteous in His Son Jesus Christ because he has put his trust
in the finished work of Christ on the Cross, repenting of sin and believing that the Blood of Jesus has removed it.
Justification is basically a synonym for the word salvation. To be saved is to be justified. If one is not justified –
made righteous by the blood of Jesus, he is NOT SAVED. Redemption and reconciliation are proofs of justification.
What is Redemption?
The idea of redemption comes from the Old Covenant, where an Israelite who was forced into slavery could be
"bought back" to freedom through the payment of a purchase price by a near relative. In the story of Ruth, Boaz
paid a redemption price to give the widowed Naomi back her inheritance.
The Bible teaches us we are slaves of sin, and Christ as a man became our "near kinsman" to buy our freedom – with
His perfect blood, shed on Calvary, when He became our substitute for the penalty of sin. The Blood was God's
purchase price. He paid is WILLINGLY.
God set forth Jesus to be a Propitiation through faith in His blood:
The Bible says that God is angry with the sinner every day! He is continually under the sentence of God's wrath –
"For the wrath of God is (being) revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men" (Romans 1:18). It is
because of Mercy that they are not consumed.
The only way God's wrath is appeased, taken away, is when that wrath is satisfied -- in one of two ways:
 either by being totally spent after being poured out, or
 by propitiation – a sacrifice being made that satisfies the requirements of God's justice so that God may grant
mercy. The Blood of the Sin Offering being sprinkled on the Mercy Seat of God.
In the prophets God said to Judah and Israel that He was going to "pour out His fury" upon them. Christ came to
redeem them from sin and thus bear both their sin and the poured-out wrath in their place, that they may obtain
mercy from God's throne. The penalty MUST be satisfied to vindicate God's justice.

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 LESSON FOUR – Sanctification: the Ongoing Work of Holiness
Sanctification means "to be set apart". Peter wrote that Christians are "called OUT OF darkness INTO His marvelous
light" (1 Pet 2:9). One needs to understand these two sides (aspects) of Sanctification:
 Set ASIDE FROM...
 Set APART TO...
Most Christians think about only one side of it – getting rid of sin. They fail to see the deeper calling of God to
separate from even "good" things of life when the call of God requires a greater denial, sacrifice and discipline.
"What others may do thou may not do." ALL of this is a work of GRACE.
Sanctification involves the conscious choice to put off carnal behaviours and dispositions and put on spiritual ones:
 Putt off – or put to death – the "old" man (Col 3:5-9)
 Put on the "new" man (Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24-32)
The first important Scripture passage on Sanctification is in Paul's letter to the Romans, Chapter Six. It is divided into
two sections:
1. Grace calls us to STOP living in sin (6: 1). In being justified by Christ we are brought INTO His body. This is the
first "Baptism" for the Christian. Therefore we are now ONE with Him in His death and His resurrection to walk
in "newness of life" (6:2-4). Being crucified with Christ (v. 6) the body of sin might be done away with. He who
has died has been freed from sin (v. 7). Therefore we are to make the CHOICE to not let sin reign in our natural
bodies (v.12). We can do this by choosing to not yield our body members as instruments of unrighteousness (v.
13). Sin should not have dominion any longer now that GRACE is the divine source of power in the Holy Spirit
(v.14).
2. We must realize we are called to be slaves, but of whom or what? "Do you not know that to whom you
present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slave whom you obey..." (6:16). We are called to be
bond slaves of Christ. We are called to present our members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. Paul says,
"But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit unto holiness,
and the end, everlasting life." (6:22).
The Carnal Man And The Spiritual Man Contrasted – "Putting Off The Old Man – Putting On The New Man"
Notice the emphasisl that Paul makes in Ephesians and Colossians concerning this issue of sanctification:
1. To the Colossians, he emphasizes "putting off" and "putting on".
2. To the Ephesians, he emphasizes WALKING CONTINUALLY in the Spirit.
 The entire Ephesian letter is written in the context of 5:18: "Be ye FILLED with the Holy Spirit". [Present tense
is linear = continual].
 The entire letter to the Colossians centers on abiding in sound doctrine – 3:16: "Let the WORD... DWELL..."
We are to PUTT OFF / PUT ON the "old man" / "new man" SO THAT we might LIVE / WALK continually in the "New
Man" (You put on clothes to both clothe your nakedness and walk in them. "Looking good" and "showing off" are
not important.
Understand the difference between the UNREDEEMED (i.e. "lost") man and the CHRISTIAN who "walks in the
FLESH". It is vitally important to understand Paul's theology concerning being an unredeemed i.e. "lost" man and
being a Christian who is unsanctified in some aspects of his life, walking "according to the flesh".
In Ephesians chapter two, Paul clearly differentiates the unredeemed from the redeemed (regenerated) man who is
born of the Spirit of God. The key statements are:
 Unredeemed: DEAD in trespasses & sins; NATURE of wrath; in ENMITY with God
 Redeemed: WERE dead (past tense) – made ALIVE in Christ... RAISED... SEATED... in the heavenlies.
When a man is redeemed by Christ he is given a NEW NATURE and the old nature is declared dead. This is clearly
taught by Paul in these Scriptures:
 Titus3:5-7 [note word "renewed"];
 2 Corinthians 5:17 [note words "new creation" in Christ];
 Romans 5:1-2 [note "peace" with God—no more enmity];
 Romans 6:3-10 [buried with Christ]; and
 Galatians 2:20 [not I who lives but Christ in me].
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In Ephesians chapter 4 and Colossians chapter 3, Paul is teaching on the sanctification of BELIEVERS. Lost men have
no power to successfully "put off" or "put on" ANYTHING. It must be understood that Paul teaches there is a
difference between the lost nature of rebellion and the flesh – its natural desires. The New International Version of
the Bible (NIV) and other new translations/paraphrases have obliterated this doctrine by translating "flesh" as "sinful
nature". NO, NO, NO! The sin NATURE is PUT TO DEATH on the Cross in the New Birth. The FLESH must be
"reckoned dead" (Romans 6:11) and "crucified daily". God created men to have DESIRE, just as He has DESIRE. The
key word here is created – they are a part of our natural being ("members" in the King James version). Paul teaches
that these are easily influenced by sin. Sinful desires are called LUST, and these must be voluntarily subjected to and
brought under the discipline of the WILL that is led by the Holy Spirit. There are MANY Scriptures that teach this.
See Romans chapters 6-8; Ephesians chapter 4 and Colossians chapter 3. Others include Galatians chapter 5 and
James chapters 3-4.
"To whom you present yourself a slave to obey, you are that one's slave..." (Romans 6:16)

Attitudes and Behaviours to be PUT OFF or PUT ON (Sanctification)

Carnal Attitudes and Behaviours to be PUT TO DEATH: Spiritual Attitudes and Behaviours to PUT ON:
fornication - Col. 3:5-7 THE "NEW MAN" - Col. 3:12
uncleanness - Col. 3:5-7 Tender Mercies - Col. 3:12
inordinate affection - Col. 3:5-7 Kindness - Col. 3:12
evil concupiscence - longing for what is forbidden Lowliness, humility - Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12
covetousness, which is idolatry - Col. 3:5-7 Gentleness - Meekness - Eph. 4:2; Col 3:12
Bitterness - Eph. 4:31 Longsuffering - Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12
Anger - Eph. 4:31 Forbearing one another - Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13
Wrath - Eph. 4:31 Diligent to keep unity of faith - Eph. 4:3
Malice - Eph. 4:31 Walk in Love and the Light - Eph. 5:2,8
Clamor - outcry of anger- Eph. 4:31 Walk circumspectly, not as a fool - Eph. 2:15
Evil speaking - Eph. 4:31 Dealing graciously with one another - Col. 3:13
Shameful speech - Col. 3:8 Forgiving in Love (bond of perfection) - Col. 3:13
Lying - Col 3:9
Foolish talking and coarse jesting - Eph. 5:4

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LESSON FIVE – The Ministry of the Holy Spirit in Salvation (Romans 8)

To the man outside of Christ the FIRST work of the Holy Spirit to bring him into God's kingdom is CONVICTION of
three things: (Jn 16:8-11)
1. Sin – he must see his true condition, as taught in these lessons.
2. Righteousness – He must see Jesus as the answer to his condition.
3. Judgment – He must see the consequences of his choices.
In salvation, regeneration is by the washing of Christ's blood. Renewing of the spirit of man is by the Holy Spirit (see
page 4, Titus 3:5-7). The Holy Spirit generates (creates) a new nature in us. Paul says we are a new
creature/creation (2 Cor. 5:17). This is what it means to be "born from above" (we say, "born again").
Jesus teaches us that as His children the Holy Spirit:
 Is a Comforter – Helper (Jn. 14:16)
 Is the Spirit of Truth (Jn. 14:17) whom only the Christian has received because he knows him for He dwells in
them.
 Guides into all truth, for He speaks not on His own authority but whatever He hears (16:13)
 Baptizes us with Power for ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:5-8).
Paul amplifies Jesus' teachings. Paul teaches us:
 We are renewed by and in the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:7)
 The Holy Spirit is the source of 9 characters of Christ (Gal. 5:22-23): Love, Joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control (temperance).
 The Holy Spirit imparts grace in nine ministry gifts (1 Cor. 12:1-11).
Romans 8: Life in the Spirit:
 Those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Being spiritually minded is life
and peace.
 If anyone does NOT have the Spirit of Christ, he is Not His.
 If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin but the Spirit is life because of righteousness
 God will give life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit dwelling in us.
 We put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit.
 Those LED by the Spirit of God ARE sons of God.
 The Spirit makes intercession for us to help us in our weaknesses.

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22
 BOOK TWO

The Doctrine of
Baptisms

23
 LESSON ONE: Baptism Into Jesus Christ
“Or do you not know that as many of us were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we
were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His
death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this that our old man was crucified with
Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died
has been freed from sin.” Romans 6: 3-7
What is this baptism?
It is a spiritual reality that when we repent and trust Jesus Christ for salvation we become spiritually a part of Him.
The bible says we become a member of His “body” – the Church is the Body of Christ. Read Paul’s teaching in 1
Corinthians 12:12-31.
When does it occur?
At the moment a sinner places his trust in Jesus Christ, believing His Gospel. Jesus calls this moment being “born
again”. It is a real experience!
How does it happen?
It happens when we receive the Holy Spirit. Upon faith in Christ God breathes His Spirit into our mortal bodies, and
thus we are indwelt by Him and we are brought into His body. The first disciples received the indwelling Holy Spirit
the night of the resurrection (See John 20:19-23).
The Deeper Truth:
The Romans passage gives us the deeper truth:
1. We learned in Book One that we are by nature rebels and on the path of corruption. The bible says we are ‘dead
in trespasses and sins’. The bible teaches that sin is corruption, and our corrupt lives cannot inherit the kingdom
of God (1 Cor. 15:50).
2. We learned in Book One that the gospel is are all about Jesus, the Son of God coming as God’s perfect Righteous
One to bear our sin on the cross that we can be redeemed from its bondage. Since the wages of sin is death,
Jesus took the penalty of death FOR US. He died representing us. But death could not hold Him. By the power
of the Holy Spirit He was raised from death.
3. Jesus taught that a person has to lose his life to find it. Read Matthew 16:24-26.
4. How do we lose our life to find it? Through faith coming into Christ. In doing so God ACCOUNTS our life with the
life of Christ and thus with the sacrifice He made for us:
a. We have to die to the nature of rebellion and sin to have the life of God. In trusting Christ God actually
accounts to us that the sin Christ bore on the cross is OUR sin and therefore in His death our sinful nature is
counted crucified – put to death.
b. God then also counts our sin buried with Christ is the tomb.
c. The truth should now be obvious that by being counted with Him in death and burial, we are then also
counted with Him in His resurrection. The power of the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus can now raise us to a
new life since the old is crucified. That happens when we are “born again”, receiving the Holy Spirit. We
become a “new creature” in Christ Jesus. Read 2 Cor. 5:17.
5. The spiritual reality of being baptized into Christ is testified outwardly as a witness by Jesus’ command for the
next baptism.

