Vital Lessons From The Biblical Text (English & Chinese)

PREFACE

Contained in the book are a series of articles written by various authors who have a great interest in the Word of God. The authors have many years of diligent study and teaching of the Biblical text. "Vital Lessons From the Biblical Text," contains informative information relative to God, The Bible, Salvation and the Lord’s church. This material is printed in both English and Chinese with the hopes of helping people in different languages in their personal Bible studies.

Many thanks are expressed to all who helped in translating, typing, proofing, making suggestions and financially supporting of this work. May God be gloried and souls be saved and edified by these efforts. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen (Ephesians 3:20–21).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION ONE GOD

THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

GOD – HE IS THE CREATOR

THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

WHY IS CHRIST CALLED THE BRANCH

SECTION TWO THE BIBLE

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

GOD’S CREATION OF HEAVEN, EARTH, AND THE SEA

A GLOBAL, CATASTROPHIC FLOOD

UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE: FIGURES OF SPEECH

SECTION THREE SALVATION

JESUS IS OUR SAVIOR

SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN CHRIST

FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD

REPENTANCE

DOES BAPTISM SAVE

THE NEW BIRTH

YOU CAN BE SURE OF SALVATION

SECTION FOUR THE CHURCH

HOW TO FIND THE TRUE CHURCH

COME AND SEE ABOUT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

THE LORD’S CHURCH IS DIFFERENT

THE GREATNESS OF THE CHURCH

INTRODUCTION

From whence did man come? Why is he here? Where is he going? Is this life all there is to our existence, or does mankind continue to live after he passes from his earthly life?

Is there are God? If there is a God, what are some of His attributes? Has God communicated with mankind? If he has communicated, what means did He use to communicate? Can man have fellowship with God? Does man need salvation? How is man saved? Is it possible for one to be sure he is saved? Finally, did Jesus Christ build His church? If Jesus did built His church, how can one find that church today? These are some important questions this book seeks to answer. The book is divided into four small sections that will discuss these matters. It is hoped the reader will benefit from its study.

SECTION ONE

GOD

THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

B. B. Brother

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God (John 6:69).

Introduction:

In a world where uncertainties exist, it is encouraging to know that we can be sure about some things. In fact, it is absolutely essential that we are sure about some matters. Even in every day affairs, we need to be sure about various matters. One needs to be sure he is taking food into his body that will nourish and strengthen him rather than poison that would harm and possibly kill him. Some have taken a contradictory and absurd position that one cannot know anything for sure. To such an one advocating this position, we simply ask, Are you sure that one cannot know anything for sure? If he answers yes, then he has demonstrated that his position is false - because he knows that one cannot know (a contradiction). If he answers no, then he has demonstrated that he doesn’t know that his position is true, and consequently one may indeed know some things.

It is important to realize that one doesn’t have to know everything to know something. A person can know that a certain liquid is milk without knowing of the whole process of how a cow produces milk. Also one can know certain matters relative to God, His Word, Salvation, etc., without knowing everything in the Bible.

ONE CAN KNOW WHETHER OR NOT GOD EXISTS

There is nothing more important than being certain about the existence of God. Either there is a God or there is not a God. There is no middle of the road on this proposition. Atheists affirm they know there is no God. Theists affirm there is a God. Which position is correct? Can we be sure? Let’s examine some of the compelling evidences of God’s existence.

From where does life come?

There are only two possibilities to explain the existence of life. (1) Life came from dead matter, or (2) Life came from life. If one takes the position that life came from dead matter, he then has to ask, From where did this matter come? Is dead matter eternal? No. There are scientific evidences which prove that dead matter is not eternal (things wear out and/or run down, which proves they had a beginning and therefore are not eternal).

Scientifically, we know that life comes from life. The law of Bio-genesis shows that life comes only from life. Human beings, animals, and plants do not come from dead matter. There must be life for life to exist. Since life comes only from life, then life must have always existed. If there had ever been a time when life did not exist, there would be no life now. Yet, life does exist which proves that life must have always existed. When one studies life he realizes that not only must have life always existed, but it must have been intelligent life. For example, when one studies the complexity of the human body (its cellular makeup, respiratory system, skeleton system, circulatory system, etc., etc.), he understands that there must have been an intelligent Life that created human life.

Not only does one know that life produces life, but also life produces after its own kind. Human beings always produce human beings. Every couple depends on this law of reproduction. They know when they decide to have children that their offspring will in fact be human. Human couples do not produce cats, dogs, or other animals as their offspring. Likewise cats and dogs do not produce humans. They never have and they never will! Why is this the case? It is because everything produces after its own kind. This being true then evolution cannot be true because it requires one specie to produce a completely different specie. Dogs will never produce humans and vice versa.

The Bible gives us the answer on the origin of human, animal and plant life. It is in complete harmony with science - that life comes from life and therefore life has always existed. The intelligent Being Who has always existed is GOD. The Bible states; "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God (Psa. 90:2). The Bible also informs us that God created all things. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Gen. 1:1). By reading all of Genesis chapter one a person learns that God created everything in six days. The method by which He created the world is His Word – By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth" (Psa. 33:6). And,

"For he spake, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast" (Psa. 33:9).

