In the days of the first covenant, many
gentiles were grafted in which also was a fulfilling of the promise to Abraham.
"Meet International Ministries"
(Jesus said! “If you continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8: 31-32)
A STUDENTS GUIDE: A COURSE DEDICATED TO DISCIPLESHIP
When walking out of a dark room into the sunshine, the light can be somewhat blinding. As our eyes become accustomed to the light, the discomfort subsides and we are able to see more clearly. Because of the brightness and beauty of the sun, we are then able to enjoy the wonder of the scenery that surrounds us. In much the same manner, when we look into the light of God’s Word, the brightness of truth can sometimes hurt. However, as our spiritual eyesight becomes adjusted we can enjoy the light, ‘Walking in Truth’.
The Walking in Truth series is designed to allow us to ‘walk’ into the truth of God’s Word. It is intended to prepare each student for the service of The Lord by laying a firm foundation by the Word of GOD. It is not the intent of this study to diminish the light you may presently be walking in, nor to take away from the personal relationship you may now have with our Lord. Neither is its purpose to convince you of the creed of any specific church denomination. It is the intention of this study, however, to “...earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3) by revealing and sharing ‘the truth’ as it is written.
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:1-7
BEGINNING STUDIES FOR NEW STUDENTS
1. THESE THINGS ARE HIDDEN FROM THE WISE AND THE PRUDENT.
LUKE 10:1-21; MATTHEW 11:25; LUKE 24:41-53; ACTS 16:14; DEUTERONOMY 29:29.
2. MINISTRY - MUST BE CALLED AND SENT.
ROMANS 10:8-17 (DEU. 6:4-7); HEBREWS 5:1-5; EPHESIANS 4:11-21 (TAUGHT OF JESUS); 1 TIMOTHY 4:13-16; 1 THESSALONIANS 4:9.
3. BY TWO OR THREE WITNESSES.
2 CORINTHIANS 13:1-3; DEU. 17:6, 19:15; MATTHEW 18:16; HEBREWS 10:28
4. ONE LAW FOREVER.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:56; ROMANS 3:20, 4:15, 5:13; EXODUS 12:24; NUMBERS 15:14-16, 10:8; DEUTERONOMY 29:29; PSALMS 119:44; MATTHEW 5:17-18.
5. THE SCHOOLMASTER.
GALATIANS 3:1-24, 4:2; MATTHEW 5:17-18; HEBREWS 9:8-16, 10:1-22, 8:7-12.
PART #1
OUR BEGINNING FAITH MUST COME FROM THE TEACHING.
The Schoolmaster, commonly called the Old Testament by the Gentile contains in it the Pentateuch. The Pentateuch is the five books of Moses, which comprise the first division of the Hebrew Scriptures. Usually translated "law," a better rendition would be "teaching." All of the major and minor Prophets, Jesus Christ and the Apostles refer to this teaching in their sayings and writings. Without quoting this witness that God gave called ‘the teaching’, their words would not have been accepted by the children of Abraham Isaac and Jacob.
We see an example of how the disciples checked the scriptures (Schoolmaster) to verify the teachings of Paul. Quote ‘Acts 17:10-12 KJV And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were nobler than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word (spoken) with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures (Schoolmaster) daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. End of quote.
Without the Schoolmaster, we today would not have the required witnesses to know the will of God in our lives. God could not judge man when he stands before Him with only the witness of the New Testament. He would be breaking His own word.
The Gentiles are grafted into spiritual Israel today in great numbers, fulfilling the promise to
Abraham by God that he would be a father of many nations.
In the days of the first covenant, many
gentiles were grafted in which also was a fulfilling of the promise to Abraham.
The Schoolmaster states; ‘Leviticus 19:34 KJV ‘But the stranger (Gentile) that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.’ Numbers 15:14-16 KJV And if a stranger (Gentile) sojourn with you, or whosoever be among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; as ye do, so he shall do. One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.