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 LESSON TWO: Water Baptism
“Go ye 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…” Matthew 28:19
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he
who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to… as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39
Romans 6:3-7 – the Theology of Water Baptism [taught in Lesson One above]
What is this baptism?
Water baptism is the OUTWARD evidence of the inward spiritual reality of identifying with Christ in His death,
burial and resurrection. Because it is commanded by Christ as the FIRST step in discipleship, it has become one of
the two permanent ordinances in the Church (the other being Communion).
When does it occur?
This baptism is the first command that we are given to obey from the Lord. Therefore it happens as soon as we
choose to obey the command! When one comes into genuine faith in Christ, there is no need to delay.
How does it happen?
1. The word for baptism from the original language means “to immerse”. It is a total immersion – the person being
baptized is immersed totally under water and then raised up out of the water.
2. WHY is IMMERSION the biblical pattern for baptism? Because the baptism must be in harmony with the TRUTH
that it is witnessing. Sprinkling, pouring or any other method is the wrong type, the wrong picture. Death, burial
and resurrection are being illustrated!
3. Therefore study the spiritual truth that water baptism is proclaiming. See the first baptism – the baptism into
Jesus Christ – Romans 3:3-7
Deeper Truth:
When the believer obeys the command to be baptized:
 He is IDENTIFYING himself with Christ in His death and resurrection
 He is DECLARING that he has INDEED DIED to his sin
 He is DECLARING that Christ has INDEED given him new LIFE through the Holy Spirit
 He is DECLARING: “I belong to Jesus Christ! I am His and His mine!
 This declaration is before men and the angels! (Eph. 3:10-11)
Obedience ALWAYS brings blessing from God:
The “gift” of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Acts 2:39 is all the spiritual blessings that come with being born again.
Read Ephesians 1:3-14. Of most importance here is the truth of the Holy Spirit SEALING us. There are two great
truths in this work of the Holy Spirit:
1. PROTECTION – many Scriptures declare this truth.
2. AUTHORITY – to be a son of God (John 1:12), to be anointed to do the works of Jesus, and in the end to receive
His inheritance.

The fruit of baptism is ASSURANCE in our relationship and BOLDNESS in life and ministry. We have his AUTHORITY
through OBEDIENCE.

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 BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
When Jesus met His disciples in an upper room the night of the resurrection, several things happened. NOTE THE
ORDER OF THEM.
Read Luke 24:45-49 and John 20:19-23:
(Lk) “And He opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures. HOW?
(Jn) “And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost”
This is the fulfilment of a promise Jesus made the night before He died. Read John 14: 16-17 and 26:
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper / Comforter, that He may ABIDE with you forever –
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you KNOW Him,
for He DWELLS WITH you and will BE IN you.” “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He
will TEACH you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you.”
They received the Holy Spirit in REGENERATION that night! They were “born again” and were baptized into Jesus
Christ. The natural man cannot discern spiritual things, and the Word of God is spiritual. One must have the Holy
Spirit to do so (See 1 Cor. 2: 6-16).
THEN He gave them their ministry calling to preach the gospel – repentance from sin and faith toward God. Luke
24:46-47. He told them that miraculous signs would follow their ministry to confirm their preaching. Read Mark
16:15-18.
THEN He spoke to them of “A PROMISE” to come that they must wait for and receive before fulfilling their ministry.
Luke 24: 49:
“Behold, I send the PROMISE of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with
power from on High.”

Read Acts 1: 4-8: Same time & event – the night of the resurrection:
“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the
PROMISE of the Father, which, He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be
BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT not many days from now”…“But you shall receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has
come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the
earth.”
IF – the Promise of the Father = the Enduement with power
IF – the Eduement with power = the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
THEN – the Promise IS the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is the Power of God resting on the believer.
The life and ministry of Jesus set forth the pattern we follow:
1. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, and filled with the Spirit and wisdom as a child and boy (see Lk 2:40, 51-42).
2. At the beginning of His ministry He submitted Himself to water baptism in the Jordan River “to fulfil all
righteousness” (Mt. 3). As He came up out of the water the POWER of the Holy Spirit descended from heaven
and RESTED on Him. Luke 3:21-22; John 1:32.
3. “Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit…” Luke 4:1.
4. After the wilderness temptation Jesus returned IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT to Galilee. Luke 4:14. He declares
the prophecy of Isaiah of the Messiah anointed to preach the gospel with accompanying miraculous signs AS
FULFILLED in their hearing. Luke 4:16-21.
5. PATTERN: Baptism into Christ (witnessed by baptism in water) – baptism in the Spirit – power (anointing) to
work miracles and authority in preaching the gospel.
Fulfillment of the promise – began 50 days after the resurrection on the Day of Pentecost to fulfil the pattern
established in the Feasts of Israel.
Read Acts chapter 2. NOTE these details:

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1. The disciples had come into genuine UNITY. Verse 1. This is solely because they were all baptized into one body
by the same Spirit. Jesus had prayed that they would be ONE as He and His Father are one (John 17). Only by the
Holy Spirit is this possible.
2. The Holy Spirit comes into the room like a rushing wind. Verse 2. The Holy Spirit as a wind:
3. The Holy Spirit came and RESTED UPON them. Verse 3.
4. The Holy Spirit FILLED them. Verse 4. See also 4:29-31.
5. This anointing of the Spirit was AS FIRE. Remember John the Baptist’s prophecy (Luke 3:16).
6. The Holy Spirit gave them other tongues, speaking in the languages of the people “the wonderful works of God”.
Verses 4, 8-11. This is the FIRST miraculous sign fulfilling Jesus’ words the night of the resurrection (Mark 16).
Many more were to follow!
7. Peter proclaims this to fulfil the prophecy of Joel of the outpoured Spirit in the last days. Verses 16-21 (Joel
2:28-32).
Note the pattern outlined in this teaching summarized in Acts 2:38-39:
“Repent [believing the gospel], and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to… as many as the Lord our God will call.”
1. Repent of sin and dead works and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
2. Be baptized in water in obedience to Christ to identify with Him in His death and resurrection
3. In faith receive the gift of the Holy Spirit – the power of the Holy Spirit RESTING on you to fulfil Christ’s
ministry in & through you. This promise is for AS MANY as the Lord our God will call.
ASK for it! "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give
the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (Luke 11:13)
But ask from the right motives! "We are His witnesses to these things, and so also the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those
who OBEY Him." (Acts 5:32)

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28
 BOOK THREE

The Doctrine of
"Last Things":

The Resurrections &

The Judgments

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 INTRODUCTION
The writer of Hebrews tells us that the doctrines of the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment are
“elementary” (Hebrews 6:1-2). They are also a basic part of the greater, deeper study of Eschatology – the study of
last things, for that is when they take place.
Scripture Passages for Study
1. John 5:24-30 – Jesus’ teaching on resurrection and judgment
2. John 11:1-44 – Jesus’ demonstration of resurrection from death
3. Matthew 24:29-31 – The resurrection of God’s elect
4. 1 Corinthians 15 – Paul’s teaching on the resurrection of the dead
5. 2 Corinthians 5:1-11 – Resurrection and judgment of Christians
6. 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 – Judgment of our works for Christ
7. Revelation 20:4-6 – The first resurrection – Christians
8. Revelation 20:11-15 – The second resurrection and final judgment
Jesus, Paul and Peter all present these truths as BASIC and build their exhortations for holiness and readiness for
Jesus’ return on these truths. Examples from the above passages and also 2 Peter:
 “Therefore you also BE READY, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24)
 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15)
 “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…” (2 Cor 3)
 “Therefore… what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of
the day of God.”

The writer of Hebrews says that the elementary doctrines are “milk” that we need to put into practice before going
on to “solid food” (deeper truths). We need to have our senses “exercised to discern both good and evil” BEFORE
we can “go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation…” (Heb. 5:12-6:3) Before studying the deeper doctrines of
“last things”, these basic doctrines MUST be understood.

Read John 5:24-30. Verses 28-29:

“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who
have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”

FIRST truths to understand:

1. EVERYONE will be “brought forth” – raised – from the dead.
2. EVERYONE will be judged for what they have done.

There are TWO resurrections, and with each resurrection there is a judgment. But Jesus does not distinguish here
the details of when they occur. From other Scriptures we learn the details.

Summary of the Resurrections and their Judgments:

No. Whom When Judgment Seat Judgment Verdict

1st Believers Return of Christ Judgment Seat Believers works Eternal Life
(Christians) 7th Trumpet of Christ (of what sort) in Heaven
Rev. 20:4-6 2 Cor. 5:1-11 1 Cor. 3:9-15 John 5:29
1 Thes.4:16-17

2nd All others After Christ’s Great White Each according Second Death
Kingdom Throne to his works Eternal life
Rev. 20:11-15 Rev. 20:11-15 Rev. 20:11-15 in eternal fire
Rev. 20:11-15

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 The First Resurrection

Matthew 24
Jesus speaks specifically of the first resurrection in His sermon about the end of the age. Taking His words literally as
to the order of events, He describes first an age of trials and tribulations prior to His coming, which He called “birth
pains” because this is the age where we labour to “birth” people into God’s Kingdom (Vs.3-14). THEN comes the
“Time of Trouble” in which the antichrist is revealed (Vs.15-28). AFTER that time Christ comes down from heaven to
gather His elect (Vs.29-31).

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the
stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will
appear in heaven, and then ALL the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the
clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they
will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

1. The signs of the sun, moon and stars accompanying His coming are foretold by the prophet Joel in Joel 2:31-32.
2. The SIGN (singular) of His coming will be seen world-wide. “Great glory” suggests a great light or brightness will
be seen coming from afar off and get closer and closer. See also Rev. 1:7. This is not just a one-day event.
3. The sound of the trumpet is the last of 7 trumpets that angels will blow before His coming. Revelation 10:7 says
that at the sounding of the 7th trumpet the “mystery of God” is finished. Several New Testament Scriptures tell
us that “the mystery” is Christ in His Church – “Christ in you, the hope of glory”.
4. The “Elect” are those who God has called, who have responded by faith to believe in Him. All believers are
collectively called Chosen Ones, Elect, Saints, the Church, the Bride of Christ, the Body of Christ, and Christians.
Rom. 8:28-29; Eph. 1:3-11; many others.
5. The “four winds” refers to the compass points – North, South, East, West – and the 4-fold outreach of the gospel
– “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth”. ALL tribes are represented.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
Paul writes of the same event. Compare these statements:

Jesus: “He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet…”
Paul: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the
trumpet of God.”

Paul explains further the meaning of “gathering together”:

Jesus: “they will gather together His elect from the four winds…”
Paul: “And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them
in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (also 1 Cor 15:22-23)

1. Those who have died in the Lord will be gathered first. Then those still living will be gathered. This is God’s
ORDER: God honours them that have honoured Him (1 Sam. 2:30). Those who faithfully humbled themselves
until death will be lifted up FIRST (Ja. 4:6-10).
2. Both groups are brought together and presented to the Lord as ONE BODY, His Glorious Church (Eph. 5:27).
3. We are WITH Jesus from this time forward. FOREVER. See Rev. 20.

Revelation 20:4-6
Jesus reveals to John a prophecy of the coming resurrection of believers. After Antichrist is defeated (Revelation
chapter 19), the Christians that Christ gathered at His coming in the clouds (Matthew) are seen WITH Christ to live
and reign with Him. Verses 5-6:

“But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This [Christ’s gathering] is the first
resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power,
but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

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1. Believers are resurrected BEFORE the 1000 year kingdom of Christ. We are to always be with Him from the
moment we are gathered.
2. The rest of mankind is resurrected 1000 years later!
3. The New Testament states that ALL believers are “priests of God and of Christ”: See 1 Peter 2:9-10; Revelation
1:5-6.
4. The second death is explained in Rev. 20:14. Remember Jesus’ words when He raised Lazarus from the dead
(John 11:25-26):

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die [natural death], he shall live
[spiritual life]. And whoever lives [now] and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

1 Corinthians 15
This is the most important teaching on the resurrection in Scripture.
1. FIRST it teaches why the resurrection of Christ is so important (verses 1-19). If Christ did not rise from the dead
then we are still in our sins and our faith is empty.
2. Because Christ DID INDEED rise from the dead, we are made alive:
“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits,
afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.” (Verses 22-23)
3. At His second coming the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ – verse 24;
also Rev.11:15. All things will be made subject to Him – verse 28.
4. Paul says that if the resurrection were not true, then we might as well agree with the sinner Jesus quoted, who
said, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (verse 32).
5. Paul now teaches about the nature of the body that believers receive in the resurrection of the dead, in verses
35-49. (continued next page)
First understand verse 36: “What you sow is not made alive unless it dies.” Paul is referring to Jesus’ teaching in
John 12:24. The truth about natural seeds has a spiritual meaning: we must also die to our sinful nature before
new life can be birthed in us by the Spirit. The glorious truth here is that in the end we will receive back our own
body that was dead because of sin, but now without the corruption of sin!
OUR NATURAL BODY OUR SPIRITUAL BODY
Sown in corruption ........................................ Raised in incorruption
Sown in dishonour ........................................ Raised in glory
Sown in weakness ........................................ Raised in power
Sown a natural body ....................................... Raised a spiritual body
Born in the image of ....................................... Raised in the image of the
the man of dust the heavenly Man, Christ Jesus

6. Corrupted flesh and blood CANNOT inherit the Kingdom of God (verse 50). Therefore our mortal bodies MUST
put on incorruption and immortality (verse 53).
7. This change happens at the last (7th) trumpet. Paul calls this change a mystery (verse 51), but also a REALITY for
believers.
8. It is VICTORY OVER DEATH (verse 54). The removal of corruption takes away death’s sting! It has no power over
the incorruptible. “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (V. 57)

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 The Judgment Seat of Christ - 2 Cor. 5:1-11 & 1 Cor. 3:9-15
These Scriptures tell us of the judgment of God that ALL believers will face. Many Christians do not realize that there
is a judgment for them.
2 Corinthians 5. Verses 1-8 speak of the reality of our resurrection:
1. We KNOW that if our earthly house – our body – is destroyed, we have “a building from God… not made with
hands… eternal in the heavens.” This is our eternal, incorruptible, immortal heavenly body that will reflect God’s
glory, for we will have been transformed into His image (2 Cor. 3:18). This agrees with Paul’s teaching in 1
Corinthians 15.
2. In the PRESENT life we are groaning in desire to be “clothed with our habitation which is from heaven” – this new
glorious body.
3. God has prepared us for this! HOW? He has given us His Spirit as a guarantee – down payment!
4. So now even though we are absent from the Lord as to physical presence, BECAUSE with are walking by FAITH,
we are CONFIDENT that we WILL be with Him once this present body dies. FOREVER!
Verses 9-11 tell us that in the first resurrection:
1. ALL believers MUST appear before Christ in judgment:
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the
body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
2. WHY? To PROVE our works as to their QUALITY. Compare this with Paul’s teaching in 1 Cor. 3. But also read
Peter’s word at how God works to improve the quality of our works, in 1 Pet. 1:6-9:
“you have been grieved by various trials… that the genuineness of your faith… though it is tested by fire, may be
found to praise, honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ [1st resurrection, His 2nd coming].”

