BETH RAPHA BIBLE INSTITUTE

BIBLE DOCTRINES

Brian O. McKenzie Sr. M. Div., Th.D candidate Professor

What exactly will Bible Doctrines do for
me and why should I learn them?
 Biblical-That which relates or operates
according to the Holy Scriptures.
 Doctrines- The term doctrines means
teachings.
 Biblical Doctrine therefore seeks as a
method, to make an Investigation into
those teachings and organize the material
systematically into complete units of
thought relevant to the subject.
 Bible Doctrines simply is a means by
which we organize the major teachings of
the Bible in complete statements (called
doctrines).
In what ways is Theology helpful?
 It is helpful because correct
doctrinal belief is essential to a
correct relationship between the
believer and God (see Genesis
11:1-9, Exodus 20:1-17).
 Doctrine is helpful because it
provides a measuring rod by which
one can evaluate their behavior
against a standard (See Romans 7th
Chapter).
 Doctrine is needful because of the
large numbers of alternative belief
systems competing with
Christianity.
Lets Look At Christianity Through Non-Christian Eyes
 Sayid Qutb That Hideous Schizophrenia “Nevertheless, if the Christian ideal
remained the same as Jesus revealed it, it could've brought Christians back to
a holistic law… The Apostles altered the Scriptures in hiding… Many
legends were interpolated from different conflicted sources…The gospels are
hybrid sources pieced together from different authors. Paul is the chief
propagator, a Roman converted to Christianity. Paul’s theology is a
combination of Roman paganism and Greek philosophy. Paul wrote the
epistles after the 1st Century.
 Dayananda Sarasvati Extracts from the Light of Truth “No educated man can
believe this narrative. Only barbarism would permit a teaching that God
would come down and be born of a virgin…Mary had sex and conceived a
child and conjured up this story to avoid capitol punishment. Jesus wasn’t the
son of God. If he was then why on the Mount of Temptation, would he allow
himself to suffer being God, If he created everything then why couldn’t he
turn the stones into bread…Now, concerning the paralyzed man, it is
impossible that a righteous Judge accept punishment for the guilty.
Righteous people do not need Christ only the guilty.
 Gunapala Dharmasiri Buddhist critique of the Christian concept of God “The
existence of the soul cannot be verified…The soul doesn’t exist. Man can
achieve enlightenment on his own merit and not an Supreme being as noted
by Christianity.
 Prof. Kwasi Entende “There is no God. If God created man then who created
God? Christianity is a brain-washing superstition that is unverifiable.
Bible Doctrines
 In this unit we will
deal with the concepts
of Divine Revelation
and Inspiration.
 The purpose behind
Revelation.
 The means by which
God “reveals”
Himself.
 Arguments for the
existence of God.
What exactly is Revelation and what is
it’s purpose?
 apokalupto- Is defined as God’s self disclosure of Himself that was
once before hidden. It is in fact God who allows God to become
known through the revelatory act.
 General Revelation-The disclosure of God’s self through nature, human
history and mans constitutional makeup.
 Special Revelation is defined as God’s self disclosure through special
means. These means are: Historical events, divine speech and the
Incarnation.
 What exactly is the purpose behind someone revealing themselves?
 One discloses themselves to another person for the purpose of
relationship.
 The very character of Revelation…implies the self-offering of God on
God’s own initiative to allow the divine One to become known (Gal
1:12; 2:2). –Thomas Oden
 Hence, the reason why God offers Himself is to become known by those
whom He discloses Himself to.
 Why Is relationship sought?
 Because the original purpose behind creation was relationship (Acts
17:24-31, Romans 1:18-32).
 Due to man’s corruption, there was movement away from the Edenic ideal
(Gen.3:23-24, 4:16, 6:11, 11:4).
 Because of man’s corruption, what he sees he beholds with corrupted eyes
and perceives with corrupted sensibilities. Even though these sensibilities
are corrupted, they still can comprehend and apprehend some things about
God-It should be noted that God is apprehensible not comprehensible.
 What tools has God given man so that he might engage in this
“apprehension?”
 Teleological. (order) Psalms 8:3,Genesis 1:14-16.
 Anthropological. (man-religion) Genesis 11:4-5, Acts 17:22-23.
 Cosmological. (cause) Genesis 1:1, Job 38:1-6,
 Moral. (morality-law) Genesis 5:1, Acts 17:27-28, Romans 2:11-16.
 Ontological. (concept of perfection, aesthetics) Romans 1:21,
 What makes Special Revelation special?
 Although the testimony of the maker
is blurred in Creation, Its testimony
is still speaking and still
comprehensible nevertheless.
 Special Revelation as a facet of the
study of God’s self disclosure is
discovered in 3 modalities. God’s
special revelation can be seen in (A)
Historical Events, (B) Divine
Speech, (C) The Incarnation.
 The purpose of Special Revelation is
not to offer an increase in
knowledge but to create the space
for an increase in relationship.
Beth Rapha Christian College and Seminary

