Twelve Fundamental Doctrines

Twelve
Fundamental
Doctrines
of
Biblical Christianity

Special acknowledgment is gratefully given to
Dr. Walter R. Martin, Director,
and
Gretchen Passantino, Senior Research Consultant,
of
The Christian Research Institute,
for their invaluable contributions to this volume.

Twelve Fundamental Doctrines of Biblical Christianity
was first published in the booklet
Soldiers of Christ
Copyright 1976
and then as an appendix to the book,
Warnings from Jesus
by
Robert E. Schoenle.
Copyright 1990
GTI Press
Chicago, Illinois

All quoted Scripture is from The New Scofield Reference Bible.
Copyright 1967 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Reprinted by permission

The Charlotte Outreach
1825 Tamiami Trail A6, PMB 164
Port Charlotte, FL 33948
email: endtimewarnings@comcast.net
website: www.endtimewarnings.net

Tables of Contents

The Five Ages of Mankind	p. iii
Interpretation of the Holy Bible	p. vii
Preface	p. x

SUBJECTS:

1. The Holy Bible	p. 1
2. The Lord Jesus Christ	p. 2
3. God, the Holy Spirit, and the Triune Godhead	p. 5
4. The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ	p. 9
5. The Atonement	p. 10
6. Man	p. 11
7. The Soul/Spirit of Man	p. 12
8. Physical Death	p. 13
9. Hell	p. 14
10. Eternal Punishment	p. 16
11. Satan	p. 17
12. Human Government	p. 18
My Testimony	p. 19

The Five Ages of Mankind

by
Robert E. Schoenle

INTRODUCTION

God began ‘time’ as we know it when He first created the ‘angels’ and the heavens and the earth. (Gen. 1:1; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:12-15) The concept or reality of time will cease to be when God destroys all that now exists throughout creation, along with all trace of sin and rebellion that occurred against Him. (2 Pet. 3:10-12) This will happen after the ‘Great White Throne Judgment’ of all those people who opposed the ‘will’ of God in whatever ‘age’ they lived. (Rev. 20:11-15) Then God will create new heavens and a new earth and time as we now know it will forever cease to be. (Isa. 64:4; 65:17; 66:22; 1 Cor. 2:9; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1-5, 9-22:5)

An age is a definite period of time during which those people who live are tested by God as to their obedience to some specific revelation of His will. In other words, an age is a distinguishable time period in the outworking of God's purpose! (Mt. 24:3; Heb. 9:26) These periods of time are also known, as ‘economies’ or ‘dispensations.’ The English word, age, is translated from the Greek noun, ‘aion,’ which has various connotations, e.g., "a period of time, an age; perpetuity of time, eternity, forever." The word, dispensation, comes from the Greek word, "oikonomia," which comes from a verb meaning "to administer" or "to manage." (Lk. 16:1-2)

There are five ages that are distinguishable and can be easily recognized in the Holy Bible! They each have a clear and definite beginning and a clear and explicit ending. No matter the age lived in, every human being is wholly and naturally responsible to God for what that individual thinks, says, and does. In The Numerical Bible by F. W. Grant, we are told that the fundamental thought, for the number, five, when used in Scripture is, "whole responsibility under God." Though salvation is always by God's grace, through faith alone, the purpose of each age is to place man under a specific rule of conduct for that particular period of time. The response of the individual to the revelation of the will of God is revealed by what is done in obedience or what is not done by way of disobedience.

THE FIVE AGES

The title of each age conforms to man's state of existence during that particular time period. The biblical account of the five ages are:

1. The Age of Innocence
2. The Age of Beginnings
3. The Age of Law
4. The Age of Grace
5. The Age of Messiah’s Kingdom

1. The Age of Innocence began with the creation of Adam (Gen. 2:7) and ended when he ate the forbidden fruit. (Gen. 3:6) Its duration was probably 40 years and 40 days.

2. The Age of Beginnings began immediately after Adam ate the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:6) and ended when the Israelites agreed to keep the ‘Mosaic Covenant’ [the Law]. (Ex. 19:5-8; 20:1-31:18; Dt. 5:27-28; 29:1-15) Its duration was about 2,500 years.

3. The Age of Law began when the Israelites agreed to keep the Mosaic Covenant [the Law] (Ex. 19:5-8; 20:1-31:18; Dt. 5:27-28; 29:1-15) and ended when the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the ‘Law’ and gave up His spirit while on the cross at Calvary in fulfillment of the Feast of the Passover. (Mt. 5:17-18; Jn. 19:30; Heb. 9:11-28) Its duration was about 1,500 years.

4. The Age of Grace began when the Mosaic Covenant [the Law] was fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ and He gave up His spirit, while on the cross at Calvary in fulfillment of the Feast of the Passover. (Mt. 5:17-18; Jn. 19:30; Heb. 9:11-28) This age will end with His ‘Second Coming’ [2nd Advent] to planet Earth in fulfillment of the Feast of a Day of Atonement. (Zech. 12:8-14:21; Mt. 25:31-46; Rev. 19:11-21) Its duration appears to be 1,988 years.

5. The Age of Messiah's Kingdom will begin with the Second Coming [2nd Advent] to planet Earth of the Lord Jesus Christ in fulfillment of the Feast of a Day of Atonement. (Zech. 12:8-14:21; Mt. 25:31-46; Rev. 19:11-21) Those who live through the seven years [2,520 days] of tribulation preceding His Second Coming [2nd Advent] to earth will be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ and His saints during the first 75 days of the Age of Messiah’s Kingdom to determine who will enter into it and who will not. (Ezek. 20:33-44; Dan. 7:22; 12:11-12; Mal. 3:2-5; 4:1-2; Mt. 25:31-46; Rev. 19:11-21; 20:4) Its duration will be for 1,000 years. After this age ends, Satan will be released from the abyss where he has been bound! (Rev. 20:1-3, 7-9)

SUMMATION

The ‘Church Age’ began on the Feast of Weeks [Pentecost], which was 53 days after the start of the ‘Age of Grace’ that began on the Feast of Passover and 50 days after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ that took place on the Feast of First Fruits. (Ex. 12:1-2; Lev. 23:4-11, 15-16; Mt. 28:5-10; Mk. 16:9; Lk. 24:1, 7; Jn. 20:1, 19; Acts 2; 1 Cor. 12:12-14, 20) Thus, the Church Age is an age that is contained within the Age of Grace just as Israel was a ‘nation,’ which was contained within the nation of Egypt while living there. (Ex. 12:40-41; Num. 14:12; Dt. 9:14; 2 Sam. 7:23; 1 Chr. 17:21; Ps. 33:12; Lk. 7:1-5; Jn. 11:48-52) The Church Age will end on the Feast of Trumpets with the ‘Rapture’ (Lev. 23:23-25; Jn. 4:34-35; 14:1-3; 1Cor. 15:20, 23,51-53; 1 Th. 4:13-18; 2 Th. 2:1) while the Age of Grace will not end until the Second Coming to earth of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Feast of a Day of Atonement. (Lev. 16; 23:26-32; Num. 29:7-11; Zech. 12:10; 13:1-14:7, 9; Rom. 11:26-27)

Since the beginning of the Age of Grace, many people have been deceived by false gospels in the Age of Grace. (Mt. 7:21-23; 2 Cor. 13:5; Gal. 1:6-9; 3:1-3; 1 Jn. 4:1) A false gospel is one that teaches ‘something’ MUST be done in addition to believing in the sufficiency of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ [Messiah] for salvation. (Jn. 19:30; Rom. 4:5; Gal. 2:21; Heb. 9:28) The something to do might have been a necessary act of obedience to God for those living in a prior age, but would be considered a ‘work’ in our present Age of Grace, if done to ensure salvation.

An example of this is in regards to the act of ‘repentance.’ In the Age of Law, it was necessary to first repent [meaning to have a change of mind or to have a change of ways] prior to approaching God. This is why John, the herald for the Messiah, told his Jewish audience to repent for the remission of their sins (Mk. 1:4; Lk. 3:3) and then to repent because the kingdom of heaven was at hand in the person of the Messiah. (Mt. 3:1-2) The Lord Jesus Christ, who was the promised Messiah, repeated what John said when He told His Jewish audience to repent since the kingdom of heaven was at hand. This was in reference to Himself. (Mt. 4:17; 9:13; 11:20-21; 12:41; 21:29; Mk. 1:15; Lk. 5:32; 10:13; 11:32) He also said to repent for the remission of their sins. (Lk. 13:3; 15:7, 10) It must be kept in mind that those who heard John and the Lord Jesus Christ say these things were Jewish people living in the Age of Law, prior to the crucifixion. It was the same for those to whom Peter spoke on the Feast of Weeks [Pentecost]. (Acts 2:14-40) Peter’s audience consisted of Jewish people, who were still living under the Law and obeying God as they always had while living in the Age of Law. They were unaware that the Age of Grace had begun 53 days earlier when the Lord Jesus Christ gave up His spirit while on the cross at Calvary.

In contrast to the ‘Synoptic’ [historical or blended view] Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, the word, ‘repent,’ is NEVER used or recorded in the Gospel of John. The reason for this is that after the Lord Jesus Christ gave up His spirit while on the cross at Calvary, the Age of Law ended and the ‘Age of Grace’ began. This was signified by the tearing of the veil that separated the ‘holy place’ and the ‘holy of holies’ in which only the high priest could enter into once a year. (Mt. 27:50-51; Mk. 15:37-38) Since the tearing of that veil, it is no longer necessary to have any man intercede as a priest for our sins, since we now have a great high priest in Heaven. (Heb. 9:1-15; 10:19-22) Now those who live in the Age of Grace must FIRST trust [believe] in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ, by faith alone, and nothing else for their salvation, (Rom. 4:5; Eph. 2:8-9) the same as the thief who was hanging on a cross next to the Lord Jesus Christ. (Lk. 23:39-43) This ‘belief’ on the part of the thief was the sole ‘cause’ of his salvation! Thus, ‘repentance’ is now always to be an ‘effect’ in the Age of Grace, which is caused by faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of all sin. The thief on the cross who was also a murderer and seditionist was the first man ‘saved’ in the Age of Grace.

As further evidence that repentance is to be an EFFECT of belief in the Age of Grace, the apostle John wrote, "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." (Jn. 20:30-31) If it were now necessary for one to repent or to do anything else before or in addition to trusting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, then the apostle John would have been REMISS for not including it in giving his reason for writing his gospel! Furthermore, the apostle John used the word believe [trust] 60 times in regards to the subject of salvation in his gospel and not once used the word, repent, in it or in his three personal letters to the Church at large. Thus, the term ‘believer’ is commonly used to describe all followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is cause for concern during our present day for those who have made repentance, or ‘water baptism,’ or ‘making Jesus, Lord of their life,’ or ‘speaking in tongues,’ or ‘joining a church,’ or something they have done, are doing or hope to do as being part of the cause for their personal salvation. These acts should always be an EFFECT of trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as one’s personal Savior and never as part of the cause. The reason being that anyone who is trusting in any kind of ‘work’ to ensure their salvation, is not saved, since that would be considered a form of ‘religion’ in this present Age of Grace. A religion, of any kind, is always at odds with God!