To fully understand what our Gentile predecessors believed and what we today are become apart of when we commit our lives to Jesus Christ, who was a Jew, we must study the Schoolmaster which God gave to us through them. We must know from it what the Hebrew believes concerning the God they worship. We must also know what is expected of us by this Hebrew God, the creator of all things.
Our first step must be to find out what is the most sacred to the Jewish believer and why it is so. Through
the many writings available to us about the ancient and modern Jewish worship, we find that the Shema
is the most important of the thirteen tenants of faith in the Jewish religion. The Shema continues even
today, for Jesus said the greatest of all commandments from the Schoolmaster was this; ‘And thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy
strength: this is commandment.’
Let us take a close look at the Shema.
THE SHEMA
Highest among the passionate convictions instilled by the Shema in the Monotheistic believer, both Jew and Gentile, is that the day must dawn when all mankind will call upon the One God In truth. When all peoples will recognize that they are the children of One Father, God Almighty. Nine hundred years ago, Rashi commented as follows on the six words of the Shema: ‘He who now is our God, will yet be the ONE GOD OF THE WHOLE WORLD.’
It is written, ‘For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the
LORD, to serve him with one consent.
And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be
one LORD, and his name one.’
The SHEMA
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, That I will give [you] the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; And [then] the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and [lest] ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you. Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribbon of blue: And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God. I [am] the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I [am] the LORD your God.
The Shema, enshrines Judaism's greatest contribution to the religious thought of mankind. The first and
greatest of all commandments; “And thou shalt love the LORD thy GOD with all thine heart,”
is explained, “with
all thine heart” to mean “with all the powers of thine heart,” that is, with all the powers of thy body, for they all
have their origin in the heart. The sense of the entire passage is: make the knowledge of GOD the aim
of all thy actions.
The Shema constitutes the primal confession of faith, the Holy God worshiped and proclaimed by Israel, Is One. That He alone is God, Who was, is, and ever will be. That opening sentence of the Shema rightly occupies the central place in Jewish religious thought; for every other Jewish belief turns upon it, all goes back to it; all flows from it. This understanding is very important to mankind as a whole, for the Gentiles have been allowed to partake of the blessings given to the Hebrew.
Positive Implications of the Shema
Brotherhood of Man: The belief in the unity of the Human Race is the natural corollary of the Unity of God, since the One God must be the God of the whole of humanity. It was and is impossible for polytheism to reach the conception of One Humanity. It could no more have written the tenth chapter of Genesis, which traces the descent of all the races of man to a common ancestry, than it could have written the first chapter of Genesis, which proclaims the One God as the Creator of the universe and all that is therein.
Through Hebrew monotheism alone, was it possible to teach the Brotherhood of Man. It was Hebrew
monotheism which first declared, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself', and 'The stranger that sojourneth with
you shall be unto you as the home born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself.’
Man through the Shema
learned to love, rather than kill and even eat his brother. The world turned from its barbaric ways, through the
teaching of God's word, that man is from One God, his creator and therefore we are accountable to each other, to
live according to the purpose of God, in one mind and in one accord.
Unity of the Universe: ‘The conception of monotheism has been the basis of modern science, and of the modern world-view. Belief in the Unity of God opened the eyes of man to the unity of nature; 'that there is a unity and harmony in the structure of things, because of the unity of their Source’ (L. Roth).
A noted scientist wrote: ‘The One, Sole God conceived as the Supreme and Absolute Being who is the Source of all the moral aspirations of man--that conception of the Deity accustomed the human spirit to the idea of Reason underlying all things, and kindled in man the desire to learn that Reason.’ (Dubois Raymond).
A.N. Whitehead declares: ‘The conception of absolute cosmic regularity is monotheistic in origin. And every fresh discovery confirms the fact that in all Nature's infinite variety there is one single Principle at work; that there is one controlling Power, which in the words of our Adon Olam hymn--is of no beginning and no end, existing before all things formed, and remaining when all are gone’ (Haffkine).
