Maintaining the Ability to Respond to the Word of God in the Time of Trials and Tribulation
“19 ¶ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20 AV)
47. You must maintain righteousness during the trials and tribulations that come your way, in order to respond quickly to the LORD God’s Word and Will as you are moved. There are three steps you must do to maintain righteousness during the trials and tribulations that come upon you. …
Three Step Righteousness Posture for times of trouble
1. You must be swift to hear – You must be alert and able to swiftly hear and understand the situations as they develop.
2. You must be slow to speak – You must wait in patience for the situation to unfold in its entirety, so you can fully analyze and respond correctly according to the Will of the LORD God.
3. You must be slow to wrath – You must stay level headed and focused. The enemy would like nothing better than for you to lose your temper to wrath. The loss of such intense anger seizes your mind and prevents you from accomplishing or hearing the righteous Works and Will of your LORD God.
The times of trials and tribulations are increasing in intensity and frequency for Christians all over the world, and things are promised to get worse, before they get better, by the Word of God. Christians are able to face these trials and tribulations in faith because their LORD God has given them exact instruction in how to behave in these critical times. It is crucial that you follow these instructions completely.
If you fail to hear the Word and Will of the LORD God in the critical time of trials and tribulations, when the wicked of the world are trying to ensnare and destroy you, then you are going to be on your own and facing their wiles by yourself. The only way you can have the LORD God’s support, is if you respond as He says. If you can’t hear Him, or understand His instructions, then count on trials and tribulations being very costly to both your natural and spiritual life.
You can be certain that the enemy is fully aware of your inability to hear and understand the LORD God’s Will and Word if you are angry and embroiled in the chaos and clutter of emotional and physical attacks. When you are in the midst of your battles, everything that can be done by the other side to cause you to speak without thinking, or to lose your temper in an outburst of emotion, will be attempted.
It is in the wicked forces best interest to put you at a place where you can not hear your LORD God! What better place than inside yourself, seething and exploding in anger at the injustices that will be directed toward you!
One trend that we are now seeing among many of our students’ spiritual lives, are the trials and tribulations that come to them as a result of a past “lust”. Lusts of past times that used to paralyze many of our students, were overcome through prayer and practice and the Grace of the LORD God. That’s what good Christians do; they grow and overcome the things that prevent them from being righteous and holy.
Apparently, the evil forces are unaware of this growth, and place them in tribulation with matters that they had overcome. The lust is not present, and the sin does not happen, and the evil attempt to move the Christian away from his walk with Christ fails.
But this is the interesting part. Several of our students report that even though the tricks were easily recognized because they no longer carried the sin, they could have still been caught up in the turmoil that was produced in the attempt to create chaos, anger and an inability for them to hear the Word and Will of God. Evil did not just use the trick of tempting the lust of a person, but they also used the trick of disrupting through chaos and an emotional string pull and blackmail in an attempt to cause the Christian to fall. If it were not for the student’s commitment to swiftly hear and understand, and be slow to speak and slow to get angry, they would have surely fallen as a result of the method of delivery, rather than as a result of the actual temptation.
“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21 AVRLE)
48. You must lay aside any immorality that exists inside you. If you have something nasty going on in your private life, you have to get rid of it. If your nature is such that you have an excessive abundance of naughtiness, let it go.
Notice how we’re not saying the word “sin” here. There is a quality of our nature that is a weakness that can be used against us during times of tribulation. We’re not talking about sins here, we’re talking about things that go on behind closed doors; things that certainly aren’t sinful, but because we do them, we become dirty in our own mind, and when we fill filthy and worthless is the time the tribulations began in earnest.
So, let’s do some plain talk. Sexual lusts and unnatural acts fall into this category often. The things that happen between a husband and a wife in their lovemaking are not sinful, nor are they judged by the LORD God as a sin. If an act, however, causes your partner to feel dirty, and that feeling increases to the point of filthiness, the act must be laid aside. We must not subject ourselves or our loved ones to a place where filthiness is the norm. If we remain dirty, we are a prime target for trouble, and it will surely come!
Another example of excessive naughtiness is when you seek naughty revenge when you are slighted, or set people up for falls just for the fun of it, or create situations of emotional turmoil and then back away. We all know what naughty is, and God’s Word says if you are excessively naughty, get rid of it.
So how do we know when things that are not sins, but are ensnaring and trapping us with their dirtiness?
49. The Word of God is engrafted into every Christian. The Word of God is implanted in you, and as a Christian filled with the Holy Spirit, you are able to discern right and wrong things. You automatically know the things that are nasty, and you know the things that are naughty, and you know the things you need to throw away and get rid of.
You don’t have to search scriptures, and you don’t have to go to a priest to know of the things that are making you feel dirty. The nasty things are in direct conflict with the Word of God that is engrafted inside you, and as a result, you know you are dirty. You are not going to rid yourself of dirtiness by going to a twelve step program, or a self help book, or a guru on top of a mountain. You can wash yourself every day for the rest of your life, and not get rid of the dirtiness that we’re talking about. And, this is important:
The blood of Jesus Christ will not wash away the dirty things of your nature that are not sinful, but just nasty…There is only one thing that can rid you of the nasty and naughty habits of your nature. You have to stop doing them.
It is because the Word of God is engrafted into a Christian, which allows him to feel that nastiness to the point of rejecting it, and restoring righteousness and holiness as a result. Praise God for the engrafting of His Word!
“22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” (James 1:22-25 AV)
50. You must do what the Word of God says. Hearing the Word of God is just half of the requirement of serving Him. Hearing is not enough. you must do it also!
If you do not obey the Word of God in your actions, then you will lose yourself!
We have a student who could quote scripture, pray loudly, sing on tune and bring joy into our presence every week. He would listen to our lessons and participate in the discussion and worksheets fully, but, when it was time to live his life, he made a mess of it.
He knew that living with a girl without being married was wrong, and he knew his drinking and partying was causing troubles with some of his friendships, but the “Lord knows I love him” and those things didn’t matter.
He wasn’t deliberately sinning and he certainly wasn’t doing the bad and terrible things of the wicked worldly. But, .he was doing things that he believed in his heart were wrong, because he had heard the Word of God speak on the subjects.
The thing he couldn’t understand is why his life was going so badly downhill. He liked to blame his spiritual and natural troubles on walking the line that separates them too closely, in an effort to win converts for the Lord. Sometimes he would use the excuse that He was a normal man that had gone to war and deserved the little vices that fell his way. It didn’t matter what excuses he used for his personal justification, it still didn’t change the fact that he was losing himself and his faith because he was hearing the Word of God, but failing to implement the Word in his life.
The loss of yourself and everything you hold dear is the price you pay for hearing the Word of God and not doing it. We often tell our new students that if they are not prepared to implement the things they learn through the study of the Word of God, it would be better for them to leave before they learn it. Because once the Word of God is heard and understood, you are accountable to do exactly what the Word says. Period.
51. If you realize that you have the freedom to choose the life you want, and you choose to hear the Word of God, and not grow forgetful with it, but build your life on the Foundation of Jesus Christ, then you will be blessed greatly.
Every human being, including the Christian Faithful, has the perfect law of liberty that allows them to choose the life they want to live. Woe to those who choose to hear the Word of God and not do it. Blessings to those who choose to hear the Word of God and do it!
“26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:26-27 AVRLE)
52. If you piously flaunt your practice of your religion, yet fail to restrain the output of your behavior and do as the Word of God says, then you are deceiving your own heart and your religion is really useless.
53. Pure and undefiled practice of your religion requires you to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and keep yourself unspotted from the world.
You must do what you hear from the Word of God!
Footnotes:
wrath – 3709. orgh orge or-gay’; from 3713; properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy,) violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorrence); by implication punishment:— anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
engrafted – 1721. emfutov emphutos em’-foo-tos; from 1722 and a derivative of 5453; implanted (figuratively):— engrafted. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
perfect law of liberty – 1657. eleuyeria eleutheria el-yoo-ther-ee’-ah; from 1658; freedom (legitimate or licentious, chiefly moral or ceremonial):— liberty. 1) liberty to do or to omit things having no relationship to salvation 2) fancied liberty 2a) licence, the liberty to do as one pleases 3) true liberty is living as we should not as we please (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
religious 2357. yrhskov threskos thrace’-kos; probably from the base of 2360; ceremonious in worship (as demonstrative), i.e. pious:— religious. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
bridleth -5468. calinagwgew chalinagogeo khal-in-ag-ogue-eh’-o; from a compound of 5469 and the reduplicated form of 71; to be a bit-leader, i.e. to curb (figuratively):— bridle. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
vain – 3152. mataiov mataios mat’-ah-yos; from the base of 3155; empty, i.e. (literally) profitless, or (specifically) an idol:— vain, vanity. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
Worksheet for Lesson 4
89. Why is it important for you to maintain righteousness during the trials and tribulations that come your way? James 1:19-20 (47) A. To prove your goodness to the LORD GOD B. To be a role model for other Christians C. To encourage others to be strong in the face of trouble D. To be able to respond quickly to the LORD GOD’s Word and Will as you are moved
90. (Memorization) What are the three steps to implement when trials and tribulations come upon you? James 1:19-20 (47) 1. 2. 3.
91. What can you be certain about concerning trials and tribulations coming to you? James 1:19-20 (47) A. They have been prophesized to come to all of Christ’s faithful B. It is going to get worse before it gets better C. The times of trials and tribulations are increasing in intensity and frequency for Christians all over the world D. All of the above
92. (Let’s Talk)
What are some of the trials and tribulations that are occurring to Christian brothers and sisters that you are currently aware?
Have they successfully implemented the Three Step Righteousness Posture? If not, what spiritual advantages could have been achieved?
What damage was done as a result of not implementing these steps?
Which one of the three steps is the hardest for you to keep?
Since the wicked forces know most of your weaknesses, how do they manipulate your trials and tribulations to make you respond incorrectly to one of these three steps?
How can a husband and wife, or even Christian brothers and sisters in Christ, implement the three step righteous posture together and effectively combine forces to maintain righteousness in times of trouble?
What are the techniques that you use to hear the Word and Will of the LORD GOD in the chaotic time of trials and tribulations, when the wicked of the world are trying to trap and destroy you?
Have you ever failed a trial or tribulation, and if so, what loss did you suffer?
93. What trend is currently being seen concerning past lusts of many of our students? (Notes) A. Trials and tribulations based on past lusts are being encountered B. Students are unable to resist past lusts C. Students are being mocked for their rejections of past lusts D. All of the Above
94. Why is this trend almost laughable and completely ineffective? (Notes) A. Mockery does not hurt nor motivate a Christian B. Jesus Christ will forgive lapses in sin C. Christians grow and overcome things that prevent them from being righteous. It’s what a Christian does best! D. All of the above
95. What is the danger that lies lurking under the surface for this particular past sin temptation attempt? (Notes) A. A Christian might return to his sin B. A Christian might lose respect from others as he is ridiculed C. The chaos, emotions and blackmail are stirred up so greatly, that the Christian could easily get sucked into the drama if the three step righteous posture is not assumed D. All of the above
96. What should you do with any immorality that exists inside you? James 1:21 (49) A. Don’t focus on it if it is not a sin B. Allow time to bring closure to the things that haunt you C. Get rid of the nasty things that you do D. Take it to your focus group and have it analyzed
97. What type of things are we speaking of when we talk of filthiness and naughtiness? James 1:21 (49) (May be more than one answer) A. A part of our nature that is a weakness B. A Weakness that can be used against us during times of tribulation C. Actions that make us feel dirty in our own mind, but are not sins D. Sexual lusts and unnatural acts that are not sinful, but make you feel nasty E. Creating emotional responses from people just for the fun of it F. Obtaining power over situation through your manipulation of situations
98. How does a Christian know if something is nasty or naughty but not a recognized sin? James 1:21 (50) A. The Word of God is engrafted into every Christian through the Holy Spirit B. A Christian can never know for certain C. If a Christian studies hard and has a good teacher, he will know D. Talking with a Minister, Pastor or Priest will reveal your nasty habits 99. What must you do when you hear the Word of God? James 1:22-25 (51) A. Praise Him for his graces B. Prepare a Bible Study and teach others C. Go out and witness the revelations to the world D. Do what the Word of God says to do
100. What results if you do not obey the Word of God? James 1:22-25 (51) A. You will go to hell B. Nothing, if you ask forgiveness of your sins C. You are washed in the blood of Christ, and are not accountable to the law D. You will lose yourself, and you will forget the faith and personal relationship with the LORD GOD that you once held
101. What is the “perfect law of liberty”? A. The freedom obtained through a democracy B. The laws of the Kingdom of Heaven C. The right given by the LORD GOD that allow you to choose the life you want D. All of the above
102. How can you be blessed greatly by the LORD GOD when you are aware of the choice that you have? A. Choose to forgo your freedom to live as you want, and choose to follow Jesus Christ B. Choose to uphold human rights all over the world C. Choose to enable democracy to be laid in places where oppression exists D. All of the above
103. What results if you piously flaunt your practice of religion, but fail to restrain your behavior and do as the Word of God says? James 1:26-27 (53)
A. You are deceiving your own heart B. Your religion is useless C. You are going against the Word of God D. All of the above
104. What does pure and undefiled practice of your religion require? James 1:22-25 (53) A. Weekly confession of your sins and absolution from a priest B. Regular attendance and participation in church activities C. Assuming leadership positions in your church D. You must do what you hear from the Word of God
105. What is James’ focused message in His Epistle? James 1:22-25 (53) A. You must do what you hear from the Word of God! B. You must do what you hear from the Word of God! C. You must do what you hear from the Word of God! D. All of the above
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” (James 1:1 AV)
21. James considered himself to be a servant to both the LORD GOD and the Lord Jesus Christ.
22. The Epistle of James was written to the Christian faithful who came from twelve tribes of Israel, which were scattered abroad. Faithful Patience
“2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:2-4 AV)
23. You should be joy filled when you fall into “diverse” adversities. “Diverse” or “motley” is a perfect name for people or things that are very different from one another and do not seem to belong together.
Diverse temptations are conditions of confusion that both young and mature Christians experience often. It is the time when you are surrounded by trouble, and mixed messages are coming your way. You feel the pull of righteousness and the push of wickedness, and this big black cloud, and white light seem to swirl together and paint everything grey. What seems right is wrong, what seems wrong is right. You face a strong temptation to react and resolve and to fix the things that are happening.
Christians often respond quickly and resolutely to this condition, often making rash and incorrect decisions. They feel the forces of wickedness and trouble stirring, and the natural reaction of their human nature wants to fight, flee, fear or freeze. Yet, the righteousness dwelling inside them through the presence of the Holy Ghost stirs the Christian to patience, to wait for the resolution to come.
You must have strong enough faith that the situation will be resolved according to the LORD God’s Will, and you must have the patience to let it happen! When you patiently wait as the adversity swirls around, you are allowing the LORD God’s Will to be accomplished, and resolution made perfect.
It is through these perfect solutions of the LORD God that will bring a joy to your being. How wonderful it is to be able to stand in the midst of a swirling cloud of activity, not understanding the problem exactly, and certainly not able to solve anything, yet confidently aware that the LORD God will resolve the issue in His time and way that will be perfect.
