" Foundational Christian Teachings"

 PREFACE

              It is very important to lay the foundations of the Christian faith in a simple and direct way.  Too often, when someone becomes a Christian, they are left on their own.  They do not get a compete and thorough understanding of the basic Christian doctrines. They have to gather their understanding of the faith by pieces, through sermons, friends and studies here and there.  And, so often, if there is a basic study, it will usually be only on one subject and then it is very lengthy.  This study gives the most important doctrines in a simple and direct way.  The purpose of this study is to give an over all skeletal understand­ing of the whole Christian teachings, to supply the young Christian with a good foundation upon which he can start building.

             I wish someone could have laid these things out for me, simply and clearly, early in my Christian beginnings.  That is why this study is such a blessing.  Many of the doctrines and understandings included in this booklet took me years to hear, learn and experience.  These studies give you the cream of the issues, simply and quickly. This study will help give you quick, whole growth and understanding. 

             Therefore, the format of this study seeks to be easy and straightforward.  Each lesson contains, first, an explanation sheet that states the idea clearly, followed by a fill-in-the-blank Bible study sheet, which can give you direct insight into the teaching of each lesson directly from the scriptures.

             God bless you as you grow and become a disciple of Jesus Christ.  "We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ" Colossians 1:28.

  

Rev. Wallace Shea

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NOTE:

 

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Each lesson in the study comes with two parts.

We are only giving the first part here on the web.

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The Full Study is available in Book Form.

We retain all rights and you may not reproduce and give it to others, but you may print one copy and use it for yourself.  If you wish the full study and right to use it contact Pastor Shea at:

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

  

                          1        Understanding Salvation                                               4           

                          2        The Word of God                                                              6

                          3        The Old Life And The New Life In Christ                   8

                          4        Old Testament Law And New Testament Law       10

                          5        Baptism                                                                            12

                          6        Prayer                                                                               14

                          7        Baptism In The Holy Spirit                                          16

                          8        The Spiritual Gifts                                                          20

                          9        The Return Of Christ                                                     22

                        10        Hell                                                                                    24

                        11        Heaven                                                                             26

                        12        Spiritual Warfare                                                            28

                        13        Deception, Contending For The Faith,

                                                And Making The Gospel Known                       

                                                1)         Deception                                                31

                                                2)         Contending for the faith                       32

                                                3)         Making the Gospel known                  33

                        14        The Church                                                                     34

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNDERSTANDING  SALVATION

            How do we understand what salvation is about?  Jesus often told Parables, which are simple stories to explain a point.  Here is such a parable:

 A PARABLE:

             There were two brothers who always argued about which one had the fastest car.  So, one day they decided to settle the argument by having a drag race on the street.  But after they started, they saw a red blinking light behind them.  They were arrested and brought into court.

             The judge heard the case, then, gave the verdict.  Guilty.  $100 or 10 days in jail.  The boys were in trouble.  They had spent all they had on their cars.

             But, the judge got up from behind the bench; came down around in front with the boys and said, "Sons, (You see they happened to be his own sons) you broke the law.  But, I am an honest and just judge and I cannot overlook the wrong; You are guilty.  But, because I love you-  He held out his hands with the payment in them-  I offer to pay the penalty."

             Now the one son was arrogant toward His father and said, "I don't need you or your help, leave me alone, Dad I want nothing to do with you."  So, the bailiff came and took him to jail.  But, the other son said, "Gee thanks Dad!  You are amazing; you are fair and just and even with all the trouble I've cause you, you still love me and want to help me.  Thanks Dad."  So, he accepted the payment His father offered, paid the court and went home with His Dad a free and happy young man.

 

IT IS A TRAGEDY

             God greatly loves us and has created everything that we enjoy and wants us to have an abundant and fulfilling life; yet mankind has turned away from God, denying His love and support and sought wicked devises for himself.  Yet, God must judge wickedness.

             God did not want puppets, so he gave man a free will.  God does not impose on us, but allows us our own will and devises; yet, we will have to give an account for all we do, for God is a just and righteous judge.  If wrongs were not condemned, that would be a travesty of justice.