Cain was the first ‘religious’ man on earth. He refused to comply with the ‘revealed’ will of God! Thus, his refusal to obey God and offer the sacrifice he had been instructed to give as his brother Abel did. The offering of Cain was in disobedience to the will of God. (Gen. 4:1-7; Gal. 6:7) It is the same with all today who choose to offer to God what their religion or they might dictate and not what God has said is required and will ‘only’ satisfy Him. Those engaged in any form of religion are not doing the will of God. (Mt. 7:21-23) Thus, they remain ‘unsaved’ or ‘lost.’ The sacrifice made by the Lord Jesus Christ with His shed blood (Lev. 17:11; Heb. 9:22, 28; 10:4) is the ONLY sacrifice that God, the Father, will now accept in this current Age of Grace.

To appreciate the ‘Good News’ of the New Testament, one must first acknowledge the ‘Bad News’ of the Old Testament, which is that each and every human being descending from Adam is a sinner who cannot do anything to save themselves from the penalty of sin against a Holy God. (Isa. 64:6; Rom. 4:5) The Good News is that the penalty for all sins, whether past, present or future, has been paid in full by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Heb. 9:15, 26) The will of God, the Father, (Mt. 7:21) for us in this present Age of Grace, is to simply believe [trust], by faith alone, that what the Lord Jesus Christ has done is enough to save us from the punishment we deserve for our sins and to trust in nothing else. The ‘Word of God’ guarantees the salvation of all ‘believing’ Christians! (1 Cor. 15:1-4; 1 Jn. 5:13)

Interpretation of the Holy Bible

Three primary methods are used to interpret the text of the Holy Bible:
* Allegorical * Spiritual * Literal

The Allegorical School of Interpretation
This method says that beneath the obvious is the real meaning of the passage. The problem with this viewpoint is that everyone can interpret what they read any way they would like. Therefore, all opinions concerning the material read are of equal value. This method of interpretation has no definite rule of understanding! The result of this system of interpretation is total confusion.

For example, what if everyone read their daily newspaper using the Allegorical Method of Interpretation? The newspaper reports would be of no value since each reader would determine the meaning of what they read based upon how they thought or what they wanted it to mean. The details in each story would not be taken at ‘face value!’

The schools of teaching that used the Allegorical Method of Interpretation were:

Greek Allegorism - The Greeks began this process so they could ‘combine’ their religions and philosophies.
Hebrew Allegorism - This was also a ‘combination’ of religion and philosophy. Only now it was comprised of the Mosaic Law and the Prophets along with Greek philosophies.
Christian and Patristic Allegorism - Some early Christian leaders, such as Origen, wanted to show that the Scriptures could be ‘harmonious’ with philosophy. They also took the position that since the Holy Bible was a ‘spiritual’ book, it required spiritual insight and application when read. Augustine was an allegorist as was Jerome, the translator of the Roman Catholic Bible known as the Vulgate.

The Spiritual Method of Interpretation
This method of interpretation is used by those who come to a biblical text or subject with a ‘preconceived position’ and strive to support their position----scripturally. The precept to use Scripture to interpret Scripture, whenever possible, is ignored and not thought to be necessary. Thus, centuries ago, certain ‘church’ theologians of note reasoned the ‘everlasting’ covenants and promises made by God to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their Jewish descendants were no longer relevant, since the vast majority of the Jewish people had rejected their promised Messiah. These men then began to teach that the covenants and promises God made to the Jewish people that are recorded in the Old Testament, had been ‘transferred’ to the church. This false teaching is now known as ‘Replacement Theology.’ The proponents of this teaching refuse to acknowledge that the apostle, Paul, clearly rejected this doctrine, which is recorded in the 11th chapter of Romans.

Another false doctrine is that the Lord Jesus Christ never taught, told about, or alluded to His return now known as the ‘Rapture.’ (Mk. 13:23; Lk. 12:2; Jn. 4:34-35; 14:1-3) This teaching, in effect, denies the statements that the Lord Jesus Christ made about foretelling ‘all’ things. (Mt. 10:26; Mk. 4:22; 13:23; Lk. 8:17; 12:2; Jn. 18:20) Thus, those who hold to the “position” that the Lord Jesus Christ never even alluded to the Rapture must use the Spiritual Method of Interpretation when interpreting the Parable of the Ten Virgins. (Mt. 25:1-13)

They do this by teaching that the Parable of the Ten Virgins is about the nation of Israel or it is about ‘saved’ and ‘unsaved’ Jews. The fact that the nation of Israel and the Jewish people have never been identified, symbolically, in Scripture as being ‘virgins’ is ignored. They also ignore the precept that Scripture will interpret Scripture. The nation of Israel and the Jewish people are described as the ‘unfaithful and adulterous’ wife of Jehovah. (Isa. 54:5; Jer. 3:20; Hos. 2:2, 7, 16) Israel and the Jewish people have never been described as a virgin. Thus, it is impossible for Israel and her people to identify themselves symbolically or scripturally with this parable!

The Church, on the other hand, is ‘espoused’ to the Lord Jesus Christ [the Bridegroom] and is referred to as a virgin (2 Cor. 11:2). Thus, this parable can only be about the ‘assembly of believers’ in Christ referred to as theChurch (Rom. 16:5), or the ‘Body’(Rom. 12.5; Eph. 1:22-23), or the ‘Bride’ of Christ (Rev. 19:7-9). If the literal method of interpretation is used, we must conclude that the Parable of the Ten Virgins is describing what will take place before, during and after the Rapture. Those who use the Spiritual Method of Interpretation to teach about this parable are responsible for causing the Rapture to be the most controversial, misunderstood, and unappreciated of all the major doctrines found in the Holy Bible!

The Literal Method of Interpretation
This method says we accept the literal rendering of a sentence unless something is within the sentence to indicate otherwise. It also insists that Scripture must interpret Scripture whenever possible. The prophet, Daniel, understood the Scriptures using this method of interpretation. (2 Chr. 36:14-23; Jer. 25:11; Dan. 9:2) The founder of the ‘literal movement’ in the Old Testament was the scribe, judge and priest named Ezra. (Neh. 8:1-18) The Jewish religious leaders, during the time of the Lord Jesus Christ, had set aside the commandments of God for those of men and their traditions. (Mt. 15:1-9; Mk. 7:1-13) They had also become ‘extreme’ in their interpretation of the holy Scriptures. There are several literal schools of interpretation with their own particular variations such as the ‘Syrian School of Antioch’ and the ‘Devotional School.’

It was during the Reformation Period that the General Protestant Method of Interpretation of the holy Scriptures became prevalent. This method takes into consideration whether the word or passage is ‘plain literal’ or ‘figurative literal,’ with the context determining how best to understand what has been read. An example of this is if you were told that it was “raining cats and dogs.” You would know that it was raining very hard and what you were told was to be understood in a figurative literal way. However, if you were told that there was a thunderstorm taking place, you would have no problem in understanding and accepting what was said in a plain literal way. The meaning is clearly understood with either of these two ways of telling about a very hard rainfall!

Four reasons for using and defending the Literal Method of Interpretation are:

It is the usual method of literary interpretation.
All figures of speech depend upon a literal meaning for their interpretation.
Most of the Holy Bible is easily understood when interpreted this way.
It is a check on the imagination or feelings of each individual.

The five principles involved in this method of interpretation are:

The Law of Context - A passage cannot be separated from surrounding passages.
The Law of Comparisons - Scripture must be compared with Scripture.
The Law of Preference - A clear passage is to be preferred over the difficult passage.
Spelling, grammar and figure of speech must be given attention in each passage.
God revealed Himself to man by means of man’s ways and culture.

Five literary forms are used in the Holy Bible. It is necessary to approach each of these forms in a different manner. These five literary forms are known as:

Apocalyptic
Discourse
Parable
Poetry
Prose Narrative

The above information is given to show how and why it is possible for people to disagree over their understanding of the same reading material. It is also given to explain why the Literal Method of Interpretation is the only ‘logical’ and ‘rational’ way to read any literature! This includes the written Word of God, the Holy Bible. Two books, Biblical Hermeneutics by Milton S. Terry and Protestant Biblical Interpretation by Bernard Ramm are highly recommended to those interested in studying the subject of hermeneutics further.

Preface

This material has been assembled and written so that all Christians will know the Scriptural source and reasons for each of the listed doctrines. It is necessary for each reader to verify for themselves whether the teachings, and the arguments to support them, are true or not according to the holy Scriptures! This is the only way for anyone to be able to discern between those teachings that are true and those teachings that are false.

The Lord Jesus Christ warned, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Mt. 7:15) The apostle Paul also warned, “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20:29-30) The apostle Peter declared, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who [secretly] shall bring in [destructive] heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways .... ” (2 Pet. 2:1-2a)

These warnings, found throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament of the Holy Bible, are given so that all will be made aware that deceptive and false teachings by false teachers and false prophets will be taught and believed by many. To prevent this from happening, we must all be able to discern between what is true and what is false from the holy Scriptures. The way to do this is to obey what the Lord Jesus said in John 5:39, when He commanded, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me.”

The apostle Paul would reason, with those he spoke, “ ... out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” (Acts 17:2-3) Paul’s argument was threefold. According to the Scriptures, the Messiah had to (1) suffer and (2) rise again and (3) Jesus of Nazareth was that Messiah. When these arguments were presented to those in the city of Berea in Acts 17:11, “ ... they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” The end result from their searching through the Old Testament Scriptures, to see if what Paul and Silas had told them was true or not, is that they, “ ... believed .... “ (Acts 17:12) The Lord Jesus Christ had stated, “ ... Moses ... wrote of me.” (Jn. 5:46)

As forewarned, many people have been deceived into believing teachings which are unbiblical, blasphemous and heretical. These Twelve Fundamental Doctrines of Biblical Christianity are offered to help identify them. Any Christian doctrines that do not agree with those described and argued in this volume, are false! Any attempt to verify a statement, belief, or doctrine by using writings other than that contained in the Holy Bible is to be rejected. This includes all latter-day revelations by self-proclaimed latter-day saints, or prophets, or Christians.