1 Corinthians 3:9-15
What Paul wrote in his 2nd letter to Corinth (above) was a reminder of what he taught them in this 1st letter:
1. “But let each one take heed how he builds on it” (v.10). “It” means the foundation laid by the apostles and
prophets (Eph. 2:19-20).
2. The foundation of God’s building – the Church – is Jesus Christ (v.11). This refers to both His PERSON and His
WORD (doctrine).
3. Each believer will receive a reward according to his OWN labour (v.8). I am accountable for what I have done,
not another’s work.
4. We “build” – work His ministry – according to the GRACE of God that has been given to us (v.10). Paul writes
both in Romans 12 and I Corinthians 12 that we are given GIFTS according to this grace to enable us in His work.
Romans 12:4-6:
“For as we have many members in o body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being
many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to
the grace that is given to us, LET US USE THEM.”
5. In Verses 12-15 Paul tells us that the nature (motives) and value (quality) of our work will be declared in the Day
– the Day of Christ at His 2nd Coming – revealed by FIRE – which here is clearly a symbol of judgment. Many
scriptures confirm this truth.
6. The nature and value of our works for Christ are likened to one of the following six things. They are easily seen
in two groups, when you consider what will happen to them when tested in fire:
 PURIFIED with fire: Gold, Silver & Precious Stones
 BURNED UP in fire: |Wood, Hay & Straw

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Since these are symbolic, they need to be interpreted. How are these things used symbolically in the rest
of the Bible?
Works like “Gold”:
Gold is used in the Old Testament Temple in the places that represent God and His perfect righteousness and
holiness. It is a precious metal of kings and king’s palaces, therefore it also represents royalty. The streets in the
New Jerusalem will be pure gold which is transparent like glass. So gold also represents purity. Our works should be
like “gold”:
1) Pure motives of heart
2) Righteous – according to God’s order and standards
3) Holy – in other words, God set them apart for us to do – His will, His purpose has set me into the work, and
not of my own mind and will.
Works like “Silver”:
Silver represents redemption, both in the tabernacle and Temple and in the redemption of property. Silver was used
by David to purchase the land on which the Temple was built. Silver coins were paid to Judas to betray Jesus so that
He would be falsely accused and die to redeem all of us from sin.
Silver is also used metaphorically for wisdom (Prov. 2:4) and the words of the righteous (Prov. 10:20).
Therefore, silver represents the fruit of our lips, especially for redemption:
1. We need to realize that EVERYTHING we say has an impact in one way or another toward encouraging people to
live a life of faith in Christ Jesus.
2. The most important words we speak are those about God, Christ, and His gospel. In order for men to confess
Christ they must first hear a pure, message, for faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Read
Rom. 10:9-17. Do our words build faith in those who listen to us?
3. Is our tongue “choice silver” because we speak righteous words?
4. Does our mouth speak blessing or curses? Read James 3:5-12.
5. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”, either to justification or condemnation. Read Matthew
12:34-37.
Will the fruit of our lips remain after God judges every word we have said?

Works like “Precious Stones”:

The most prominent use of precious stones in the Bible is in the garments of the high priest. He and the Levites
under him provided the priestly ministry to the people, wearing a breastplate with 12 precious stones, representing
the 12 tribes before God to make atonement for them. All Israel was called to be “priests” before God (Ex. 19:5-6)
but failed because of fear and unbelief. So God appointed the high priest to mediate on their behalf. Christ became
THE High Priest and the mediator of the new covenant. ALL believers are now PRIESTS before God (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev.
1:5-6) under Jesus Christ our High Priest, and have a PRIESTLY MINISTRY. What are the priestly works?
 Worship – “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:21-24). Paul teaches that this is only possible when we are “filled with
the Holy Spirit” and let “the words of God dwell in us richly”. Ephesians 5:18-20 and Colossians 3:16-17.
 Intercession – identifying and carrying the burdens of God’s heart. This includes prayer and fasting
 Discipleship – abiding in the word – personal and with others
 Reconciliation – bringing people to Jesus Christ – peacemakers
When God judges your praise, thanksgiving, worship, intercession, time in the word and with Him, what will be
left? Is your faith genuine?

Works like “Wood, Hay and Straw”:

In the Old Testament tabernacle, wood represented what was of humanity, or flesh. For example, the furniture was
made of wood covered with gold. Jesus was a man (wood) but He was also God (gold). Spiritually the wood, hay and
straw represent our works done according to the flesh, and not according to the Spirit. Many Scriptures address this
issue. Such works will be consumed by the fire in Christ’s eyes as He looks upon them, and there will be nothing left
but “ashes”. The believer will be left with his salvation, and that is all. There are only rewards for what endures. (1
Cor. 3:14-15).
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The real issue about the quality and nature of all our works for God is: Were they done from a pure motive and in a
spirit of excellence? Were you led by the Spirit to do them? Were they done in God’s order and excellence?

The Second Resurrection

Revelation 20: 11-15

Notice the chronological sequence given in the Book of Revelation:

 At the 7th trumpet the mystery of God is finished, which is Christ in the Church. The Church is gathered
together to heaven to be with Jesus. This is the FIRST resurrection.
 The wrath of God is poured out on all the unrighteousness of men, who had supressed truth in
unrighteousness (Revelation chapter 16).
 The Antichrist and False Prophet (head of all false religion) are defeated by Jesus Christ and cast into the
eternal lake of fire (Revelation chapters 17-19).
 Satan is shut up and sealed in the bottomless pit the 1000 years that Christ reigns on the earth (Revelation
20:1-3).
 The Saints of God who did not worship the antichrist or take his mark are raised in the first resurrection and
will sit on thrones with Jesus and judgment will be committed to them (Revelation 20:4-6).
 Satan will be released for one last great deception and then be permanently cast into the lake of fire – eternal
hell (Revelation 20:7-10).
 ALL the dead not raised in the first resurrection will now be brought before Jesus Christ for judgment
(Revelation 20:11-15).

The Judgment before the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15)

1. Books are opened – Everything we have done is written in books! The only dead and wicked works blotted out
will be those of believers, by the blood of Jesus.
2. The Book of Life has the names of all believers in Jesus Christ
3. Death and Hades are the grave and the place of torment in the earth’s core, where all the wicked are held for
this final judgment.
4. Judgment is according to works. This implies that there will be degrees of punishment. “You reap what you
sow” (Gal. 6:7-8).
5. After this judgment God will destroy this earth with fire (2 Peter 3:5-10). Therefore Death and Hades of this
earth are thrown into the ETERNAL Lake of fire, which is eternal hell and eternal death.
6. The judgment of eternal fire is the SECOND death. Men die in the flesh, are cast into Hades to await the final
judgment, and are now raised bodily to DIE AGAIN – permanently sentenced to eternal torment and separation
from the loving God FOREVER.
7. The only people NOT thrown there are Believers whose names have been written in God’s Book of Life.
A FINAL WORD
It is good to now read again Hebrews in 5:12 through 6:3.
Just as babies need nutritious milk in their beginning months, so do new Christians need the elementary teachings
Paul calls the “milk” of God’s word. This author has sought to provide such milk in this book.
Milk is necessary, but it is not to always be the only food in the diet. It prepares the child for the needed nutrition of
solid food to develop to full maturity.
But before Christians can understand deeper truths, deeper doctrines, they must become skilled in the simpler
words of righteousness. They must exercise their senses by putting these truths into use – first in their own lives and
then in teaching them to others. When they have learned to discern good and evil, then they are ready to “go on to
perfection (maturity)”. My prayer is that these teachings will help prepare believers to do so. May God receive the
Glory He is due.

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36
 BOOK FOUR

The Doctrine of
GOD:

His Person and Work

(Attributes)

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 INTRODUCTION

This study is intended to be an introductory teaching for village pastors and/or anyone who has little or no
knowledge of the nature and work of God as revealed in the Bible. Its purpose is to give a straightforward
presentation of the major teachings that will establish a good foundation.

I. God Exists: He IS
II. The Nature of God: God is Spirit, Personal, Light, Love, and a Consuming Fire
III. The ESSENTIAL Attributes of God: God ie Eternal, Self-Existent, Immutable, Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent
IV. The MORAL Attributes of God: God is Holy, Righteous, Just, Mercy-lovingkindness, Love, Faithful and True
V. God is the Eternal, Unified GODHEAD of Three Persons
1. God the Father: His Person and Work
2. God the Son: the Person and Work of Jesus Christ
3. God the Holy Spirit: His Person and Work

Lesson One: God IS: He EXISTS

Key Scriptures:
“In the beginning GOD…” (Genesis 1:10)
 The Bible does not attempt to prove the existence of God but simply declares it as fact.
 All who wrote Scripture were absolutely convinced of this truth.
 The existence of God is the reference point to understanding ANYTHING and EVERYTHING about LIFE!
“He who comes to God must believe that He IS – EXISTS” (Hebrews 11:6)
 Faith is the connecting link between God and man. He is the Creator, we are His creation.
 One must first believe He exists before there can be any relationship with Him
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1)
 Faith in God is the proof of the reality of things not seen. Since God is spirit and invisible to our eye, faith in
Him substantiates His existence to us.
“The invisible things of God from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that
are made, even His eternal power and Godhead… Men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20)
 God has given visible proofs of His existence therefore there is no excuse for not believing in His existence
“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 53:1)
 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7).
 God is revealed most perfectly in His Word. To despise the Bible then is to reject truth, the knowledge of God,
and to become a fool. Read also Romans 1:18-22.
Evidences of God’s Existence
1. The World itself. Gen. 1:1; Psalms 19:1-6; Hebrews 11:3; Rom. 1:19-20. Law of cause and effect: the world is
here; how did it come into being?
2. The design and purpose of created things.
3. Man. Man is fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalms 139:13-16.
4. Man is made to be the temple of God. I Cor. 6:19-20. It is amazing how the structure of Chromosomes and DNA
in the body correlates with the structure of God’s Word which dwells within us by the Holy Spirit.
5. Man’s intuitive acknowledgement of God. We are created in His image.
6. In Biology: reproduction is always “according to its kind”.
7. In History: the unseen hand of God can be seen guiding, governing, and controlling the destinies of the nations.
8. The historical Jesus. Jesus was a real person who walked the earth, who manifested the kingdom of God on the
earth.
9. The Bible itself: its witness and especially its unity.

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Non-Christian Views of God
1. Pantheism: “pan” – all + “theos” – God. The belief that God is all and all is God. There is no God apart from
nature, and everything in nature is a part or manifestation of God. In essence, then, nature itself is God. Trying
to find God in creation makes the creation God.
2. Polytheism: “poly” – many + “theos” – God. The worship of many gods. Scripture clearly denounces this,
calling it idolatry, and declares it cursed. Read Deuteronomy 5:7; 11:28; 28:14. Examples: Hinduism and
Animism.
3. Non-Christian Monotheism: “one God”. Christianity teaches One God in Three Persons – the Godhead. There
are two main religions that believe in one God but deny the Christian Godhead: Judaism and Islam.
4. Dualism: The belief that there are two “principles” or gods that are both eternal and of equal power. Examples:
mind and matter; good and evil; the oriental “ying and yang”.
5. Atheism: God does not exist. This belief makes reason the source of knowledge. The atheist sets himself up as
God.
6. Agnosticism: “Gnostic” means “a knowing one”, or “I know it all!” “Agnostic” therefore means “I cannot know”
or “I know nothing”. This is wilful ignorance. He makes this ignorance his God!