 BUT GOD HAS HELPED US

             God loves you in spite of any wrongs you have done, and indeed the Bible shows us none of us are without sin (Romans 3:10-12;  Isaiah 64:6).  So He came in the form of a man, being called Son of Man and Son of God- Jesus and he stepped into our place of punishment to receive the punishment due to us and died upon a cross.

 

GOD'S ASSURANCE TO US

             So now God says to us that everyone who accepts what I have done through Jesus Christ on the cross and entrusts their lives to me- I will save from eternal condemnation and give them eternal life with me.

             "For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever be­lieves in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

UNDERSTANDING SALVATION

 

 

 

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Each lesson in the study comes with two parts.

We are only giving the first part here on the web.

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The Full Study is available in Book Form.

We retain all rights and you may not reproduce and give it to others, but you may print one copy and use it for yourself.  If you wish the full study and right to use it contact Pastor Shea at:

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THE WORD OF GOD

            It is good to know that God has not left us without a clear revelation and instruc­tion of Himself and His will for our lives.  He has done this through the historical writings of men in the book we call the Bible.

            The Bible is like no other book.  It claims divine inspiration and carries a consistent theme.  This is particularly amazing as we realize it is actually a compilation of writings written by people of God over a period of over 1500 years.  It is written in four lan­guages and it comes out of man's history.  It did not mysteriously appear, nor is it just a philosophy of men.  It is a historically accurate and trustworthy account of God's will for mankind.

             The intellectual and academic reasons to trust its authority are overwhelming.  Events, times and places that were unknown for centuries (and thus used to be doubted by many) have now (with our increased scientific and archeological knowledge) been shown to be surprisingly true.  We cannot take the time here to fully discuss all this, but would refer you to such books, as written by Josh McDowell, such as Evidence That Demands A Verdict.

             Jesus said of His words- "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall" Matt. 7:24-27.

             It's words are for us as food for our souls.  Jesus said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God'" Matt 4:4.

             We do not need to argue it's validity.  It has a power in and of itself as we hear it or as others hear it.  It is self-authenticating (meaning, its authority becomes self evident).  Many people who doubt it's authority have not truly studied it out.  Many times people will say they don't believe it, yet when asked, they will admit they have never read it.

             It is also like no other book in its prophecy.  No other religious book can point to any valid prophecies given in it that came true.  The Bible, on the other hand, has hundreds of remarkable prophecies, which have been specifically fulfilled.  This gives us faith that the many other prophecies given will also happen.

             God declares in many places in scripture that His word does have power and it will have its effect:  "Is not My word like fire? declares the Lord, and like a hammer which shatters a rock?"  We just need to use it and we will see God's power at work in our lives and in the lives of others!

  

 

THE WORD OF GOD

 

 

 

NOTE:

 

Included in this web page is the first page of each lesson.

Each lesson in the study comes with two parts.

We are only giving the first part here on the web.

The second part contains fill in the blank studies with references to scriptures.

 

The Full Study is available in Book Form.

We retain all rights and you may not reproduce and give it to others, but you may print one copy and use it for yourself.  If you wish the full study and right to use it contact Pastor Shea at:

pastor@openbiblefellowship.org

 

Costs:

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THE OLD LIFE AND THE NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

 

            When a person receives Jesus Christ into one’s life, he becomes born again (John 3:3-5) as his spirit is united to Jesus’ spirit (I Cor. 6:17).  One becomes a new person.  "Therefore if any man is in Christ he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come." (II Cor. 5:17)

 

            Yet, many young Christians are confused after they become Christians.  They perhaps expected everything would be different--problems automatically solved.  When bad thoughts or dreams happen they say, "How can this be if I am a Christian.  Perhaps I'm not really a Christian after all if this happens."  It is helpful then to understand the nature of our new lives in Christ.

 

            A person is spirit, soul and body (I Thess. 5:23).  The spirit is that life-giving force in our inner being that gives us life.  The soul contains our mind, emotions, will and those things that make us a unique person.  The body is our physical house we live in.  Mankind is cut off from God in spirit, soul and body and is in a mortal state of death.  But, God's purpose in Christ is to restore individuals to life eternal in Christ's own likeness spirit, soul, and body.