Faith to Ask the LORD God to Provide
“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.” (James 1:5 AV)
24. You know if you lack wisdom. Wisdom is the combination of knowledge and understanding that is often gained through experience to make sensible decisions and judgments. When wisdom is lacking, the ability to manage things in the worldly natural life and the spiritual life is difficult.
25. The LORD God gives wisdom liberally to all of His People. Wisdom gives Christians the ability to hear the LORD GOD and discern His Will.
26. The LORD God will not give you wisdom if it is used to upbraid others. If wisdom is used to elevate yourself above others, and used to taunt and make others feel lessoned, the LORD God will not give you wisdom.
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” (James 1:6 AV)
27. You must have enough faith, that when you ask the LORD God for something, that you do it without wavering.
The LORD God is the LORD GOD! He is not to be trifled with and He is not on standby to fulfill your every pleasure at your convenience. He wants His People to be firm, standing on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, and faithfully asking Him for the things needed to accomplish His Works, with the confidence that He will provide.
He does NOT want a worker who waffles and tosses between wise thoughts and foolish, repetitive, fading requests, wasting his time with vain things that are buffeted around and guided by the current “wind” blowing through.
“For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” (James 1:7 AV)
28. The LORD God does not want you to think that you will receive anything from him automatically.
“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8 AV)
29. A double minded man is unstable in everything. If a man wavers back and forth and vacillates his opinion and his purpose, then he is unstable to himself, to others, and most importantly, to the LORD God.
So, the LORD God wants you to ask for wisdom, and He wants to give it to you liberally. He does not want you to hesitate to ask Him for anything that you need, but, He wants you to make sure that you use that wisdom He gave you, before you make your request. He does not want you to think that you can have anything you request, but to faithfully know that anything you request from Him in Wisdom will be given. And if for some reason, God forbid, that you should come to Him without wisdom and waver in your requests to Him, He will know you to be unstable.
Faith in Your Station in Life
“9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.” (James 1:9-11 AVRLE)
30. There are different degrees of the station in life in any Christian congregation. The brother of low degree should rejoice because he has high rank in God’s Kingdom.
31. The brother who is rich should rejoice because he is made low in this life. It is through that “making low”, that allows him to become eligible to be exalted in the Kingdom of the LORD God.
32. If a rich Christian keep his ways of superior being, and does not change his ways when he is brought low, then he will wither, fade away and perish with the brightness of those who are exalted in the brightness of light from Jesus Christ.
Faith to Endure Temptation
“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. 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: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.” (James 1:12-16 AV)
33. If you endure temptation, you are blessed with an extreme happiness and a sense of well being.
34. When you endure temptation faithfully and successfully, you are showing the LORD God that you love Him and His Word and His Way.
35. When you show the LORD God love, he promises to give you a crown of life and a place of exalted honor in His Kingdom.
36. When you face temptation, you should never say that it is the LORD God that is tempting you. He does not tempt with evil, nor does he tempt any man.
37. Temptation comes from evil.
38. The LORD God can never be tempted by evil.
39. When a person is tempted, he is drawn away because of his own craving for what is forbidden.
40. When lust of a person is active, then the opportunity for enticement occurs.
41. Lust causes sin and sin, when it is finished doing it’s destruction, causes death.
42. You should be extremely careful to avoid roaming from the Truth and walking from the Ways of the LORD God.
Faith in the Gifts that the Father in Heaven Gives His Children
“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.” (James 1:17 AV)
43. Your Father in Heaven sends good and perfect gifts to all of His children.
44. The gifts your Father sends you are without variableness. The quality of perfection and goodness in every gift He gives, never changes, never varies. It is easy to know the gifts He gives because of this knowledge.
45. The gifts your Father sends you are without shadow of turning. The perfect and good gifts that your Father in heaven sends you are not going to change and evolve into something else. The gifts are perfect and unchanging.
“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:18 AV)
46. Your very nature was made with the Word of Truth, and His Truth was placed into you at the very moment of your birth – As a chosen, called and faithful person, you are His first effort of making Man in His own image and He infused special things into you through His Word of Truth, different from what is given to other living beings of the world. This difference between you and the worldly creatures is the Word of Truth that dwells within you. It is the Holy Spirit that gives you the ability to discern gifts from the LORD God, and temptations of wickedness and you must have faith that you are able to do this through the revealing of Truth by the Holy Spirit.
It is vitally important that you understand how your LORD God provides to you, and the type of gifts he gives. If you have no understanding, then it is easy for the wicked to trick you into believing a gift or provision is from Him, when in reality it is given to you to cause fall from His Grace. The wicked forces in the world have every intention of tempting you with evil through your lust. Often, they try to stir that lust and trick you by giving you a gift that appears righteous in nature but turns quickly into something quite recognizable as wicked.
For instance, often a person is tricked through lust that if he prays a certain prayer correctly, that he will receive wealth. When the prayer is said, and the wealth comes, it appears for a moment to be righteous and true. But when the Word of God is examined closely, and the types of gifts He gives to His believers known, it reveals the sudden fortune from prayer to come from Satan, and not from Him, and originating from evil lust and not righteous wisdom. By describing the perfect and good types of gifts your Father sends, you are better equipped from recognizing the fake righteous gifts put into your presence to cause you to lust, succumb to temptation, prosper, and fall.
Know your LORD God through study of His Word. Know your LORD God through the personal relationship and steady walk with Jesus Christ. Know your LORD God for who He really is, not who the wicked forces try to make Him be. Most importantly, have faith of your knowing, have faith of your moving, and have faith of your discerning through the presence of the Holy Spirit that dwells within you.
The LORD God has equipped us to overcome every trial and temptation. He has taught you how to be steady and secure in your request to Him. He has told you exactly how the things from Him can be confirmed and verified. His Word has revealed every trick the wicked might try, and has provided you with warnings and guidance on how to overcome these attacks. When you are faced with temptation, be joyful, patient, watchful, stable, wise and most importantly….BE FAITHFUL!
Footnotes:
divers – 4164. poikilov poikilos poy-kee’-los; of uncertain derivation; motley, i.e. various in character:— divers, manifold. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
temptations – 3986. peirasmov peirasmos pi-ras-mos’; from 3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity:— temptation, X try. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
wisdom – 4678. sofia sophia sof-ee’-ah; from 4680; wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual):— wisdom. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
upbraidth -3679. oneidizw oneidizo on-i-did’-zo; from 3681; to defame, i.e. rail at, chide, taunt:— cast in teeth, (suffer) reproach, revile, upbraid. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
wavering – 1252. diakrinw diakrino dee-ak-ree’-no; from 1223 and 2919; to separate thoroughly, i.e. (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication, decide), or (reflexively) hesitate:— contend, make (to) differ(-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
double minded -1374. diqucov dipsuchos dip’-soo-khos; from 1364 and 5590; two-spirited, i.e. vacillating (in opinion or purpose):— double minded. 1a) wavering, uncertain, doubting 1b) divided in interest (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
low degree – 5011. tapeinov tapeinos tap-i-nos’; of uncertain derivation; depressed, i.e. (figuratively) humiliated (in circumstances or disposition):— base, cast down, humble, of low degree (estate), lowly. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
exalted – 5311. uqov hupsos hoop’-sos; from a derivative of 5228; elevation, i.e. (abstractly) altitude, (specifically) the sky, or (figuratively) dignity:— be exalted, height, (on) high. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
temptation – 3986. peirasmov peirasmos pi-ras-mos’; from 3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity:— temptation, X try. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
blessed – 3107. makariov makarios mak-ar’-ee-os; a prolonged form of the poetical makar makar (meaning the same); supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off:— blessed, happy( X -ier). (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
Crown of life – 4735. stefanov stephanos stef’-an-os; from an apparently primary stefw stepho (to twine or wreathe); a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet, 1238), literally or figuratively:— crown. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
lust – 1939. epiyumia epithumia ep-ee-thoo-mee’-ah; from 1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden):— concupiscence, desire, lust (after). (Strong’s Greek Lexicon) entice – 1185. deleazw deleazo del-eh-ad’-zo; from the base of 1388; to entrap, i.e. (figuratively) delude:— allure, beguile, entice. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
err – 4105. planaw planao plan-ah’-o; from 4106; to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue):— go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon) variableness – 3883. parallagh parallage par-al-lag-ay’; from a compound of 3844 and 236; transmutation (of phase or orbit), i.e. (figuratively) fickleness:— variableness. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
shadow – 644. aposkiasma aposkiasma ap-os-kee’-as-mah; from a compound of 575 and a derivative of 4639; a shading off, i.e. obsuration:— shadow. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
turning – 5157. troph trope trop-ay’; from an apparently primary trepw trepo (to turn); a turn (“trope”), i.e. revolution (figuratively, variation):— turning. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
Worksheet for Lesson 3
55. Who did James consider himself to be a servant to? James 1:1 (21) (May be more than one answer) A. LORD GOD B. Jesus Christ C. Jews D. Christians E. Ministers and Priests of the LORD GOD
56. Who did James write his Epistle to? James 1:1 (22) A. The Nation of Israel B. The Twelve Tribes of Israel in Israel C. The Twelve Tribes of Israel who were scattered abroad D. Those members of the Twelve Tribes of Israel who had converted to the Christian faith, and were scattered abroad
57. What should your mental state be when facing the many different adversities placed in the path of your Christian Walk? James 1:2 (23) A. Confusion B. Paranoia C. Anger D. Joy
58. (Let’s talk)
What experiences have you had with adversities being put in your Christian path?
What emotions were the situations trying to evoke?
Do you know the hidden purpose for the adversities placed in your path by your enemies?
How did you successfully overcome these adversities?
What mistakes did you make in handling adversities as a young Christian, which you wouldn’t make today as a more mature Christian?
What emotions did you feel when you chose the resolve the situation yourself?
What emotions did you feel when the situation was resolved perfectly by your LORD GOD?
59. What is the technique that a Christian can use to allow the LORD God to perfectly resolve all diverse temptations and adversities? James 1:2-4 (23 & Notes) A. Have faithful patience as it plays out in the LORD God’s time B. Have on the armor of God before you fight the battle C. Have strength and courage to confront your attackers D. Respond swiftly to any adversity, taking your enemies off guard and giving you the offensive advantage
60. How do you know if you lack wisdom? James 1:5 (24) (May be more than one answer) A. Others tell you often that you are dumb B. You are never sought out for leadership positions in your church C. You keep making wrong decisions and judgments D. You are unable to understand the debates of theologists and apologists E. The ability to manage things in the worldly natural life and the righteous spiritual life is difficult.
61. When will the LORD God give wisdom to a person? James 1:5 (25) A. Never. It comes at a natural time in a natural way. B. It is given in small amount to all people as their spiritual capacity grows. C. Wisdom is measured at birth and the capacity to be wise is based on that. D. The LORD God gives wisdom liberally to all of His people.
62. How does wisdom enable your relationship with the LORD God? James 1:5 (25) A. Wisdom gives you the ability to hear the LORD God and discern His Will B. Wisdom allows you to stay out of sins way, and stop the transgressions of iniquity C. Wisdom make the LORD GOD love you more D. All of the above
63. When will the LORD God not give you wisdom? James 1:5 (26) A. If it is used to upbraid others. B. If it is used to elevate yourself above others. C. If it is used to taunt and make others feel lessoned. D. All of the above
64. How do you ask the LORD God for something? James 1:6 (27) A. You must have enough faith that you will receive an answer for what you ask B. You cannot waver for even a moment in your faith that He will provide according to His Will C. You have no need to ask for anything, the LORD GOD knows everything you will ever need. D. A & B E. B &C F. All of the above
65. When does the LORD God standby to fulfill your every desire for pleasure? James 1:6-7 (27, 28) A. When He is well pleased with you. B. When you are accomplishing works that will glorify Him in Heaven C. When you are given the task to spread His Word to places it has never been before D. Never
66. How does the LORD God want His people to come to Him when they have a need? James 1:6 (27 & Notes) (May be more than one answer) A. Standing firmly on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ B. Faithfully asking Him for the things needed to accomplish His Works C. Having confidence that He will provide D. Tossing wise thought and foolish without regard E. Praying repetitive and fading requests F. Wasting His time with vain things G. Bringing matters to Him that are buffeted around and guided by current winds blowing through H. Thinking that you will receive anything that you ask for
67. What is wrong with a double minded man? James 1:8 (29) A. He is unstable in everything B. He wavers back and forth and vacillates his opinion and his purpose C. He is unstable to others, and most importantly to the LORD God D. All of the above
68. What will the LORD God think about you, if you come to Him without wisdom and waver in your requests to Him? James 1:8 (29) A. You are unstable B. You are a sinner C. You are stupid D. You are being cute and charming
69. What status are the stations in life that Christians hold? James 1:9-11 (30) A. All Christians are poor and of low degree B. Faithful Christians are always rich and of high degree C. Faithful Christians are always poor and of low degree D. All Christian are always rich and of high degree E. Weak and ineffectual Christians are always poor and of low degree F. Christians can either be low or high degree and is dependent on the LORD God’s Will
70. Why should the Christian Brother or Sister of low degree rejoice? James 1:9-11 (30) A. He will understand poverty before he obtains riches in the world B. He is still able to stand tall among the rich brothers and sisters C. He has high rank in God’s Kingdom D. His spirit is one of servitude to higher Christians in this world, and a position greatly needed in the Kingdom of God
71. Why should the Christian Brother or Sister of high degree rejoice? James 1:9-11 (31) A. He should be filled with exceeding joy that the LORD God proves His love through the granting of riches and high position B. He should be proud that He was chosen above others to mange money, power and prestige C. He should rejoice when he is brought low, which allows him to become eligible to be exalted in the Kingdom of God D. All of the above
72. What happens if a rich Christian keeps his ways of superior being, and refuses to change when he is brought low? James 1:9-11 (32) A. He may be in danger of committing a sin of pride B. He will wither, fade away and perish amidst those who are exalted in the light of Jesus Christ C. He will be elevated in the Kingdom of God, and receive more responsibilities D. He will be judged harshly, and receive damnation in Hell on Judgment Day
73. What are you blessed by the LORD God with, if you endure temptation? James 1:12-16 (31) A. Longer life B. Extreme happiness and a sense of well being C. Promotion to a higher station in life D. All of the above
74. What are you showing the LORD God when you endure temptation faithfully and successfully? James 1:12-16 (34) A. That you love Him, His Word and His Way B. That you have been doing great Bible studies in your free time C. That you are ready to assume greater responsibility D. That you are righteous enough to cause the wicked forces to worry, and create temptations to cause you to fall
75. What does the LORD God promise to give those who show Him their love? James 1:12-16 (35) (May be more than one answer) A. Crown of life B. An exalted honor in His Kingdom C. An easy life in this world D. A granting of any wish you can make
76. When does the LORD God tempt with evil? James 1:12-16 (36) A. Never B. To test the Faithful Leaders in His Kingdom C. To winnow out the righteous from the wicked D. To prove to you that you are strong in your faith
77. When does the LORD God tempt a man? James 1:12-16 (36) A. Never B. To prove the man for His Kingdom C. To challenge the man to come to Him D. To prove the man that He can receive strength from the Kingdom of God
78. Where does temptation come from? James 1:12-16 (37) A. Evil B. Good C. The way of life D. The LORD GOD and His angels
79. When can the LORD GOD be tempted by evil? James 1:12-16 (38) A. Never B. When He is challenged to a duel by Satan himself C. When He allows Himself to be D. When it is for righteousness sake
80. Why is a person able to be tempted by evil? James 1:12-16 (39) A. He does not have a strong faith B. He is not loved by the LORD God C. He has satisfied his own craving for what is forbidden D. All of the above
81. When does the opportunity for enticement of temptation occur? James 1:12-16 (40) A. When a person is tired, sick, weak and oppressed B. When a person is spiritually high C. When a person receives recognition, power, support or a leadership position in the spiritual realm D. When the lust of a person is active
82. What does lust cause? James 1:12-16 (41) A. Sin B. Destruction C. Death D. All of the above
83. What care should be taken to avoid lust? James 1:12-16 (42) (May be more than one answer) A. Avoid roaming from the Truth of the Word of God B. Avoid walking from the Ways of the LORD God C. You cannot avoid lust in your human body D. Deal aggressively with lusts and seek treatment as the weakness appears
84. What types of gifts does the Father in Heaven send His children? James 1:17 (43) A. Good and perfect gifts B. Any gift that is asked for C. Only the gifts that bring Glory to Him D. All of the above
85. What qualities do the gifts of the Father in Heaven possess? James 1:17 (44, 45) (May be more than one answer) A. The quality of perfection and goodness that never changes B. Always great and ever changing C. Given with the consideration of the various situations it will be given D. Never changing E. Never evolving into something else
86. How did your nature become what it is? James 1:18 (46) (May be more than one answer) A. It was formed at your physical conception B. It was begotten by Him with the Word of Truth C. It was made at the moment of your birth in Jesus Christ D. It became as a result of your efforts in the spiritual and natural life
87. What is the difference between a Christian of the Kingdom of God, and a creature of this world? James 1:18 (46) A. The Word of Truth dwells inside the Christian B. There is no difference
88. How can you know with certainty the things of your LORD God and Jesus Christ, and not fall for the temptations of evil? James 1:18 (46) (May be more than one answer) A. Understand how the LORD God provides. B. Don’t have lust C. Study the Word of God D. Have a personal relationship and a steady walk with Jesus Christ E. Pray with confidence F. Have unwavering faith in your knowledge and understanding of all things of the LORD God G. Be FAITHFUL!