God also created things to reproduce after their own kind. "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good" (Gen. 1:11-12).

Does every house have a builder?

If one were stranded on an island and came across a simple straw hut, he would know that someone had been there. Straw huts do not build themselves. A watch implies a maker. A house implies a builder. Likewise this world requires a Creator. The writer of the Book of Hebrews, expressed it this way – "For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God (Heb. 3:4). A person can examine the amazing world in which we live and stand in wonder at this great world. Astronomers and Marine-Biologists are amazed at this great world including its universe and oceans. The writer of Psalms declared – The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof" (Psa. 19:1-6). The heavens above, including its sun, moon and stars declare God’s glory! This fact is universally perceived.

Paul, an apostle stated; "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" (Rom. 1:20). A person can look at the creation and know there has to be a Creator! This world did not create itself anymore than a house built itself.

Who is God?

There is one God - "But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. (1Cor. 8:6). The word God" denotes Deity. There is but one Deity. There are three persons who posses the one Divine nature. There is God, the Father (Mat. 6:9), God the Son- Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3) and God the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4)

God is omniscient (all knowing). "O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it "(Psa. 139:1-6).

God is omnipresent (every where at the same time). "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee" (Psa. 139:7-12).

God is omnipotent (all powerful). "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect (Gen. 17:1). Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son" (Gen. 18:14).

God is holy. "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1Peter 1:15-16).

God is love. "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love" (1John 4:8).

God is near to all. "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us" (Acts 17:24-27).

God is compassionate. "But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath" (Psa. 78:38).

God is ready to forgive those who call upon Him. "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee" (Psa. 86:5).

CREATION

B. B. Brother

INTRODUCTION

The God of the Bible has many Divine Attributes each of which would be very worthy of our study. All people should know as much about God as He has revealed in His Word, the Bible. When one reads the very first verse of God’s Word, he learns that God is the Creator - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1–2). Immediately, God introduces Himself as the Creator. Space and matter were brought into existence by God creating (bara) them. The context shows that God brought material into existence and consequently it (matter) is not eternal. Only God can bring something into existence out of nothing. This is exactly what He did in the creation. Not only did God create matter, but He also made objects from that which He had created (example – making man from the dust of the ground which He created).

Genesis chapter one is God-centered. The word God is found thirty-two times out of the thirty-one verses in this chapter. One will notice such statements as God created, God said, God saw, God called, God made, etc. The very first verse of the Bible not only introduces one to God, but it also refutes many false philosophies of man.

(1) It refutes atheism, because the universe was created by God.

(2) It refutes pantheism, for God is transcendent to that which He created.

(3) It refutes materialism, for matter had a beginning.

(4) It refutes dualism, because God was alone when He created.

(5) It refutes humanism, because God, not man, is the ultimate reality.

(6) It refutes evolutionism, because God created all things. (Morris, 38).

Both the Hebrew and English words for God have the root idea of One Whom is to be worshipped. Moses wrote;

And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments (Exodus 20:1–7).

When one realizes that the word ‘Elohim in Genesis 1:1 denotes a worshipful being, the only worshipful being, a being of all dignity and honor and authority, a being able out of nothing to create worlds and man, then a feeling of appreciation fills man’s heart, and he wants to show respect and adoration toward his God. ‘Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before Jehovah our Maker, for he is our God (McCord, 11).

EVERY HOUSE IS BUILDED BY SOME MAN

In order to illustrate the greatness of Jesus Christ, the Hebrews writer stated; "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God" (Hebrews 3:1–4).

Anyone, with the ability to reason, knows the validity of the above statement – every house is built by some man. A house does not build itself and the one who builds the house is greater than the house itself. It takes intelligence and ability to construct a house. While one might enjoy and appreciate the greatness of a magnificent building, he knows that it took someone of great intelligence to draw the blueprints and formulate the construction of the building. Likewise, one should be able to see and stand amazed at the world, its order, its creatures, and know there is someone of great intelligence and ability behind the design and construction of this world.

.

Bob Winton makes the following observations:

There are many clear indications of design in our world, including the following:

The delicate balance of nature.

The earth tilted to the exact degree to prevent extremes of heat and cold.

The earth being the right distance from the sun, and rotating at the proper rate.

The moon being the right distance from the earth to stir the oceans by causing tides, without allowing the tides to cover the earth.

Unlike other things, water expands when it freezes; it becomes lighter and forms on the surface of the body of water, otherwise it would sink, killing marine life. Forming at the top, it produces a layer of insulation to keep the water below from freezing, thus preserving aquatic life.

There are many cases in nature where reproduction of certain species of life requires cooperation between individuals of different species…. A certain type of wasp will catch a grasshopper, sting it in just the right place to cause it to be paralyzed, but not dead, so it can live on as a form of food. Then the wasp will put the grasshopper in the proper place, lay her eggs beside it, so that her offspring will hatch and feast on the hopper without killing the insect upon which they feed. The mother never sees her offspring. The first wasp must have done it right the first time or else there would be none of them around today! Only through God's design could this wasp have lived (Commentary, NP).

"The heavens declare