 

            When a person becomes a Christian, one is united (reborn) in spirit to God in Jesus, but the physical body will not be changed until the resurrection.  What happens now is that Christ is in our spirit in our inner being, (our heart); but yet our brains are the same, our thought patterns still are as they have been, our natural desires we had before being a Christian have not left us.  So now, we constantly have the choice in our souls to follow the spirit or the desires of the flesh (Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:16-17; I Peter 2:11).

 

            So now, as we learn to follow Jesus, conforming our lives to Him, He becomes more manifest in our lives.  As we turn to the Lord, and follow Him in faith, we are "obtaining, as the outcome of our faith, the salvation of our souls." (I Peter 1:1-9)

 

            Yes, Christians might fall into sin, but our salvation is based upon our trust in Him, Not our deeds.  You cannot be a Christian by just being good.  We do not base our being Christian on our trying to be good, but on our faith in the one who has entered into our lives and made a new person of us in the inner man.

 

            As a friend of mine once said, "Being a Christian is like being pregnant; you either are or you aren't.  It's just that it shows more on some than on others."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE:

 

Included in this web page is the first page of each lesson.

Each lesson in the study comes with two parts.

We are only giving the first part here on the web.

The second part contains fill in the blank studies with references to scriptures.

 

The Full Study is available in Book Form.

We retain all rights and you may not reproduce and give it to others, but you may print one copy and use it for yourself.  If you wish the full study and right to use it contact Pastor Shea at:

pastor@openbiblefellowship.org

 

Costs:

$10.00 each plus shipping.

 

 

 

 

THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW AND THE NEW TESTAMENT LAW

 

            The great joy we have as Christians is the freedom we have from legalities.  In the Old Testament God showed mankind the law, but now as John says, "The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)

 

            Many who study the New Testament come to an understanding that we are no longer bound to the Old Testament law.  We have "died to that by which we were bound." (Romans 7:6)  But the question then naturally follows:  Is there no Law for the Christian?  Are we lawless?  Some have used that as an excuse to live freely in sin.  What about the Ten Commandments and the other laws?  How do we view them now then?

 

            After some time of questioning and prayer, God opened my eyes to the answer.  Romans 8:2 says, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death."  Is there another law now for the Christian?  Yes!  For "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" has set us free from the law of sin and death.  So we now live our lives under the law of the Spirit of Jesus Christ in our lives.  It is not a law we are forced to obey or that is written with pen and ink, but a new law of conscience within us as we gladly, willingly obey the Spirit of Jesus Christ in our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26).

 

            What do we do now then with the Old Testament law?  What is its purpose? God gave the Old Testament law to teach us right and wrong, good and bad, justice and injus­tice, and give us a picture of himself and life in His presence. As we see the law we begin to understand sin and it's consequences and the need of righteousness.  The law also helped us to keep our lives in order.  It became our Tutor (Gal. 3:24) as Paul says, to teach us and to keep us until God's plan became fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

 

            The O.T. law of Moses is like a written description of what God is like.  God does not steal; God does not kill; God does not covet; etc.  However, when Jesus came and then shared His Spirit with our lives, it is as while we were writing a description of Jesus on the wall when Jesus himself suddenly appears and stands by us.  Then we say, "This written description is only a description, but here He is Himself, follow Him now instead."  That is why, when Jesus came He said things like:  "You have heard it said, "do not commit mur­der" but I say to you do not even hate your brother" (Matt 5:21-22) and, "Your have heard it said "Do not commit adultery" but I say to you every one who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matt. 5:27-28)  That is why Jesus said "Do not think that I came to abolish the law...I did not come to abolish but to fulfill."  He is the true, fully embodied spiritual law.  (Matt 5:17)

 

            Is the O.T. of any use to us now?  Most certainly!  It is still an outward explanation of God, His ways, and His laws, and we learn much from it because it is a shadow of the true law and spiritual realities. (Heb. 10-1)  The law showed us sin.  But on the cross Jesus took on himself all the penalties of sin the law was crying out against us (Col. 2:14).  He suffered and died as a result.  The full penalty has now been made.  Now as we unite ourselves to Jesus our penalties have been paid; we are considered dead to the world.  So we are dead to the old law and its consequences.

