“The Fall of Mankind” Sin, Death and the Curse

“The Fall of Mankind” Sin, Death and the Curse

by | Nov 1, 2018 | Bible Doctrine

The Entire Bible Is About God’s Plan to Redeem the World Back to Him

‘and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

II Peter 3:15

 

‘Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— ‘

Romans 5:12

 

Before Sin

Before Adam disobeyed God there was no death, no curse because there was no sin. Adam and Eve were in perfect relationship with God. They were eternal beings sustained by the “tree of life” the herbs and fruits God provided. Even the animals ate herbs there was no death of any kind for any reason. Everything was perfect. (Genesis 1:31)

 

After Sin

The very moment Adam and Eve disobeyed and ate of the fruit God commanded them not to eat they died spiritually. They did not die physically but they did become mortal beings. Adam lived to be 930 years old. (Genesis 5:5) Their immediate death was spiritual, their connection and relationship with God were severed because of sin. Because of Adam’s disobedience, sin and death entered the world and plunged the entire planet under the curse. From Adam and Eve onward every human being born (except Christ) is born with a “sin nature” and severed from any relationship with God. (Romans 5:12, 8:7, 1 Cor 2:14)

 

Best Read with our Biblical Timeline

This post will examine the origin of “The Fall” of mankind. And how sin plunged the entire planet under the curse. This article is by no means an in debt study into the Fall of Man and Sin. The Fall and sin are both covered in great detail as part of our 6-week introduction class. This article is intended to be used as companion content for our Biblical Timeline.

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Just Three Chapters in and Failure

Only three chapters into the Bible mankind falls or fails miserably. Adam’s disobedience brings sin and death upon the earth. The entire planet is cursed.

The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”

Genesis 2:16-17

Date Events Happened 4000 BC Genesis 3 Date Written: 1445 – 1405 BC Written by Moses

God Blessed Adam and Eve with Everything

When God created Adam and Eve, He gave them dominion over all the earth. That included every living thing; the birds, fish, all animal life. Mankind was given dominion over everything and told to subdue it. (Genesis 1:28) Adam and Eve were eternal beings they received sustenance from the “tree of life” herbs and fruits God provided. Even the animals ate herbs and fruits for sustenance the entire planet was vegetarian.   Mankind Ate Fruits and Herbs before the Fall.

‘And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. ‘

Genesis 1:29

Animals Ate Herbs too.

‘Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. ‘

Genesis 1:30

God gave Adam and Eve dominion over everything He created, they were to enjoy God’s company, enjoy all that He created for them, and multiply the earth. With just ONE COMMAND;

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

Genesis 2:16-17

Sin Started with a Question

Satan operates no differently today than he did 6000 years ago. Nothing has changed. Sin is sin and sin began with a Question! Today satan and his cast of demons deceive humanity using the exact same method satan used in the garden. As the apostle Paul makes so clear in 2 Corinthians 11:3.

‘But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. ‘

II Corinthians 11:3

 

The Seed of Deception “The Question”:

  

‘Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”’

Genesis 3:1

  Truth:

‘And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. ‘

Genesis 3:2-3

  The Lie:

‘And the serpent said unto the woman, You shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. ‘

Genesis 3:4-5

 

The Fall:

‘

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

Genesis 3:6

The very moment Adam and Eve ate of the tree that God commanded them not to eat they died. Not physically, they died spiritually and they knew it. (Genesis 3:7)  Compare Genesis 2:25 which is before the fall to Genesis 3:8,10 which is after the fall. Before the fall. No shame or guilt in their nakedness. There was no evil present, no sin, no knowledge of evil.

‘And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.’

Genesis 2:25

After the Fall. Immediately they were convicted they experience guilt, fear and they were ashamed of their nakedness. They knew what they did was wrong.

‘And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”’

Genesis 3:8,10

 

Sin, Conviction, Fear, Sorrow, Guilt and Death

The results of sin are the same at any time in human history. Worldly sorrow is brought on by sin. The conviction of sin leads to guilt, shame, despair and a feeling of complete hopelessness which leads to death.

