Apostolic Based Bible Studies from L.R.C. (Life Restoration Center) Apostolic Church: Compiled by John A. Vasquez Jr.

© 2011 Dora Crystal Solis. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 3/16/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4567-3623-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-3625-5 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-3624-8 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011902809

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Contents

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

The Oneness of God

Lesson 3

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Lesson 4

Series Lesson 5

Baptism in Jesus’ Name

Lesson 6

Lesson 7

About the Author

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Lesson 1

THE BIBLE

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Objective: To introduce the students and for those who would like to know the Bible; its importance, and the power behind it.

Introduction:

It’s the one book that has brought so much controversy to people who do not understand it. This book is no ordinary book; it’s the inspired Word of God. It has brought confusion to those who don’t understand it but has brought eternal life to those who believe it. People who hate the Bible burn it with no disgrace, but its still the number one bestselling book in the world today and people who love it cherish it with pride. This book has cost thousands of lives by it being read, taught and preached and smuggled into foreign countries which thus has been translated in part or in whole into hundreds of languages and tribal dialects. And the great news is it has brought eternal life to millions.

St. John 17:17: Sanctify them through thy truth: Thy word is truth.

St. John 4:24 To be a worship of God you and I "Must worship Him in Spirit in truth.

St. John 12:48 God is going to judge us all in the last day! According to the WORD!

•   The Book of God:

A. The word Bible means books. It comes from the Greek and Latin word Libros.

B. The Bible contains 66 books and is divided up into divisions; the Old Testament and the New Testament.   

1. The Old Testament- contains 39 books. It begins with Genesis, which tells us of the creation and ends with the prophecy of MalachI. It covers about 3,600 years of history. It’s subdivided into the following manner:

A. The Pentateuch- the first five books of the Old Testament are called the Pentateuch or the five books. Moses wrote them and they deal with God’s creation, His dealings with the patriarchs and the children of Israel. They are also known as the Book of the Law.

B. History- the next twelve books, Joshua to Esther, were written by various authors and relate Israel’s history after they are settled in the Promised Land.

C. Poetry-Job through Song of Solomon are called the Poetic books. These five books contain beautiful psalms and the famous proverbs.

D. Major and Minor Prophets-Isaiah to Malachi are the writings of the prophets. The first five are called the Major Prophets while the remaining 12 are the Minor Prophets. This distinction is made more due to the length of the book than the importance of its message.

2. The New Testament-consist of 27 books beginning with Matthew and ending with Revelation. It covers about 100 years times, and it is subdivided into the following manner:

A. The Gospels-the first four books are called the Gospels of Jesus Christ. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John recount the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. They are

   Also known as the Good News books. They cover His life by four different points of View.

B. History-The book of The Acts of the Apostles registers the birth of the church and narrates the experiences of conversion and Christianity of the early church under great persecution. It describes the wonderful day of Pentecost and the early churches’ salvation experiences.

C. General and Pauline Epistles- this next section is known as the letters or the epistles. The first letter is to the Romans and the last is Jude’s letter. They were

written to Establish the doctrinal superstructure of the church and were written specifically to the church, those who were already Christians. Of the twenty-one books, Paul wrote 13, James 1, Peter 2, John3 and Jude 1. It is not certain who wrote the book of Hebrews.

D. Prophecy-the last book was written by John. It is called the Apocalypse, which means to unveil. It is also known as the Book of Revelation of Jesus Christ It is a prophetic book that foretells God’s plan for the church and the world in general.

C. Why should one study the Word of God?

1. Because of its Author. Not only is He the Creator, Pastor, Redeemer, Judge, but He is the one who inspired (blew or breathed) into His servants, more than forty of them, the living and effective Word.

   2. Because of the often repeated commandment to read it.

•   Joshua 1:8

•   2 Timothy 2:15

•   Matthew 4:4

3. Because the Bible provides the answers to the most important of man’s questions.

   A. where do I come from? (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalms 100:3)

   B. Why am I here? (Ecclesiastes 12:13; Revelation 4:11)

   C. Where am I going? (John 3:16-18; Psalms 23:1,6; Revelation 20:15)

D. You can’t just read the Bible, you have to read the Bible. (Rod Parsley) There is a certain way to read the Bible. There are many ways to read and study the Bible; pick one that is right for you so you won’t be confused, and stick with it. When studying the Bible, there are fundamentals for understanding the Bible. Here are some:

1. The symbolic language, parables, and revelation need to be explained but the rest of    the bible is accepted literally.

2. The Bible is always in harmony with itself. Doctrine should not be based on text alone, but rather be in harmony with the rest of the Bible.