 

            A Parable:  There were two men who each ran a red light.  One was ticketed: one was not.  One man drove through and the police arrested him and he had to pay the penal­ty.  The other man, as he drove through the red light had an accident and was killed, but the police did not give him a ticket or arrest him.  Why?

NOTE:

 

Included in this web page is the first page of each lesson.

Each lesson in the study comes with two parts.

We are only giving the first part here on the web.

The second part contains fill in the blank studies with references to scriptures.

 

The Full Study is available in Book Form.

We retain all rights and you may not reproduce and give it to others, but you may print one copy and use it for yourself.  If you wish the full study and right to use it contact Pastor Shea at:

pastor@openbiblefellowship.org

 

Costs:

$10.00 each plus shipping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BAPTISM

 

 

            There is one event which Jesus asks his followers to participate in which clearly identifies those who are His -- baptism.  In baptism a person makes a decision of whether or not to become a Christian.  It is a Christian's first act of obedience.

 

            In many cultures individuals are allowed to listen to Christians, fellowship with them, even study with them, but when they become baptized they are then ostracized from their culture because everyone recognizes when they are baptized they have become a Christian.  So, too, in our culture many may talk the talk of being Christian but baptism marks the commitment.

 

            What is baptism?  The Bible gives baptism a working definition.  It says in I Peter 3:21 "Baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."  Is baptism then some ritualistic, magical act that saves?  No.  Baptism is an inward step of faith that is demon­strated by an outward act in which we are calling out to God, asking that we become right with Him through Jesus Christ.

 

            Secondly then, baptism is an action in which we, by faith, unite ourselves with Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.  See Romans 6:3-11. 

 

            Third, we can say it is a witness to everyone that we have become a Christian.  It is a witness to the world.  It is also a witness to ourselves that we have become Christian.  One may not remember exactly when we had the first thought of turning to Christ, but one can remember the physical act, of Baptism which is our action by choice to follow Christ.  It becomes a witness to us also in our memories.

 

            The mode (method) of baptism is sometimes debated.  The inward faith is the vital point, we nevertheless desire to follow the New Testament method.  The Greek word (the New Testament was written in Greek) for baptism is "baptismos". It means literally to immerse, dip, wash.  And the context of passages talking about baptism usually talks about "much water," "coming up out of the water", etc. which all seem to indicate the people went down into the water and  were  put under it and brought back up.  Also, we see it best pictures the Biblical explanation that baptism is our death, burial and resurrection with Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE:

 

Included in this web page is the first page of each lesson.

Each lesson in the study comes with two parts.

We are only giving the first part here on the web.

The second part contains fill in the blank studies with references to scriptures.

 

The Full Study is available in Book Form.

We retain all rights and you may not reproduce and give it to others, but you may print one copy and use it for yourself.  If you wish the full study and right to use it contact Pastor Shea at:

pastor@openbiblefellowship.org

 

Costs:

$10.00 each plus shipping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRAYER

 

            One of the exciting discoveries in a new Christian's life is that of prayer.  At first for many, prayer can seem difficult and confusing since one has never prayed before and perhaps has only heard formalized church prayer.  But, the great discovery is that in prayer we can simply talk to God as we would to any friend.   Simply speak and He hears us (Psalm 116:1-2).  God is concerned about our every concern regardless how small or how great (Philippians 4:6).  He loves us and wants us to communicate with Him and He with Us (Jer. 33:3).

 

            Prayer does not even need to be vocalized for God to hear.  He hears our inward thoughts and prayers (Ps. 139:2-3).

 

            Nor do we need to be in a certain place or a certain physical stance.  He will hear us wherever we are and in whatever position we are in (I Kings 8:54; Matt. 6:6; Acts 1:24; II Kings 20:1-5).  He is just concerned about our heart's attitude.

 

            We cannot come to God on our own merit for all have sinned (Is. 64:6-7).  But, we come through Jesus Christ.  He is our bridge, our mediator to God.  (I Timothy 2:5).  Now when we pray we come in Jesus' name and God answers our prayers  (John 16:23-27).