Unity of History: ‘And this One God Judaism teaches--is the righteous and omnipotent Ruler of the Universe. In polytheism, it was practically impossible to arrive at the conception of a single Providence ruling the world by fixed laws; the multitude of divinities suggests the possibility of discord in the divine cosmos; and instills a sense of the capricious and incalculable in the unseen world’ (Farnell).
Not so in Judaism: ‘with its passionate belief in a Judge of all the earth, who can and will do right. As early as the days of the Second Temple, the idea of the Sovereignty of God was linked with the SHEMA. The Rabbis ordained that the words, 'Hear, Oh ISRAEL, the LORD is our God, the LORD is One,' should be immediately followed by, Blessed Be His Name, Whose glorious kingdom is forever and ever--the proclamation of the ultimate triumph of justice on earth. Jewish monotheism thus stresses the supremacy of the will of God for righteousness over the course of history: One will rules all to one end--the world as it ought to be’ (Moore).
The Messianic Kingdom: The cardinal Jewish teaching of a living God who rules history has changed the heart and the whole outlook of humanity. Not only the hallowing of human life, but the hallowing of history flows from this doctrine of a Holy God, who is hallowed by righteousness. It is only the Jew, and those who have adopted the Scriptures we call old, and new covenants as their own, who see all events in nature and history as parts of one all embracing plan. We behold God's world as magnificent. We look forward to that sure triumph of justice in humanity on earth which men call the Kingdom of God during the Millennial.
Highest among the implications of the Shema, which becomes the passionate conviction of the Monotheistic believer is that, the day must dawn when all mankind will call upon the One God. When all peoples will recognize that they are the children of ONE FATHER.
He who now is our God and is not yet recognized by the nations as their God, will yet be the one God of
the whole world. As it is written; I will turn to the peoples a pure language, that they may all call upon the name
of the LORD, to serve HIM with one consent; And the LORD shall be King over all the earth; in that day shall the
LORD be one, and HIS NAME ONE.
END OF PART#1
PART #2
PROMISES
2 Peter 1:1-4 1881RV
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: V2 grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the “knowledge” of God, and of Jesus our Lord, V3 according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the “knowledge” of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: V4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
GRACE AND PEACE BY “APPLYING THE KNOWLEDGE” OF GOD.
Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; V2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; V3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; V4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; V5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
WE HAVE ALL THINGS “BY APPLYING THE KNOWLEDGE” OF HIM
You can be “satisfied in Christ Jesus in this life” and in the life to come!
1 John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. V3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Quote: “Knowledge Enables What We Can Be” End of quote. PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
From their inaugural publication stating their marketing strategy for the 21st century. This company is the largest professional services company in the world employing 135,000. It is also one of the biggest investors in technology.
Luke 19:41-44
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, V42 saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. V43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, V44 and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
MAN’S KNOWLEDGE COMES FROM
Intellectual understanding (study), personal experience (living), emotion (feelings), and a personal relationship (including an intimate marital relationship, Ge. 4:1).
God’s knowledge is omniscient!
A. He knows all things. Job 21:22; Ps. 139:1-18
B. His understanding is beyond measure. Ps. 147:5
C. He knows the thoughts of our minds and the secrets of our hearts. Ps. 44:21; 94:11
D. He knows past events. Ge. 30:22
E. He knows present happenings. Job 31:4
F. He knows future events. Zech. 13:1; Luke 1:33
God’s knowledge indicates that He is personally involved and takes a personal interest in man and His creation. He is not merely aware as one would be standing afar off. Being aware of the great achievements of man in the world does not help us to achieve more. Being aware that there is a heaven to gain does not help us make heaven our home. We must be intimately involved with our objective to achieve it.