Lesson Two: The Nature of God

The Bible gives some basic definitions or descriptions of God in His inherent NATURE. Here is a summary of the FIVE
most important ones:
God is Spirit
Read John 4:23-24: “But the hour is coming, and NOW IS, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit
and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in
spirit and truth.”
God has no material body. He is a Spirit being. He is therefore said to be “invisible”. To create visible images or
likenesses of what we perceive or think God to be in our own minds is forbidden.
God is Personal
God is a PERSON and therefore can be known and related to personally. In fact He is three unified persons in one
Godhead. He is not an “it” or an impersonal “force”. He has all these qualities of personhood:
 Self-consciousness
 Self-determination
 Will
 Intelligence
 Feeling (emotion)
God is Light: Read 1 John 1:5: “God is LIGHT and in Him is NO darkness AT ALL.”
Read 1 Timothy 6:13-16, especially v.16: “God… who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom
no man has seen or can see, to whom be honour and everlasting power.” (Compare 1 Timothy 1:17)
 Light speaks of God’s GLORY. The New Testament word for “glory” means “brightness”. His Light is His
Glory.
 Light is absolutely PURE and impossible to defile.
God is Love: Read 1 John 4:7-18 and Romans 5:8-9. In 1 John:
“Love is of God…
 Everyone who loves God is born of God and knows God.
 He who does NOT love God does not know God,
for God is Love.”
Notice that it is a stated fact that God IS love. But also notice that this love is not separated from our response to it.
Throughout the bible God’s giving of His love to us is always seen with His receiving of His love back from us. WHY?
Because love in its essence is unselfish benevolence or charity and therefore cannot be seen outside the context of
BOTH the giving and receiving of that love. It is not complete without both. In fact, it does not exist without both.
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Compare 1 John with the gospel of John 14:23-34, speaking of our response of love, for Jesus called us to “Love as I
have loved you.”:
 “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word…”
 “He who does NOT love me does NOT keep My words…”
God’s love is known to us through God’s manifestation and demonstration of it in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This
is the real PROOF of His love. 1 John 4:9 and Romans 5:8-9 speak of the manifestation of the love of God – which is
the testimony and PROOF of His love:
 1 John 4:9: “That God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”
 John 3:16 agrees: “For God so loved the world that He GAVE…”
 Romans 5:8: “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us.” Verse 9 gives us the reason: to justify us and save us from His wrath – which is His propitiation.
 1 John 4:10: “In this is love… that He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
We know that God in His nature IS LOVE because of the consistent witness and testimony of His ACTIONS of love,
which are revealed in His word to us.
We will look at some other attributes associated with love in Lesson Four, as they interact with love as moral
attributes.
God is a Consuming Fire
Read Hebrews 12:25-29. “Serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.”
 Fire is the most frequent symbol used of God in the Bible.
 Consuming fire speaks of the PASSION of God for righteousness and holiness. He by nature IS holy and
perfectly righteous and accepts nothing less than this standard.
 This attribute is clearly seen in the righteous judgments against sin.
Examples in Scripture:
 The lamp of fire that confirmed the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:17)
 God’s first appearance to Moses in the burning bush (Ex. 3:1-6). Take off your sandals… you are on holy
ground.
 The fire on the altar of Elijah that condemned the false prophets of Baal (1 Kg. 18:24,38)
 The coal of fire set on Isaiah’s mouth to set his words apart for God as His prophet (Isa. 6:6,7)
 Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11)
 Tongues of fire came upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4)
 Eternal torment of the “lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15). Jesus will “burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire”
(Matthew 3:12).

Lesson Three: The ESSENTIAL Attributes of God

Attributes are the characteristics or qualities belonging to a person. Here we are speaking of those characteristics or
qualities that make God who and what He is.
Essential means these are the attributes which belong to God apart from any relationship to His creatures. These
are qualities inherent in Himself. They can never become attributes of man, as man is not and never will be God.
God is Eternal - “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God… be honour”
 Eternal signifies having no beginning or end.
 God has always been and will always be. “I AM THAT I AM”
 “Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me” (Isa. 43:10). God replaces no one, and will
never be replaced by anyone or anything.
 “Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God” (Psalm 90:2). God exists from eternity to eternity.
 “In the beginning, God…” (Genesis 1:1)
 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end” (Rev. 1:8)
 God IS (time present), WAS (time past) and is TO COME (time future) Rev. 1:4
 To the immortal, eternal, King be honour and glory forever. 1 Timothy 1:17

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God is Self-Existent – “I AM LIFE”
He exists in and from Himself. He is the reason for His own existence.
He did not come into existence from anyone, nor need anyone to sustain Him.
His life is not derived from anything and it is inexhaustible.
He is absolutely independent of all outside Himself.
Scriptural Evidences:
 “The Father has life in Himself… the Son has life unto Himself” (John 5:26)
 “I AM that I AM” (Ex. 3:14)
 “I am Jehovah, that is My name” (Ex. 3:15-16; 6:3)
 The Hebrew noun “I AM” comes from the verb TO BE in the present tense.
 The LORD God is the LIVING God (Joshua 3:9-10)
 Jesus said, “I AM the LIFE (Jn. 11:25; 14:6).
 In Him (the Word, God) was LIFE, and the life was the LIGHT of men (Jn. 1:4)
 “For with You is the fountain of LIFE; in Your LIGHT we see light.” (Psalm 36:9)
 Notice how God’s LIFE is made equivalent to His LIGHT given to men.
God is Immutable – “I AM the Lord, I changeth not”
Immutable means unchangeable. God is both unchanging and unchangeable in His character and being. This is one
of the most important reasons why we can trust Him! Faith cometh by hearing His Word, and that Word will forever
remain and never change. Hallelujah!
 “I am the LORD, I CHANGETH NOT” (Malachi 3:6)
 “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11; read context
10-12)
 “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not
do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19)
 “Every good and perfect gift is from… the Father of lights, with whom there is NO VARIATION or shadow of
turning” (James 1:17)
 The gifts and the calling of God are IRREVOCABLE (Romans 11:29)
 Read Hebrews 6:13-18. God shows that His counsel is immutable (unchangeable) by confirming it with an
oath, so that by two immutable things – His word and oath – in which it is impossible for God to lie, we
might have strong consolation.
A BIG reason why men today do not understand God as immutable is the fact that men do not keep their word, but
more sadly, Christians do not keep their word. Our oaths, promises and verbal commitments are constantly
changing. Men no longer value a spoken promise or oath as binding. THERE IS NO HONOR IN WHAT WE SAY.
Therefore there is little or no honour in what we do.
God is Omnipotent – “I AM Almighty God”
“Omni” means ALL. “All-potent” means all powerful. What does this mean?
 Nothing consistent with His holy nature and character is impossible with God
 What He wills or desires to do He has the power to do
 His power is never out of control. It is controlled by His holy and wise will
 His power works from His sovereignty – He has the absolute right to govern and do as He pleases.
 His power works in harmony with all His other attributes.
 God does not display power just to demonstrate He has it – it is never a show.
Great demonstrations of God’s POWER in the Scripture include:
 The creation itself. God spoke, and it was.
 The parting of the Red Sea before Moses and the children of Israel
 The opening of the wombs of barren women (Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, etc.)
 The miraculous deliverances of the children of Israel
 The miraculous healings, signs and wonders of Christ’s ministry
 Maybe the most important: the conception of Christ is Mary’s womb

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Scriptures that reveal God’s Omnipotence, often in His name:
 God establishes this attribute in His name to Abraham when He appeared to him to establish a covenant: “I am
Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1-2). It should be noted the responsibility given
to Abraham in the light of this name.
 Jeremiah testified of God’s great power: “Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by
Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard (difficult) for You” (Jeremiah 32:17 - read
vs. 17-22).
 The Psalmist recorded: “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” (Psalm 33:8-9)
 Psalm 139:13-16. The fearful and wonderful creation of man
 Job testified, “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.”
(Job 42:1-2. Read through v.6)
 Gabriel, when explaining to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus, said, “The Holy spirit will come upon you,
and the POWER of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be
called the Son of God.” (Luke 2:35). Notice Mary’s response in Luke 2:46-49.
 Jesus, comparing a rich man getting into heaven with a camel going through a needle’s eye, said to His
disciples, “With men this is impossible, but with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.” (Matthew 19:26. Read vs.
23-26)
 God through Christ upholds all things by the word of His power (Heb. 1:1-3)
 Revelation reveals the throne room in heaven where the saints are singing, “Alleluia! For the Lord God
Omnipotent reigneth! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory!” (Rev. 19:6-7).
 The saints in heaven are also seen singing the song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and
marvelous are Your works, Lord God ALMIGHTY! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!” (Rv. 15:2-3)
NOTICE the response that we His children should have at the revelation of God in His power:
 Abraham: “Walk before Me and be blameless”
 Mary: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior… He who is mighty has done
great things for me, and holy is His name.”
 Saints of the tribulation: “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory!”
God is Omniscient – “There is not a word… behold, You know it altogether”
God is “all-knowing”. What does this mean?
 He knows all things at all times: past, present and future
 There is nothing He does NOT know and has not known from eternity
 His knowledge is absolute and not acquired – He has always had it
 Man can never tell God anything about Himself that He does not already know
Omniscience involves three things (and only God has these!):
1. Perfect knowledge – accurate possession of all facts
2. Perfect understanding – full perception and interpretation of the facts
3. Perfect wisdom – perfect, proper application of the facts
Omniscience makes God infallible, or incapable of error or omission. Therefore God is qualified to be the Judge of all
men.
God’s omniscience is manifested in these four things:
1. Foreknowledge – God has knowledge of events before they happen.
2. Foreseeing – God anticipates events before they happen and even sets conditions and boundaries on them.
3. Foretelling – God allows men sometimes to know something before it happens
4. Fore ordaining – God’s appointing of certain things before their actual reality. The best example is Christ’s
substitutionary death and resurrection, and the Church born from His side to be His bride in heaven.
Scriptures that reveal God’s Omniscience:
 Psalm 139:1-6. “You have searched me and known me… You understand my thought afar off… there is not a
word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.”
 Proverbs 15:3. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.”

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  Hebrews 4:12-13. “For the word of God… is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart… all things are
naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
God is Omnipresent – “Where can I go… flee from Your Presence?”
God is all-present. What does this mean?
 He is unlimited by space or time
 He is everywhere present at all times
 He is immense – He is above and beyond space – He fills heaven and earth
Scriptures that reveal God’s Omnipresence:
 Psalm 139:7-12. “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into
heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.”
 God said to Jeremiah, “Am I a God near at hand, and not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret
places, so I shall not see him? Do I not fill heaven and earth?” (Jeremiah 23:23-24)
 God’s promise to Moses when Moses asked for the grace to know Him: “My presence will go with you, and I
will give you rest” (Exodus 33:13-14)
 Amos prophesied there was no place for Israel to hide. Amos 9:2-4.
 The seraphim of heaven declare, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!”
(Isaiah 6:3)
 Heaven is God’s throne, and the earth His footstool (Isaiah 66:1)
 God personally calls us by name and promises to be with us through waters, rivers and the fire (Isaiah 43:1-2)
 Solomon declared, “Who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain
Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him?” (2 Chron. 2:6)
The greatest truth about God’s presence is His promise of presence with His children:
 In His name Emmanuel: “God with us” (Matthew 1:23)
 Again the promise to Moses upon his plea for grace: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest”
(Exodus 33:13-14).
 The promise to Moses is fulfilled in Christ. Matthew 11:28-10. “Come unto me… and I will give you rest. Take
my yoke… learn of Me… you will find rest.”
 Jesus said, “The one who cometh to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37)
 Jesus’ promise to answer the requests of believers gathered together in agreement is based on this: “For where
two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (John 18:19-20)
 Jesus has promised to with us always, even to the end of the age. Mt. 28:20.
 Jesus’ body, the Church, is the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Eph. 2:22-23.