 We will discuss the

Inerrancy of Scripture
and its Canonization.
 Is the Bible errant?
 If the Bible has mistakes,
how can we trust it?
 We will also discuss the
issue of what the process
of the Canonization of the
Scriptures looked like.
 Bible Doctrines
 When we say the word Inerrancy what comes to mind?
 Please translate, “One dey Timathy went to the store to bye some milk but
instead he … with some meet.”
 What you must understand is that when Inerrancy is spoken of it does not
purport to suggest that the Bible is without error. When the word error is
spoken of as it relates to the Bible, the mind goes straight to inaccurate, false
or “created” information. This leap would lead one to believe that it is
untrustworthy. Some of you might’ve held this convention that the Bible
exists without mistakes (errors). The concept of Inerrancy does not argue
this. When we speak of Inerrancy we are purporting that
“The Inerrancy of Scripture means that Scripture in the original manuscripts
does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact.”-Wayne Grudem.
“Inerrancy means that when all facts are known, the Scriptures in their
original autographs and properly interpreted will be shown to be wholly true
in everything that they affirm, whether that has to do with doctrine or
morality or with the social, physical, or life sciences.”-Paul Feinberg noted
by Norman Geisler.
Bible Doctrines
 Inerrancy focuses on the question of
the‘Veracity’ of the Scriptures; I.e. are the
Scriptures telling the Truth about
whatever subject it is dealing with. For
example, “The rod and reproof give
wisdom, but a child left to himself
bringeth his mother to shame.”-Proverbs
29:15. Is this statement True?
 “A soft word turneth away wrath?” 15:1.
 In what ways are the Scriptures errant?
 Grammatical errors, the rounding of
numbers, variant readings of certain
passages.
 We affirm the inerrancy of the original
documents and the truths enclosed
therein yet no guarantee is made for the
copies that followed these autographs.
 The source is inerrant, not the resource.
 Can we trust the Scriptures, and if so then how?
 Moving from primacy to recency lets examine how the Jews took care of
the Hebrew Scriptures. God is a literate God. Exodus 32:16, 34:1-4,
 The nation is expected to maintain the people in the knowledge of the
Law because if there is no Law there can be no relationship. Deut. 6:1-
13, 30:10, 31:9, 2 Kings 22:8-23:1-28, Daniel 12:4.
 Even the heathen wise men were aware of the Scriptures. Matthew 2:1-6.
Would they have made such a journey or relied on a body of Scriptures
that were untrustworthy?
 Acts 24:14 Paul notes “believing everything laid down by the law or
written in the prophets.” Paul affirms the veracity of the Scriptures to
speak to life's vicissitudes. Romans 15:4. It is Inerrant in this way…
 Gerhardsson notes, “The chief content of Jewish culture as well as of
Jewish education was tradition, the memories of the past, with the
departure from Egypt and its central fact. These memories were kept
alive by a system of ritual and ceremonial which in Talmudic times had
already achieved an extraordinary richness…the centers for the
preservation and maintenance of this sacred tradition are:
 The centres are: The home, with its habits and customs of worship…
 The synagogue and the Temple, with their public worship on feast
days, Sabbaths…
 The places of education
 The Courts
 The foundations of the knowledge of, and familiarity wit, the Torah, laid
at home. The child grew up in a milieu in which religious, ethical and
social behavior-patterns were stamped and permeated by the Torah.
In addition they had to learn important passages from the Torah by
heart.”-pg.73-74.
 “One should always study the Torah first and meditate on it afterwards”
 “One should always recite, (although one forgets and) although ones
does not understand what one is saying.” First learn then understand.
 “Let a man first learn and then penetrate.”
 “He who reads without melody and repeats without song, concerning
him the Scripture says:Therefore I also gave them statutes which were
not to their advantage (Ezekiel 20:25).” Forgetfulness was eagerly
fought in the Jewish mind.
 Devices employed to aid in memory were…
 Devices used in Jewish Memorization
 There were diverse devices utilized to ensure proper memorization of the
Scriptures and the Laws.
 “First learn then penetrate”-R. Kahana (denotes repetition)
 “It is a man’s duty to state (a tradition) in his teacher’s words.”-Hillel
 Do not learn Torah only from one teacher. Multiple teachers are preferred.-R.
Hisda (denotes diversity in perspective and repetition of material)
 “A man should always teach his pupil (orally) in the shortest way.”-R. Meir
(denotes condensation and abridgement)
 Catch-word or association principle utilized.
 Acrostics utilized. See Ps.9-10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, 145, Nahum 1.
 Rabbi’s saw the use of memory tools as affirmed by Scripture. See. Jeremiah
31:21, Joshua 4:1-10.
 The Talmud employs the use of simanim to foster exactitude in memorization.
For example, see wave offering requirements and note this simanim used to
help foster exact memorization. Za DaD YaHaZ. Pg. 155
Memory+Manuscript.
 Cantillation and singing employed. “Learning is assured only if fixed in all 248
members of the body.”- R. Meir’s learned wife. (denotes the use of the entire
body in learning Torah and tradition.
Inerrancy and canonization continued?
 The term canon means “reed”and
was an instrument used to
measure the length and distance
of a thing. In speaking of
Scripture the term denotes the
scope or distance of the Hebrew
and New Testament Scriptures.
 One might ask why did we need a
canon in the first place? Listen to