“11 ¶ But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,” (Galatians 2:11-15 AV)
13. The People of Israel by nature were under the law of the LORD God, and lived according to His statutes, judgments and commandments. They were the Chosen People of the LORD GOD JEHOVAH, and He was their God. They are often called “Hebrews”, or the “Jewish people” or the “Jews”. They belong to the twelve tribes of Israel that originally came from the lineage of Abraham. Through their promised inheritance, they became the Chosen People of the LORD God, ruled by His laws, and living the lives He directed.
14. Gentiles by nature were sinners, and were not obedient to following the laws of the LORD God. They were not His Chosen People, and He was not their God. They practiced pagan worship to false gods as their heathen natures led them. They are often called the “Greeks”. Their dwelling places were in the world, and their worldly natures caused them to focus on worldly pleasures without restriction or remorse.
15. James, Peter and John had gone to the Jews, and told them of the Messiah Jesus Christ, and how the LORD God had freed them from the stringent laws that they obeyed to deal with the sin.
They spoke of the more perfect plan of salvation, that the LORD God had established for the faithful, through the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son, and the shedding of his blood to cover their sins.
This message brought the law-obeying Hebrews distress and confusion. The LORD God was their God because He gave them laws and they obeyed them. When they failed to follow the laws of Him, He punished them severely. Their people had been led by the LORD God for so long, that their very natures were different from the natures of the people of the world. The failure to embrace Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah, and their inability to comprehend this new message of salvation, was impossible for them to understand.
To the Hebrews, the message of James, Peter and John, was confusing and misunderstood. It sounded as if they were telling them to forget the laws that the LORD God had commanded to be obeyed by them, and to embrace the life of a Gentile, who lives without law. To live without the Laws was horrifying to them, and to ask them to become one of the repugnant Gentiles that were under no law was a hideous insult to their people.
It was a difficult and trying time for James, Peter and John, as they tried to explain to the Jews the more perfect plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, and try to convince the Jews that Jesus Christ would not lead them backwards to sin, but forward to righteousness.
In the mean time, Paul and Barnabas are in the Gentiles presence, trying to teach them to repent of their sinful ways, accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and receive salvation and redemption through His shed blood, as well as eternal life through His resurrection. It was the first time in the dirty, sinful lives of a worldly and repulsive people that they had heard about being held accountable for their sinful actions. It was not a common occurrence for anyone to dare hold them to any standard of behavior, yet here came Paul and Barnabas in their midst, preaching of their need to accept the shed and atoning blood of Jesus Christ for their salvation, and His Word for their life.
In the climate of confusion and anger of both peoples, Peter committed a horrible trespass that made the Gospel of Jesus Christ to appear to be a lie…
16. Peter sat down with the Gentiles and ate food with them.
For many generations, the Hebrews had obeyed the statutes, laws and ordinances of the LORD God, and performed His Works as He directed them to do. Many of these ordinances that were given to the Hebrews to obey were the laws of clean and unclean foods. Many foods were designated unclean to eat, leaven was representative of false doctrine and was controlled, and tradition had progressed to the point that rigid and practiced procedures were followed to ensure every part of the meal remained “clean” and acceptable to the LORD God’s dictated Ways.
To eat with a Gentile would be a trespass upon a trespass upon a really dirty and nasty act. To eat with a dirty and sinful Gentile, who has wallowed in the clay and muck of the world, and to eat of the food which was haphazardly prepared without any regard to the clean and unclean laws of the LORD God, was horrifying to the Hebrews.
Are you able to see the big picture of betrayal that the Jews are about to be confronted with, as soon as they arrive to Peter’s location and find him hiding from them after being caught eating with the Gentiles?
James, Peter and John had been fighting an uphill battle to try to explain to the Jews why they are released from the stringent expectations of law and works that they had obeyed for generations, and now were given a better way through faith. Most importantly, they were reassuring them over and over, that it was not about giving up the law and moving away from their LORD God, but instead, it was walking closer toward Him in Faith, and having the ability to become more HOLY and RIGHTEOUS through their acceptance of Jesus Christ as King.
The curious Hebrews had been convinced of the sincerity of James and his ministry to them, and were becoming convicted that Jesus Christ was indeed a more perfect way to salvation, holiness and righteousness. Then the new Jewish converts made a disheartening discovery when they left James and came into the town of Antioch; there they found Peter trying to hide from them after he had been sitting and eating an unclean meal with the dirty Gentiles.
Peter was not increasing his righteousness and holiness as had been preached to them and he knew it. He was eating with the common dirty people of the world, and he was unclean and unworthy to be in their presence as a result. If he had not been guilty of great trespass, then he would not have had the need to hide from them.
They must have felt foolish and scared; embarrassed that they had been manipulated into believing a new walk toward righteousness was possible, and angry when they felt the betrayal of manipulated apostolic fervor, which appeared to be a farce.
“11 ¶ But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,” (Galatians 2:11-15 AV)
Some may interpret that Peter was guilty of even more than just eating with the Gentiles. Certainly “to eat” is often symbolically used to show a person attempting to understand something by partaking of its nourishment. One could easily make the argument that he was participating in more of the worldly Gentile lifestyle than the specific word usage reveals.
At any rate, Peter was caught red-handed, and the new Jewish converts were faced with a choice; return to their Jewish laws and face the wrath of the LORD God as a result of their straying, of face the ridicule of their peers as a result of their foolishness of their Jewish upbringings, and fully participate with Peter in eating of the lawless and dirty things of the world. Eventually, the hypocrisy of Peter and his Jewish cohorts were making the Gentile life look so appealing, that Barnabas also became carried away with it all, and joined the merry band of hypocrites.
17. Paul found Peter and Barnabas polluting the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, through their disobedient and unrighteous walk with the dirty and worldly Gentiles.
18. Paul was very angry, and he stood Peter before him, face to face, with all of the Jews and Gentiles looking on, and he proceeded to chastise him for his actions.
The biggest problem with the ministry of the five Men of God had been trying to speak the same message to the two different peoples, which needed to be expressed in two different ways. One message was given to the heathen Gentiles, and another message was given to the Jewish law keepers. One message tried to move the Gentiles toward standards and values upheld by Jesus Christ, and one message tried to move the Jews away from the extreme standards that their law had grown to, and toward the faith of a follower of Christ.
Conflict after conflict arose, as the workers of Jesus Christ were accused of attempting to make Jews become Gentiles, and Gentiles becomes Jews, and rumors swirled all around them, yet the Apostles were making headway, until the hypocrisy of Peter encouraged the disregard of the Gospel of Christ. His Works nearly destroyed any chance they would have of explaining the new salvation and grace of the LORD God.
“15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.” (Galatians 2:15-17 AVRLE)
19. Paul was angry and disgusted at the situation that Peter had created, and the chastisement that he gave to Peter, and the teachings that resulted from that backsliding and chastisement are recorded in the Book of Galatians starting at Galatians 2:15. This potential ministry-ending mistake was turned into one of the most powerful encouragements to the faithful to obtain their spiritual growth and avoid the false gospels and false teachers that could sway them.
20. The focus of the message of Paul to Peter was that “if we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.”
And that message brings us to the point that strongly suggests that James, the brother of Jesus Christ, is the author of the General Epistle of JAMES. It is that specific message of Christian accountability, which carries over so completely into this book of JAMES.
James talks about the faith of a believer when faced with tribulations, trials and temptations. He speaks of the proper response to the Word of God in faith. He brings faith to a place for all people through impartiality, and encourages the active faith in doing the works of teaching. He encourages the faithful to work against worldliness and natural desires, and warns of their dangers.
It seems as if James, the brother of Jesus Christ, wrote this Epistle to prevent the chance of another mistake like Peter’s from stopping the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a nice thought to imagine brother looking after the things of brother, ensuring the sacrifice of His blood for the sins of the world would not be in vain as a result of shaky faith.
As you read his words, with this knowledge in your heart, you sense the wise words of James as he encourages a dedicated faith walk that has a deeper and more profound purpose than first meets the eye…as the Word of God speaks deeply the things that are important to our faith and our works, according to His Will.
Worksheet for Lesson 2
34. What was the nature of the people of Israel during James’ time? Gal 2:11-15 (13) A. They were faithful followers of Jesus Christ B. They were learned intellectuals who debated and changed the course of their faith as the situations dictated. C. They were ruled by every aspect of their lives according to the commandments, statutes and judgments of the LORD GOD JEHOVAH D. They worshipped many gods and had many natures as a result
35. What are some of the names that the people of Israel were known by? (13, 14, BONUS) (More than one answer) A. Christians B. Uncircumcised C. Circumcised D. Chosen people of the LORD GOD E. Jew or Jewish F. People of the Law G. People of Faith H. People of the Twelve Tribes of Israel I. Inheritors of the LORD GOD’s promise to Abraham K. Sinners L. Locusts M. Heathen N. Adopted O. Hebrews P. Greeks Q. Men R. Sons of God
36. What are some of the names that the people of the Gentiles were known by? (13, 14, BONUS) (More than one answer) A. Christians B. Uncircumcised C. Circumcised D. Chosen people of the LORD GOD E. Jew or Jewish F. People of the Law G. People of Faith H. People of the Twelve Tribes of Israel I. Inheritors of the LORD GOD’s promise to Abraham K. Sinners (More answers on next page) L. Locusts M. Heathen N. Adopted O. Hebrews P. Greeks Q. Men R. Sons of God
37. (BONUS) What are the names that the people of Israel and the Gentiles known by when they accepted the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ? Galatians 2:11-15 (BONUS) A. Christians B. Uncircumcised C. Circumcised D. Chosen people of the LORD GOD E. Jew or Jewish F. People of the Law G. People of Faith H. People of the Twelve Tribes of Israel I. Inheritors of the LORD GOD’s promise to Abraham K. Sinners L. Locusts M. Heathen N. Adopted O. Hebrews P. Greeks Q. Men R. Sons of God
38. What was the nature of the Gentiles during James’ time? Gal 2:11-15 (14) A. They were faithful followers of Jesus Christ B. They were learned intellectuals who debated and changed the course of their faith as the situations dictated. C. They were ruled by every aspect of their lives according to the commandments, statutes and judgments of the LORD GOD JEHOVAH D. They practiced pagan worship to false gods, and were heathens and sinners
39. Where were the dwelling places of the Gentiles? Gal 2:11-15 (14) A. Within the world and its affairs B. Within the Nation of Israel C. Within the Tribes of Israel D. Just in Greece
40. What did the worldly nature of the Gentiles cause them to focus on? Gal 2:11-15 (14) A. Salvation and repentance of sin B. Dying, they hoped for afterlife C. The Foundation of Jesus Christ D. Worldly pleasures without restriction or remorse
41. What was the message that James, Peter and John had taken to the Jews? Gal 2:11-15 (15) A. The prophesized Messiah was Jesus Christ B. The LORD GOD had freed them from the stringent laws of obedience C. A more perfect plan of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ was established by Him D. The shedding of Jesus Christ’s blood was their sacrifice and atonement for sin E. All of the above
42. (Let’s Talk)
Why did the message that James, Peter and John bring such strong emotions and confusion among the Jews?
Why did the message that Paul and Barnabas brought to the Gentiles cause terrible distress to come among them?
What types of distress, confusions and resentments are exhibited from believers in religions that are false and dangerous, when the Truth from the Word of God is placed before them?
What types of emotions would be experienced today if a frank and truthful talk between a faithful Christian and a Law abiding Jew were to take place?
How would the emotions escalate even higher if the faithful Christian, the Law abiding Jew and the Servant Muslim, along with a common person of the world who worships false gods, were to be frank and speak openly about the truth of their beliefs?
How would you approach the Gentiles if you were in Paul and Barnabas’ shoes?
How would you approach the Tribes of Israel, if you were in James, Peter or John’s position?
How could you demonstrate that your faith in Jesus Christ was the true Faith of the LORD GOD’s Will?
How are you faced with the same problems of evangelism and upholding the true Word of God that these five men of God were faced with in their situations?
What type of danger exists today as you uphold the Word of God and evangelize among those who believe differently from you?
What types of worldly danger are waiting to ensnare Christians as they enter into the world to bring the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ and our LORD GOD to those who will hear?