1. The Holy Bible

Fundamental Doctrine of Biblical Christianity:

The Holy Bible is called the Word of God because it is a faithful record of everything God wanted mankind to know as a whole, including those things that are evil and degenerate. The original, that is known as the ‘autograph,’ was written by men inspired by God, the Holy Spirit, who is the third Personality of the triune Godhead that is known by tradition, as the ‘Holy Trinity.’ The Holy Bible is free from any error concerning the supernatural, science and history. Thus, the Holy Bible is the only source of truth on planet Earth. The substance of the Holy Bible has been preserved for us and is complete! We are not to look for the writing of additional Scripture or the giving of ‘extra-biblical revelation.’ (Ex. 17:14; Dt. 4:2; 5:22; 12:32-13:5; 28:58-62; 31:24-26; Josh. 1:7-8; 8:31-35; Ps. 12:6; 18:30; 19:7-9; 119:140, 142, 151; Prov. 30:5-6; Isa. 40:8; Mt. 4:1-11; 24:35; Lk. 16:29-31; 24:25-27; Jn. 5:39, 46-47; 17:12, 14, 17; 19:24; Acts 17:29; Rom. 1:18-20; 9:9-17; 15:4; 1 Cor. 2:9-14; Col. 2:9; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Pet. 1:21; 3:15-16; 1 Jn. 4:1; Rev. 1:1-3, 10-11; 22:6-10, 18-19)

The Holy Bible was written by approximately forty men during a period of about fifteen hundred years who had a wide range of social positions, backgrounds and vocations. These men lived in five different countries with various cultures using three different languages. The Holy Bible says things about mankind in general and certain people in particular that no woman or man would willingly admit to thus confirming its God-inspired truthfulness. One third of the Holy Bible, when written, was about events that would not take place for centuries and about people who would not be born for hundreds of years. There is no ‘holy’ book of any manmade religion that has ever dared to do this. There is no contradiction to be found anywhere in the Holy Bible. It is truth personified.

A ‘manmade’ religion can never support its doctrines by way of the Holy Bible only. Thus, their need for extra-biblical writings and revelations. If a conflict should arise between the doctrines or traditions of a manmade religion and the clear teachings of the Holy Bible, then the extra-biblical writings of that religion will, by necessity, always supersede the authority of the Word of God. All religions must take that position. Otherwise, their religion would be exposed for the fraud that it is and it would lose its followers as a result. The inerrancy and authority of the Holy Bible will always be under attack by those who refuse to acknowledge it as being the inerrant written Word of God!

CONCLUSION: If God is the all-powerful and all-knowing supernatural being that is the creator of all that exists, He would have the power and ability to reveal to His creation what He would have that creation to know. He would also have the power and ability to not only have this knowledge written down by men chosen by Him, but to preserve to our very day what He had them write with no changes or loss of content. The Holy Bible reveals the God of creation to mankind (Gen. 1:1), and of mankind's need for a personal Savior! (1 Tim. 1:15; 2:5)

2: The Lord Jesus Christ

Fundamental Doctrine of Biblical Christianity:

The Lord Jesus Christ is one person with ‘two natures’ forever united. One nature is that of the eternal ‘God the Son,’ the second Person of the ‘triune’ Godhead, and the other is that of man, in all respects human, ‘yet without sin.’

Bible references asserting the Deity and Sinlessness of the Lord Jesus Christ:
(Mt. 22:41-46; 28:16-19; Mk. 14:60-64; Jn. 1:1, 14; 8:53-59; 10:22-33; 14:6-11; 17:5, 21; 20:24-28; Rom. 1:3-4; 9:5; 2 Cor. 5:19, 21; Phil. 2:5-8; Col. 1:16-17; 2 Th. 1:12; 1 Tim. 3:16; Ti. 2:13; Heb. 4:14-15; 1 Jn. 1:1-2).

THE FIVE NATURAL ATTRIBUTES OF DEITY:

1. Eternal: LORD (Gen. 21:33; Dt. 32:40; 33:27; Ps. 90:2; 93:2; 102:12; Lam. 5:19; Hab. 1:12). Jesus (Mic. 5:2; Jn. 1:1-2; 17:5; Col. 1:17; 1 Jn. 1:1; Rev. 22:13).

2. Unchanging: LORD (Ps. 102:27; 119:89; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 6:17; Js. 1:17). Jesus (Heb. 1:12; 13:8).

3. Omniscience: LORD (Job 34:21; Ps. 139; 147:5; Prov. 5:21; 15:3; Jer. 16:17). Jesus (Mt. 9:4; Jn. 1:47-48; 2:24-25; 4:29; 6:64; 16:30; 21:17; Heb. 4:13-14).

4. Omnipresence: LORD (Job 28:24; Ps. 139:7-16; Jer. 23:23-24; Amos 9:2-4; Zech. 4:10). Jesus (Mt. 18:20; 28:20; Acts 18:9-10; 23:11).

5. Omnipotence: LORD (Gen. 17:1; Ex. 6:3; Jer. 32:17; 2 Cor. 6:18). Jesus (Mt. 28:18; Jn. 3:35; 17:2; 1 Cor. 15:27; Eph. 1:22; Rev. 1:8).

THE TWO OFFICES OF DEITY:

1. Creator: LORD (Gen. 1:1, 21, 27; 2:4, 7; Neh. 9:6; Job 38:4-6; Ps. 102:24-25; Prov. 3:19; Rev. 4:11). Jesus (Jn. 1:1-3; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2, 10; 2:10).

2. Preserver: LORD (Neh. 9:6; Job 7:20; Ps. 36:6). Jesus (Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3).

THE THREE PREROGATIVES OF DEITY:

1. Forgives Sin: LORD (Ex. 34:6-7, 9; Num. 14:19; 2 Ch. 7:14; Ps. 32:5; 78:38; 85:2; 99:8; Jer. 31:34; 36:3). Jesus (Mt. 9:2; Mk. 2:5; Lk. 5:20; 7:36-48; Col. 2:14).

2. Executes Judgment: LORD (Ex. 12:12; 32:33; Num. 33:4; Ps. 9:7-8; Ezek. 5:8; 30:19). Jesus (Jn. 5:22; Acts 17:31; Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Tim. 4:1, 8).

3. Has Life-Giving Power: LORD (Gen. 1:27; 2:7; 21:1-2; 25:21; Dt. 32:39; Lk. 1:13, 24-25; 1 Tim. 6:13). Jesus (Jn. 1:4; 3:14-15; 5:21; 11:25-26, 43-44; 17:1-2).

Those who deny that the Lord Jesus Christ was both the eternal LORD [the self-existent One] and a human being ‘combined’ in one Person, along with the fundamental doctrine of biblical Christianity about Him, find themselves in a dilemma concerning Him. The reason for their dilemma is that the holy Scriptures are explicit in telling us that all of the attributes, offices and prerogatives, which can only belong to the LORD of the Old Testament also belong to the Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in the New Testament. Their response to this dilemma is to ‘ignore’ those passages which tell of His Deity and refer only to those passages which speak of His humanity. This response is both ridiculous and dishonest!

The cult known as the Jehovah Witnesses, for example, have attempted to explain away the biblical passages which clearly teach the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, by stating that He was ‘a god.’ Those who accept this viewpoint, in effect, believe in Jehovah God, who is the ‘big’ God and Jesus god, who is a ‘little’ god and is comparable to Jehovah. This viewpoint disregards the reply given by God when He and others have asked, “Who is like the LORD?” (Ex. 15:11; Ps. 77:13; Isa. 40:18, 25; 46:5; Mic. 7:18) The answer has always been that there is none like Him or beside Him. (Dt. 4:35; 32:39; 1 Sam. 2:2; Job 41:33; Isa. 37:16; 46:9) Thus, the LORD and the Lord Jesus Christ being of the same ‘substance’ in power and eternity must be equal as members of the ‘triune’ Godhead that is known, traditionally, as the ‘Holy Trinity!’

The following arguments are given to prove from the Holy Bible, the written ‘Word of God,’ that the Lord Jesus Christ is the LORD who is revealed in the Old Testament! Please consider:

1.) The Lord Jesus Christ, being the ‘second’ Person of the triune Godhead is the only way that explains how Jehovah could send Jehovah. (Isa. 48:12, 16; Zech. 2:8-11)

2.) The name ‘Immanuel’ in Isaiah 7:14, represents a characterization as in Isaiah 1:26 and Isaiah 9:6. Immanuel can only be translated, “God with us.” Thus, the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ is stressed at His birth in Matthew 1:23.

3.) The LORD declared Himself to be the first and the last. (Isa. 41:4; 44:6; 48:12) The Lord Jesus Christ declared Himself to be the first and the last. (Rev. 1:8, 17; 21:6; 22:13) We must determine from these Scripture passages that there are either two firsts and two lasts or both the LORD and the Lord Jesus Christ are one and the same.

4.) The LORD has commanded that we are to worship no other gods other than Himself. (Ex. 34:14; Dt. 4:24) He then commands angels to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. (Heb. 1:6) Yet, the Lord Jesus Christ had declared that only God is to be served and worshipped (Lk. 4:8) and then accepted worship for Himself. (Mt. 8:2; 14:33; 28:9, 17; Jn. 20:28) Consequently, if there is to be no contradiction in the Scriptures, they both must be members of the triune Godhead!

5.) In Hebrews 1:8, God calls the Son, God. However, the Scriptures declare that there has been no other God and that there will be no other God other than the LORD. (Dt. 32:39; Isa. 43:10-11; 45:22) Once again, for there to be no contradiction in Scripture, the LORD and the Lord Jesus Christ have to be members of the triune Godhead.

6.) The Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Holy Bible, claimed to be God (Jn. 10:30-33; 14:8-9; 17:5), and accepted worship. (Mt. 8:2; 14:33; 28:9; Jn. 20:28) For Him to do either of the two would have been blasphemous if He was not God! He also would have been a fraud, if He was not God, unless He was either deluded, deceived, hallucinating or classically insane. Who would be willing to argue for any one of those possibilities? It would not be Peter, who as a disciple witnessed the miracles and heard the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, when Peter and the disciples were asked, by the Lord Jesus Christ, “Who do men say that I, the Son of man, am?” it was Peter who answered the question by saying “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Mt. 16:13-17) Peter was no fool!

CONCLUSION: An honest search (Acts 17:10-12), and study (Lk. 16:29-31; 24:25-27, 44; Jn. 5:46-47; 20:30-31; 21:25) of the Holy Bible must lead one to accept the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ really is who He thought and said He was - the eternal God in a human body. All those who deny the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, do not give Him the honor that is due Him. (Jn. 5:23) Thus, they do not honor God, the Father, who sent Him. (Lk. 10:16) This is why they remain in their sins - lost and unsaved!

3: God, the Holy Spirit, and the Triune Godhead

Fundamental Doctrine of Biblical Christianity:

Within the nature of the one and only true God there are three ‘distinct’ and ‘identifiable’ Persons. They are of the same substance, coequal, coexistent, coeternal, and unchangeable forever. These three Persons are known as the ‘Father,’ and the ‘Son’ [Word], and the ‘Holy Spirit’ that make up the triune Godhead of the one true God. The triune Godhead is known, by tradition, as the ‘Holy Trinity.’

