WELCOME
By Billie Duty
"I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you." (1 Cor. 4:14)
All throughout the New Testament, we find warnings to God's children.
We are warned... that not all ways are right:
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way, which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matt. 7:13-14)
We are warned... that there are those who will lead God's children astray:
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." (Matt. 7:15)
"But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction." (2 Peter 2:1)
We are warned... that there is one gospel:
"I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." (Gal. 1:6-9)
We are warned for our own benefit. We must stay within the teachings of Christ which are found in the New Testament scriptures. We should be willing and ready to warn each other of sin in our lives so that we can repent and be right with our Father and continue to be called His children.
When you have been made aware of a sin in your life, remember the words of Paul: "I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you." (1 Cor. 4:14)
We are not warned to embarrass or bring shame upon us, but to bring us to repentance because we have love (Godly love) for one another.
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:12)
Questions:
1. How many gospels are there?
Ans.: One
"6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." (Gal. 1:6-9 NKJV)
2. Research the Gospel of Christ and explain what it is. What is the central part of the Gospel?
Ans.: "3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, "(1 Cor. 15:3-4 NKJV)
All the teachings of Christ are a part of His Gospel; but the central part is His death, burial and resurrection.
3. Have we been warned in the scriptures of those who would teach another gospel?
Ans.: Yes,
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." (Matt. 7:15 NKJV)
"But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction." (2 Peter 2:1 NKJV)
"6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. " (Gal. 1:6-9 NKJV)
4. Read Romans 6. Verse 17 says: "But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered." (NKJV)
What does form mean?
Ans.: an example in the technical sense, the pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made an example to be imitated.
5. What form of doctrine did they obey?
Ans.: When we are baptized, we obey a form of the death, burial and resurrection. "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4 NKJV)
Find a verse and tell me what baptism does for us.
Ans.: Acts 2:38 (KJV) "Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.""
Acts 22:16 (KJV)
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
1 Peter 3:21 (NKJV)
"There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,"
6. Read Isaiah 59:2.
What separates us from God?
Ans.: Isaiah 59:2 (KJV) "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
What does iniquity mean?
Ans.: A particular deviation from rectitude; a sin or crime; wickedness; any act of injustice.
Define sin:
The voluntary departure of a moral agent from a known rule of rectitude or duty, prescribed by God; any voluntary transgression of the divine law, or violation of a divine command; a wicked act; iniquity.
7. When are our sins removed?
Ans.: When we are baptized.
Acts 2:38 (KJV)
"Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.""
Acts 22:16
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
Jesus says the only way to the Father is through Him, He is the door (John 14:6; John 10:9). How can one enter Christ?
Ans.: Galatians 3:27
"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
8. With that in mind, many today teach that baptism is not necessary for salvation. Is this true?
Ans.: NO, we just studied verses that tell us baptism is where our sins are removed.
Would you consider those who teach the doctrine that baptism is not necessary for salvation to be teaching the Gospel of Christ?
Ans.: No, they are false teachers, teaching another gospel. (Matt. 7:15; 2 Peter 2:1; Gal. 1:6-9)
9. Should we attend a church that teaches a different gospel than the Gospel of Christ?
Ans.: NO, again, these teaching things contrary to the Gospel of Christ, which is found, written in the Holy scriptures are false teachers and we have been warned for our benefit.
10. What reason did Paul say, "I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you." (1 Cor. 4:14 NKJV)?
Ans.: In order that we will know truth, turn from our sins... he is warning us there are wrong ways.
Should we warn others?
Ans.: Yes, we are told to teach the Gospel, therefore we must teach the whole gospel of Christ.
Matt. 28:18-20 (NKJV)
"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."
Mark 16:15-16 (NKJV)
"And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
All Scripture is taken from the NKJ Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson,Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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