43. What terrible trespass did Peter do to make the testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to appear to be a lie? Galatians 2:11-15 (Notes) A. Peter sat down with the Gentiles and ate food with them B. Peter challenged the authority of the Pharisees C. Peter challenged the authority of Paul D. Peter had a difficult time in leaving his nature that followed after the traditions and laws of his people
44. (Essay) Why had Peter’s terrible transgression caused the five men’s ministries to appear to be false? Galatians 2:11-15 (Notes)
45. What basic messages were James, Peter and John trying to get across to the Jews in their ministries? Galatians 2:11-15 (Notes) A. That they are released from the stringent expectations of law and works that had been obeyed for generations. B. That there was a better way to come close to the LORD GOD, and that was through faith in Jesus Christ C. That it is not about giving up the law and moving away from the LORD GOD, but rather, walking closer toward Him in Faith and having the ability to become more Holy through Jesus Christ. D. All of the above
46. What basic message did the Jews believe that James, Peter and John were trying to force on them? Galatians 2:11-15 (Notes) A. That the Jewish race was the Chosen People of the LORD GOD B. That the LORD GOD had spoken to their Rabbis and revealed a more perfect plan for salvation C. That James, Peter and John were trying to make them like the worldly and heathen Gentiles, who were worshippers of false gods, and without laws and standards. D. All of the above
47. Why were Jewish men traveling to Antioch after leaving the Teachings of James? Galatians 2:11-15 (Notes) A. They were becoming convinced of the sincerity of James and his ministry B. They were becoming convicted that Jesus Christ might indeed be a more perfect way to salvation C. They were traveling to Antioch to hear the Teachings of Peter, who was the ministry partner to James, to confirm his sayings D. All of the above
48. What did the curious Jews discover when they arrived in Antioch? Galatians 2:11-15 (Notes) A. Peter was preaching to the Gentiles instead of the Jews B. Peter was hiding from them because he was fearful of being caught eating with the Gentiles C. Peter was rebuking the teachings of James D. All of the above
49. (Essay and Discuss) What must the Jews have thought when they discovered Peter in the place that he was? Galatians 2:11-15 (Notes)
50. What do the symbolic words “to eat” represent in the Word of God? Galatians 2:11-15 (Notes) A. Consuming all foods to enhance belief B. Digesting different foods for Faith C. Receiving understanding by partaking of nourishment D. All of the above 51. What happened when Peter was found by the Jewish travelers? Galatians 2:11-15 (Notes) (May be more than one answer) A. The Jewish men disassembled with Peter, and copied his behaviors B. In the passions of the movement, Barnabas was also carried away, and joined the transgressors C. Caught up in the new worldly freedoms without laws, the group of men did not walk upright according to the truth of the Gospel D. They repented of their sins E. The converted many Gentiles to the Christian Faith that day F. They pleased Paul for bringing the Jews and the Gentiles together in harmony G. They pleased the LORD GOD for moving his message into the midst of the Gentiles through their liberal attitudes and adoption of the world’s standards
52. What did Paul do when he found Peter in Antioch committing the transgressions that go against the Word of God? Galatians 2:11-17 (18, 19)
A. Paul angrily chastised Peter, face to face, in front of Jews and Gentiles alike B. Paul offered to pray for strength for Peter to overcome power over the sins of the world C. Paul gathered several believing leaders together, and they offered Peter support as he struggled with his human nature D. Paul accepted Peter for who he was, a man who was confused for the moment, but still had faith in Jesus Christ.
53. (Essay) What was the focus of the message of Paul to Peter? Galatians 2:15-17 (20)
54. (Essay and Discuss) Why does the focus of the message of Paul to Peter, and the surrounding events that caused the chastisement, lead us to the possibility that James, the step-brother of Jesus Christ, and the “Pillar” who taught the Jews the things of Jesus Christ, wrote the Epistle of JAMES? Galatians 2:15-17 (20 & Notes)
The General Epistle of James is the “Proverbs” of the New Testament. It is a commentary on the teachings of Jesus Christ, and incorporates many ideas and phrases from the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7). The theme of a Christian “working faith” is the focus of James, and it is the focus of this Bible Study.
The author of this epistle is only identified as “James” and there are four men with that name in the New Testament.
“And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,” (Mark 3:18 AV)
“There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;” (Mark 15:40 AV)
1. James, the son of Alphaeus is one of the four candidates that might have written JAMES, however, it is unlikely. He is referred to as the “less”, which indicates that another James was known “more” for his stature of dignity. James, the son of Alphaeus, was insignificant in early church history.
“And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.” (Luke 6:16 AV)
2. Another candidate for authorship is James, the brother of Judas who was the apostle that was surnamed Lebbaeus or Thaddaeus and probably wrote the Epistle of Jude. This James is virtually unknown, and also very insignificant in early church history.
“1 ¶ Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)” (Acts 12:1-3 AV)
3. James, the brother of John, was martyred at the very early date of A.D. 44, when King Herod killed him to bring evil to bear on the church established on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Although this James is better known, he did not have prominence in the early church because of his early death, and it is unlikely that he is the author of the book of JAMES.
“18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.” (Galatians 1:18-19 AV)
4. James, the half brother of Christ, is considered by most Christians to be the author of the book of JAMES, because he possesses all of the qualities of the author.
5. He was the one and only James in the New Testament that was referred to by his name alone, and was obviously well known to the scattered believers.
“9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. 11 ¶ But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,” (Galatians 2:9-15 AV)
6. James, Cephas (Peter) and John had the stature of “pillars” to Paul, and gave the appearance of being able to stand in the presence of any body or any force, and the ability to maintain and sustain the Word and Works of Jesus Christ.
7. This confident authority, that James and the others displayed, was so apparent to Paul and Barnabas that they were able to recognize each other as fellow brothers and workers in Christ. This knowledge of each others authority and honor were represented and acknowledged in their handshake of right hands.
8. James, and the other men of God with Him, had the ability to perceive the grace of the LORD GOD that is given to His people. To be able to perceive requires that the LORD GOD has first given the Christian the ability to see and understand. To have the knowledge of grace requires the Christian to know the loving kindness of the LORD GOD and the gift of divine influence to the heart of the faithful believers.
9. Because of their equal authority and knowledge of the things of Jesus Christ, they decided to divide their ministry into two groups. Paul and Barnabas would go among the heathen people and James, Cephas (Peter) and John would go among the people of circumcision to teach of the foundation of Jesus Christ.
10. Thus, Paul and Barnabas focused their ministry on teaching the common Gentiles who did not know the LORD GOD, and practiced the worship of false pagan gods as a matter of tradition and belief.
11. James, Peter and John focused their ministry on teaching the things of Jesus Christ to the Jewish Tribes of Israel, who knew of the LORD GOD, and worshipped Him exclusively.
12. The men not only shared equal authority and knowledge in the things of Jesus Christ, they also had a common desire to focus on the poor people within their designated ministries, to feed them the living Word of Jesus Christ and his salvation.
So the five men established their ministries in the manner they had divided among themselves. James, Peter and John would go to the Jewish People and bring them the good news that Jesus Christ was the Messiah they had been promised by their LORD God through the great Prophets of old. Paul and Barnabas would go to the Gentile people, and teach them the doctrines of repentance from dead works, faith toward God, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment, all based on the Foundation of Jesus Christ.
Each of these powerful men of the LORD God committed to each other to confess and proclaim the name of Jesus Christ and spread His message to all who were given the ability to hear in faith. Each man knew each other to be upright, focused, committed, knowledgeable and powerful, and each man trusted that each would do the Works that the LORD God willed them to do.
Then Peter, the one who Jesus Christ chose to establish His foundation into a church, made a very bad mistake. His mistake was so terrible, that the five men’s ministries were placed in jeopardy. This mistake of Peter’s and the five men’s recovery from it, gives credence to the belief that it was James, the brother of Jesus Christ, who was the author of The Epistle of James, as he places a tremendous spiritual focus on the expectations of the LORD God in the working faith of a Christian, and the precautions needed to be taken to go out into the world to accomplish His Works in faith.
Footnotes:
less – 3398. mikrov mikros mik-ros’; including the comparative mikroterov mikroteros mik-rot’-er-os; apparently a primary word; small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity):— least, less, little, small. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
John 14:22 – “Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?”
Cephas – 2786. Khfav Kephas kay-fas’; of Aramaic origin [compare 03710]; the Rock; Cephas (i.e. Kepha), a surname of Peter:— Cephas. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
pillar – 2476. isthmi histemi his’-tay-mee; a prolonged form of a primary staw stao stah’-o (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively):— abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up) (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
right hand -1188. dexiov dexios dex-ee-os’; from 1209; the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes):— right (hand, side). 1) the right, the right hand 2)) metaph. 2a) a place of honor or authority. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
grace – 5485. cariv charis khar’-ece; from 5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):— acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(-ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy). (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
Heathen – 1484. eynov ethnos eth’-nos; probably from 1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by implication, pagan):— Gentile, heathen, nation, people. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
Genesis 17:7-11 – “7 ¶ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. 9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.” (Genesis 17:7-11 AV)
Matthew 16:18 – “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18 AV)
Worksheet for Lesson 1
1. What type of document is JAMES classified as? (Title) A. Gospel B. Book C. Epistle D. All of the above
2. What “Old Testament” book is James sometimes compared to? (Intro notes) A. Psalms B. Proverbs C. Daniel D. Exodus
3. What does the Epistle of JAMES discuss? (Intro notes) A. The teachings of Jesus Christ B. The laws of the LORD GOD C. The crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ D. The prophesies concerning the Day of Judgment
4. Where do many of the ideas and phrases contained in JAMES originate from? (Intro notes) A. The Song of Solomon B. The hypocrite speech spoken to the Pharisees by Jesus Christ C. The Sermon on the Mount spoken by Jesus Christ to his disciples D. Paul’s many epistles contained within the Word of God
5. What themes are present in the Epistle of JAMES? (Intro notes) A. Faith B. Works C. Salvation D. Judgment E. A & B F. C & D G. All of the above
6. How is the author of JAMES identified? (Intro) A. James B. James, the son of Alphaeus C. James, the brother of Judas D. James, the brother of John E. James, the brother of Jesus
7. How many candidates are eligible to be the author of JAMES? A. One B. Two C. Three D. Four
8. Why is it unlikely that James, the son of Alphaeus authored the Epistle of JAMES? Mark 3:19; 15:40 (1) (May be more than one answer) A. He is referred to as the “Less” B. He was known for his stature of dignity C. He was insignificant in early church history D. He is virtually unknown. E. He was martyred at an early time in church history F. He was well known G. He was prominent in church affairs H. He possesses all of the qualities of the author of JAMES I. The writings in JAMES are consistent with the struggles he faced K. He was the brother if Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus L. He was the one and only James referred by his name alone
9. Why is it unlikely that James, the brother of Judas, authored the Epistle of JAMES? Luke 6:16 (2) (May be more than one answer) A. He is referred to as the “Less” B. He was known for his stature of dignity C. He was insignificant in early church history D. He is virtually unknown. E. He was martyred at an early time in church history F. He was well known G. He was prominent in church affairs H. He possesses all of the qualities of the author of JAMES I. The writings in JAMES are consistent with the struggles he faced K. He was the brother of Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus L. He was the one and only James referred by his name alone
10. Why is it unlikely that James, the brother of John, authored the Epistle of JAMES? Acts 12:1-3 (3) (May be more than one answer) A. He is referred to as the “Less” B. He was known for his stature of dignity C. He was insignificant in early church history D. He is virtually unknown. E. He was martyred at an early time in church history F. He was well known G. He was prominent in church affairs H. He possesses all of the qualities of the author of JAMES I. The writings in JAMES are consistent with the struggles he faced K. He was the brother of Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus L. He was the one and only James referred by his name alone
11. Why is it likely that James, the half brother of Jesus Christ, authored the Epistle of JAMES? Acts 12:1-3 (3) (May be more than one answer) A. He is referred to as the “Less” B. He was known for his stature of dignity C. He was insignificant in early church history D. He is virtually unknown. E. He was martyred at an early time in church history F. He was well known G. He was prominent in church affairs H. He possesses all of the qualities of the author of JAMES I. The writings in JAMES are consistent with the spiritual struggles he faced K. He was the brother of Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus L. He was the one and only James referred by his name alone
12. Who had the stature of a “pillar” to Paul? Galatians 2:9-15 (6) (May be more than one answer) A. James B. Peter C. John D. Barnabas
13. (Essay) What characteristics does a “pillar” represent in a Christian? Galatians 2:9-15 (6)
14. What is the other name that Peter is known by in the Word of God? Galatians 2:9-15 (6) A. Paul B. Cephas C. Pope D. Jude
15. Who was with Paul when they met the three workers of Christ? Galatians 2:9-15 (6) A. Barnabas B. Barabbas C. Barney D. Barbie
16. What did Paul think about this confident authority that James and the others displayed to him? Galatians 2:9-15 (7) (May be more than one answer) A. It caused him some concern that his brothers in Christ were acting superior to him B. It caused him some worry that they were trying to take over his ministry territory C. It gave him the ability to recognize his fellow brothers and workers in Christ D. It allowed him to know that they were superior in ranking, and in authority over him
17. How did the five Christian workers greet each other? Galatians 2:9-15 (7) A. With kisses and hugs B. With the handshake of right hands C. With the drawing of fishes with their feet in the sand D. All of the above
18. What were the men able to recognize about each other when they met? Galatians 2:9-15 (7-8) (May be more than one answer) A. Human frailty B. Sins of their nature C. Authority and honor in Christ’s Kingdom D. Leader of churches and religious institutions E. Had the ability to perceive and understand things spiritual
19. What word best describes the ability for a Christian to see and gain understanding? Galatians 2:9-15 (8 ) A. Knowledge B. Wisdom C. Perception D. All of the above
20. What must a Christian have to obtain the “knowledge” of the LORD GOD’s Grace? Gal 2:9-15 (8 ) (May be more than one answer) A. The LORD GOD must first give the Christian the ability to see and understand B. The Christian must know the loving kindness of the LORD GOD C. The Christian must be able recognize the gift of the LORD GOD’s Grace D. All of the above
21. What is the definition of the LORD GOD’s Grace? Galatians 2:9-15 (Footnote) A. The salvation and redemption of a sinner B. The forgiveness of sins through a contrite heart C. The cleansing and rebirth of a sinner into the Kingdom of God D. An undeserved gift of the LORD GOD to a person that places divine influence upon his heart
22. (Let’s Talk) Why is it important for each of us to strive to walk as “pillars” among our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ?
What characteristics of a Worker for Christ do you possess that contributes to this appearance?
Is the appearance of a stature of a pillar “self-made” through the self improvement efforts of a Christian, or is it a position given by the LORD GOD or fellow Christians?
How much study and knowledge of the Word of God is necessary to be a “pillar” among your faithful congregation of believers?
How important is it that a Christian “pillar” maintains that appearance when he goes into the world?
How does a Christian “pillar” avoid the accusations of “holier than thou” and hypocrite?
How does the Christian “pillar” avoid the temptations of the world?
How does the Christian pillar avoid becoming a lover of self and boastful in nature?
Where is the line between a pillar and a braggart in the community of Christians and in the community of non-believers?
