Excerpt from the Open Bible " Knowing God’s Word" through to "Recognizing God’s Institutions"

 

Knowing God’s Word

Synopsis

Christians should know the Bible for many reasons, but the primary one is because God is its Author. All Bible students know that God is Creator (Gen. 1:1), Redeemer (Is. 60:16), and Judge (Gen. 18:25), but do we think of Him as the Author of the Bible? Human writers feel it vital that we read their books; it is much more important that we read God’s Book, the Bible.

About fourteen centuries before Christ, our Bible had its beginnings in the Sinai desert. In this arid place, God spoke to Moses, who had once been a prince in Egypt and was nearly 120 years old at the time. At the Lord’s command, Moses picked up his pen and began writing Scripture’s first five books, Genesis through Deuteronomy. More than 1,500 years later, the divine manuscript was completed on a lonely, windswept island in the Mediterranean Sea by a former fisherman, John the apostle. From Genesis through Revelation there are sixty-six divinely inspired books. Over the centuries, approximately forty authors—representing varied backgrounds and writing styles—served as channels for God’s Word. Yet, in spite of these variations in time and talent, the completed work displays a marvelous historical, theological, geographical, topical, and biographical unity.

The Bible’s practical benefits for us may well be summarized under two headings: knowing and growing. The Bible proclaims the good news of the gospel that we might know God; it explains the will of God that all of us may grow spiritually before Him.

Scripture also reveals our place within God’s program and answers crucial questions pertaining to our origin, purpose, and destiny. Because God has revealed His unchanging truths, the Christian faith provides real answers and guidance to every generation. Although we cannot grasp how individual events fit into God’s program (Eccl. 11:5), we can understand God’s basic plan in order to come to know and serve Him. Few joys can compare with realizing our places in God’s program and working to fulfill our destinies.

Organization

1. How God’s Word Came to Us

Revelation of God’s Word—Deut. 29:29

Inspiration of God’s Word—Is. 59:21

Illumination of God’s Word—Prov. 6:23

2. What God’s Word Does

God’s Word Convicts—Neh. 8:9

God’s Word Corrects—Ps. 17:4

God’s Word Cleanses—Ps. 119:9

God’s Word Confirms—John 8:31

God’s Word Equips—Prov. 22:21

3. How We Benefit from God’s Word

We Know God Through His Word—Dan. 11:32

We Know God’s Will Through His Word—Ps. 40:8

4. What God’s Word Tells Us About God’s Program

God’s Work in the Past—Deut. 32:7

God’s Work in Our Lives—Ps. 139:14

God’s Work in the Church—Eph. 1:22, 23

God’s Work in the Future—Matt. 25:31, 32

5. What God’s Word Tells Us About God’s Covenants

The Edenic Covenant—Gen. 2:15–17

The Adamic Covenant—Gen. 3:14–21

The Noahic Covenant—Gen. 9:1–19

The Abrahamic Covenant—Gen. 12:1–3

The Mosaic Covenant—Ex. 19:5–8

The Palestinian Covenant—Deut. 29:10–15; 30:11–20

The Davidic Covenant—2 Sam. 7:4–17

The New Covenant—Jer. 31:31–34

Understanding God’s Being

Synopsis

The Bible reveals the nature of God as spirit, unity, and trinity. He is a spirit—a personal, infinite being (John 4:24); He is one—one in substance or nature and incapable of being divided into separate parts (Deut. 6:4); and He is three—eternally existing in three coequal Persons (Matt. 28:19). While great mystery surrounds God’s nature, it is reassuring to know that our God is above us.

God’s attributes are merely words we use to describe how God is and how He acts toward us. Among these attributes are love, holiness, constancy, justice, truth, eternalness, omniscience (all-knowledge), omnipresence (all-presence), and omnipotence (all-powerfulness). The fact that we can grasp and understand this much about God is evidence of God’s desire that all peoples may know Him.

The word “Father” is variously applied in the Bible. When God is spoken of as the Father of all humankind, it is as Creator; as the Father of Christ, it expresses an eternal, unique relationship; as the Father of believers, it denotes a relationship established by grace; and as Father of Israel, it indicates a bond established by covenant. However “Father” is used, it is a deliberately chosen word to communicate one of the primary ways God wants us to conceive of Him.

The title “Son of God” is one that Jesus never directly applied to Himself; but when others applied it to Him, Jesus willingly accepted it as a claim to His own deity (John 10:24–38). Jesus often referred to Himself as “the Son,” which was certainly an abbreviation for “the Son of God.” Because Jesus was the Son of God, we have confidence that He spoke with the authoritative words of God. The Son of God also accepted the role of Lamb of God in order to die in the place of sinners and provide forgiveness of sins for all who believe. It can be said that as our relationship with the Son of God determines whether we will become Christians, our relationship with the Spirit of God determines what kind of believers we will be.