 

            In the following study we will look at important attitudes, we must have in prayer.  Study them closely, learn to pray.

 

            But, why pray?  Isn’t God doing everything the way He wants anyway?  NO!  Men have sinned and separated themselves from God and thus the world is in a fallen condition because of the alienation of sin.  (Eph. 2:1-3;  Rom. 8:20-22)

 

            The Christian is now a representative of the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth (Matt. 5:14; John 17:18).  We are to intercede for the earth's people and their situations.  We are to be ministers of God carrying out His will.  In prayer, we ask for His will, His help and His presence in a world suffering from the effects of sin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE:

 

Included in this web page is the first page of each lesson.

Each lesson in the study comes with two parts.

We are only giving the first part here on the web.

The second part contains fill in the blank studies with references to scriptures.

 

The Full Study is available in Book Form.

We retain all rights and you may not reproduce and give it to others, but you may print one copy and use it for yourself.  If you wish the full study and right to use it contact Pastor Shea at:

pastor@openbiblefellowship.org

 

Costs:

$10.00 each plus shipping.

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

            John, the Baptist, came baptizing in water to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord.  John was preparing the people for a greater event; "I baptize you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."  All four Gospels record this initial state­ment.  (Matt.  3:11, Mk.  1:8, Lk.  3:16, John 1:33)

 

            What is it?  The word, “baptize” means to immerse.  Thus, to be baptized in the Holy Spirit is to be immersed in the Spirit.  One may have the Spirit of God in his inner spirit, but it is not until the Spirit has the man totally, spirit, soul, and body, that the Spirit can work in power through that person's life.  The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the initial fill­ing of the Holy Spirit in which the person is totally yielded and moving under the Spirit's influence.

 

            Is it a distinct event apart from salvation?  This is a question that is controversial and very important.  I believe the scriptural example clearly demonstrates that it is a dis­tinct event not to be confused with salvation (being born again).

 

            Acts 8, for instance, shows that although the people had believed and been bap­tized, had seen miracles, and had much joy, yet the apostles later prayed for them to re­ceive the Holy Spirit.  Another example is in Acts 19.  Paul, after witnessing to and baptiz­ing some men in Ephesus then lays his hands on them to receive the Spirit.  The terms: "receive the Spirit," "came on", "poured out", "fell on". "filled with", "baptized with", are all used interchangeably for the same experience.

 

            But, doesn't one have the Holy Spirit working in his life when he becomes a Chris­tian?  Certainly, you can not be a Christian without having Christ's Spirit join with your spirit making you a new person (being born again).  Jesus is our example in all things, including this.  Wasn't He born by the Spirit; and didn't He have the Spirit of God working in Him before He received the Spirit?  Yes.  But, nevertheless, He received the Holy Spirit after His baptism and thus, was led into ministry.

 

            What is the purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit?  Power!! Even though the Apostles had seen Jesus resurrected from the dead and were trained by Jesus for three years, yet Jesus insisted they not do anything until they received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1). He said, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you."  The baptism in the Holy Spirit gives a Christian boldness to witness and sensitizes him to the spiritual life.  There is a new dimension of life that opens up, it is an exciting powerful Spirit led life.

 

            Will I speak in tongues or prophesy when I experience the baptism in the Holy Spirit?  While we cannot be dogmatic about that, it, nevertheless, seems to be a common experience in the scriptures.  When individuals received the Holy Spirit in the Old Testa­ment or New Testament, it often refers to their prophesying or speaking in tongues (speak­ing in tongues is prophesy in another language).   Num. 11:25; 1 Sam. 10:10; Lk. 1:41-48; Acts 2:4; 19:6 are examples.

 

            Do I have to have the baptism in the Holy Spirit?  This would be similar to asking, "If I become a Christian, do I have to pray?"  The answer is yes, if you desire the Lord's will in your life.                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

 

NOTE:

 

Included in this web page is the first page of each lesson.

Each lesson in the study comes with two parts.

We are only giving the first part here on the web.

The second part contains fill in the blank studies with references to scriptures.

 

The Full Study is available in Book Form.

