BURIED IN BAPTISM

WHAT IS BAPTISM, and who should be baptized? Before the Lord Jesus ascended to heaven, He gave the Great Commission to His disciples. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19, 20).

It was thus the Lord’s desire that, as His servants went throughout the world with the Gospel, they should baptize those who received the message. Baptism is an ordinance instituted by the Lord Himself. This raises two questions. First, how is the ordinance of baptism carried out? Second, what is the meaning of baptism?

In order to find a true answer to the first, we shall turn to Acts 8:26-39. There we find a servant of the Queen of Ethiopia riding along in his chariot, and reading the book of Isaiah, chapter 53, in the Old Testament. This man was a sincere seeker for the truth, and so God instructed His servant, Philip, to speak with him. Philip told him how the Lord Jesus had died on Calvary so that sinners might be saved. The traveler believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and then asked Philip if he could be baptized. Inasmuch as the man had truly believed on Christ, Philip agreed to baptize him. The chariot was therefore halted near a body of water. Now notice verses 38 and 39 carefully:

“… And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.”

Now what is the true significance of this ceremony which was carried out so simply along that eastern highway many years ago, and which continues to be performed to this very day?

1.    First of all, it is an act of obedience to the expressed will of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 28:19). Its purpose is not to put away the filth of the flesh, but rather to give the Christian a good conscience toward God, knowing that he has obeyed the Lord’s will (1 Peter 3:21). Only those who have heard and believed should be baptized (Acts 18:8).

2.    Secondly, Romans 6:3-5 teaches that it is a symbol or picture of a spiritual truth.
(a)    The water is a picture of judgment and death.
(b)    When Christ died, He went under the waters of judgment and death to put away our sins (Psalm 42:7).
(c)    Since Christ died as a substitute for the believer, it is equally true that the believer died with the Lord Jesus. In other words, when Christ died, I died. When He was buried, I was buried. When He arose, I arose.
(d)    The Christian has died to sin, to the world and to self. He has died to all that he was by nature, and from now on God no longer sees him in his sins, but sees him in Christ, risen from the dead, and possessing the resurrection life of Christ (Galatians 2:20).
(e)    Thus, when a Christian was baptized, he is making a public confession that he has taken his place with Christ in death and burial, and that henceforth he shall seek to show to all that he possesses the life of Christ (Colossians 2:12; 3:1, 2).

3.    The truly baptized person is the one who has not only been baptized in literal water, but whose life shows that the flesh, or old nature, has been put in the place of death. Baptism must be a matter of the heart, as well as an outward profession.

    In the early days of the Church, when a believer was baptized, he was often persecuted and murdered in a short time. Yet whenever others were, they too stepped forward to fill up the ranks of the martyrs by being baptized (1 Corinthians 15:29).

    Even today in heathen lands, baptism is the signal for the beginning of the terrible persecution. In many countries a believer will be tolerated as long as he confesses Christ only with his lips. But whenever he publicly confesses Christ in baptism, the enemies of the Cross take up their battle against him.

    Yet whatever the cost may be, each one who is baptized enjoys the same experience that the Ethiopian eunuch did. It is written of him: “He went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39).

What Christians Believe
Chapter 18: Buried in Baptism
Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School
Chicago, Illinois

CHRISTIAN CONDUCT

HOW CAN A CHRISTIAN know what he may or may not do? Is it all right for a believer to go to dances or to the theatre, to play cards, to smoke, to drink or to participate in other worldly pleasures and amusements?

Many young converts are troubled by questions similar to the above. They find that certain practices are clearly condemned in the Bible, but that there are many others which are not mentioned. It is the purpose of this lesson to provide the student with a series of standards which may help him to decide whether or not he should engage in a questionable activity.

1. First of all, is it distinctly forbidden by the Lord for believers today? If it is, avoid it as you would a deadly plague. If you do not know, don’t do it until you have had a chance to find out (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

2. Then, is there any glory for God in it? In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we read this plain statement: “Whatever you do, do all for the glory of God”. Before you engage in the activity in question, can you honestly ask for God’s blessing upon it, believing that He will be honored through your participation?

3. Is it “of the world”? If it is, then it is not “of Christ”. He said concerning His disciples, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:16). He was not “of the world” at all. He was in it, but not of it (1 John 2:15-17).

4. Would the Lord have done it? He has left us an example that we should follow His steps (1 Peter 2:21).

5. Would you like to be found doing it when the Lord returns? Someone has wisely remarked, “Don’t do anything, say anything, or go anywhere that would causes you shame if the Lord should come!” (1 John 2:28).

6. Can you feel free to do it when you remember that God the Holy Spirit dwells within you? “Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). See also Ephesians 4:30.

7. Is it fitting conduct for a child of God? When a king’s son acts in an unworthy manner, he brings disgrace on his father’s name. So does the Christian who behaves in an unbecoming way (Romans 2:24; Colossians 1:10).

8. What effect will your conduct have on others? Will it be good testimony to the unsaved, or will they decide that there is really no difference between a Christian and an unbeliever (2 Corinthians 5:17)? Also, will it cause someone who is young in the faith to stumble? The Apostle Paul warned that no man should put “a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way” (Romans 14:13).

9. Finally, is there the least bit of doubt in your mind about it? If so, then don’t do it, for “the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).

In connection with this subject of what a Christian may or may not do, it is well to remember that “we are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14, 15). This does not mean that we may do as we like, but rather it means we want to do what God likes because He has done so much for us. We do not avoid worldly pleasures and amusements because we have to, but because we want to. The reason we want to is because Christ died for us, and now our ambitions are to live in a manner that will please Him (2 Corinthians 5:14, 15). God does not say, “If you keep away from sinful pleasures, you will be a Christian”. But He does say, in effect, to the believer. “You are a Christian! Now live in a way that is consistent with your high calling” (Ephesians 4:1).

It is possible that a Christian may forget his dignified position, and go in for the things of the world. In such a case, God will bring him back by loving correction, just as a shepherd brings back a wandering sheep by placing his crook around its neck. Thus, if God’s grace is forgotten by the believer, he will be restored by God’s government.

What Christians Believe
Chapter 17: Christian Conduct
Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School
Chicago, Illinois

TRIUMPH OVER TEMPTATION

HOW CAN A CHRISTIAN resist sinful temptations? Whenever a person is saved, a great struggle begins. He still has the old nature, the sinful nature of Adam, which will try to drag him into sin all the time. But he also has the new nature, the life of God, which hates sin and wants to do what is right. The two natures fight against each other continually (Galatians 5:16, 17; Romans 8:5-8).

The old nature is incurably bad. It cannot be improved, and it will not be removed until the Christian goes home to heaven. God condemned it when Christ died on the Cross, and He wants Christians to treat it as if it were dead. Don’t encourage it! Don’t feed it! Don’t give it a chance! (Romans 13:14).

The new nature inspires the Christian to do good. It should be encouraged and fed.

This, then, is how the Christian resists temptation by saying “No” to the flesh, or old nature, and by nourishing the new life that is within. The following are practical suggestions as to how this may be done:

1.    Read the Bible! Study it! Memorize it! Meditate on it! Obey it! Notice Psalm 119:9 and 11. There we learn that the Word of God helps to keep us from sinning. Be sure, therefore, that you set aside a definite time each day for the reading of God’s Word (Colossians 3:16).

