Bible Lesson I --- GOD

by Doug Jones
I. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

It is no accident that God is the subject of the very first verse of the Bible. That He exists is the basic truth upon which all reality depends. Without God there is nothing. From the viewpoint of the Biblical writers the existence of God needs no proof. There is overwhelming evidence of His existence and activity on every hand. “For since the creation of the world. His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead...’ (Romans 1:20). Further; “He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17).

II. THE ETERNITY OF GOD
Difficult as it is for our finite minds to grasp. God has neither beginning nor end. In the words of Psalmist: “Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” (Psalm 90:2) He is, Isaiah says, “the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity . “(Isaiah 57:15). God therefore is not only outside the limitations of time but also free from all change. “Heaven and earth,” the Psalmist declares, “they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will have no end.” (Psalms 102:26b-27). Moreover, God Himself declares: “For I am the LORD, I do not change.” (Malalicai 3:6). Consequently, there is abiding security, Moses tells us. only in Him who is timeless: “The eternal God is your refuge” (Deuteronomy 33:27). On the other hand, it is futile to seek security in the ever-changing things of earth and time, “For the form of this world is passing away” (1 Corinthians 7:31).

III. THE OMNIPRESENCE OF GOD
God is not limited by space. “Behold,” marvels Solomon, “heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain (God)” (1 Kings 8:27). Neither is God confined to any place. Know and consider, urges Moses. “The Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.” (Deuteronomy 4:39). In awe David asks: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there, If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me....” (Psalms 139:7-10) “ ‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:24). On hearing this scripture a puzzled child asked, “If God is everywhere, how is there any room for us?” The answer of course is that God is not a material but a spiritual Being. His presence does not exclude our existence but rather makes it possible “For in him we live, and move and have our being...” (Acts 17:28)

IV. THE OMNISCIENCE OF GOD
All things, past, present, and future, are known to God. By the mouth of the prophet Isaiah He proclaims, “I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning And from ancient times things that are not yet done,” (Isaiah 46:9-10)

The writer of Hebrews adds “there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13). No thought is hidden from Him, “for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts” (1 Chronicles 28:9) God, the Psalmist acknowledges, is “acquainted with all my ways” (Psalms 139:3), “my sins are not hidden from You” (Psalms 69:5). Again the Psalmist says: “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.” (Psalms 147:5).

Beyond what God has revealed, then, there is for our finite minds “His understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28). No wonder the Apostle Paul exclaims: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33)

V. THE OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD
The power of God is limitless. He is thereby described as “the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!” (Revelation 19:6). Job confesses “I know that You can do everything And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” (Job 42:1-2). The totality of God’s power is indicated by the following:

(1) Nothing exists without Him. He is “The great God who formed everything” (Proverbs 26:10).
(2) Nothing can thwart His purposes. He “does according to His will ... No one can restrain His hand.” (Daniel 4:35).
NOTE: While Gods power is without limit, it must he remembered that He cannot use that power in any way contrary to His own character, Thus when Jesus says, “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26), He means all things that are morally right. It is, for example, “... impossible for God to lie.” (Hebrews 6:18)

IV. THE CHARACTER OF GOD
Something of the character of God may be found on virtually every page of the Bible. Here, however, a few brief references must suffice.

A. God is righteous and holy: “The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works” (Psalms 145:17).
B. He is gracious and merciful: “Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful” (Psalms 116:5).
C. He is kind: “You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness ...“ (Nehemiah 9:17).
D. He is a loving God. “God is love” (1 John 4:16) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)
E. God is faithful: “O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” (Isaiah 25:1).
F. He is a longsuffering God. ‘“is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9).

VII. GOD AS SAVIOR
It is “God our Savior,” writes Paul, “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:3, 4). God sent His Son to provide men salvation from the consequences of sin. “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ...” (I Timothy 1:15). Further, God sent messengers to proclaim this good news. Regarding his own commitment to proclaiming the message, Paul says: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (Romans 1:16).

VIII. GOD AS JUDGE
Abraham long ago posed a vital question: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25). Indeed He shall! David is emphatic: “the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether” (Psalms 19:9). In view of the fact, then, that God is an absolutely righteous Judge. it is certain, as Paul insists, that He “will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality, but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, hut obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath” (Romans 2:6-8).

So it is not surprising that Paul, toward the close of his own fruitful life, could say with all confidence. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (II Timothy 4:7-8).