23. What did the five men discuss in their meeting? Galatians 2:9-15 (9) A. The sins of the world B. The anger and violence that they were facing among the heathen population C. The problems with the Pharisees and the Jewish leaders D. The division of their ministry
24. Who was the partner of Paul in his ministry? Galatians 2:9-15 (9) A. Barnabas B. James C. Peter D. John
25. What ministry did Paul accept at the division between the men? Galatians 2:9-15 (9) A. Ministry of Gentiles B. Ministry of the Jewish Tribes of Israel C. Ministry of the Christian Churches D. All of the above
26. What ministry did James, Peter and John assume? Galatians 2:9-15 (9) A. Ministry of Gentiles B. Ministry of the Jewish Tribes of Israel C. Ministry of the Christian Churches D. All of the above
27. What is another term used to describe the people that James, Peter and John would teach? Gal 2:9-15 (9) A. People of grace B. People of the Roman Catholic Church C. People of circumcision D. People of Peter’s Church
28. What specific doctrine were all five men teaching? Galatians 2:9-15 (9) A. The Foundation of Jesus Christ B. The Doctrine of Christ’s Church C. The Doctrine of Man D. The Doctrine of Law and Obedience to the LORD GOD
29. What is a common term that is associated with Gentiles? Galatians 2:9-15 (10) (May be more than one answer) A. Heathen B. Common C. Worldly D. Relatives of Christians E. Relatives of Jews F. All of the above
30. What type of tradition and belief did the Gentiles hold? Galatians 2:9-15 (10) A. None B. Worship of false pagan gods C. Worship of the LORD GOD exclusively through the obeying of His Laws D. Sunday morning church, Wednesday night Bible Studies
31. What type of tradition and belief did the Jewish Tribes of Israel practice? Galatians 2:9-15 (11)
A. None B. Worship of false pagan gods C. Worship of the LORD GOD exclusively through the obeying of His Laws D. The Catholic Faith of Roman oppressors
32. What focus did all five men hold in common concerning their ministries? Galatians 2:9-15 (12)
A. Feeding the poor people the Living Word of Jesus Christ B. Feeding the rich people the Living Word of Jesus Christ C. Feeding the religious people the Living Word of Jesus Christ D. Feed the leaders of the people the Living Word of Jesus Christ
33. Why are we studying Galatians to learn about James? Galatians 2:9-15 (12) (May be more than one answer) A. The Teacher got the wrong chapter B. A serious mistake that Peter made during this time, might well have contributed to development of the Epistle written by James C. The Epistle of James places a tremendous spiritual focus on the expectations of the LORD GOD in the working faith of a Christian, and the precautions needed to be taken to go out into the world, things these five men should have considered before assuming their works in faith D. The Epistle of Galatians comes right before James in our Bibles
Some Protestant reasons for exclusion of Apocrypha from their Bible:
In 1546, the Council of Trent claimed that books of the Apocrypha were to be included in their Bible by the Roman Catholic Church. They decided that these specific books were sacred writings which are the norm for faith among believers, and declared them “inspired” and thus a part of the canon of the Old Testament of the Holy Bible.
The canon that contains the Apocrypha is sometimes called the “Alexandrian Canon,” as opposed to the “Palestinian Canon” which excludes the Apocrypha. Protestants disputed this inclusion for many reasons…
1. Jesus Christ did not quote from these books as authoritative Scripture.
2. The Jews, who were entrusted to the oracles of God within the Old Testament (Rom. 3:2), did not view these books inspired.
3. It was only in the fifth century that these books were declared “inspired” by the Roman Catholic Church
4. St. Augustine’s teachings led to the acceptance of the books, which was refuted by St. Jerome
5. St. Jerome, the most biblical scholar, emphatically rejected these books of the Apocrypha.
6. These books were added by the Catholic Bible to support false doctrines of Purgatory (II Macc 12:45) and salvation by “works” (Tob. 12:9; Ecclus. 3:30).
7. The Apocrypha does not claim to come from inspiration of God, and there were probably no prophets of God at the time the books were written.
8. There is no new knowledge about Christ the Messiah added, which is in direct contrast to Scripture that sates “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy” (Rev. 19:10)
9. Some of the stories within the Apocrypha books of Bel and the Dragon, Additions to Esther, Prayer of Azariah, Susanna, Tobit, and Judith are extrabiblical and fanciful.
10. Prayers for the Dead (2 Macc. 12:45-46) and Salvation by Works (Tobit 12:9) directly conflict with Scripture concerning praying for the dead (Heb 9:27; Luke 16:25-26; 2 Sam 12:19) and doing works for salvation (Gen 15:6; Rom 4:5; Gal 3:11).
11. Unlike the inerrant Word of God contained within the “Palestinian Canon,” the Apocrypha contained within the “Alexandrian Canon” has both historical and chronological errors. Tobit falsely claims that Tobit was alive when the Assyrians conquered Israel (722 B.C.) and when Jeroboam revolted against Judah (931 B.C.), yet his total life-span was recorded as 158 years in Tobit 14:11; cf. 1:3-5). Also, Judith speaks of Nebuchadnezzar as reigning in Nineveh instead of Babylon (Judith 1).
Some Reasons that Roman Catholics accept the Apocrypha
1. The New Testament refers to events contained within the Apocrypha (Hebrews 11:25 with 2 Macc. 7, 12).
2. The New Testament reflects the ideas of the Apocrypha; neither offer conflicting thoughts.
3. Clement, Irenaeus, and Tertullian accepted all of the books of the Apocrypha as canonical, and many of the early church fathers used the Apocrypha as Scripture in their worship service.
4. Christian catacombs have scenes depicting accounts from the Apocrypha showing a high regard for the Apocrypha.
5. The Apocrypha is interposed among great Greek manuscripts translating Old Testament books, showing the relationship of the Jewish-Greek translation of the Old Testament.
6. The Council of Rome (A.D. 382), the Council of Hippo (393), and the Council of Carthage (397) accepted the Apocrypha.
7. The Eastern Orthodox Church also accepts the Apocrypha, which removes its designation as simply a Catholic dogma.
8. Some books from the Apocrypha have been discovered among the Old Testament books in the Dead Sea community at Qumran. This suggests that they were originally associated closely with the Hebrew Canon.
The books of the Roman Catholic Apocrypha included in their Bible 1. Tobit – Religious Romance (c. 200 B.C.) 2. Judith – Religious Romance (c. 150 B.C.) 3. Additions to Esther – Legendary (140-130 B.C.) 4. The Wisdom of Solomon – Didactic (c. 30 B.C.) 5. Ecclesiasticus – Didactic (132 B.C.) 6. Baruch – Prophetic (c. 150-50 B.C.) 7. The Letter of Jeremiah – Legendary (c. 300-100 B.C.) 8. Payer of Azariah – Legendary (Second or First Century B.C.) (Song of Three Young Men) 9. Susanna – Legendary (Second or First Century B.C.) 10. Bel and the Dragon – Legendary (c. 100 B.C.) 11. 1 Maccabees – Historic (c. 110 B.C.) l2. II Maccabees – Historic (c. 110-70 B.C.)
It should be noted that there are additional books included in some Orthodox Bibles that are also considered Apocrypha, which include the historic book 1 Esdras (c. 150-100 B.C.), and the legendary books, 2 Esdras (c. A.D. 100) and the Prayer of Manasseh (second or first century B.C.)
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Else 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? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. (1 Corinthians 15:12‐34, KJV)
Introduction
There is only one mention of “baptism for the dead,” written in a letter by Paul to the Corinthians as an elucidation of his point concerning resurrection of believers (1 Corinthians 15:12‐34). Though every word in Scripture is intentional to express God’s Truth, with a singular use no less valuable than all other words, interpretation of its exact meaning is difficult when comparative uses are not available. This singular idea has been used throughout the history of Christianity by creating debates and establishing odd doctrines that operate outside the salvation of Jesus Christ as revealed through His Gospel.
Vicarious baptism was a practice by the Marcionites. The followers of Cerinthus also participated in the baptism of the dead. However, it is the Latter‐Day Saints (LDS) (Mormon) implementation and declaration of one part of their tripartite mission statement to “proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and redeem the dead,”1 that continues to be newsworthy in these modern times. Their belief that no one can enter the “celestial” heaven without baptism motivates their representational baptismal dunking as one of the most important temple works that can be accomplished by Mormon adherents.2 Religious autonomy seems radically challenged in these unauthorized procurator baptisms that lead to other faiths embraced in life by devout believers being removed posthumously by heavy‐handed substitution with this practice. These actions have led to the Mormon/Jewish controversy that is focused upon “the wrongful posthumous baptism of Jewish dead continues, despite repeated denials by the disingenuous Mormon leadership.”3
Jewish leaders call the zealous baptism of unrelated Jews “arrogant and disrespectful to the dead, especially the Holocaust victims”4 as Mormon believers practice proxy baptism in their temple work so the non‐Mormon dead can be granted entrance into the celestial heaven according to their doctrine.
A deep biblical study of baptism application with regards to the dead can only go so far to reveal God’s Truth since there is only one direct reference in Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:29). However, when the sacrament of Baptism and Salvation through Christ is applied with strict adherence to biblical development, then the idea of baptism for the dead can be illuminated and understood theologically and ultimately prevent odd, zealous applications of misguided activity that refutes the Gospel of Christ.
Jewish and Early Christianity Baptismal Practices and Beliefs The attention‐seeking, first century Jewish philosophical sect of Pharisees placed great emphasis on public showing of their faith and accentuated the ceremonial rites which included baptism.5 This emphasis upon public‐viewed baptisms was not shared by early Christians at first; but by the second century some Christian leaders wrongly declared baptism necessary for salvation.6
The Essenes were an austere Jewish philosophical sect with adherence to strong discipline that allowed them to exceed the virtues of the Sadducee and Pharisee sects by “cultivating a peculiar sanctity” according to Josephus.7 Though they did not practice rituals or ceremonies, and considered “external rites to be without value in spiritual development,”8 the entry into the sect required an observation period and probation to confirm temperance for one year before the use of the “purer kind of holy water.”9
One of the sectarian manuscripts written for the Qumranian Essene sect was found with the Dead Sea Scrolls discoveries, The Sectarian Manual of Discipline (DSD), which revealed the Essenes custom of holy living that required a repentance of sin, rejection of evil, confession of faith and works of righteousness in step with the works of God always.10 But, there was no indication of actual baptism or a rite of purification following the year of probation.11
While a causal inference link with the New Testament idea of “baptism” and the Essene use of “holy water” is sometimes connected as proof of transitioning Jewish belief with Christian practice, there is absolutely no evidence to support this supposition.
It was John the Baptist’s works recorded in the New Testament that began a transitioning of “baptism with water” with the promise of the baptism of “Holy Ghost and fire” to come (Luke 3:16). Some scholars suggest that John’s baptism was derived from the baptism of proselytes among the Jews, while others claim the development of baptism to have first originated with the Essenes and brought forward by John from a shared experience with the sect as a child.12 There is no proof for this idea, though, many Christian scholars explore the concept of the Qumran prototype of John’s baptism often.13 14 John the Baptist is not mentioned in any of the “820 fragmentary or complete manuscripts found in the eleven Qumran caves” according to author Joseph A. Fitzmyer.15
Since there is no perfect evidence for or against John the Baptist’s involvement with the Qumranian Essenes, the circumstantial likeness should probably be ignored. One thing is certain, however; in both the sect of Essenes and John the Baptist’s teachings, partaking of the most holy water or water baptism required a repentance of sin and a rejection of evil to purify themselves to one day meet the LORD God. While the Jewish Essenes prepared for the coming of the LORD God in the future, John the Baptist understood that his cousin as God’s only begotten Son, the Messiah Jesus Christ, would soon lead believers toward faith in the LORD God and righteousness to complete His works. Whether the Essenes actually did baptism with their Holy Water to initiate recruits into their community, or John the Baptist’s water baptism originated solely from the will of the LORD God to prepare the path of the coming Lord Jesus Christ, it is most certain that the dedicated believers were NOT baptized WITHOUT regard of their repentance and rejection of evil. Thus, it is highly unlikely that the baptism of actual dead people would be accepted by the Essenes or John the Baptist as a valid salvation tool, since the dead are unable to actively repent when life has ended.
Baptism of Water for Repentance
John baptized his followers in the wilderness with water. He was he first to do this sort of baptism based upon its form of full immersion in water and significance declaring the cleansing of a repentant sinner through the forgiveness of God.16 It was the “baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4). This water baptism did NOT give forever forgiveness or assistance by God for the penitent’s future sins; once baptized the repenting sinners were required to seek to live a holy life. John’s water baptism DID require a confession of sins (Mark 1:5) because without an acknowledgement of sin, there was no proof for repentance. If the penitent failed to experience the true repentance of a regretful sinner, then the water baptism would have no purpose or effect as did the earlier cases of the flawed sacrifices rejected by God in His Tabernacle. It is important to note that it is God’s Grace that forgives; it is not the baptismal waters that offers salvation. John’s repentance baptism with the full immersion in water symbolizes a death and renewal aspect that will develop foundationally when Christ dies and is Resurrected and the Holy Spirit Baptism is made known to Christ’s followers. The Baptism of John before the Apostolic era required the ceremony to be preceded by complete repentance (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 13:24; Acts 19:4).
The Practice of the Unknown Rite of Baptism for the Dead in Early Christianity
The exact meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:29 has always been elusive to many early and modern‐day Christian scholars confusing modern‐day Catholic traditions and Protestant anti‐sacramentalists, and forcing them to avoid analyzing the obscure ritual ompletely.17 Those modern‐day scholars that bravely jump into the confusing midst of specific interpretation have concluded that either they are deceased Christians, those connected with the Corinthian Christians, or the living Corinthian Christians themselves.18 Regardless, the dead baptized in attention to Paul’s obscure teaching becomes applicable to some beings; correct interpretative analysis requires a critical scholarly look at the possible meaning based upon the known factors of this unattested ritual.
The problems with interpretation of 1 Corinthians 15:29 with confidence of capturing original writer’s meaning are numerous; some problematic areas include:
1. Unique Reference
One of the common interpretations of 1 Corinthians 15:29 is the act of vicarious Baptism that was first proposed by Ambrosiaster as a valid exegesis for this specific reference. He explains that Paul had convinced the Corinthians of the coming resurrection, and they thought those that had died before baptism would be destined to miss the rising of the dead or be condemned.
German Benedictine monk Bishop Haymo of Halberstadt, concurred with Ambrosiaster in restating “There were some Corinthians who did not believe in the Resurrection; others believed that those who died after being baptized would rise again, but that those who died without Baptism would either not rise at all or rise only to be damned.”19
Accordingly, Ambrosiaster comments that Paul’s question concerning people baptized in death illustrates to the listeners the witness of their perseverance in faith. Ambrosiaster clarifies that it was not the action of non‐orthodox vicarious baptism that Paul approves, but rather, the acts that declare faith in the future resurrection that bears witness to the LORD God’s Truth. 20 Some modern‐day interpreters continue to represent Ambrosiaster’s belief concerning the representation of vicarious Baptism in 1 Corinthians 15:29.
Some modern‐day theologians, such as Dr. D. A. Carson, point out that “there is no good evidence for vicarious baptism anywhere in the New Testament or among the earliest apostolic fathers.”21 The unique reference does not link to any confirming Scripture. If God was implementing such an extreme practice that went against the salvation through Jesus Christ while a person was alive and could make that acceptance as Savior after death, then He would certainly have included many different references to help His people navigate that odd doctrine.