Lesson Four: The MORAL Attributes of God

MORAL Attributes are the RELATIONAL qualities of God which he intends men to possess. These qualities in us make
us like Him in our being and character. In fact God created us with them since we were created in His image and in
His likeness. However sin corrupted those qualities. Only through the new birth of the Holy Spirit in salvation can
the Holy Spirit give to us again these characteristics of Christ-likeness.
Holiness: God is Holy
God is perfectly holy, or absolutely pure. He is set apart from sin and everything that sin has corrupted. He
therefore cannot sin nor will He tolerate sin. He makes us holy through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Holiness is a major theme in Scripture.
 Leviticus 19:2: “I AM the LORD your God: be ye holy as I am holy”
 1 Peter 1:13-16: Peter quotes and confirms this truth. We are commanded to be holy as He is holy.
 God is addressed with a three-fold “Holy, Holy, Holy” as He is the Godhead – the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.” Isa. 6:3 and Rev. 4:8. All three members of the Godhead
are holy.
 Revelation 15:3-4. In the Song of the Lamb the overcoming saints of the Tribulation sing “Who shall not fear
You and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy.”
 Holiness was God’s first revelation to Moses through the burning bush (Ex. 3).
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  Isaiah 6:1-6. Isaiah’s first vision of the Lord was of His holiness. From this came his call to prophesy for the
Lord.
 The Tabernacle of the Lord and the Temple built by Solomon both emphasized the holiness of God. There was
a wall of separation keeping the people out of the 2 inner-most chambers – the “Holy Place” and the “most
holy place”.
 Holiness is revealed as a fundamental characteristic of God, even before the revelation of His grace and love.
 God’s rule is established on Holiness. “God sits on His holy throne” (Ps. 47:8). “Righteousness and justice are
the foundation of Your throne” (Ps. 89:11-14)
 Worship is established on Holiness. “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the Lord our God
is holy” (Psalm 99:9). “Worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness” (Psalm 29:1-2).
 We are made holy by the Holy Spirit. God disciplines us to partake in His holiness (Heb. 12:10; read vs. 3-11).
Righteousness and Justice: God is Righteous; God is Just
Righteousness and justice are intricately related. The New Testament clearly teaches that one is declared righteous
only when he/she is justified.
 Righteousness in God is the FACT that God is perfectly RIGHT in His actions and ways ALWAYS. God’s perfect
word establishes what is right. Righteousness is a holy God acting in a just and upright manner towards His
creatures.
 Justice is the administration of God’s righteousness against sin. His holiness demands such action. Sin must be
judged and the sinner punished according to God’s righteous standard. God’s justice brings God’s
righteousness to men.
Scriptures that reveal and give understanding of the holiness of God:
 Justice is demonstrated in both punishment and reward. Romans 1:32 – 2:11.
o The righteous judgment of God brings wrath and condemnation for those who practice unrighteousness
o The righteous judgment of God brings eternal life to those who seek glory, honour and immortality
 Deut. 32:4 declares, “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without
injustice; righteous and upright is He”
 Psalm 89:14: “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne”
 The right statutes of the Lord rejoice the heart, and keeping the true and righteous judgments of the Lord
brings a great reward. Read Psalm 19:7-11.
 God judges with righteousness (Isa. 11:3-5), and His judgments are true and righteous (Rev. 16:5-7).
 The Gospel reveals the righteousness of God (Romans 1:16-17)
 The “new man” in Christ is created in true righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:24). These are fundamental
characteristics of a Christian being conformed into Christ’s image.
Mercy – Lovingkindness: God is merciful
In the Hebrew Scriptures this is the central moral attribute of God revealed. Out of God’s heart of loving-kindness
flows His favour (grace), goodness and compassions.
Mercy is God’s strong desire to do good to someone, which is always an unselfish loving-kindness. Loving-kindness is
a passion to suffer with someone in order to relieve, heal and restore. It is to take another into one’s heart to
cherish and nourish them there, carrying their burden for them in intercession. Jesus exemplified it in carrying our
sins, evils and faults as His own, bearing them to God that we might be free of them.
Scriptural declarations of God in His Mercy – Loving-kindness:
 In the Law – Numbers 14:18-19. Moses declared, “The Lord is longsuffering and of great MERCY, forgiving
iniquity…” However He will by no means clear the guilty. Therefore, Moses prayed, ”Pardon, I beseech Thee,
the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Thy MERCY, as Thou hast forgiven..”
 “He is the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and MERCY with them that love Him” (Deuteronomy 7:9)
 “All the paths of the Lord are MERCY and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies” (Psalm
25:10)
 “He that trusteth in the Lord, MERCY shall compass him about” (Psalm 32:10)
 “The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His MERCY; to deliver their soul from
death” (Psalm 33:18-19)
 “Have mercy upon me [extend grace and favour to me], O God, according to Thy loving-kindness” (Ps. 51:1)

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  “The Lord is good; His MERCY is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations” (Psalm 100:5)
 “Bless the Lord… Forget not His benefits: who forgiveth… healeth… redeemeth… crowneth with loving-kindness”
(Psalm 103:4; read vs. 1-5)
 “O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His MERCY endureth forever” (Psalm 118:1-4)
 David asks God to hear his cry according to His loving-kindness; then asks God to quicken him according to that
same loving-kindness. (Ps. 119:149, 159)
 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great MERCY. The Lord is good to all” (Psalm
145:8-9)
 “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory
in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me; That I am the Lord,
exercising LOVING-KINDNESS, judgment and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, sayeth the Lord.”
(Jeremiah 9:23-24)
From these Scriptures notice the following:
 Loving-kindness is everlasting, just as truth is everlasting, because it is the essence of the nature of God, who is
everlasting.
 Grace comes out of loving-kindness.
 Forgiveness, healing and redemption come by God’s loving-kindness
 Revival is a work of God’s loving-kindness
 Fear of the Lord and TRUST activate God’s loving-kindness in a person’s life
 Goodness and acts of mercy – compassions – come from loving-kindness
 Loving-kindness cannot be separated from righteousness and judgment
 Blessing God through thanksgiving and praise should be our response to His loving-kindness
Love: God is Love
The New Testament clearly states: “God IS love” (1 John 4). All other attributes come forth from it. Love is above
everything else. This is certainly understood by Jesus’ emphasis of the two greatest commandments: “Love the Lord
thy God with all your heart… love your neighbour as yourself.” All of the law comes forth from them.
But it must be understood that this love is a holy love – it comes from God, is unselfish, untainted by corruption, and
therefore it has its own word in the New Testament: agape. This love is the perfection of affection which moves
God to give Himself wholly to His creatures, continually.
There is a tri-unity of love illustrated in the Godhead:
 The LOVER – the Father who gave the Son of His love
 The LOVED – the Son of the Father’s love (Col. 1:13)
 The LOVE – the Holy Spirit: the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE… (Gal. 5:22)
God’s love is most perfectly expressed to man in redemption. Sin was judged on the cross so that the love of God
could make salvation available to man. Read again Romans 5:8-9 and 1 John 4:7-11. Read again page six of this
booklet.
Love governs the relationship of God to men, and then God expects us to apply the same principles to our
relationships with one another. Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved You. Greater love has no one than
this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:12,13).
What is the nature of this love? What is it like? What does it do? Answer these and you will have answered the
same questions for who is God, what is He like and what does He do. The best place in the Bible to find the answers
to these questions is in the life of Jesus Christ and in Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 13.

Love IS/does Love IS/does Love is/does NOT

Longsuffering believes all things envious
kind hopes all things self-parading
keeps no accounts of evil endures all things proud (puffed up)
rejoices in truth never fails rude in behaviour
bears all things self-seeking
provoked
rejoice in iniquity

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Faithfulness and Truth: God is Faithful and True
God is absolutely trustworthy, loyal, reliable and true to His word.
Faithfulness and Truth are inseparable attributes:
 We can know that God is FAITHFUL because we can verify that God is always TRUE to His Word.
 We can know that God’s Word is TRUE because God faithfully keeps it, demonstrating that He does not lie.
Since God expects these same attributes in men, the same can be said of men:
 We are known as FAITHFUL when we are TRUE to our promises, word.
 We are known as TRUTHFUL when we are faithful to keep our word.
The Scriptures clearly state that God, as a Person, is FAITHFUL:
 “Know that the Lord your God, He is God, the FAITHFUL God who KEEPS Covenant…” (Deut. 7:9). His keeping
covenant is the proof of faithfulness.
 “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship” (1 Cor. 1:9)
 God remains faithful for He cannot deny Himself. Read 2 Tim. 2:11-13.
The Scriptures also state that God’s Word is faithful and true, for He cannot lie.
 “Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth” (Isaiah 25:1)
 “The judgments of the Lord are TRUE and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:9)
 “All Your commandments are faithful”; “Your testimonies… are righteous and very faithful” (Psalm 119:86, 138)
Finally, we know the faithfulness of God in the many examples throughout the Bible and in history of God being true
to His word. For Example:
 His promise to forgive sins: Read 1 John 1:9
God expects us to exemplify these attributes as He lives in us by the Holy Spirit:
 He calls us to be servants, and stewards of the mysteries of God. “It is REQUIRED of stewards that one be
found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
 We will be judged for our faithfulness. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a
few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21,23).
 “He who is faithful in what is least faithful also in much. If you have NOT been faithful… who will commit to
your trust true riches?” (Luke 16:10-11)

Lesson Five: The Godhead: “God in Three Persons”

The Scriptures simply DECLARE God to be the Godhead of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In the word it is a
fact and all truth is intricately related to this mystery in one way or another. Man in his finite mind will never be able
to explain this mystery.
The New Testament uses the term “Godhead” to speak of God. Example: “For the invisible things of the world are
clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal and power and GODHEAD…” (Romans
1:19-20).
The Gospels clearly reveal in the Eternal Godhead are three: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit:
 Jesus says that water baptism is into the Godhead of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)
 Jesus teaches much about the relationship of the Father, Himself and the Spirit in John’s gospel, especially in
chapters 14-17.
 John also writes of the witness of the Godhead in his epistle. 1 John 5:6-8 (KJV)
The Father, Son and Spirit each have life in themselves (John 5:26) yet they are equal in their nature, power,
attributes and eternality of being. They are in perfect unity, harmony with one another. This makes them ONE.
So the Bible in both testaments presents God as one AND God as three. This is a mystery. There are two important
ideas in God being one and also three:
 God is one – God is INDIVISIBLE – inseparable in sense of unity, harmony
 God is three – God is distinguishable – their nature and work can be known
Again, this is a harmony. To go off on an extreme either way is to fall into heresy.
Scriptures that tell of the ONENESS of God:

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  “The Lord He is God, there is none beside Him” (Deut. 4:35,39)
 “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE Lord” (Deut. 6:4)
 “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me” (Deut. 5:7; Ex. 20:3)
 “One hope, one Lord, one faith… one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all”
(Eph. 4:4-6)
 “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5)
Oneness can be seen in two ways – absolute and compound unity:
1. “Absolute unity” is the mathematical or numerical number one. Hebrew “yachead”. Example: “one and only
son” (Zechariah 12:10)
2. There is “compound unity”, a collective unity comprised of more than one person (one nation, one people).
Hebrew “Echad”. Example: “These two shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24), speaking of the union of Adam and his
wife. This word is used in all the statements of God being one God.
All the Old Testament Scriptures that declare the oneness of God point to or allude to the compound unity of the
Godhead revealed in the New Testament.
Old Testament examples of the compound unity of the Godhead:
 God’s name ELOHIM: this is a uni-plural word.
 God (Elohim) said, “Let US make man in OUR image…” (Gen.1:26-27) The plural pronouns agree with the plural
name of God
 God (Elohim) said after the fall of Adam, “Man is become as one of US, to know good and evil…” (Gen. 3:22)
 God spoke to Isaiah, “Who will go for US?” (Isaiah 6:8)
 There are many scriptures that distinguish the Father and the Son. Isa. 48:12-16; 61:1-2; Ps. 110:1.
There are MANY Scriptures in the New Testament that speak of all three members of the Godhead together in one
purpose yet distinct in ministry and functions.
 Jesus reveals the Godhead: Hebrews 1:1-2; Mt. 11:27 and John 1:18.
 Matthew 3:16-17: At Jesus’ baptism, the Father speaks, the Son is anointed by the Holy Spirit
 Matthew 28:19: Water baptism symbolizes baptism into the entire Godhead
 John 14:16-17: The Son prays, the Father hears, the Holy Spirit will be given
 Ephesians 4:4-6: one Lord (Jesus), one Spirit (the Holy Spirit) and one God (the Father)
 2 Corinthians 13:14: the grace of Christ, the love of God (Father) and the communion of the Holy Spirit
 1 John 5:7-8 may be the BEST statement of the tri-unity of the three: “the Father, the Word, and the Holy
Spirit, and these THREE are ONE.”
Perhaps the most LOGICAL argument for the compound unity of the Godhead is revealed in this declaration: “In the
mouth of two or three witnesses shall every Word be established.” Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16-20. The
Godhead is the BEST illustration of this truth fulfilled. God MUST be three to fulfil His own word.
Natural illustrations of the Tri-unity:
 Unity of light: three major components (yellow, red, blue)
 Unity of time: time past, time present, time future
 Unity of man and consciousness: spirit (God-conscious), soul (self-conscious) and body (sense conscious)
Biblical symbols and types of Tri-unity:
 The sun, moon and stars (Gen. 1:14):
o The sun – source of light and life; the Father
o The moon – becomes as blood; the Son (Rev. 6:12)
o The stars – multitudes; the Holy Spirit in the Saints
 The Ark of Noah (Gen. 6:14-22): ONE Ark, with:
o 1st level – foundation, beginning = the Father
o 2nd (middle) level – the door = the Son as the door/way
o 3rd (top) level – the window = the Holy Spirit, the Illuminator
 The water from the rock (Ex. 17:1-8)
o The rod with which the rock was smote = the Father who smote His Son on Calvary
o The Rock smitten = the Son, smitten for us (Isa. 53:10)
o The waters = the Holy Spirit flowing from the Son (Jn 7:37-39)