2.    Pray without ceasing! Whenever you are faced with temptation, ask God for help (Hebrews 4:16). He will give you the strength to overcome (1 Corinthians 10:13). If you try to resist by your own strength, you will surely fail.

3.    Seek the companionship of fellow-believers and not of the ungodly! (Proverbs 1:10-16; Hebrews 10:24, 25). It is often necessary to work and live with unbelievers, and in such cases we should witness to them both with our lips and by our lives. But we should not join with them in their worldly pleasures and amusements (Ephesians 5:11).

4.    Confess your sins immediately! As soon as you are conscious that you have grieved your Father by a sinful thought, word or deed, ask His forgiveness immediately. Do not wait until evening or until the end of the week (Proverbs 28:13).

5.    Keep busy for the Lord! Someone has said that idle hands are the devil’s workshop. Give your body to the Lord to use it as He desires! (Romans 6:19). There is plenty of work to be done, and you will be serving the Best of Masters.

6.    Engage in some physical exercise! Bodily exercise is profitable (1 Timothy 4:8). Because the believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, he should use reasonable means in maintaining his body in good health and strength. However, he should not allow sports to assume such an important place  that spiritual things are crowded out (1 Corinthians 6:19,20).

7.    Starve the old nature! Be careful what you read, what you watch, where you go, and what you listen to (Colossians 3:5-9).

8.    Feed the new nature! Be occupied with Christ! When you are thinking about Him, you cannot be thinking about sin (Colossians 3:10-14). This is really the secret of holy living occupation with Christ. It is a fixed rule in life that we become like the object of our worship. 2 Corinthians 3:18 teaches us that we become like the Lord Jesus as we behold Him n the mirror (glass) of His Word. We are changed into His image and likeness by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

Occupation with others brings distraction.
Occupation with self brings distress.
Occupation with Christ brings delight.

    One final word! You will notice from the foregoing that deliverance from temptation is not a once-for-all experience, but a continual process of depending on God. No matter how old we get, or how much we may learn about the Bible, we are still in danger of yielding to temptation if we take our eyes off the Lord. A very godly man used to pray that God would keep him from dying as a wicked old man. We all need to pray the same petition (Colossians 3:1-4).

What Christians Believe
Chapter 16: Triumph Over Temptation
Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School
Chicago, Illinois

PERMANENT PRESERVATION

CAN A SAVED PERSON ever perish? If a person has been truly born again, he can never perish. The believer is safe and secure forever. Seven passages of the Scripture are listed below as evidence of this glorious truth, though many more could be given (The student should study each quotation carefully).

1.    John 10:27-29. Notice these words of Christ, “I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish”. Plant your feet on that. This is the promise of Christ without any conditions attached. No sheep of His will ever perish! Notice, too, that both Christ and the Father hold you securely.

2.    John 5:24. Here again the Lord Jesus Christ is speaking. He promises that the person who hears His Word and believes on the One who sent Him has everlasting life, and will never come into condemnation, or judgment. If one believer were ever lost, then the Son of God would have failed keep His promise.

3.    John 3:36. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life”. Notice that it does not say “he will have everlasting life”. He has it at the present time. Now, how long is “everlasting”? Clearly it is forever.

4.    Romans 8:38, 39. The Apostle Paul announces that neither death, life, angels, principalities, powers, things present, things to come, height nor depth can separate the Christian from the love of God. And lest any child of God might worry that he might separate himself from the love of God, Paul adds, “nor any other creature”. The believer is as safe as God can make him.

5.    2 Timothy 1:12. Paul here expresses his confidence that Christ is able to keep what Paul had committed to Him, that is, his soul. In John 6:39, we learn that God has entrusted Christ with the preservation of all believers. Is it possible that Christ could be unfaithful to His trust?

6.    Jude 24. The Lord Jesus is the One who is able to keep Christians from falling, and to take them safely home to heaven. Christians are no more able to keep themselves saved than they were to save themselves in the first place, but Christ is able (1 Peter 1:5).

7.    Romans 8:30. “Whom He justified, them He also glorified”. Every saved person is glorified. Although Christians do not yet have their glorified bodies, yet it is so certain that God speaks of it as an accomplished fact. If you are justified, then, as far as God is concerned, you are glorified too. In other words, the Christian is just as sure of heaven as if he was already there.

In connection with the subject of the Christian’s security, the following facts should be remembered.

1.    A Christian does not lose his salvation when he sins. Christ has already paid the penalty for all the sins – past, present and future. God will not demand payment twice. Since Christ has died for my sins, I will never have to die for them. God the righteous Judge, forgives the sinner who believes on Christ.

2.    But when a Christian does sin, he displeases his heavenly Father, and the happy family spirit that should exist between the child and his Father remains broken until that sin is confessed (1 John 1:9). Notice clearly that there is a big difference between God, the Judge, dealing with a sinner, and God the Father dealing with an erring child. In the former case, the penalty for sin is death and hell. In the latter case, the result of sin is broken fellowship (1 John 2:1, 2).

3.    Even the Christian cannot sin cheaply. If a child of God wanders away from his Father, he can expect to be corrected (Hebrews 12:6, 7). The Father might use sorrow or suffering to bring him back.

4.    While a Christian can and does, unfortunately, commit acts of sin, no true child of God lives a life of continual sin. If a person can keep on sinning without being brought back to fellowship with God through chastening, it is a sure sign that he was never born again. Our security must not be an excuse to sin, but rather an incentive not to sin.

5.    There are several verses in the Bible which might seem to indicate that Christians can be lost again. However, if you examine them carefully, you will find that they refer to those who merely pretend to be Christians, or to those who have known the way of salvation and have rejected it. Nowhere do the Scriptures say that a truly born again person can perish. It is only such persons who are secure.

What Christians Believe
Chapter 15: Permanent Preservation
Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School
Chicago, Illinois

SURE SALVATION

HOW CAN A PERSON know for certain that he is saved? Read the following facts over and over until you fully understand them.

1.    The Bible is God’s Word. It is absolutely true. You can trust it.

2.    The Bible says that if you repent of your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you are saved.

3.    Now the question is “Have you ever come to Christ as a lost sinner, and asked Him to save you? Have you ever accepted Him as the Substitute who bore the penalty of your sins?”

4.    If you have, then God tells you in the Bible that you are saved.

In other words, - and this is very important to understand – assurance of salvation comes through the Scriptures. This truth is clearly taught in 1 John 5:13. Every Christian should memorize this verse.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Notice the italicized word. John wrote to those who had believed on Christ so that they might know what they had eternal life. If you have believed on Christ, you are saved. The Bible says so.

The trouble with so many is that they depend on feelings rather than on the Bible. They say, “I do not feel saved”. They expect some mysterious emotional experience, and when they do not receive it, they doubt that they were ever saved. The person who bases his assurance of salvation on his feelings is certain to have difficulty because feelings change from moment to moment. God’s Word, however, never changes. Trust the Bible and not your feelings.

But perhaps someone will ask, “Shouldn’t a person feel happy when he is saved?” The answer is definitely “Yes”. However, one must know he is saved before he can feel happy. Assurance comes first, and then feelings follow. We know we are saved because the Bible says so. We feel happy because we know we are saved.

