From Death to Life: An Overview of the Foundational Doctrines of the Christian Faith

Copyright © 2012 by John J. Cobb.

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Contents

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1      Holy, Holy, Holy

Chapter 2      What is Sin

Chapter 3      Adam and Eve and the Origin of Sin

Chapter 4      Sin’s Effect on Human Nature

Chapter 5      Election and God’s Plan of Salvation

Chapter 6      Humanity’s Inability to Come to Jesus

Chapter 7      The Foreknowledge and Omniscience of God

Chapter 8      God’s Foreknowledge

Chapter 9      Predestination

Chapter 10      You Must Be Born Again: The Role of the Holy Spirit

Chapter 11      The Second Agent of the New Birth: The Role of God’s Word

Chapter 12      Justification

Chapter 13      Sanctification

Chapter 14      Glorification

Epilog      The Function of the Church

Endnotes

Quotations from John Gill’s Exposition on the Entire Bible are taken from, http://www.e-sword.net, Rick Meyer, Version 9.7.2, copyright 2000-2010.

Quotations from Albert’s Barnes’ Notes on the Bible are taken from, http://www.e-sword.net, Rick Meyer, Version 9.7.2, copyright 2000-2010.

Quotations from Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary are taken from, http://www.e-sword.net, Rick Meyer, Version 9.7.2, copyright 2000-2010.

Quotations from John Calvin’s Institutes are the Henry Beveridge translation, Third Printing (Peabody: Hendrickson, 2011)

Quotations from The Complete Works of Josephus are the Wm. Whiston translation (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1960, 1978, 1981)

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quoted from the Holy Bible: King James Version (KJV) copyright 1989 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Nashville, Tennessee.

Cover artwork and graphics Sin and Temptation and From one lump by Kristine Cotterman of Exodus Design. For more information on Exodus Design, please visit their website at: http://www.Exodusdesigns.com

Map of Ancient Near East from Syosset Central School District Curriculum: Global History 9E. For additional information, please visit their website at: http://homework.syossetistops.org/userimages/jcalabria/Maps/Ancient_Near_East.jpg

Rendition of Solomon’s Temple taken from Crystalinks, Metaphysics and Science Website. For additional information, Please visit her website at: http://www.crystalinks.com/kingsofisrael.html

Preface

One of the most shattering experience in any person life is the realization that everything they had been taught was a lie! This was my experience when I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior at the age of twelve. Like Luther’s quest for the true meaning of justification, I longed to know more about the Lord Jesus Christ and the tremendous change that had come over me. Unfortunately, my desire remained unfilled because Christian education in my church, whether in Sunday school or weekly bible studies, lacked content and quality in the area of biblical doctrine.

To be fair, this was not entirely our teachers’ fault, since they were a product of their time and circumstances that came with unique challenges of their own. Though I was saved in a small church in a small town in Alabama, I moved to the south side of Chicago in the early 60’s, where I spent my teenage years. Like many churches in the inner city, ours did not have the luxury of having the best teaching aids, curriculum, or teachers for our Sunday school. As a result, we were not exposed to the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith in their purest form. Therefore, biblical literacy in this area was lacking, or not as strong as it needed to be in many churches during that period.

Unfortunately, this left young people like myself prime candidates for the popular cult of that time; the Jehovah Witnesses. Without a proper understanding of the basic doctrines of Christianity, such as; who is God, who is Christ and what does it mean to be saved, I was easily drawn into this cult when the opportunity presented itself.

At that time, I welcomed my relationship with the Jehovah Witnesses, because I viewed their teachings as a medium of learning more about God and his word. For three years, I sat under their teachings, attended their halls, and received instructions from their Bible and periodicals about God, his kingdom and the life he has for us; yet my soul felt unfulfilled and strangely empty. It wasn’t until the end of my third year with them that God revealed to me, they were not Christians at all; but wolves in sheep clothing. I could not believe how easily they had deceived, and indoctrinated me in a gospel contrary to the New Testament; mainly, denying the deity of Jesus Christ and his redemptive work (Galatians 1:6)!

The reason many cults, such as the Jehovah Witnesses, are able to deceive and indoctrinate young Christians (and adults) so easily, is because they are not grounded doctrinally. In other words, there was nothing unusual about my thirst for biblical knowledge as an adolescent! The bible makes it clear that once we’re born again, our natural tendency is to yearn for God’s Word (I Peter 2:2). Unfortunately, the Devil is well aware of this fact and therefore, thrilled when newly converted men and women, boys and girls are deprived of the deeper truths and principles found only in God’s Word!