The world has nothing to offer mankind to remedy sin. Only God can deal with the sin dilemma and He did. (John 1:29)

‘The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ‘

John 1:29

All of creation is waiting for that glorious day when it too will be released from the curse. Yes the animals, the trees every living thing is awaiting the unveiling of the Redeemer. (Romans 8:19-22)

‘For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ‘

Romans 8:19-22

God Already Had a Plan of Redemption

God could have just taken Adam and Eve off the scene and started over. But because of His love, mercy, and grace, (Ephesians 2:4,5) He saved them by killing an animal instead, which was a shadow of another sacrifice God would make. A Great sacrifice that would Redeem the world back to Himself. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

God’s plan of redemption, of course, is Jesus Christ and His shed blood on the cross, His burial, and resurrection from the dead three days later. Which paid the price for all of mankind’s sin.

God declared to the world that His Son did everything He demanded to pay the sin debt for ALL:

‘Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin, You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ ”’

Hebrews 10:5-7

All anyone has to do is believe it. 

Need Salvation?

  1. Admit and believe you’re a sinner. (Romans 3:23)
  2. Believe by faith alone that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried and was resurrected from the dead three days later. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 10:9-13)

‘that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ‘

Romans 10:9-10

If you have any questions about this article, salvation, the Christian life, don’t hesitate to respond below.

Mesa Bible Study

Faith “Sine Qua Non”      

Only 9 Gentiles Saved in 2000 Years ‘It was Jew only’

Only 9 Gentiles Saved in 2000 Years ‘It was Jew only’

by | Oct 27, 2018 | Bible Doctrine

The Gentile Exceptions from Abraham to Stephen

 

For the first 2000 years of Biblical History, God dealt with all mankind and all mankind spoke one language. The time element is approximately 4004 BC to 2000 BC.

 

From Abraham to Stephen it’s “Jew Only”

 

So many have asked (not so lovingly) how in the world do you get the idea that God dealt with the Jewish people only, until Paul? My answer is always, easily, because scripture declares it. From Abraham (Genesis 12; 2000 BC) to the stoning of Stephen in the book of Acts (Act 7; 36 AD) the Gentile world was without God, with no hope. God said it, you can choose to believe what God has clearly said or not believe God. We always have the choice to study the Bible for ourselves, to find out whether or not something is true or not and not just to rely on men who cling to tradition over truth.

 

The apostle Paul makes clear that the Gentile world for almost 2000 years had no Messiah, no Savior, they were without God in the world. 

‘Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ‘

Ephesians 2:11-12

 

In Acts 11:19, Luke records that following the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 (around 36 AD), Jewish believers—those who had come to faith through the gospel of the kingdom preached by Jesus and the apostles—were scattered due to persecution. These scattered believers were not preaching Paul’s gospel of grace (it had not yet been revealed!), but rather proclaiming that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God—a message rooted in the Old Testament Scriptures, because that’s all they had at the time.

 

And who were they preaching to? Jews only. That’s exactly what the text says. As plain as the noonday sun—but many still refuse to believe it. This wasn’t 7 or 8 days after Pentecost. This was 7 to 8 years later, and still, the message was exclusively to Israel, not the Gentile world.

 

‘Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word (what word? old testament, that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God) to no one but the Jews only.’

Acts 11:19

 

Two hundred years after God scatters mankind from the tower of Babel God does something completely different and chooses one man, Abram (2000 BC). Or Abraham (Nehemiah 9:7-8) as we know him today and creates a new race of people for Himself, the Jewish people.

 

For the next 2000 years, God reveals Himself only to the nation of Israel, His chosen People (Deuteronomy 7:6-9), through covenants and Jewish prophets. Beginning with the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis 12 God makes Abraham a promise that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed. That, of course, is a reference to Jesus Christ the Son of God and the finished work of the cross (Genesis 12:3).

 

The Biblical record is clear from the time God called out Abraham and started a new race of people for Himself the Jewish people. On through all of the Old Testament into the four gospels, and early chapters of the book of Acts, God deals only with Israel (with exceptions).