In addition to the Scriptures themselves, there are other means of assurance for the believer. Here are three marks of a saved person.

1.    The person who is saved loves his fellow Christians (1 John 3:14).

2.    The person who is saved has the witness of the Holy Spirit within him (1 John 5:10; Romans 8:16). The witness of the Spirit is the inner joy and peace which is given to those who believe the Word of God when it says that all who believe on Christ are saved. The Spirit witnesses to Christians through the Bible.

3.    The person who is saved hates sin and loves what is right. Although a Christian can and does sin, sin no longer controls his life (Romans 6:14). He no longer lives in the continual practice of sin.

As a believer grows in the Christian life, his assurance will become stronger and stronger. There are at least three definite steps which he may take to help in this direction. 

1.    Read the Bible regularly and believe it with all your heart.

2.    Pray to the Lord to strengthen your faith as you read His Holy Word.

3.    Tell other about the One who has saved you from sin.

Finally, there is a helpful bit of advice for those who are not sure if they were ever saved, but who really want to be. Perhaps you think you might have trusted the Savior sometime in the past, but you are not absolutely certain. You long to know without any doubt that you are a child of God.

Here is what you should do. Tell the Lord that you are not sure if you are ever saved before, but you want to be saved right now. Tell Him that you know you are a lost sinner and that if you die in your present condition, you will go to hell. Then receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, believing that He died on Calvary’s Cross to pay the penalty of your sins, and that He is able and willing to save you.

Now turn to Acts 16:31. What does it say will happen if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ? It says, “Thou shalt be saved”. It is the Word of God. Believe it. When Satan comes to you and tries to make you doubt your salvation, turn to Acts 16:31, or John 1:12, or John 3:36, or John 5:24, or Romans 10:9. Show him that God says you are saved because you have believed on Christ. He will not trouble you with doubts if you show him the Scriptures.

What Christians Believe
Chapter 14: Sure Salvation
Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School
Chicago, Illinois

RESULTS OF REGENERATION

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS when a person is born again? Here is what takes place when a soul is born again. First, the person realizes that he is a lost sinner and that he deserves to spend eternity in hell (only the Holy Spirit can make anyone realizes this). He then repents of his sins, that is, he acknowledges to God that he is a sinner and that he needs a Savior. He accepts Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and at that moment he is born again. His sins are forgiven. He receives eternal life from God.

But that is only a small part of the story. It is just the beginning. We learn from the Bible that many other wonderful things occur when God saves a man. Here are ten other amazing occurrences:

1.    For one thing, the believer is accepted in the Beloved One (Ephesians 1:6). This means that he stands before God in all the acceptability of His Beloved Son. God sees him in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). It also means that the Christian is welcome in God’s presence as long as Christ is welcome, and that is clearly forever (Ephesians 2:6, 7).

2.    Also, he becomes a child of God (John 1:12). You can imagine how honored you would feel if you were the child of some world-famous ruler. How much greater honor it is to be the child of the mighty Maker of the universe, before whom angels bow! (Galatians 3:26)

3.    He is justified by God (Romans 5:1; 8:30, 33). God, the Judge, declares the believing sinner to be “NOT GUILTY” and looks upon him as if he had never sinned. He can do this because Christ has died as a substitute and has borne all the punishment which the Christian should have borne. Thus the Christian stands without guilt in God’s sight, and he will never be punished for his sins (Romans 8:1).

4.    He becomes indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Bible plainly teaches that God, the Holy Spirit, actually dwells within each believer (1 John 4:13). The body of the Christian is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Because of this sacred privilege, the child of God should be careful what he says, what he does and where he goes.

5.    He becomes a member of the true church (1 Corinthians 12:13). The church is described as “the body of Christ” (Colossians 1:18, 24). It is composed of all true believers in the Lord Jesus (Acts 2:47). There is no greater honor on earth than to be a member of the true church.

6.    He becomes an heir of God (Romans 8:17). God is the Creator of the universe and He owns all things. God’s children are promised that they will one day reign with Christ over all the earth, and they will then possess all things.

7.    He becomes a saint (Romans 1:7). Those who are saved are spoken of in the Bible as “saints”. A saint is one who has been set apart for God by the Holy Spirit (Psalm 4:3). In God’s sight every saint is holy, because God sees him in Christ, and Christ is absolutely holy (1 Corinthians 1:2).

8.    He is complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10). The Christian has a perfect standing before God. He is as near and as dear to God as Christ is. When a person has Christ, he has all that he needs for a happy life and a happy eternity.

9.    He receives the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). He will soon notice that he has new desires, new ambitions, a new hatred of sin, and a new love for his fellow Christians. When the divine nature is encouraged by the believer himself, he will become more and more like the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 3:18). This is God’s purpose for every one of His children.

10.    He immediately begins to enjoy the constant protection of God (Romans 8:28). Nothing can happen to a Christian without God’s permission. In other words, there are no accidents in a believer’s life. Everything that does happen to a child of God is for his own good. Even trials, tests and disciplines work for his spiritual benefit (Romans 5:3-5). Thus a Christian truly leads a “charmed” life.

In view of these marvelous provisions which God has made, every Christian should show his appreciation in at least two ways.

1.    He should never cease to worship God for salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.

2.    He should give his life in willing service to the One who gave His life on Calvary’s Cross (Romans 12:1).

What Christians Believe
Chapter 13: Results of Regeneration
Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School
Chicago, Illinois

FUTURE EVENTS

EVERY BIBLE student is thrilled to be able to read about events that are still future. Only in the Bible is the future unfolded. In this lesson, we shall consider some of these events in the order in which they will happen.

I CHRIST’S COMING FOR HIS SAINTS (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

    The next event to occur is the coming of Christ to take His people home to heaven. This is known as the Rapture. Christ will descend from heaven. The bodies of believers who have died will be raised. Living believers will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air.

    Note the following facts about coming of Christ.

1.    It may happen at any moment (Revelation 22:7).

2.    Only those who are truly saved will participate (1 Corinthians 15:23).

3.    It takes place instantly, “in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52).

4.    Not all believers will die but all will be changed (1 Corinthians 15:51). They shall be like Christ (1 John 3:2; Romans 8:16-25).

II THE TRIBULATION (Matthew 24:5-31)

    After the Rapture, the earth will experience a period of great suffering and sorrow known as the Tribulation. During this period, the Jewish people will return to the land of Palestine in unbelief. A great evil ruler will arise known as Antichrist (meaning against-Christ). He will demand worship from the people. It will be a time of such great suffering that unless the days were shortened, no life would survive. However, God will preserve those Jewish people who have been faithful to Him.

III CHRIST’S COMING TO REIGN (Malachi 4:1-3)

    Toward the end of the Tribulation period, the Lord Jesus Christ will come back to the earth in great power and glory. He will destroy His enemies, including Antichrist, and judge those nations which persecuted faithful Jews. Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit for 1000 years.

