Abide in His Word Bible Survey Notes

Thru the Bible in Six Weeks- Lesson 4

2010-04-16T02:19:00.000-07:00

Write to pastorbaron@cfl.rr.com and request the chart for the summary of the first week. Thank you.

Thru the Bible in Six Weeks- Lesson 3

2010-04-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

Thru the Bible in Six Weeks- Lesson 3

I. The Bible is a single great story of Christ's Redemption of a fallen creation and fallen mankind

II. There are Three Main Stories, or ages, within the great story of the Bible

A) The birth and fall of God's creation and mankind- Genesis
B) The birth and fall of God's nation, Israel- the Old Testament under Moses (Exodus- Malachi)
C) The birth and resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ, and His deliverance of His creation- the New Testament under Christ (Matthew - Revelation)

STORY ONE (cont.)- The birth and fall of God’s creation and mankind- Genesis

Age of the Patriarchs- ‘Patriarch’ comes from the Greek and Latin word for ‘ruler of a family’, or a group of families (i.e., a tribe). During the Biblical age of the Patriarchs a man was the ruler and priest of his home or household. (use God has Spoken chart for Family Religion)

This period is about 2500 years, and goes from about 4000 B.C. to 1500 B.C.
Six Day Creation (mention God’s Sabbath ‘day’ vs. Israel’s), Adam and Eve (Gen 3:15), Cain and Abel, Noah and the Ark (Gen 6:5), Tower of Babel

Yesterday we looked briefly at Adam and Noah.
Today we look at Abraham and his descendants

The Ante-diluvian patriarchs (i.e., before the flood- Latin ‘diluvium’ for ‘flood’) lived a lot longer than those after the flood. (For example, Noah was 600 years old at the time of the flood which was about 2400 B.C.) [Gen 6:1-13]

Abraham- about 1921 B.C. (Abram- high father; Abraham- father of a multitude)
[Genesis 12:1-3; 17:4-5 father of many nations]- Abe’s law- Gen. 26:5

God made a special covenant with Abraham, which was fulfilled some 2000 years later in Jesus Christ.

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles/Nations in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. . . . Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "AND TO YOUR SEED," who is Christ. (Gal 3:13-14, 16)

God is going to establish a special relationship with Abraham and his descendants.

God makes His promise with Abraham’s son, Isaac, and then with Isaac’s son, Jacob, and Jacob is given the surname of Israel.
Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob [supplanter; to take the heel, overtake from behind], but Israel [persevered with God]; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."
(Gen 32:24-30)
שָׂרָה saw-raw- to persevere in command or contention (Gen. 32:28, Hos 12:3)
So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him. And he built an altar there and called the place El Bethel [house of the mighty God], because there God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother. (Gen 35:6-7)

Then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel. [mighty God of Israel]
(Gen 33:20)

Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram [tableland of Aram/Syria], and blessed him. And God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name." So He called his name Israel. Also God said to him: "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. (Gen 35:9-11)

Here in Genesis 35 we have a fortelling or prophecy of the OLD TESTAMENT AGE/STORY and NEW TESTAMENT AGE/STORY!!

The nation was Israel, and the company of nations was the bringing in of the nations through Messiah/Christ. (see Gal 3:14)

And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
(Gal 3:29)

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. (1Pe 3:8-9)

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom 14:17)

Thru the Bible in Six Weeks- Lesson 2

2010-04-13T08:16:00.000-07:00

Thru the Bible in Six Weeks- Lesson 2

I. The Bible is a single great story of Christ's Redemption of a fallen creation and fallen mankind

II. There are Three Main Stories of the Bible

A) The birth and fall of God's creation and mankind- Genesis
B) The birth and fall of God's nation, Israel- the Old Testament under Moses (Exodus- Malachi)
C) The birth and resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ, and His deliverance of His creation- the New Testament under Christ (Matthew - Revelation)

The birth and fall of God’s creation and mankind- Genesis

Age of the Patriarchs- ‘Patriarch’ comes from the Greek and Latin word for “ruler of a family, or a group of families (i.e., a tribe). During the Biblical age of the Patriarchs a man was the ruler and priest of his home or household. (use God has Spoken chart)

This period is about 2500 years, and goes from about 4000 B.C. to 1500 B.C.