3. The Bible always exalts Jesus, and any other teaching that degrades Jesus is invalid.

E.   What is the Bible used for? There are four basic elements needed in the lives of men in relation to the truth, and God has provided all of them through the Scripture. We, therefore, profit tremendously when we use God’s Word for its designed purpose in our lives. Let’s look at Second Timothy 3:16 for these essentials:

1. For Doctrine-we are to use the Word of the Lord to teach, instruct, and direct us in settled Bible truths. When we aren’t constantly in the Word, we are without foundation: which is to have no established doctrinal teachings on salvation and holy living.

•   Deuteronomy 32: 2

•   Isaiah 28:9

2. Reproof-Paul in this context means we are to use the Bible for evidence and as a means of admonishing, showing fault, or rebuking.

•   Hebrews 11:1-3

•   Ephesians 5:11

3. For Correction-God’s Word corrects false theories, restores things to their proper use, and corrects matters arising in the Believer’s life and the church.

•   Jeremiah 2:30

•   Proverbs 3:11-12

4. For Instruction in Righteousness-to teach man of the righteousness of God, for perfecting (mastering) him, and instructing him on how to live.

o   Matthew 13:52

o   2 Timothy 2:25

F.   The Bible is INFALLIABLE. According to Webster’s dictionary, it defines infallible as not capable of making mistakes; not capable of failing; never wrong.

G.   The Bible is life’s manual for living. Just a machinery have an instruction book, so is the Bible the instruction book for living and having abundant life.

Conclusion:

The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and happiness of believers. Its teachings are holy; its precepts are binding; its histories are true; its decisions are unchangeable. Read it to be wise; believe it to be safe; and practice it to be holy. It contains light for direction, food for substance, and comfort to cheer. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilots compass, the soldiers sword, and the Christians charter. In it Paradise is restored, heaven is opened, and the gates of hell are disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It involves highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with its sacred contents.

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The Bible

Looking Back:

The word Bible means ___________ in Greek/Latin. It contains ___ books and is divided into two sections, the old Testament containing ____ books and the New Testament containing ____ books.

II. Timothy 3:16 told us that all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable… for the following:

a. ______________________   b. _____________________

c. ______________________   d. _____________________

The Word of God is ____________________________, which means:

a. Never Wrong         b. Almost right

c. No one really knows      d. falls short

   The Bible is divided into two major parts. The ____________________, is made up of 39 books. The second part, called the New _____________, consist of _____ books which are divided

   Next up: will be studying the importance of how to pray and the importance of praying. In prep, please read: Mark 1:35; Matthew 6:9-13; and Mark 14:32-39. God Bless you. Extra reading: Deuteronomy 6:4, St. John 1, 14, 1 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Notes:

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Lesson 2

Review for Lesson One:

1. The Bible always exalts ________, and any other teaching that degrades Jesus is _______.

2. What are the four elements that the Bible is used for:

a. _________________

B._________________

c. ___________________

d. ________________________________

3. The Bible is:

    a. Written by Moses

    b. cool and awesome

    c. Infallible and inspired by God.

    d. Just a bunch of mysteries

4. Where can I find the Story of Jesus Christ?

a. In the Gospels, a division of the Bible

b. In the library

c. With the Jehovah Witness, Mormons, Catholics, Trinitarians, etc.

d. In the Pentateuch

The Oneness of God

Deuteronomy 6: 4

Objective:

   The Purpose of this study is to show the nature, characters and deity of Jesus Christ. To explain the mystery of the Godhead, in which, the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus Christ.

Introduction:

   For this study, the goal we want to reach is to answer this question: Is Jesus in the Godhead, or is the Godhead in Jesus? Hear O Israel : the LORD our God is one LORD." (KJV) is the main focus of this section. It has been and still is the main belief of Israel of the Messiah. When reading this you will learn and come to understand the fullness of the Godhead, see who Jesus really was, and answer the question, Is Jesus in the Godhead, or is the Godhead in Jesus?

I.   Christian Monotheism: The Belief in only on God is called monotheism, which comes from the two Greek words: monos, meaning alone, single, one. And Theos, meaning God.

   A. The Old Testament teaches there is but one God.

   1. Deuteronomy 6:4 teaches absolute monotheism. The Jews have not understood a theology of persons to be present in the Old Testament but have insisted on absolute monotheism, which affirms, that God is absolutely one in number.

      A. This teaching of Jewish faith is called the Shema.

   B. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 tells us the importance to teach it continually

•   Place it in your heart

•   Teach it to your children

•   Bind it on our hand and forehead

•   Write them on the post and gates of houses.