IX. SUMMARY TRUTHS
It is impossible to avoid a decision about God. Simply to ignore Him is as much a decision as to deny His, existence, and carries the same fatal consequences. His “fingerprints” are all about us. His voice, moreover continues to sound forth from the Scriptures, calling upon men to believe in Him. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6).

BIBLE QUIZ
TRUE OR FALSE (Circle one)
T/F I. There is little evidence that God exists.
T/F 2. God is all powerful.
T/F 3. There are some things even God doesn’t know.
T/F 4. God loves all men.
T/F 5. He saves all men.

FILL IN THE BLANKS
1. In the _________________ God created the __________________ and the _____________.[Genesis 1:1]
2. From _______________ to _____________ you are God.[Psalm 90:2]
3. I am the LORD, I _______________________________.[Malachi 3:6]
4. The eternal God is your _____________________.[Dueteronomy 33:27]
5. The fashion of this world is _______________ __________________. [1 Corinthians 7:31]
6. The LORD ____________ all hearts.[1 Chronicles 28:9]
7. O the depths of the ____________ both of the _____________ and ______________ of God.[Romans 11:33]
8. The LORD is __________________ In all his ways. [Psalms 145:17]
9. It is impossible for God to ____________________.[Hebrews 6:18]
10. The __________________ of the LORD are ____________ and ________________ altogether.[Psalms 19:9 ]

Name Date
Address
City
phone

WHAT CAN YOU DO? You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body [collectively called the “churches of Christ” Romans 16:16),] assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please contact me at BibleTruths@hotmail.com or 253-396-0290 (cell). Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor.

Read more!

Is There A God?

For those who want to know if God is there, He says, "You will seek me and find Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." in Jeremiah 29:13-14. Ask yourself this, "Why should God want to know me?" Look for the answer in the following pages...

We are here, the universe is here, that cannot be denied. But did we arrive on this speck of dust in a endless universe filled with galaxies of heavenly bodies moving at immense and varied speeds and directions in a mathematical precision. They do not operate by blind chance. There is such order and design in their movements that scientists can foretell an action of the sun years in advance, and can chart the position of planets, stars, and comets centuries in advance.

The complexity of our planet points to a deliberate Designer who not only created our universe, but sustains it today. We are here, on a speck of a planet in the universe, that rotates at a rate perfect for our existence; that if it we slower we would freeze at night and roast in the day.
(1)

The Earth's size is perfect. The Earth's size and corresponding gravity holds a thin layer of mostly nitrogen and oxygen gases, only extending about 50 miles above the Earth's surface. If Earth were smaller, an atmosphere would be impossible, like the planet Mercury. If Earth were larger, its atmosphere would contain free hydrogen, like Jupiter.
(2)

If the atmosphere were minutely thinner meteors, which are now consumed by the atmosphere, would constantly impact the earth causing forest fires over the whole earth constantly. Earth is the only known planet equipped with an atmosphere of the right mixture of gases to sustain plant, animal and human life.
(3)

The slant of the earth is perfect, at 23¼o, which give us our seasons; were it not so tilted the movements of the sea would turn continents into ice. If the moon were set at less distance from the earth, tides would submerge all continents twice daily, and the mountains would erode away. If the crust of the earth were ten foot thicker there would be no oxygen and all life would die. If the ocean were a few feet deeper, no life could exist.

The Earth is located the right distance from the sun. Consider the temperature swings we encounter, roughly -30 degrees to +120 degrees. If the Earth were any further away from the sun, we would all freeze. Any closer and we would burn up. Even a fractional variance in the Earth's position to the sun would make life on Earth impossible. The Earth remains this perfect distance from the sun while it rotates around the sun at a speed of nearly 67,000 mph. It is also rotating on its axis, allowing the entire surface of the Earth to be properly warmed and cooled every day.

And our moon is the perfect size and distance from the Earth for its gravitational pull. The moon creates important ocean tides and movement so ocean waters do not stagnate, and yet our massive oceans are restrained from spilling over across the continents.
(4)

Water...colorless, odorless and without taste, and yet no living thing can survive without it. Plants, animals and human beings consist mostly of water (about two-thirds of the human body is water). You'll see why the characteristics of water are uniquely suited to life:

It has an unusually high boiling point and freezing point. Water allows us to live in an environment of fluctuating temperature changes, while keeping our bodies a steady 98.6 degrees.

Water is a universal solvent. This property of water means that thousands of chemicals, minerals and nutrients can be carried throughout our bodies and into the smallest blood vessels.
5

Water is also chemically neutral. Without affecting the makeup of the substances it carries, water enables food, medicines and minerals to be absorbed and used by the body.Water has a unique surface tension. Water in plants can therefore flow upward against gravity, bringing life-giving water and nutrients to the top of even the tallest trees.

