The importance of God's Holy Word as recorded and preserved in the Bible cannot be overemphasized, for it is the only rule of doctrine and practice for God's children.

The Bible is important because even the worship of God is "in vain" unless it is done "in spirit and in truth" which is according to God’s Biblical instruction. (John 4:24) 

Those that do not receive and know the truth of God's word are subject to being "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine..." (Ephesians 4:14) Therefore, the Bible instructs God's ministers to "preach the word..." (2 Timothy 4:2) and to "speak ... the things which become sound doctrine." (Titus 2:1). It instructs God's children to receive "...the word with all readiness of mind... ." (Acts 17:11) God's children are further instructed to become familiar with the sound doctrine and practices of the Bible so they can discern and avoid teaching which is false and contrary to the Bible; and so they may "hold fast that which is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

Special blessings are enjoyed by God's children when they humbly and prayerfully seek a better understanding of the "sound words" of the Bible, which they are to "hold fast" as their only rule and guide for doctrine and practice. (2 Timothy 1:13)

The following summary is intended to serve as a general guide and reference for those who "desire the sincere milk of the word" (1 Peter 2:2) and who want to personally study and learn what the Bible teaches regarding the fundamental doctrines and practices God has given for His Church.

General.  The scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as set forth in the original tongues are the divinely inspired Word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice for God's children. The 1611 King James Translation of the original scriptures is generally accepted as the most reliable translation of the scriptures from the original language for God's English speaking people.

Proof Scriptures. The primary proof scriptures declaring that God is the author and source of all scripture, include the following:

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Men were called of God and inspired by him to record the scriptures that make up the Bible. This principle is declared in the following verses:

2 Samuel 23:2 The spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

Matthew 22:31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

Mark 12:36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Luke 1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

Acts 3:18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

King James Translation. The King James Translation of 1611 is the most widely accepted English translation of the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew with the exception of a part of the books of Daniel, Ezra and Jeremiah which were originally written in Aramaic. The New Testament was originally written in Greek.

About 1605, King James I of England called for a translation of the Old and New Testaments into the English language, with the translation to be without note or comment. About the year 1607 fifty-four scholars (later reduced to forty-seven) were selected as the translators. These forty-seven men were divided into three companies, one company working at Cambridge, one at Oxford and the third at Westminster. Each of the three companies was further split into two groups, so that there were six groups working on the translation. Each member of each group worked individually and then each member reviewed the work of the other members. This resulted in the translation work of each person being reviewed at least fourteen times before it was reviewed by all the interpreters together.

The translation work was begun in 1607 and completed in 1610, after almost three years work. In the year 1611, the authorized King James Translation was first published.

The interpreters, in presenting the King James Translation of 1611, stated that the goal of their work had been an "exact translation of the Holy Scriptures into the English Tongue." During the course of their translation the interpreters found several words and phrases for which there are not any literal English translations. The translators were honest enough to present the words which they concluded gave the most accurate interpretation in italics rather than conceal this fact. This fact demonstrates their intent and honesty in preparing the translation of the Bible which has been the translation most well received by the Lord's English speaking children.

Chapters and Verses. The original text of the scriptures was not divided into numbered chapters or verses. 

The first work on chapters occurred when each book of the Bible was divided into chapters about the year 1250. 

These chapters of the Bible books were further divided into verses about the year 1551. 

Therefore, it is obvious that the division of the Bible into numbered chapters and verses was not divinely inspired. Thus there is no Spiritual lesson in such numbers, even though they are of practical use and a help and convenience in reading, studying and discussing the Bible.

Red Letters. Some Bibles are printed with the words of Christ in red. The words of Christ were first printed in red when a "red letter" edition of the Bible was published about 1901. This first red letter edition was published by Louis Klopsch, an editor of an American religious magazine. 

Klopsch's first red letter edition of the Bible published in red only the words of Christ which he spoke while on earth. He consulted with Bible scholars in both Europe and the United States for their advice as to which words of Christ were spoken while he was on earth. Some years later “red letter” editions have printed all the words spoken by Christ in red, regardless of when or where He spoke them.