Bible References:
One God Only: (Dt. 4:35; 6:4; 32:39; Isa. 43:10-11; 45:21-22; 46:9; Mk. 12:29, 32; Jn. 17:3; 1 Tim. 2:5.)

Plural Personalities Revealed: Gen. 1:26; 3:22; 11:5-7.

The Godhead: Acts 17:29; Rom.. 1:20; Col. 2:9.

Unchanging: Mal. 3:6; Heb. 1:10-12; 6:17; 13:8; Js. 1:17.

Eternal: Gen. 21:33; Dt. 32:40; 33:27; Ps. 90:2; 102:26-27; 1 Tim. 1:17.

Three Distinct Persons Identified in the One and Only God of the Holy Bible.
Isa. 48:12, 16; Mt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 2:11-18; 5:18-20; 1 Pet. 1:2; Jude 20-21.

Of the three members of the triune Godhead, God, the Holy Spirit, is the most difficult to comprehend, and for that reason, is the least understood and appreciated. Thus, God, the Holy Spirit, is the Personality of the triune Godhead most people reject!

There are seven symbolic types used in the holy Scriptures to represent, or to signify, the Person of God, the Holy Spirit. These types or symbols are: 1. Abraham’s Servant (Gen. 24), 2. Oil (1 Sam. 16:13), 3. Dove (Mt. 3:16), 4. Wind (Jn. 3:3-8; Acts 2:2), 5. Water (Jn. 7:37-39), 6. Fire (Acts 2:3-4), 7. Wine (Eph. 5:18).

There is a significant difference between the service of God, the Holy Spirit, as recorded in the Old Testament and in His ministries, as described in the New Testament. In the ‘Age of Law,’ before the sacrifice made by the Lord Jesus Christ to save sinners, God, the Holy Spirit, would come ‘upon’ individuals (1 Sam. 16:11-13; 19:20; 2 Sam. 23:1-3), and He would also ‘depart’ from them. (Jud. 16:20; 1 Sam. 16:14; 28:16) The Age of Law ended when the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the law and gave up His spirit while on the cross. This is when the ‘Age of Grace’ came into being and God, the Holy Spirit, began seven new ministries for ‘mankind.’ The Age of Grace will continue until the “Second Coming” to earth by the Lord Jesus Christ.

The birthday of the ‘Church’ or the beginning of the ‘Church Age,’ was on the ‘Feast of Weeks’ or what is called the ‘Day of Pentecost.’ (Acts 2:1-4) This was 53 days after the beginning of the Age of Grace and 50 days after the bodily resurrection from the dead by the Lord Jesus Christ on the ‘Feast of First Fruits.’ Since the day of Pentecost, God, the Holy Spirit, has been performing these seven ministries for mankind. What they are and what He does through them now follow:

1. Regeneration -- When a man or a woman trust, by faith alone, the Lord Jesus Christ to be their personal Savior, God, the Holy Spirit, causes them to be ‘born from above.’ They, in effect, are ‘spiritually reborn.’ (Jn. 3:3-8; Ti. 3:5; 1 Jn. 5:1)

2. Baptizing --- Upon trusting the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior, God, the Holy Spirit, ‘identifies’ the new believer with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. (Rom.. 6:3-4; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Gal. 3:27-28; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:9-12)

3. Indwelling --- God, the Holy Spirit, will live, throughout eternity, within each individual who have, by faith alone, placed their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. (Jn. 4:14; 7:37-39; 14:16-17; 16:7; Acts 11:17; Rom. 5:1-5; 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 2:12; 3:16; 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 5:5; Gal. 3:1-2; 4:6-7; 1 Jn. 2:27; 3:23-24; 4:13)

4. Sealing --- All who trust the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, by faith alone, are sealed by God, the Holy Spirit, for future delivery to Him, either at the ‘Rapture’ or upon their physical death. A seal signifies, in the symbolism of Scripture: [1] A finished transaction (Neh. 9:38; Est. 8:1-8; Job. 9:7; Jer. 32:6-15), [2] Ownership (Jer. 32:6-15; Acts 20:28; 2 Tim. 2:19), and [3] Security. (Est. 8:8; Dan. 6:17; Eph. 4:30) Salvation is assured because of this ministry of the Holy Spirit. (2 Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30) Thus the saying, ‘once saved, always saved!’

All four of the above described ministries of God, the Holy Spirit, take place immediately and simultaneously within each individual when they ‘trust’ [believe] the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior by faith alone. These four ministries concern themselves specifically upon the ‘salvation’ of individuals. The remaining three ministries of God, the Holy Spirit, have a different purpose since they are not involved with ‘newborn’ Christians in the same way. This is readily evident as they are described in the written Word of God, the Holy Bible.

5. Filling ---This happens when the saved Christian has allowed God, the Holy Spirit, to control their thoughts and actions while going about their daily life. It is a ‘day by day’ dependency upon Him in all things, while at the same time not doing certain things to ‘grieve’ or to ‘quench’ Him. (Acts 2:4; 4:29-31; Gal. 5:16-26; 6:7-9; Eph. 4:30; 5:1-4, 15-21; Col. 2:6; 3:1-9, 16; 1 Th. 5:19-20, 22)

6. Convicting --- God, the Holy Spirit, convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment by way of His Word, the Holy Bible, along with individuals who have placed their trust in the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior. (Jn. 14:6, 26; 16:7-11)

7. Restraining --- Lawlessness, or sin, in the world is being hindered in its growth by the power of God, the Holy Spirit. This particular ministry is the only one that will cease with the Rapture.(2 Th. 2:6-7)The other six ministries of God, the Holy Spirit, will continue to be performed by Him until the Age of Grace concludes with the physical return [‘2nd Advent’] of the Lord Jesus Christ to setup His ‘Millennial Kingdom Age’ on earth. (Zech. 12:1-14:9; Rev. 19:11-20:6)

The following questions and answers from the holy Scriptures reveal how the doctrine of the triune Godhead came to be. They also confirm the teaching of it to be true and biblically correct!

1.) Is the Father identified as God? (Acts 2:33; 1 Cor. 8:6; Gal. 1:1, 3; Phil. 2:11; 1 Th. 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Pet. 1:17; 2 Jn. 1:3; Jude 1)

2.) Is the Son [Word] identified as God? (Mt. 22:42-45; Jn. 1:1, 14; 8:24, 56-58; 10:33; 18:4-8; 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:16; Ti. 2:13; Heb. 1:8; 1 Jn. 1:1-2)

3.) Is the Holy Spirit identified as God? (Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 3:17-18)

All three Persons are identified as God, yet we know that there is but one God and none else. (Dt. 4:35; 6:4; 32:39; Isa. 43:10-11; 45:22; Mk. 12:29, 32; 1 Tim. 2:5) The next questions are:

4.) Did the Father raise the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead? (Gal. 1:1; 1 Th. 1:10)

5.) Did the Lord Jesus Christ say He would raise Himself from the dead? (Jn. 2:19-21)

6.) Did the Holy Spirit raise the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead? (Rom. 8:11)

7.) Did God raise the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead? (Acts 2:24, 30, 32; 4:10; 17:31)

The holy Scriptures confirm the answers to all four of these questions to be a resounding - YES. Therefore, to avoid confusion and a false perception of the one true God, honest students of the holy Scriptures had to conclude that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit have to be - One!

The followers of all ‘man-made’ religions and science fiction fans do not believe that the Holy Spirit is a distinct Personality. Instead, they believe and teach that He is a ‘nonpersonal force’ of nature or a part of the universe. Thus, God, the Holy Spirit, has been called a number of names by various religions and cultures. Words or terms such as ‘Karma’ in Hinduism and Buddhism and the ‘Force’ in the movies and a ‘higher power’ in the ‘New Age’ movement.

The Personality and Deity of God, the Holy Spirit, appear from the attributes ascribed to Him and from His works in the Holy Bible. He is revealed as sharing the work of creation and, thus, as omnipotent (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4; Ps. 104:30) and omnipresent. (Ps. 139:7) He strives with men (Gen. 6:3); enlightens them (Ex. 31:3; Dan. 1:17); provides constructive skill (Ex.28:3; 31:3); gives physical strength (Jud. 14:5-6, 19); executive ability with wisdom (Jud. 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25); enables men to receive and utter divine revelations (Num. 11:25; 2 Sam. 23:2); and ‘empowers’ the servants of God. (Ps. 51:12; Joel 2:28; Mic 3:8; Zech. 4:6)

The doctrine of the triune Godhead is ‘implicit’ in the Old Testament and ‘explicit’ in the New Testament. There can be no doubt about God, the Holy Spirit, being a member of the triune Godhead! He is called holy (Ps. 51:11), good (Ps. 143:10), and just. (Isa. 4:4) He gives wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the ‘fear’ of the LORD (Isa. 11:2) [“The fear of the LORD” is an Old Testament expression meaning reverential trust, including the hatred of evil.], with grace and supplications. (Zech. 12:10) This is why personal pronouns are used for God, the Holy Spirit, in the holy Scriptures. (Jn. 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:7-14)

Then there are the personal acts that are attributed to God, the Holy Spirit, such as: He teaches (Jn. 14:26; 1 Jn. 2:27), speaks (2 Sam. 23:2; Jn. 16:13; Acts 10:19-20; 13:2; 20:23; Gal. 4:6), reproves (Jn. 16:8), and intercedes for people (Rom. 8:26). He will also send out people while leading and guiding them in their journeys. (Acts 10:19-20; 13:4; 16:6-7; 20:22; Gal. 5:18) God, the Holy Spirit, also imparts spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:7-11), commands, and appoints. (Acts. 13:2, 4; 20:28) As a distinct Personality, God, the Holy Spirit, can be lied to (Acts 5:3-4), grieved (Isa. 63:10; Eph. 4:30), and quenched (1 Th. 5:19) by Christians who are living in the flesh. (Eph. 4:31-5:21) The non-Christians who speak out and blaspheme God, the Holy Spirit, will do so to their everlasting regret! (Mt. 12:31-32)

CONCLUSION: The word, ‘God,’ sometimes refers to the entire triune Godhead but at other times may only refer to one or two of the Personalities of that Godhead. Therefore, the word, God, does not always have to be used in the same manner with the same breadth of scope. An excellent example of this is with the word, ‘space.’ The word space can be correctly used of one-dimensional space [distance], or of two-dimensional space [area], or of three-dimensional space [volume] and must be understood according to the context in which it is used. Three-dimensional space is made up of length, width and height! Yet, it is possible to speak of each separately because each is ‘distinct.’ Neither length, width, or height can ‘exist’ independently of the other two and each are ‘equally’ essential to the one ‘indivisible’ whole.