Water freezes from the top down and floats, so fish can live in the winter.
Ninety-seven percent of the Earth's water is in the oceans. But on our Earth, there is a system designed which removes salt from the water and then distributes that water throughout the globe. Evaporation takes the ocean waters, leaving the salt, and forms clouds which are easily moved by the wind to disperse water over the land, for vegetation, animals and people. It is a system of purification and supply that sustains life on this planet, a system of recycled and reused water.

On and on it goes, everything we take for granted, if they were changed ever-so-slightly we could no longer exist on this planet ... just impossible coincidences or the design of God?

FACT 1: THE UNIVERSE EXISTS.
Choices:

1) Something (Mind/Matter) came from nothing.
Some problems with that:
a) Every effect must have cause.
1) Every plant, tree, seed, animal, bacteria, etc. came from another of it's kind.
2) Every effect we observe in the universe has a cause; something or someone brought the effect about.
3) Nothing has ever been observed to bring forth life from non-living matter.
4) It takes mind (intelligence) to direct, control, and shape the dead materials of the universe (the forces: Gravity, positive & negative forces, etc.).

2) Something (Mind/Matter) always existed.

a) It has been established by science that the universe began abruptly, and therefore has not always existed.

FACT 2: THE UNIVERSE SHOWS THE MARKS OF DESIGN AND PURPOSE.
Choices:

1) Blind chance. (something from nothing plus evolution)
2) The Universe was created by something that existed before it did.

"Chance" or "natural causes" are insufficient explanations.
The alternative to God existing is that all that exists around us came about by natural cause and random chance. If someone is rolling dice, the odds of rolling a pair of sixes is one thing. But the odds of spots appearing on blank dice is something else. What Pasteur attempted to prove centuries ago, science confirms, that life cannot arise from non-life. Where did human, animal, plant life come from?
Also, natural causes are an inadequate explanation for the amount of precise information contained in human DNA. A person who discounts God is left with the conclusion that all of this came about without cause, without design, and is merely good fortune. It is intellectually wanting to observe intricate design and attribute it to luck.(8)

FACT 3: MAN POSSESSES A UNIQUE NATURE
Choices:

1) Evolution.
2) Divine Creation.

The human brain's complexity shows a higher intelligence behind it.
The human brain...simultaneously processes an amazing amount of information. Your brain takes in all the colors and objects you see, the temperature around you, the pressure of your feet against the floor, the sounds around you, the dryness of your mouth, even the texture of your keyboard. Your brain holds and processes all your emotions, thoughts and memories. At the same time your brain keeps track of the ongoing functions of your body like your breathing pattern, eyelid movement, hunger and movement of the muscles in your hands.

The human brain processes more than a million messages a second.7 Your brain weighs the importance of all this data, filtering out the relatively unimportant. This screening function is what allows you to focus and operate effectively in your world. A brain that deals with more than a million pieces of information every second, while evaluating its importance and allowing you to act on the most pertinent information... did it come about just by chance? Was it merely biological causes, perfectly forming the right tissue, blood flow, neurons, structure? The brain functions differently than other organs. There is an intelligence to it, the ability to reason, to produce feelings, to dream and plan, to take action, and relate to other people. How does one explain the human brain?(7)

To state with certainty that there is no God, a person has to ignore the passion of an enormously vast number of people who are convinced that there is a God.
This is not to say that if enough people believe something it is therefore true. Scientists, for example, have discovered new truths about the universe which overruled previous conclusions. But as science has progressed, no scientific discovery has countered the numerical likelihood of an intelligent mind being behind it all. In fact, the more science discovers about human life and the universe, the more complex and precisely designed we realize these to be. Rather than pointing away from God, evidence mounts further toward an intelligent source. But objective evidence is not all.

There is a much larger issue. Throughout history, billions of people in the world have attested to their firm, core convictions about God's existence--arrived at from their subjective, personal relationship with God. Millions today could give detailed account of their experience with God. They would point to answered prayer and specific, amazing ways God has met their needs, and guided them through important personal decisions. They would offer, not only a description of their beliefs, but detailed reports of God's actions in their lives. Many are sure that a loving God exists and has shown himself to be faithful to them. If you are a skeptic, can you say with certainty: "I am absolutely right and they all are wrong about God"?
(9)

Unlike any other revelation of God, Jesus Christ is the clearest, most specific picture of God pursuing us.
Why Jesus? Look throughout the major world religions and you'll find that Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius and Moses all identified themselves as teachers or prophets. None of them ever claimed to be equal to God. Surprisingly, Jesus did. That is what sets Jesus apart from all the others. He said God exists and you're looking at him. Though he talked about his Father in heaven, it was not from the position of separation, but of very close union, unique to all humankind. Jesus said that anyone who had seen Him had seen the Father, anyone who believed in him, believed in the Father.

