Bible Basics
Part 1:
"The things concerning
the Kingdom of God"
Study 1: God......
1.1 The Existence Of God
1.2 The Personality Of God
* Doctrine In Practice 1: Knowing God
1.3 God's Name And Character
* Doctrine In Practice 2: Grace (John Parkes)
* Doctrine In Practice 3: The All Seeing God
* Doctrine In Practice 4: God Is Omnipotent
* Doctrine In Practice 5: Responding To The One God
1.4 The Angels
* Doctrine In Practice 6: God As Creator
Digression 1: God Manifestation
* Digression 2: Why The Trinity Was Accepted
Study 2: The Spirit Of God......
2.1 Definition
2.2 Inspiration
2.3 Gifts Of The Holy Spirit
2.4 The Withdrawal Of The Gifts
2.5 The Bible The Only Authority
Digression 3: Is The Holy Spirit A Person?
Digression 4: The Principle Of Personification
* Doctrine In Practice 7: The Implications Of Inspiration
Study 3: The Promises Of God......
3.1 Introduction
3.2 The Promise In Eden
3.3 The Promise To Noah
3.4 The Promise To Abraham
3.5 The Promise To David
* Doctrine In Practice 8: Covenant Relationship With God
Study 4: God And Death......
4.1 The Nature Of Man
4.2 The Soul
4.3 The Spirit
4.4 Death Is Unconsciousness
4.5 The Resurrection
4.6 The Judgment
* Doctrine In Practice 9: Judgment Now
4.7 The Place Of Reward: Heaven Or Earth?
4.8 Responsibility To God
4.9 Hell
Digression 5: Purgatory
Digression 6: Ghosts And Reincarnation
Digression 7: The 'Rapture'
* Doctrine In Practice 10: The Motivational Power Of Understanding Death
Study 5: The Kingdom Of God......
5.1 Defining The Kingdom
5.2 The Kingdom Is Not Now Established
5.3 The Kingdom Of God In The Past
5.4 The Kingdom Of God In The Future
5.5 The Millennium
* Digression 8: The Kingdom Of God Now (Graham Bacon)
* Doctrine In Practice 11: What The Kingdom Of God Means Today
Study 6: God And Evil......
6.1 God And Evil
6.2 The Devil And Satan
6.3 Demons
* Digression 9: The Implications And Origin Of The Belief In A Personal Satan
Digression 10: Witchcraft
Digression 11: What Happened In Eden?
Digression 12: Lucifer
* Doctrine In Practice 12: Battle For The Mind
Part 2 :"The things concerning...the name of Jesus Christ"
(Acts 8:12)
Study 7: The Origin Of Jesus......
7.1 Old Testament Prophecies Of Jesus
7.2 The Virgin Birth
7.3 Christ's Place In God's Plan
7.4 "In the beginning was the word"
* Digression 13: Jesus The Son Of God (Michael Gates)
Digression 14: Did Jesus Create The Earth?
* Doctrine In Practice 13: Jesus Didn’t Pre-exist: And So What?
Study 8: The Nature Of Jesus......
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Differences Between God And Jesus
8.3 The Nature Of Jesus
8.4 The Humanity Of Jesus
8.5 The Relationship Of God With Jesus
* Doctrine In Practice 14: The Real Christ
* Digression 15: How The Real Christ Was Lost
* Digression 16: The Divine Side Of Jesus
Study 9: The Work Of Jesus......
9.1 The Victory Of Jesus
9.2 The Blood Of Jesus
9.3 Jesus As Our Representative
9.4 Jesus And The Law Of Moses
9.5 The Sabbath
Digression 17 The Crucifix
Digression 18: Was Jesus Born On Dec. 25th?
* Doctrine In Practice 15: The Meaning Of Christ’s Resurrection For Us
* Doctrine In Practice 16: Christ Died For Me- So What Should I Do?
* Doctrine In Practice 17: The Real Cross
* Doctrine In Practice 18: The Inspiration Of The Cross
Study 10: Baptism Into Jesus......
10.1 The Vital Importance Of Baptism
10.2 How Should We Be Baptized?
10.3 The Meaning Of Baptism
10.4 Baptism And Salvation
Digression 19: Re-baptism
Digression 20 The Thief On The Cross
* Doctrine In Practice 19: The Certainty Of Salvation
Study 11: Life In Christ......