      C. it’s the first and greatest Commandment

•   Mark 12:28-31

      2. God declares His absolute oneness in Isaiah

•   Isaiah 37:16 ; 42:8

    B. The New Testament teaches there is but one God.

   1. It affirms Old Testament monotheism.

•   Romans 3:30

•   James 2:19

   2. There is one God and one mediator

      1 Timothy 2:5-the mediator is a sinless man Jesus, whom God was manifested ; He reconciles the Holy God and a sinful humanity.

II.   The Nature of God: To continue this study, it is essential that we know and understand more about the nature of God. Of course, our human minds can’t uncover or understand all there is know about God, but the Bible gives many important details about Him. (John 4:24).

   A. God is a Spirit (John 4:24)

1. What is a spirit? Webster’s Dictionary defines it as: the part of a human characterized by personality and self-consciousness the mind, the Holy Ghost, a supernatural being. A spirit or a Ghost doesn’t have flesh and blood.

2. When the Bible says that God is a Spirit, it means that He can’t be seen or touched by humans. As a spirit, He is an intelligent, supernatural being who does not have a physical body.

•   Luke 24:39

B. God is invisible. Since He is a Spirit, He is invisible unless He chooses to manifest himself in some form visible to humans. Although humans can see God when He appears in various forms no one can directly see the invisible spirit of God.

•   Exodus 2:2-4; 13:21; 33:1-23 faves: 10,12-14, 19-23

•   John 1:18   

C. God is of no limitation. He has the power to be anywhere, has all power, and is all-knowing; these attributes being solely to God.

•   Psalms 139:1-6 teaches that he is omniscient-all-knowing.

•   Psalms 139:7-8 teaches that He is omnipresent-everywhere present.

•   Revelation 19:6 teaches that God is omnipotent-all powerful.

III.    The Names and Titles of God. God has given us several methods to reveal Himself to us. One of these ways is the use of different titles or names to identify Himself to us. (Acts 4:12)

   A.    Names or titles of God in the Old Testament.

•   Anytime you see, LORD, it refers to the Hebrew name of God YHWH or Jehovah. The translators felt Jehovah to be so sacred, that when they translated the Bible, they didn’t feel worthy of using it.

   B. The name Jesus means Jehovah-Savior, Jehovah our Salvation, Jehovah is our Salvation. It’s derived from Jehoshua, Jeshua, and /or Joshua. the name Jesus is the name of God that He promised to reveal. Jesus, the name, is the full revelation of God because Jesus is Jehovah.

IV.   Jesus is God. The fact that Jesus is God is firmly established in Scripture as the fact that God is one. The Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully human. (Colossians 2:9)

A.    Jesus is the Word made flesh. John uses the Greek word: Logos, meaning thought, reason, plan (in an unexpressed word) speech, action (in an expressed word). The Word is God’s mind, thought, reason, and plan, God Himself.

•   John 1:1,14

B. The mystery of godliness is no mystery, it’s clearly stated in Scripture. It was a stumbling block for the Jews. They couldn’t understand how Jesus, being a man, could also be God.

•   1 Timothy 3:16

•   John 5:18

•   Ephesians 3:4-5

   C. Jesus is the Father and Jehovah Incarnate:

1. Jesus said, I and my Father are one, instead of I am the Father, because He    was both the father and the Son. (John 10:30)

2. Jesus said, I am in the Father, because unlike any other man, His humanity was inseparably united and joined with the Spirit by the Incarnation.

3. Jesus is the I AM:

•   John 8:56-59

V.   The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost: It’s clear that the terms, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, can’t imply three different person, personalities, wills or beings. They can only denote different aspects or roles of one Spirit-Being- the One God. The Oneness View doesn’t deny the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, but it does refute the Doctrine that these terms designate persons in the Godhead. (John 14:16-17)

A.    The Father-used to emphasize God’s role as Creator, Father of the born    again-believers, Father of the humanity of Jesus Christ.

•   Galatians 1:3-4

•   1 John 3:1

B    The Son-used to mean the man Jesus Christ and further to mean God as He manifested Himself in the flesh for the purpose of our salvation. The distinction is pivotal; we can say the Son died, but we can’t say that about the Father.

C    The Holy Ghost- used to emphasize God’s active power in the world and among people, particularly His work in regeneration. The Holy Ghost is simply God. God is holy as mentioned in 1 Peter 1:16; He is also a Spirit and there is only one Spirit of God. Therefore, Holy Ghost is another term for the one God.