He said, "I am the light of the world, he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life," John 8:12. He claimed attributes belonging only to God: to be able to forgive people of their sin, free them from habits of sin, give people a more abundant life and give them eternal life in heaven. Unlike other teachers who focused people on their words, Jesus pointed people to himself. He did not say, "follow my words and you will find truth." He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me," John 14:16.

What proof did Jesus give for claiming to be divine? He did what people can't do. Jesus performed miracles. He healed people...blind, crippled, deaf, even raised a couple of people from the dead. He had power over objects...created food out of thin air, enough to feed crowds of several thousand people. He performed miracles over nature...walked on top of a lake, commanding a raging storm to stop for some friends. People everywhere followed Jesus, because he constantly met their needs, doing the miraculous. He said if you do not want to believe what I'm telling you, you should at least believe in me based on the miracles you're seeing, (John 14:11).

Jesus Christ showed God to be gentle, loving, aware of our self-centeredness and shortcomings, yet deeply wanting a relationship with us. Jesus revealed that although God views us as sinners, worthy of his punishment, his love for us ruled and God came up with a different plan. God himself took on the form of man and accepted the punishment for our sin on our behalf. Sounds ludicrous? Perhaps, but many loving fathers would gladly trade places with their child in a cancer ward if they could. The Bible says that the reason we would love God is because he first loved us.

Jesus died in our place so we could be forgiven. Of all the religions known to humanity, only through Jesus will you see God reaching toward humanity, providing a way for us to have a relationship with him. Jesus proves a divine heart of love, meeting our needs, drawing us to himself. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, he offers us a new life today. We can be forgiven, fully accepted by God and genuinely loved by God. He says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you," Jerimiah 31:3. This is God, in action.

Does God exist? If you want to know, investigate Jesus Christ. We're told that "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life," John 3:16.

God does not force us to believe in Him, though He could. Instead, He has provided sufficient proof of His existence for us to willingly respond to Him. The earth's perfect distance from the sun, the unique chemical properties of water, the human brain, DNA, the number of people who attest to knowing God, the gnawing in our hearts and minds to determine if God is there, the willingness for God to be known through Jesus Christ. If you need to know more about Jesus and reasons to believe in Him, please see: Beyond Blind Faith.(10)


WHAT CAN YOU DO? If you want to begin a relationship with God now, you can be forgiven by God and come into a relationship with him, you can do so by following the Bible Plan of salvation: Accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

Please contact me, Dennis Crawford, at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com, or 253-396-0290 (cell) for comments or further Bible information, or for the location of a congregation belonging to Jesus Christ near you.
References:
(1) "Is there a God?", Marilyn Adamson
(2) R.E.D. Clark, Creation (London: Tyndale Press, 1946), p. 20
(3) Ibid, reference (1)
(4) The Wonders of God's Creation, Moody Institute of Science (Chicago, IL)
(5) Ibid
(6) Ibid
(7) Ibid, reference (1)
(8) Ibid
(9) Ibid
(10) Ibid

Read more!

You Can KNOW For a Fact: That God Is!

Does God Exist?
“He stretches out the North over the void
and hangs the earth upon nothing,” Job 26:7
Motion:
A bouncing basketball, a rolling skateboard --- both have at least on thing in common. Something set them in motion. The universe has been set in motion. The Bible offers the logical answer when it proclaims. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).

Logic:
If the brain of man is a product of chance, is it reliable? How could we have confidence in the conclusion, "There is no God", if that conclusion is reached by a brain that just, by chance, happened into existence?

Design:
A house is not built without a builder. Our environment gives ample evidence of design. This suggests that it was created. The Bible says "... by God's Word the heavens existed and the earth was formed ..." (2 Peter 3:5).

Statistics:
The statistical odds are in favor of creation by a supreme being. Think! It is statistically impossible that our complex universe happened by chance. Consider this illustration: Place ten pennies marked one to ten, into your pocket and shuffle them. Try drawing them out one at a time, The chance of drawing “number one” is one in ten. The chance of drawing “one” and “two” in succession is one in one hundred. The chance of continuing drawing “two” and “three” in succession is one in one thousand. The chance of drawing them all from number “one” to number “ten” in succession would be one in ten billion.

