Church and Salvation

“…You are a member of God’s very owns family …and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.” Ephesians 2:19 (LB).

The key Truths are the Church is Family, and God expects you to be a Member of a church family, and a Christian without a church family is a Contradiction. The Goal is to Commit your life to Christ and to a Church family that is teaching the(Bible!)

“For now we are all children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, and we who…

Revelation:

Revelation is written in the form of apocalyptic literature (cf. Daniel and Zechariah) by a prophet

(10:11; 22:9) and refers to itself as a prophetic book (1:3; 22:7, .l0, l8-.l9). The three major

Movements in this profound unveiling are captured in 1:19: "the things which you have seen"(1); "the things which are" (2-3); and "the things which will take place after this" (4-22).

"The Things Which You Have Seen" (l): Revelation contains a prologue (l: 1 -3)…

Jude:

A surprisingly large number of the Pauline and non-Pauline Epistles confront the problem of false teachers, and almost all of them allude to it. But Jude goes beyond all other New Testament epistles in its relentless and passionate denunciation of the apostate teachers who have "crept in unnoticed" (v. 4). With the exception of its salutation (vv. 1-2) and doxology (vv.24-25), the entire epistle revolves around this alarming problem. Combining the theme of Second Peter with the…

Third John:

Third John is the shortest book in the Bible, but it is very personal and vivid. If offers a stark contrast between two men who respond in opposite ways to the itinerant teachers who have been sent out by the apostle. The faithful Gaius responds with generosity and hospitality, but the faithless Diotrephes responds with arrogance and opposition. Thus, John writes this letter to commend Gaius for walking in the truth (vv. 1-8) and to condemn Diotrephes for walking in error…

Second John:

This brief letter hos much in common with First John, including a warning about the danger of false teachers who deny the incarnation of Jesus Christ. John encourages the readers to continue walking in love but exhorts them to be discerning in their expression of love. Truth without love produces autocratic severity, but love without truth leads to blind sentimentality. Walking in love must not be separated from walking in truth (cf. Eph. 4:l5, "speaking the truth in…

First John:

John writes his first epistle at a time when apostolic doctrine is being challenged by a proliferation of false teachings. Like Second Peter and Jude, First John has a negative and a positive thrust: it refutes erroneous doctrine and encourages its readership to walk in the knowledge of the truth. John lists the criteria and characteristics of fellowship with God and shows that those who abide in Christ can have confidence and assurance before Him. This simply written but…

Second Peter:

Peter wrote his first epistle to encourage his readers to respond properly to external opposition. His second epistle focuses on internal opposition caused by false teachers whose "destructive heresies" (2:1) can seduce believers into error and immorality. While First Peter speaks of the new birth through the living Word, Second Peter stresses the need for growth in the grace and knowledge of Christ. The best antidote for error is a mature understanding of the truth.…

First Peter:

Peter addresses this epistle to "pilgrims” in a world that is growing increasingly hostile to Christians. These believers are beginning to suffer because of their stand for Christ, and Peter uses this letter to give them counsel and comfort by stressing the reality of their living hope in the Lord. By standing firm in the grace of God (5:12) they will be able to endure their "fiery trial" (4:12), knowing that there is a divine purpose behind their pain. This letter…

James:

James is on intensely practical manual on the outworking of true faith in everyday life. lt explores Christian conduct from several perspectives and shifts abruptly from topic to topic. Faith perseveres under trials, resists temptations, responds to the Word, overcomes prejudice, produces good works, controls the tongue, manifests wisdom, submits to God rather thon worldly pleasure, depends on God rather than wealth, and waits patiently for the return of the Lord. Biblical…

Hebrews:

Hebrews stands alone among the New Testament epistles in its style and approach, and it is the only New Testament book whose authorship remains a real mystery. This profound work builds a case for the superiority of Christ through a cumulative argument in which Christ is presented as "better" in every respect. ln His person He is better than the angels, Moses, and Joshua; and in His performance He provides a better priesthood, covenant, sanctuary, and sacrifice. Evidently,…

Philemon:

This briefest of Paul’s epistles (only 334 words in the Greek text) is o model of courtesy, discretion, and loving concern for the forgiveness of one who would otherwise face the sentence of death. This tactful and highly personal letter can be divided into three components: prayer of thanksgiving for Philemon (vv. 1-7); petition of Paul for Onesimus (vv. 8-.l6); promise of Paul to Philemon (vv. 17-25).