The one‐reference alone gives evidence that it is not doctrine‐changing, but rather, some other type of declaration by Paul that is offered for consideration by the reader.
2. Original Greek and how it has been defined
Theologians also debate the interpretation of the original Greek word tous baptizomenous22 with some claiming that the vicarious baptizers at Corinth were the “very ones denying the doctrine of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12).”23 They then extend this argument by pointing out that the Apostle Paul brings attention to those that both denied the Resurrection yet vicariously baptized for the dead to be resurrected as a contradiction of nonsensical belief. Accordingly, Bishop Haymo of Halberstadt. concludes that “there were some Corinthians who did not believe in the Resurrection; others believed that those who died after being baptized would rise again, but that those who died without Baptism would either not rise at all or rise only to be damned.”24
3. Catechumens baptized on the graves of the dead 25
It just might be that the vicariously baptized tradition was began for dear children that had died in infancy before they could be officially baptized. The sorrow of the parents, with the possibilities of never seeing their offspring again, certainly could have been a motivating factor in baptizing their dead bodies through another living.
4. Baptized on behalf of the dead
The festival held amongst Romans for the celebration of “the great expiation” or “lustration” was an early heretical practice to give happiness and good welfare to the dead.26 However, Tertullian stresses in his footnotes that it did not include any notions of “indefinite immortality” or the “recovery of the body.”27
5. Sought baptism only when death was imminent
A folk custom growing from the early days of Christianity to present‐day, involves believers in Christ who plan to accept Him and His Eternal Salvation only close to death before receiving the Baptism of Christ, allowing them to live their lives free of guilt from their sinful natures. Traditionally, death‐bed confessions of faith have frequently been heard; so much so that legal surety of confessions on the deathbed are counted as strong evidence of truth and guilt by most universal court systems. Sometimes the procrastinating confessors will time it just right, and confess Christ before death and receive His Baptism. Often, it doesn’t work out. The procrastinators die, or are mentally inhibited in such a way that baptism right before death never happens.
Early Heretical Greek Practices of Lustration
The Greek practice of baptizing the dead with living people confirmed their confidence that the guilty could separate themselves from the guilt of their crimes through the purification
process.28 Tertullian’s comments compare the Greek practices to those that developed in Rome as similar in nature. “The newly dead would be asked whether he would receive baptism, and he making no answer, the other replied in his stead, and so they baptized the living for the dead” according to Exell.29
Early Heretical Roman Practices of Lustration
The Great Lustration took place during the month of February in Rome. This month was chosen for the cleansing of the dead by heretics paying heed to the name of the month februa. Ovid described the meaning of februa as displaying significant typological meaning for purification as he lists several different proofs of common usage for that specific word. Februa was the name used for instruments of purification, woolen cloths, and swept‐out houses. Toasted spelt and slat was given to officer to cleanse, and boughs, pure trees, wreathes given to priests for the same reason, both called by the name februa. Anything used to cleanse bodies went by the name of Februa in the early times. According to Ovid, “The month is called (February) after these things, because the Luperci purify the whole ground with strips of hide which are their instruments of cleansing, or because the season is pure when once peace‐offerings have been made at the graves and the days devoted to the dead are past. It was believed that every sin and every cause of ill could be wiped out by lustration rites and purgation.”30
It can be surmised that the heretical Roman practices of lustration, where a live person is washed for an unclean dead person upon the false god altar, was accomplished when both were naked. This is based upon the summation of the preference of the gods for the heretics to be without clothing during ceremonies toward their worship.31
Lustratio was first defined as a “purification by ablution in water.”32 Rome did not just conduct lustrations for the atonement for sins; the rites also bestowed blessings by the false gods upon the hopeful participants. It was this type of washing most sought amongst Romans.33 The purification of worshippers by the Roman Catholic Church, through the sprinkling of water or smoke through an instrument of februa, has been traditionally developed within the holy rites of the church partially copying this earlier lustratio practice of cleansing.34
It was not just the Greeks and Romans; when Jews died in the state of ceremonial uncleanness that required purification, one of the friends of the dead would be washed and perform ablution on his behalf, with the deceased being declared clean posthumously. Even the Patristic Church tried to partially copy this odd theological performance by “placing Eucharistic elements in the mouths or hands of the dead.”35
Latter‐Day Saints Redemption of the Dead 36
Surprisingly, proxy baptism is not mentioned in the Book of Mormon.37 Latter Day Saints Prophet Joseph Smith created the ordinances of baptism for the dead (1840), eternal marriage (1841) and eternal proxy marriage (1842) to realize his promise to believers for the establishment of a celestial “kinship‐based covenant system.”38 After Smith’s death, the LDS doctrines encouraged men to choose an apostle as a substitute parent and establish a worthy lineage for him and his family.39 The exact purpose for Smith’s ordinance of “adoption sealings”, is that it would “join entire sealed families in an expanding web of eternally procreative relationships in heaven and eternal glory”40 and thus metaphorically become the “family of God.”41 Smith “implied that the dead are under the same requirements as the living regarding the ordinances of salvation, including baptism and even marriage.”42 After the church relocated to Nauvoo, Illinois, Smith declared that followers “could now act for their friends who had departed this life, and that the plan of salvation was calculated to save all who were willing to obey the requirements of God.”43 Between 1840‐1844, 11,506 dead were baptized by proxy through Smith’s followers in the Mississippi river and later in the new temple. 44
Posthumous baptisms are now performed in over 150 LDS temples throughout the world. Members, usually the young believers, are escorted to a “decorative baptismal font resting on statutes of 12 oxen” where the member, representing a deceased relative, receives baptism through full‐immersion in water.45 The specific dead, that are confined to “spirit prison,” are informed of the proxy baptism and given the choice to accept the salvation graciously performed through baptism by their relatives46. Upon acceptance of proxy baptism, the lost are saved, and go immediately to heaven and receive exaltation according to the flawed doctrine of the LDS church followers.47
The LDS church committed to the removal of the names of Holocaust victims and Jews from the list of those to be posthumously baptized, unless they were direct ancestors of current church members or written permission was obtained from living members of deceased’s family.48 Yet, in 2007, Holocaust survivor and Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal was included on the
International Genealogical Index and scheduled to be posthumously baptized until the Simon Wiesenthal Center intervened and requested the removal of the name.49 The LDS church removed his name from their list and implemented checks and balances that to assure that only Mormon relatives for the proxy baptisms be included in their database. They appeared to regret the inclusion of Wiesenthal’s name, but stressed that proxy baptisms were important because “God wants all his children home again, in families and in glory.”50
It is important to note that the LDS Mormon belief in the baptism for the dead is challenged by the Reorganized Church (RLDS). They argue that baptism for the dead policy of the LDS Church is honoring a practice of paganism recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:29, rather than a misinterpreted Christian behavior. Further, RLDS apostle Russell F. Ralston debates the need for baptism at all, referencing the unbaptized thief on the cross assured of a Heavenly home as Christ promised. Ralston points out that the misinterpretation of the baptism for the dead by the LDS Church places more focus on human saviors than it does in the Divine Savior. The 1970 RLDS World Conference declared the ecumenical Christianity position a “historical” noteworthy to be considered only as an appendix. The RLDS temple in Independence has no plans to construct a baptismal font in the temple basement, and the flawed idea of baptism of the dead is thought only important for church historical theological consideration.
Scriptural Teachings about the Different Things of Salvation and Baptism
There is a great deal of confusion concerning Salvation and Baptism in Christian beliefs. It is imperative Christians have a solid understanding that faith brings salvation with eternal life and baptism brings eternal life quicker. The doctrinal teachings of Jesus Christ must be known before a full understanding of how fundamentally the practice of vicarious baptism of the dead goes against the Gospel of Christ delivered to us in Scripture.
Salvation brings Deliverance (Romans 3:23)
Human souls are not condemned because they do greater sin than others. They are not judged eternally damned for failure to receive the Baptism of Jesus Christ. They are condemned because of their sinful states. All unsaved do bad actions because their hearts, their cores, their complete beings have sin that originated from Adam’s transgression against the Will of God. Some unsaved do really terrible sins, and some unsaved have no outward sign of the terrible condition of sin. Some have good upbringings with diligent, moral guardians that train their children to subdue their sinful natures, and some do not. That does not mean that some are greater sinners than others. All living human beings have the sinful nature inside them (Romans 3:23).
Some may well be able to subdue those basic instincts, while others are controlled by the same sinful natures to do grievous harm to others. Both the noble and the derelict have the same natures inside them. If an unsaved person does not sin, self‐control may be present, but the sinful nature still exists. The actions of the unsaved may well differ in degree, but not in guilt or cause.
Unsaved sinners must understand that they have sinful natures, and are unable to save themselves if they are to receive the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ. All human beings begin life with the sinful nature, and fall short of the glory of God. The LORD God is not present in the sinful realm. Sin is offensive to God. It doesn’t matter how much good people do in the world, if their works are done while they harbor their sinful natures, the greatest of works in humanity, religion, science, art, medicine, education and government are made null by the presence of sin (James 2:26). Those who come from families of “good stock,” those who are well educated and able to advance the human condition to rightful laces, those who do good daily and give all they have to others, and those who struggle daily to live an honest life, are all short of the glory of God, when they still have the original nature of sin.
Salvation brings Deliverance from Sinful Nature (Romans 6:23)
Sinners must die, no matter what they do in this lifetime. The wages that come to the guilty is death. Until death is brought to sinful natures, they remain inside the unsaved, leading them toward their promised destiny of separation from God.
It takes more than the death of the sinful natures to give the unsaved hope, however.
Unsaved people that die and are placed in their graves, are dead unsaved people with no chance for salvation through Christ’s sacrifice. Eventually, the unsaved people will be resurrected to face
the Judgment of Jesus Christ to answer for the things they did with their sinful natures, but until then, the unsaved lay dead in their graves.
Salvation brings Deliverance from Eternal Death (Ephesians 2:1‐3)
The LORD God gives eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord, to ONLY those who seek deliverance from their sinful natures while they are yet alive. The unsaved people with their sinful natures walk according to the course of the world. The “course of the world” encapsulates all of the degrading, grotesque, ugly things that have developed and become perilously established within our world today. They include, but are not limited to, those very things spoken of in 2 Timothy 3:1‐7…
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Salvation brings Deliverance from the Ways of the World
Sexual perversion, the sacrifice of our children, the dirty habits of obscene self‐love and self‐focus are the ways of the world; these are just of a few of the carnal things of sinful nature that entrap the unsaved in these times. The unsaved who are entrapped by their sinful natures, are led by the prince of the power of air who is known by the names Lucifer, Satan, and the Devil. Human beings can be saved from the ways of the world and the sins it nourishes through salvation given by Christ. Unless sinners receive release from original sin, they are destined to enjoy the ungodly things of the world without guilt while removing themselves farther away from God’s presence.
Salvation brings Deliverance from the Wrath of the LORD God
People holding onto their unsaved and sinful natures are children of LORD God’s wrath. In the Last Days, the wrath of God will come upon the earth to judge and punish the unsaved that have taken the mark of the beast (Revelation 16:1, 2).
Salvation brings Deliverance from Lack of Faith and Belief
Salvation can only be received through faith. Faith is the gift of God, through his wonderful and undeserved Grace (Ephesians 2:8, 9). The Unsaved cannot give faith to themselves. If they could, they would boast of their godly ability. Only the LORD God gives those
He Wills the faith to turn toward Him, reject their own sinful natures, and reach toward the righteous and holy nature of God, through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Salvation brings favorable Judgment for Living Works of the LORD God
The unsaved dead will one day stand before the Judgment Seat of the Lord Jesus Christ and be judged according to their works (Revelation 20:11‐15). Those works done by the unsaved are nullified and void. They are vanity. Works are not measured living and righteous when done while the workers had the natures of sin.
If the Unsaved maintained their status in their lifetime to their death, then they have no living works that can be measured. (Revelation 14:13) Those with dead works, those who chose to go to their grave with their sinful nature and reject the Grace of the Lord God and the salvation through Jesus Christ, will be judged guilty and sentenced to eternal damnation and be cast into the lake of fire.
Through the belief and acceptance of the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and His Resurrection from the dead, the unsaved can receive salvation and become “saved”. Acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the only way salvation can come to anyone, free them from their sinful nature, and make them whole (Acts 4:10‐12).
Salvation comes to Believers through the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ
Salvation is a two‐step process. The first step is one of belief, and the second step is one of action. If the Unsaved believe, but do nothing, they remain unsaved. If the Unsaved do not believe, but go through the action of a repentant sinner, they too remain unsaved.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9‐10 KJV)
PERSONAL STEPS TO SALVATION
1. Know that you are a sinner, and cannot save yourself.
2. Confess the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior
3. Believe that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient to atone for your sins.
4. Be confident that Jesus Christ physically rose from the dead.
Salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ
Galatians 2:20 KJV
I 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. (Galatians 2:20 KJV)
The confessor of Jesus Christ as Savior is crucified with him. A Believer is joined to the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ through faith. When Christ is confessed and accepted as a Believer’s Savior, Christ
shares both His crucifixion and Resurrection. This makes the Believer eligible to receive the Baptism of Jesus Christ. However, it is vitally important to note that this Baptism does NOT bring
salvation to the soul; it is only faith in Christ as Savior, developed during a physical lifetime, that offers eternal salvation.
The dead are not given an opportunity to develop faith in Christ after their demise.
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS CHRIST
Romans 6:1‐18 KJV
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 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. For if we have been planted together in the
likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God.
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the
servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:1‐18 KJV)
Followers of Christ are crucified with his Crucifixion by their faith, and that faith alone, gives promised salvation. (Galatians 2:20)
The Baptism of Jesus Christ allows them to immediately ascend to Heaven upon their physical death. This is called the “First Resurrection.” (Revelation 20:4–5)
If people die without the Baptism of Jesus Christ, but were believers in faith that Christ is their Savior, then they will be resurrected on the great Judgment Day into the Resurrection of Life. (John 5:28–29) Even they only experience one death. Sadly, they cannot go to Heaven immediately because they did not experience death through baptism. They must sleep in their graves in their first death. However, when Christ resurrects them from the grave, faithful believers will ascend to Heaven and join those faithful Baptized Christian that have gathered around His throne.
If people die without the Baptism of Jesus Christ, and did NOT believe in Christ’s salvation, they are resurrected from their grave on the great Judgment Day into the Resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28–29) They, as well as death and Hell, will be cast into the lake of fire. This is called the “second death.” (Revelation 20:11–15)
Those Unbelievers who reject Christ’s salvation in their lifetime, sleep in their graves until Christ raises them to His Judgment Seat to finalize His verdict. (Revelation 20:11–15)
All of the benefits of Salvation are given to a Faithful Believer the moment he accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. (Romans 10:9‐10)
But there is one more step a believer must fulfill to see Heaven immediately upon physical death.
A faithful Christian must also be baptized into the death of Jesus Christ, and be buried with Him also. Faith allows Believers to share His Crucifixion, and their Baptism allows them to experience His Burial and His Resurrection. This death releases the hold of original sin and the devil.