While the addition of the "red letter" is helpful in reading the Bible, it should be remembered that the red letter scriptures are no more important than others, for "all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable... ." (2 Timothy 3:16) No part of scripture is any more important than any other part, and the addition of the red letter print to parts of scripture is not intended to indicate otherwise.

Attacks On The Bible. There have always been those who reject and attack the authority of the Bible. The Bible itself warns that this will occur, and gives as some of the reasons for the attacks:

i. The man of nature which has not been born of God's Spirit cannot and does not understand or receive spiritual things:

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

John 3:3 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 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

ii. Only the spiritual man (one born of God's spirit) can receive and understand the spiritual things of the Bible:

1 Corinthians 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Matthew 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Just as a man must have natural life to understand natural things, man must have spiritual life to understand spiritual things. This spiritual life comes from God and is given to all of his children.

iii. Attacks on the Bible occur in many ways and from many sources. God warns his children in the scriptures of these attacks and admonishes them to be on guard and watch for them. An example of an attack on scripture that God's children should be aware of is the subtle attack on scripture that occurs when man's philosophy, knowledge and understanding is considered to be superior to the truths of God's word. God's children are warned of this danger in the following verses:

1 Timothy 6:20 O, Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, and the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

God's word is always consistent with true science and true knowledge, and the Bible does not tell us to avoid such; however, the teachings of the Bible will always be inconsistent with profane thinking and false knowledge. God's children are admonished to not be led away from the Bible's truths by accepting or following after such errors. The consequences of accepting and following error is described in the Bible as including the following:

Mark 7:7 Howbeit in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such things do ye.

iv. God's children are instructed to be on guard against these attacks on the Bible and its instruction, and to adhere to the teachings of the Bible and those things which are consistent with Biblical instruction. When God's children do not adhere to the truth of the scriptures, their departure from truth leads to things which are of no profit in their lives:

Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

1 Samuel 12:21 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.

g. God's Message Never Changes. The Bible is God's message to and instruction for his people of all ages. It is never outdated because God never changes and the truths he has revealed to his children in his word never change. Scriptures declaring this principle include the following:

Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not;

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Hebrews 1:10-12 ...The heavens ar the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

h. Wisdom to Understand the Bible. Since the Bible is intended for God's children, it is important that they become familiar with it's content. To do this they should seek wisdom from God to recognize and know the basic truths and principles which he has provided in the Bible for their comfort and benefit. God has given the promises of wisdom and spiritual growth to those that approach and apply the instruction of the Bible in this way:

Proverbs 2:3-6 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

i. To Be Rightly Divided.The Bible is sometimes confusing because it is approached and read as if it were a writing of man. Man in his writings normally presents things in a chronological order because that is the way that life naturally unfolds; and that is the extent of man's understanding. However, scripture is written by God’s inspiration, and God's way of presenting his truths is not always a presentation of things in a chronological order; possibly because God can see all things of all ages and his understanding is not limited to a chronology as events unfold.

In order to understand the teaching of God's word, it should be read and approached in the way God gave it and according to his instruction. His word must be rightly divided and scripture interpreted by scripture. Specifically, God tells us to approach his word in the following manner:

Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Scripture that is difficult to understand can best be interpreted and understood by comparing it to other scripture. God is never inconsistent in his word, and for this reason each part of scripture must be interpreted in light of all other scripture. No part of the scripture is to be separately interpreted for no part was ever intended to stand alone and apart from all other scripture. Many misunderstandings about the teachings of scripture have resulted from considering one part of scripture by itself without considering it in the full context of all parts of scripture dealing with the same subject. The Bible warns us about the danger of considering parts of scripture separately with the following instruction:

2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

Those who claim a special understanding of scripture often support their claim by reference to a part of scripture standing alone. For example, cult leaders that claim special light on God's word often claim the authority of God's word in their teachings by using the technique of prohibiting their followers from independently reading the scriptures and by requiring them to follow and rely solely on the parts of scripture provided to them by the cult leader together with the leader's own interpretation. Error may be sustained by this misleading technique and approach to scripture, but when scripture is read and studied as God has instructed his children to do, such misleading teaching and error is exposed. All teaching should be tried in the light of all scripture, not a few so called "pet texts" which can be misapplied and used to mislead the Lord's children, especially those who do not consider such teaching in the general light of all that God's word teaches on a subject.

j. Sole Authority for God's Children. The Bible is the only rule of doctrine and practice for God's children. Some teach that it does not matter what a person believes or practices as long as they are sincere and act out of love. That is man's idea and not God's, for he has told his children that it does matter what they believe and practice. In fact, God's word tells us that even our worship becomes vain when it is according to man's instruction and not according to God's word:

Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mark 7:7-8 Howebeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men...

God's children are encouraged to search the word of God:

John 5:39 Search the scriptures;

The more acquainted one becomes with the writings of man, the more evident becomes their inconsistencies and flaws. However, the more acquainted one becomes with God's word the more apparent it becomes that scripture is totally consistent throughout. Since it is the sole authority for God's children, His word is to be read and searched by them so they may better know his truths and walk in paths pleasing to him. Scriptures that declare this principle include the following:

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

k. Books of the Bible. The word "bible" means “little books.” The Bible is composed of a series of sixty-six books inspired of God and recorded by men as God directed and inspired them. 

The Bible’s sixty-six books are divided into two major divisions:

a. The Old Testament of thirty-nine books; and

b. The New Testament of twenty-seven books.  

The terms "Old Testament" and "New Testament" refer to God's covenant to save his people. The books of the Old Testament set forth God's prophecy and teaching, much of it through types and shadows,regarding the coming of Christ the Saviour of God’s people, and the New Testament is God's declaration and teaching on the fulfillment of that prophecy. The Old Testament speaks often of Moses and the covenant of law; and the New Testament of Christ and the covenant of grace.

The following is a division of the books of the Bible which may be of benefit in reading them and understanding their setting and teaching:

A. OLD TESTAMENT.

1. The Bible's first five books are called the "Pentateuch" which means five books. The five books of the Pentateuch were written by Moses and provide information about beginnings and the patriarchs. The five books of the Pentateuch are:

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

2. The next twelve books are called the "Historical Books." They give much of the history of the Israelites and God's dealings with them. The twelve Historical Books are:

Joshua

Judges

Ruth

I and II Samuel

I and II Kings

I and II Chronicles

Ezra

Nehemiah

Esther

3. The next five books of the Bible are the books of wisdom and poetry. These books contain much instruction on encouragement and wisdom, and practical guidance for living, and are often called the "Wisdom Books". The five Wisdom Books are:

Job

Psalms

Proverbs

Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon

4. The next seventeen books are referred to as the "Prophets." There are major and minor prophets, with each book being classified by the length of the book and not by its importance.

i. The five Major Prophets are:

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Lamentations

Ezekiel

Daniel

ii. The twelve Minor Prophets are:

Hosea

Joel

Amos

Obadiah

Jonah

Micah

Nahum

Habakkuk

Zephaniah

Haggai

Zechariah

Malachi

           B. NEW TESTAMENT

           1. The first four books of the New Testament are called the Gospels. The four Gospels are:

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

           2. One book of the New Testament is generally considered to be historical, and it comes immediately after the gospels. The historical book is:

Acts

3. The next fourteen books are generally called the Pauline epistles because they were recorded by the Apostle Paul. These fourteen books are generally divided into three groups based on the person or group to whom they were originally addressed.

i. The first nine Pauline epistles were addressed to individual churches and are called the "Church Epistles." The nine Church Epistles are:

Romans

I and II Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

I and II Thessalonians

ii. The next three Pauline epistles were addressed to preachers and are called the "Pastoral Epistles." The three Pastoral Epistles are:

I and II Timothy

Titus

iii. The next two Pauline epistles were addressed to individuals rather than to a particular church or pastor and are called the "Personal Epistles." The two Personal Epistles are:

Philemon

Hebrews

4. The next seven books are called the "General Epistles." Each of these books bears the name of its author. The seven General Epistles are:

James

I and II Peter

I, II and III John

Jude

5. The last book of the Bible is the only Prophetic Book of the new testament. While this book contains much instruction about what has occurred and what is occurring, it also contains some prophecy about the future. 