So it is with the word, ‘God,’ which can be properly used with three different ‘senses.’ The three distinct Personalities of the triune Godhead that make up the one true God of all creation is clearly taught in the Holy Bible. (Mt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 2:18; 4:4-6; 5:18-20; 1 Pet. 1:2; Jude 20-21) To deny the ‘personhood’ of God, the Holy Spirit, is to deny His existence, which is blasphemy, and the reason why it is the ‘unpardonable’ sin! (Mt. 12:31-32; Mk. 3:28-29; Lk. 12:10)

4: The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ

Fundamental Doctrine of Biblical Christianity:

The Lord Jesus Christ was raised physically, from the dead, after paying the penalty, or ransom, for all of the sins of mankind, whether they were committed prior to His sacrifice while on the cross at Calvary or afterward. The Lord Jesus Christ ascended visibly and physically into Heaven and will return to earth in the same way.

Bible References: (Isa. 53:4-6,10-12; Mt. 24:29-30; 28:1-7; Mk. 16:1-14,19-20; Lk. 21:27; 24:1-12,21-24,33-51; Jn. 2:19-22; 3:16-17; 20:1-20,24-28; 21:1-14; Acts 1:1-11,21-22; 2:22-32; 2 Cor.5:18-19; 2Th.1:7-10; 1Tim.2:5-6; Heb.2:9,17; 1Pet.1:3; 3:18,22; 1Jn.2:2; 4:10,14; Rev.1:7-8).

The resurrection of the dead was believed true by the ‘patriarchs’ of the Old Testament. (Gen. 22:1-12; Job. 14:14; 19:25-26; Heb. 11:17-19) This ‘belief’ was verified by the prophets (Isa. 26:19; Dan. 12:2; Hos. 13:14), and was confirmed by the restoration to life of those who had died. (2 Ki. 4:32-37; 13:20-21) The Lord Jesus Christ restored life to the dead (Mt. 9:25; Lk. 7:12-15; Jn. 11:43-44), and predicted His own resurrection from the dead. (Jn. 10:18; Lk. 24:1-8) There was a resurrection of an unknown number of dead people who came out of their graves ‘after’ the Lord Jesus Christ had bodily arose from the dead on the day of the ‘Feast of First Fruits.’ (Mt. 27:52-53) Also, there were people who died and were raised up by the apostles. (Acts 9:36-41; 20:9-10) Of the two religious parties specifically mentioned in the Holy Bible during the time of the Lord Jesus Christ, only the Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead. The Sadducees did not. (Mt. 16:1; 22:23; Mk. 12:18-27; Lk. 20:27-38; Acts 4:1-2; 23:1-10)

The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society whose members call themselves ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses,’ teach that the Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected an ‘invisible spirit creature’ after offering the ransom for ‘obedient’ men. (Mt. 24:23-26) They also teach that 144,000 people will inherit the heavenly kingdom of God in a spiritual form, with the balance of their obedient membership returning to earth to rule in a physical body. (1 Jn. 4:1-3) This is but one example of how a man-made religion has twisted the clear teachings of the Holy Bible and deceived its members into believing false doctrines (2 Jn. 1:7), and to go the wrong way. (Mt. 7:13-14) The apostle Paul wrote about the new body that will be received by resurrected Christians from God. It was, “Who shall change our [lowly] body, that it may be fashioned like his glorious body .... ” (Phil. 3:21) The apostle John told Christians, “ ... we shall be like him ....” (1 Jn. 3:2)

CONCLUSION: A comparison of the coming of the Messiah of Israel (Zech. 12:8-10; 14:4-5) with the return to earth by the Lord Jesus Christ at His ‘2nd Advent’ will confirm both to be the same event. (Mt. 24:30; Acts 1:9-11; Rev. 1:7; 19:11-21) Also, the word, ‘resurrection,’ in both the Hebrew and the Greek languages always refers to the ‘physical body’ and never to the soul or the spirit! The resurrection from the dead by the Lord Jesus Christ was of His physical body, which was proven to all, by Him, beyond any doubt. (Lk. 24:39; Jn. 20:27-28; 1 Jn. 1:1)

5: The Atonement

Fundamental Doctrine of Biblical Christianity:

The atonement through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, forever removed mankind’s slavery to sin and Satan. This atonement for sin, brought redemption to mankind, and reconciled those who would simply trust that the penalty for their sin had been paid in full by their Savior.

Bible References: (Lev. 17:11; Jn. 1:29; Rom. 1:17; 3:23-26, 28; 4:5; 5:8-10; 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14, 20; 2:14; Ti. 2:14; Heb. 9:22, 28; 10:4, 10, 12, 14, 16-18; 13:20; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 2:24; 1 Jn. 1:7; Rev. 5:9; 12:11).

The word, ‘redemption,’ means, ‘to deliver by paying a price.’ Thus, nothing else needs to be done for the forgiveness of sin but ‘believe.’ False biblical teachers, however, always add a ‘but’ to the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ! (2 Pet. 2:1-2) Salvation comes by faith, they teach, BUT you must do something in addition to having ‘faith’ for your salvation to be genuine.

The letters the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians, are acknowledged as being great doctrinal books for the Christian faith. Yet, nowhere do these books teach that water baptism, obedience or any of the other “works” taught by false teachers is essential for salvation. This was also true when in Acts 15:1 a dispute arose concerning the subject of salvation. This dispute was concluded with no reference being made to water baptism, making Jesus Lord of your life, or any of the other things that many believe and teach is necessary to do so you can be ‘saved.’ (Acts 15:32) The apostle Paul, who is thought to be the greatest Christian missionary and evangelist of all, declared that Christ did not send him to water baptize anyone! (1 Cor. 1:17) If water baptism was necessary for salvation, this would be a very grave heresy. (Mt. 7:21)

The Scriptures are consistent with regard to the subject of salvation. The man who was crucified with the Lord Jesus Christ did not do any good works nor was he baptized in water. He simply acknowledged that he deserved the punishment he was receiving (Lk. 23:41a), the sinless character of the Lord Jesus Christ (Lk. 23:41b), and His Deity (Lk. 23:42a), that life would continue after his death (Lk. 23:42b), and that the Lord Jesus Christ would be king of a future kingdom. (Lk. 23:42c) After he said this, the Lord Jesus Christ then promised this man that he would be with Him in ‘paradise’ that very same day. (Lk. 23:43) The paradise being referred to was the section of ‘Sheol' or ‘Hades’ that is known as Abraham’s Bosom. (Lk. 16:19-31)

CONCLUSION: To the natural mind of man, it seems unreasonable that Heaven could be a ‘gift,’ from God, to bad people, and not a ‘reward’ for good people. Thus, man-made religions always have a list of ‘do’s and don’ts’ that if obeyed ‘might’ warrant their adherents entry into Heaven. The Scriptures, in contrast, teach that the atonement was wholly of God regardless of any argument to the contrary. (2 Cor. 5:21) Thus, salvation is always a gift (Rom 5:12-17; 6:23), given by the grace of God, and not earned by any works. (Isa. 64:6; Rom. 4:5; Eph. 2:5-13)

6: Man

Fundamental Doctrine of Biblical Christianity:

Man is a creation of God, created in God’s spiritual image, making man an immortal soul/spirit, housed within a physical form with a free will. The sin of Adam passed upon all of mankind. Man was redeemed by the substitutionary death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is obtained by simply believing the penalty due for sin has been paid by the Lord Jesus Christ. All those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for them will forever be separated from God.

Bible References: (Gen. 1:26-31; 2:7-9, 15-18, 21-3:24; 5:1-2; Job 32:8; Eccl. 3:21; 12:7; Zech. 12:1; Mt. 26:28; Jn. 3:3-16; Acts 7:59; 20:28; Rom. 5:8-9, 12; 10:9; Col. 1:14, 20; Heb. 9:14; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 Jn. 1:7; 5:11-12; Rev. 1:5; 7:14; 21:8).

God created Adam from the dust of the earth and used a rib from the side of Adam to create Eve. They were the first man and the first woman and all of mankind descends from them. Eve did not sin since she was ‘deceived’ by Satan to eat the forbidden fruit from the ‘tree of knowledge of good and evil.’ Adam, on the other hand, deliberately disobeyed God when he ate the same fruit. This act caused Adam to be spiritually ‘separated’ from God immediately, and his soul/spirit to be separated from his body afterward. The word death, means ‘separation.’

The sin of Adam caused him to acquire a rebellious nature that became a part of his DNA. Thus, the fallen nature of mankind is always passed on to children by their father and never from their mother. Without having a human father, the Lord Jesus Christ could be born of a woman and be wholly man while retaining his ‘Divinity.’ Thus, God joined Himself with mankind in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ who was born without sin and a sinful nature. He was then able to offer Himself as a substitute sacrifice, to pay the penalty due for all of the sins of mankind. All who refuse to trust [believe] Him to be their personal Savior, by faith alone, remain ‘lost!’ (Mt. 7:21)

By the grace of God, the name of every human being is written into the Lamb’s Book of Life upon their conception. The names of those who reject the Word of God and refuse to do the ‘will’ of God during their lifetime on earth will be ‘blotted’ out of this book by the Lord Jesus Christ. They will be cast into the ‘Lake of Fire’ on ‘Judgment Day.’ (Ex. 32:30-33; Dt. 9:12-14; 29:20; 1Sam. 15:22-23; 2Sam. 12:13-23; 33:4; Ps. 51:1-5,9; Isa. 43:25; 44:21-22; Jer. 18:23; Dan. 12:1-2; Mt. 1:18-25; 7:21; Lk. 1:26-38; 2:1-16; Jn. 1:1-3, 10-14, 29; 4:24; Acts 3:19; Rom. 5:19; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; 2 Cor.5:21; 11:3; Col.2:14-15; 1 Tim.2:14; 2 Pet. 1:14; Rev. 3:5; 7:9-17; 20:11-15)

CONCLUSION: God is a ‘spirit’ being and not a ‘physical’ being. (Jn. 4:24) Salvation, is only by the grace of God and must be based solely on faith, in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ alone. This is the will of God, the Father, in our current Age of Grace. (Mt. 7:21; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 4:5; Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Pet. 3:9) All those who refuse to accede to the will of God are no different than Cain who was determined to only offer a ‘bloodless’ sacrifice to God! (Gen. 4:1-7)

7: The Soul/Spirit of Man

Fundamental Doctrine of Biblical Christianity:

The soul/spirit of man was created in the image of God. Thus, it is immortal and has a free will. The soul/spirit of man shall forever exist in a conscious state either in Heaven or the Lake of Fire.

