As Paul traveled about on his missionary journeys preaching and teaching and making disciples (people believing the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) that Jesus died, was buried and rose again, he would organize them into a body of believers (a church). It was a very simple structure as we see in Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (Note that Bishops would have been better translated Pastors). Then as Paul would leave Timothy and Titus as he traveled he sent them an epistle (1 Timothy and Titus) reminding them what the responsibilities of these offices were and who could hold them. Here are requirements he listed:
1 Timothy 3:1-7This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine,no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1 Timothy 3:8-13Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 5:17-19Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Baptism: 1a: a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient to the Christian community. b: a non-Christian rite using water for ritual purification 2: an act, experience, or ordeal by which one is purified, sanctified, initiated, or named
According to Paul
1 Corinthians 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
1 Corinthians 1:14-17I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Romans 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
1 Corinthians 10:2And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1 Corinthians 12:13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:29Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
Galatians 3:27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Ephesians 4:5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Mysteries of the Bible (12) (8-Paul’s doctrine 4-Other) All KJV scripture
Mystery of Godliness 1 Timothy 3:16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Colossians 2:2,John 1:1,14
Mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven The Lord Jesus taught this truth in Parables. Read Matthew 13:1-52
Mystery of Christ Ephesians 3:2-6If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed … Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
Mystery of 7 Stars, Candlesticks, Churches Revelation 1:20The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Mystery hid for Ages Colossians 1:26-27 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would … Galatians 2:20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Mystery of Blindness (Jewish) Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Mystery of Change (new Bodies) 1 Corinthians 15:51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and …
Mystery of Iniquity 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked…
Great Mystery Ephesians 5:32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.Revelation 19:7-9, Revelation 21:9-10
Mystery Babylon Revelation 17:3-5So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw … MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Mystery of the Woman Revelation 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Mystery of His Will Ephesians 1:9-11 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation … 1 Corinthians 15:24-28,2 Peter 3:7-13 Revelation 21:1-2And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband
New Heaven and New Earth—————————————-Rev 20:11 Key Events: Satan loosed 20:7 Final War (bigger than Armageddon) 20:8 End of the Devil 20:10 2nd Resurrection and Final Judgement 20:11 The Books (Psalms 149) 20:17 Book of Life 3:5 Book of Works 20:12 Lamb’s Book 21:27 Death and Hell to Lake of Fire 20:14 New Heaven 21:1 New Earth 21:1 New Jerusalem 21:2 The Bride, Lamb’s Wife 21:9
ETERNITY FUTURE
And time shall be no more ……………….
Revelation 20:12 … and the books were opened; and another book was opened Exodus 32:32-33 thy book Psalm 69:28 book of the living Daniel 12:1 the book Malachi 3:16 book of remembrance Philippians 4:3 book of life Revelation 3:5 book of life . 13:8 book of life of the Lamb . 17:8 book of life . 20:15 book of life . 21:27 lamb’s book of life God’s Word is very serious Revelation 22:18-19 Matthew 12:36, Romans 14:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Philippians 2:10
Hebrews 10:12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures Hebrews 2:14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Bema Seat (Believer’s Only)
1 Corinthians 9:25-27And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy. 2 Timothy 4:8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 1 Peter 5:2-4 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Revelation 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. Tribulation Ezekiel 20:23-38 I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries; Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers’ idols. Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live; And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD. Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me. For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings. Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name whereof is called Bamah unto this day. Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations? For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you. And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone. As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. Jeremiah 30:4-7 And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. Matthew 24:21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Saw-tawn (Hebrew): Adversary, Withstand, Satan Satanas (Greek): the Accuser, the Devil, Satan
Satan has many names and is referred to 174 times in the scripture.(32 different names).
I. The Person a. 1 Peter 5:8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: b. Ephesians 2:2Wherein 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: c. 2 Corinthians 4:4In 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.
II. His origin Created by God a. Ezekiel 28:11-19(14) Lucifer became Satan b. Isaiah 14:12-20 Satan means adversary
III. His present location a. 1 Peter 5:8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Ephesians 2:2Wherein 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: 2 Corinthians 4:4In 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. b. Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 2:2And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. c. Revelation 12:10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
The Rapture of the Church———— 1 Corinthians 15:51, 1 Thessolonians 4:13 1st Resurrection of Believers Rapture to Return and Armegedon COMMAND: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ DISOBEDENCE: Reject Christ as King of Kings Key Events: In Heaven the Bema Seat Rom 14:10, 2 Cor 5:10 Marriage of the Lamb Rev 14:7-10 On Earth Tribulation 2 Thes 2:3-12, Matt 24:21 Great Tribulation Dan 9:27, 12:1, 7, 11, 12 War in Heaven Rev 12:1-17 6 of 7 Seals Opened Rev 6:1-12 144,000 sealed witnesses Rev 7:4, 8:13, 14:1-5 ….The 7th Seal Opened with Silence Rev 8:1 6 of 7 Trumpets Sound Rev 8:7-9:13 6th Trumpet releases 7 Thunders Rev 10:4 2 witnesses on earth Rev 11:3 The 7th Trumpet Sounds Rev 11:15 Dragon = Anti-God, Beast = Anti-Christ, Prophet = Anti-Spirit Rev 13:1-18 The 7 Vials poured out Rev 16:1-17 Armageddon Rev 16:13-16,17:17-19 Return of Christ Matt 17:27, Rev 19:11-16,20 7 years TWO 3 ½ year periods BEMA SEAT 1 Cor 3:11-15,1 Cor 9:25, Rev 2:10, 1 Pet 5:2-4 (Col 3:24), 2 Tim 4:8, 1 Thes 2:19, Rev 4:4,10 Jam 1:12 RESURRECTIONS Job 14:14, Dan 12:2, John 5:28-29 1st Fruits Matt 27:52, Heb 11;35, 1 Cor 15:22-25 Harvest –1st Resurrection Luke 14:14, 20:35-36, 1 Cor 15:51, 1 Thes 4:13, Rev 20:5-6 Gleanings Rev 7:9-14 Tares – 2nd Resurrection Rev 20:12-13
Then there’s Isaiah 53:4-6, “He endured the suffering that should have been ours. Because of our sins he was wounded. All of us were like sheep that were lost, each of us going his own way. But the Lord made the punishment fall on him, the punishment all of us deserved.” Also, Psalm 2:7, “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son (capitalized); this day have I begotten thee.”