In order for all the complex combinations that make up our world to come together in the proper order simply as the result of chance requires that we assume something that is statistically impossible!

Right and Wrong:
All of mankind tends to have a sense of right and wrong. What is the source of this moral awareness? Does it not suggest that a Creator designed man with this?

Inner Being:
It is natural for man to believe in the existence of God. This would suggest that a creator designed man with this capacity. Mankind the world over tends to feel a spiritual need. Why? The apostle Paul said, "The God who made the world and everything in it .. did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him ..." (Acts 17:24-27).
God Has Spoken

God has spoken in order that we may know of Him and His purpose for us. "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son ..." (Hebrews 1:1-2). God revealed Himself personally to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When He spoke directly to Moses, He described Himself as the “I Am” (Exodus 3:14). The personal name of God (YAHWEY) incorporates the Hebrew verb translated “I Am.” Thus God revealed His eternal nature and the Hebrew people believed Moses because they knew the eternal God who sent Moses to them in Egypt. The unerring and consistent nature of this message indicates a divine source.

God cause Job to think by asking him questions Job could not answer. We perceive something of God’s infinite knowledge and power when we read those same questions today. We may suppose we know some of the answers. “The springs of the sea” (Job 38:16) may refer to great sources of fresh water beneath the oceans. However, the significance here is not the answers to the questions, but in the questions themselves. IF God does not exist, then who in Job’s time (4,000 years ago) possessed the knowledge to ask the questions? With this in mind please consider some of the questions God asked Job:

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” (Job 38:4a)

“Who enclosed the sea with doors ...?” (Job 38:8a)

“ Have you entered the springs of the sea?
Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep?” (Job 38:16)

“Where is the way to the dwelling of light?” (Job 38:19)

“Who has put wisdom in the innermost being,
or has given understanding tot he mind?” (Job 38:36)

Fulfilled Prophecy
A prophecy fulfilled centuries following the death of a prophet indicates a source of knowledge beyond man. For example, David lived about one thousand years before Christ and wrote of the suffering of the Messiah and the dividing of His garments and casting lots for His robe (Psalm 22:18). Isaiah foretold the suffering of Christ and the purpose of His death about seven hundred years before the crucifixion (Isaiah 53:1-12). Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled two hundred and fifty prophecies concerning the coming Messiah.

The Heavens:
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands" (Psalms 19:1). The intricate design of our universe with its precision movement suggests an infinite source of knowledge and power. To assume it all happened by chance requires as much “faith” as is required to believe that a precision watch could assemble itself by chance.

The Powerful Word:
Which of the writings of men could truly be described as perfect? "The law of the Lord is perfect..." (Psalm 19:7a). Which of the writings of men contain a message of such merit as to bring about such unprecedented reformation of lives, such aspiring to noble ideals, such knowledge of sin and understanding of God's plan for forgiveness in Christ? Truly, "The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul ..." (Psalm 19:7a).

WHAT CAN YOU DO? You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body [collectively called the “churches of Christ” Romans 16:16),] assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please contact me at BibleTruths@hotmail.com or 253-396-0290 (cell). Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor.

Read more!

Bible Prophecies

One of the strongest unbiased evidences of Biblical inspiration and of the existence of God is the occurrence of fulfilled prophecy. The bible is essentially unique among the religious books of mankind in this respect. Some of them contain a few vague forecasts, but nothing comparable to the vast number of specific prophecies found in the Bible. The same is true of modern “prophets”, so-called. Such seers as Nostradamus, Jean Dixon, and others have made many predictions, but often they are obscure and capable of various meanings. A few of these “modern prophecies” seem to have been fulfilled in a general way, but most of them have completely failed.(1/181)

Prophets, to be legitimate, must stand the test of time. If the prophet was not 100% correct 100% of the time he is a false prophet. Prophecy, to be valid, must predate the event; must be precise enough so as to not be vague; must have enough events described to be beyond human ability to calculate or manipulate --- in other words not be something that man could do, without God's guidance.

Only God knows the future. He is able to “call the things that are not, as though they were” (Romans 4:17). He declares “the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done.” (Isaiah 46:10; Acts 15:18). If one can demonstrate the ability to always predict future things that find exact fulfillment, it would follow logically that such a person, in possession of this gift, would be speaking on the behalf of God. His message therefore, would be valid. (3/81-82) The Bible is God’s final prophetic word to humanity. Do not listen to those who claim special predictive abilities, or those who would twist the Scriptures in an effort to fulfill a personal prophetic agenda. There are many religions today that claim to have “prophets”, but remember for a prophet to be from God there can be no errors, ever! That lets out all of the “prophets” since the first century on.