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Holiness
11.2.1 The Use Of Force
11.2.2 Politics
11.2.3 Worldly Pleasures
11.3 Practical Christian Life
11.3.1 Bible Study
11.3.2 Prayer
11.3.3 Preaching
11.3.4 Ecclesial Life
11.3.5 The Breaking Of Bread
11.4 Marriage
11.5 Fellowship
INTRODUCTION
A lot of church-going people sense that there’s something missing in their experience. And that it’s a big ‘something’. The idealized worldview preached by so many church leaders just doesn’t add up. Health and prosperity don’t come because you tithe. There’s a big gap between the reality of daily life, and what church leaders preach. We sense that many of the jigsaw puzzle pieces which we have in our possession are real and valid, but all the same, we don’t see the big picture. The pieces are all hopelessly jumbled up, even if we hold them in our hands. And we don’t even know precisely what the big picture is; we don’t have the lid with the picture on it. Although, we think we know what that bigger picture roughly is. But of course, it’s taken as read that you don’t share these doubts with anyone at church. Not a soul. It’s an unconscious conspiracy of silence.
What we’re crying out for is a systematic, no-nonsense approach to what God is saying to us through the Bible. We want to see the picture on the lid of the jigsaw puzzle, and then fit everything together according to it- both the pieces of understanding of God which we have, and our personal experiences of life.
Now if that’s you, as it was me, then read on…
All human beings who have accepted that there is a God, and that the Bible is His revelation to man, need to seriously apply themselves to finding out its basic message. Many of those calling themselves 'Christians' seem to make a poor job of this - a few verses from the New Testament on Sundays, a Bible somewhere in the home that is never opened, dimly remembering a handful of Bible stories. Little wonder that with such a laid- back attitude to God's mighty Word of truth, there is so much confusion and uncertainty in the lives and minds of so many.
On the other hand, there are those with little Christian background who decide to try to figure out the Bible's message, but find that everyone they approach tries to offer them a package deal of doctrines and human philosophies which do not fundamentally reflect the words of the Bible.
It’s the purpose of 'Bible Basics' to analyze the Bible's message in a business-like, systematic way. It is designed to be read straight through as a book, or alternatively to be used as a correspondence course. Answers to the questions at the end of each study can be sent to the address below; your answers will then be passed to a personal tutor who can then correspond with you as you progress further through the Studies. It’s appreciated that some readers will shy away from the idea of answering questions, but would rather ask questions concerning areas which they are unclear about, or disagree with the interpretation presented here. Again, if such correspondence is directed to the address below, personal answers can be given.
It’s my conviction that the basic message of the Bible is crystal clear. However, there will always be some passages and topics which may appear superficially to be at variance with the general theme of Scripture. Some of these, along with other aspects of the Gospel which may only interest some readers, are discussed in the Digressions. It should be possible to understand the Bible's basic message without reading the Digressions, but it is anticipated that many students will read through most of them. The Bible translation often used in these studies is the Revised Authorized Version. However, where there is any unclarity in the rendering, other versions are quoted: The Revised Version (R.V.), Revised Standard Version (R.S.V.), Revised Authorized Version (R.A.V.) and New International Version (N.I.V.).
There are many people who ought to be thanked for their help in producing this book; I am particularly indebted to Clive Rivers for the masterly series of photographs he has contributed, and to those who have commented on the drafts. However, my main debt lies with the hundreds of people in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe, whose searching questions and thirst for truth have forced me to think through these ‘Bible Basics’ time and again. Their beauty and strength only increases by being viewed from so many different angles. In crowded taxis, on open trucks and lorries, on endless train journeys across Siberia, in sedate conference rooms to sweltering hotel balconies and starlit bush villages, these topics have been discussed, argued over and enthused about with Bible students from all walks of life. My brethren with whom I have been privileged to work in this have been a ceaseless source of strength and help. The substance of many of the Digressions in this book was often thrashed out between us in hotel rooms, after a gruelling session with a group of interested contacts. The fellowship and unity that comes from being bound together by these basic doctrines of Bible truth is surely unsurpassed in human experience. This 5th edition benefited from extensive contributions, editing and discussion with a number of experienced preachers: Graham Bacon, Michael Gates, Mark Gilbert, Robin Jones, Robin & Jean Field deserve special mention. So to all these "my fellow workers unto the Kingdom of God" I now pay tribute, hoping they will find this volume a help in the great work of publishing the true Gospel "into all nations".
Grasping the real truth of the Gospel as taught in the Bible's pages will affect every part of our lives, leading men and women the world over to properly give glory to God as He intended, both now and for eternity. Every one who finds the truth finds the "pearl of great price", and will know the feelings of Jeremiah for himself: "Your words were found, and I did eat them; your word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart" (Jer.15:16). To achieve this, be sure to pray for God's help in understanding the word before you tackle each of these Studies. "And now...I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified" (Acts 20:32).
D.H.