Prayer of Thanksgiving for Philemon (vv. I -7): Writing this…

Titus:

Titus, like First Timothy, was written by Paul after his release from Roman imprisonment and was also written to an associate who was given the task of organizing and supervising a large work as an apostolic representative. Paul left Titus on the island of Crete to "set in order the things that are locking, and appoint elders in every city" (l: 5). Not long after Paul’s departure from Crete, he wrote this letter to encourage and assist Titus in his task. lt stresses sound…

Second Timothy:

Paul knows as he writes this final epistle that his days on earth ore quickly drawing to a close. About to relinquish his heavy burdens, the godly apostle seeks to challenge and strengthen his somewhat timid but faithful associate, Timothy, in his difficult ministry in Ephesus. ln spite of Paul’s bleak circumstances, this is o letter of encouragement that urges Timothy on to steadfastness in the fulfillment of his divinely appointed task. Paul calls Timothy a "good…

First Timothy:

Paul’s last three recorded letters, written near the end of his full and fruitful life, were addressed to his authorized representatives Timothy and Titus. These were the only letters Paul wrote exclusively to individuals (Philemon was addressed primarily to its namesake, but also to others), and they were designed to exhort and encourage Timothy and Titus in their ministry of solidifying the churches in Ephesus and Crete. In the eighteenth century, these epistles come…

Second Thessalonians:

This epistle is the theological sequel to First Thessalonians, which developed the theme of the coming day of the Lord (1 Thess. 5:1-1 1). However, not long after the Thessalonians receive that letter, they fall prey to false teaching or outright deception, thinking the day of the Lord has already begun. Paul writes this brief letter to correct the error and also to encourage those believers whose faith is being tested by the difficulties presented by…

First Thessalonians:

After Paul’s forced separation from the Thessalonians, he grows increasingly concerned about the progress of their faith. His great relief upon hearing Timothy’s positive report prompts him to write this warm epistle of commendation, exhortation, and consolation. They are commended for remaining steadfast under afflictions, exhorted to excel still more in their Christian walk, and consoled concerning their loved ones who have died in Christ. The theme of the…

Colossians:

Colossians is perhaps the moose Christ-centered book in the Bible. ln it Paul stresses the preeminence of the person of Christ and the completeness of the salvation He provides, in order to combat o growing heresy that is threatening the church at Colossae. This heresy seeks to devaluate Christ by elevating speculation, ritualism, mysticism, and asceticism. But Christ, the Lord of creation and Head of the body, is completely sufficient for every spiritual and practical…

Philippians:

Philippians is the epistle of joy and encouragement in the midst of adverse circumstances. Paul freely expresses his fond affection for the Philippians, appreciates their consistent testimony and support, and lovingly urges them to center their actions and thoughts on the pursuit of the person and power of Christ. Paul also seeks to correct the problems of disunity and rivalry (2:2-4) and to prevent the problems of legalism and antinomianism (3: l -.I9). Philippians…

Ephesians:

Paul wrote this epistle to make Christians more aware of their position in Christ and to motivate them to draw upon their spiritual source in doily living: "walk worthy of the calling with which you were called" (4:1, see 2:'10). The first half of Ephesians lists the believer's heavenly possessions: adoption, redemption, inheritance, power, life, grace, citizenship, and the love of Christ. There are no imperatives in chapters 1-3, which focus only on divine gifts. But…

Galatians:

The Epistle to the Galatians has been called "the Magna Carta of Christian liberty." lt is Paul’s manifesto of justification by faith, and the resulting liberty. Paul directs this great charter of Christian freedom to a people who are willing to give up the priceless liberty they possess in Christ. The oppressive theology of certain Jewish legalizers has been causing the believers in Galatia to trade their freedom in Christ for bondage to the Law. Paul writes this forceful…