 

The entire theme of the Old Testament from Genesis 12 through the early chapters in Acts is; the promise God made to Israel, that a Messiah, a King would come on the scene, crush Israel’s enemies, and set up a glorious kingdom on earth. Israel would be the preeminent nation above all nations with Christ ruling from David’s throne in Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-5, 9:6-7, 11:1-16; Jeremiah 23:3-8, 30:8-24; Ezekiel 36:21-38, 37:1-28; Zechariah 14:8-11). Gentiles were always on God’s mind for salvation but Gentile salvation was to come through Israel (Zechariah 8:20-23; Isaiah 60:1-3).

 

 

9 Gentiles Saved in 2000 Years

 

From the time God called Abraham in Genesis 12 up through the book of Acts in chapter 9 (Acts 9:15), the Biblical record indicates only 9 Gentiles were saved.

  1. Jethro was Moses’ father-in-law (Exodus 18.1).
  2. Ruth. (Ruth 1:16-18)
  3. Rahab a pagan Gentile woman had faith. She believed God. (Joshua 2.8-24)
  4. Naaman the Syrian General. (2 Kings 5:15 & 17)
  5. Darius / Cyrus. Darius was the Persian King that defeated Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, Belshazzar (the one who witnessed the disembodied handwriting on the wall) ruled Babylon. (Daniel 6:25-27)
  6. Nebuchadnezzar. Ruler of the Babylon Empire. (Daniel 4:34-37)
  7. Jonah and the Ninevites. Jonah 3:5,7,9,10
  8. The Roman Centurion. [New Testament] (Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10)
  9. The Canaanite Woman [New Testament] (Matthew 15:21-28)

 

Thank God for His Grace

 

Thank God for this time of grace specifically the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24) Where Jew or Gentile, man or woman makes no difference to God. The whole world has been already reconciled to God through His Son Jesus Christ; but not all will believe. Since the call of the apostle Paul in Acts 9, 2000 years ago the whole world has access to Israel’s God by grace through faith alone in the finished work of the cross.

 

 

 

What is the Jerusalem Council and what Really Happen? Acts 15

What is the Jerusalem Council and what Really Happen? Acts 15

by | Oct 18, 2018 | Bible Doctrine

Highlights of What Really Happened at the Jerusalem Council!

 

  • The apostle Peter the 11 apostles and all in the Jerusalem Church were still UNDER THE LAW. THEY BELIEVED THAT JESUS WAS THE CHRIST (ISRAEL’S MESSIAH) BUT THEY WERE STILL PRACTICING THE MOSAIC LAW!
  • Members of the Jerusalem Church were all saved under the “Gospel of the Kingdom” (Matthew 9:35; 10:5-7). There profession of faith was to believe Jesus was the Christ “the promised Messiah”, the Son of God (Matthew 16:16,17).
  • God sent Paul to the Jerusalem Church to tell them how it was going to be moving forward. It was Paul that told Peter and all at the Jerusalem what the risen Lord Jesus revealed to him. (Galatians 2:2, Acts 15:1-4, Acts 9:15,16)
  • Up until the time (51 AD) when God sends Paul to the Jerusalem Church there have been no revelations or record that Peter and the 11 or anyone at the Jerusalem Church were to stop practicing the Mosaic Law or stop Temple worship.
  • It was Paul that stood his ground against the Jerusalem Church defending what the “Risen Lord” had revealed to him. (Galatians 2:3-5)
  • God revealed the “Gospel of Grace” to Paul, not Peter 11 years after Pentecost (Galatians 1:11,12, 17,18, – Ephesians 3:1-10, Colossians 1:24-27).

The “mystery” was that the gospel of grace had been hid in God until revealed to the apostle Paul.

That now because of the finished work of the cross and the nation of Israel rejecting their promised King (Acts 2:23; 3:14,15, 7:51-50), in which God knew would happen in His foreknowledge (Romans 11:2,32,33). God has temporarily blinded Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles occurs (Romans 11:25; 32). So that since around 40 AD and not before (Ephesians 2:11; Romans 16:25), God has opened the gates of heaven pouring out His grace on all mankind, making salvation available to both Jew and Gentile alike apart  from circumcision, the Mosaic law and temple worship (Romans 3:19-22). With faith,  alone in the finished work of the cross being the only means for salvation. Amen!