We retain all rights and you may not reproduce and give it to others, but you may print one copy and use it for yourself.  If you wish the full study and right to use it contact Pastor Shea at:

pastor@openbiblefellowship.org

 

Costs:

$10.00 each plus shipping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

 

            The spiritual gifts are of great importance to the Christian and the Church.  For through the spiritual gifts the Lord works in and through his people.  The question has been asked, "If the Lord removed His Spirit, would your church continue to function as it always has?  "The meaning behind this question is that the Church is to be led and func­tion only by the Spirit and His gifts.  If it is run only by natural, human talents and wisdom, it is not functioning as a church should.

 

            The Spiritual gifts are not talents (natural abilities).  A non-Christian may have great speaking or musical talents, but the gifts of the Spirit can only come to a Christian and are spiritual, not natural.  The Spiritual gifts are gifts of grace, not awards for maturity. The Corinthian Church was not lacking in any spiritual gift, yet they still had a long way to grow.

 

            Are we to desire the gifts?  I Cor. 14:1 says "earnestly desire the Spiritual gifts."  The word used for “desire” is the strongest Greek word that can be used.  It means "covet".  Some will say you desire the gifts, I'll have Love, but that shows an improper understand­ing.  Out of Love we pray for the gifts that are needed.  If someone needs healing we, out of Love, pray for the Gift of Healing.  We desire the gift because the gifts are "The mani­festation of the Spirit" of Jesus ministering in our midst.

 

            The Spiritual Gifts can be categorized in two ways:

 

                        A.  Gifts of Ministries to the body of Christ. (Eph. 4:7-12, I Cor. 12:28-30,

                                    Romans 12:4-8)

                        B.  Individual manifestations (gifts) of the Holy Spirit. (I Cor. 12:7-11)

 

            These are not opposed to each other but very much the same.  While an individual can be lead by the Spirit in anyway the Spirit wants to lead, yet he may not have a particu­lar ministry along these lines.  This clarifies the confusion as to why Paul says things like "I wish that you all...would prophesy" (I Cor. 14:5) and "you can all prophesy one by one" (I Cor. 14-31) so all may be able to prophesy, yet he says, "In the Church...all are not proph­ets, are they?" (I Cor. 12:28-29) and, "Let two or three prophets speak".  (I Cor. 14:29)

 

            We do not need to seek and know what our gift is; we need to seek the Lord and be obedient to the Spirit's leading.  Then the Spirit will begin working through us.  And if the Lord develops a consistent use of a gift in one area, it will be recognized as a ministering gift.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

"Now concerning Spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware".  I Cor. 12:1

 

NOTE:

 

Included in this web page is the first page of each lesson.

Each lesson in the study comes with two parts.

We are only giving the first part here on the web.

The second part contains fill in the blank studies with references to scriptures.

 

The Full Study is available in Book Form.

We retain all rights and you may not reproduce and give it to others, but you may print one copy and use it for yourself.  If you wish the full study and right to use it contact Pastor Shea at:

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Costs:

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THE RETURN OF CHRIST

 

            The blessed hope of the Christian is that all is not in vain, but that our lives are safe with Jesus, that He will resurrect us for eternal life, and He will come again to reign over the earth.  The Bible teaches that just as Jesus physically, visibly left the earth, just so in the SAME WAY He  will return again.  (Acts 1:9-11;  Zech. 14:1-4)

 

            The Bible teaches that the creation will go through pains as in childbirth.  The situation will get worse and worse on earth until the Lord comes.  Before He comes there will be a great time  of tribulation "such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall".  (Matt. 24:21)  Then Christ will come at the last minute for the sake of His elect people to save them and to save the world from destruction.  (Matt. 24:22)

 

            During that Great Tribulation Satan, through the means of a great deceitful world leader of his own possession called the Antichrist, and a great false prophet, will lead the world into a great war at Armageddon and will be rallied against God and the coming of Jesus Christ.  But Jesus will come in majesty and power, slaying the Antichrist and false prophet; He will throw the Devil into a prison abyss.  Christ will establish a peaceful reign of blessing on the earth for a millennium.  After that Satan will be released for a short time.  He will again cause a rebellion but he will be overcome.  And then will come the great judgment and the new heaven and new earth (Rev. 20).