a story you all might know…
 Luke want’s us all to listen…to the
story of one of the 1st Century’s
most notable teachers.
Why was a fixed canon needed for both Jews and Christians?
 For the Jew A fixed canon and a
reduction to text was needed out of
fear of forgetting the Law of God,
which would consequently result in
a loss of relationship, a
reoccurrence of God’s Wrath and a
reoccurrence of divine judgment in
captivity again.
 A fixed canon would ensure that the
generations would have a heritage
with the God of their forefathers
and enjoy the benefits of life under
the covenantal promises.
 A fixed canon ensured that
everything suffered, endured and
enjoyed, by the ancestors would not
be lost to the winds of time.
 For the Christian A fixed canon
and a reduction to text was needed
out of fear of corruption of the
Words and Works of Jesus Christ.
 If lost it would result in a loss of
relationship, disobedience to
Christ and eventual judgment at
the 2nd Coming of Christ.
 A fixed canon would ensure that
generations would come to know
Christ and experience the life He
made available to all.
 A fixed canon would prepare
generations to come for the
Eschaton, so that they might have
hope when things looked bleak.
What were the movements of Transmission…?
 See image. This is how the tradition was transmitted…
 The Tradition is “delivered” from “eyewitnesses” according to Luke
and is in circulation before Luke writes and even afterwards (Luke
1:2). See I Cor.15:1-3, 11:2,23, I Thess. 2:13, 4:1, II Thess. 2:15, 3:6,
Gal. 1:9, Phil. 4:9, Col. 2:6.
 This tradition is in oral form first just like the Jewish tradition was, but
before we go any further lets examine the 4-Source Hypothesis or
what’s known as the Documentary Hypothesis.-see image
 The Tradition is in transmission until the 1st book is written (Epistle of
James 45AD) and until the 1st Gospel (St. Mark 60-68AD/some
authorities date Luke earlier 60 AD) is penned. It remains an oral
tradition until that tradition is threatened by Judaizers and Gnostics
who claim to have the “Truth.” One of the first instances of some
form of internal competition between “Christians- Gnostics,
judaizers, x” lies in the Acts 15:1-29 drama, Colossians 2:18, I John
1:8,2:18-20,29.
 Now at this point it is fitting to note the issue concerning authorship.
How do we know the names of the authors of the writings?
 Transmission and authorship
Mostly our information about the authorship of
the Gospels comes from the early Church
Fathers.
 Papias (AD70-155) was a disciple of the
Apostle John. He notes in his Explanation
of the Lord’s Discourses that he had
established after careful scrutiny that Mark
was the interpreter of the Apostle Peter and
recorded the words of the Lord in his gospel.
He also notes Matthew as being the author
of his Gospel. Read passage from ‘canon’
pg119
 Luke is noted from internal and external
evidence as being penned by Luke.
Col.4:14, Philemon 24, 2 Timothy 4:11. The
usage of the terms they and we indicate that
Luke was with Paul during his ministry and
towards the end of his life in Rome.
Eusebius affirms authorship as well.
 John’s authorship is affirmed by Polycarp
and Papias who were both his disciples.
Eusebius affirms John the Apostles
authorship
The move towards Canonization…
Marcion AD100, who was a very charismatic pastor in Asia forms the first
Canon of Scripture. It included a partial Gospel of Luke and 10 Pauline
Epistles (all but 1-2 Timothy and Titus are included). Marcion is rejected
by the orthodox Church and its leadership (Polycarp and Papias) for
proposing doctrine that ran against the grain of orthodox teaching (God
of OT and NT are two different Gods, Jesus was not born of a woman,
etc.).
Marcion’s heresy is countered by the Churches move to fix a canon that
reflected what was consensually taught and believed by the
Catholic/Apostolic Church.
The Canon Muratorianus AD200, becomes the Catholic Churches response
to Marcions fixed canon as it affirms what is maintained Apostolically.
From this point onward the Gnosis teaching doesn’t die, it only resurfaces
because the leadership in these Churches were convinced that they were
right.
As noted earlier, the priest Ezra closes the OT Canon. If It hadn’t been
closed then why were the Apocryphal books not included in the Hebrew
Bible? Secondly, why did Jesus nor his Apostles quote from these books
(note Jude-Enoch). The Canonization of the Hebrew Bible was
dependant on whether the books were written by a Prophet, Priest or
King. The Apocryphal books appear Intertestamentally post-400BC
Criteria for Canonization
 Was the book written by an
Apostle. Apostolicity.
 Was the book Ancient. Did it
come from the time of the
Apostles. Antiquity.
 Did the book teach that
which lined up with already
understood practice and
belief. I.e. Christology.
Orthodoxy.
 Was the book widely utilized
amongst the Churches of
Christiandome. Catholicity.
 Did the book have that
sacred stamp of Inspiration.
Inspiration.
 There were three types or
segments under which the texts
of antiquity fell. Bishop
Ireneaus basically spearheaded
this call for a fixed criterion with
which to scrutinize the writings
appearing at this time.
1. Accepted Books-OT as
canonized by Ezra, 4 Gospels,
Acts, Epistles of Paul, 1 John,
1Peter, John’s Apocalypse?
2. Disputed Books-James, Jude,
Hebrews, 2 Peter, 2-3 John,
John’s Apocalypse.
3. Spurious Books-Acts of Paul,
Shephard of Hermas,
Apocalypse of Peter, Barnabas,
Teaching of the Apostles,
Gospel of Hebrews, Gospel of
Thomas, The Gospel of
Matthias, Acts of Paul and
Thecla, Acts of John, Acts of
Thomas.
 Biblical Theology I:
God and Humanity
What Is Biblical Interpretation and who
were the main characters involved in its
development?