Those experiencing the death of Jesus Christ and His burial through the experience of Baptism, will not die a second death. When Baptized Christians experience physical death, they immediately ascend to Heaven. Those baptized with the Baptism of Jesus Christ go to their ONLY grave within the baptismal waters. When they rise up from their baptismal water graves, they resurrect into the NEW LIFE, with a NEW BIRTH. Baptized Believer’s souls will never go to the grave again! (1 Corinthians 15:54‐57)
CRUCIFIED ONCE, BURIED ONCE AND RESURRECTED ONCE!
Revelation 20:13
“And 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. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no
more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Revelation 21:1‐7 av)
Heaven is a temporary dwelling place, until His chosen Time, when a new Heaven and a New Earth will be established according to His Will.
The unbaptized Believers, who were faithful in the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, but failed to complete the process of going to the grave in Baptism, will go to an earthly grave to sleep for a period (Daniel 12:1‐4).
The Unbaptized but Saved Believers will be resurrected from their graves, in His time, and given Eternal Life through His Grace of Salvation (Revelation 20:13).
Through their belief and confession of Jesus Christ, the UNBAPTIZED, BUT SAVED BELIEVERS will go on to Eternal Life after their resurrection from their graves and their soul journey to Heaven.
Through their belief and confession of Jesus Christ, the BAPTIZED, SAVED BELIEVERS will go to Heaven for a while, and then on to Eternal Life on the New Earth, where all Believers will begin a
new and blessed life under the rule of their King Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The Baptism of Christ causes death to come one time to a Believer, and Resurrect in Christ’s example, granting eternal life when rising out of the baptismal waters. Those that are already dead are NOT going to be made alive again through the rising out of the Baptismal waters in the likeness of the Resurrection of Christ. They will merely be WET DEAD people, asleep in death until resurrected by Christ on Judgment Day.
The most valid interpretation to Paul’s reference in 1 Corinthians is the understanding that the grace the LORD God gives followers of Christ must come through faith, and faith can only come through a personal response of a living person. Faith cannot be assumed by another in proxy. Baptism of the dead is spoken about by Paul as a persuasive logical argument against the vicarious event conducted by a people who were not upholding the true teachings of Christ. The perspective of Paul attacks and counterattacks this odd belief that subverts the LORD God’s promise of grace, and the Lord Jesus Christ’s Resurrection from the dead.
Footnotes
1 Grant Underwood, “Baptism for the Dead: Comparing Rlds and Lds Perspectives,” Dialogue 23, no. 2 (1990): 99.
2 Donald A. Carson, “Did Paul Baptize for the Dead,” Christianity Today 42, no. 9 (1998): 63.
5 Julius R. Mantey, “Baptism in the Dead Sea Manual of Discipline,” Review & Expositor 51, no. 4 (1954): 526.
6 Ibid.
7 Josephus, The Jewish War: Books 1‐7, ed. Jeffrey Henderson et al., trans. H. St. J. Thackeray, vol. 1, Loeb Classical Library (Cambridge, MA; London; New York: Harvard University Press; William
Heinemann Ltd; G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1927‐1928 ), 369.
8 Mantey, 522.
9 Josephus, 1, 375‐77. Entry into their meetings of community was not granted even after the partaking of the holy water, with candidates requiring a further examination of their temperance. This restriction does not verify it as a baptism for purification and is too scant in its description by Josephus to grasp the meaning of the use of holy waters with its different degrees of sufficiency.
10 Mantey, 523.
11 Ibid.
12 Joseph A. Fitzmyer, The Dead Sea Scrolls and Christian Origins, Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge U.K.: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2000), 13‐21.
13 John C. Hutchison, “Was John the Baptist an Essene from Qumran?,” Bibliotheca sacra 159, no. 634 (2002): 191.
14 Donald A. Hagner, Word Biblical Commentary: Matthew 1‐13, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 2002), 46.
15 Fitzmyer, 18.
16 Robert A. Guelich, Mark 1‐8:26, vol. 34A, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1989), 17‐18.
17 Nicholas Taylor, “Baptism for the Dead (1 Cor 15:29)?,” Neotestamentica 36, no. 1‐2 (2002): 111.
18 Ibid., 112.
19 Bernard M. Foschini, “‘Those Who Are Baptized for the Dead’: 1 Cor 15:29,” The Catholic Biblical Quarterly 13, no. 3 (1951): 46.
20 Ambrosiaster, Commentaries on Romans and 1‐2 Corinthians, trans. Ancient Christian Texts Gerald L. Bray (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2009), 196.
23 Foschini, 47 footnotes: Baronius, Annales Eccl. Ad annum 75 (Romae, 1588), Vol. 1, p. 478. Weiss, O.c., p. 363. Reuss, Les Epitres Pauliniennes, (Paris 1878), p. 263.
24 Bishop Haymo of Halberstadt, “Patrologia Latina (the Latin Patrology),” ed. Migne (1841‐1845), 117598.
25 1 Corinthians: New Testament, vol. IXa, Reformation Commentary on Scripture (IVP Academic, 2017), 377‐79.
26 Tertullian, “Against Marcion,” in The Writings of the Fathers Down to A. D. 325: Ante‐Nicene Fathers, ed. James Donaldson Alexander Roberts, A. Cleveland Coxe (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson
36 This one of many reports about difficult interpretations of Scripture details seemingly extreme interpretations by legitimate religious domains. Though many might suspect a bias toward traditional Christian churches, that is not the case. I envision fairly documenting the most extreme reactions to faulty interpretation by all belief groups that are the best in example for each report. Unless the reader can understand the extreme adaptations that suspected mistaken interpretation can yield, these different
reports would be uninformative. It seems that the LDS have the extreme modern‐day belief concerning Baptism of the Dead. The next report on one of the difficult Scriptures for interpretation will report on another denomination that wins my attention for possible extreme adaptation.
37 Carson, 63.
38 Rex Eugene Cooper, Promises Made to the Fathers: Mormon Covenant Organization (Salt Lake
City: University of Utah Press, 1980), 108 (Term created by Cooper).
39 Glen M. Leonard, Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, a People of Promise (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret
Book Co./Brigham Young University Press, 2002), 264 (Practice ceased in 1894).
40 Ibid., 264.
41 Gordan Irving, “The Law of Adoption: One Phase of the Development of the Mormon Concept
of Salvation, 1830‐1900,” BYU Studies 14, no. Spring (1974): 294.
42 Simon Baker, Statement, Journal History, Archives, Historical Department (Salt Lake City, UT:
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‐day Saints, 1840).
43 M. Guy Bishop, What Has Become of Our Fathers? Baptism for the Dead at Nauvoo, Dialogue:
A Journal of Mormon Thought (1990), 85‐97.
44 Gary James Bergera, “The Earliest Eternal Sealings for Civilly Married Couples Living and
Dead,” Dialogue 35, no. 3 (2002): 44.
45 The Associated Press, “Mormons Perform Baptisms on Holocaust Victims,” The Associated
48 “Mormons Agree to No Lds Proxy Baptism of Simon Wiesenthal,” The Christian Century 124,
no. 2 (2007): 14.
49 Ibid.
50 “Mormons Perform Baptisms on Holocaust Victims,”Ibid.
Bibliography
1 Corinthians: New Testament. Reformation Commentary on Scripture. Vol. IXa: IVP Academic, 2017.
Ambrosiaster. Commentaries on Romans and 1‐2 Corinthians. Translated by Ancient Christian Texts Gerald L. Bray. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press,
2009.
Baker, Simon. Statement. Journal History, Archives, Historical Department. Salt Lake City, UT: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‐day Saints, 1840.
Bergera, Gary James. “The Earliest Eternal Sealings for Civilly Married Couples Living and Dead.” Dialogue 35, no. 3 (Fall 2002): 41‐66.
Bishop, M. Guy. What Has Become of Our Fathers? Baptism for the Dead at Nauvoo. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. 1990.
Carson, Donald A. “Did Paul Baptize for the Dead.” Christianity Today 42, no. 9 (1998): 63‐63.
Cooper, Rex Eugene. Promises Made to the Fathers: Mormon Covenant Organization. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1980.
Exell, Joseph S. Biblical Illustrator, Volume 5. Colorado: Delmarva Publications, Inc., 2015.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. The Dead Sea Scrolls and Christian Origins. Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge U.K.: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2000.
Foschini, Bernard M. “‘Those Who Are Baptized for the Dead’: 1 Cor 15:29.” The Catholic Biblical Quarterly 13, no. 3 (1951): 276‐83.
Guelich, Robert A. Mark 1‐8:26. Word Biblical Commentary. Vol. 34A, Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1989.
Hagner, Donald A. Word Biblical Commentary: Matthew 1‐13. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 2002.
Halberstadt, Bishop Haymo of. “Patrologia Latina (the Latin Patrology).” edited by Migne, 1841‐1845.
Hutchison, John C. “Was John the Baptist an Essene from Qumran?”. Bibliotheca sacra 159, no. 634 (2002): 187‐200.
Irving, Gordan. “The Law of Adoption: One Phase of the Development of the Mormon Concept of Salvation, 1830‐1900.” BYU Studies 14, no. Spring (1974).
“Jewishgen ‐ an Affiliate of the Museum of Jewish Heritage ‐ a Living Memorial to the Holocaust.”
Josephus. The Jewish War: Books 1‐7. Translated by H. St. J. Thackeray. Loeb Classical Library. Edited by Jeffrey Henderson et al. Vol. 1, Cambridge, MA; London; New York: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann Ltd; G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1927‐1928
Leonard, Glen M. Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, a People of Promise. Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book Co./Brigham Young University Press, 2002.
Mantey, Julius R. “Baptism in the Dead Sea Manual of Discipline.” Review & Expositor 51, no. 4 (1954): 522‐27.
“Mormons Agree to No Lds Proxy Baptism of Simon Wiesenthal.” The Christian Century 124, no. 2 (2007): 14‐14.
Taylor, Nicholas. “Baptism for the Dead (1 Cor 15:29)?”. Neotestamentica 36, no. 1‐2 (2002): 111‐ 20.
Tertullian. “Against Marcion.” Chap. III. Ethical ‐ V (Tertullian Against Marcion) In The Writings of the Fathers Down to A. D. 325: Ante‐Nicene Fathers, edited by James Donaldson Alexander Roberts, A. Cleveland Coxe. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999.
The Associated Press. “Mormons Perform Baptisms on Holocaust Victims.” The Associated Press, https://religionnews.com/2017/12/21/mormons‐perform‐baptisms‐on‐holocaust‐victims/.
Underwood, Grant. “Baptism for the Dead: Comparing Rlds and Lds Perspectives.” Dialogue 23, no. 2 (Sum 1990): 99
About the Author
Kathy L. McFarland is a Becker Bible Studies teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians, and an academic independent scholar. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University and the Master of Divinity (Professional Ministries Track) degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary & Graduate School. She is Founder and President of Becker Bible Ministries, Inc., the curriculum developer for Becker Professional Theology Academy, and a teaching faculty member. She also performs duties as Ordination evaluator, and is an endorser for Chaplains at Becker Bible Ministries, Inc.
Kathy’s favorite studies to teach include the connections between Old Testament exegesis, Christian apologetics, and Bible typology and mysteries.
To help you understand this lesson, we are going to give you big clues of how the lesson will progress. That piece of knowledge should then begin your journey to understanding God’s Truth about the Doctrine of Baptism that the Lord has revealed to us through His Word.
There are exactly three places that are the starting point for eternal life that a saved Christian can leave from:
1. The Physical Grave – Faithful Christians in the salvation of Jesus Christ, but that die without the Baptism of Christ, lie in their physical graves for awhile until Christ raises them up from their sleep in those graves at the beginning of End Times, and given eternal bodies as they are received in Heaven.
2. The Baptismal Grave – Christians that have repented of their sin, accepted Christ as their Savior, and have faith in His Resurrection can have the opportunity to release the hold of original sin in the Baptismal Grave and Resurrect into eternal life as they arise from the Baptismal Waters. Christians that have received the Baptism of Christ will not lie in their physical graves; upon their physical death, their unneeded bodies will decay in the grave, while their soul will be released and guided to Heaven and clothed with a new eternal body.
3. The Rapture – Alive Christians, at the time of Christ’s return, will rise up and meet him with their physical bodies. They will be given eternal bodies sometime after that inside the Heavenly Gates.
Romans 6:1–11 (KJV 1900) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 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. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:1–2 (KJV 1900) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
1. The Grace of the LORD God forgives sin for followers of Jesus Christ. However, Baptized Believers become DEAD to sin. Original sin can no longer dwell within the Baptized.
2. The Baptism of Jesus Christ causes death to come to a Believer, thereby releasing the hold of original sin upon the body.
Romans 6:3 (KJV 1900) 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
1 Corinthians 15:54–57 (KJV 1900) 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Original sin corrupts every human being born
4. Only death, through grave or Baptism, can release original sin’s hold upon a body
Romans 6:3–5 (KJV 1900) 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 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. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
5. When a person has been called forward to the LORD God, his ears are opened. Those that can hear must be told the things of Christ before Baptism can happen.
6. It is important that the Pastor ensure the new Christian has full understanding of Christ and what it means to be a Christian and the realities of Baptism.
7. The Pastor prepares the Baptismal pool by ensuring a prayerful, sacred place and a blessed, running-water-filled container. It is best that the pool be deep enough for dunking the full body.
8. The repentant sinner is called to the Baptismal Pool. The Pastor instructs the sinner to kneel in the pool, as the nose and mouth are covered to prevent choking.
9. The Pastor stands and supports sinner’s shoulders. The sinner is laid in the Baptismal water, and words explaining the actual death to the sinner as the baptismal grave envelops.
10. The Pastor then raises the redeemed Baptized from the waters in the memory of Christ’s Resurrection “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”
11. When the Baptized go under the Baptismal waters, their death is brought upon the body. Original sin releases. When they rise up from the Baptismal Grave, they are brand-new people that will never have original sin attached to them again unawares. When they physically die, they will NOT ever have to be in the grave; their souls will go immediately to Heaven.
Romans 6:6–9 (KJV 1900) 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
12. When the resurrected Baptized rise from the Baptismal Grave SIN HAS NO MORE DOMINION!
13. The powerful, sacred spiritual rite of Baptism is also effective in establishing a deep spiritual connection to the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as preparing for Holy Spirit Baptism.
14. Sometimes, Believers are not certain they received an effective and correct Baptism in Christ. This confusion often comes from past doctrinal practices of different churches.
15. The Pastor of the Baptism can know with surety if the Baptism of Redemption through Christ has taken place by witnessing the Holy Spirit’s presence within the Christian.
16. There is NO Holy Spirit Baptism that inserts God into a Believer, unless the Baptism of Christ has been fully accomplished in the manner prescribed by Holy Scripture.
17. Pastors should never baptize an already Baptized Christian. However, if the Believer has not received the Holy Spirit, it is acceptable to rebaptize to ensure the assumption of the grave.
18. There is also confusion about Baptisms because some Church doctrines allow for childhood baptism. Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. support the doctrinal position of NO Baptism of Redemption until the child has reached the age of accountability (Twelve-years-old or with special exceptions), based upon the Scripture account of Jairus’ twelve-year-old daughter (Mark 5:21-43). (A special study of Mark 5:21- 43 will follow your study of Baptism).