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  The mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant (Ex. 25:10-22)
o The two cherubs = the Father and the Holy Spirit
o The mercy seat in between – for the sprinkled blood = the Son
 The Contents of the Ark of the Covenant
o The Law – of the Father God
o The manna – the Son (Jn. 6:32-36)
o The budding rod – fruitfulness; the Holy Spirit life
 The Tabernacle/Temple and the body as God’s temple:
o The outer court = the body
o The Holy Place = the soul
o The Holiest Place = the spirit
 Three major divisions of the Feasts of Israel:
o Passover – baptism into Christ
o Pentecost – baptism in the Holy Spirit
o Tabernacles – baptism into the Father’s rest

Lesson Six: The Person and Work of the Godhead

THE FATHER
His Person:
 1st Person of the Godhead
 Creator of the Universe
 A Father of fathers
His Work:
 Creation and order of the earth
 Mastermind the plan of redemption of man
 Giving the Son of His love for that redemption
 Drawing, calling, justifying, sanctifying and glorifying men unto Himself
THE SON
His Person: revealed in His names
 2nd person of the Godhead
 The Son of the Father – God in the flesh - Emmanuel
 The Lord, Saviour, and Redeemer of men
His Work: fulfilling the offices of prophet, priest and king
 Prophet: Proclaim the word of the Lord, the gospel of the Kingdom of God
 Priest: Sacrifice – He is the Passover lamb, the perfect offering for sin
 Priest: Mediator – for redemption, salvation
 Priest: Intercessor – with the Holy Spirit, whom He sent after His ascension
 King: Judge of the earth and ruler of the earth in the Millennium
THE HOLY SPIRIT
His Person:
 3rd Person of the Godhead. Not an “it” or “force”
 The Helper, Comforter, Counsellor; One who “comes along side”

His Work:
 Convict of sin, righteousness and judgment
 Teach us and guide us in all things, bringing God’s word to our remembrance
 Baptise and anoint with power for the work of God’s ministry

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 BOOK FIVE
The Foundational Principles
of
The Kingdom of God:

Study of the "Beatitudes"

Matthew 5:3-12

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The Kingdom of God
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel (Mk 1:15). “Repent, for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt 4:17)

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all
kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. (Mt 4:23)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (Jesus Christ), because:

*He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor
*He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted
*He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives
*He has sent Me to proclaim recovery of sight to the blind
*He has sent Me to set at liberty those who are oppressed
*He has sent Me to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (Read Luke 4:16-21)
Jesus Christ has fulfilled this scripture, which is a prophecy from Isaiah. He has brought these things into the world
for YOU and ME.

Questions to ask:
1. WHAT is the kingdom of heaven / God?
2. WHERE is the kingdom of heaven / God?
3. WHEN does the kingdom of heaven / God start?
All three questions can be answered with this statement:
The kingdom of heaven (God) is everything over which Jesus is King. It is the rule of Jesus Christ and the
realm or dominion in which He is reigning.

The Kingdom of Heaven is BOTH of the following:

1. The Kingdom of Heaven is a physical place:
a. It is NOT the present-day earth.
b. It is the perfect place where God dwells – Rev. 21:1-5; John 14:2,3
c. Jesus is there now preparing a place for all believers – John 14:2,3
2. But the Kingdom of Heaven is also a spiritual life that starts NOW in the heart of everyone who believes in Jesus
Christ. The heart is then ruled by the principles of God’s kingdom.
Characteristics of God’s kingdom that the believer enters into upon his salvation:
1. Light – Read these scriptures: 1 John 1:5; Gospel of John 1:3,4; 8:12; 14:6; 3:19-21.
2. Truth – Read John 14:6; John 8:31-32. Truth is God’s Word, heart, principles.
3. Death of self – the Bible principle is that we must “die” to “live”. Read John 12:24-26.
a. It starts when we are truly born again – repenting of the life of sin and trusting in the life of Jesus
Christ to live in us.
b. We must learn to let Christ rule our will in all things. Read Romans 12:1-2.
4. Possessions: Christ Himself and His power. He gives us the physical possessions as we have need of them,
but the emphasis of God’s kingdom is NOT physical possessions or land. Read Matthew 6:19-34 and 13:44-
46. Read also Luke 12:13-21.
5. Righteousness – read Romans 14:17. The emphasis in the Kingdom is righteousness and peace and joy in the
Holy Spirit. Jesus IS our righteousness. The more we are like Jesus the more we will be righteous is all our
ways.

WE ARE TOLD TO SEEK THE KINGDOM (Mt 6:33; Lk 12:31). If you love God you will desire and keep His commands
(John 14:23). If you have the King (Jesus) and He has you, then you will also have His kingdom and all that pertains
to it.

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Mercy in the Beatitudes: God's Desire For Holiness and a Pure Heart In Us
A pure heart is a place for God in the place-where-we-are. And God is the source of the pure heart, and also the
keeper of it. For He wants an open way from His heavenly throne to, and into, our earthly dwelling, as the extension
also of His throne. But by nature the throne-place—out heart—is quite fully occupied with SELF. And self does not
want God to rule as king, but only to serve as a slave-servant. [Ponder this statement for a while] That situation
shuts us out of "the knowledge of His glory". To change the situation, then, requires the heart to be purified. Only
God knows how to do that. We have only the slightest notion of what purity of heart is. And that little is gained
directly, or indirectly, from God's Word.
But God knows all about it. He is as wise a Perfector as He is a Creator. The problem which He has with our lives is
not one of wisdom or power on His part. He has all that—all we shall ever need. His problem with us is to get us to
WANT—hunger and thirst—after His righteousness, and its peaceful effect of a pure heart. Or, to say it another
way, His problem is to get us to crave, hunger for an utter and heavenly purity. Human "purity" and God's pureness
are not the same thing. Most people are thinking in terms of human purity. Did it ever occur to you that these
studies [about Mercy] are about purity of heart as God sees it?
In Matthew 5, the whole process is laid out. In Matthew 6 the process is analyzed in more detail. And in Matthew 7,
are described obstacles and hindrances which may ruin the process, such as the judging, critical heart, condemning
others, and (at the end of the chapter) the foolish-foundation heart.
Matthew 5 reveals the wonder mystery of the HOLY SPIRIT—The Holy, One-ing Spirit, from "poverty" to "perfect as
He is perfect". There are SEVEN "Blesseds" described here, and they all work together as one, and FOR the Lamb of
God who takes away the world's sin, and who is the true Image of God. The Holy Spirit produces God's Image. The
Lamb of God IS God's image. We are called to believe in The Lamb and to love and worship Him. If we DO that, or
AS we do that, the Holy Spirit changes us into the same image. And that changing is from glory to glory.

To be changed from glory to glory means that we are changed FROM the love of our own glory, TO the love of
God's glory; and from the love of honour for ourselves, to the love of honour for Jesus, The Lamb. That changing
process is the purifying of the heart. So, a purified heart is one in which the ruling love is utterly changed from self
to God.
Immediately, then, Our wisdom is: [meaning "to see our utter helplessness and God's desire to purify us"]
1. to see our utter helplessness. Only God knows such a purity, or how to produce it.
2. to also see that God's desire and pleasure, to do that for us and in us. That is His calling to us; or, we may say
our calling to "be holy and without blame before Him IN LOVE." There is no such thing as holiness, except in
that love. "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us."
3. to understand that love. It can be said that there is little difference between saying, "understand that love",
and saying, "the knowledge of the Glory of God."
Where does this wisdom come from? From Jesus, by "hearing these sayings of Mine and DOING them." Jesus is
made unto us wisdom (1 Cor 1:30). We are wise or foolish according to this one thing: whether we hear and do, or
hear and do not do. These kind of studies are designed by the Holy Spirit to give us hunger for God and for His love-
purity-holiness, and also to make us WISE to hear-and-do.
All of these things are the direct result of God's blessing. Whatever God blesses has ALL provision for ALL increase
and ALL fruitfulness. All growth and prosperity in divine things results from His blessing. In Matthew 5:3-12, Jesus
pronounces NINE blessings. We look at them as two groups:
1. The first seven – knowledge of what God IS, or, in other words, are seven branches of what LOVE is.
2. The last two – describe the triumph in the soul, when any of the first seven result in persecution and in
injustice. That effect is JOY—GREAT JOY. The "Joy of the Lord" is the consciousness of triumph in the
strength and freedom of His LIFE.
One reason that we do not enter more easily, and more fully into these "Blesseds" is that we think of the words as
human words. So thinking, we try to understand them in a human way. But those words are SPIRIT. They are God's
words. They are the communication of God's Will and power, and, the knowledge of His pleasure, and, the
knowledge of His purpose. These words of Jesus are not merely human ideas. "My words", He said, "are SPIRIT".

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"The flesh profiteth nothing: the WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are LIFE." He had been
talking to the increased number of disciples about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. And such things sounded
so fantastic and outrageous to many of them, that they turned away from Him, went back, and walked no more with
Him. It is an absolute essential to your faith to know that the WORDS of Jesus are SPIRIT—not just ideas as
humans think of ideas.
The Seven Branches of Love:
1. The poor in spirit
2. They that mourn
3. The meek
4. They that do hunger and thirst after righteousness
5. The merciful
6. The pure in heart
7. The peacemakers
The other two "blesseds" describe God's will and provision for each, and for all those named, when persecution and
injustice is their lot.
Jesus' words are spirit and life. These blesseds are His words. And they are SPIRIT. We understand such things by
faith, not by human reasoning. His words FORM the understanding. True understanding is of the knowledge of God.
To KNOW God is Life—eternal Life. We do not understand such knowledge by figuring-it-out, but by opening the
heart to hear, and to see God. To all such things, Jesus said, "He that hath an ear, let him hear."
In these "Blesseds" of Jesus' teaching, we are describing seven SPIRITS of God [the perfection of the Holy Spirit]
 which are the means to "the JOY of the Lord." And,
 are the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
It is in this fullness that we are able to "walk with God" and dwell in his Power.