Scholars suggest that there are about 1,000 prophecies altogether in the Bible --- some 800 in the Old Testament and about 200 in the New Testament. (3/82) It must be noted carefully that the gift of prophecy, clearly in operation during those by-gone ages when the Biblical scriptures were being prepared and validated as God’s Word. But the gift of prophecy was terminated near the end of the first century AD, when the New Testament was completed.(1 Corinthians 13:8-10)

PROPHECIES FULFILLED
BY JESUS CHRIST
The Old Testament, written over a 1,000 year period, contains over 300 references to the coming Messiah. All of these were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and they established a solid confirmation of His credentials as the Messiah; the Anointed One.

· One of the major Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ’s coming as the Messiah is from the book of Daniel. First, when Daniel recounted and interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he revealed that God would establish the Messianic kingdom during the time of the Roman Empire (i.e., the forth kingdom represented in the kings dream ---. Daniel 2:24-45). Roman domination of Palestine began in 63 BC, and the Empire continued until AD 476.

Second, the Christ was promised to come before “the septer” departed from Judah (Genesis 49:10). If this prophecy has reference to the Messiah (“Shiloh”) coming before Gods people lost their national sovereignty and judicial power (“septer”), then He had to come before the Jews last their power to execute capital punishment (John 18:31). When Rome deposed Archelaus in AD 6, Coponius was installed as Judea’s first procurator, “The ... procurator held the power of jurisdiction with regard to capital punishment” (Solomon 1972, 13:117). Hence, Christ was predicted to come before AD 6 (see also McDowell, 1972, PP 176-178).

Third, Daniel predicted that the Messiah would come, die, and bring and end to “sacrifice and offering” before the destruction of Jerusalem (cf. Daniel 9:24-27: Matthew 24:15; Jackson). Jerusalem was obliterated be Rome in AD 70.

Forth, the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem of Judea (Micah 5:2). It is a matter of historical record that Jesus was indeed born in Bethlehem while Palestine was under Roman rule, before Judah lost her judicial power, and before the destruction of Jerusalem (see also Matthew 2:3-6 and Luke 2:1-6). (7,45)

Many of the prophecies concerning the messiah were totally beyond human control, such as:
Birth: Place, time, manner of.
Death: Peoples reactions, piercing of side, burial
Resurrection: Where did His body go?

By using the modern science of probability in reference to just eight of these prophesies --- the chance that any man might have lived to fulfill all eight prophecies is one in one hundred trillion!

To illustrate this: If we take 100 trillion silver dollars --- and lay them on the face of Texas, they would be two feet deep. Now we mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly --- all over the state. Now blindfold a man and let him travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick only one silver dollar. What chance would he have of picking the right one? The same chance that the prophets would have of writing just eight of these prophecies and having them all come true for any one man --- if they had written them without God’s inspiration!

The chance of any one man fulfilling all of 48 prophecies is one in 10 to the 157 power. The electron is about as small an object as we can imagine. If we had a cubic inch of these electrons and tried to count them, it would take us (at 250 per minute) 19,000 time 19,000 time 19,000 years to count them. Now mark one of them, and thoroughly stir it into the whole mass. What chance does our blindfolded man have of finding the right electron? --- The same chance as one man of fulfilling 48 of the prophecies about Christ, without being the Son of God!

Jesus Christ fulfilled every prophecy written about the coming Messiah ---
over three hundred of them! Would that have been possible had He not been the Son of God?

Here is a short listing of some of the hundreds of prophecies concerning Christ:

Linage - Genesis 3:15; 9:26: 22:18; 26:4; 28:14; 49:10; 2 Samuel 7:12-16
Son of God - Psalm 2:6-7
Virgin birth - Isaiah 7:14
Birthplace - Micah 5:2
Piercing of side - Zechariah 12:10
Darkness - Psalm 22:2
Vinegar - Psalm 69:21
Mocking - Psalm 22:6-8
Nakedness Psalm 22:17
Gambling for clothes Psalm 22:18
Unbroken bones - Psalm 34:20
Burial Isaiah 53:9
Resurrection Psalm 16:10; Hosea 6:2; Psalm 30:3,9;
Isaiah 53:10
Assention to right hand of God- Psalm 110:1; 68:18; Proverbs 30:4; 24:3-10

JESUS CHRIST FULFILLED EVERY PROPHECY WRITTEN ABOUT THE COMING MESSIAH DOWN TO THE SMALLEST DETAIL --- OVER 300 OF THEM! Would that have been possible had He not been who He said He was, the Messiah --- God incarnate?