MAN IS TRYING TO BE LIKE GOD, WITHOUT HIS ANOINTING (OR BLESSING)
QUOTE: “KNOWLEDGE IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE A SOURCE OF POWER. WE ARE WITNESSES TO, AND A MAJOR PLAYER IN, THE TRANSFORMATION TO THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY IN THE 21ST CENTURY.” End of quote. PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
THE PROMISES ARE CONDITIONAL UPON OUR “KNOWLEDGE” OF GOD
One can stand by the sidelines and see other succeed, being satisfied with their tatter chips and root beer. Or, one can study to show himself approved unto God a workman who needeth not be ashamed......
2 Chronicles 15:2
And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and “if” ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. V14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. V15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Quote: “Knowledge applied gives us Understanding. When we learn right from wrong through applying Knowledge we then get Wisdom.” End of quote. Strome.
Proverbs 4:7-13
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. V8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. V9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. V10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. V11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. V12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. V13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
James 1:22-25
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. V23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: V:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth (AWARE ONLY) what manner of man he was. V25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
PROMISES MOTIVATE US TO GO FOR THE GOLD! (TRIED IN FIRE)
Today in the Grace (2000 year period of time) Dispensation We Can All Know God And His Ways. We can know Him through the written word that has been kept for our admonition and by His Spirit that is given to all that ask.
John 16:13; 7:37-39
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. V38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. V39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
THE PHILOSOPHY OF TODAY’S WORLD
QUOTE: “Gone are the conventional views of knowledge. Knowledge is, and always will be, a source of power, but is no longer a treasure to be hoarded. In the emerging Knowledge Economy it confers greatest power when shared, it grows by circulating among those who need it. Knowledge is - and must be - ubiquitous. (that is, everywhere at the same time, omnipresent and omniscient and omnipotent. Jrs) What is known in PriceWaterhouseCoopers must be knowable across all our worlds, wherever the knowledge is needed. And it must be accessible at the precise point in time that it is needed. The value of our shared knowledge underpins our growth, both in revenue and in reputation.” End of quote. PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Using the word ubiquitous in their statement makes man sound like he wants to be like God? Does this sound familiar to you?
KNOWLEDGE CAN BE MISUSED
Paul argued that knowledge in itself puffs up, but love with knowledge builds up others and God’s kingdom. Pure love is synonymous with knowledge, that is, you cannot have true Agape Love without the knowledge of God. God is love.
1 Corinthians 13:2
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Hebrews 3:10; 4:1
Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. V1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
Quote: “Our success depends upon our ability to innovate, to continuously develop unique knowledge and expertise, and then embed it in our products and services. End of quote. PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
END OF PART #2
PART #3
DOCTRINE
The word “Doctrine” simply means ‘Teaching’, i.e. ‘that which is taught!’ If we want to be like Jesus Christ, then we must hear His teachings or sayings! Proverbs 4:10 ‘Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.’ See also: Mark 1:21-27; John 7:14-18.
Deuteronomy 32:1-7
Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. V2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: V3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. V4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. V5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. V6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee? V7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
John 6:44-45
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. V45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
Hebrews 5:1-3
And no man taketh this honor unto himself!
2 John 1:5-10
And now I beseech thee, lady, (that is church) not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. V6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. V7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. V8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. V9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. V10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed:
FALSE DOCTRINES
1Timothy 4:1-3
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; V2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; V3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
UNITY OF THE FAITH, NOT, UNITY OF ALL FAITH’S:
Ephesians 4:13; John 10:25-30; Amos 3:3; Jude 3; Romans 16:17-18.