•   1 Peter 1:16

•   John 4:24

•   1Corinthians 12:11

Conclusion:

We have learned that there is only one God. Understanding God’s Oneness is the foundation of our salvation, experience, worship and holiness. Our Creator-Savior is also the indwelling Spirit who regenerates, sanctifies, and empowers us. The God, who told us how to live, came in the flesh to provide salvation and to show us how to live. He enables us to live for Him. To understand the Oneness of God, we must understand the dual nature of Jesus. Hear O Israel: the LORD our God, one LORD. (NIV)

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The Oneness of God

Looking Back: YHWH

The Word "Jesus or YHWH means: ___________________________, ______________________, and __________________________________.

What are the three terms that emphasize the roles of God in which He reaches us:

a. _______________   b. ______   c. ________________

The Word was made ____________:

   A. Bread      b. Flesh

   C. Righteousness   d. A Liar

Quote 1 John 5:

   "________________________________

    ________________________________

    ________________________________

    ________________________________"

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Lesson 3

Review for Lesson Two:

1.The belief in one God is called _________________and the Jews have insisted in absolute monotheism, which provides that God is _____ in number.

            2. What do the following terms imply:

                        A. Father-____________________________

                        B. Son- _____________________________

                        C. Holy Ghost (Spirit) __________________

            3. The Word is

                        A. God’s mind, thought reason, and plan

                        b. Moses

                        C. God the Son

                        D. a bunch of letters

            4. The name "Jesus means ____________________, and

                  Or __________________________; and is the full revelation of _________.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4

Objective: The purpose of this next study is to teach why Jesus Christ came to this earth and to explain the salvation process.

Introduction:

   Studying the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the theme. What is the Gospel? The English Word means Good News or Good Message, and as such it is the correct translation of the original Greek word evangelion. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 gives us the basic Biblical definition of the Gospel-the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Merely preaching the historical events without explaining their meaning does not convey what is good about the good news.

         The significance is that by these acts Christ purchased salvation and made it available to everyone who would believe on Him. He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again, thereby winning victory over sin and death and enabling us to have eternal life. The Gospel, then, is that Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection brings salvation to all who respond in faith.

•   Revelation 1:18

I.   The mission of Jesus was to provide the salvation for our lives and to establish the system one is to take:

   The ministry of Jesus was to reveal Himself as the true and only God of Israel. He did many signs and wonders but would constantly tell His disciples His exact mission, which was to die.

A.   The Old Testament declares the plan to forgive sin.

•   Hosea 13:14

•   Psalms 130:8

B.   In the New Testament, Jesus lets us know His true purpose for His coming. (Mark 2:16-17)

            1. When Jesus dealt with certain people, He commanded them to sin no    more or that their sins were forgiven.

•   Matthew 9:1-2

•   Luke 9:44-48

•   John 8:10-11

                                  2. Jesus mission was to die.

Mark 8:31; 10:33-34/Luke 9:29-31

II.   The three components of the Gospel. (Romans 6:2-3)

   A. The Death. First of all, we must identify with Christ’s death. Just as Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, so our old man must be crucified and put to death.

   1. When we are saved, sin and Satan’s control over is destroyed. Sin can no longer dictate us or control us.

•   Romans 6:6-7

•   Galatians 5:1

   2. When did this death occur? An individual’s death to sin, to death of the old man occurs, when he repents from sin. At repentance man confesses sin, decides to forsake it, turns his back on it, and refuses to accept to dominion.

   3. Why should we repent? To obtain forgiveness of sin. It is a starting point at which we must go through to obtain salvation. We must kill off all our fleshly desires, thought, actions, and habits; we do that by identifying ourselves with the death of Christ.

   4. One should not think that just by repenting everything is OK, because it’s not. It only brings: limited, temporary power to turn from sin.

•   Romans 8:13

•   1 Corinthians 15:31

•   Galatians 2:19-20

B. The Burial. Next we identify with Christ’s burial. Paul explained how: Know ye not, that so many of us were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death. (Romans 6:3-4)

1. By water baptism, then we identify with Christ when His body lay dead and buried in the grave.

•   Colossians 2:12

•   John 19:38-42

2. Baptism is the plan of God.

      A. Jesus Himself was baptized

•   Matthew 3:13-15

      B. The disciples practiced baptism while Jesus was there

•   John 4:1-2

      C. Jesus commanded baptism

•   Matthew 28:19

•   Mark 16:15-16

•   Luke 24:46-47

3. Since baptism follows repentance; it actually does not signify that the baptized person identifies with the dead state of Christ. Since baptism is a total submergence, it truly is burial.

4. When man receives water baptism, it signifies that he has died to sin and is burying that sin. When he emerges from baptism, his old lifestyle and his past sins are forever buried and forgotten. Water baptism, then, applies Christ’s burial to our lives.