Why is the study of the

history of Interpretation
important in present
times?
Biblical Interpretation in the Beginning…
 The term Interpretation in the Greek
language is Hermeneuein which means
“explain, interpret” or “translate.” At this
point it should be noted that what
determines the Christians hermeneutic
is Jesus’ journey on the Emmaus road
with the two travelers. When Jesus
was talking with them the Scriptures
note that “kai arxamenos apo Mwusews
kai apo... Diermhneusen..(Lk 24:27).”
 Jesus explains, translates and
interprets what the Hebrew Scriptures
meant concerning Himself. In this
same sense we can say that Beginning
from Moses God is the one that
originates or demonstrates what
Interpretation is and how it is to be
done (Exodus 3:13-17). The purpose
of Interpretation therefore is to clarify,
explain and elucidate who this God is
and what He wants.
Biblical Interpretation in the Beginning…
 The second instance of Biblical Interpretation actually begins under the
ministry of Nehemiah and Ezra. See Nehemiah 8:1-9.
 This experience of “…reading in the book in the law of God distinctly, and
gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading (vs.8)” was
repeated between the testaments after the return from exile.
 This form of Interpretative institution was called the Targum, which were
the oral translations/interpretations of the Hebrew Scriptures. These
Targums were reduced to text to ensure their posterity. Remember,
whenever a reduction to text of tradition was authorized it was mainly due
to the threat of that tradition becoming lost or corrupt. The threat here
was the Greco-Roman empire’s domination of the middle-east which
forced redefinition within Greco-Roman boundaries.
 The Rabbinic Judaism movement of Palestine produced the Halakah and
Haggadah and the Mishnah. The 1st was a compilation of principles and
regulations related to conduct as deduced from the Hebrew Scriptures, 2 nd
the Haggadah was a compilation of writings, stories and parables that
illustrate Hebrew texts. Finally the Mishnah contained oral teachings by
the Rabbis on the Hebrew Scriptures. Of note, it was to these traditions
that Jesus spoke when debating with the Pharisees. See Matthew
5:21,27,31,33,43,15:2.
 Following the emergence of these texts comes the Talmud-commentaries
on the Mishnah and the Midrash-Interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Biblical Interpretation in the Beginning…
 To the left is a representation of the
great Jewish Rabbi Hillel who with
the great Rabbi Shammai (15BC-
20AD) competed for dominance
between their schools of interpretive
thought in the 1st Century.
 It should be noted that the Qumran
Communities and that of Hellenistic
Judaism also contributed much to the
discussion with the emergence of the
Septuagint (Greek translation of
Hebrew Scriptures) and the Dead
Sea comm. use of the Pesher
technique.
 It was the wealth of Interpretative
processes found in Judaism that led
to the Interpretative process of the 1st
Church. Jesus becomes the key to
the interpretation of the Hebrew
Scriptures entire. See Lk 4:18, 2
Corinthians 3:14-16. Typological
Interpretation becomes the motis
operandi. See book of Hebrews.
Biblical Interpretation with the Apostolic Fathers…100AD-590 (7 th
Century)AD
 The three methods practiced by
the Apostles were to Interpret the
Scriptures Typologically, Literal-
Contextually and then Principle-
Applicationally. The Apostolic
Fathers practiced the same
principles as the Apostles had.
 At this point the Early Church
Fathers began to Interpret the
Scriptures using Tradition as
means towards interpretation.
Within this means are the tools of
typology, allegory, midrashic and
traditional Interpretive.
 Because the Fathers sometimes
had difficulty interpreting
Scripture the same way, an
appeal was made to the apostolic
succession of Church leadership
to define what Scripture really
taught.
Interpretation During the Middle Ages 590-1500AD
 The Middle Ages begin with the Fall of the
Roman Empire. The Interpretive methods
of the Early Church provided the catalyst by
which Middle Age scholars would Interpret
Scripture. Biblical Interpretation during this
time followed along 5 diverse patterns.
They were: (1) The Catena…chain of
Interpretations from Fathers (2) The
Allegorical method (3) The Quad layered
meaning behind texts {L.A.M.A}. (4) The
Literal/Historical method (5) Scholasticism.
Thomas Aquinas (whose picture is featured
to the right) was the leading thinker during
the Middle Ages. He produced the Summa
Theologica. It was a rational, systematic
theology on the beliefs of the Church.
 It should be noted that at this point, the
method of Interpreting the Scriptures
Allegorically was beginning to fall out of
favor and a rationalistic view of Scripture
enters. William of Ockham became the
name associated with the removal of
unnecassary points leaving only the facts.
This method would be called “Ockhams
Razor.”
Interpretation During the Renaissance 1500-1650
1.The Renaissance marked a critical turn in the history
of Biblical Interpretation up to this point. With the
Renaissance came a boom not just in the Arts and
Sciences but also in the circles of Christian
scholarship.
2.Humanism was the catch-phrase of the Renaissance
and flowed into the thought life of the Church.
Christian Humanists like Erasmus fought against
the cold-cumbersome movements of
Scholasticism. The Church sought for a more
simplistic faith that enabled devotion and intimacy
with God.
3.Another characteristic of this new movement was a
re-ignited interest in the original Greek-Hebrew
languages that provided a fresh glimpse at
Scripture, which was seen as the basis of spiritual
devotion. In 1506 Johann Reuchlin published a
Hebrew Grammar and in 1516 Erasmus published
the Greek New Testa ment with Latin translation
(not the Vulgate). Allegory fell into ill repute. Martin
Luther and John Calvin became the two figures
responsible for the new age of Hermenuetics. Sola
Scriptura is the rule of the day!
The Post Reformation Era…1650-1800. Piety and
Rationalism