Organization

6. God the Father

God the Father of All—Mal. 2:10

God the Father of Christ—Matt. 3:17

God the Father of Believers—Rom. 8:15

7. The Son of God

The Person of the Son of God—Is. 9:6

The Earthly Life of the Son of God—John 10:10

The Ministry of the Son of God—Mark 10:45

The Lamb of God—Is. 53:7

8. The Holy Spirit

The Person of the Holy Spirit—Eph. 4:3

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Salvation—Titus 3:5

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Christian Living—1 Cor. 6:19

9. The Trinity

Unity of the Trinity—Gen. 1:26

Persons of the Trinity—2 Cor. 13:14

Interaction Within the Trinity—Eph. 1:4, 7, 13

Understanding Other Spirit Beings

Synopsis

At some point before God created the heavens and the earth He created a class of spirit beings known in the Bible as angels. A large number of these beings were created, and their primary purposes were to worship and serve God. There seems to be some organization among angels with seraphim, cherubim, and archangels having status above the others.

Apparently still before the creation of the universe, perhaps a third of the angels rebelled against God in support of a chief angel named Lucifer who desired to usurp God’s power and glory. These fallen angels lost their heavenly position. They continue to oppose God’s purposes however they can.

Good angels serve as messengers from God to humankind and minister to Christians as God directs them. They may protect or guide us. They may be agents of punishment for unbelievers. Since angels are spirit beings, most of their activity escapes notice, but biblical stories show they are capable of being visible and audible.

The fallen angels serve Satan as they attempt to frustrate the plans of God. There is an unseen spiritual struggle between good and fallen angels. Christians also engage in spiritual warfare against them by resisting temptation and obeying God’s Word. After the Last Judgment, Satan and his angels will be consigned forever to the lake of fire.

Organization

10. Angels

Angels: Spirit Beings—Ps. 104:4

Angels: Messengers and Servants—Heb. 1:14

Angels: Interaction with Humans—Dan. 6:22

11. Demons

Demons: Fallen Angels—Rev. 12:9

Demons: Relation to Satan—Matt. 12:24

Demons: Interaction with Humans—Luke 11:24–26

12. Satan

Satan: Fall of Satan—Is. 14:12–15

Satan: Role in Fall of Humans—John 8:44

Satan: Strategies of Satan—2 Cor. 2:11

Satan: Destiny of Satan—Matt. 25:41

Beginning the New Life

Synopsis

Human beings are by nature sinful and need the righteousness of God. We must be separated from sin and set apart to righteousness. If we are to approach God, we must do so on God’s terms—we must have new lives in which our sins have been forgiven and obliterated.

It is one thing to be convinced of the need for the new life, but it is an entirely different thing to acquire the new life. When we are “saved,” we are said to be new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17); to have passed from death to life (John 5:24); to have been transferred from the rule of darkness to the kingdom of God’s Son (Col. 1:13); to have been born again (John 3:3); and to have been adopted by God (Gal. 4:4, 5). These wonderful results of having new life in Christ are offered freely to all who trust in Christ for salvation.

One of the most thrilling benefits of finding new life in Christ is “everlasting [eternal] life.” We enter a new, personal relationship with God that gives us a fullness of spiritual vitality, and this new life is a gift that will never die. God can accomplish a life-changing transformation for all who truly believe in Christ. Once we are reconciled to God through Christ, we discover a basis for reconciliation to people around us who formerly seemed our bitter enemies.

Organization

13. Need for the New Life

Holiness of God—Is. 6:3

Adam’s Sin—Gen. 3:6, 7

Individual Sin—Eccl. 7:20

14. Way to the New Life

New Life: A Free Gift—Rom. 6:23

New Life: Based on Christ’s Death—Col. 1:22

New Life: Received by Faith—Acts 16:31

15. Results of the New Life

Everlasting Life—John 5:24

New Nature—2 Cor. 5:17

Christ’s Righteousness—Is. 61:10

Placed into God’s Family—1 John 3:2

Reconciliation Between Enemies—Acts 10:14, 15

Empowered by God—Acts 1:8

16. Assurance of the New Life

Promise of God—Titus 1:2

Witness of the Spirit—1 John 3:24

Changed Life—1 Cor. 6:11

Growing in the New Life

Synopsis

Bible reading, memorization, meditation, study, and obedience form the foundation for Christian growth. The adage is ever true: “Sin will keep you from God’s Word, or God’s Word will keep you from sin.”

Prayer may be the most neglected element of growth. Prayer is talking with and listening to God. We talk to Him with our lips and heart, and He tells us His will through His Word. Prayer is a two-way conversation. Spiritual maturity depends on systematic prayer.

Worship is a third essential to spiritual growth. Worship involves honoring God, engaging in private and public devotion, and joyfully witnessing for the Lord. Christians who submit to the lordship of Christ in reverence and service will grow in their spiritual lives.

The Bible describes the Christian life as a “walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16). Walking pictures the step-by-step character of the spiritual life. Living by the Spirit’s power is a moment-by-moment yielding to His will that results in a display of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23). Walking in the Spirit involves confession of sin, yielding to God, and being controlled by the Spirit.