The Important Patriarchs we will look at today are:

Adam- 4000 B.C. (ante-diluvian (i.e., before the flood- Latin ‘diluvium’ for ‘flood’))
[Genesis 3:1-15]
For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) (Rom 5:17)

Noah- 600 years old at the time of the flood which was about 2400 B.C.
Abraham [Genesis 6:1-13]

Abraham- about 1921 B.C. (Abram- high father; Abraham- father of a multitude)
[Genesis 12:1-3; 17:4-5 father of many nations]

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. . . . Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "AND TO YOUR SEED," who is Christ. (Gal 3:13-14, 16)

And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
(Gal 3:29)

Thru the Bible in Six Weeks- Lesson 1

2010-04-12T05:32:00.000-07:00

Thru the Bible in Six Weeks- Lesson 1

I. The Bible is a single great story of Christ's Redemption of a fallen creation and fallen mankind

A. The Bible story begins and ends with Jesus Christ- He is the Alpha and Omega, beginning and end

A-1. The Bible begins with Christ. Genesis 1:1- "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." God is the Hebrew Elohim which is a plural noun, referring to the Godhead. This is confirmed by Colossians 1:16-18 which clearly teaches that Christ created all things.

A-2. The Bible ends with Christ. Revelation 22:21 "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

A-3. Christ calls Himself the Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8, 21:4-8, 22:13-14)

II. There are Three Main Stories of the Bible

A) The birth and fall of God's creation and mankind- Genesis
B) The birth and fall of God's nation, Israel- the Old Testament under Moses (Exodus- Malachi)
C) The birth and resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ, and His deliverance of His creation- the New Testament under Christ (Matthew - Revelation)

A-1. Genesis 3, and Romans 5:12 tell us that by Adam's sin, sin entered into the world, and death by sin.

A-2. The Bible tells us that the consequences of sin for man is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9)

A-3. The Bible tells us that the consequences of sin for the world is destruction, but that God will make a new heaven and earth with no more sorrow, no more death (2 Peter 3:9-13; Rev. 21:1, 4-8, 22:12-13)

Outreach Effort

2009-11-10T11:05:00.000-08:00

Calvary Chapel Space Coast family prayed with about 50 people the week of November 1st, gave out about 125 gospel tracts, and witnessed to about 30 people. How AWESOME IS THAT?
Praise the Lord for our church family and the mighty work He is doing in us, and through us, in the name of Jesus!!
Pastor B.

Second Connection Sunday Oct. 19th

2009-10-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

34 people from 29 families completed their connection cards.

Several indicated anytime could work for getting together with a small group for 6 weeks.
8 said Sunday 8:45 a.m.
1 said Sun after church
1 said Sunday after 6 p.m.
4 said Mon night
3 said Tues 7 p.m.
2 said Thur
1 said Sat 9 a.m.
1 said weekend night 7 p.m.

we'll get this going soon!

First Connection Sunday- Oct. 12th

2009-10-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

35 family members from 30 families completed their Calvary Chapel Space Coast connection forms!

They indicated they believe the Lord wants them to take the following steps:
4 want to commit their lives to Christ.
4 want to publicly confess Christ in the waters of baptism
8 want to commit to regularly supporting the church family with their finances
11 want to commit to serving their church family where needed
7 want to commit to getting more involved with evangelism and outreach
5 want to commit to getting involved with small groups

Praise the Lord!

Repent and be Baptized?

2009-04-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

My March 26, 2009 blog on repentance and baptism apparently sparked a lot of discussion, and possibly stirred up more than a little controversy. I prayed about this, and felt that I should write an article here in my Tabletalk section to clarify where I stand on the subject of repentance and baptism, and take the opportunity to challenge you, the reader, with some further questions on this important topic.

What does the word 'baptize' mean?