The new movement that emerged out of post-Renaissance Europe was Pietism
which in a way came full circle back to the Typological approach of interpretation
found in the Apostolic period. Pietism sought to revive a deep sense of devotion
through group Bible Study, morality and prayer. Jonathan Edwards probably best
symbolizes pietism in America and John Wesley in England.
Another movement birthed post-Renaissance was called Rationalism. Rationalism
argued that the human mind was capable of discovering truth without the aid of any
outside traditional authority (even if that authority was the Bible itself). The
application of reason was enough to lead man to truth “…in all matters of religion
reason is supreme.”-Neil
This movement would set the stage for the removal of the Bible and the Church as
pillars of authority in Christian scholastic circles.
The Modern Era 1800AD-present. The Age of Criticism
 This age was filled with advances in the sciences
and means by which history was studied. As
noted earlier, the age of Rationalism provided
the footing from which this new age of Criticism
appears. Through these aforementioned means
the Historical-Critical method was born. This
age witnessed the examination of everything
under the tools and techniques of verification.
What should be understood is that with the
emergence of evolutionary thought and
investigation appeared a desire to undermine the
Scriptures in light of this new science.
 Wellhausen
 Baur
 Barth
 Bultmann
 Dodd
 Redaction Criticism (1950’s)
Beth Rapha Bible Institute:
“God…”
Beth Rapha Bible Institute
 When we talk about God, we are talking about a being that has
revealed Himself progressively to His creation. This revelation was
on His own terms, for the purpose of creating the space not for more
information but for a greater relationship. God wants to be
investigated and known (Jeremiah 9:23-24, John 17:3).
 Through the creative act noted in Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, God breathes
into man the breath of life. In discussion of God, we discover that
human beings were made in His image ‫( צלם‬tselem). This term is
translated as phantom, resemblance, image and representation. We
have been made as a representation of God in the sense that we have
like qualities or counterparts in our nature that parallel those in God.
These we will call Communicable Attributes (love, anger, mercy,
justice, etc.) and conversely there are those aspects of God’s nature
that do not parallel those found in humanity. We will call these
Incommunicable attributes (transcendence, Omnipotence,
foreknowledge, etc.).
 Beth Rapha Bible Institute
 Now, as there are 2 ways we
classify the attributes of God,
there are also 2 means we will use
to classify what God is and what
He does. The Attributes of God
speak to all of the qualities God
has in Gods-self.
 What God is we will call God’s
nature and what God does we will
call God’s properties.
 Please remember God’s nature
refers to what God is in His
substance (essence, i.e. a quarter’s
nature is metal, it’s properties are
that it is hard, shiny and cold).
Properties refers to what God
does which flows out of what He
is.
Beth Rapha Bible Institute
(Nature) God (Nature) God (Nature) God (Nature) God
is Spirit- is Holy- is Love- is Trinity-
Genesis 6:3, Leviticus I John 4:8, Isaiah 48:16,
John 4:24 11:44, I Cor. Jerem. 31:3 John 15:26
3:16-17
(properties)Beca (properties) (properties) (properties)
use God is Because God is Because God is Because God is
Spirit, He is Holy, He Love, He loves, Trinity, He is
invisible, requires distance continuously never lonely or
eternal, Omni…, and fear, offers himself, dependant,
immutable, cannot…, (is) rejoices, (has) desires
inexhaustible, righteous, just, mercy, grace, community,
immeasurable, jealous, faithful, patience, oneness,
free, self- veracious longsuffers, (is) empowers his
dependant. grieved. creation with
gifts and
comfort.
Beth Rapha Bible Institute
 In this segment we are
going to explore the
person and work of
Jesus Christ.
 We will investigate the
scope of prophecy
concerning Jesus.
 We will examine the
claims/works Jesus
made.
 We will examine Jesus’
legacy.
Beth Rapha Bible Institute
 The first text that would reference
or prophecy Jesus is found in
Genesis 3:15, this text is called the
Protoevangelium or “first-
preaching of the Gospel.” One of
the assignments of the “He/His…”
would be to bring strife and
contention between the seed of the
women and the seed of darkness
and to destroy the serpents
influence and life in Creation.
 What made Jesus so unique was
what is called the hypostatic
Union. This man wouldn’t be just
man, he’d be God Himself.
 The Nature of Jesus Christ (hypostatic)
Fully Man
This God would wrap Himself in human
flesh (Hebrews 1:1-3,8, 2:9-11,10:5.
Philippians 2:5-8).
The body of Christ becomes the space where
man’s fate would be decided (Matthew
20:28, 1Timothy 2:5-6). The cross was the
vehicle but the body was the space where
God’s wrath would be resolved (Matthew
27:46). Jesus was a man (Luke 1:42, 2:-,
John 11:35, Mark 11:12-13, Matthew 4:1-11,
27:50). All of these Scriptures bare witness
to the humanity of Jesus.
This man Jesus promises the Holy Spirit and
it is to Jesus that the Spirit witnesses in its
ministry here on earth (John 15:26).
Fully God
This God would wrap Himself in human
flesh but would retain His Godhood (John
10:30, Matthew 16:13-16, 3:16-17).
This God would divest Himself of all of His
divine power but not His nature as God
(Philippians 2:5-8, Matthew 4:1-11). Notice
that some of the same Scriptures in use for
His humanity speak for His divinity; and
that is because although his humanity is
clearly seen His divinity transcends the
circumstances of the moment to manifest
something much more that what is apparent.
This God will return to judge the living and
the dead (Revelation 20:12). He will receive
His bride at the end of human history (21:1-
8).
Beth Rapha Bible Institute
 Prophecy is defined as the vehicle of divine utterance God uses to bring
forth His revelation. Prophecy is uttered by a Prophet (nabi) which
comes from the root meaning “to fall or to drop” denoting the spittle that
would fall from the lips of one who uttered the divine words.
 Who is the person that gives Christianity its hermeneutic?
 Jesus gives the Christian community the process and tools through which
she is to interpret the whole of special revelation. Special revelation in
the form of Holy Scripture speaks about Jesus and it is in using Jesus as a
lense, that all of Scripture should be understood (Luke 24:25-27).
 “Beginning at Moses…” Usually when references to Moses (Luke 24:27)
are made it is a reference to the Law collective (I.e.Torah, Prophets,
Writings). When the text references the Law and the Prophets (Matthew
5:17-Romans 7:7), the Writings are assumed to be apart of the equation.
Sometimes when the text notes the Law, the Writings are what is being
referenced (John 10:34-Psalms 82:6).
Beth Rapha Bible Institute
 The person and work of the Holy
Spirit in Biblical doctrine. This is
what is called Pneumatology.
 Who Is the Holy Spirit?
 Did He/It show up only in the NT?
 Did the Holy Spirit work the same
way in the OT era as the NT?
 How does the Holy Spirit function
today in the life of the believer?
 How does the Holy Spirit function
in the life of the Church
Universal?
 Beth Rapha Bible Institute
 In this lesson we will
discover and study what
the nature of mankind is
which is Anthropology.
 We will explore the
dimensions of mans
physiological and
spiritual makeup.
 Lastly, we will discuss
different views of mans
composition.
Beth Rapha Bible Institute
 What is the definition and nature of
mankind?
 Well in order to answer that question we
should ask the one who defines all things…
Lets examine Genesis 2:6-7.
 .7‫ַוּי ִיצֶר י ְהוָה אֱֹלהִים אֶת־הָָאדָ ם ָעפָר‬
‫מִן־ ָהאֲדָ מָה ַוּיִּפַח ְּב ַאּפָיו נִׁשְמַת ַחּי ִים ַויְהִי‬
‫הָָאדָ ם ְלנֶפֶׁש ַחּי ָה׃‬
Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia : With Westminster Hebrew Morphology. 1996,
c1925; morphology c1991 (Ge 2:7). Stuttgart; Glenside PA: German Bible Society;
Westminster Seminary.