Bible References: (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7, 21-23; 5:1; Isa. 57:16; 66:22-24; Dan. 12:2; Zech. 12:1; Mt. 5:22, 29-30; 8:11-12; 10:28; 13:42-50; 18:8-9; 22:13; 25:41, 46; Mk. 9:42-48; Lk. 13:24-29; 16:19-31; 20:36; 2 Pet. 2:17; Jude 13; Rev. 14:9-11; 19:20; 20:10, 12-15; 22:5).

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Gen. 2:7) This biblical account has led to two viewpoints regarding the total makeup of mankind. They are: 1. DICHOTOMY - Man is composed of two parts: the physical and the nonphysical. The soul and the spirit are not to be viewed as two different parts, but simply signify the same nonphysical principle from different standpoints. 2. TRICHOTOMY - Man is composed of three parts: body, soul and spirit. This position is held since Genesis 2:7 appears to refer to and include all three parts. The apostle Paul prayed that all three parts of the Christian be ‘preserved blameless’ unto the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Th. 5:23) Also, the writer of Hebrews 4:12 stated, “For the word of God is [living], and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Thus, all three parts of mankind are ‘distinguishable’ in this passage!

Man is called a ‘soul’ in the Holy Bible but never called a ‘spirit’ since the body of a man ‘possesses’ its own individual ‘spirit.’ (Job 32:8; 1 Cor. 2:11) Three theories have been set forth for the ‘origin’ of the soul. 1. PREEXISTENCE - The soul existed in another state before its present existence. This belief embraces the idea of the ‘transmigration’ of souls. There is no support for this viewpoint to be found in the Holy Bible. 2. CREATIONISM - God directly creates a new soul and spirit at ‘conception.’ 3. TRADUCIANISM - Body [physical] with soul and spirit [both nonphysical], are propagated from the parents to the child by natural generation. This theory explains the fallen nature with which mankind is born. The “breath of life” (Gen. 2:7) is, literally, ‘plural.’ Thus, a child is like its parents - physically, psychologically and spiritually.

CONCLUSION: Although the words, soul and spirit, are sometimes used ‘interchangeably’ in Scripture when referring to man (Job. 7:11; 1 Cor. 5:5; Heb. 10:39), a distinction between them is observed in some passages. As we have read, they are ‘divisible’ and ‘distinctive’ when referring to the burial and resurrection of the human body. (1 Cor. 15:44) The difference between the two parts seems to be that the soul is the seat of the affections, desires, emotions and the will of man. (Mt. 11:29; 26:38; Jn. 12:27) Whereas, the spirit is that part which ‘knows’ and is capable of being ‘conscious’ of God and is able to communicate with Him. (Ps. 18:28; Prov. 20:27)

8: Physical Death

Fundamental Doctrine of Biblical Christianity:

Physical death is a consequence of sin. (Gen. 2:15-17) When the human physical body dies it is not the end of conscious existence for the dead. It is simply a change of place or conditions for the soul/spirit that had been housed within the physical body while it was living on the earth.

Bible References: The word ‘death’ means separation. The word ‘life’ means connection. There are two deaths (separations) told of in the Holy Bible: The first death is separation from its physical body by the soul/spirit. (Gen. 3:19; 35:18; 2 Sam. 12:18-23; 1 Ki. 17:21-22; Job 38:17; Ps. 49:15; Eccl. 3:21; 12:7; Isa. 14:9-17; Ezek. 32:18-32; Hab. 2:4; Mk. 9:43; Acts 7:59; 1 Cor. 15:42-44, 51-55; 2 Cor. 5:1-8; Phil. 1:21-24; 2 Tim. 4:18; Heb. 9:27; Jas. 2:26; 1 Pet. 4:19; 2 Pet. 1:13-15; Jude 14; Rev. 6:9) The second death is eternal separation from the presence of God by the ‘unsaved’ soul/spirit. (Ps. 34:22; Dan. 12:2; Mt. 7:21; Jn. 7:33-34; 8:21, 24; 11:26; 1 Cor. 15:50; 2 Pet. 2:9, 17; Jude 12-13; Rev. 2:11; 19:20; 20:6, 10, 14-15; 21:8)

The physical death [first separation] of the ‘faithful’ [saved] person is why the Scriptures declare, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” (Ps. 116:15) The reason being that the separation of the soul/spirit from its physical body for those who are saved allows them to enter into the presence of God in Heaven. This thought is expanded upon by the apostle Paul who wrote, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Cor. 5:8) The saved are reassured repeatedly that the temple of their body is simply ‘temporary’ housing for its soul/spirit. (1 Th. 4:13-18) The apostle John wrote, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.” (Rev. 14:13) This is why Christians could sing while being put to death!

Among the ‘false’ teachings of man-made religions regarding what happens to human beings after physical death is that: 1. all consciousness and awareness ends. 2. the soul/spirit continues to ‘reincarnate’ until perfection is attained. 3. annihilation [cease to exist] will be the destiny for all those who do not meet God’s requirements for salvation.

CONCLUSION: There is no single or collective translation of Hebrew or Greek words in any reputable lexicon or dictionary to substantiate the heretical teachings that with physical death: 1. all consciousness and awareness ends. 2. reincarnation is true. 3. the word, death, means annihi-lation [to bring to nothing]. If the soul/spirit of human beings did indeed cease to exist with the death of its physical body, or were reincarnated into other bodies, then the following biblical accounts that are recorded in the Holy Bible could not have taken place. (2Ki. 4:18-37; 13:21; Mt. 9:18-26; Lk. 7:12-15; 16:19-31; Jn. 11:14-44; Acts 9:36-41; 20:9-12) Also, the Lord Jesus Christ could not have visibly spoken with Moses and Elijah. (Mt. 17:3; Mk. 9:4; Lk. 9:30-31)

9: Hell

Fundamental Doctrine of Biblical Christianity:

‘Hell’ is a place that was originally prepared for the devil and his angels. It has three sections: 1. torments. 2. the ‘abyss’ [great gulf]. 3. paradise [Abraham’s Bosom]. Upon their physical death, the soul/spirit of the ‘unrighteous’ [unsaved] is taken to the ‘torments’ section to wait for the time when they will be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ at the ‘Great White Throne Judgment.’ Upon their physical death, the soul/spirit of the ‘righteous’ [saved] would go to the paradise section to wait until their sins were ‘removed’ by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ!

The ‘saints’ [saved] of the Old Testament could not go to Heaven, upon their physical death, since the blood of sacrificed animals could only ‘cover’ their sins and not remove them. Upon giving up His spirit, while on the cross at Calvary, the Lord Jesus Christ descended to the paradise section of hell [hades]. This is the place where the soul/spirit of the thief who died on the cross, was to join his Savior three hours later. After His bodily resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ ascended physically into Heaven where He presented Himself before God, the Father, as payment in full for the sins of the saved who had been resting and waiting in paradise for Him. Afterward, the Lord Jesus Christ left Heaven and went back to the paradise side of hell [hades] and led those who were there into the presence of God, the Father, in Heaven.

The paradise section is now unoccupied since all who die ‘in Christ’ [saved] are immediately ushered into His presence in Heaven. The torment section of hell [hades], on the other hand, continues to increase in population with those who refuse to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, by faith alone. Their refusal to do so, makes them responsible and accountable for their sins against God. Thus, the penalty for their sins will need to be paid in full by them!

Bible References: (Gen. 25:8, 17; 35:29; 50:29, 33; Lev. 17:11; Job 14:13-14; 38:17; Isa. 66.24; Dan. 12:2; Mt. 5:22, 29-30; 8:12; 10:28; 11:27; 13:42, 49-50; 18:8-9; 22:13, 32; 25:41, 46; Mk. 9:42-48; Lk. 16:19-31; 23:43, 46; Jn. 6:46; 14:6; 20:17; Rom. 5:9; 1 Cor. 15:55; 2 Cor. 5:6-8; Eph. 1:7; 4:8-10; Phil. 1:21-23; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:11-28; 10:4, 10-18, 31; 2 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 6:9-11; 14:9-11; 19:20; 20:10-15).

The Hebrew word sheol, of the Old Testament and the Greek word hades, of the New Testament and the transliterated English word, hell, are all used to refer to the same place. Sheol, as it is used in the Old Testament, is the place where the dead [lost and saved] go to await their judgment or redemption. (Gen. 37:35; 42:38; 44:29, 31; Job 14:13-14; Ps. 88:3) To a man who is alive on the earth or ‘under the sun’ and whose beliefs are based only upon what he can see, sheol can seem to be no more than a grave and the end of all awareness and of life itself. (Eccl. 9:5, 10) Scripture, however, reveals that sheol is a place in which the wicked [lost] go (Ps. 9:17; 55:15), are fully conscious, able to speak (Isa. 14:9-11; Ezek. 32:17-21) and be in sorrow. (2 Sam. 22:6; Ps. 18:5; 116:3) Jonah compared his time in the belly of the great fish to like being in the grave. (Jon. 2:2)

CONCLUSION: It can be correctly said, that the Lord Jesus Christ parted the ‘curtain of death’ for mankind in such a way that there could be no question of what does take place upon the physical death of every human being. He did this by telling of two men who were contemporaries while living on the earth, and what happened to each of these two men when they physically died. He also revealed where the soul/spirit would go of those who physically died during the time of the Old Testament [prior to the cross of Christ], whether they were saved or unsaved [lost]. He did this with the story of Lazarus and the ‘unnamed rich man.’ (Lk. 16:19-31) All who deny the existence of hell will always insist that the story of these two men is a ‘parable.’

Thus, the question. “What is a parable? The answer, is that a parable is a story told to ‘illustrate’ and bring understanding of truth! By using stories of familiar things in the ‘natural’ or ‘material’ world, the Lord Jesus Christ was able to teach important spiritual truths.

There are several logical and legitimate questions that must be asked of those who deny the existence of the place called hell. These questions deserve their logical and legitimate answers!