OTHER HISTORICAL PROPHECIES
In addition to the hundreds of Biblical prophecies that have been fulfilled in the past, there are a special class of predictions that focus on the events of what the Scriptures call “the last days”, “the latter times”, or other similar expressions. These prophecies also provide further evidence of Biblical inspiration, since many of them are being fulfilled right before our eyes! As more and more of these ancient predictions are seen coming to pass, the evidence for the Divine origin of the Bible is made stronger all the time.

THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF ISRAEL
The most important of these end-time prophecies, the re-establishment of Israel as a nation in its ancient homeland. That a nation could be completely destroyed as an organized entity by an invading army (by the Romans in 70 AD), it’s people either slaughtered or scattered from one end of the world to the other, it’s lands occupied and ruled by aliens for over 1900 years. Yet Israel survived as a distinct nationality, and then finally regained its homeland and became recognized as a viable nation once more by the other nations of the world. (1/191)

Seems impossible? Even so, it was predicted to happen many centuries before it happened. Jesus Himself predicted the fall of Jerusalem in Luke 19:43-44, “The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” Dueteronomy 28:64 prophesies “Then the Lord will scatter you among the nations from one end of the earth to the other.” Jesus again predicts in Luke 21:24, “They will fall by the sword and will be taken prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled.”(see also Romans 11:25; Isaiah 11:11).

The Jews began to return to Palestine in small numbers in the early part of the twentieth century, and then in much larger numbers after World War I. After World War II the Israeli nation was re-established in part in 1948, and in 1967 in the “six-day war” Israel recaptured the “old city” of Jerusalem. Amazingly, Jerusalem is now completely under Jewish control, except for one spot. This is on Mount Moriah where the Arabs have built their famous Dome-of-the-Rock, the second most holy place in the Muslim world. The Jews for political or other reasons have not yet dared to expel the Arabs from this site, raze it, and proceed to rebuild their temple, as they must want to do. (1/192-193) “Last Days Prophecy” is being fulfilled right before our eyes!

TYRE
In the 26th chapter of Ezekiel (592-570 BC) seven things are predicted to happen to the city of Tyre:
1) Nebuchadnezzar will destroy the mainland of Tyre (Ezekiel 26:8).
2) Many nations against Tyre (Ezekiel 26:3).
3) Make her a bare rock; flat like the top of a rock (Ezekiel 26:4).
4) Fishermen will spread their nets over the site (Ezekiel 26:5).
5) Throw the debris into the water (Ezekiel 26:12).
6) Never be rebuilt (Ezekiel 26:14).
7) Never be found again (Ezekiel 26:21) (2/285)

Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to mainland Tyre three years after the prophecy and after a 13 year siege (585-573 BC) Tyre made terms and acknowledged Babylonian authority over them.(4/xxii.,452) When Nebuchadnezzar broke the gates down, he found the city almost empty. The majority of the people had moved by ship to an island about a 1/2 mile off the coast and fortified a city there. The mainland city was destroyed in 573 BC, as predicted. The city of Tyre on the island remained a powerful city for several hundred years. (2/286)

Alexander the Great, in his war on Persia, marching southward called on each city to open their gates to him, as part of his plan to deny the use to the Persian fleet. Tyre refused to do so, and Alexander laid siege to the city. Possessing no fleet, he demolished old Tyre, on the mainland, and with the debris built a causeway 200 feet wide across the straits separating the old and new towns, erecting towers and war engines at the farther end. (4/xxii., 452) Tyre continually raided the causeway with fire-ships greatly retarding progress, until Alexander pressured conquered subjects to make ships for his operation. After attaining a superior naval force, Alexander finished the causeway, battered the walls of Tyre down killed eight thousand of the inhabitants and sold thirty thousand into slavery. (5/153)

A history book by a secular historian reads, "Alexander the Great ... reduced Tyre to ruins... the larger part of the site of the once great city is now bare as the top of a rock --- a place where fishermen now spread their nets to dry." (5/55) Another historian, John C. Beck, says, "The history of Tyre does not stop with after the conquest of Alexander. Men continue to rebuild her and armies continue to besiege her walls, until finally after sixteen hundred years, she falls never to be rebuilt again." (6/41)

All the prophecies of Ezekiel about Tyre have come true: Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the mainland city of Tyre; Many nations were against Tyre; Alexander made her a bare rock and threw debris into the water to make the causeway; fishermen now spread nets over the site; (there is a city of Tyre today, but it is located down the coast from the original Tyre) the old city of Tyre has never been rebuilt, even though a great freshwater spring are located at the site, providing 10,000,000 gallons daily. It is still an excellent site today but has never been rebuilt, although many have tried. All seven of the predictions came true in the minuest detail.