Abbreviations used in these studies for books of the Bible
Gen.-Genesis Jer.-Jeremiah Rom.-Romans
Ex.-Exodus Ez.-Ezekiel 1 Cor.-I Corinthians
Lev.-Leviticus Dan.-Daniel 2 Cor.-2 Corinthians
Num.-Numbers Hos.-Hosea Eph.-Ephesians
Dt.-Deuteronomy Am.-Amos Phil.-Philippians
Josh.-Joshua Mic.-Micah Col.-Colossians
Jud.-Judges Nah.-Nahum 1 Thes.-1 Thessalonians
1 Sam.-1 Samuel Hab.-Habakkuk 2 Thes.-2 Thessalonians
2 Sam.-2 Samuel Zeph.-Zephaniah 1 Tim.-1 Timothy
1 Chron.-1 Chronicles Hagg.-Haggai 2 Tim.-2 Timothy
2 Chron.-2 Chronicles Zech.-Zechariah Tit.-Titus
Neh.-Nehemiah Mal.-Malachi Heb.-Hebrews
Ps.-Psalms Mt.-Matthew 1 Pet.-1 Peter
Prov.-Proverbs Mk.-Mark 2 Pet.-2 Peter
Ecc.-Ecclesiastes Lk.-Luke 1 Jn.- 1 John
Isa.-Isaiah Jn.-John 2 Jn.-2 John
Rev.-Revelation
The questions at the end of each chapter are of two types: multiple choice (whereby you must choose one of the answers listed as the correct answer to the question), and ordinary questions which require a few sentences in response. Write your answers on a separate piece of paper, not forgetting to write your name and address clearly.
You may send your answers to the address in the Box
below, should no address be inserted send to:-
Bible Basics, P.O.Box 3034, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 0ZA ENGLAND
e-mail:
www.carelinks.net
BIBLE BASICS
A STUDY MANUAL
revealing the joy and
peace of true Christianity
DUNCAN HEASTER
First Published 1992
Second Edition 1994
Third Edition 1999
Fourth Edition 2002
Fifth Edition 2006
ISBN 1 874508 00 3
1.1 The Existence of God
“He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6). The object of these studies is to help those who want to come to God, having first believed “that He is”; therefore we will not concern ourselves with the evidence that confirms faith in God’s existence. Examining the intricate structure of our bodies (cf. Ps. 139:14), the evident design in a flower, gazing up into the vastness of space on a clear night, these and countless other careful reflections on life surely make atheism incredible. To believe that there is no God surely requires more faith than to believe He exists. Without God there is no order, purpose or ultimate explanation in the universe, and this will therefore be reflected in the life of the atheist. Bearing this in mind, it is not surprising that the majority of human beings admit to a certain degree of belief in a God - even in societies where materialism is the prevailing ‘god’ of people’s lives.
But there is a vast difference between having a vague notion that there is a higher power, and actually being certain of what He is offering in return for faithful service to Him. Heb. 11:6 makes this point, we
“must believe that (God) is
AND
and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”.
Much of the Bible is an account of the history of God’s people Israel; time and again the point is made that their acceptance of God’s existence was not matched by their faith in His promises. They were told by their great leader Moses:
“Therefore know…and consider it in your heart, that the LORD Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments” (Dt.4:39,40).
Thus the same point is made - an awareness within us that there is a God does not mean that we are automatically acceptable to God. If we seriously agree that we really do have a creator, we should love Him and “keep therefore his...commandments”. It is the purpose of this series of studies to explain what these commandments are and how to keep them. As we search the Scriptures to do this, we will find that our faith in God’s existence is strengthened.
“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Likewise, Is. 43:9-12 shows how an understanding of God’s prophecies about the future makes us know “that I am he” (Is. 43:13) - i.e. that God’s name ‘I am who I am’ is perfectly true (Ex. 3:14). The apostle Paul came to a town called Berea, now in Northern Greece. As usual, he preached the gospel (‘good news’) of God; but instead of the people just accepting Paul’s word for it, “they received the word (of God, not Paul) with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed” (Acts 17:11,12). Their belief was due to their open-minded, regular (“daily”) and systematic (“those things”) searching through the Bible. The gaining of a true faith was therefore not due to God suddenly giving them it by some kind of spiritual heart surgery, unrelated to God’s word. So how can people of the world who walk into an Evangelical crusade or Pentecostal revival meeting walk out again as ‘believers’? How much daily searching of Scripture has gone on in these cases? This lack of a truly Bible-based faith doubtless accounts for the hollowness which many such ‘converts’ find in their later Christian experience, and why so many turn away from the evangelical movement.