IV THE MILLENNIUM (Isaiah 32:1; 35:1-7; 65:17-25)

    When His work of judgment has been completed, Christ will set up His kingdom on the earth. Jerusalem will be His capital. He will reign upon the earth for a thousand years. This period is known as the millennium. It will be an era of peace and happiness. We read that nature will be entirely different, for the lion will lie down with the lamb. The desert will blossom like the rose. Men will live to very old ages. It will be a time of great prosperity. There will be no wars. Although sin will not be entirely absent, it will be punished immediately whenever it occurs.

V THE JUDGMENT OF THE GREAT WHITE THRONE (Revelation 20:11-15)

    At the end of Christ’s 1000-year reign, the Judgment of the Great White Throne will take place. This is the judgment of the wicked dead. No saved persons will be involved. The graves will give up the bodies of unbelievers, and hades or hell will give up their souls. They will then stand before Christ to be judged. Because their names are not found in the Lamb’s book of life, they will be found guilty and sentenced to the Lake of Fire to suffer conscious and eternal punishment.

VI ETERNITY (Revelation 21:1-8)

    The final picture of the future is the eternal state. The earth as we know it will have been destroyed by fire. Time, as we know it, will have ceased. All true believers will be enjoying endless happiness in heaven. All who have rejected the Savior will be suffering in the blackness of darkness forever. The question that faces each one of us we draw to the end of these Bible studies is this, “Where will I spend eternity?”

What Christians Believe
Chapter 12: Future Events
Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School
Chicago, Illinois

HEAVEN AND HELL

MEN HAVE ALWAYS had a sincere interest in the future. This interest has aroused questions such as the following: Does death end all? Where are the dead? What can we know about heaven and hell? First, we shall consider the question:

I WHAT HAPPENS TO A MAN AT THE TIME OF DEATH?

    At the outset, we need to remember that man is a tripartite being, that is, he is composed of three parts – body, soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). The first part is material being, the other two are non-material. With a spirit, man is capable of God-consciousness; with a soul, he is capable of self-consciousness; with a body he is capable of world-consciousness. Only God’s Word can divide between the soul and the spirit (Hebrews 4:12).

    Now, at the time of death, the soul and spirit leave the body. The body is put into the grave. In the case of believers, the body is described as sleeping (Acts 7:59, 60; 8:2), while the unsaved person’s body is spoken of as dead. The soul and spirit never sleep. If the person who died was saved, the soul and the spirit go to a place of joy and happiness – heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21, 23). If the person was unsaved, the spirit and soul go to a place of sorrow and punishment – hades. In Luke 16:19-31, our Lord clearly teaches that those who have dies are conscious. Be sure to read this important passage.

II WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT HELL?

    As we have already noted, the spirit and soul of an unbeliever wing their flight to hades at the time of death. Hades is a place of conscious punishment (Luke 16:23-25; the Revised Version correctly uses “hades” for “hell” in v.23). The soul in hades is spoken of as a person, having eyes, tongue, ears, fingers and memory. There is full knowledge of the conditions there.

    The Bible speaks about another place of torment in addition to hades. That other place is hell – the Lake of Fire. At the Judgment of the Great White Throne, which will be discussed in the next chapter, the souls in hades will be united with the bodies which are to be raised from the graves. Christ will then pronounce the final sentence of judgment upon the wicked dead, and they will be cast into the Lake of fire, the eternal abode of the lost (Revelation 20:11-15). Hades may thus be likened to the local jail where the prisoner temporarily awaits his sentence. The Lake of Fire may be likened to a prison to which are committed those under sentence for the duration of their earthly existence. In describing hell, our Lord speaks about the undying worm and the unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43-48). It is a place of conscious punishment.

    Is punishment for sin eternal? In the book of Revelation, the phrase “forever and ever” is used to describe the misery of the lost (Revelation 14:11).
   
    Can a God of love allow men to go to hell? (1) God does not want men to perish. He provided for man’s salvation through the work of His Son on Calvary’s Cross (Romans 5:6, 8). If men reject the Savior, they go to hell by their own choice. (2) God is a God of love, 1 John 4:8, but He is also holy, 1 Peter 1:16. He must punish sin. (3) Men do not hesitate to put sick people in hospitals, criminals in jail, or corpses in the cemetery. This does not indicate a lack of love on their part.

    What about the heathen who has never heard the Gospel? Like the rest of mankind, heathens are lost sinners, and only Christ can save them. They can tell that there is a God through the works of creation, Romans 1:20 and Psalm 19:1; and through their own consciences, Romans 2:15. If they live up to the light which they have, God will give them more light – see Cornelius, Acts 10 and 11.

III WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT HEAVEN?

    The Scripture clearly teach that there is a place of bliss for all who know and love our Lord Jesus Christ. Heaven is a place. The word is used in the Bible in three different ways. First of all, the region of the clouds is called heaven (Genesis 1:8). Then the area where the stars are located is known as heaven (Genesis 1:17). Finally, the word is used to describe God’s dwelling place. Paul calls this the “third heaven” and “Paradise” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). Heaven is always mentioned as being “up”. Satan said, in Isaiah 14:13-14, “I will ascend into heaven”.

    We know that our Lord is in heaven today. After He was raised from the dead, He ascended in a body of flesh and bones. He carried glorified humanity into heaven (Luke 24:38, 39, 51; 1 Peter 3:22; Hebrews 1:3).

    There is a great host of believers in heaven, for when the true Christian dies, he is “absent from the body – present with the Lord” 2 Corinthians 5:8. These believers are enjoying the presence of Christ “which is very far better” Philippians 1:23.

    What is heaven like? The writers of the Scripture could not find language that would describe it. In Revelation 21:10-27, John describes the foundations, wall, gates, and street of the heavenly city. Our hearts are attracted by its beauty. We know that there will be no sickness, sorrow, tears, pain or death in that fair place (Revelation 21:4). But best of all, the Lord Jesus Christ will be there, and He will be the supreme delight of every believer’s heart.

What Christians Believe
Chapter 11: Heaven and Hell
Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School
Chicago, Illinois

FAITH

ONE DOES NOT STUDY the Bible very long before becoming conscious of the importance of faith. A sinner cannot be saved apart from faith (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Therefore it is important that we should find out what this word means.

I WHAT IS FAITH?

    Faith is personal confidence. We use the word in everyday conversation, as follows, “I have complete faith in my doctor”. We mean that we trust him with our case. So, in the Bible, faith is personal confidence in God. It means that we believe what He says, and trust Him to save us and to keep us.

II WHERE DOES FAITH COME FROM?

    As we look around us in the world, we realize that some men do not have faith in God, and thus they are not saved. This leads us to inquire as to the source of faith. In a very real sense, this faith is a gift of God (John 3:27). God gives men the power to believe on Him.

    But how does a man receive faith? The answer to this is found in Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”. Therefore, if a man does not have faith in God, he should read the Bible. As he reads, he should pray somewhat as follows: “God, if this Book is Thy Word, if Jesus Christ is Thy Son, and if He died for me, then show me these things as I read the Bible”. God has promised that any man who wishes to do His will will come to a knowledge of the truth (John 7:17).

III WHAT IS THE TRUE OBJECT OF FAITH?

    Faith must have an object. This object may either be a person, such as a relative, or a friend, or it may be an inanimate thing, such as an airplane or an elevator.