Some others examples of fulfilled Bible prophecy about history:
Sidon (Ezekiel 28:22-23);
Samaria (Hosea 13:16 &
Micah 1:6); br />Gaza-Ashkelon (Amos 1:8; Jeremiah 47:5;
Zephaniah 2:4);
Moab-Ammon (Ezekiel 25:3-4; Jeremiah 48:47 & 49:6);
Petra-Edom (Isaiah 34:6-15; Jeremaih 49:17-18;
Ezekiel 25:13-14 & 35:57);
Thebes-Memphis (Ezekiel 30:13-15);
Nineveh (Nahum 1:8-10; 2:6; 3:10; 3:13;
3:19);
Babylon(Daniel 2,7; Isaiah 13:19-22;
14:23; Jeremiah 51:26 & 43);
Chorazin-Bethsaida-Capernaum (Matthew 11:20-24 );
Jerusalem Enlargement(Jeremiah 31:38-40); and finally
Palestine (Leviticus 26:31-33 & Ezekiel 36:33-
35),
where the events are
happening before our eyes!

WHAT ABOUT?
Please ask your-self this: if all the historical, scientific, and prophetic statements made in the Bible are true and accurate; then what about the what the bible says about the choices that you make now (or don't make) --- that can affect your eternal future (life or death)? It is in your best interest to study it to find out what God requires of those who would be His children (Romans 8:14-16).

The PLAN OF SALVATION
as given in the Bible
1) HEAR THE GOSPEL (Mark 4:20,24; Luke 5:1; 8:21; John 5:24).

2) BELIEVE THE GOSPEL (Mark 1:15; 16:16; John 1:12;:29; 8:24;
Acts 16:31; Galatians 3:26).

3) REPENT OF YOUR SINS (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31).

4) CONFESS CHRIST (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9)

5) BE BAPTIZED FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS
(Acts 2:37-38; 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 12:13;
Acts 2:38; 8:38;16:33; Galatians 3:26-27).

6) HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF OBEDIENCE TO THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST (Matthew 5:6,16; 7:21;15:14; Luke 6:46-49; Hebrews 5:9; James 1:22;
Romans 2:13;12:1-2; 2 Peter 1:4-8; 3:17-18; Gal. 6:6-10; 1 John 1:9).

7) "CONTINUING STEADFASTLY" IN THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST, and therefore learning, and fellowship (Acts 2:42-46; 2 Peter 3:17-18; Gal. 6:6-10)

The Powerful Word:
Which of the writings of men could truly be described as perfect? "The law of the Lord is perfect..." (Psalm 19:7a). Which of the writings of men contain a message of such merit as to bring about such unprecedented reformation of lives, such aspiring to noble ideals, such knowledge of sin and understanding of God's plan for forgiveness in Christ? Truly, "The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul ..." (Psalm 19:7a).

WHAT CAN YOU DO? You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (<>Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body [collectively called the “churches of Christ” Romans 16:16),] assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please contatct me at BibleTruths@hotmail.com or 253-396-0290 (cell). Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor.


References
1) Morris, Henry M., “Many Infallible Proofs”, San Diego: Creation Life Publishers, 1974
2) McDowell, Josh, ”Evidence that Demands a Verdict”, Campus Crusades for Christ, Arrowhead Springs, San Bernardino, Ca 92414, 1972
3) Jackson, Wayne, “Reason & Revelation Vol. Xv, No. 11, 1995”, “Prophecies - True and False”, Apologetics Press, 230 Landmark Dr., Montgomery, AL 36117
4) Encyclopedia Britanicia, 1970
5) Myers, Philip Van Ness, “General History for Colleges and High Schools”, Boston: Ginn and Company, 1889.
6) Beck, John Clark, Jr., “The Fall of Tyre According to Ezekiel’s Prophecy”, Unpublished Master’s Thesis, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1971.
7) Brominling, Brad T., “Reason and Revelation Vol. XI, No 12, 1991”, “The Prophet’s Portrait of Christ”, Apologetics Press, 230 Landmark Dr., Montgomery, AL 36117

Read more!