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Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt 5:3)
Poor in spirit does NOT mean physical poverty. Jesus was not poor (the whole world was going after Him). This is
speaking about the spirit of a man – actually, about our SOUL. It is the opposite of our naturally rich human spirit.
The important issue is who and/or what rules your soul?
1. First understand that man is made up of 3 parts: body, soul and spirit:
a. The human spirit is where our God-consciousness is, our intuition and revelation
b. The soul is made up of the mind, the will and the emotions. This is the battleground.
c. The body has three main needs: to be nourished, to defend, and to reproduce
2. The person who is NOT born again does not have the Holy Spirit ruling through his human spirit. Therefore the
flesh is ruling – in other words, the emotions (feelings) dominate the will. The body’s functions then are
controlled by the “lusts of the flesh”:
a. The need for nourishment becomes gluttony
b. The need to defend becomes aggression and leads to violence and war
c. The need to reproduce becomes corrupted in sexual immorality
d. The human spirit seeks spiritual experiences apart from God in forbidden supernatural phenomenon.
3. A truly spiritual person is one who is truly born-again, in whom the Holy Spirit rules through their human spirit.
Their will is submitted to God’s word and will, and therefore rules their mind and emotions (not the reverse).
We are ALL born sinners with a rich human spirit. What does that mean?
1. We trust in our natural talents and abilities that cause us to be independent and self-reliant. The Bible calls this
iniquity.
2. We think thoughts about God that are not worthy of Him. We make God to be something we want him to be, to serve
us. We want to do things our own way. This is IDOLATRY.
3. An example in the Bible are the people of a church called Laodicea, who say: “I am rich, have become wealthy, and
have need of nothing” (Read Revelation 2;14-22). Jesus says they do not know that they are really wretched,
miserable, poor, blind and naked!
4. We must DIE to this rich human spirit – we must BECOME POOR in spirit.
How do we become “poor in spirit”?
1. The Holy Spirit of God, along with God’s word, convicts us of our sin and absolute need of God. He shows us the
holiness of God and how unworthy we are of it.
2. The same Holy Spirit reveals the love of God in Christ, that Jesus died to take our sin away, and put an end to our rich,
selfish human spirit, that God’s Spirit might come in and rule.
3. In other words, God’s Spirit works to bring us to DEATH OF SELF at the Cross of Jesus.
How do you know if you are “dead to self”? What is the treasure of your heart?
The true state of the heart is revealed by the treasure it loves and seeks after. One cannot serve two masters. Either
Jesus is our treasure, or the things of this world. If we are full of ourselves, our own affairs and importance, there is
NO room for HIM. If there is a fire raging in the heart for positions, titles, riches, recognition of men, and the like,
there will be NO fire from God in our hearts. JESUS must be our treasure. Read again Matthew 13:44 and Luke 12:
verses 15 and 31-34.
From "What The Bible Teaches About Mercy"
This is the Spirit of Poverty. The word "poor" means: afflicted, pauper, beggar. Jesus is naming those who have
nothing in themselves. Especially does it mean: no riches or self-ability or intellect; in addition to the love of wealth.
In "poverty" all self-ability of will and intellect has to DIE. The "poor in spirit" are paupers, beggars, afflicted. Their
knowledge is TO "ASK". They are the "Askers, Seekers, Knockers", whom Jesus so urged (Mt. 7:7-8).
What is "blessed" about that? The kingdom, or dominion of the heavens is theirs. What does it mean, "is theirs"?
It means that their riches, abilities, attainments are Divine Dominion. What is that? It is the knowledge to be utterly
indwelt and ruled by God.
The poverty of God: an inability to lust-covet; an utter lowliness of knowing how to give all; and the knowledge of
having NOTHING AT ALL of one's own, apart from God. God, in His Spirit, is POOR, utterly poor, and Lowlier than all
His creatures. He "covets" only their perfection and pleasure by giving all He has to them. And "The Spirit of
Poverty" produces that lowliness and dominion over all lust-love-coveting. Lowliness is the PURE LIGHT of God.

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Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4)

Mourning is the result of the process of the Holy Spirit bringing us to death of self and “poor in spirit”. It is:
1. Godly sorrow: “For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of (regretted), but the
sorrow of the world works death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10)
2. Sorrow that brings life. This seems like a strange statement, but it is true. Jesus said, “He (the Holy Spirit) is the
Spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life”
(John 6:53).

We cannot change without the work of the Holy Spirit. He does three things:
1. He draws us to God – reveals God, causes a stirring and a yearning for Him
2. He convicts us – of our sin, of Jesus’ righteousness and the reality of God’s judgments
3. He then consoles us after the wounding process brings a changed nature, and restores us to God.

We mourn over our lostness, our fallen nature, our bondage to sin. But in Christ we are then comforted that we
have been set free from the slavery of the selfish nature.

Mourning is also an on-going experience for believers. What do Christians mourn over?
1. People who are lost and dying without Jesus. The mourning of intercession – read Romans 8:26-27.
Lovingkindness is full of mercy and compassion which involves mourning. “He who continually goes forth
weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing” – Read Psalm 126:5,6.
2. The richness of our human spirit, and coldness towards God. The mourning of the on-going “dying to self” in
growing to maturity in Christ
3. The revelation of God’s justice and righteousness causes us to mourn over all the injustice and unrighteousness
in us, around us, in the world.
4. We mourn that we are captive in this body on the earth, and long for our redemption and heavenly home being
prepared for us. Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and Romans 8:23-25.

It is godly mourning that causes us to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”
(Philippians 3:14), but then we are supremely comforted that because of His work in us, “The Lord my God in the
midst of me is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over me with joy; I will rest in his love, he will joy over me with
singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

From "What The Bible Teaches About Mercy"

This is "The Spirit of Suffering." In it is the division of life. It, like lowliness, is one of the deep mysteries of the being
of God. The lowliness of Suffering is losing, being divided from, or depived of something. It is being separated from
what is one' s own.
We mourn for that which we LOSE, or that which is taken, or separated from us. This is a knowledge IN God, and a
knowledge OF God. We know "the things of God" by the SPIRIT of God, His Word says. Wherein is the blessedness
of such lowliness? In the comfort, the consolation. What is that? It is the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Do mean that
the Spirit of Suffering is the comfort of the mourners who suffer loss? YES, the Spirit of God comforts by the
fullness-of-God, that is, by filling in all voids. He can do that becuase God "KNOWS our sorrows," sufferings, and
losses. What is meant by "fullness" here? It is Jesus replacing self, or Jesus the all in all. He is "the fullness of the
Godhead bodily". In what way does that bless the mourner? By the working of the Holy Spirit who shows, reveals to
the heart the one supreme loss, which is: TO BE SEPARATED FROM JESUS. That is Lowliness which is Light.

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Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5)
What does it mean to be “meek”?
1. It is NOT weakness, mildness, or even gentleness, though a meek person will be gentle.
2. It IS: The condition (temperament) of the heart and mind in which we accept God’s dealings with us as good, and
therefore without disputing or resisting.
3. It is related to humility. It is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It is an even-temperedness that is not
occupied with self at all. It is dead to one’s own agenda and dedicated to God’s agenda.
What is the character of meekness? It is expressed in the following 6 heart issues given in Psalm 37:1-11. The Hebrew
poetic structure links meekness with the following:
1. Trusting in the Lord .
2. Delighting in the Lord
3. Committing our ways to the Lord
4. Resting in the Lord
5. Waiting patiently on / for the Lord
6. Ceasing from anger and forsaking wrath (i.e. not keeping offenses and forgiving)
The MEEK person is one whose heart embraces all of these six things. This Psalm then links this quality with the blessing
of “inheriting the earth”:
 Those that wait on the Lord shall inherit the earth (v.9)
 The meek shall inherit the earth and delight themselves in the abundance of peace (v.10)
What is meant by “inheriting the earth”?
1. It is NOT talking about real estate, or the world’s goods and possession. It is NOT talking about earthly kingdoms.
2. The meek are those who wait on the Lord in intercession for the peoples of the world, the nations, to bring them into
the kingdom of heaven, which is a place of abundance of peace.
3. THEREFORE “inheriting the earth” is speaking about the fruit of intercession. Intercession is the best testimony of the
meek.
4. Two biblical examples show that meekness is related to intercession – the only two people in the Bible said to be
meek:
a. Moses – who is a type of Christ in his intercession for Israel
b. Jesus – THE intercessor (Philippians 2:6-10; Hebrews 7:25-27; 9:26-28)
5. People are our inheritance! The nations are our inheritance! “Go ye into all the world and make disciples of all
NATIONS... Not in the sense of ruling them in this world! But winning their people to the Kingdom of Heaven! There
is a reward in heaven for the people and nations we have carried in our hearts and brought to the kingdom through
intercession.

From "What The Bible Teaches About Mercy"

This is the Spirit of obedience, or Meekness. The lowliness of Meekness is submission of will, to obey and endure the will and
authority of another. In the things of God, that means VOLUNTARY submission—not forced submission.
What blessedness is there in this lowliness? It is their position as heirs of God: "They inherit the earth". "The earth" can mean
all that life contains. Heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. The "meek" (humble) are in the Spirit of Knowledge of God which
carries out the laws of things. They DO God's WILL, where they find themselves to be. Jesus "being found in fashion as a man,
He humbled Himself, (as a slave-servant) and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
There is a difference, in divine light, between "lowliness" and what is called "humility".
 Lowliness is the very quality of God's Form, by which He is all-in-all TO all. In other words, the amazing lowliness by
which God serves all, and can approach every one of His creatures on the level of their own existence. NOT to
consume, BUT to IMPART LIFE.
 Humility is more properly a voluntary submission of obedience to another's will. A person may be meek and humble
without grasping what Lowliness really is, because they are involved in the learning of voluntary submission to LAW. In
this, "humility" seems to be a goal of attainment, whereas the lowliness of Poverty is the knowledge of self-
nothingness.
Why make such distinctions? Because the Word of God makes them. And again, so that we can come to the fulfillment of loving
one another as Christ Jesus has loved us. How did He love us? By GIVING HIMSELF.
 In this teaching "lowliness" names the love of having-nothing-if-one's-own.
 "Humility" or "humble" describes meekness, which is obedience to another's will, burden bearing, laboring.

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Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled
The first question: What is meant here by “righteousness”?
1. It is NOT talking about “right standing” with God. In Christ I have this. I am not still hungering for it – I have it!
2. It is NOT talking about “holiness”. This is a result of righteousness working in us.
3. It is not talking about character or actions. It IS speaking of A PERSON – Jesus Christ Himself. Read Jeremiah
23:5,6 and Isaiah 61:10. 1 Corinthians 1:30 says Christ became for us righteousness.
4. JESUS is the object of our hunger and thirst! He is the one who then fills us with His Spirit.
“Hungering” and “thirsting” for Jesus are figures of speech for two things:
1. Thirsting speaks of drinking water. Jesus is our living water. We are to drink continually from His well and then
we will never thirst. Jesus relates this to WORSHIP. Read the account of Jesus with the Samaritan woman in
John 4:1-26. We are drinking from His well when we WORSHIP Him in spirit and in truth.
2. Hungering relates to eating, and bread is the consistent Biblical fulfillment for hunger. First the manna in the
wilderness, which points to Jesus as the “Bread of Life”. Read John 6:26-40. “Eating Jesus” and “drinking His
blood” are NOT LITERAL – Jesus was using a figure of speech, prophetically speaking of what He would institute
at the last Passover – taking the bread and the cup of COMMUNION in which He said, “This is My body… This is
My blood…” (Matthew 26:26-28). The apostle Paul confirms that the communion of the body of Christ at the
Table of the Lord is proclaiming His death until He comes (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
Hungering and thirsting is ON-GOING. It is “continuous present tense”. It never stops! Yes, you shall be filled! Yet
in being filled you hunger and thirst more! Because we cannot take in all of Jesus at once – He has to increase our
capacity for Himself as we grow in Him.
What does it mean, “shall be filled”?
1. The Greek word “to fill” means to “gorge” – supply in abundance. Jesus is saying we shall be “gorged” with Him
through worship and fellowship – abundance of HIM and all He brings
2. We are to be continually filled with the Spirit. Read Ephesians 5:18-21 and Colossians 3:16.
3. It is the Holy Spirit who Jesus gives abundantly to those who feast on HIM. There are 6 in-fillings mentioned in
the New Testament – “baptisms” into:
1) Jesus 4) The love of God
2) Water 5) The Father
3) The Holy Spirit & Fire 6) Suffering
4. These infillings / baptisms result in peace with God, praise, thanksgiving and JOY.
The kingdom of heaven is characterized by people who are continuously eating and drinking Christ through
communion with Him in His Word, the Table of the Lord, and worshiping Him in spirit and truth.
From "What The Bible Teaches About Mercy"
This is the Spirit of faith-righteousness, which is the righteousness of God. God's righteousness = faith—fullness.
This is the balance of the universe, meaning the oneness of the whole creation. Our limited human mathematical-
reason cannot grasp the vastness of the creation. God's righteousness is the BALANCE of it all, from the vastest bulk
to the most infinitely minute. It is the justness which maintains the order of every creature. It is the power and
dominion over all intelligences, by which to adjust them to all other creatures.
God's righteousness is NOT "self-righteousness". It is the righteousness, or justness of maintaining the rights of
others, and that at the cost of one's own rights. It is the true balance throughout all that can be called "creation."
Mathematical-reasoning, which is "science," can never arrive at the meaning of creation, nor the true understanding
of it, without first finding FAITH-righteousness. Simply because faith-righteousness is basically FAITHFULNESS. And
faithfulness is the love of the Creator in His care for the very least-of-all. Science, or mathematical reasoning, can
never—not even in a "billion" ages, arrive at the Knowledge of God apart from the BIRTH-OF-FAITH, simply because
SELF is in God's place. And that is an IMPURE HEART which can never SEE God. Science is looking for an End,
somewhere, where the knowledge of Causes comes into view-range. BUT, the Causes which science is looking for
are in Force—that which corresponds to power TO force. And that direction is the OPPOSITE direction from God.
The Source, and the Cause. For God is NOT "force" through force, or forces result from that which He creates.