The Prophetic Book is: Revelation.

l. Miscellaneous Bible Facts. The following are a few miscellaneous facts about the Bible which may be of general interest to the Lord's children:

i. There are sixty-six Books in the Bible.

ii. There are thirty-nine Books in the Old Testament.

iii. There are twenty-seven Books in New Testament.

iv. The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalms 119.

v. The shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalms 117.

vi. The longest verse in the Bible is Esther 8:9

vii. The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35

m. Preserved by God. The scriptures that were written as God inspired them are preserved by God. This truth is declared in Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

Chapter 2. THE GODHEAD

a. General. The Bible teaches that there is only one true and living God; and that there is a Trinity of distinct persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; and yet these are not three, but one God. 

b. Proof Scriptures. The primary proof scriptures regarding the Trinity of persons in the Godhead include the following:

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Galatians 3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well:

c. The Trinity. "Trinity" simply means threefold or three. The three Persons of the Godhead are:

i. The "Father"

John 10:30 I and my Father are one.

ii. The "Son"

John 20:31 Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;...

iii. The "Holy Ghost"

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

d. The Living God. God is a true and living God, and not as the dead or false "gods" which exist only in the imaginations of men:

Leviticus 19:4 Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the Lord your God.

1 Corinthians 8:4-6 ...we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God... .

e. Consistency of Scripture. The Bible is consistent on all subjects, and thus it consistently speaks of the Godhead consisting of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Examples of additional scriptures that declare the existence of the Trinity include the following:

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness... .

Genesis 3:22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil:

Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou are my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever:

2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

f. The Trinity and Salvation.  The beauty of the Trinity is obvious when considering the subject of eternal salvation. The Bible discloses that each Person of the Godhead has a distinct part in the work of eternal salvation. The scriptures teaching the distinct covenant work of each Person of the Godhead in the eternal salvation of the Lord's children are the following:

i. God the Father choose a people to be saved for heaven and gave them to his Son:

Ephesians 1:4-5 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, ... Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself ... .

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

ii. God the Son died on the cross and gave himself and shed his blood to eternally save those that God the Father had chosen and given to him:

John 17:1-2 These words spake Jesus, ..., Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Revelation 1:5-6 Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen

iii. God the Holy Spirit applies the blood of Christ to each of those chosen of God and for whom Christ died:

John 6:63 It is the Spirit that quickeneth;   

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

1 John 1:7 ...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Chapter 3. TOTAL DEPRAVITY

           a. General. The Bible teaches that Adam fell from a state of innocence when he disobeyed God. Adam's sin and fall affected all humanity because his sin and the resulting sin nature are imputed to all his posterity, which is the entire human family. As a result of the fall of Adam, human nature is totally corrupt and sinful. In this fallen state, mankind has no desire or will to recover himself from the consequences of the fall; and even if he did have the will, he does not have the ability to recover or change himself. In summary, every member of the human race is by nature totally depraved and deserving of God's eternal wrath.

           b. Proof Scriptures. The primary proof scriptures that declare the total depravity of all humanity include the following:

Psalms 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Romans 3:9-12 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews 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. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned:

Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

           c. Mankind's Original State. In his original state as created by God, mankind was innocent and without sin:

Genesis 1:26-27 And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

           d. Mankind's Fall.  Mankind fell from his original created state when Adam disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. It is not as important to know what the actual sin of Adam was as it is to know that the nature of the sin that caused the fall of all humanity was Adam's disobedience of God!

Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

           e. Consequences of The Fall. The result and consequence of Adam's disobedience and the resulting fall of all mankind was that all mankind is dead in trespasses and sins. In the fallen state all of mankind stands guilty before God and deserves eternal separation and condemnation:

Genesis 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Genesis 6:12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

Psalms 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

2 Thessalonians 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of is power;

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

            f. Adam and Christ. All that Adam represented when he sinned died in Adam--this is the entire human race. All that Christ represented when he died on the cross were saved by him and shall be born again and made alive by the acts of God--this is God's chosen family:

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Romans 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

           g. Imputation of Sin. The consequences and effect of the fall was passed on to and imputed or attributed to the entire human race. When Adam sinned he was the representative of the entire human race, all of which were in his loins. As a result of the sin of Adam as their representative, all mankind stands guilty before God. All mankind sinned in Adam as their father and representative.

           i.        The consequences of the fall are universal in that the fall affected all humanity without exception:

Psalms 14:2-3 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of man, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

           ii.         After the fall Adam had children. These children were conceived and born after the likeness of their father, for Adam had but one nature that he could pass on to his children. That nature was the fallen and depraved sin nature and therefore all of Adam's descendants are sinners:

Genesis 5:3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image;

           iii.        People do not become "depraved" or a sinner upon reaching some age of "accountability", or upon committing a first sin, but rather they are depraved in their very nature and from the very beginning of life which is even before birth:

Genesis. 8:21 ...; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth;

Psalms 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.

Psalms 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Psalms 53:3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

           h. Man Spiritually Dead. In his fallen and depraved condition, man is spiritually dead. Not only does man in his depraved condition not desire spiritual things, he cannot believe, know or receive spiritual things. Until his nature is changed by a sovereign act of God, man will remain in this condition, for the natural man cannot do anything spiritually for himself or for anyone else:

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

John 10:2 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

           i. Man's Inability to Recover. Man is without the will, power or ability to recover from the fall or to change his fallen and depraved nature. In fact, man in nature is even without any desire or will to recover from his present condition of depravity. The scriptures declaring this principle include the following:

Job 14:4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

Jeremiah 13.23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

Psalms 10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

Matthew 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

            j. Salvation is of God. Man being dead in sins can do nothing to change his sin nature. Only God has the power to change man's depraved nature. God alone can by his grace and an act of divine and sovereign power give spiritual life to one that is dead in trespasses and sins:

2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

2 Corinthians 1:9-10 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us:

Ephesians 2:1 And you have he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Ephesians 1:4-7 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love; Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Matthew 19:25-26 ... Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Chapter 4. PARTICULAR REDEMPTION

           a. General. The Bible teaches that even though all humanity deserves God's wrath and eternal condemnation, God by His grace and mercy, and according to His own sovereign choice, has a people that he has elected and chosen and who he everlastingly loves. According to his own purpose and grace God has elected and chosen a definite number out of the human race to grace and glory. According to the divine covenant of grace and redemption made even before the world began, between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the salvation of God's people was made secure, and they are all by the blood of Jesus Christ redeemed and eternally saved.

           b. Proof Scriptures. The scriptures that teach particular redemption or that Christ died for a certain number fixed by the sovereign choice of God include the following:

Ephesians 1:4-5 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.

           c. God's Everlasting Love. God has an everlasting love for his chosen people and it is according to God's love for them that they are saved and eternally secure:

Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

John 10:28-29 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

           d. God's Election. God has chosen or elected a definite number of the human race to be his people. This choice and election is solely of God and according to his purposes, and is not in any way according to anything in the chosen or because of any choice that they make. The elect are the objects of God's love even when they are yet in their sins and without their first having been any change or choice on their own part:

Romans 9:11-12 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth; ) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

Malachi 1:2-3 I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

           e. Covenant of Grace. The Covenant of grace between the Father and the Son, under which covenant God's elect are saved, was entered into before the world began. Pursuant to this covenant the Lord Jesus Christ undertook and completed the salvation and redemption of all of God's chosen people:

Psalms 89:3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,

Psalms 89:28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.

