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FIRST PRINCIPLES OF. THE ORACLES. OF GOD. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics. Lesson 3 Ù True Unity In Christ Passages to consider… Jn 17:20-21 The “outline” of the Lord’s prayer – He prays for Himself vv. 1-5 He prays for His apostles vv. 6-19
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FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE ORACLES OF GOD Thematic Studies In Bible Basics
Lesson 3 ÙTrue Unity In Christ • Passages to consider… Jn 17:20-21 • The “outline” of the Lord’s prayer – • He prays for Himself vv. 1-5 • He prays for His apostles vv. 6-19 • He prays for those the apostles will teach vv. 20-26
Lesson 3 ÙTrue Unity In Christ • Passages to consider… Jn 17:20-21 • The Lord’s desire for all who come to believe is that “…they may all be one…” v. 21 • Therefore, all of man’s religious efforts should be to fulfill the Lord’s fervent desire expressed in His prayer UNITY
Lesson 3 ÙTrue Unity In Christ • Passages to consider… Jn 17:20-21 • The Lord was not discussing what is termed Ecumenical UnityÙ “Unity In Diversity” • The unity Jesus desired is stated in v. 21 • The unity of the Father & the Son Ù purpose • Cp. marriage Gen 2:24 Mt 19:5-6
Lesson 3 ÙTrue Unity In Christ • Passages to consider… Jn 17:20-21 • The existence of all the man-made churches testifies that man has not sought to honor the desire of Jesus in His pre-crucifixion prayer • What is true of unity between Father & Son should be true of all who claim to follow Christ
Lesson 3 ÙTrue Unity In Christ • Passages to consider… 1 Cor 1:10-13 • Paul addresses sectarian attitudes within the Christians at Corinth v. 12 • Based upon who had baptized them v. 13b • Not to say baptism is not important, but something Paul was glad he had not been a part of vv. 14-15
Lesson 3 ÙTrue Unity In Christ • Passages to consider… 1 Cor 1:10-13 • Thus, unity was being threatened at Corinth • Christ is “not divided” (compartmentalized)v. 13a • Is this not the view of mainstream, man-made denominationalism…a “compartmentalization” of Christ into various religious bodies?
Lesson 3 ÙTrue Unity In Christ • Passages to consider… 1 Cor 1:10-13 • Quarrels & contentions are the opposite of unity v. 11 • The solution = “speak the same thing” v. 10 • Division does not exist when we speak thus
Lesson 3 ÙTrue Unity In Christ • Passages to consider… 1 Cor 1:10-13 • The solution = “speak the same thing” v. 10 • Members are to be “perfectly joined together in the same mind, same judgment” • Good Biblical illustration of found in Gen 11:1-9 • Notice God’s acknowledgement vv. 1, 6-7
Lesson 3 ÙTrue Unity In Christ • Passages to consider… Gal 1:6-9, 11-12 • Paul “marveled” (was surprised) at what the Galatian Christians were doing v. 6 • These disciples turned to “a different gospel” which in effect was not “another” gospel v. 7 • Anything other than genuine truth = a perversion
Lesson 3 ÙTrue Unity In Christ • Passages to consider… Gal 1:6-9, 11-12 • Even if an apostle or an angel (legion) came with something other than what was originally delivered, a curse (anathema) would be upon them vv. 8-9 • Repeated for emphasis
Lesson 3 ÙTrue Unity In Christ • Passages to consider… Gal 1:6-9, 11-12 • The gospel delivered by the apostles is not of men, but came to the Lord’s chosen servants through direct revelation vv. 11-12 • To “hear” the apostles is to “hear” Christ… even the Father Himself cp. Lk 10:16
Lesson 3 ÙTrue Unity In Christ • Some Closing Thoughts… • Unity “won’t just happen” • Unity occurs only when people agree to believe and practice the same doctrine • For this to take place, 1 objective standard must be agreed to…all other notions must be rejected out of hand without hesitation
Lesson 3 ÙTrue Unity In Christ • Some Closing Thoughts… • May all humanity truly strive to honor the Lord’s desire uttered in His prayer Jn 17:21 • May all mankind endeavor to “speak the same things…be of the same mind and the same judgment” 1 Cor 1:10 cp. Gen 11:1, 6-7
Lesson 4 Ù The Bible…The Only Book • “Publishing Facts” about the Bible… • Greatest best-seller of all time • Translated into more languages than any other book ever written • The most “discussed” literary work…from both a positive (accepted) & negative (rejected) viewpoint
Lesson 4 Ù The Bible…The Only Book • Given such “publishing facts,” one would expect the vast majority of its owners & readers to have a deep, reverential awe for it • However, that is not the case • Given how most “Bible owners & readers” live morally and practice their religion, they actually show a lack of respect for the “Book of books”
Lesson 4 Ù The Bible…The Only Book • How one views the Bible determines… • …what he is morally, socially, religiously • …where he will spend his eternity • Man must realize the only way for any of us to know what God expects of us is for Him to tell us Ù the Bible is such a “message”
Lesson 4 Ù The Bible…The Only Book • God has indeed told us His will for us 1 Cor 2:6-16 Eph 3:1-5 • The theme of this lesson will be to prove the Bible to be God’s only book • It has no predecessor, successor Mt 12:31-32 • As His only message, it is authoritative
Lesson 4 Ù The Bible…The Only Book • The Source Of The Bible • Before any discussion begins, all must agree with the premise The Bible Comes From God • Man’s quest Ù find “the” book from God that will instruct him on how to live, worship, etc. • Two ways to accomplish this goal
Lesson 4 Ù The Bible…The Only Book • The Source Of The Bible • Two ways to accomplish this goal: • Read every book ever written…eliminate one by one all books determined not to be “the” book • Physically impossible • Divinely warned against such a mindset cp. Eccl 12:11-12
Lesson 4 Ù The Bible…The Only Book • The Source Of The Bible • Two ways to accomplish this goal: • Find “the” book that satisfies all demands for Divine authenticity…reject all others • Very possible…very “do-able” • The Bible claims to be “that book” cp.Jer 1:9 1 Thess 2:13 2 Tim 3:16-17