 

            As Christ returns visibly in the clouds with the army of heaven and all His saints (Christians) who had previously died, all the nations of earth will witness His return.  (Matt. 24:30)  Christ will give resurrected bodies to those who have died.  Those Christians who are still alive at Christ's return will be transformed instantly into new immortal bodies and will be caught up (raptured) together with all Christians into the clouds to be with Christ.  (I Thess. 4:13-18; Matt. 24:29-31)

 

            Christ will then rule over the earth assigning Christians to rule in delegated authori­ty with Christ over the earth.  It will be a heavenly, righteous, reign of Christ on the earth.  (Rev. 20:4;  Is. 11,12)

 

            A currently popular teaching is that Christ will come to "rapture" and "resurrect" Christians before the tribulation.  The scriptures speak, however, of the coming of the Lord as a single event in which the rapture and resurrection come AFTER the other events (Matt. 24)  and is not split in two events.  Also, the scriptures clearly teach that Christians will confront the Antichrist (Dan. 7:19-28)  who comes to rule during the tribu­lation.  Paul assures us that the coming of the Lord and our gathering together to Him will not happen until after the Antichrist.  (II Thess. 2:1-12)

 

            Much has been said about the return of Christ and people want to know some signs to tell of the time of His coming.  There are many, but the one of major concern for us personally, that is often overlooked, is the great persecution and falling away (apostasy) of the Christians.  Notice as you read the Scriptures there is the constant warning about fall­ing away, being alert and perseverant.  One sign of His approach then will be "you will be hated by all nations on account of my name".  (Matt. 24:9)

 

            Matt. 24 seems to be the scripture that best gives an overall, chronological view of these events. 

 

THE RETURN OF CHRIST

"Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus."  Titus 2:13

 

 

 

 

 

 

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HELL

 

The subject of "Hell" has been confused due to inaccurate translations.  In the Old Testament, the word Sheol is very often mentioned.  Often, however, it has been translat­ed as hell, death, the grave, the nether world, etc.  The newer translations are better to consistently use the word Sheol or footnote it.  As we simply use the word "sheol" in every reference, a clear picture is presented.  We see that "sheol" is the place of all the dead, good and bad.  (Gen. 37:35; Ps. 31:17; Is. 38:10; Ez. 31:15-17)

 

            Some people have picked up on this inconsistency some translations have had, to say there is no hell because, where it talks about sinners, it's translated,"Hell", and where it talks of the Godly, it's translated, the grave.  They build an argument saying, "Hell is a later, medieval idea, not true to God and His Bible.

 

            The New Testament also picks up on the same idea of Sheol using the Greek word for Sheol which is Hades.  The New Testament further explains the status of the dead before the redemption of Christ and on into the future.

 

            Jesus speaks much on the fiery punishment of the ungodly, what is commonly thought of as hell.  This concept is clearly developed by Jesus and the New Testament.  We see then that, in Hades, the wicked dead are kept under punishment while the godly dead are in rest and comfort.  (Luke 16:19-26)  (vs. 23 says they are in "Hades") is an example.  Even some angels have already been imprisoned, II Peter 2:4 says in "Tartanoo" (is only used one place in the Bible) which is a Greek word and concept meaning the lowest prison abyss of Hades.

 

            One other Greek word used often in the New Testament is "Gehenna", which is the Hebrew Valley of Hinnom, which was the chief garbage dump of Israel where fires were constantly burning and all manner of refuse, including animal's and criminal's bodies, were burnt.  Gehenna is often translated, Hell.  It is the New Testament picture of the final residing place of the unrepentant ungodly.

 

            Jesus and the New Testament writers often warn of the fiery punishment awaiting the wicked.  Jesus, very often in His parables, pictures the sorting out of the good and bad with the wicked being thrown into the fire.  (Matt. 13:30; John 15:6)

 

            It is believed that Jesus brought out of Sheol, at His resurrection, the godly, who were trusting and waiting for their redemption, and took them to heaven.  (Matt. 27:52; Eph. 4:9-10)  Christ has, now, the keys of Hades.  (Rev. 1:18).  Now, all who have received Christ, go immediately to Heaven when they die.  (Phil. 1:23)

 

            A time of judgment is coming when God will judge all the living and the dead.  Then Hades itself and all the unrepentant wicked will be thrown into a vast lake of fire to remain there for eternity.  (Rev. 20:12-15) 

 

 

 

HELL

"If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."  Rev. 20-15

 

 

 

 

 

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Included in this web page is the first page of each lesson.