2 Samuel 23:5 Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.

Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

            f. Eternal Security. God's children are eternally secure and can never lose their eternal salvation. Eternal salvation is from God who is supreme, and therefore nothing can deprive one of God's children of their salvation:

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in Glory.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

           g. God Alone Saves. God's chosen are redeemed and saved by Jesus Christ. Jesus does not offer salvation to them and hope that they will accept it, but rather he saves them. Jesus did not assume a robe of flesh and die on the cross to make salvation possible to those who might hear of some condition and meet it's requirements; but rather Jesus Christ died on the cross for the express purpose of saving all His people:

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Revelation 5:9-10 For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

           h. Fruit of Salvation. Those for whom Christ died shall all be born of the Spirit, and they shall bear the fruit of their new life. They will show by their works that they have been born of the Spirit of God and that they have a new nature. While they still have their old Adam nature, there is also a new nature that shows forth in their lives. If one believes that Jesus is the Christ or loves the Lord, it is the result of having been born of His spirit. These things are the result of eternal salvation, not the cause of it! Some of the scriptures that declare these principles are the following:

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God:

Revelation 5:9 ... For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation ... .

Chapter 5. JUSTIFICATION

           a. General. The Bible teaches that sinners are justified ("made just as if they had never sinned") in the sight of God only by the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to them. There is no other means and no other condition to the justification of God's children.

            b. Proof Scriptures. The following are a part of the scriptures that teach that God's children are justified and made to have a standing before God, just as if they had never sinned, by the sovereign actions of God alone:

Romans 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

           c. Chosen to Justification. It is those that are chosen by God, though by nature sinners and deserving of God's wrath, that are justified by God's grace:

           i.        All of mankind are sinners my nature and deserve God's wrath

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Psalms 53:2-3 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

           ii.       It is from among those that are dead in trespasses and sins that God has chosen a people to be justified and saved by Jesus Christ

Ephesians 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

Ephesians 2:1-3 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; ... and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

           d. God Just. God is a just God, and does not overlook sin; but rather justifies his children by making them just as if they had not sinned by washing them in the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. This justification is the opposite of the condemnation which all mankind by nature deserves.

           i.        Justification is not by any action on the sinner's part, nor the keeping of any law or meeting any condition, but rather is solely by the grace or unmerited favor of God:

Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9 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.

Titus 3:5-6 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; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

ii.       Justification and eternal salvation are solely the gift of God and solely by the work of God:

Romans 4:6-7 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

            e. Means of Justification. The means by which God's children are justified is the shed blood of Jesus Christ applied by the Holy Spirit in the new birth:

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

           f. Sinners Made Righteous. When God's children are born of his spirit and justified, they receive from the Lord double for their sins. The double receipt occurs because the sins of the Lord's children are imputed or accounted to Christ and charged against him, and for which he died on the cross; and the righteousness of Christ and his sinlessness are imputed to the chosen and accounted to them. The consequence of this is that God's children are justified and made righteous:

Isaiah 40:2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Isaiah 54:17 ...this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

           g. Result of Justification. The result of the justification of God's children is that they are made as perfect as his Son Jesus Christ in their judicial standing before God:

Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Romans 8:30-33 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

            h. Justification Before Man. The Bible teaches justification before God, as described above, and which pertains to eternal salvation. It also teaches that there is a form of justification during this present life which is before men and to ourselves:

           i.        Justification before other men is by works; and is an evidence of our having been justified before God and being one of his children saved for eternity:

James 2:24-25 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

           ii.       Justification to ourselves is by faith; and this too is an evidence of our having been justified before God and having eternal life. Justification to ourselves gives us peace of spirit in our hope of eternal life. Some of the scritures teaching these principles are the following:

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Chapter 6. ETERNAL SALVATION SOLELY OF GOD

           a. General.  The Bible teaches that all of the chosen in Christ shall be called, regenerated, converted, sanctified and supported by the power of God, so they shall be preserved in grace and not one of them shall ever be finally lost. While God's children may during this life lose the joy and blessings of their salvation by their disobedience during this life, God will always love his own and not one of them shall ever be eternally lost. God's children can by disobedience lose the joy of their salvation, but cannot lose their eternal salvation!