    It is not enough to have faith. Faith must be placed in a trustworthy object. A man may have faith in his automobile to take him to a certain place, but if the automobile is badly in need of repairs, he will soon find that his faith has been misplaced.

The Bible sets forth the Lord Jesus Christ as the true object of faith (Acts 20:21). The important thing is not how much faith a man has, or what kind of faith he has, but whether his faith is in Christ. If it is, then the man is saved.

A man may believe all that the Bible says about Christ and yet not have faith in Him. You may believe that a certain train will leave the railroad station at 11 A.M. and that it will arrive at a distant city at 5 P.M. You may believe all the facts about the train; yet you do not really believe in the train to take you to your destination.

So you may believe that Christ was born in Bethlehem, that He died on Calvary, that He rose again and ascended into heaven. But you have not really put your faith in Him until you trust Him to save you from your sins and take you to heaven.

IV EXAMPLES OF FAITH

    The Scriptures are filled with examples of faith. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews has been called the “Honor Roll of Faith” because it lists some outstanding men and women who had faith.

    Two other instances might be cited. The first is the faith of the centurion in Matthew 8:5-10. The centurion believed that Christ could heal his servant by merely saying the word.

    The other is the faith of the woman of Canaan, Matthew 15:22-28. She pleaded that the bread reserved for the chosen Jews should be given to her, a Gentile. Her faith was humble and persistent.

V THE REWARD OF FAITH

    True faith never goes unrewarded. No one has ever trusted God in vain. Every seeking sinner who has repented of his sins and who has put his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ has been saved.

    The Savior said, “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out” John 6:37.

What Christians Believe
Chapter 10: Faith
Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School
Chicago, Illinois

GRACE

I INTRODUCTION
  
ALL GOD’S DEALINGS with mankind at the present time are on the basis of grace. This means that He shows men favor which they do not deserve.

The word grace is found over 160 times in the Bible. Of these occurrences, 128 are in the New Testament. God is spoken of as “the God of all grace” (1 Peter 5:10). Christ is described as being “full of grace” (John 1:14). The Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of grace” (Hebrews 10:29). Thus the three persons of the Godhead are closely linked with grace.

II DEFINITION

    The word used in the Old Testament carries the meaning “to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior”. The New Testament word means “favor, goodwill, loving kindness”.

    The following definitions have proved helpful in explaining what grace is.

    Grace is love displayed to unworthy objects. God is love; but when He bestows that love on guilty, unclean, rebellious sinners, then it is grace.

    Love that looks up is adoration. Love on its own level is affection. Love that descends is grace.

    Grace is God showing nothing but love and mercy when we deserved nothing but wrath and judgment. It is God bending toward us in infinite love.

    Grace is seen in God giving heaven’s Best to save earth’s worst.

III ITS PROVISION

    Grace is not to be confused with works. If man could obtain salvation by doing good works, then salvation would simply be his wages (Romans 4:4-5; Romans 11:6).God does not owe anything to man. Salvation is a free gift.

    Grace is not to be confused with law. Men are not saved by keeping the law. They are saved by grace. The following will help to make this clear.

(a)    Law brings a work to do. Grace tells of a work that is done.

(b)    Law says, “This do and thou shalt live”. Grace says, “Live, and thou shalt do”.

(c)    Law says, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God”. Grace says, “God so loved the world,” John 3:16, and “We love Him because He first loved us” 1 John 4:19.

(d)    Law condemns the best (Romans 3:19). Grace saves the worst (Romans 3:24; 4:5).

(e)    Law reveals sin (Romans 3:20). Grace reveals salvation (Titus 2:11-13).

IV THE NEED FOR GRACE

    Man is a sinful rebel against God’s holy law (Romans 3:23; Colossians 1:21). Therefore, he deserves nothing but God’s judgment.

    Man stands guilty before the bar of God, having broken God’s holy law (Romans 3:19; Galatians 3:10; James 2:10). As such, he is subject to the curse of God.

    Because he rejected and murdered God’s Son man has no claim on God at all (John 12:31-33; 3:18).

V SALVATION BY GRACE

    If man is to be saved, it must be by God’s grace. But God is holy and He cannot overlook sin. Sin must be punished.

    The Gospel tells us how God can save sinners by grace, and still be holy in doing so. Christ suffered the wrath and judgment of God against sin. On the basis of the work of Christ, God can forgive the sins of those who trust the Lord Jesus.

    Christ has finished the work. Grace only demands faith on the part of the sinner who seeks salvation (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

VI BLESSINGS THROUGH GRACE

    Grace brings many wonderful results to the sinner. Three of the greatest of these results are the following:

(a)    Salvation (Titus 2:11-13). This means that a Christian has eternal life.

(b)    Justification (Romans 3:24-26). This means that God reckons a sinner who has believed on Christ as being blameless.

(c)    Standing before God (Romans 5:2). This means that a true believer can enter into God’s presence by prayer. He is no longer separated from God by his sins.

What Christians Believe
Chapter 9: Grace
Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School
Chicago, Illinois

SALVATION

CLOSELY LINKED with the subject of the new birth is that of salvation. The former concerns itself principally with the necessity, source and nature of the spiritual life all men need from God; the latter emphasizes the delivering effects and scope of God’s provision in Christ. We shall think of seven things in connection with salvation.

I ITS DEFINITION

The word simply means deliverance. It is commonly used to describe the act by which a person is delivered from a danger which threatens him. We speak of a person being “saved” from drowning, or from a burning building, or from a sinking ship. In each case, three things are taken for granted. In each case, three things are taken for granted. (1) The person to be saved was in danger of death. (2) Someone saw his peril and went to his rescue. (3) The rescuer was successful in his mission and delivered the person from his perilous plight, and thus “saved”, “Savior”, and “salvation” occurs very many times in the Bible and has exactly the same meaning in a spiritual sense.

II ITS NECESSITY

The necessity for God’s salvation is due to two facts which each person must face.

1. The fact of man’s sin. We have already discussed in our previous lesson, the spiritual condition of all men by nature, and we pointed out that each human being comes into the world possessed of a sinful nature that constitutes him a sinner by birth. This sinful nature, in time, is evidenced by sinful thoughts, words, deeds, and attitude of enmity to God. The Bible makes this abundantly clear (read Romans 5:12, 18, 19; 6:16; 8:5-8; Genesis 6:5; Ephesians 2:1-3; 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4; Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 1:21-32; 3:19-23). It will be evident to all from these Scriptures that man is: (1) A sinner, needing forgiveness. (2) Lost, needing to be found. (3) Doomed, needing deliverance. (4) Guilty, needing pardon. (5) Spiritually dead, needing life. (6) Blind, needing illumination. (7) A slave, needing liberation. Man  is thus utterly helpless to save himself.

2. The fact of God’s righteousness. God is holy, and must punish sin. He will “by no means clear the guilty” (Exodus 34:6, 7). He has revealed His hatred of sin, and His sentence against all who die in their sins. This is eternal banishment from His presence (see John 8:21, 24; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:22-31; Jude 11-13; Revelation 20:11-1 5). The obvious conclusion is: Since man is a sinner, and God is righteous; the sinner needs to be delivered or saved from the penalty of his sins. His cry should be: “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30-31).