UNITY OF THE SPIRIT, NOT, SPIRIT OF UNITY:
Ephesians 4:3; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Philippians 1:27
1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
DOCTRINES OF SALVATION
There are salvation teachings, that is, doctrines that we must fulfill to be a part of the Kingdom of God. They are found throughout the scriptures and must be understood correctly. By obedience to them, it brings us to the beginning of our new life, that is, the born again experience, or the entrance through the spiritual door into the
Spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ. Then there are also doctrines, that is, teachings on how to grow up in Christ to perfection. Paul writes to the Hebrews as follows;
Acts 2:41-42
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls. V42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Hebrews 6:1
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, V2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Romans 6.17
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
WARNINGS TO FOLLOW THE TRUE DOCTRINES
1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Ephesians 4:14
That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
2 Timothy 4:1-4
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; V2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. V3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; V4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
END OF PART #3
PART #4
THE DOCTRINE OF GOD.
THERE CAN BE BUT ONE GOD, THE FATHER OF US ALL!
Throughout the ages of time man has always looked to someone or something to worship, because he was made a living soul with choice, by a Spirit Being. When we read the statements of creation and then the fall of Adam through disobedience we understand the influence of the, “evil spirit beings,” who were cast out of heaven with satan. Satan wanted, and still desires today the worship that belongs to the One True God of Creation.
One might ask, “why did God allow man to rebel against Him through the temptations of an evil spirit being?” We know by the scriptures that God created man in His own image, and He said, “It is not good for man to live alone.” God, a Spirit, who does not live physically on earth, knew from His own eternal existence that it was not good to live alone, that is, without appreciation or love in return from a being of free choice. The need in us to share the experiences of life together in an intimate way is an attribute that comes from God alone. The L-rd is looking also for a bride, one that will be one with Him Forever.
Looking at God’s created beings, we see that only man and the three arch angels had the power of choice.
For God to have love in return he had to create and empower man with the power of choice. The power to obey with
love or disobey with disregard. The purpose of God from the beginning was to have an eternal bride who could love
Him without reservation. In the final closing moments of the New Testament writings we note the scripture ringing
out; “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their
lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.”
God created man! The scriptures state, “he was fearfully and wonderfully made.” This means that God deliberated and took a great amount of time and consideration to create a being with choice in His own spiritual image.
The very thought of a purposeful created being like man implies good and evil. Things that assist you
to make your home more beautiful and comfortable are good, and things like graffiti paint all over your home and
burn holes in the carpets with cigarette butts is evil and wrong. The greatest personal challenge, and fulfillment in
life is to find out God’s purpose in creating us. When we take on this challenge and seek Him with all our heart our
life takes on awesome meaning with eternal rewards.
This evil being satan, who is the prince and power of the air [subconscious mind] is continually promoting
diversions to cause servitude, praise and worship to be directed to himself. The imaginations of the mind which are
now so well depicted in video, television and varying art forms are tools he uses to distract our attention from God
our Father. The choice is ours on how we look at the influence of satan. If we love our Father more than the evil
ways, which are appeasing to our lower nature, then the bible states; “Resist the devil and he will flee from you
. . . For the eyes of the L-rd run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of
them whose heart is perfect toward Him. Be strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work
shall be rewarded.”
Satan's deceptive power to influence man’s behavior is seen by his ability to manipulate the mind of men
and women with such subtility that man thinks he is right when he is actually doing the will of an evil being. This
being cannot be our Father, for we see the results of his evil work by the destruction of so many lives. Remember,
he is as a roaring lion, and not a lion. Therefore if we take heed to the writings of James we will, with patience,
possess our souls. A roaring lion can get a cow through fright to jump out of a fenced in area of protection, so to,
satan can get us to do terrible things by his roaring in our sub conscious mind with thoughts of lust, pride and
possession. He causes the unsuspecting soul to jump out of their fence of safety to do many things by impulse. The
bible calls it the spirit of lasciviousness, that is, uncontrolled emotions. Our fence of safety is God’s eternal word.
David said; “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
There can be but one Creator! He Himself is the Knower, the giver of Knowledge itself! The Creator
unlike man is the same as His existence, One Essence, who created and inhabits eternity. He knows the
creation because of Himself. Everything depends upon Him for its existence, and since He knows Himself,
He therefore knows everything.