           b. Proof Scriptures. Among the scriptures setting forth the fact that salvation is solely an act of God benefiting his chosen, and not in any way the result or consequence of any condition that man may meet or fail to meet, are the following:

2 Timothy 1:8-9 God...who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Romans 8:29-30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

           c. All The Chosen Saved. All of those chosen in Christ Jesus, and for whom Christ died on the cross, shall be saved, without exception. This is so because the work of Christ is a complete and perfect work, and is one that pleases his Father in heaven:

Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Psalms 33:11-12 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Psalms 89:3-4 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

            d. Chosen Called. The chosen shall be effectually called by God unto spiritual life. God chooses and calls his people, rather than his people choosing and calling on God. Everyone that God calls shall be born of his spirit:

Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

John 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Isaiah 43:1 ...Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

           e. Regeneration of Chosen. Every one of God's chosen shall be regenerated or born of God's Spirit, without exception. Believing that Jesus is the Christ is not a condition to regeneration, but rather is a fruit or consequence of regeneration:

John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

Ephesians 2:1-3 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 3:6-8 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.          

f. Sanctification. All of God's chosen shall be sanctified or set apart by God for his own eternal purposes and for eternal salvation. Man in nature does not set himself apart and separate from sin, but rather it is God that sets one apart and changes them by giving them spiritual life:

Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

           g. Spirit Supporting. All of God's chosen people shall be sustained and supported by the Spirit and power of God:

Psalms 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Isaiah 43:1-2 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Isaiah 54:10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

           h. Preserved by Spirit. God's children shall all be preserved in grace and not one of them shall be finally lost; but rather every one of the objects of God's love shall be with him in heaven forever. God's children are safe and secure and nothing shall ever separate them from the love which God has for them, and which he showed by sending his Son Jesus Christ to die for them on the cross. This work by Christ is finished and complete, and God the Father is satisfied with all that Christ did for his people. 

Had Christ's work been imperfect, or were one of those lost for which Christ was sent to die, then God would not be pleased or satisfied; but his word says that he is satisfied and this is because all his children are saved by the blood of Christ:

John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? ... For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Chapter 7. GOOD WORKS

           a. General.  The Bible teaches that good works are the fruits of a God given faith, and follow in the lives of God's children after their salvation. Good works only justify us in the sight of men and angels, but are not the source of justification before God, for man's justification before God occurs before man does any good works. Therefore, good works are evidences of our being the objects of God's love and saving grace, as good works only proceed from the spirit that is born of God. God's children are admonished and encouraged to continue in the good works which proceed from being born of God's Spirit, and to avoid the works of the flesh. God's children are to maintain good works for the praise of God and benefit of mankind during this life; but good works are not in any way the cause or source of eternal salvation.

           b.        Proof Scriptures. Some of the scriptures that declare that good works are the fruit and result of eternal salvation, but are not the root and cause of eternal salvation, are the following:

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

           c. Salvation Not by Works. Good works do not eternally save anyone, but rather salvation is by grace rather than works:

Titus 3:5 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;

Ephesians 2:8-9 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.

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

           d. Good Works a Fruit. Good works are the result of the God given faith which God's children have as a result of being born of the Spirit of God:

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

James 2:17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

            e. Good Works and Justification. The relationship between good works and justification are as follows:

           i. Justification in the sight of God or before the tribunal of God is solely by the work of Christ and not in any way by our good works:

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

ii. Justification to one's self known by the child of God is that inward peace which God's children have from that inward faith which God has given to them in the new birth:

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

iii. Justification before our fellow man (but not before God) follows and results from our good works:

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Chapter 8. PREDESTINATION.

            a. General. God has predestinated His people to be eternally saved and to live forever with him in heaven. Much confusion exists over the doctrine of predestination. Many ignore the doctrine and many distort the doctrine from that which is taught in the scriptures. 

           b. Proof Scriptures. The doctrine of predestination is clearly taught in the scriptures as is evident from the following scriptures:

Romans 8:28-33 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

           c. Predestination of People. The key to the doctrine of predestination is an understanding of what is predestinated. Many believe that the doctrine deals with the predestination of "events." However, an examination of the above scriptures discloses that Biblical predestination deals with people, not events. Simply stated, the Biblical doctrine of predestination is that God has pre-determined a destiny for his people. Notice from the above verses that the reference is to "whom he did predestinate", "predestinated us" and "inheritance ... predestinated." God has predestinated a people for heaven and that is all that the doctrine of predestination teaches. The Biblical doctrine of predestination does not deal with events or happenings in our lives, such as illness, being a victim of a crime, being killed in an accident, losing our jobs, gaining a promotion on the job and similar events in life. Mankind is more than a mere puppet, and if the Biblical doctrine of predestination dealt with events then the logical conclusion would be that God has determined everything that is going to happen and mankind is a passive puppet as those matters unfold. If that were so, then man would have no responsibility for anything, for he would not be able to do anything or accomplish anything except that which God has predestinated. That is not the Biblical doctrine.

Also, if predestination dealt with events, then the logical result would be that God would be the author of sin. However, God is not the author of sin and does not even tempt man to sin:

James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

           d. All Things "Together For Good." It is interesting that a popular belief equivalent to the predestination of events has developed among those that reject the Biblical doctrine of predestination as it deals with God having predestined a people for heaven. These contend that everything that happens in a persons life occurs for their good and is the result of a decree of God. They rely on the following verse for this belief:

Romans 8:28-33 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

It is true that this verse teaches that "all things" work together for good to those that love God. However, these verses go on to detail how we know that this is so, and in doing so explains what the "all things" are that work together for good. We know that all things work together for good for those that are "called according to his purpose" because of the following:

Romans 8:29-30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Thus, the "all things" under consideration here and that work together for good is God's foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification and glorification.  That is God's promise to his children and the result of all these things is that they will be with their Lord in heaven. Not one of these things will be left undone for God's children, but rather they will all work together for their good. During life their may be events which are not for the good of God's children (they could be the victim of cancer, a crime victim, a murder victim, their spouse could be unfaithful, they could themselves be guilty of sin that causes heartbreak in their lives and the lives of those they love etc.) but despite all this we know that the acts of God that culminate in the eternal salvation of his children are continuing for their good. The promises of God that conclude this instruction include the following assurance:

Romans 8:32-33 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

God bestows upon his children everything they need for eternal salvation and to assure them of a home in heaven!

Chapter 9. THE GOSPEL

           a. General. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news to God's children that they have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. The gospel does not offer spiritual life and is not a means to obtaining spiritual life. Rather the gospel is a declaration of eternal salvation because of the finished work of Jesus Christ, and instruction about His walk as an example to be followed by God's children.

            b. Proof Scriptures. The scriptures that declare that the gospel is not to give life but is to bring to light the eternal life that is already possessed by those that love its message include the following:

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

           c. Who Can Hear The Gospel. Even though the gospel may be preached to those that do not have eternal life, they cannot hear it with understanding nor believe it. The gospel can only be believed by those that already have spiritual life:

John 8:43-47 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:23-24 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

John 10:25-28 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

           d. The Gospel For Believers. The gospel was intended for those that already have spiritual life and are believers, and was never intended as a means to obtain spiritual life. The gospel is only of benefit to those that already have faith and is not a means of obtaining faith:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Acts 13:26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

           e. The Gospel Does Not Offer Eternal Life. The gospel does not offer eternal life to those that are dead in sin, but rather the gospel declares to those that have been born of God's spirit and who realize themselves to be sinners that they have eternal life because of the saving work of Jesus Christ. The gospel does not give life but rather it brings to light the life that is already present:

2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

           f. Practical Salvation In Obeying the Gospel. While the gospel does not offer eternal salvation or eternal life, it does proclaim and offer a practical or time salvation during this present life to those that can hear (those born of God’s spirit have ears to hear, that is children of God) and do obey the gospel (repent and become obedient children of God):

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Philippians 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.