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The true balance in the "creation" is faith-righteousness. And there need be no other. God's faith-righteousness is
to maintain the rights of all creatures according to what they are; and to maintain the balance of their adjustment
one to the other. God is Himself the adjustment of all creatures on to the other, and their adjustment to Him is the
deciding factor. But it would take many pages to elaborate upon that. Righteousness names this knowledge of God.
Knowledge of God is SPIRIT. And this Spirit of righteousness is faith-in-His-Word derived into us BY HIS
FAITHFULNESS.
Hunger and thirst for righteousness is the same as hunger and thirst for God's Word and to be filled with His Spirit.
In eating His word, and drinking of His Spirit, you begin to learn the LOVE of "NOT HAVING MY OWN
RIGHTEOUSNESS".
SELF-righteousness is the determination to advance self as being RIGHT in:
 One's own eyes
 One's own doings
 One's own achievement
 One's own aims
 One's own vision
 One's own goals, etc.
That is faith in SELF. Self-righteousness is blind to God's righteousness, even as the love of Gain is blind to the love of
Giving-all.
The Spirit of Righteousness reveals the truth of God as one's food and drink. The Spirit of Righteousness produces a
divine craving for the Holy Word which out-craves all other cravings. The blessing pronounced upon such hunger
and thirst is that it will be satisfied—FULLY satisfied. And that is satisfaction—full, true, and complete satisfaction—
of all the hungers and cravings which the child of God has. "Blessed... for they shall be satisfied (fully satisfied)".
THAT is GOD imparting Himself.

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Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy (Matthew 5:7)
First question: What is MERCY?
1. It is NOT just “doing a good deed” or “doing a good turn”. It is not just feeling sorry for someone (pity). Pity is of
the human emotions and does not motivate to action
2. It IS related to lovingkindness, grace and compassion:
a. Grace means favor. It is the welcoming face of Love
b. Compassion is choosing to bear and suffer for and with another
c. Lovingkindness is love in action. Mercy is love in action.
3. Therefore mercy is: “a passion to compassionately identify with hurting, suffering and even sinful people, to
bear (carry) their burdens to God, that they might find relief, healing, wholeness, forgiveness and restoration.”
God having mercy on us is illustrated in the Old Testament in the “Mercy Seat”
1. This was the lid of the ark of the covenant, where the high priest sprinkled the blood of the lamb of the sin
offering to atone for the sins of the people and nation.
2. When the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled on the lid of the ark, on the “mercy seat”, God’s righteous anger
was removed. Through the sacrifice of the innocent God credited righteousness to the guilty, keeping them in
their covenant of friendship with God.
The New Testament fulfillment of the Old Testament mercy seat is Jesus Christ dying on the cross on our behalf,
taking our sin on Himself, that God might credit His righteousness to us and “propitiate” (remove) the wrath of God
deserved by putting it on His Son on the cross. This is the ultimate act of mercy, by God Himself FOR US. He bore
our sins and suffering that we might be healed (Isaiah 53:4-6).
Being merciful is actually an act of obedience:
1. Read and compare 1 Samual 15:22-23 with Hosea 6:6 and Matthew 9:12-13. Mercy is equal to obedience. We
get into trouble like Saul did because much of our “sacrificing” is a substitute for what God really desired of us.
2. Mercy is that act of obedience required towards others because God is merciful and displayed mercy towards me.
3. We are NOT DOING mercy if we do not have the heart beat of God. And we ARE called to DO mercy. Read
Micah 6:8
Mercy is further explained by Jesus in His sermon on the kingdom of heaven. Read Luke 6:27-36. Verse 36 shows
that “doing mercy” includes all of verses 27-35:
1. Loving your enemies
2. Doing good to those who hate you
3. Blessing those who curse you
4. Praying for those who spitefully use you
5. Lending, hoping for nothing in return
6. Kindness to the unthankful and evil
“You shall obtain mercy”:
There is a law of God called the “Law of Sowing and Reaping”. Read Galatians 6:7, Matthew 7:2, Proverbs 21:21 and
Proverbs 11:17
Mercy is one of the things that follows this law. The implication is also obvious, that if one is NOT merciful, he will
NOT obtain mercy – from others as well as from God.

From "What The Bible Teaches About Mercy"

This is The Spirit of Mercy, Grace, Compassion. This is the universal supply system, by which the Just One supplies all
creatures with what they need for the fullness of their "life". The Lowly One, "The Servant", who is the Just One, the
King, died on the cross, as God's mercy to supply LIFE even unto "lost" souls. If they will receive Him so, and enter
into that mercy, they are in His supreme Dominion-of-grace, and sharers in His compassions for His creatures.
"Bessed are the merciful"—the mercy DOERS—who supply God's supply freely to others. Blessed, for they shall be
always supplied with God. They make-do, bring forth, God's mercy FOR HIM. He mercies them.

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Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8)

What is meant by a “pure heart”?

1. purity is defined as pure, clean, innocent, free from mixture, free from corrupt desire, and transparent.
2. Revelation talks about pure gold as being transparent (Rev 22:1; 21:18)
3. From this we can say that a pure heart is one that is transparent before the Lord:
a. Free of guilt – saved, sins washed
b. Open to the inspection of the Holy Spirit – read Psalm 139:23-24
c. Truth in the heart – Read Psalm 51:6; 15:2
d. Most importantly, undivided affection for Jesus ALONE, because the world is dead to him

A pure heart is a requirement for worship. Read Psalm 24:3-5 and John 4:23-24. “Clean hands and pure hearts”:
hands refer to our works, and hearts refers to our motives. Worship must be in truth, and truth is at the heart of
purity.

How do we become pure?

1. Be born again
2. Be obedient to the Word – the Bible speaks of the “washing of the water of the word”
3. Accept God’s provings – read Psalm 66:10-12 and 1 Peter 1:6-9

How do we remain pure?

1. Chose your master, chose whom you will serve. Read Romans 6:16-18.
2. Guard the “gateways” to your soul: Be careful what you watch and what you listen to.
a. The eyes – Matthew 6:22-23.
b. The ears – Luke 8:17-18 and Mark 4:24. Take heed BOTH what you hear and how you hear (in other words
content and motives)
3. Abide continuously in God’s word

“Seeing God”: what does this mean?

1. In the future sense, read 1 John 3:1-3
2. In the present, we “see God”:
a. In the glory of God seen in the transformed life of a Christian (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
b. In understanding His word
c. In understanding His nature and ways
d. In His counsels in the Holy Spirit (Psalm 25: 12-15)
e. In hearing His voice (John 10:3,4,27)
f. In the glory of God seen through signs, wonders and miracles

From "What The Bible Teaches About Mercy"

This is the Spirit of Holiness", which is the Spirit of purifying, fire, separation from all that is not God.
What blessedness here? They shall SEE God. This is the blessedness of the understanding open and alive in the
knowledge of God. A fish sees fish things. A dog sees dog things. Flesh sees flesh things. The PURIFIED HEART sees
GOD things. For the purified heart is: His IMAGE. To see God, means to be opened to Him, and alive in His light, and
to see what He sees—in LOVE.

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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9)

What is “PEACE”?
1. For the world it is the absence of conflict, between people and between nations. But in the Bible people can
have peace in the midst of conflict (John 16:33). Jesus said that the peace He gives is NOT that which the world
giveth (John 14:27). In fact He said that He did not come to bring peace but a sword! (Matthew 10:34-36).
There is no peace between nations because most men have no peace with God.
2. Jesus was a Jew and was teaching the Hebrew meaning of the word “Shalom”
3. In Hebrew peace comes from the verb “to fill and fulfill”. Therefore “peace” is “fullness and totality”.
4. We have peace because Jesus came and fulfilled the Law, paying the price for sin, to fill us with His Spirit.
Colossians 2:9-10 says that the fullness of God resided in Christ, and now that Christ lives in us, that means that
all of the fullness of God lives in us, through the filling of the Holy Spirit. THIS IS SHALOM – PEACE.

Peace-MAKING:
Peacemaking is therefore bringing people into the fullness of God in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. It is working to
bring shalom to the hearts of men. The Bible calls this the MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION – 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.

Sons of God
1. Jesus is again using the term “sons” in the Hebrew sense of the word “son”, which is “a builder of the family
name”. We are to be known as “builders of God’s family, God’s kingdom”.
2. This is of course talking about a spiritual birth – being “born again” into God’s family, adopted by Him as a son to
receive an inheritance in heaven.
3. There is the strong implication in this pronouncement: “For they – implied, they and they alone – shall be called
sons…” The only people called by God “sons” – builders of His kingdom” – are peacemakers. If a Christian is not
involved in the ministry of reconciliation God does NOT CALL him a “son”. Are you called by God one of His
sons?

From "What The Bible Teaches About Mercy"

This is the Spirit of Peace or Completeness. Peace IS completeness-in-God. When God has His own place in us, we
are complete. We are learning something of that in these studies, as we are also learning something of what a pure
heart is.
What is the blessedness of those who make, or do, peace? They shall be called sons of God. Where ARE the "sons of
God", for whose manifestation the whole creation is groaning for and waiting, as in childbirth? The peacemakers—
those who being complete-in-God, in turn seek to fill and complete others, even at the cost of their own lives. They
know, actually KNOW, what the will of God IS. And they do that Will. Through Christ Jesus they are "complete in
Him," and they neither need, nor seek completion in self nor in things. HE completes them. THAT is PEACE.

CONCLUSION
This has been a rather lengthy preliminary to the study of purity of heart revealed in "The Beatitudes". We have
been looking at the invisible things of God, viz., The seven Spirits of God—HOLINESS—the mystery of Oneness with
God, and in God. Oneness with God is Divine Union. And divine union is LOVE. [It could also be said that the Divine
Union is the Divine Marriage]. In God, love is the desire-will for union, to impart that which completes and
transforms the "other". Love is the desire to bring the Other into harmony and oneness with God and His creation.
In this understanding see Paul's words: "All things work together for GOOD to them that LOVE God..." The Spirit of
Holiness.
These teachings of Jesus are taught because we need to be AWARE of our great need. Rather, we need to be aware
of what GOD sees that we need.

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Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10) (See also John 15:18—16:4; 2 Timothy 3:12-14)

What is “persecution”? The term is used in the Bible to include the following:
1. “to pursue” – put to flight, with hostile intent
2. “to revile” – abuse verbally, cast discredit upon
3. “hate” – intense hostility, prejudiced hostility
4. “exclusion” – separated from
5. “betrayed” – give over, abandon to; literally, surrender to (an enemy)
6. “offended” – many will take an offense because of Jesus
7. “tribulation” – literally, pressure, distress. The idea of crushing, pressing.
8. “stripes” – physical abuse, inflicting of wounds (example of Jesus’ scourging)

Persecution involves suffering. But there is suffering that is not from persecution. Suffering is that which a Christian
accepts as part of his choice to be OPENLY (publicly) Christian in risky situations. For example, missionaries who
travel to the tropics and get Malaria – this is suffering but not persecution. God actually guarantees we will endure
suffering (John 15:18-27; 2 Tim 3:12). He has a purpose for it in our lives – read Romans 5:3-5

Why are Christians persecuted?

1. For righteousness’ sake
2. This follows the same understanding as the meaning of “righteousness” in the earlier beatitude (v.6). This
phrase means “for JESUS’ sake”
3. We are persecuted because we belong to Jesus and are not of this world. We will not be intimidated or
manipulated by the world and its system. Therefore it cannot “control” us, particularly our spirits, because we
are free of the fear of man. Therefore they hate us and come against us. Read Jesus’ explanation in John 15:18-
25. Also John 3:19-21

What kind of persecution does God reward?

1. “For righteousness’ (Jesus’) sake”. Many people are persecuted in the world for holding an ideology different
from others, or because they are simply of a different tribe. For example, Muslims kill Hindus as well as
Christians. One tribe kills those of another tribe. There is no reward from God for being martyred for a cause.
2. Sad but true that Roman Catholics who die “for Jesus” die in vain and receive no reward, for they worship the
“Mother of God” – Mary – and not Jesus. The Roman system is a false system of religious works that can save
NO ONE.
3. Peter also teaches that the suffering that God honors is that which comes for righteousness’ sake and doing the
will of God. Read 1 Peter 3:13-17 and 4:14-16. To be reproached for the name of Christ is an honor. Not so for
suffering because of wrong-doing.

Theirs is the kingdom of heaven:

Notice this promise is the same as the 1st beatitude. By putting this promise at both ends it means that everything in
between is included. The kingdom of heaven belongs to all who fulfill ALL the beatitudes. There is a special honor
given to those who enter heaven through martyrdom. They have passed the ultimate test of laying down – literally –
their lives for Jesus’ sake. “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad (Matthew 5;12):

1. We can rejoice because of the reward and because we are identified with those before us.
2. We are proved genuine through our sufferings (1 Pet 1:3-8), and we can rejoice in that fact.
3. We can rejoice to the extent that we partake of Christ’s sufferings – 1 Peter 4:13
4. Realize that through our suffering others are seeing the worth of Jesus and therefore standing firm because of
the example of our faith in the fire. Colossians 1:24; 1 Thes 3:7-10

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