Some Bible Briefs
God's Word gives light and instruction. Let's note some of the lessons it teaches.
The Bible teaches that all are sinners. In Romans 3:9, Paul asks, "What then? Are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jew and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; as it is written, there is none righteous, no not one. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." In verse 23 he further declares, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Is there any doubt but what the Bible teaches that all have sinned?
The Bible teaches that the results of sin is punishment. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom. 6:23) "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezek. 19:20) Eternal punishment awaits the disobedient. (II Thess. 1:7-9)
The Bible teaches that there is a remedy for sin. "...Christ died for our sins according to the scripture." (I Cor. 15:3) He "tasted of death for every man." (Heb. 2:9) The gospel is God's power unto salvation unto everyone that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (see Rom. 1:16) II Peter 3:9 declares that God wants everyone to be saved.
The Bible teaches that some will be lost. Those in the kingdom who offend and do iniquity will be gathered out at the judgment and cast into a furnace of fire and burned. (see Matt. 13:41-42) Also, the Lord will, at the judgment, say to some, "Depart form me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matt. 25:41)
The Bible teaches that one can be saved from past and alien sins through obedience to the gospel of Christ (Rom. 6:17-18; II Thess. 1:7-9) In doing this one will hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized. (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31; Acts 17:30; Rom. 10:10; Acts 2:38)
After obedience to the Gospel, the Bible teaches that we must study. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." (I Pet. 3:15; also see II Tim. 2:15) "But grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord..." (II Peter 3:18)
The Bible teaches that there is but one church. In Eph. 4:4 Paul declares that "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling." The one body is the church as Paul stated, "And he is the head of the body, the church..." (Col. 1:18) Furthermore, there is but one. Note: "But now are they many members, yet but one body." (I Cor. 12:20) If there is "one body" and "but one body" and "the body" is "the church," then there is but one church.
The Bible teaches that the church was establishtd on Pentecost First let's note that the church and kingdom are the same. What Daniel called the kingdom, (Dan. 7:13-14) Paul called the church. (Eph. 1:22-23) The way one enters the kingdom, (Jno. 3:3-5) is the way one enters the church. (I Cor. 12:13) Those in the kingdom, (Col. 1:13) were in the church. (Col. 3:15) The kingdom being the church, we know that when the kingdom came that that was the church being established. Now, Watch! The kingdom was to come with power. (Mk. 9:1) The power was to accompany the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-4) Therefore, the Bible teaches that the kingdom, or church, was established on Pentecost.
The Bible teaches that God is a Spirit and is to be worshipped in Spirit and truth. (Jno. 4:24) In the first century, loyal brethren in a locality assembled themselves together regularly, upon the first day of the week to worship and serve God. (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:25)
The Bible teaches that we are to function by divine authorization. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (Col. 3:17) "But be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (Jas. 1:22) Furthermore, we are limited in our function to the doctrine of Christ. (II John 9)
The Bible teaches that a child of God can fall from grace. "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." (Ga1.5:4) "Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (Heb. 3:12) "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (I Cor. 10:12)
The Bible teaches that an inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away is reserved in heaven for the faithful child of God. (I Peter 1:3-4) Those that do the commandments of the Lord have a right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city." (Rev. 22:14)
The Bible teaches that hell awaits the disobedient. The Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire to punish the disobedient. The hour is coming when all the dead will be raised, some to life and some to damnation.
Yes, these are some of the things which are taught in the scriptures. Why don't you study, ascertain the truth, live by it and go to heaven?
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