When we study the scriptures that state, "God is a jealous God" and "He will not give His praise to another," or "Is there a God beside Me, behold I know no other," or "Beside Me there is no other Savior, I know not any,” we must come to an unquestionable understanding that there cannot be but ONE GOD, ONE SAVIOR, ONE SPIRIT, and ONE CREATOR of all things. We must be fully persuaded that all other gods worshiped are impostors and creations by a liar. The father of lies, satan himself works in the imaginations of mens minds, causing them to use their hands and talents to create ungodly hideous creatures. Beasts from wood, stone, and today, electronic multi-media are created by man by the influence of satan, who then causes the producer to worship the spirit made visible by his imagination. The Jews & Gentiles today who worship "THE TRUE GOD" make a sublime pronouncement of absolute monotheism which is a declaration of war against all polytheism, the worship of many deities, and paganism, the deification of any finite thing or being or natural force.
The Worship of the True God brings a revelation by His Spirit that scornfully rejects; the star-cults,
the demon worship of Babylonia, the animal worship of Egypt, the nature worship of Greece, the Emperor
worship of Rome, as well as the stone, tree, and serpent idolatries of other heathen religions with their human
sacrifices, lustful rites, their barbarism and inhumanity. The Bible clearly states, For in Him [NOT THEM]
we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his
offspring.
I. WHAT IS TRUTH
John 18:33-38
Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
a). Everyone who believes in God also tend to believe they are in ‘truth’. There thousands of gods served around the world. In the Far East there are at least a thousand gods alone which are considered deity. There are also host of biblical translations and revisions of holy scripture; with twenty one English translations of the bible In the world of Christianity, there are at least three hundred main denominations and non of these are in complete agreement concerning biblical doctrine. With all the different doctrines and beliefs in the world, it is imperative that we search for clear and decisive biblical teaching. The consciousness of man is always set on a higher plane of existence, and yearns for eternal life. In fact most people consider themselves heaven bound already, no matter what the case may be. So how can we be sure we are following the one truth that will get us to Heaven? The Bible tells us in the book of Matthew:
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
b). When reading this scripture you’re first instinct may be to dismiss it, knowing in your heart you are trying to be a good person. Your hearts desire is to go to heaven and you are trying hard to follow the straight and narrow way. With an open mind, let’s read Luke’s account of this teaching:
Luke 13:24
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
c). Since so many are seeking to enter in and yet so few are able, it is important to understand why. Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” It is in our best interest to ask ourselves that same question, and be willing to objectively examine our understanding of “what is truth?”
II. OBJECTIVE AND SUBJECTIVE TRUTH
a). Before we go any further, however, we need to know something about the meaning of the word ‘truth’. In the Webster’s Dictionary, truth is described simply as: “the state of being the case: fact.” Nevertheless, it is important to note that truth may be understood as being either ‘objective’ or ‘subjective’ in nature.
Subjective Truth: Characteristics of or belonging to reality as perceived arising out of or identified by means of one's own statements and processes.
Objective Truth: Expressing or dealing with facts or conditions as perceived without distortion by personal feelings, prejudices, or interpretations.
When Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” he was regarding truth in a subjective manner.
If we are to find truth we must search it out objectively.
b). John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
As Jesus prayed for His disciples, toward the end of His time here on earth, He clearly stated that the Word is truth. It was this Word of Truth that became a continuous source of sanctification for His disciples. The Word is the objective truth we must hold to. It became a source of continuous sanctification for the disciples back then, and it has become a continuous source of sanctification for the church today!
Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
‘Subjective’ truth reasons, that Jesus couldn’t possibly send people to hell just because they did not obey the Bible, but according to the ‘objective’ truth of these scriptures, it is apparent he will.
III. The Word is not only a source of sanctification but also of judgment.
a). John 12:48
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. In the Book of Revelation we will see this judgment taking place.
