Bible Studies
Introduction
When walking out of a dark room into the sunshine, light can be blinding. As our eyes become accustomed to the light, we can see more clearly and enjoy the scenery that surrounds us. Likewise, when we look into the light of the scriptures, the brightness of truth can sometimes hurt. However, as our spiritual eyesight becomes adjusted we can enjoy "walking in the light".
We believe the scriptures are divinely inspired and, "of no private interpretation" (2 Peter 1:20-21). Therefore, every effort has been made to present the pure Word of God without adding to, or taking away from its teachings (Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:5-6).
This Bible study is designed to allow us to "walk" into the marvelous light of the Word of God. We will be journeying into the scriptures by imagining we are back in the days of Jesus and the Apostles, listening to them teach and preach the plan of salvation. In order to do this, we will be careful to "rightly" divide the word of the truth (2 Timothy 2:15) by concentrating on the highlights of the three main divisions of the New Testament in chronological order, including:
- The Gospels - covering the words and works of Jesus Christ
- The Acts of the Apostles - covering the actions and preaching of the Apostles
- The Epistles - covering the letters written by the Apostles to the churches they started in the Book of Acts.
We believe the scriptures are divinely inspired and, "of no private interpretation" (2 Peter 1:20-21). Therefore, every effort has been made to present the pure Word of God without adding to, or taking away from its teachings (Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:5-6).
It is not our intention to diminish any personal relationship you may have with our Lord. Neither do we desire to convince you of our own personal ideas or the creeds of any denomination. We simply desire to share the truth as it is written. Only by claiming the Bible as our sole authority can any of us be confident of our salvation, for it is the Word of God and not the traditions of men that will judge us all in the end.
Let us read 2 Timothy 3:15-16 as we begin our journey into the Word of God...
Into the Gospels...
John 1:1-5 & 14
Let us continue our journey into the Word of God by seeing what was preached and what happened at Jerusalem...
In the beginning, the Word was God and became flesh. Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God.
John 1:11-13
If we believe in Him and receive Him, Jesus gives us power to become the sons of God by a supernatural birth. He spoke further about this new birth one night to a ruler of the Jews...
John 3:1-8
The Lord told Nicodemus that everyone who wanted to see or enter into the Kingdom of God, must be born again of water and the Spirit.
John 3:16-21
Jesus also told Nicodemus that whosoever believeth in Him should have eternal life. Jesus mentioned two seemingly different requirements for salvation. One is being born again. The other is believing. Yet, this is not a contradiction. The next scripture explains how believing is related to experiencing the birth of the Spirit...
John 7:38-39
Here, we discover that if we believe on Him (according to the Word), we will receive the Spirit. We find that scriptural belief is more than just a change in the way we think. It also results in a scriptural experience.
John 12:35-36 & 42-43
Today, just as in Jesus' day, many believe on Him. But, they will not confess Him for fear of what others will do or say.
John 12:44
In response to their fearfulness, Jesus warns that His Spirit will judge us, so we must be careful not to reject it. Rather, we should believe and obey it... no matter what others say...
John 17:17-20
In Jesus' prayer for his disciples, just before His crucifixion, He said God's Word is truth. He also prayed for us; and for all those who would believe on Him through the Apostles' word.
To find out what the Apostles' word was to be, let us read what Jesus told them to proclaim. The setting of the following great commission scripture in Luke 24:45-49 is just after the Lord's death, burial and resurrection... and just before His ascension into heaven.
"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
- Did the Apostles preach the message Jesus commanded them to proclaim?
- How was the promise of the Father fulfilled?
Let us continue our journey into the Word of God by seeing what was preached and what happened at Jerusalem...
Into The Acts of the Apostles...
Acts 1:3-5
Notice: Acts 2:38 is the fulfillment of the birth requirements Jesus mentioned in John 3:5 that were necessary to enter the Kingdom of God!
Now, let's look at some more examples of people being born again of water and the Spirit as the Word Jesus gave His apostles continued to be preached throughout the Book of Acts...
As we enter the Book of Acts, we discover almost immediately that the promise of the Father is the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:1-17
When the Apostles were at Jerusalem, they, along with many others, were joyously filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance (ability to speak). The amazed onlookers from many nations who heard them speaking with tongues asked, 'What meaneth this?" Then Peter explained the promised coming of the Spirit and went on to preach Christ and the original apostolic plan of salvation.
