OBC PNTC Syllabus                                 OBC-PNTC-1
 

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS
(Questions based on the King James Version wording)

It cannot be denied that changes are taking place among congregations of the Lord's church. Not all change is wrong; but bear in mind many who are advocating change are denying that there is a pattern for us to follow in the scriptures. Do men have the authority to make such changes? Why are they being made, and is there any word from the Lord that indicates God's view of the matter? Also, what is required before people will ask for God's view of a matter? It was not until Jerusalem was in dire straits, being threatened by king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, that king Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah, the imprisoned Prophet of God, to ask for advice. Is this shocking? Isn't this what many do today - - live without giving God a thought until trouble comes - - and only then plead to God for help?

Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon (Jer. 37:17)

Was there any word from the Lord, indeed? The king's delay in seeking the will of the Lord resulted in Judah being delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans for 70 years of captivity. The Lord was certainly patient with Judah for He had sent them ample warning.

1. State the common theme of the warning from the following passages from the prophet: Jeremiah 11:7; 25:3; 25:4; 35:14; 44:4.

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2. What would you suppose was the "word" that Judah wanted to hear instead of Jeremiah's testimony?

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3. Who were the messengers of God during that time?

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4. The apostle Paul discusses the authority in the church at Ephesians 2:19-22

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the ___a___ and, ___b__ _________c________himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Ans.: a.
b.
c.


5. What is meant by the statement in the above verse that the church is built upon these people?
 

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6. What is the end or result when men substitute for these teachings the way that seems right to them? (Proverbs 14:12).

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7. The way of man is not where? (Jeremiah 10:23)

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8. What did David say was able to keep him from sinning? (Psalm 119:11)

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A common complaint made by those who desire to make changes in the practices of the church
is, "The Bible doesn't say we can't do it another way." In response to this:

9. How is it that the servant of God is to "walk." (2 Corinthians 5:7)

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10. a. What is the God given source for the answer to #9?
b. Give book chapter and verse to support your answer

Ans a.:

b.:

11. Choose the best answer.

a. You can teach anything by the Bible
b. The Bible is more of a love letter than it is a guide to life
c. We are both saved and instructed by the teachings in the Bible.
d. The teachings of the Bible are more suggestions than rules by which to live.
e. Since we are saved by grace, obedience to Bible teaching is not required.

12. Find the three verses in the New Testament (KJV) in which the word "pattern" appears and discuss how that word applies in the verse.

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Designers often make patterns so others can reproduce their works if they follow the pattern.

Architects make patterns (blueprints) for buildings.
A contractor in Florida receives the blueprint for a motel that was built in California. If he follows the blueprint, he will be able to produce a motel identical to the one in California.
A machinist in Pennsylvania must make a bushing to exactly fit a part in an aircraft engine. If he follows the blueprint for that part it will fit exactly in all aircraft of that same type.
A bride-to-be wants all her bridesmaids to wear gowns of the same style. If they all follow the pattern she sends them, all the brides maids will match.

13. The Great Architect, Jehovah God, gave Noah the pattern for the ark. In Genesis chapter 6, we see the elements of that pattern.

a. List below the details of that pattern.
b. How can we know whether Noah was able to build it according to God's instructions?
c. Was there any word from the Lord?

Ans.: a.

b. 
c.

14. If Jehovah God were to communicate a pattern to mankind for His church, would it be possible for man to follow it?

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15. Is it reasonable to suggest that God would give man a pattern for all of the tabernacle and temple construction in the Old Testament, but would leave man to his own devices to try to figure out what God would require in the building of His church?

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End OBC-PNTC-1