I am pasting in the references, not the scripture to encourage you to look it up for yourself.
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The following bible study was prepared to explain the plan of salvation in a simple, one-lesson form. Additonal comments and supplementary scripture references ( designated throughout the text by numerals in parenthesis ) are provided for further in-depth study at a later time. May we also suggest that all participants take a moment to ask the Lord's help in understanding His Word, as King David once prayed, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." May God bless you as you travel "into His marvelous light"...
INTRODUCTION
When walking out of a dark room into the sunshine, light can be blinding. As our eyes become accustomed to the light, we can see more clearly and enjoy the senery that surrounds us. Likewise, when we look into the light of the scriptures, the brightness of truth can sometimes hurt. however, as our spiritual eyesight becomes adjusted we can enjoy "walking into the light". This bible study is designed toallow us to walk into the marvelous light of the Word of God, by concentrating on the highlights of the three main divisions of the New Testament in chronological order, including;
· THE GOSPELS covering the words and works of Jesus Christ
· THS ACTS OF THE APOSTLES covering the actions and preaching of the Apostles
· THE EPISTLES covering the letters written by the Apostles to the churches that started in the book of Acts
It is not my intention to diminish any personal relationship you may have with the Lord. Neither do I desire to convince you of my own personal ideas or the creeds of any denomination. I simply desire to share the truth as it is written. Only by claiming the bible as our sole authority can any of us be confident of our salvation, for it is the Word of God and not the traditions of men that will judge us all in the end.
PART 1- INTO THE GOSPELS
JOHN 1:1-5&14
In the beginning, the WORD was God and became flesh. Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God.
JOHN 1:11-13
If we believe Him and recieve Him, Jesus gives us the power to become the sons of GOD by a supernatural birth. He spoke further about this new birth one night to a ruler of the Jews...
JOHN 3:1-8
The Lord told Nicodemus that everyone who wanted to see or enter into the Kingdom of God, must be born again of WATER and the SPIRIT .
JOHN 3:16-21
Jesus also told Nicodemus that whosoever BELIEVETH in Him should have eternal life. Jesus mentioned two different requirements for salvation, one is being born again, the other is believing. Yet, this is not a contradiction. The next scripture explains how believing is related to experiencing the birth of the Spirit...
JOHN 7:38-39
Here, we discover if we believe on Him according to Hi s Word, we will recieve the SPIRIT (HOLY GHOST). We find that scriptural belief is more than just a change in the way we think. It also results in a scriptural experience.
JOHN 12:35-36 & 42-43
Today, just as in Jesus' day, many believe in Him. But, they will not CONFESS Him for fear of what others will do or say.
(1) JOHN 12:44-48
In responce to their fearfulness, Jesus warns that His WORD will judge us, so we must be careful not to reject it. Rather, we should believe and obey.
(2) JOHN 17:17-20
In Jesus' prayer for His disciples, just before His crucifixion, He said the Word is TRUTH. He also prayed for us; and for all those who would believe on Him through the Apostles word.
To find out what the Apostles' word was to be, let us read what Jesus told them to proclaim.
(3) LUKE 24:45-49
" Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentence and remission of sins should be preached in His Name amoung all nations, beginning in Jerusalem."
DID THE APOSTLES PREACH THE MESSAGE
JESUS COMMANDED THEM TO PROCLAIM?
HOW WAS THE PROMISE FULFILLED?
JESUS COMMANDED THEM TO PROCLAIM?
HOW WAS THE PROMISE FULFILLED?