Romans 6:10–14 (KJV 1900) 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
19. It is critically important that Pastors of Baptism ensure the Baptism of seekers understand the principles associated with the Baptism of Redemption.
20. All saved Christians are promised eternal life through the acceptance of Christ as Savior and confidence in His Resurrection.
21. Death comes to all people because of original sin. But the LORD God’s provision is that those that live to Him will only experience one death.
22. Baptized Christians one death takes place in the Baptismal Grave. Unbaptized Christians must sleep in their graves for awhile until Christ comes and raises them up to join Him in Heaven.
23. ONE DEATH ONLY! Eternal life always for those that are saved through their faith in Jesus Christ.
24. Original sins are cast off with death. But BEWARE! Your lusts and mortality will have ample opportunity to sin in your lifetime. You must not let further sin to have dominion over you.
25. The Baptism of Redemption through Christ is one of the most amazing graces promised by the LORD God to the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The institution of this most Holy Baptismal rite equips faithful Christians to receive the Holy Ghost Baptism and to remove and prevent further sins from having control over their lives.
Romans 6:15–20 (KJV 1900) 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
26. Servants of sin keep sinning. The Baptized followers of Christ are freed from sin and can become righteous. But righteous can become servants to sin by yielding to uncleanness and iniquity.
27. When the Believer declares faith in Christ the hope is for salvation. Faith = Salvation and eternal life.
28. When the Believer is saved the hope is in Baptism for the release of original sin. Baptism = Release from original sin
29. When the Believer goes under the Baptismal waters, the hope is for Resurrection into eternal life from that point on, without the need for the grave.
Baptismal waters = death; Rising out of Baptismal waters = Resurrection and entrance into eternal life without the grave.
30. When the Believer resurrects out of the Baptismal waters, the hope is for the Holy Spirit. Resurrection out of Baptismal waters = Eligibility to receive Baptism of Holy Spirit.
31. When the Believer receives the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the hope is to remain sin free and accomplish enduring works of God. Holy Spirit = Sin free and enduring works of the LORD God that will bring glory to Him.
32. Believers Resurrected in the Baptism of Christ can walk with Him in the newness of life, sin free. They will have eternal life. They become eligible to receive the Holy Spirit and once that Spirit is within the Believer, great works of God will become manifest.
33. But first, the Christian journey begins with faith in Christ, the most important grace of the LORD God given and the only one needed for salvation and eternal life.
John 3:1–8 (KJV 1900) There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 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. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 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.
34. “Born Again” is the condition when a believer dies in the Baptism of Christ then is Resurrected into the new life in Christ. Believers must be born of water and the Holy Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God.
35. The Baptism of Christ makes Believers flesh clean. The Holy Spirit Baptism makes the soul clean.
36. The LORD God gives the gift of the Holy Spirit Baptism as reward to those that follow Christ through His Baptism with Him.
Eight Requirements for the Baptism of Christ (John 3:1-8)
1. Be called forward to Christ by the LORD God and receive a desire to know Him 2. Hear the Word of God 3. Be repentant of sin 4. Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died for your sins and was Resurrected, with all your heart 5. Confess outwardly that you know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God 6. Be baptized by water (signifying your death) in the name of Jesus Christ 7. Come out of the water (signifying your resurrection) in the name of the LORD God, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. 8. Receive the gift of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost
Conclusion The Baptism of Christ causes death to come one time to a Believer, and Resurrect in Christ’s example, granting eternal life from that point on when rising out of the baptismal waters. Baptized Christians do not sleep in their graves! Unbaptized Christians sleep in their graves until they are Resurrected by the Lord Jesus Christ; they then assume their eternal lives.
The grace the LORD God gives followers of Christ that must come through faith, and faith can only come through a personal response of a living person. Faith cannot be assumed by another in proxy. Simply stated, the connection between Christ and Believers is completed through Baptism and allows the relationship between the Lord and His Followers to be steady and sure. It only takes faith in the Lord to receive salvation; but once faith is realized and repentance is at hand, Believers are eligible to receive the Baptism of Redemption through Christ, to establish that intimate relationship between them as original sin’s grasp upon Believer’s is extinguished.
There is a technique that you can master to study Scripture deeply. Developing this skill allows the Holy Spirit to respond immediately to the text and move you to deeper and deeper places that God wants you to understand. It is the technique I use, whether it is a small half-size verse, or a large amount of Scripture that seems to go forever. All my courses are developed on this technique, and all my life skills are based upon utilizing it whenever I open my Bible. It was taught to me by the Holy Spirit over forty years ago.
When you have learned it, your spiritual world and teachings will open up to you! I call the technique, making “Statements of Facts” (SOF). I know. It’s not a fancy name. Its sad; as a writer, you would think I could come up with a better name.
Let me give you a couple SOF’s about the technique:
1. Consistent technique allows you to follow the Bible Scripture fully each time
2. When you have been consistent in your technique, you learn the process quickly
3. When you have learned how to make statements of fact, your opinion doesn’t matter
4. When the Holy Spirit sees that you are focused solely upon Scripture, He raises you up into a higher realm of learning
5. In these End Days, corrupted churches and pastors are straying farther and farther away from Scripture and preaching a message that does not belong to the LORD God.
a. There are so many False Teachers in these Days.
b. There are so few Truth Tellers in these Days
6. Eventually, you will be learning to develop teachings and sermons based upon this powerful, foundational technique.
7. When Christ comes again, may He find every student I have ever taught to be fully invested and focused upon the Word of God. Amen.
Today, we are going to be studying Jairus and his twelve-year-old daughter. This is an account that might not be talked about much in church settings. It is a simple account, that is split in two with another account involving a woman touching the hem of Jesus. (By the way, notice how I call it an “account.” Never call the different accounts within Scripture a “story” or “stories.” When those two words are used, the very character of Scripture is changed).
I will start an examination of the account of Jairus with SOF, and then on Mark 5:37-43, please complete the SOF and use it.
Mark 5:21–24 (KJV 1900)
21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. 22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him….
Mark 5:35-43 …While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. 38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. 39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. 40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. 41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. 43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat. (Mark 5:35-43)
SOF Statements from each verse…
And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. (Mark 5:21)
1. The statement “When Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side” might prompt mature Christians to prepare to search for deeper meaning of Scripture.
2. We should prepare that the following discourse of Christ’s will be about passing over (physical death) from earth to Heaven.
22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. (Mark 5:22-23) (Note how I put two verses together because they were connected).
3. Jairus, a ruler of the Jewish Synagogue, fell at Christ’s feet and begged Him to come heal his sick daughter who was near death.
4. Jairus PRAYED to Jesus to lay hands on her that she would be healed and live.
23 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him….
5. Jesus went with him, but he was surrounded by a throng of people and delayed.
6. This was when woman with the blood issue touched the hem of Christ’s clothes and was healed, and her faith made her whole. This too hints at the contact with Jairus daughter that is upcoming.
35Someone from the Ruler of the Synagogue’s House Certain came to Jairus and said “Thy daughter is dead: why do you trouble the Master any further?” 36When Jesus heard this spoken, He said, “Be not afraid, only believe.”
7. Do you remember your study of the little ships passing over?
8. The message from Christ was the same thing that stressed “Be not afraid, only believe.” Amen?
Small Essay Exercise #1
Complete the rest of the SOF for the following Scriptures verses. Number the SOF sentences in each verse where the XXX is located:
37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
XXX
38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
XXX
39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. 40 And they laughed him to scorn.
XXX
But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
XXX
41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
XXX
42And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
XXX
43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to ear.
XXX
Small Essay Exercise #2
Write a small analysis essay, and connect why you might conclude that Becker Bible Ministries, Inc., has chosen the doctrine of Baptism for only those of the accountable age of 12-years-old or older.
Use your SOF learning that you have accomplished about the daughter of Jairus. From this point on, when you have a question on Scripture, please copy the Scripture to your post or notepad, and do Statements of Fact underneath it. Once that has been done, ask your question (if the Holy Spirit has answered you during this technique but you need confirmation, please ask.)
The Statements of Facts (SOF) do not have to be on the entire account. You can take just individual Scripture verses and do the same process. Eventually, the Holy Spirit will have you cover the entire account. However, with questions in our studies, verse examinations are acceptable to me.
In a perfect world of Bible Studies, every one of you that reads this lesson will quickly began learning the SOF technique, and sharing your results with others. My experience is excitement for the technique, but putting off the homework for another day. I challenge you each that if the Holy Spirit excites your spirit, GET TO WORK AND LEARN SOF FOR YOURSELF AND HIM! If you have questions, ask. If you complete your learning through your homework, share with others, your difficulties, your confusions, and even how great your Bible Teacher is.
Lusts of the heart are destroying churches! Sexual perversions and worldly morality, desire for riches and power, and corrupting the Word of God to become more liberal in practice are prevalent in most spiritual places. Combined with false teachers and witches who have agendas to destroy faith, and the popular social media condoning and tempting walks away from the Lord, more and more burden is placed upon the true Christian leaders of congregations that worship the LORD God, through the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Please discuss one of the following in detail (if you would like to write about more than one, give each topic due regard). The following subjects are for your consideration.
1. Seeking wealth
2 Manipulating people to move away from the Lord and toward the world
3. Worldly exposure, and its tricks and treats
4. Seeking connections to powerful entities in the world
5. Seeking titles to gain people’s respect without regard to the Lord’s standards
6. Worldly sexual perversions, pleasures and practices
7. The seeking of fame, fortune, and fantastic opportunities
8. Corrupting the Word of God
9. Witchcraft
10. False Teachers
11. The destruction of marriages and family
12. Perverse liberalism or conservatism
13. The worshipping of false gods
14. Wickedness made normal by social norms and media
15. Child sexual abuse by those within the Christian churches
16. Seeking man’s self-help, rather than learn God’s Word.
Christian leaders, this is a few of the many problems that are destroying churches from within. Please share your knowledge, experience, and possible solutions to begin addressing this problem with those God has placed in your care. The more detail, the better!
Matthew 5:27–28 (KJV 1900) 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
This lecture is on a very important part of the Standards of Jesus Christ. Unlike the LORD God’s first children, His Chosen people that are part of Judaism, who are only required to obey His commandments literally, Christ’s standards are more detailed and deeper. Not only does Christ require adherence to the Commandments of the LORD God, He also requires diligence of the heart. He uses the example of lust in the heart that is just as sinful as doing the deed. Those that follow Jesus Christ accept His Standards and strive mightily to meet each of His requirements to be His people.
But here is the problem. Satan is quite aware that Christ’s baptism frees His Followers of original sin. The likelihood of Baptized Believers breaking the Commandments of God literally are slim. However, Satan knows that if He can corrupt the heart, that Christ will count that in His Standards as disobedience to God, and the devil becomes successful in his efforts.
Lust in the heart is the worst possible conflict every Christian must fight against. It is critical that you understand this condition fully and are armed with smart rules of engagement that give you the ability to keep Satan away from your heart. But this is important: Unless you take serious control over what enters your heart, you are susceptible as a Christian to having it contaminated with unrighteous and evil things. So not only are you tasked with obeying Christ’s Standards, you also must guard against Satan disrupting that obedience by corrupting your heart. Let’s get to work and see what Scripture has to offer us concerning the spiritual condition of lust that contaminates the heart.
(Special Note: During this lecture, please examine each Scripture carefully, and look at my Statements of Fact (SOF). See how concise I write my SOF’s and capture the full Truth of God. From this point on, please note the SOF’s into your learning, so your SOF’s can be powerful in your own personal study of the Word of God.)
1 John 2:15–17 (KJV 1900) 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
2. Christians should not love the things that are in the world.
3. If anyone loves the world, then the love of the LORD God Father is not within them.
4. There are three things that are not of the Father LORD God, but of the world: a. Lust of the flesh 1a. Lust of the flesh wars against the soul. (1 Peter 2:11)
2a. The works of the flesh are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like. (Galatians 5:18-21)
b. Lust of the eyes c. Pride of life
5. If a Christian has any of these conditions, they are not of the Father.
6. When this world ends and passes away, so will to the lusts within it.
7. Those who do not have the lust are doing the will of the LORD God and they will live forever.
8. The Greek word for Lust means the deep desire or longing for something; coveting is another word for lust.
Galatians 5:16–17 (KJV 1900) 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
9. Walk in the Holy Spirit, and you will not have the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16-18)
10. The flesh lusts against the Holy Spirit; and the Holy Spirit is against the flesh.
Lusts of the Heart
Mark 4:18–19 (KJV 1900) 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
11. Christ says the following ENTER INTO a person, choke the Word of God, and become unfruitful according to His Parable, “Sower of Seeds.” (Note it does not originate from the person but enters into!) a. Cares of this world b. Deceitfulness of riches c. Lusts of other things
12. Also note that the way Mark 4:18-19 is worded (“lusts of other things”), both the cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches are lusts also.
Mark 7:20–23 (KJV 1900) 20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
13. HOWEVER!!! That which COMES OUT of people, defiles them.
14. Those things that COME OUT of people’s HEARTS are: a. Evil thoughts b. Adulteries c. Fornications d. Murders e. Thefts f. Covetousness g. Wickedness h. Deceit i. Lasciviousness j. Evil eye k. Blasphemy l. Pride m. Foolishness
Teachings of Kathy L McFarland: Are you understanding what Scripture tells us about the difference between those things that come from outside our bodies and enter into us, and those that develop inside our bodies in our hearts?
Cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, and lust for “other things” enters into us and develops into all sorts of terrible lust inside our heart. Those lusts of the heart are the things that cause us to sin and be in disobedience to the Lord. Those lusts in the heart are interrelated to our development of all sins known to mankind.
It is not just about adultery. Look at SOF #14. All those things can develop in our hearts. Where do those things come from? Look at SOF #11. They come from outside the person’s body. The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and lustfulness of other things go into the body, and drastically affect the heart of the Believer.
When the believer has absorbed these things from the world, the heart becomes corrupted, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly. Once that corruption happens, thoughts come to the Believer from the heart that are NOT righteous or pure. The corrupted heart becomes part of the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, and it becomes more and more difficult to be guided by Him.
Do I need to tell you that Satan desires to get into your heart and control you from the inside? He doesn’t dare come close to your heart, because he knows that the Holy Spirit dwells within. So, Satan has figured out a way to squeeze into your heart that doesn’t require his presence. He doesn’t want to be clobbered! So, he injects the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and other lustful things into the presence of the Christian, and if the Christian does not shield, corruption starts seeping in.
At this point, the heart begins doing sins of the flesh (SOF #4 (2a)). Soon the fallen Christian walks away from the Lord and embraces the things of this wicked world. The End.
(Hint: Say NO! to fancy clothes, seeking wealth, manipulating people to be successful in the world, worldly tricks and treats, connections to powerful entities in the world, titles to gain peoples respect, worldly sexual pleasures and practices, etc. Quit seeking fame, fortune, and fantastic opportunities!
Stay humble and focused upon the Word of God, reject the world and all its riches, and keep your attention upon the Holy Spirit’s guidance always!)
May the Lord help keep us from our foolishness! Amen.