Though this book is one among millions on the great doctrines of the Christian faith, I believe it to be unique in two ways. First, it is written to the Christian who find themselves in the same situation as I was when the Lord saved me; seeking to know and understand the magnificence, glory, and wondrous love of our God. In a sense, it is written to laymen from a layman’s perspective.

Second, as I see it, the Church has become more concerned about solving social and economic problems than teaching the fundamental doctrines of our faith. As a result, many Christians are poorly equipped to defend their faith against the teachings of cults and false teachers.

While there does exist a need to tackle social and economic injustice, these were never meant to be the church’s central focus. Her focus and message, regardless of race or denomination, must always be Christ centered! When this focus is vague, lost, or compromised, the effectiveness of the Church to be salt and light to a lost and dying world is severely hampered, or at best ineffective!

The doctrines and principles given in God’s Word are essential to the spiritual well-being of each Christian and finally the Universal Church. When writing to Titus, Paul tells him to teach ‘sound doctrine’ (Titus 1:9). The Greek word translated as ‘sound’ in Titus 1:9 means healthy. Paul’s argument to Titus (and us through him) is this: since Jesus Christ chose Christians to manifest himself to the world; Christians must develop themselves through ‘sound doctrine’!

In essence, God has given the world three things. First, He gave his only begotten Son Jesus Christ to save the world from their sin (Matthew 1:21; John 3:16). Second, he gave to the world the Universal Church to live in unity in and among them in order that the world might see his love for them. Finally, he gave the words of life to Christians in the form of the Holy Bible, so they could tell sinners the good news of his saving grace and mercy. All three are made possible only by and through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Included throughout this book are; diagrams, graphics and illustrations to help bring out the truths of what I believe to be key doctrines every Christian should be familiar with. Additionally, books of the Bible are spelled out in order to avoid confusing books with similar names and to assist those who may not be familiar with abbreviated names.

The reader will note that phrases, statements and truths are stated in one chapter and repeated in another. This is intentional and designed to connect, explain, or help the reader better understand how one doctrine relates to another. For example, truths discussed in the chapter on sin are also discussed in the chapter involving Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden. This is done to help clarify the role sin played in their disobedience of God’s command. To further highlight the meanings of doctrines contained in this writing, key words have been italicized.

This book is the result of positive feedback received from attendees of workshops and classes I’ve conducted on foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. Their interest and enthusiasm was the prime motivator for putting much of what I have taught in written form. The Bible teaches that every Christian is gifted by God (I Corinthians 12). Though not stated explicitly, I believe that along with the gift comes the passion and energy needed to hone and perfect it, in order that it might edify the body of Christ.

God has not only gifted me, and given me a passion, in the area of biblical doctrine, he has also afforded me the opportunity to serve his people as keynote speaker at conventions, as well as, writing and teaching expositional classes at our church. Additionally, I am privileged to serve as one of the writers for Adult Curriculum for the Baptist Laymen, published by the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. Finally, I had the opportunity to complete courses from the Ligonier School of Theology in Ontario Canada (no longer active), on The Holy Spirit, The Cross of Christ, and The Holiness of God.

As I look back on my experience with the Jehovah Witnesses, I see how in his providence, God allowed me to experience the dangers of being fascinated by the Jehovah Witnesses without being ensnared by their false gospel. When I think of this experience and God’s deliverance, I must echo David’s words recorded in Psalms 116, What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me (v. 12)? From Death to Life, is a part of my rendering to God, for all the benefits he continues to provide for me. In some small way, I join with others in sounding the battle trumpet to awaken Christians to the dangers of neglecting the teaching of sound doctrine (Titus 1:9)!

My hope and prayer is that, From Death to Life will not only be read by Christian, but those whose soul the Spirit of God has already begun to awaken from sin and death. As they read of the wonder of God’s holiness, the author’s desire and prayer is that they too will be quickened by the Holy Spirit, who will awaken them to the realization of the enormous debt owed to God!

There are words used in From Death to Life, which may offend or sound harsh to some. The author’s use of such words is not to offend, but lovingly expose to both sinner and saint alike of the dark and hopeless realm in which we all lived prior to God’s manifestation of grace in our lives. This is the basis for such words: to see ourselves, not as individuals deserving God’s love, grace, and mercy, but as people rightly deserving his wrath, judgment and an eternity in the lake of fire.

Finally, I want to thank the following people for their time and energy in providing recommendations for the book; verifying biblical passages for clarity, accuracy, and appropriateness, and the many hours devoted to. Their contributions in this endeavor were critical in maintaining the integrity and truths within this book.