The word 'baptize' means to 'immerse', or wash by dipping. Just before Christ began His public ministry a man called John the Immerser began his public ministry, calling upon people to repent of their sins and be immersed. It is unfortunate that the translators chose to 'transliterate' the Greek word 'baptidzo' (i.e., they substituted English letters for the Greek ones). If the translators had translated (as opposed to transliterated) the Greek word 'baptidzo' we would be reading of John the Immerser, or John the Dipper, or John the Washer. Medieval paintings of John the Baptist in the river pouring water on people not withstanding, the Jewish encyclopedias make it clear that John was an immerser, and that immersion of the entire frame in water for repentance was the practice of that time. Even the Catholic encyclopedias make it clear that immersion was the practice of the early church. I would think that if anyone was an authority on the Biblical meaning of the New Testament Greek word 'baptidzo', it would be the Greek church, and they define 'baptidzo' as, "immersion into water". (They actually immerse the candidate three times, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.)

Who and When are People to be Immersed?

All of the examples we have in the New Testament indicate that people who call upon the name of the Lord to be saved are the ones to be immersed, and that they apparently were immersed as soon as possible.

In Mark 16:16 Jesus says, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved."

In Acts 2:38 we read, "Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sin, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

In Acts 8:12 we read, "But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized."

In Acts 10:48 the apostle Peter commanded the new believers to be baptized.

When the apostle Paul became a believer he was told, "rise up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16).

Is Immersion necessary for Salvation?

If God commands something, must we do it in order to be saved?

I guess the answer to these questions is that God expects us to be obedient, but we are told in the Bible that we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is a gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are told in Romans 10:13 that all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. The apostle Peter, himself, makes it very clear in 1Peter 3:21 that it is not the washing of the water that saves us, but the answer of a good conscience toward God. HOWEVER, I wouldn't recommend using this an excuse not to be obedient in immersion.

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin [i.e., use God's grace as an excuse for being disobedient] that grace may abound [i.e., since He promises to save us anyway]? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were immersed into Christ Jesus were immersed into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through immersion 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.

Who and When are People to be Immersed?

There are very few people in the world that were immersed as infants, so there are very few people in the world that even have to worry about this question. Even though the English word baptize is used in the modern church to describe ceremonies where water is sprinkled or poured on infants, the fact remains that when our Bible talks of baptizing, it is talking of dipping or immersing. You therefore haven't been baptized in the Biblical sense of the word unless you have been immersed. A quick look under this topic in the Jewish encyclopedias will reveal that even the furniture of Christ's time was made so that it could be disassembled and put under water to fully wash it. So even passages like Mark 7:4 where 'baptidzo' is translated 'washing', it is talking about putting things totally under the water. It is good that parents dedicate their children to the Lord when they are infants, but this does not relieve us from the responsibility to repent and be immersed, calling on the name of the Lord.

When are you ready to be Immersed?

As far as I understand the Bible, you are ready to be immersed when you are ready to repent of your sins, trust in Christ for you salvation, and commit your life to Him. I have seen four year old children that have repented of their sin, put their trust in Christ, and followed Him. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and went around witnessing, some more than many professing adult beleivers I know.

But what about those that take baptism lightly, or see it as a ritual? Shouldn't there be a required class or something to teach them how serious it is, and to make sure they understand the commitment they're making?

First, where in the Bible does it indicate that any of the church leaders withheld baptism for a time, or forbid the water to those that wanted to follow Christ? Second, where in the Bible does it indicate that we are responsible for screening converts or screening those seeking the waters of baptism?

I understand people being concerned with those who seem too quick to say a prayer, to confess Christ, and to be immersed. Matthew 13 tells us that there will always be many that fall by the way side. The big question, is what is our MESSAGE and what is our MISSION?

Our mission is to make disciples of all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that Christ commanded. Our message is that Christ died for our sins and rose the third day so that we can have eternal life. Our message is that our response to Christ is to, "Repent and be immersed, calling on the name of Jesus."

I hope this article has been a big help to you. We will be doing another baptism service shortly, and would be glad to immerse anyone that has repented of their sins and trusted in Christ for their salvation [even those that are active in another church] . Like asking someone for forgiveness, it's never too late to make it right! Repent, and also be immersed. (You can try me at the church office during the day (267-5778), or call me day or night on my cell (638-4464).

Yours in Christ,

Pastor B.