Revelation 20:12-15
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. All people, no matter how small or great, must someday stand before God in judgement. Two books are mentioned here, one is the book of life (singular), the other is the 66 books (plural) of the Bible that will judge us in the last day. The works we do in our present life will be judged by what the Bible declares as true and necessary. Therefore, we should earnestly strive to make sure the deeds we do in this life, measure up to the biblical requirements of the word.
IV. The word is able to save the soul, but we must be doers of the word!
James 1:21-24
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. When we decide to be doers of the Word, there are four important principles we must keep in mind. The first is; ‘Never add to or take away from the Word of God!’
Revelation 22:18-19
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Some think this scriptural teaching applies only to the Book of Revelation, so maybe we should compare it to Deuteronomy 4:2 and Proverbs 30:5.
Deuteronomy 4:2
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Proverbs 30:5-6
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
The Word of God is pure. No man, no matter who he is, may add to or take away from the Bible. (This includes what is know as ‘EXTRA BIBLICAL REVELATION’) Remember, it is the Word of God that will judge us in the last day, not the word of man and not the word of a church or church organization.
Romans 3:4
...yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
This brings us to the second principle we must hold to; “The Scriptures are of no man’s private interpretation.”
II Peter 1:20-21
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Men wrote the Scriptures as they were moved- or inspired by - the Spirit of God. In other words, they were communicating God’s words and not their own. It’s similar to a secretary taking dictation from the boss.
II Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Only God’s inspired Word can be used to establish doctrine [a scriptural teaching] and to instruct us in the way of righteousness. For this reason, we should avoid putting forth an effort to interpret any given scripture simply on its own presumed meaning. Rather, we should rightly divide the Scriptures, and allow the Bible to interpret itself. With this in mind, the third principle which is indispensable to our overall understanding of the Word of God is this: ‘Keep all Scripture in its proper context.’
II Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The Word of God must be rightly divided or we could conceivably make the Bible say just about anything we want. For example, in Matthew 27:5, we find that Judas went out and hanged himself. And in Judges 7:17 , it states; “.Look on me, and do likewise.” Now, imagine if we were to create a doctrine by joining these two scriptures. When we are endeavoring to rightly divide the Scriptures - so as to keep them in proper context - we should always consider the five ‘W’s; who, what, when, where and why.
1) Who is doing the writing, and who is he writing to.
2) What is the context and overall theme of the entire chapter or book.
3) When was it written chronologically in regard to the other books of the Bible.
4) Where was it written geographically and did the prevailing culture have any impact on its purpose and composition.
5) Why was it written. Sometimes this is important, especially when the passage is determined to be something other than a salvation/judgment scripture.
The fourth and final principle will provide us with important insight into our search for truth. Moreover, it is absolutely essential for proper Biblical interpretation: ‘In the mouth of two or three witness shall every word be established.’
Deuteronomy 19:15
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
We find this principle established as a ordinance in Old Testament Law; later it was brought forth as a validation standard in the New Testament Church.
II Corinthians 13:1
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. Just as in Old Testament times when sin and iniquity had to be verified at the mouth of two or three witnesses, the New Testament teaches that this same principle applies to the scriptures which will save us from judgment in the last day. Remember, everyone will be “...judged out of those things which were written in the books, (plural - not singular) according to their works.” To put it simply, every biblical doctrine established to either save or judge us in the last day must be found in at least two or three passages of scripture. If it is only stated once, then it should be clearly understood that it can not be established as ‘salvation doctrine’.
Deuteronomy 17:6
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
V. The Authority of The Word of God!
In the beginning God ‘spoke’ everything into existence and it is by that same Word all things consist..
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(Compare Genesis 1:1 with 1:3, 6, 9, 11, etc.)
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. This ‘Word’ which brought everything into existence also came to earth in the form of man.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Jesus is the Word incarnate with all of its inherent authority and power.
Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the