 Hence to be a man or human is to…simply

BE. The phrase by Rene Descartes, “Cogito
ergo sum…” “I think therefore I am” is
appropriate here in reference to what man is.
Man is a being being. Made by his Creator
to reflect Him in the earth.
 Scriptures…
 Genesis 1:26-27, 5:1-2, 9:6. 1 Corinthians 11:7, 2 Cor. 3:18, James 3:9,
Romans 8:29, Ephesians 4:23-24, Colossians 3:10.
 What exactly qualifies man to BE a being, being in the image of God?
1. Mankind’s dominion over nature.
2. Mans Relationship is analogous to the I-Thou nature of God.
3. Mans Intellectual/emotional/volitional/social/moral/spiritual dimension. If one
would arrive at a definition of what man is it could be that man is supposed to be
a representation of God embodied on the earth.
4. When God created man He poured some aspects of Himself into man and kept
others. The aspects God poured are referred to as Communicable attributes (i.e.
ability to love, the capacity to feel joy, live holy, tell the truth, etc) and those He
kept are incommunicable attributes (i.e. immortality, omniscience, omnipresence,
etc) Genesis 1:27-28, 2:7, Deuteronomy 29:29, Psalm 8:1-9, Hebrews 2:5-11.
 Man in his constitution as a flesh embodied being is constituted how?
 Lets examine some views: Trichotomous,
Dichotomous, Monism, Conditional Unity.
 Man after the fall…
 After the fall man becomes obsessed with himself-
preoccupied with himself (see Genesis 3:7-9).
Consequences of the fall immediately following the
transgression was awareness of departed glory
(nakedness), covering themselves with fig leaves,
hiding from God and passing the blame. Man
becomes a consumer…