 

  • At the time of the Jerusalem Council in 51 AD, Pentecost is 22 years in the past.
  • It was the apostle Paul that called Peter a hypocrite to his face for falling back under the law or legalism (Galatians 2:11-16).
  • Peter and the other 11 apostles offered nothing to Paul (Galatians 2:6,9). Not because Paul was any better but because it was to him that the risen Lord Jesus Christ chose as the vessel to dispense these new revelations, to both Jew and Gentile. A gospel message that was kept hidden since before time began (Ephesians 3:1-11; Romans 16:25). 

 

Christendom Minimizes the Apostle Paul

Christendom has minimized the apostle Paul’s role surrounding the Jerusalem Council. With most commentaries stating something like; “Paul was called up to the Jerusalem Church to discuss with Peter, James and John the problems he was having with members from the Jerusalem Church telling Gentiles that they needed to keep the law or they cannot be saved. (Acts 15:5) So Peter, James, and John with the help of Church Elders could make a decision on what to do about this issue.”

That is one of the popular narratives but across the board, most teaching on the “Jerusalem Council” completely distorts the truth of the apostle Paul’s role at the Jerusalem Council.

 

Example of “Wrong” on the Jerusalem Council

The popular Christian website Got Questions does an almost perfect job minimizing the apostle Paul’s role at the Jerusalem Council.

They gave the apostle Paul one sentence in the entire article. You can read the “sentence” for yourself below. Please read the entire Got Questions article titled “What was the meaning and importance of the Jerusalem Council?” So no one can say I was taking them out of context.

In Acts chapters 13—14, Paul and Barnabas had a very fruitful ministry among the Gentiles.

 

The Truth About Paul’s Role

The record shows that God revealed to Paul, not Peter,  the gospel of grace and all the doctrine for the grace age Church; the body of Christ. “ELEVEN (11) YEARS AFTER PENTECOST” Peter, James, John and all at the Jerusalem Church knew NOTHING about the gospel of grace until Paul shared it with them at the Jerusalem Council. (51 AD)

Peter, James and John and all the members of the Jerusalem Church were still practicing the law! The temple is in full operation. NO ONE HAS TOLD THEM TO STOP PRACTICING THE LAW.

Members of the Jerusalem Church Offered Paul Nothing

Paul makes it clear that Peter and the other apostles had zero to offer him (Galatians 2:6,7). Of course, Paul knew that Peter and the 11 spent 3 years with Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry but Paul knew that they didn’t.  Was the “Mystery” or what God kept secret (Ephesians 3:1-10, Colossians 1:24-27), until now, is that the crucifixion wasn’t just about the Jews along with the Romans killing Israel’s messiah.

The mystery is that now because of the cross and the nation of Israel’s rejection of their Messiah which God knew in His foreknowledge (Romans 11:2,32,33). God could now pour out His grace on all mankind making salvation available to both Jew and Gentile alike apart from circumcision, the Mosaic law, and temple worship. And now, beginning from the time God first revealed the gospel of grace to Paul. Salvation is by faith alone in the finished work of the cross. 

But of these who (Peter, James, the Lord’s brother, and the other apostles) seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person🙂 for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me.

Galatians 2:6

But contrariwise (or on the other hand) when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision (Grace 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision (the gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 10:1-8) was unto Peter;

Galatians 2:7

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 (Gentiles), and they unto the circumcision.

Galatians 2:9

Really? Has anyone read their Bible lately?

Paul was chosen by God to preach to Gentiles. (Acts 9:15) God dealing directly with Gentiles was something that hasn’t happened since before the call of Abraham (2000 years) and is one of the main reasons why the Jews troubled Paul so harshly. The Jews as a whole could not except that their God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was now going to the “Gentiles”.