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HEAVEN

 

            After our lives here on earth, we will still have forever to live.  Eternity is a long time and thus it is of primary importance that we be sure of our eternal home.  Heaven is home for the Christian.

 

            Heaven is the home of God.  God created not only the earth but also Heaven (Gen. 14:19). In the Scriptures God rules everything from heaven and all those who are aligned with God are part of the Kingdom of Heaven.  Scriptures speak of God's throne and the temple He dwells in in heaven. (Ps. 11:4) 

 

In only three places in the Bible is the word Paradise used.  This seems to be used inter­changeably with Heaven (II Cor. 12:2,4).  Heaven is a broad place of existence in another dimension apart from the physical universe.  It is a place of blessing, rest, beauty, praise, worship, and of inconceivable awe and interest.

 

            When a Christian dies, he goes immediately into the presence of the Lord (Phil. 1:23).  Although the body is not resurrected until the Resurrection, the spiritual state is so real the body is not missed (II Cor. 12:2).  We will not lose our identity but will know one another.  When Jesus argued the realty of the Resurrection He quoted Scripture saying that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob still.  He is the God of the living and the dead.  Paul assures us Christ will bring with Him our loved ones who have died before us when He returns.  We are to comfort one another with these words.  We will come to be in a like state as Jesus now is.  (I John 3:2)

 

            Heaven is a place for rest and rewards (Rev. 14:13).  Those things done at a loss on earth for God's sake will be stored up in heaven.  (Mk. 10:21).

 

            There will be a new heaven.  Christ hints at this in Mark 13:31 and tells us He is going to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-3).  Christ is now ruling until all things are in order and under God's control (I Cor.. 15:24-28).  Christ has a massive building project going on now.

 

            After Christ comes, after the Resurrection and Judgment, the old earth and heaven will fly away and a new state will exist which will be like all one big heaven.  Read Rev. 21 and 22 for this description.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HEAVEN

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior,

the Lord Jesus Christ."  Philippians 3:20

 

NOTE:

 

Included in this web page is the first page of each lesson.

Each lesson in the study comes with two parts.

We are only giving the first part here on the web.

The second part contains fill in the blank studies with references to scriptures.

 

The Full Study is available in Book Form.

We retain all rights and you may not reproduce and give it to others, but you may print one copy and use it for yourself.  If you wish the full study and right to use it contact Pastor Shea at:

pastor@openbiblefellowship.org

 

Costs:

$10.00 each plus shipping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

           

There  is a spiritual warfare going on.  The Bible shows there are spiritual forces affecting the lives of people.  While unseen, they are never-the-less real persons who are intelligent and organized in levels of authority, in allegiance to God and righteousness or opposed to God and horrendously wicked (Eph. 6:11,12).

 

            Satan is the leader of the wicked spiritual beings.  He apparently was a chief angel.  He had great beauty and splendor but decided he wanted to be like God and rule as he wanted to (Is. 14:12-15).  He apparently led a third of the angels in wicked rebellion (Rev. 12:4).  He has been a liar and a murderer since the beginning (John 8:44).  He is the devil (slanderer) called Satan (the adversary), Beelzebub (the prince of demons), Abaddon and Apollyon (destroyer) who is called by many other descriptions such as "the old serpent", "the accuser of the brethren", etc.

 

            Some think this is an even warfare against two equals.  It is not.  God is God, the great Creator who is over all and Satan and his hosts are merely fallen created angels.

 

            Why does God allow the wickedness of Satan and his hosts?  He both does and does not.  He does, in that He has allowed all His angels and all men free will.  Thus, in order to fully demonstrate free will, there must be free exercise of that will.  God is allowing all angels and all men to live out their true desires.  But, on the other hand God does not allow wickedness in that He will contain it and come to a point in time in which He will judge all men and angels and will remove wickedness.