III ITS PROVISION

The Gospel is the good news that God in wondrous grace has abundantly provided this salvation through the Person and the work of His beloved Son. Two things are clearly taught.

1. Christ came to be the Savior of sinners (Matthew 1:21). The Son of God, equal and eternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit, became incarnate in order to provide salvation (John 3:16, 17; Mark 10:45; Matthew 9:12, 13; John 10:11, 15-18).

2. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, this salvation has been provided, to god’s complete satisfaction.  As Christ willingly hung upon the cross, He assumed the full liability of our guilt and sin, bore our sins in His own body, and died as a substitute sacrifice on behalf. God indicated His complete acceptance of this sacrifice of Christ by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His own right hand (read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5; Romans 5:6-9; Acts 4:10-12; 5:31; 17:31).

IV ITS CONDITION

Since Christ has accomplished, by the sacrifice of Himself, all the work needed for the sinner’s salvation, what must the sinner do in order to experience this salvation?

1. He must repent. Repentance consists simply of a change mind which results in a change of attitude toward sin, self, the Savior and salvation; which, in turn, is evidenced by a change of action (read Luke 13:3; Acts 17:31; 20:21). The sinner’s indifference will give place to an earnest desire for salvation; his pride to humility; his self-satisfaction to a frank confession of his helpless, hopeless and hell-deserving condition.

2. He must believe the gospel, or the testimony of God concerning the Person and work of Christ (see 1 John 5:9-10). As a lost and guilty sinner he must believe that Christ died for him, individually; that Christ bore his sins, took his place and by His death, accomplished all the work needed for his salvation (Romans 4:5).

3. He must accept the Lord Jesus Christ, by a definite act of his will as his own personal Savior, henceforth to own Him as the supreme Lord of his life (John 1:12; Romans 10:9, 10; John 3:16; 5:24; 6:47; Ephesians 1:13). This is the crucial act. Will you not, right from your heart, say: “Lord Jesus Christ; owning myself to be a guilty, lost sinner; but believing that Thou didst bear my sins and die in my place on Calvary; I now definitely rest in Thy finished work and receive Thee as my own Savior, henceforth to own Thee as the Lord and Master of my life”. This is what it means to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31).

V ITS ASSURANCE

How may one know, for certain, that he is saved? We answer without any hesitation: by the Word of God. God declares plainly and in black and white, that every soul trusting in His Son is forgiven, saved, the possessor of eternal life and secure forever (read Acts 13:38; 1 John 2:12; Ephesians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 John 5:13; Romans 5:1; 8:1; John 10:27-30).

VI ITS SCOPE

Salvation has a three-fold aspect: past, present and future.

1. Past. Salvation from sin’s penalty, or consequences. Since Christ has endured the full penalty which was due to our sins, the believer is delivered from its dread consequences (see John 5:24; Romans 8:1).

2. Present. Salvation from sin’s power, or control. Because of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence, plus the impartation of a Divine nature, the believer is now enabled to enjoy deliverance from the dominion of sin in his life (1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Romans 6:1-14). This does not mean that the believer is incapable of sin; far from it, for he still possesses the evil nature called “the flesh”. It does mean however, that, in the measure that he avails himself of the means God has provided, sin shall not be the dominating factor in his life. This present deliverance will depend on: (1) the reading and study of and obedience to the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15). (2) The keeping constantly in touch with God by prayer (Hebrews 4:14-16). (3) The yielding of one’s body to God for both a righteous and useful life (Romans 6:13; 12:1, 2). (4) The prompt confession to God and the forsaking of all known sin (1 John 1:8, 9; Titus 2:11-15).

3. Future. Salvation from sin’s presence, or committal. This will take place at the coming of Christ, when He will raise the dead and change the living, so that they will have bodies incapable of sin, decay and death. This is the final aspect of salvation that we look for (Hebrews 9:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

VII ITS RESULTS

These are multitudinous (Ephesians 1:3-14). We shall select a few.

1. Peace with God (Romans 5:1). No longer at enmity.

2. Acceptance before God in Christ (Ephesians 1:6).

3. Joy in God as His children (Romans 5:10, 11; 8:14-17; Galatians 3:26-4:7).

4. Living for God (2 Corinthians 5:14, 15; Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 4:2-5).

5. Service to God in the way of good works and testimony for Him (Ephesians 2:10; Matthew 5:16; Mark 16:15, 16).

6. Worship, praise and prayer unto God (John 4:23, 24; Hebrews 10: 19-22; Hebrews 13-15; 4:14-16).

7. An eternal home in heaven (John 14:1-3; Revelation 22:1-5).

May each reader give himself no rest until he knows, on the authority of the Word of God, that he is eternally saved!

What Christians Believe

Chapter 8: Salvation

Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School 

Chicago, Illinois

THE NEW BIRTH part 2

I HOW CAN A PERSON BE BORN AGAIN?

CHRIST INDICATES a three-fold means by which the new birth is produced.

1. By believing the Word of God (John 3:5). The “water” here is the well-known symbol for the Word of God (see Ephesians 5:26; John 15:3; Psalm 119:9). It has no reference to baptism. Other Scriptures make abundantly clear that the new birth comes through the Word of God (see 1 Peter 1:23-25; James 1:18). Just as water when applied cleanses from our eyes the dirt that would otherwise obscure our vision, so the Word of God, when read and believed, washes from the mind of the sinner his wrong ideas of God and His salvation. The entrance of God’s word brings light on man’s lost condition (Romans 3:10-19); God’s love as seen in His provision for man’s salvation (John 3:16); and the way by which a sinner may be saved (Romans 10:1-17).

2. By the indwelling of the Spirit of God (John 3:5). The Holy Spirit, the third Person in the Trinity, was sent by Christ, on His ascension, to use the Word of God to convince men of their sin; to lead them to put their trust in Christ; to indwell each person in believing; to communicate to the believer a Divine nature, or capacity for spiritual things; and to guide each born-again person into all truth (see John 16:7-15; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Galatians 5:22-26).

As the Word of God is read or heard, the Holy Spirit applies the truth to the heart in convicting force, showing the sinner his lost, guilty, helpless and hopeless condition. He then reveals through faith in Christ and His finished work. The moment the sinner trusts in Christ He seals him, by His indwelling presence, as Christ’s purchased possession. This is not a question of feeling, but of fact. We do not feel the new birth.