And what are these passages talking about in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (meaning: God with us)” and Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace” if moshiach will not be virgin born, the Son of God, or a savior? Notice the capitalization. So what are these passages talking about if the moshiach has not yet come, will be a great man returning to restore Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. It would seem the OT prophets were teaching blasphemy if moshiach will be a mere man because these passages are referring to Deity. The worship of man is idolatry and blasphemy.
There are many Bible passages that refer to God as one. Deut. 6:5, “The Lord our God, the Lord is one…” Psalm 86:10, “…you alone are God.” Isaiah 44:8, “Is there another God besides me?” Malachi 2:10, “Did not one God create us?” Mk. 12:29, “The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Deut. 6:5 verbatim) Mk. 12:32, “You are right in saying God is one and there is no other but him.” (Jesus speaking) Why would Jesus, who claimed to be God’s Son, say “you are right in saying God is one,” but look what he adds “and there is no other but him.” These passages, however, are not meaning God is unitarian. They’re talking about monotheism, the belief there is ONE God, only one true God, and not many gods, i.e., “and there is no other but him.”
Now go back to Isaiah 53:4-6, “He endured the suffering that should have been ours. Because of our sins he was wounded. All of us were like sheep that were lost, each of us going his own way. But the Lord made the punishment fall on him, the punishment all of us deserved.” If God is a unitarian God, one God, why wouldn’t that passage read, “But the Lord took the punishment all of us deserved.” It’s saying the Lord made the punishment fall on him. If moshiach is not coming as a Savior, this confuses me.
This also, in my opinion, validates there is only ONE way to heaven and that’s through Jesus because heaven is where we’ll fall down and worship God, the Three in One. The Bible says our good deeds will earn us crowns that we’ll cast at Christ’s feet as gratitude for what He did for us at Calvary. The Bible does say God is one, THE One, the ONLY God, but it also very clearly references the Trinity throughout Scripture. God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent (3-in-1). He’s past, present, and future (3-in1), and God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (3-in-1). Maybe these examples might help.
God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit live in a great fortress, but because of the law and it’s condemnation of us, there is an enormous moat filled with the world’s sin which denies all of us access to God. Jesus, God’s Son, is the drawbridge. Jesus, who laid down His life for our sins, is laid down as the drawbridge allowing us to cross over the moat of sin and enter into the Holy of Holies and stand in God’s presence righteous and without blemish because of the blood of Jesus. So Jesus PROVIDES believers access to God.
When you attend Booster Club meetings, are you representing Spencer as his mom, are you representing Scott as his wife, are you representing your Mom as her daughter, are you representing the neighborhood or community in some capacity? If so, are you one person or many? Obviously, you’re one person, but one person represented in different roles at different times in different places.
The difference is that God, who is everywhere (omnipresent), knows everything (omniscient), and is all powerful (omnipotent) doesn’t make the Trinity seem too difficult to grasp. It’s just difficult for our finite minds to understand all the things of God. So God sent the Holy Spirit as the Great Comforter after Jesus left, but God’s Spirit is also talked about before Jesus’ birth. God sent Jesus to die for sin and conquer death, but Jesus is talked about throughout the Bible before His birth. God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are 3-in1, but serving in different roles at different times in different places.
Here is something else I’d like you to think about. Jews believe and have been taught that God is holy and righteous, so they write G-d out of reverence for Him and sometimes won’t even speak His name. According to the Bible, God is holy and righteous, but He’s definitely not permissive. So why would God’s penalty for sins be so much less than man’s earthly penalty? If repentance, keeping the law, and doing good deeds can atone for sin, why are murderers, thieves, child molesters, and other criminals punished? Why can’t a murderer go before a judge and say, “I’ve repented and will keep the law. I’ll do good deeds, if you set me free.” Would you feel that judge was just if the murderer had murdered your precious family and the judge set him/her free?