Below are the sins that become staple issues

of Human preoccupation.
Lust-the desire/act to have something out of the
boundaries given God.
Gluttony-the desire/act to fill the stomach or
the life without restraint.
Greed-the desire/act to continuously intake and
accumulate without giving back or serving
others.
 Man after the fall…
Sloth –the desire/act to be free
from work or responsibilities.
To resist haste and necessity.
Wrath-the desire/act to feel
unrestrained anger and
freedom to emote out of
reasonable boundaries.
Envy-the desire/act to have what
someone else possesses and
resent someone else’s fortune.
Pride-the desire/act to celebrate
ones own achievements at
another’s expense.
 Beth Rapha Bible Institute
 The Nature of Sin and
mans need for Salvation.
 This discussion will create
the space for us to discuss
what sin is from a Biblical
perspective, where sin
comes from and what
should the Christian
response to sin be.
 We will look at how the
early fathers dealt with this
human dynamic.
The Nature of Sin
 One essential note that must be made about this issue of Sin is that if your
Theology of God is unstable, your theology of Sin, Salvation, Eternity and any
other topic will be just as unstable. Conversely, if your theology of God is
stable, that stability will permeate every aspect of your worldview all the same.
How this works is simple. If your theology of God is that God is some cosmic
grandpa who only loves His creation and never judges people righteously then it
will impact or impede right thinking about sin. Your theology of Sin will be
severely shaped to give room and freedom for some of the most detestable
transgressions without remorse or a sense of guilt. Furthermore, if your
theology of Sin is unstable then your theology of Salvation will make it
completely feasible that anyone no matter how wicked and unrepentant can enter
eternal life. Ones theology of God is absolutely essential to their theology of
everything else.
 Taking a few cues from Millard Ericksons Systematic Theology (Baker
academic, Grand Rapids, MI) Sin can be caused by Error, Inattention and
Ignorance. Biblically, a person will be held responsible for the light they were
exposed to and what they had an opportunity to retrieve. Ones lack of interest
and willful ignorance of divine truth will be weighed and judged by God Himself.
There will be no room for excuses when the Book of Life is opened.
The terms for Sin
 Just as there are 3 causes or categories that Sins can be isolated within, it
is important to note that the substance of sin is found in the human soul.
According to reformed theology man is depraved (Romans 3:23, Genesis
6:5). Without intervention man has no capacity to love or even respond to
God (Philippians 2:13, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19). It is not what goes into a
man that defiles him but what comes out-Jesus. Below is a list of sins that
make it virtually impossible for one to boast of being sinless. The list is
not comprehensive but it does provide a sobering spectrum on Sin.
 Missing the mark (Heb. chata, Greek. hamartema) One misses the mark
because they were purposely aiming at the wrong target. Isaiah 53:12, I
Corinthians 3:16-17.
 Irreligion (Greek. Asebeo, adikon) Absence of righteousness , impiety and
disregard for God. Colossians 3:25, 2 Peter 2:8.
 Transgression (Heb. Abar,, Greek. Parabasis) The act of passing by or
crossing over Gods divine law. Deut. 17:2, Romans 5:14.
 Iniquity (Awal) This sin exhibits a lack of unity in the individual. There is
a gulf between past and present behavior. Two facedtedness. Lev.19:15.
The terms for Sin continued
 Rebellion (Heb. Pesha, Greek. Apeitheo) This term carries the idea of
rebellion and disobedience in the face of what is right. Isaiah 1:2, Heb.
3:18, 4:6.
 Perversion and Abomination (Heb. Awah, Shiqquts and to’ebah) These
terms denote a twisting, bending and a distortion from what was originally
intended. The intention of that which was created to behave according to
divine design has been twisted to look like something else. It is perverted
and hence a revulsion to God. Hosea 14:1-2, Deut. 7:25, 18:22, 31, 20:13,
22:5, 17:1.
 These terms demonstrate an array of ways man can sin in the Scriptures.
God leaves man with no means by which to absolve himself of sin. John’s
epistle notes, “If we say we have no sin, we make God out to be a liar and
the truth is not in us.”-paraphrase.
 :
Beth Rapha Bible Institute

The Nature of the Church

• In this discussion we will

be dealing with the nature
of the Church.
• We will explore what the
Church is and how it is
supposed to function
spiritually, practically,
liturgically and socially
in the world in which we
live.
• We will point to the
function of the Church in
the last days or the
Eschaton.
Beth Rapha Bible Institute :
What does it mean to be the Church?
 The term we use for Church is actually almost as ancient as the Greek
term ecclesia (the Greek term translated Church which literally means “an
assembly of called out ones).
 The term we use for Church comes from the middle english term
chirche, which comes from the Germanic kirika, which in turn comes
from the ancient Greek kuriakov (belonging to the Lord)-derived
from the term kurious (“ruler”, “Lord”). The term kuriakon had
been in use since the 300’s; yet, the terms ‘ekklesia’ and
‘Basilike(royal thing)’ were already in use since the early 2 nd Century.
 Hence the term Church literally means, “An assembly of called out ones,
a body of called out ones, called out to worship the Father through the
Lord Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy spirit. Many people have
mistakenly refered to the Church as a building but it is hardly that. It is a
building but not a physical one, it is a spiritual building built to bring
glory to God.
Beth Rapha Bible Institute :
what are the origins of the Church from antiquity?

 Lets begin our discussion by examining what God told King David when He told
God that he’d build Him a house (2 Samuel 7:.)
 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: yWould you build me a
house to dwell in? 6 I have not lived in a house zsince the day I brought up the
people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about ain a tent for
my dwelling. 7 In all places where bI have moved with all the people of Israel, did I
speak a word with cany of the judges1 of Israel, whom I commanded dto shepherd
my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” ’
 Hence, we see here a reference to the omnipresence/transcendance and the
immanence of God. God can be everywhere and no where at the same time.
Below are the habitations of God since eternity.
 Eternity and the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1:1, 2:8).
 The Tabernacle (Exodus 15:13, 16, 40:29-31, 34-38, Numbers 14:8,
Deuteronomy 32:9-10, Isaiah 62:4, Jeremiah 12:7-10, Hosea 1:9-10, 2:23.
 The Temple (2 Samuel 7:17, 11, I Kings 6:13, 8:62-66, Ezra 5:11-18).
 The Synagogue (Babylonian captivity, Talmud, Josephus, Philo)
 The Church embodied the presence of God (Matthew 18:16, 1 Corinthians 3:16).
Beth Rapha Bible Institute: Functions

 In the OT a place is established but in the NT a relationship is envisioned.

Relationship becomes the ideal, not an location. (see John 4:21-24, Romans
9:24-26, I Corinthians 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:8-9, 21-22 Romans 1:16, 10:16).

 The functions of the Church are to Make disciples (Matthew 28:19,20). This
teaching is to be literal and as well as exemplary (I Peter 2:12).