Organization

17. Bible Study

Reading God’s Word—Neh. 8:3

Memorizing God’s Word—Job 22:22

Meditating upon God’s Word—Josh. 1:8

Obedience to God’s Word—Deut. 31:12

18. Prayer

Praise—Ps. 150:1

Confession—1 John 1:9

Petition—1 Sam. 1:17

Thanksgiving—Phil. 4:6

Commitment—Prov. 16:3

19. Stewardship

Using Spiritual Gifts—1 Cor. 12:1–10

Serving—Gal. 5:13

Giving—2 Cor. 9:6–8

20. Worship

The Meaning of Worship—1 Chr. 16:29

The Expressions of Worship—Heb. 13:15

The Reasons for Worship—2 Chr. 7:3

21. Participation in the Local Church

Definition of the Local Church—Rom. 16:5

The Reason for Participation in the Local Church—Heb. 10:25

Benefits of Participation in the Local Church—Acts 2:42–47

22. Sharing Our Faith

Sharing Our Faith: Why?—Matt. 28:19

Sharing Our Faith: What?—1 Cor. 15:3, 4

Sharing Our Faith: How to Prepare—Ezra 7:10

Sharing Our Faith: How to Do It—1 Thess. 1:5

Sharing Our Faith: When?—2 Tim. 4:2

23. Walking in the Spirit

Walking in the Spirit: Confession—Ps. 73:1

Walking in the Spirit: Yielding—Rom. 12:1, 2

Walking in the Spirit: Filling—Eph. 5:18

Facing Problems in the New Life

Synopsis

Just as we have problems in our physical lives, we also experience problems in our spiritual or new lives. Facing and conquering difficulties cause us to grow and be strengthened, whether our problems are physical or spiritual. As we grow in our new strength, we bring glory to God as He demonstrates His faithfulness and that His grace is sufficient for every need (2 Cor. 12:9). Some of the problems that are common in the new life are sin, temptation, doubt, suffering, and knowing the will of God.

Organization

24. Sin

What Sin Is—Ps. 51:2

What Sin Does—Is. 59:2

What Should Be Done About Sin—Ps. 32:5

25. Temptation

Temptation by the World—1 John 2:15

Temptation by the Flesh—Mark 14:38

Temptation by Satan—1 Chr. 21:1

26. Doubt

Occasions of Doubt—Lam. 5:20

Sources of Doubt—Hab. 1:2

Cure for Doubt—1 Kin. 18:21

27. Suffering

Kinds of Suffering—1 Pet. 3:17

Purposes of Suffering—Job 2:7

Responses to Suffering—Job 1:21

Examples of Suffering—Jer. 37:15

28. Knowing the Will of God

Knowing the Will of God Through the Scriptures—2 Kin. 23:3

Knowing the Will of God Through Prayer and Fasting—Dan. 9:3, 4

Knowing the Will of God Through Submission to the Spirit—Is. 6:8

Knowing the Will of God Through Circumstances and Counsel—Prov. 24:6

 

Recognizing God’s Institutions

Synopsis

God gave humanity four basic institutions: the family, human government, Israel, and the church. It may be observed that each of these institutions demonstrates a characteristic or attribute of God.

• The family illustrates the unity of God (Gen. 2:24; Deut. 6:4).

• Human government illustrates the judgment of God (Rom. 13:1, 2).

• Israel illustrates the election of God (Rom. 9:1–18; 11:1–5).

• The church illustrates the love of God (Eph. 5:22–27).

The family was the first institution God created. Through the family God illustrates the complex relationships that exist in the Trinity and the loving relationship between Christ and His church. He created all the heavens and the earth and the things in them that they might prepare the way for and sustain the crown of His creation—humanity.

God’s purpose in human government is that it serve as both a custodian and an enforcer of His eternal law. It has been correctly noted that all the thousands of good and practical laws passed by hundreds of legislative bodies and rulers throughout history are in reality only amplifications of the Ten Commandments.

God’s selection of Israel as a special nation may puzzle the Bible student, but His choice becomes obvious through study. When God promised Abraham that he would become the father of a great nation, He also promised that He would bless all peoples through that nation (Gen. 12:1–3). Israel was to be a channel of blessing as well as a recipient.

The church, illustrating God’s love for us, is the fourth institution through which God works. The universal church—the Body of Christ (Col. 1:18)—comprises all believers since the institution of the church.

Organization

29. The Family

How the Family Began—Gen. 2:18–25

Three Essentials for a Christian Home—Deut. 6:4–9

The Role of the Wife—1 Pet. 3:1–6

The Role of the Husband—Col. 3:19

The Role of Children—Prov. 1:8

The Role of the Parents—Eph. 6:4

A Prescription for Rearing Children—Prov. 22:6

30. Human Government

The Origin of Human Government—Gen. 9:5

The Function of Human Government—Rom. 13:1–4

Our Responsibility to Human Government—1 Pet. 2:13

31. Israel

Selection of Israel—Amos 3:2

History of Israel—Ps. 78:4

Purpose of Israel—Deut. 14:2

Government of Israel—1 Chr. 28:4–6

Worship by Israel—Ps. 29:2

32. The Church

The Meaning of the Church—Acts 7:38

The Origin of the Church—Matt. 16:18

The Purpose of the Church—Eph. 3:21

The Offices of the Church—1 Tim. 3:1–13

The Relationship of the Church to Christ—Eph. 5:25–29

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