First of all, if the story of Lazarus and the unnamed rich man is not to be accepted as a factual account of two men, who actually lived on the earth at the same time, what ‘truth’ do they illustrate?” Another way of asking this question is, who and what do they represent? Also, why would the Lord Jesus Christ tell of a man, who after physically dying, was in torment and fully aware that he was? Then there is the question of, why would the Lord Jesus Christ describe a situation and speak of a place, hell, that did not exist to illustrate a truth? Another vital question is, why would the Lord Jesus Christ tell a lie, or spin a yarn to illustrate a truth? This is an important question since ‘to lie is to sin,’ regardless of the motive. Yet, the Lord Jesus Christ was without any sin. (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22)

An honest evaluation of Luke 16:19-31 can only lead to the conclusion that this has to be a true story of these two men who lived at the same time and place while on the earth. The unnamed rich man was aware of being in torment and that Lazarus, the beggar, was being comforted by the father of the Jewish people, Abraham. Both of these men could see, talk and remember each other and other people who were still alive on the earth, though they were physically dead and in hell. Another irrefutable argument to support the fact that this story is about the literal existence of this place called hell, is that the Lord Jesus Christ ‘never’used personal names in parables such as Lazarus, Abraham and Moses. Thus, this story tells of a place that does exist, to the sorrow of all who refuse to do the will of the LORD during their life on earth. (Mt. 7:21)

The Lord Jesus Christ will reign over the earth for 1,000 years from the city of Jerusalem. This will happen after His ‘Second Coming’ to earth. All who are in the ‘torments’ section of hell, after His 1,000 year reign on earth has been completed, will then be judged by Him. (Rev. 19:11-20:5) This judgment is called the ‘Great White Throne Judgment.’ (Rev. 20:7-13, 15) Those judged, will then be cast into the Lake of Fire, along with the place called hell. (Rev. 20:14) The place called hell will then cease to exist since it will no longer be needed. (Rev. 21:1-22:21)

10: Eternal Punishment

Fundamental Doctrine of Biblical Christianity:

Eternal punishment consists of everlasting torment for those who refused to do the ‘will’ of God while alive on earth. They will be fully aware and conscious of their surroundings and condition!

Bible References: (Gen. 2:15-17; 3:6; 4:1-8; 1 Sam. 15:22-23; Ezek. 6:11; 28:1-19; Mt. 6:10; 7:21; 12:50; 13:42, 49-50; 25:41, 46; Jn. 14:6; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 10:4; Rev. 14:9-11).

The name of every human being is placed in the Lamb’s Book of Life at conception! There is a time in their life, when each man and woman will be held accountable for the sins they commit against God. The only way to keep their name in the Lamb’s Book of Life is to have their sins ‘blotted’ out by doing the will of God. With physical death, the soul/spirit of the unsaved [lost] is cast into the ‘torments’ section of the place called ‘hell’ [hades]. They will remain there until they are judged by the Lord Jesus Christ at the ‘Great White Throne Judgment.’ At that time they will learn why their names had been blotted out of the Lamb’s Book of Life. The unsaved [lost] will then be rewarded for their sins and be cast into the ‘Lake of Fire.’ It is in this place of total darkness and silence where they will be forever separated from the presence of God and all others. This is the place they will spend eternity, forever remembering all that took place in their life while on earth. (Ex.32:32-33; Dt.9:14; 29:16-20; 1Ki.14:22-24; 2Ki.14:27; Neh. 4:4-5; Ps. 51; 69:28;109:13-14; Isa.43:25; 44:21-22; Jer.18:23; Dan.12:1; Mt.19:13-15; Mk.10:14; Lk.18:15-17; Acts 3:19-21; Phil.4:3; Heb.10:7,17; Jude 5-7,11-13; Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:10-15; 21:27; 22:19)

The word ‘Gehenna’ is identical in meaning with the Lake of Fire that is told of in the book of Revelation. Gehenna was the place in the valley of Hinnom where human sacrifices had been offered by the people of Israel in the past (Josh. 15:8; 18:16; 2 Ki. 16:1-4; 23:10; 2 Ch. 28:1-4; 33:1-6; Jer. 7:31), which is why the LORD called it, ‘The Valley of Slaughter.’ (Jer. 19:2-6) A fire burned continuously in Gehenna, fueled by rubbish and other matter disposed of there, at the time of the Lord Jesus Christ. The fire in Gehenna illustrated a place with anunending fire where the unrighteous [lost] were to be sent as their penalty for rebelling against God.

A comparison of Revelation 19:20 with Revelation 20:10 will reveal that after spending more than 1,000 years in the Lake of Fire, the men known as the ‘beast’ [the antichrist] and the ‘false prophet’ continue to be there in torment. Satan will then join them in this place, and also be tormented constantly forever and ever just like them.

CONCLUSION: The will of God, the Father, in this current Age of Grace, is for all people to simply believe, by faith alone, that the Lord Jesus Christ paid in full the penalty owed by them for their sins. By doing so He becomes their personal Savior. All those who do not do so, will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire! (Dan 12:2; Mt. 7:21; 12:50; Mk. 3:35; Lk. 7:46; Jn. 1:12-13; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-9; Col. 1:9,12-14, 20; Heb. 10:7,10,12, 14, 36)

11: Satan

Fundamental Doctrine of Biblical Christianity:

Lucifer is a great and powerful angel who was beautiful in his brightness and perfect in his ways from the day God created him until he rebelled against God prior to the creation of mankind. His was the first sin and he was renamed Satan. The power of Satan is always subjective to the ‘will’ of God. Satan has been the ruler of earth ever since the ‘fall of Adam’ in the Garden of Eden. This rulership of Satan will end with the ‘Second Coming’ of the Lord Jesus Christ to planet Earth! The destiny of Satan will be everlasting torment with all of his followers in the ‘Lake of Fire.’

Bible References: (Gen. 2:15-17; 3:1, 4, 13-15; 1 Ki. 22:18-22; Job 1:6-19; 2:1-7; Isa. 14:9-17; Ezek.28:11-19; Dan.10:10-21; Zech.3:1-2; Mt. 4:1-11; 9:32-34; 12:22; 13:19,24-25,39; 16:21-23; 22:30; 25:41; Mk. 1:13; 4:15; 5:1-18; 12:25; Lk. 4:1-13; 10:17-18; 13:10-16; 22:3, 31; Jn. 8:44; 12:31;13:27;14:30; 16:11; Acts 5:3; 26:18; 2Cor.4:3-4; 11:3,13-15; 12:7; Eph.2:2; 6:12; Col. 2:15; 1Th.2:18; 1Tim.4:1; 1Pet.5:8; 2Pet.2:4; 1Jn.3:8; Jude 6; Rev. 12: 3-4, 7-15; 13:1-8; 20:1-3, 7-10).

Prior to creating the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1; Isa. 45:18), God created a race of beings called ‘angels.’ (Job 38:1-7) The word, angel, means ‘messenger.’ Angels are immortal, spirit beings with a free will who are neuter gender. Thus, they do not marry or procreate. Lucifer was given authority over all the angels and all that God had created. His name meant ‘brightness’ and God called him ‘son of the morning’ or what we might call ‘son of the morning star.’ After a period of time, the pride of Lucifer caused him to want to be equal to God or ‘to be as God,’ which introduced sin into the universe. He is now most often called ‘Satan,’ meaning ‘opponent’ or ‘adversary.’ The word, Devil, means ‘accuser.’ Satan has great power and with the permission of God, may test the servants of God.

The Holy Bible records other names for the angel once known as Lucifer such as: ‘Beelzebub’ (Mt. 12:24), ‘Belial’ (2 Cor. 6:15), ‘Abaddon,’ or ‘Apollyon.’ (Rev. 9:11) He is also referred to as a ‘Serpent,’ a ‘Dragon,’ the ‘Evil One,’ the ‘Angel of the Bottomless Pit,’ the ‘Prince of this World,’ or the ‘Prince of the Power of the Air.’ Satan was and is a musical being. Satan remains the most powerful ‘created’ being in the universe. One third of the angels followed Satan in his rebellion against God and as a result became known as ‘demons’ or ‘fallen angels.’ As agents of Satan they strive to influence the race that God created called ‘human beings.’ These fallen angels desire to possess the bodies of human beings and of animals. They have often done so!

CONCLUSION: His sin against God, caused Satan to be cast out from being in the presence of God. (Ezek. 28:16) He has already been judged at the cross of Calvary. (Jn. 12:31; 16:11; Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14) He will be unrestrained after the ‘Rapture.’ (2 Th. 2:7) Prior to the ‘Second Coming’ of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth, Satan will be cast out of heaven and restricted to the earth. (Rev. 12:7-12) During the ‘Kingdom Age,’ he will be confined in the bottomless pit. Upon his release, he will lead a final rebellion against God, be defeated and cast into the Lake of Fire.

12: Human Government

Fundamental Doctrine of Biblical Christianity:

No ruler exercises control over a people, a land, or a nation except as God permits. The citizens of a nation are to be obedient to the laws of the land under normal circumstances. This does not mean that the citizens of a nation are to obey regulations or laws that are either immoral or against the laws of God as recorded in the Holy Bible. A law that is in direct conflict with biblical teachings regarding conduct, is to be ignored! In such a case it is the duty of the Christian to obey God and not man.

Bible References: (Ex. 18:13-26; Dan. 2:37-40; 3:1-18; 4:17; 5:18, 21, 24-28; 6:7-10; Mt. 22:21; Acts 5:12-29; Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Cor. 12:28; Ti. 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-14).

Human government upon the earth began after the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the ‘Garden of Eden.’ This is when mankind became responsible to God for governing the earth. The failure of mankind to properly do so is recorded throughout the holy Scriptures from Genesis through the book of Revelation. The disobedience of mankind caused the judgment of God by way of a world wide flood (Gen. 6:11-17; 7:23-24), and His creation of a great number of languages at the ‘Tower of Babel’ from the one language used by all people up to that time. (Gen. 10:32-11:9)

There are three functions of government. They are: 1 Judicial. 2. Legislative. 3. Executive. The leadership of all human governments are based upon one of the following rules: 1. Monarchy - rule by one. 2. Republic - rule by law. 3. Oligarchy - rule by minority. 4. Democracy - rule by majority. 5. Anarchism - an absence of rule. The form of government among the early Israelites was a monarchy where God was recognized as their supreme civil ruler and His laws were to be taken as the ‘statute book’ of their kingdom. (Ex. 19:3-8; Dt. 28:36) Moses and Joshua were ‘agents’ of God, while Israel’s kings were each specifically ‘anointed’ in His name. The judges and prophets were ‘commissioned’ to inform the people of the will of God and they would not hesitate to veto and rebuke the actions of anyone if they were contrary to the will of God.

The government led by the man called the ‘beast’ or the ‘antichrist’ will be an oligarchy. The word, Antichrist can mean either ‘against Christ’ or ‘instead of Christ.’ The rule of this man will end with the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth, who will reign as a monarchy. After 1,000 years of rule over the entire earth, by the perfect king, under the perfect laws of God, while living in a perfect environment, mankind will once again rebel against God. (Gen. 49:10; Isa. 2:1-4; 9:6-7; 32:1; 33:22; 65:18-25; Jer. 23:5-6; 33:17; Ezek. 21:27: Dan. 2:44; Zech. 2:10-12; 14:9, 16-21; Lk. 1:30-33; Rev. 6:2; 11:15-18; 13:1-7, 18: 17:7-13; 19:11-16,20; 20:4-9) Thus, provng sin is not caused by environment, but by inner corruption! (Mt. 15:19; Mk. 7:21-23)

CONCLUSION: Rulers and human government are clearly sanctioned by God and to deny this is completely against the Holy Bible - the written ‘Word of God.’ (2 Pet. 2:10; Jude 8)

My Testimony!
by
Robert E. Schoenle

My name is Bob Schoenle and this is how I became a fundamental, Bible-believing, born-again, Christian. Having very little money, I opened a real estate agency with a national firm in a small town that was located in central Michigan. This was in January 1972. I would sometimes, literally, leave the house with a dime in my pocket so I could call my wife and let her know where I was and what I was doing. I didn’t know it at the time, but there was no way that this new venture of mine should have been successful. I made my first sale on April 1, 1972, and had two more sales the next day. These were the first of a huge number of listings and sales that made me Rookie of the Year and my office to be number one in the northern Michigan district for 1972.