 The Church functions to edify its members (Ephesians 4:12). How? Koinonia-
Acts 5:, I Cor.12:26. Teaching- I John 2:20-27, Gifting- Romans 12:4-8, I
Cor. 12:1-31, Ephesians 4:11-13. Centralize and focus giving for welfare
programs and the Gospels promotion I Corin. 16:1-3, James 1:27, 2:15-17.
Create the space for worship- Hebrews 10:25, I Cor. 16:2, 14:14-17.

 A marriage done right should remind and encourage people about the Church-
the body of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-32).
Beth Rapha Bible Institute

 What are the Forms of Church Government that exist at present?

Episcopal Presbyterian Congregational

Archbishop Presbytery synod Pastor

Bishop (governance by Elders) Elders
Elders Elders Deacons
Deacons Ministers
Deacons

 What denominations fall under these governing bodies?

Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Baptist, Pentecostal,

Anglican, Church of Reformed, Lutheran non-denominational
God/Christ
Beth Rapha Bible Institute: Ordinances???
 The Church has 2 Ordinances. Those Ordinances or Traditions are :

 Baptism and The Lord’s Supper.

 Lets examine the four views of the Eucharist
 Traditional Roman Catholic view (Transubstantiation)
 The Lutheran view (consubstantiation)
 The Reformed view (presence with)
 Zwinglian view (symbolism and commemoration)

 Lets examine the meaning and essence of Baptism

 Saving Grace (Romans 6:3-5)
 Sign and Seal of the Covenant (Colossians 2:11-12, Acts 2:37-41)
 Token of Salvation and means of identification (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts
8:12, 18:8, and 19:1-7)
Beth Rapha Bible Institute:
The Eschaton or the Last Things
 In this study we will
explore issues and
questions related to death.
 Individual as well as
corporate survival beyond
the grave.
 The Second coming.
 The Final Judgment and
views of the end times.
 Man’s final state in
eternity.
 Eschatology and apocalypticism
 In order to approach Jesus’ Revelation
appropriately we must see that it is only apart
of a wider body of literature known as
apocalyptic literature. Apocalyptic literature
was a genre of writings that foretold the end of
the world as ushered in by a redeemer. The
books that form the corpus of apocalyptic
literature are Joel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Zechariah
and Daniel.
 In order to read Revelations properly you have
to view it as you would a trailer of a movie.
Trailers show different scenes of the whole
movie. The first scene may be the end of the
movie and the last trailer scene might be the
beginning. God is giving a glimpse of different
periods of salvation history through John’s
apocalypse.
 Eschatology or the study of Last Things
 When we study the topic of Eschatology we must speak specifically to Personal
and Corporate eschatology. Personal eschatology is that branch of theology
that discusses the future survival of the Individual beyond the grave and
Corporate eschatology refers to the existence of the whole of the Creation at
the end of time. Eschatology means the study of the End things.
Issues in Personal Survival Issues in Corporate Eschatology
Death is an enemy that was forced or The Second Coming (parousia,
rather invited upon human existence apokaluyis, epifaneia).
through the Fall. The order of the Resurrection at the End
Life is lived through 2 modes of of Days. Both saved and unsaved exist
existence (physical/spiritual). in intermediate states until the Great
All (believer and unbeliever) suffer the White throne judgment and Beamer
effects of the Fall yet in different Seat judgment. Both are judged already
conclusions. and enjoy or suffer to a degree their
The Intermediate state (Soul sleep, judgments. At the Great Throne
purgatory or conscious existence?). Judgment/Rapture, the flesh is
reconstituted with the spirit/soul and it
will receive its rewards. 2Cor.5:9-10
Last Days Event Chart…
 The culmination of all things begins as a discussion in the First book of the Bible
and ends in the last. Victory over evil is prophesied as commencing with the
conflict between the seed of the women and the seed of the serpent; it
culminates with a final battle between the seed and the seed.

We are Hardship/t Son of Antichrist Christ Christ

here. ribulation. perdition violates treaty Returns. Final Casting
returns/ Judgem
reveals and wars Rapture Finally. crown/
himself. against Antichri ent/Bea New
happens. ma seat
Peace Jews/saints. st and heaven-
treaty Beast judgme New
signed thrown nt. earth.
between into
Jews/Gen Lake of
tiles. 7 Fire.
yrs peace.
Millennial Views and Tribulation Views of the End.
The 3 Millennial Views The 3 Tribulation Views

Postmillennialism PreTribulation

Premillennialism Posttribulation

Amillennialism Mediating Positions

Final States and Rewards
 The Final State of the Righteous
We will dwell in Heaven (Matt.6:19-
20, Col.1:5,1 Peter 1:4-5), which
is where our works/rewards are
stored. Rewards are dependant
upon type of work and can be
lost (1Cor.3:12-15).
Heaven is the dwelling place of
God, angels, the saved and the
Lord (Matt.6:9, Revelation
21:3,Matt.18:10,John 14:2-3,
Our life will be characterized by
rest, worship, work and service
(Heb 4:9-11,Rev.19:1-
4,Matt.25:14-29, 1Cor.6:2-3).
We will be like the angels yet
identifiable to one another
(Matt.17:)
 The Final State of the Lost
The wicked are they who will be
assigned to everlasting
punishment in Hell
(Matt.25:41,8:12, Rev.14:10-
11,21:8). This place was
designed with the devil and his
angels in mind (Matt.25:41).
There is no extinguishing of their
flame,worm or torment (Isaiah
66:24, Mark 9:43-48).
There are degrees of punishment in
Hell (Matt.11:21-24) and people
who are still in rebellion as well
as those still trying to repent
(Matt.25:30).
They all (Devil, angels and lost) will
be thrown into the Lake of Fire.