BI-223
THE CALL FOR DOCTRINAL UNITY RATHER THAN DIVISIONS
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement.
1 Corinthians 1:10
THE EXAMPLE OF FOLLOWING DIVINELY AUTHORIZED LEADERS
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:42
A HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF SHALL FALL. DIVISIONS, A MARK OF CARNALITY. THE SERVANT OF THE LORD MUST NOT STRIVE. WE ARE TO ENDEAVOR TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE. BE YE ALL OF ONE MIND, AND THE GOD OF LOVE AND PEACE SHALL BE WITH YOU.
See Luke 11:17; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Timothy 2:24; 2 Timothy 2:14; Ephesians 4:4; 1 Peter 3:8; 2 Corinthians 13:11
BOTH THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS ARE VERBALLY INSPIRED OF GOD AND GIVEN AS REVELATION OF GOD'S WORD, WILL, AND WAY TO MANKIND. THE WORD OF GOD IS THE INFALLIBLE AND AUTHORITATIVE RULE OF DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE, SUPERIOR TO CONSCIENCE OR REASON.
PROPHECY GIVEN BY THE HOLY GHOST
For the prophecy came not in the old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Peter 1:21
ALL SCRIPTURE GIVEN BY INSPIRATION
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16
THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
1 Thessalonians 2:13
GOD'S PROPHECY IS INFALLIBLE
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.
2 Peter 1:19
THE WORD OF THE LORD ETERNALLY ENDURES
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Matthew 24:35
THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD, ETERNALLY SELF-EXISTENT, WHO HAS REVEALED HIMSELF AS FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT. HE IS UNCHANGEABLE, OMNISCIENT, OMNIPOTENT, AND OMNIPRESENT. HE IS THE CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, AND TO HIM IS DUE ALL OUR WORSHIP AND OBEDIENCE.
THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:4
GOD IS A SPIRIT
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 4:24
GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH
For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.
Isaiah 45:18
A THREE-FOLD CREATOR (TRI-UNITY) MADE A THREE-FOLD CREATURE (SPIRIT, SOUL, BODY).
GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS IMAGE
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Genesis 1:26
GOD IS UNCHANGEABLE
For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Malachi 3:6
GOD IS ETERNAL, IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, AND IS DUE WORSHIP
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17
JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God.
1 John 5:5
THE FATHER IS GREATER THAN THE SON
Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
John 14:28
THE FATHER AND THE SON ARE EQUAL
Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.
Philippians 2:6
THE HOLY SPIRIT PROCEEDS FROM THE FATHER AND THE SON
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.
John 15:26
THE THREE ARE ONE
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
1 John 5:7
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD, MESSIAH OF ISRAEL, AND THE ONLY SAVIOR OF ALL MANKIND. HE WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY GHOST, BORN OF A VIRGIN, LIVED A SINLESS LIFE, WORKED MANY MIRACLES, DIED FOR OUR SINS, BODILY AROSE FROM THE DEAD, ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, AND IS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER, AND WILL COME AGAIN.
JESUS IS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
JESUS IS THE MESSIAH OF ISRAEL
He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
John 1:41
JESUS IS THE ONLY SAVIOR OF THE WORLD
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
John 8:24
JESUS WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY GHOST
See Luke 1:26-35
THE WORD (CHIRST) WAS GOD, AND WAS WITH GOD, AND WAS MADE FLESH (INCARNATION)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:1, 14
THE INCARNATION IS A MYSTERY
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
1 Timothy 3:16
JESUS WAS BORN OF A VIRGIN
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on the wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1:18
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.
1 Peter 2:22
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.
Hebrews 7:26
See also John 8:46; Isaiah 53:9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 1:19
JESUS WORKED MANY MIRACLES
Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, what do we? For this Man doeth many miracles.
John 11:47
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.
Acts 2:22
JESUS HEALED THE SICK AND RAISED THE DEAD
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Acts 10:38
The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Matthew 11:5, 6
THE SUPREME SACRIFICE OF THE LAMB OF GOD PROVIDED AN ATONEMENT FOR THE SINS OF HUMANITY.
THE PURPOSE OF THE SON IS TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL
...For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, the he might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8
JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ dies for our sins according to the scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:3
WE ARE REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers.
1 Peter 1:18
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
1 Peter 1:19
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:28
JESUS TOOK AWAY OUR SINS
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.
John 1:29
THROUGH CHRIST BELIEVERS ARE JUSTIFIED
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised for our justification.
Romans 4:25
Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Acts 13:38, 39
CHRIST ROSE PHYSICALLY FROM THE DEAD.
GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD
But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Matthew 12:39, 40
And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead.
Acts 13:29, 30
CHRIST WAS BODILY RESURRECTED
And that He was buried, and then He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:4
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me. And see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Luke 24:39
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 4:33
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Romans 8:11
CHRIST CONQUERED DEATH, HELL, AND THE GRAVE
He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
Acts 2:31
JESUS ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN
And he lead them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
Luke 24:50, 51
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Acts 1:9
Wherefore He saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Ephesians 4:8-10
THE PRESENT MINISTRY OF CHRIST AS PRIEST, MEDIATOR, ADVOCATE, AND INTERCESSOR.
