• The Bible is our rule of faith
• And Christ alone is Lord.
• All we are equal in His sight
• When we obey his word

1. The Bible is the INSPIRED WORD OF GOD, and the FOUNDATION for instruction in the Christian Faith. (II Tim. 3:16)

2. The Bible is a moving CHRONICLE, telling the stories of God’s work in Israel, Jesus Christ, and the Church.

ABOUT GOD, THE FATHER:

1. Biblical names for God:

• I AM (Exodus 3:14)
• GOD ALMIGHTY (Genesis 17:1)
• LORD OUR MAKER (Psalm 95:6)
• FATHER, ABBA (Luke 11:2)
• RULER, KING OF KINGS
• LORD MOST HIGH (I Tim. 6:15)

2. It is important to know that God is a PERSONALITY, an IDENTIFIABLE BEING, someone whom we can know something about.

3. We can know something of God as we observe what He has CREATED and is still CREATING.

4. He is the God who DISCLOSES HIMSELF to us. He wants us to KNOW him personally. This self-disclosure is called REVELATION.

5. Scripture affirms that God is ONE – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

ABOUT GOD---THE SON, JESUS CHRIST:

1. When we want to know who God is and what God is like, we look to JESUS.

Hebrews 1: "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, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word."

2. In the Gospels – the 1st four books of the New Testament- we find the record of the life of Jesus Christ, his teachings and his example. From these stores we learn things about God, the Father.

• If God is like Jesus, then God is DEPENDABLE (Matt. 4:1-4)
• If God is like Jesus, then God is COMPASSIONATE (Matt. 23-25)
• If God is like Jesus, then God RESPONDS TO OUR REQUESTS (Matt. 7:7-12)

3. Jesus is the GOD / MAN. (Matt. 16:13-15)

Jesus was fully and completely HUMAN, yet he did not SIN.

• Physically he was born as we are. (Matt. 1:25)
• Obeyed his parents. (Luke 2:52)
• Ate, became tired, slept, wept, frustrated, angry, joyful and was tempted. (Mark 4:35-41, Luke 24:42-43)
• Though he was fully human, Jesus did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

Jesus was fully and completely DIVINE.

• Born of a virgin (Matt. 1:18-21, Luke 1:30-35)
• Identified by God as His Son (Matt. 3:16-17, 17:1-5)
• Claimed divinity for himself “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30-33)
• Apostles affirmed Christ’s Deity (Phil. 2:5-11, II Peter 1:1, Rev. 22:13,16)

4. Jesus is the SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT all humankind.

• Through His Crucifixion, he showed his love for us and paid for our sins. (John 19:28-30)
• He actually died and was buried (John 19:38-41)
• He was raised from the grave – bodily (John 19:19-20)
• He ascended bodily to heaven, to sit at the right hand of God, the Father mediating on our behalf. (Acts 1:9)

5. How to receive Christ:

• Admit your need (“I am a sinner”) and turn from your sins (Repent). (Acts 3:19)
• Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross. (John 3:36)
• Confess your sins. (I John 1:9)
• In prayer, through faith, invite Jesus Christ to come into your life and control your life through the Holy Spirit (receive him as Savior and Lord of your life). (John 1:12)

ABOUT GOD---THE HOLY SPIRIT:

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Triune God. Through the work of the Holy Spirit we EXPERIENCE God personally.

The Holy Spirit is the COMFORTER and COUNSELOR for the believer. (John 14:16)

The Holy Spirit is the CONVICTOR of sin. (John 16:8)

The Holy Spirit is the SANCTIFIER. (Hebrews 9:13)

ABOUT SANCTIFICATION AND HOLINESS:

Three purposes of the in filling of the Holy Spirit:

1. PURITY – A spiritual and moral cleansing of the believer: attitudes, mindsets, habits, and spirit.

Sanctification is a word used in the Old Testament to describe the act of purifying utensils and setting them aside for God’s sole use. Paul wrote in I Thess. 4:3-4 “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable...”

Moral and attitudinal purity are not possible outside the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit.

2. POWER FOR WITNESSING – (Acts 1:8) Witnessing is letting other persons know what God has done in Christ, telling the story of God’s love and grace.

3. UNITY OF BELIEVERS – (John 17:11)

• “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.”
• Unity is a oneness of spirit and purpose among followers of Christ, even in the face of differences of tradition and doctrine.
• The unity of believers can only be achieved through the work of the Holy Spirit among them.

What is Holiness?

1. Holiness is a CHRISTIAN MATURITY that comes through the in filling of the Holy Spirit. It is not human or super-human perfection.

The Church of God teaches that when one is filled with the Spirit one is saved from a life of sinning and empowered to live righteously.

2. Sanctification does not free us from SIN. But the power of temptation is no longer dominant in the believers life.

3. Sanctification does not mean that we NEVER SIN. It does mean that we are freed from the dominance of Satan and can choose, with the Spirit’s power, not to sin.

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. (Romans 6:1-2,12)

How Does one Receive the Holy Spirit?

1. Recognize the Bible calls for a Spirit-filled life for every Christian
2. Ask God to give you all He has promised in cleansing power.
3. Specifically pray that God will fill you with the Holy Spirit.
4. Accept the in filling of the Holy Spirit by faith.
5. Through worship, Bible study, prayer, and participation in the Body of Christ, intentionally seek God’s power to live the pure and Spirit-empowered life