Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Foundations for Christian Living! I am really excited about this episode; it represents many of the wonderful life transforming realities that we have received through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1. Spiritual Adoption & Inheritance
During the earthly ministry of Jesus, His teaching and preaching to the people encompassed the subject of His Kingdom coming into the earth. However, Jesus was ushering in a spiritual kingdom first and then in the future that spiritual kingdom will take on physical form. The Kingdom of God is a revelation of the spiritual realities of God’s eternal realm, spiritual laws and provisions. Jesus Christ is the door into this new life- John 10:9.
2. Redemption
To ‘Redeem’ something means to buy back, as something that was once originally yours. It speaks of a purchase that God made when He sent His only begotten Son in John 3:16. We were held captive by sin, in slavery to the law of sin and death (Romans 6:19; 8:2), mankind was kidnapped by the devil. The life and blood of Jesus was the ransom price that set us free from Satan’s authority over our lives-1 Timothy 2:5-6; Mark 10:45.
3. The Doctrine of Baptisms
In the book of Hebrews chapter 6 verse 2 there is a reference to the ‘instruction about baptisms’ in the plural. We are going to look briefly into four ‘Baptisms’ according to the Scriptures. The word ‘Baptized’ comes from the Greek word ‘baptizo’; to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed.
4. The Church
A local assembly of believers as well as the redeemed of all the ages who follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Church began on the day of Pentecost, this word is used 115 times in the New Testament. It is not a man-made institution but is a spiritual assembly of all believers in Jesus Christ, regardless of denomination or religious affiliation. If you are born again by faith in Jesus Christ, you are my brother or sister in Christ, we are part of the same Body and Church of Jesus Christ.
5. Baptized with the Holy Spirit
When it comes to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Jesus makes it very clear that it was a prerequisite to fulfilling the Great Commission and living a Spirit filled victorious Christian life- Acts 1:4-5, 8. Clearly, speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance according Acts 2:4, is the initial evidence to being baptized with the Holy Spirit. Notice, that speaking in tongues is listed among those signs that follow believing ones in Jesus Christ- Mark 16:15-18.
6. Now Concerning Spiritual Gifts
The Baptism with the Holy Spirit opens the door for a great manifestation of the Holy Spirit to operate through our lives and ministry. The Scriptures have much to say on the subject, so with this limited time we will hit the main points. To be certain God does not want us to be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts- 1 Corinthians 12:1.
7. Once Saved Always Saved?
A fundamental principle in Calvinism is called “Unconditional Election.” It states that God not only knew what choice every person would make in his/her life, God had actually decided what choices everyone would make. Therefore God had decided that certain people would live a Christian Life and be saved- supporting the concept of eternal security for the believer, also known as once saved always saved. We’ll also explore two unpardonable sins as explained in the New Testament and how not to be a stumbling block to others.