THREE YEARS WITH THE RISEN LORD JESUS IN ARABIA

The apostle Paul spends three years with the risen and glorified Lord Jesus Christ somewhere in the desert of Arabia (Galatians 1:17,18).  Paul was with the Lord in Arabia for 3 years until around 40 AD. During these three years, God reveals to Paul the gospel of grace, and doctrines for the grace age Church (Galatians 1:11, 12, 15, 16, 18).

 

So what were Peter and the 11 preaching while Paul is with the Lord Jesus?

What About Peter’s Visit to The Roman Centurion?

Yes, in Acts 10 around 40 AD the apostle Peter was sent by God to Cornelius and Cornelius along with others in his household were saved. This was 11-12 years before the Jerusalem Council. There is no record of Peter or the 11 with a ministry to the Gentile world from that day forward. As a matter of fact, there is no record of Peter and the apostles ever leaving Jerusalem! (Acts 8:1)

No one told Peter or any Jew to stop practicing the Mosaic law and the temple is in operation. (Acts 10:28, Acts 11:8) Cornelius and the other Gentiles that were with him were saved the same way those at Pentecost were saved (Acts 11:15).

This isn’t how it works for us today under grace! 1 Corinthians 12:13, is clear that it is the Holy Spirit that baptizes believer into the body of Christ.

 

 

 

The Holy Spirit

Just take look at the operation of the Holy Spirit and how God dealt differently with regard to the believer at different moments in Biblical history.

Jew Only. The operation of the Holy Spirit from John the Baptist was in preparation for the coming King, Israel’s Messiah. Jews were Baptized with water for the remission of sins. (Matthew 3:6, 11 – Luke 3:3, Mark 1:1-4)

 

Jew Only. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fell upon the person that believed Jesus was the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God and they were to keep the Mosaic law. As a show of proof of their salvation, they were given the gift of speaking in tongues. The same Holy Spirit experience happened to Cornelius and his household. (Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:15)

 

Both Jew and Gentile. For grace-age believers, we are baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit. Completely different operation. The moment an individual Jew or Gentile believes they are a sinner hell-bound without hope and believe by faith alone that Jesus Christ died for their sins, was buried and rose again three days later. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) That person is baptized into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) All grace-age believers are members of the Body of Christ which is His Church. (Colossians 1:24)

That’s not what happened in Peter’s experience with Cornelius. Not even close. Yes, Cornelius and his Gentile household were saved but not by believing the gospel revealed to the apostle Paul. How could they? Peter knew nothing about the gospel of grace it wasn’t revealed yet. THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL DOESN’T HAPPEN FOR ANOTHER 11 TO 12 YEARS.

“The whole purpose of the Jerusalem Council was so Paul could tell them what God told Paul to tell them. That we are not under the law but under grace. 

As stated earlier, even though God commanded Peter to go to Cornelius who was a Gentile. There is NO record of Peter or the 11 having a ministry to Gentiles. God did not command Peter to go to ALL Gentiles, God told Peter, to go to Cornelius.

 

 

 

In Conclusion

From the time of Peter meeting with Cornelius and the Jerusalem Council 11 to 12 years have gone by. If Peter, the eleven and everyone else at the Jerusalem Church had been preaching Paul’s gospel, ‘Why the need for the Jerusalem Council in the first place’? Makes no sense at all…!

 

Wake up and stop just reading Scripture and be a Berean to see what the apostle Paul was proclaiming was indeed TRUE.

The purpose of the Jerusalem Council is clear. God sent Paul to tell ALL at the Jerusalem Church that from this point forward both Jew and Gentile are EQUALS (Romans 10:12, Romans 3:22, Galatians 3:28)  SALVATION IS BY FAITH ALONE apart from THE MOSAIC LAW (Romans 3:21, Ephesians 2:8,9 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Romans 2:16), believers are indwelled with the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5, 8:9) that as believers in this newly revealed gospel of grace we are ALL baptized into His Body (1 Corinthians 12:12,13), the Body of Christ which is the Church. (Colossians 1:24)

That is the truth about what happened at the Jerusalem Church. The Biblical record of the apostle Paul’s role at the “Jerusalem Council” just may be the single most important event in Christianity next to the cross.