3. By faith in the Substitutionary Sacrifice of Christ (see John 3:14-16). In these words Christ made crystal clear how this new life can come to a sinner. In answer to Nicodemus’ question “How can these things be?” Christ used an incident recorded in the Old Testament to illustrate how the new birth could be experienced (now read Numbers 21:4-9). Seven words seem to sum up the incident. Let us give it our closest and most careful attention, for it is Christ’s own illustration of how the sinner can be born again.

a. Sin (Numbers 21:5). Just as Israel sinned, so all humanity has sinned against God in thought, word and deed (Romans 3:23).

b. Judgment (v. 6). As their sin brought God’s merited judgment upon them, so God has revealed His wrath against all sin (see Romans 1:18; Job 36:18; Romans 6:23).

c. Repentance (v. 7). Israel realized, confessed, and sought pardon for their sin. This is repentance, which consists of a change of mind, resulting in a change of attitude, which is expressed by a change of action. God demands the repentance of the sinner (see Luke 13:3; Acts 17:31; 20:21; Mark 1:15).

d. Revelation (v. 8). “And the Lord said”; as God revealed t Moses the way of salvation for these snake-bitten Israelites, so God has revealed in the Bible. His way of salvation for us (2 Timothy 3:15-17; Romans 10:8-9).

e. Provision (vs. 8, 9). A serpent of brass was made and lifted up on a pole in full view of the camp of Israel. Now can compare John 3:14. Just as Moses lifted up on a cross to provide salvation for sin-bitten humanity. On the cross He bore our sins, took our place, endured all the judgment due to our sins, and by His death, satisfied all God’s demands against the sinner. God has indicated His acceptance of the substitutionary sacrifice of His Son by raising Him from the dead (see Isaiah 53:5, 6; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 5:7-8).

f. Condition (v. 8) “when he looked”. The fact that the brazen serpent was lifted up did not, of itself, save them. Each bitten Israelite must look to live! The fact that Christ has died for our sins and accomplished all the work needed for our salvation, will not save any sinner unless he personally believes on Christ, trusts Him as his own Savior, and on Him as the Lord of his life. This is what our Savior meant when he said: “that whosoever believeth in him… should have everlasting life” John 3:16. Just as the bitten Israelites were not asked to pray, resolved, pay or do good works to merit salvation, so sinners are urged to own their need and trust wholly in the work of Christ, and receive Him by faith as their own personal Savior (see John 1:12; Acts 13:38-39; Ephesians 2:8-9).

g. Result (v. 9) “he lived”. The moment a bitten Israelite (who was as good as dead) looked, he received new life. He was, as it were, born again! So the moment a guilty, lost sinner believes the gospel that Christ died for his sins, and definitely accepts Him as his own Savior, he receives spiritual or eternal life, is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, becomes a partaker of a Divine nature, and is thus born from above, or regenerated. This is the new birth, which Christ declared was absolutely essential to seeing and entering the Kingdom of God.

II WHEN CAN A PERSON BE BORN AGAIN?

The answer to this can be obtained by consulting your watch! The new birth takes place the moment a guilty sinner looks to Christ and trusts Him as his Lord and Savior. Why not, just where you are, and as you are, cease from your own efforts to save yourself, and trust in the Person and rest in the work of the Son of God, who did it all for you (see 2 Corinthians 6:1, 2; Hebrews 4:7).

Come as a sinner, and trust now in Christ, Who bore thy sins and shame; Then, by the Spirit of God through the Word, Thou shalt be born again!

What Christians Believe
Chapter 7: The New Birth part 2
Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School
Chicago, Illinois

THE NEW BIRTH (John 3:1-21)

THE READER must be struck by the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, solemnly impressed upon a most religious and moral person named Nicodemus the absolute necessity for him to be born again, if he would see or enter the Kingdom of God (vs. n3, 5). The new birth is one of the three great “musts” of all humanity.
1. The “must” of death (2 Samuel 14:14; Hebrews 9:27).
2. The “must” of the judgment (Romans 14:12; Revelation 20:11-15).
3. The “must” of regeneration, or the new birth.

In view of much ignorance and misunderstanding concerning this vital matter, let us first view it negatively.

I WHAT THE NEW BIRTH IS NOT (See John 1:12, 13)

1. It is not of natural generation or descent “not of blood”. Though one may be born of Christian parents this does not constitute him a Christian.
2. Not of self-determination “will of the flesh”. Just as a child cannot will itself to be born physically, so no one can produce the new birth by his own efforts.
3. Not of human meditation, “nor of the will of man, but of God”. No human being, however eminent his ecclesiastical position, can impart the new birth to another. All the rites and ceremonies of any or of all organized religions can never produce the new birth.
4. Not a physical change. Christ corrected Nicodemus’ misunderstanding as to this, and showed him it was a spiritual change (vs. 4-6).
5. Not a social and geographical change. The born again person is not suddenly translated to heaven, but continues to live on earth, but now to please his Lord and Savior (1 Corinthians 7:20-24; Colossians 3:22-24).
6. Not an intellectual apprehension of what it is. A person can be religiously educated, ordained to the ministry, and become a preacher without being born again. There are many such. Theoretically they may know its necessity, yet know nothing of it by experience.
7. Not an evolutionary process. It is not a gradual development of some germ of spiritual life that is within (Ephesians 2:2). Sinners are described as being spiritually dead. Life cannot be developed where it does not exist!
8. Not a reformation or self-improvement by which outwardly bad habits are relinquished. It is not a change of manners, but of the man.
9. Not a religious belief. It is possible to be sincere in one’s religious convictions, be baptized, confirmed, join the church, take communion, teach a Sunday School class, occupy a church office, and even be a preacher, without being born again. The necessity for the new birth was stated to one of the most religious, sincere and moral men of his day (John 3:1).
10. The new birth is a spiritual change (v.8). This can be brought about only by God (John 1:13).

Now let us ask three questions regarding the new birth. Why? How? When? The first one is discussed below. The other two will be taken up in the next lesson.

II WHY MUST A PERSON BE BORN AGAIN?

Note verse 7, “Marvel not”. The necessity for the new birth is perfectly logical and reasonable, and should not awaken incredulity.

1. Because of a spiritual nature that man naturally lacks (v. 6). Here the word “flesh” refers to that sinful nature which a person receives at his physical birth. Leave off the letter “H”, and spell it backwards and its meaning will be seen, i.e. “self”. Through his sin, Adam acquired a sinful nature, and this nature has been transmitted, by birth, to each of his descendants (see Romans 5:12,18,19; Psalm 51:5). The character of this sinful nature, called “the flesh”, is described in Romans 8:5-8. It is “enmity against God, not subject {or obedient} to the law of God, “ and consequently is incapable of pleasing God”. In other words, man does not naturally possess a spiritual capacity which would enable him to either desire, understand, or enjoy the things of God (see Corinthians 2:14).

Just as a musical, artistic or poetry capacity can be communicated to a person only by a physical birth, so a spiritual capacity, by which the things of God can be appreciated, must be communicated to a person by spiritual birth. The flesh can be educated, cultivated and religionized; but its nature remains unchanged and unchangeable in its enmity to God, and is incapable of pleasing God. The new birth is the impartation of a spiritual or Divine nature, by which alone man can possess this spiritual capacity to understand and enjoy the things of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh”. Like can produce only like!

2. Because of a spiritual kingdom that man cannot naturally see or enter (See vs. 3,5). What is meant here by “the Kingdom of God?” It is described as a spiritual experience. We read, “The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink {or physical}, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Let us think of two kingdoms or spheres; one called “the kingdom of men”, and the other “the Kingdom of God”; or one called “the flesh”, and the other “the spirit”. All humanity enters the kingdom of men by a physical birth, which communicates to him a physical nature, which fits him for a physical sphere, peopled by men. In this sphere he lives, moves, and has his being. Now how is man to be enabled to see the value of and enter this other sphere called the Kingdom of God? The answer is surely quite obvious. He must be born again, or gave a spiritual birth, which will introduce him into this new realm. Through this new birth he will become possessed of a spiritual nature which will fit him to enjoy the spiritual realities that characterize the Kingdom of God.