JESUS IS NOW EXALTED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD
Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.
1 Peter 3:22
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Hebrews 1:3
CHRIST IS OUR HEAVENLY HIGH PRIEST
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Hebrews 4:14
JESUS IS THE ONLY MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:5
JESUS IS OUR RIGHTEOUS ATTORNEY
My little children, these things write I unto you; that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 John 2:1
CHRIST IS NOW MAKING INTERCESSION FOR US
See Isaiah 53:12; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25
MAN WAS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD AND IN A STATE OF INNOCENCE, AS A FREE MORAL AGENT TO CHOOSE AND ACT FOR HIMSELF. ADAM FELL BY VOLUNTARY TRANSGRESSION, RESULTING IN A SIN NATURE, WHICH BRINGS PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL DEATH UPON ALL MEN. ALL MEN ARE LOST, SUBJECT TO ETERNAL JUDGEMENT, AND IN NEED OF SALVATION. SALVATION IS THE GIFT OF GOD, OFFERED TO ALL WHO WILL REPENT FROM SIN, TURNING TO GOD AND EXERCISING FAITH IN CHRIST. WE ARE FORGIVEN THROUGH ATONEMENT OF CHRIST, AND REGENERATED OR BORN AGAIN BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. THE EVIDENCE OF SALVATION IS THE INWARD WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT, LOVE OF THE BRETHREN, AND THE LIFE MANIFESTING THE FRUIT OF A NEW CREATURE.
THE FALL OF MAN INTO MORAL DEPRAVITY.
THE SIN OF ADAM BROUGHT DEATH TO ALL MEN (SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL)
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15:22
ALL PEOPLE HAVE GONE ASTRAY
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6
WE HAVE ALL SINNED
For we have all sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8
ALL MUST BE SPIRITUALLY REBORN.
YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:3
A SPIRITUAL REBIRTH
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:5
SALVATION BY THE MERCY OF GOD AND THE GRACE OF CHRIST, NOT BY HUMAN MERIT OF MAN'S MORALITY.
SIN RESULTS IN DEATH, BUT GOD GIVES LIFE THROUGH CHRIST
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8, 9
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Titus 3:5
ALL NEED TO REPENT AND COME TO CHRIST.
COME TO CHRIST
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and to him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
John 6:37
BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART AND SAY IT WITH YOUR MOUTH
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart the God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9, 10
REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD AND FAITH TOWARD CHRIST
And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shown you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 20:20, 21
REPENTANCE, WATER BAPTISM, AND RECEIVING THE HOLY GHOST
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 2:38
THE PRINCIPLE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST IS REPENTANCE AND FAITH
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.
Hebrews 6:1
BELIEVE IN CHRIST AND YOU WILL BE SAVED
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Acts 16:31
ALL WHO COME TO CHRIST WILL BECOME NEW CREATURES.
THE SPIRIT ASSURES US THAT WE ARE GOD'S CHILDREN
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
Romans 8:16
WE BECOME A NEW PERSON
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Ephesians 4:24
WE DENY SINFUL THINGS AND BEGIN LIVING RIGHT
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
Titus 2:12
OLD THINGS ARE REPLACED BY NEW
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
WE KNOW WE ARE SPIRITUALLY ALIVE BECAUSE WE LOVE CHRISTIANS
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1 John 2:5
TO HAVE THE SON IS TO HAVE LIFE, NOT HAVING THE SON IS NOT HAVING LIFE
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
1 John 5:12
NEW CONVERTS ARE TO BE BAPTIZED (BY IMMERSION) IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST, BY A DIVINELY AUTHORIZED MINISTER OF GOD, AS SOON AS PRACTICAL. THIS IS THE BELIEVER'S IDENTIFICATION WITH CHRIST IN HIS DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION. BAPTISM IS NOT A REQUIREMENT FOR SAVLAVTION, IT IS DONE AS A WITNESS TO THE WORLD OF ENTERING INTO A PERSONAL CHRISTIAN COVENANT WITH CHRIST.
WATER BAPTISM IS BIBLICAL
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 10:48
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mark 16:16
THROUGH WATER BAPTISM WE IDENTIFY WITH THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
Romans 6:3-5
WE MUST BE BURIED IN THE WATER
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Colossians 2:12
CHRIST PROVIDED AN EXAMPLE FOR US TO FOLLOW
And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Matthew 3:15
MODE: JESUS WENT UP OUT OF THE WATER AND THE SPIRIT DESCENDED UPON HIM
And Jesus, when he was baptized went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.
Matthew 3:16
THREE THOUSAND RECEIVED THE WORD, WERE BAPTIZED, AND ADDED TO THE CHURCH
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:41
A WHOLE FAMILY WAS BAPTIZED AFTER MIDNIGHT
And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Acts 16:33
BY A DIVINELY AUTHORIZED MINISTER (JOHN, PHILIP, ANANIAS, PAUL)
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Mark 1:4
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:12
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Acts 9:18
Then Paul said, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 19:4, 5
JOHN THE BAPTIZER REQUIRED MUCH WATER TO PERFORM BAPTISM
And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
John 3:23
PHILIP AND THE EUNUCH WENT DOWN INTO THE WATER THEN CAME UP AND OUT OF THE WATER
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 8:38, 39