Acts 2:36-38
When the people who heard Peter's words believed that Jesus Christ was their Lord and Savior, they were sorry for their sins and asked Peter and the Apostles what they should do. Peter replied by preaching the message Jesus commanded to be preached in Luke 24:45-49. In light of this, consider the three elements of the Plan of Salvation that Peter preached in verse 38:
- Repentance
- Remission of Sins Through Baptism in Jesus' Name
- Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost
Notice: Acts 2:38 is the fulfillment of the birth requirements Jesus mentioned in John 3:5 that were necessary to enter the Kingdom of God!
- Water birth = baptism in the name of Jesus Christ!
- Spirit birth = infilling of the Holy Ghost!
Now, let's look at some more examples of people being born again of water and the Spirit as the Word Jesus gave His apostles continued to be preached throughout the Book of Acts...
Phillip Preaching to the Samaritans in Acts 8
Notice: Some people say when they experienced joy; or when they believed in Jesus, or when they were baptized, they were automatically filled with the Holy Ghost. But what does the Word say?
Acts 8:5-8
Did they have great joy?
Acts 8:12
Were they baptized in His name?
Did they believe in Jesus Christ?
Acts 8:14-17
Did they receive the Holy Ghost as a separate and distinct experience?
Peter Preaching to the Gentiles in Acts 10
Notice: Some people say being religious is enough, or that the Spirit-baptism evidenced by tongues was only for the day of Pentecost. If the Bible says this is true, then it is true. But the Word shows us through Cornelius' experience that this is not true... then it is not....
Acts 10:1-2
Was Cornelius a religious man?
Acts 10:5-6
Did God have more for him to do?
Acts 10:44-46
Did they receive the Holy Ghost and speak in tongues after the day of Pentecost?
Acts 10:47-48
Did they still have to be baptized in Jesus' name?
Paul Preaching to John's Disciples in Acts 19
Notice: Many people who are believers have not even heard about the Holy Ghost that is promised to them. Also, some people say it is not necessary to be baptized or re-baptize (if you were baptized by John the Baptist, would you think it would be necessary to be re-baptized using a different baptismal formula?) Others say it does not matter what is spoken when you are baptized. If the Bible indicates it does not matter, then it does not matter...but, what if the Bible shows us it DOES matter?
Acts 19:1-2
They were believers, but had they heard of or received the Holy Ghost?
Acts 19:3-5
Did those baptized by John the Baptist have to be re-baptized in Jesus' name?
Acts 19:6
Was receiving the Holy Ghost accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues?
We have found that the Apostles preached the following message:
...the life of Christ and His death, burial and resurrection
...repentance toward God and belief in Jesus Christ baptism in water by immersion in Jesus' name
...receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (which was accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking with other tongues)
Now, let us read what the Apostles had to say about the message of salvation they proclaimed in the Book of Acts. We can do this by reading the epistles (letters) they wrote to their converts.
Into the Epistles
As we read the Epistles, we will notice how strongly the Apostles felt about the salvation message they preached. Remember, these letters were written to people who had already been born again according to the Book of Acts...
1 Peter 1:22-25
Peter lets us know we purify our souls by obeying the truth through the Spirit and that being born again is the result of the Word, which was preached to them by the Apostles.
1 Peter 4:17-18
Peter further states that judgment will begin at the house of God, and if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the sinner appear? What shall the end be of those who do not obey the gospel?
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
Paul answers by stating that the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that don't know God and don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:6-9
Paul also tells us that some will pervert the gospel of Christ and goes so far as to say that if he, an angel from heaven, or any man preaches any other gospel than that the Apostles preached, let him be accursed.
James 1:21-24
James instructs us to receive the Word and be doers of it, because if we hear the Word and don't obey it, we deceive our own selves.
Conclusion
Do you believe in the truth of God's Word and its power to judge us? Do you believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? Do you accept the necessity of repentance, water baptism in Jesus' name, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost? If so, pray now, asking God to help you experience all that He has for you.
Supplemental Study Scriptures
- Matthew 7:13-24
Jesus tells us to enter the strait gate and beware of false prophets. Not everyone that says, "Lord, Lord," shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of our Father which is in heaven. - Matthew 16:15-19
Peter is given the keys of the kingdom because of his revelation of who Jesus really is. - Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus told the Apostles to go, teach, and baptize all nations. According to Acts 2:38, the name in which they were to baptize is Jesus. - Mark 16:15-18
Jesus said he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. We find this fulfilled in Acts 2:38. Notice that these signs shall follow them that believe: they shall speak with new tongues. - Acts 8:35-39
Philip preached Jesus to the eunuch and baptized him in water. - Acts 10:34-43
Peter preached the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 3:20-21
Peter tells us Noah's salvation through water is a like figure whereunto baptism doth also now save us.