My Wife, Fay Cobb

My Pastor, Walstone Francis

Loretta Henton

Darryl Strong

Shawn Holmes

Todd McClern

Principal Abbreviations

ASV American Standard Version

GW God’s Word Translation of the Bible

JFB Jamieson, Fausett, and Brown Commentary

NICOT New International Commentary on the Old Testament

NIV New International Version

Introduction

The conscience is a unique entity. Though informed by the intellect, it is not part of the mind. Though it aids us in making ethical decisions, it is not part of the will. However, both are crucial in shaping and informing it. Regarding the importance of the conscience, Dr. John MacArthur writes that the conscience, ". . . is the automatic warning system that tells us, ‘Pull up! Pull up’! before we crash and burn. (MacArthur, John F. Jr. The Vanishing Conscience, Drawing the Line In A No-Fault, Guilt Free World. Dallas, London, Vancouver, Melbourne: Word Publishing, 1994, 36)

This might explains why someone has said, The Church is the conscience of society; because like the human conscience, the Church acts as society’s warning system, sounding the alarm when it strays away from what is moral, right and just! After all, only the Church is privy to God’s special revelation that reveals his will for humanity, plan of salvation and principles needed to maintain proper decency and order in any society.

Unfortunately, because the church in many parts of the world seems reluctant to take a firm position on key biblical teachings, such as; the holiness of God, the deity of Christ and his redemptive work, marriage as defined by God, and other ethical issues that define her, she finds herself in an extremely precarious position. In other words, the Church is more than a building; it is a spiritual organism consisting of Christians united by the Holy Spirit into the one Lord, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:4-6)! As such, she stands alone as the sole entity that understands that all the problems faced by society are spiritual in nature; and therefore, can only be resolved through spiritual means.

Too many Christians today, ignore or fail to emphasize absolutes found in the Bible. This, combined with the desire to become inoffensive to non-Christians has led to the Church losing its uniqueness. When the line defining the differences between the Church and the world is removed or is not clear, the Church’s authority as society’s moral compass is significantly decreased. This probably explains why the Church in America has almost become irrelevant; not because it has lost its salvation, but because she has become unsure of her identity and purpose as given in the Holy Bible.

Paul highlights the importance of the Bible in these words from 2 Timothy 3:16, All Scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). Based on this and other verses in the Bible, Christians can rely on the assurance that whatever the Bible declares is trustworthy, because it has God as its source!

While man played a vital role in its development, that role was purely coincidental and of God’s choice. In other words, though men wrote the books of the Bible using their own unique talents, knowledge, and experiences, the sum of its contents originated from the breath of God! Regarding the origin of the Bible in 2 Timothy 3:16, John Calvin writes, This is a principle which distinguishes our religion from all others. Calvin continues his comments about the same verse, . . . we know that God has spoken to us, and are fully convinced that the prophets did not speak at their own suggestion, but that, being organs of the Holy Spirit, they only uttered what they had been commissioned from heaven to proclaim. Whoever then wishes to profit in the Scriptures, let him, first of all, lay down this as a settled point, that the Law and the Prophets are not a doctrine delivered according to the will and pleasure of men, but dictated by the Holy Spirit. (Institutes IV, viii, 9)

Many conclude from Calvin’s statement that he believed in a dictation theory of inspiration; which stress that the writers of the bible were nothing more than stenographers. However, nothing could be further from the truth! In making this statement, Calvin and others like him were not lending their voices of support to the dictation theory of Inspiration. Instead, their teaching and preaching stemmed from a deep reverence of God, his supremacy, his sovereignty, and his holiness.

The point behind the statements in the last paragraph was done, not to elevate Calvin, but to shed further information and clarity on the subject regarding the origin of God’s Word. In other words, though Calvin’s passion and extensive knowledge of God’s Word are indisputable, I agree with others (and even Calvin himself), that the church stands on God’s Word alone!

Apart from God’s Word, there is nothing, to tell us about sin; its impact on humanity, and God’s sending his only begotten Son to redeem us. Without God’s Word, there is no faith, and where faith is missing, there is no possibility of salvation! That is the importance and power of God’s Word to the Christian. It is bread to our soul, a lamp to our feet and the mirror by which God reveals himself to us. These realities of holy Scripture empowered a lone monk named Martin Luther to stand boldly against an entire empire, and the false church behind it, and declared, Unless I am persuaded by Scripture alone, I will not recant!

Such passion and love for God’s Word