 

“It’s All Grace or Nothing at All”

God Created Man in His Own Image Adam and Eve

God Created Man in His Own Image Adam and Eve

by | Oct 5, 2018 | Bible Doctrine

God Created Man in His Own Image Adam & Eve

 

NOTE: This post goes great with our “Timeline”. The timeline has helped so many people better understand the Bible. The timeline allows you to separate chronologically different times in biblical history. By seeing and identifying and understanding a specific period in biblical history and how God was dealing with mankind at that specific time. Makes Bible Study so much easier, fun and understandable. The timeline is the only tool used in our classes (Bible & Timeline) and it has helped everyone from new Christians to Pastors with many years of experience. If you haven’t already please download the timeline here.

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

2 Timothy 2:15

 We will be uploading new content that covers each section of the “Timeline” weekly.

Adam & Eve
4004 BC
Genesis 1:26-28

 

On the sixth day of creation, God created man in His own image.

26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created He them. 28. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Genesis 1:26-28

Man Created in the Image of God

So God created man in his own image,…” I have to make the point that God didn’t have ears, a nose, feet and so on. God is Spirit. (John 4:24) The Triune God did take on flesh when the Son, Jesus Christ, stepped out and took on flesh. (Galatians 4:4)

So what does the text mean “in His Own image”? Let me answer by asking a question. What parts of the human make up are invisible?  Our mind “thoughts”, our “will”, our “emotions” or our personality. These are all real, you have thoughts, we all have emotions. We can’t see them, touch them but we know they’re real. That’s the area that God is at work in believers, the spirit and soul. (Hebrews 4:12)

 

Spirit, Soul and, Body

 

Mankind is made up of a spirit, soul and a body. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

 

  • The spirit is where mankind is connected to God.
  • The soul is the seat of our emotions.
  • The body is where we have our senses; smell, touch, taste, hearing, sight. The body is also where we manifest our emotions.

 

Since we are born sons and daughters of Adam we are all born sinners. (Romans 5:12) It is because of Adam’s disobedience that ALL MANKIND is separated from God. The gospel is the only way back to God. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. The moment a person believes the gospel, God steps in and makes you a new creation (Ephesians 4:24)

Take a look at the image on your left it is a representation of a person’s nature before the believing the gospel and the image on the right is what happens after a person believes the gospel

 

We will enlarge on sin and the sin nature when we cover the “The Fall” in a future post. This will be a detailed study on sin and how it has been misunderstood by most in Christendom.

 

Thank you for reading. If you have any questions about this post do not hesitate to leave a message below. 

 

Mesa Bible Study

“It’s Either all Grace or Nothing at All” 

You are Justified because You Believe the Gospel

You are Justified because You Believe the Gospel

by | Sep 24, 2018 | Bible Doctrine

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 3:22-24

 

Being Justified is a Judicial act of God where by He declares the sinner that believes by faith alone in the gospel – “just as if they never sinned”.

 

How does God justify the ungodly? Through His grace! Despite our unworthiness, He accomplishes it through the work of redemption—having His own Son, Jesus Christ, pay the price for our sins by the finished work of the cross.

 

Justified Freely

We are justified without a cause. God wasn’t backed into a corner and finally decided okay, okay, you’re justified after all you deserve it; you were baptized, you repented, you joined a Church, you donated all that money, you did your best to keep the commandments and you even believed the gospel.

 

Yeah Right! We are justified freely, without a cause! It’s all God, all Grace or nothing at all.

 

God justifies (saves) those who believe they are sinners without hope and believe by faith alone that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose from the dead three days later.

Do You want to be Justified by God?

 

In order for you or anyone else to be justified by God or saved. You must believe that you are a sinner and believe by faith alone that God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for your sins on the cross, was buried and rose from the dead three days later. Just believe it, if you believe the gospel by faith alone, God says you are Justified — “just as if you never sinned”. 

 

The Gospel

1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

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Mesa Bible Study