•   Jeremiah 31:34    

C. The Resurrection Paul explained. How we identify with Christ’s resurrection: Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection (Romans 6:4-5).

1.   The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9), so when we receive the Spirit, Christ literally comes to live in us. The Holy Spirit brings into our lives the same power that resurrected Jesus from the dead.

•   Romans 8:1

2.   The Spirit brings about a new birth and will give life. Thus, the resurrection of Jesus Christ becomes effective to give us new life when we receive the Holy Ghost.

•   John 3:5

•   2 Corinthians 3:6

III.    The Gospel in Typology

   Since we are living in the new covenant, we have established the gospel message from the New Testament passages. However, the Old Testament is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, and contains many types, shadows, and figures of our salvation.

A.    The Israelites deliverance from Egypt. We can find three elements in their deliverance: the blood of the Passover, the water of the Red Sea, and the cloud of the Lord’s presence that guided them (Exodus 12:14).

B.    Just before God gave Israel the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, He required them to sanctify themselves (set themselves apart to Him) and wash their clothes with water, after that He Promised to come down and visit them (Exodus 19:10-11).

C.    When the Israelites sacrificed a bullock, sheep, or goat, the priest killed the animal, sprinkled its blood on the altar, washed it with water, and then burned it with fire (Leviticus 1:1-13). On Mt. Carmel Elijah saturated the blood sacrifice with twelve barrels of water, and God consumed it with fire from heaven. (1 Kings 18:33-39).

D.    In Noah’s day God used water to destroy sin on earth and at the same time He saved His people. Peter taught that this was a type of baptism. (1 Peter 3:20-21). God will purge the earth a second time before the creation of the new earth, but this time He will do it with fire (2 Peter 3:5-7). Likewise, we are purged at the waters of baptism and by fire of the Spirit before we become a new creature in Christ.

•   Isaiah 53, Exodus 12-14 (The Chapters)

Conclusion:

   As we have studied the Gospel of Jesus, we see the mission of the Creator, a mission that was to bring life to a lost and dying world. Jesus paid the price; God’s gift of salvation is free. The only way to have our sins forgiven is to go through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Not only is it an instruction teaching of the New Testament, but we see that it has been the plan of God since the beginning of time

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The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Looking Back:

The Mission of Jesus was to provide the _______________ for our lives and to establish the ____________ on is to take.

What are the three components of the Gospel?

a. ________________      b. ________________

c. ________________________

The Holy Ghost brings:

a. Newness of life         b. Heartache

c. I don’t know         d. Love and peace

What are the three elements that we can find in the deliverance of the Israelites and show how they related to the Gospel.

1. ________________________________________

2. ________________________________________

3. ________________________________________

Looking Ahead:

            Next time we will study Repentance, the importance of it as the first step to being saved. In preparation, please read Acts 2:38, Luke 5:32, Mark 1:15, and 2 Corinthians 7:10. God bless you!

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Lesson 4

Review for Lesson 3

1. The mission of the Lord Jesus Christ was to:

a) start a cooking show      b.) be born

c.) to defeat Satan      d.) to overthrow the Roman Empire

2. Write down the three components of the Gospel.

a. _____________ b. _________________ c. ________________________

3. Baptism is a ____________ _______________________, it truly is a ____________.

4. Give two examples of the Gospel in Typology.

_____________________________________

Repentance

Ezekiel 18:30-32

Objective:

         The Objective is to demonstrate that all men are sinners and are in need of a Savior. To bring men and women, according to the Word of God, to a realization of his sinful condition before so that they may repent.

Introduction:

How do you go about curing a drunk? The answer is that you can’t. Before a man can lead a consistently sober life, he has to be motivated from within. He has to admit to himself he has a real problem, and he has to overcome it. Only then can anyone help him. It is the same way when a man is obsessed with a false idea. You can’t change his opinion simply by telling him he is wrong, he will only become more firmly set against you, and more determined than ever to defend his idea. No, a man must first admit to himself that following his idea to its logical conclusion in his life has led to utter spiritual poverty; he must want to follow truth. He must be willing to follow it once he is convinced.

I. The Natural Man (1 Corinthians 2:14)

   First Corinthians 2:14 is a perfect example of a man without God. The NIV version says, the man without the Spirit. in other words, a person who is without God in their lives.

   A. The Characteristics of the Natural Man.

   1 "Receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, Due to the man’s fallen nature, he   doesn’t process the desire and ability to accept and receive the things of God. He is driven by his own feelings and desire; and regards himself as self-sufficient especially to a God" he can’t see or feel.

2       For they are foolishness unto him When