You will notice that the marginal rendering of the words “born again,” is “born from above”. This serves to indicate the source of the birth. Physical birth is of man and the earth; spiritual birth has its origin in God and is from heaven. Now read Romans 8:9. Here Paul speaks to a people who were no longer “in the flesh” as to their position before God; but were “in the Spirit”. How were they translated from one kingdom to the other? By the Spirit of God, upon their acceptance of Christ as their Savior.

3. Because of a spiritual life man does not naturally possess. Man, by nature, is described as being “dead in his trespasses and sins”; “alienated from the life of God”; as “having not life” (see Ephesians 2:1; 4:18; 1 John 5:11-12). Just as a body without physical life is declared to be physically dead, so any person without spiritual life is described in the Bible as being spiritually dead (see 1 Timothy 5:6; Luke 15:24). Death therefore means separation. For a person to be separated from Christ, in Whom is life, is to be dead spiritually (John 1:4). How can this spiritual life be imparted to the spiritually dead? Let Christ Himself answer it. Turn to John 5:25 and the problem were solved. All who hear the Son of God, receive His Word and trust Him as their Savior receive spiritual life, or are thus born again. See also John 3:16; 5:24; 6:47; 10:26-28; 1 John 5:13.

III HIS WORK

Under this heading, we shall discuss the Lord’s death, resurrection and ascension.

1. His death.
a. The death of Christ was necessary (John 3:14). It was part of God’s eternal purpose (Hebrews 10:7). It was necessary to fulfill Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 53:5). It was necessary to provide salvation for man (Ephesians 1:7).
b. The death of Christ was for others. He died as a substitute (1 Corinthians 15:3).
c. The death of Christ was sufficient. It completely meets God’s claims because Christ endured and exhausted the judgment of God against sin. It completely meets man’s need because it was the death of an Infinite Person, and therefore its value is infinite.
2. His resurrection
a. The resurrection of Christ was necessary to fulfill prophecy, to complete the work of the Cross, Romans 4:25, and to enable Christ to undertake His present work in Heaven.
b. Christ’s resurrected body was real. It was not a spirit (Luke 24:39). It was the same body which was crucified because it had he print of the nails and the spear wound (John 20:27). Yet it was a changed body, with power to overcome physical limitations.
c. After His resurrection Christ appeared to certain of His followers at least ten times. More than five hundred at least ten times. More than five hundred reliable witnesses saw Him after he arose (1 Corinthians 15:6).
d. The resurrection of Christ is an important truth. If there had been no resurrection there would be no Christian faith.

3. His ascension.
a. At the end of His ministry on earth, Christ was carried up into heaven (Mark 16:19, Acts 1:9).
b. He ascended so that He might enter into His reward, John 17:5, and continue His ministry for His people.

IV HIS OFFICES

Christ is presented in Scripture as a Prophet, a Priest and a King.
1. As Prophet, he tells men what God has to say to them, and He thus reveals God to men (John 1:18).
2. As Priest, He represents believers before God (Hebrews 4:14-16).
3. As King, He reigns today in the hearts of those who are loyal to Him. In a coming day, He will reign upon the earth for one thousand years. Psalm 72 describes His reign on earth.

Then throughout eternity the Lord Jesus will continue to serve his blood-bought people.

What Christians Believe
Chapter 6: The New Birth
Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School
Chicago, Illinois

CHRIST

THIS LESSON concerns the Lord Jesus Christ, the central theme of Holy Scripture. We shall consider His deity, His incarnation, His work and His offices.

I HIS DEITY

The deity of Christ means that Christ is God. Scripture clearly teaches this important fact in the following ways.
1. The attributes of God are used in speaking of Christ.
a. His pre-existence. Christ has no beginning (John 17:5).
b. His omnipresence. He is with His servants everywhere (Matthew 28:20).
c. His omnipotence. He has unlimited power (Revelation 1:18).
d. His omniscience. He has unlimited knowledge (John 21:17).
e. His unchangeableness. He is “the same, yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
2. The works of God were performed by Christ.
a. He created all things (John 1:3).
b. He upholds the universe (Colossians 1:16).
c. He raised Himself from the dead (John 2:19)
3. The titles of God are given to Christ.
a. God the Father addresses the Son as God (Hebrews 1:8).
b. Men called Him God, and He did not refuse their worship (John 20:28).
c. Demons recognized Him as God (Mark 1:24).
d. He declared Himself to be God (John 10:30).

II HIS INCARNATION

By the incarnation of Christ is meant His coming into the world as a man.
1. The coming of Christ was predicted in the Old Testament (Isaiah 7:14).
2. History records the birth of our Lord. His birth was different from all other births.
a. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:35).
b. He was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23)
c. Yet He was truly man, possessing a body (Hebrews 10:5), soul (Matthew 26:38) and spirit (Luke 23:46).
3. Christ came in human form in order to:
a. Reveal the Father (John 14:9).
b. Put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Hebrews 9:26)
c. Destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).

NOTE WELL: One of the foundation truths of the Christian faith is that Jesus Christ is truly God and that He came into the world as a man by the miracle of virgin birth. As a man, He was absolutely sinless.

III HIS WORK

Under this heading, we shall discuss the Lord’s death, resurrection and ascension.

1. His death.
a. The death of Christ was necessary (John 3:14). It was part of God’s eternal purpose (Hebrews 10:7). It was necessary to fulfill Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 53:5). It was necessary to provide salvation for man (Ephesians 1:7).
b. The death of Christ was for others. He died as a substitute (1 Corinthians 15:3).
c. The death of Christ was sufficient. It completely meets God’s claims because Christ endured and exhausted the judgment of God against sin. It completely meets man’s need because it was the death of an Infinite Person, and therefore its value is infinite.
2. His resurrection
a. The resurrection of Christ was necessary to fulfill prophecy, to complete the work of the Cross, Romans 4:25, and to enable Christ to undertake His present work in Heaven.
b. Christ’s resurrected body was real. It was not a spirit (Luke 24:39). It was the same body which was crucified because it had he print of the nails and the spear wound (John 20:27). Yet it was a changed body, with power to overcome physical limitations.
c. After His resurrection Christ appeared to certain of His followers at least ten times. More than five hundred at least ten times. More than five hundred reliable witnesses saw Him after he arose (1 Corinthians 15:6).
d. The resurrection of Christ is an important truth. If there had been no resurrection there would be no Christian faith.

3. His ascension.
a. At the end of His ministry on earth, Christ was carried up into heaven (Mark 16:19, Acts 1:9).
b. He ascended so that He might enter into His reward, John 17:5, and continue His ministry for His people.

IV HIS OFFICES

Christ is presented in Scripture as a Prophet, a Priest and a King.
1. As Prophet, he tells men what God has to say to them, and He thus reveals God to men (John 1:18).
2. As Priest, He represents believers before God (Hebrews 4:14-16).
3. As King, He reigns today in the hearts of those who are loyal to Him. In a coming day, He will reign upon the earth for one thousand years. Psalm 72 describes His reign on earth.

Then throughout eternity the Lord Jesus will continue to serve his blood-bought people.

What Christians Believe
Chapter 5: Christ
Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School
Chicago, Illinois