I attained everything I ever wanted from January 1972, to December 1973, and became a huge fish in a small pond. My success enabled me to acquire a large amount of money, a number of real estate holdings and a new car. I had our house remodeled in 1973 with a showcase kitchen. Our house sat on a site of two-thirds of an acre, and was like Old MacDonald’s farm. The garage was converted into a barn for our three horses and pony, two hogs, two ducks and a dozen rabbits. Our busy household consisted of my loving wife and three beautiful kids, Thorpe, Laurie and Christine, Vegas, our German Shepherd, and two cats, Misty and Tippy. This was the happiest and greatest time of my life. It was also the most financially rewarding years I would ever enjoy.

I ate, drank and slept real estate. Afterward, I realized that real estate had become like a ‘god’ to me which is why I left the business after my conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ. I never gave God any credit for being so successful or even thought of Him. I was the reason for my success, because I was great at what I did! It was a book, given to me by a client in December 1973, that changed my outlook about the future and caused my eighteen-month journey with fear to begin.

This book answered questions about runaway inflation that had lingered with me from when I was a young boy. For example, until I read that book I could never understand how a runaway inflation could cause the loss of real estate holdings. This book introduced the word ‘devaluation’ to me. It also made clear how a runaway inflation can cause the devaluation of a currency and bankruptcy for a nation. I became convinced that a financial collapse was inevitable for America, because of her excessive debt and having a currency backed by nothing of substance like gold or silver. Thus, I would lose all that I had recently attained, through no fault of my own. I became extremely frightened and determined to protect my wife and kids by becoming one of the few who would profit from what I was convinced was going to take place in the near future.

I began an extensive and intensive study of economics, politics, history and current events by way of many books, magazines, newsletters, tapes and seminars. All this information caused me to conclude that not only was a financial collapse inevitable, but so was a nuclear war and a world dictatorship. My conclusion was based on being a realist and not as a pessimist or an optimist. The majority of people I came into contact with, however, seemed to be unaware of how bad conditions in the world were at that time. I think that the everyday activities of life is the reason why most of us tend to ignore much of what does take place throughout the world.

I suppose if one seriously considered subjects such as the spreading of infectious diseases, failing national economies, unstable political regimes, ecological disasters, nuclear and weapons proliferation, energy shortcomings, population growth, changing weather patterns, inadequate food and water supplies, one would have to conclude that there is little hope for the future. Maybe that was the reason why I did not meet many people who were willing to discuss those issues. Whenever I would share some of what I was learning with others, I was ridiculed. It was like I could see a tornado coming towards our little town of Six Lakes, but it was invisible to everyone else. This is when I learned that most people will always reject a message of warning!

In the course of my studies, I learned that those who control the currency of a nation also control its political and financial policies. This is done by having all political parties subservient to their financial masters. In America the financial masters are the owners of the Federal Reserve Board. Thus, political elections are like having all of the horses in a race owned by the same person. I came to view the two political parties in America like a snake with two heads. Thus, it made no difference which political party won an election! The agenda of their owners would be followed.

In the spring of 1974, I learned of a cashless and checkless medium of exchange for all goods and services that was planned by the financial masters of the world. I obtained a 16 mm copy of a film produced by Cuna Mutual Insurance Company that showed how this system would work by use of a plastic card. This movie was obsolete upon its completion since losing or having this plastic card stolen could cause the financial ruin of its owner. In the fall of 1974, I read an article in a trade magazine for the banking industry, where it was advocated that a microchip be used instead of a plastic card. It would be placed into the body of its user. This would eliminate the possibility of loss or theft. All financial accounts would be electronically posted, and updated instantly by computers using the personal information initially programmed into each microchip.

Of course, for this new cashless and checkless medium of exchange to be accepted, all paper money or currency will have to first be ‘devalued’ and discredited. This will lead to economic chaos on a worldwide scale, and cause this new medium of exchange to be accepted by people willing to have a microchip implanted into their body. There will be many advantages to this new system of world commerce. It will prevent the loss of money and assets due to accident, theft, bad checks or stolen credit cards. It will stop illegal aliens from entering a country and criminals from leaving. False identification will become a thing of the past, along with identity theft. Fraudulent use of government programs such as medicare, welfare and food stamps will end along with income tax evasion, the illegal sale of drugs and secret bank accounts. The ‘underground economy’ will cease to be a viable method of exchange. It will also lead to worldwide bondage!

I learned afterward, that the Holy Bible had prophesied of such a system of doing business more than 1,900 years ago (Rev. 13:16-17). It also told of the penalty for those who had this computer chip be implanted in their body so they could buy or sell, goods and services. (Rev. 14:9-11) The Holy Bible calls this microchip the “. . . mark of the beast . . . .” (Rev. 16:2) The ‘beast’ is a man from the nation of Italy (Dan. 9:26) and he will be the President of the European Union! This man will rule over all of the nations of the world through the use of this new medium of exchange during the 2,520 days that precede the ‘Second Coming’ of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth.

By the spring of 1975, I had become a fatalist. There was nothing that I or anyone else could do to prevent what I knew was eventually going to take place. I did those things necessary to survive a runaway inflation and economic collapse by divesting myself of illiquid investments like real estate. I became a ‘survivalist’ like many others during that time. I bought gold, silver, guns, ammunition and dehydrated food to help protect and provide for my family. But I was not hopeful of my family and I being able to live for long after a financial collapse, followed by a war and being under a dictatorship. Also, living without freedom, and being in fear of somebody taking what I had, held little appeal for me and added to my hopeless state of mind.

It was in May 1975, while on our weekly Friday trip for groceries at Meijer’s Thrifty Acres in Greenville, Michigan, that my wife and I followed our regular routine. She went with the kids for groceries and I went to the book section. It was there that a book entitled, There’s a New World Coming, a ‘prophetic odyssey’ by a guy named Hal Lindsey caught my eye. I can remember, as if it were yesterday, the words that went through my mind as I held this book in my hand. Those words were, “What has this clown got to say about the future? There is no future!” I bought the book and read it that night while my family slept.

This book was an exposition of the ‘Book of Revelation.’ I was raised as a Roman Catholic, therefore, I knew nothing about the Holy Bible or of Bible Prophecy. As I read of the prophecies that had been fulfilled and those yet to be, I learned that what I had determined about the future had been prophesied in the Holy Bible along with much more. Knowing he was right in my subjects of study and interest, which were economics and politics, I had to conclude that Lindsey must also be right in his subject of study and interest - Bible Prophecy. He believed that our generation would see the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and I was convinced that he was right! After eighteen months of fearing what was to happen in the near future, I had a new hope.

The next day I loaded my wife and kids into our car and drove sixty miles to Grand Rapids where Zondervan Publishers had an outlet book store. It was there I purchased, Satan is Alive and Well on Planet Earth, The Late Great Planet Earth, and The Liberation of Planet Earth, all of which were authored by Hal Lindsey. I read each of these books on succeeding nights while my family was sleeping. I thought The Liberation of Planet Earth would be the least interesting so it was the last one I read. How ironic that it was the book that brought me to my knees. In this book, Hal Lindsey clearly and simply explained the ‘Person’ and ‘Work’ of the Lord Jesus Christ, which I had never understood as a Roman Catholic. It was while reading this book, that I came to understand and appreciate just how much God loves me! It was His love for me that caused the Lord Jesus Christ to come and pay the penalty that I deserved for all of my transgressions against a holy God. Even if everyone else in the world were perfect and sinless, the Lord Jesus Christ would have still done everything the same - just for me. I was amazed at that discovery.

It was the love of God for me that broke my heart and caused me to kneel by my coffee table in the middle of the night, while my family was sleeping, and asked the Lord Jesus Christ to be my personal Savior. It was then that I accepted His free gift of salvation for the forgiveness of ‘all’ my sins by simply believing and trusting that what He had done, was for me personally and was sufficient to save me. I was spiritually ‘reborn’ that night and became a new creation in Christ. The fear that I had lived with during the previous eighteen months left me. I had peace of mind with hope and excitement for the future instead. I would not see all that I knew was to happen!

The next night I read the Gospel of Matthew for the first time and I became a student of the Holy Bible. I ordered a number of audio books by Hal Lindsey, Walter Martin and Chuck Smith. These men were my first Bible teachers by way of those tape recordings. Several weeks later, I prayed to God that He use me and what I had accumulated in whatever way He desired, and to allow me to be a ‘disciple’ of the Lord Jesus Christ. God honored my request! My family and I began to attend a small independent fundamental Bible church where I learned of the New Scofield Study Bible and the ‘Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music.’ I left my real estate agency and enrolled in this school in August 1975, three months after my conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ. My reasons for doing so was that I simply ‘knew’ God wanted me to go to Bible school, I needed to learn from the Holy Bible, and I had to turn away from my ‘idolatry’ of real estate.

The decision I made to leave my real estate agency caused my family and I to suffer financial hardship and humiliation for many years. As a result of being unable to find stable employment, I lost all that I had gained and been so intent on retaining. It was ironic that my great success in rural real estate proved to be a handicap when job hunting. My reasons for leaving an extremely successful business was difficult for potential employers to comprehend. My family and I left Michigan and moved back to Chicago in December 1977. The consistent rejection from employers during the next six years caused me to lose my own self-respect and the respect of my wife, who filed for divorce in August 1984. I never blamed her for doing that since I was responsible for all that we had lost and suffered. My loss of position, possessions, and sense of purpose had been heartbreaking, but nothing crushed me like when I lost my wife and my kids!

Though at times I gave up on God, He never gave up on me and would call me back to Him. I am so thankful to God for His love, mercy and faithfulness. I believe that God gave me a job by way of a packaging and shipping store I opened in 1986, and managed until 1998. Through the ‘I’m sorry’ years, I would remind myself that God never stopped loving me, and relate to Lazarus the beggar. Also, the hope of the ‘Rapture,’ has been a constant encouragement to me. The way God worked in my life to get my attention was a miracle. Otherwise, like most people, I would never have paid any heed to the ‘Good News’ of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amazing grace? Indeed it is!