OceanSide church of Christ

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (9)

Victor M. Eskew

INTRODUCTION

A.          Bible questions fall into many different categories.

1.            Some are simple:  Is faith necessary to salvation?

2.            Some are subjective:  Should a person study the Bible 30 minutes or 60 minutes each day?

3.            Some are complex:  Can Jesus be seen in very book of the Bible?

4.            Some are difficult:  Explain the difference between the soul and spirit.

B.           In our Q & A series, we have asked you to submit your questions.  You have done a great job in presenting them.  They have fallen into each category.

C.          It is my hope that I have Biblically answered your questions.  This is my responsibility as a preacher of the gospel.

I.        THE ANTICHRIST.  WHO IS HE?  HAS HE COME YET?  WHAT DOES, DID, OR WILL HE DO?  IS THERE MORE THAN ONE?

 

A.          A Bible answer to these questions is relatively simple. 

1.            The word “antichrist” or “antichrists” is used five times in four verses in the New Testament.

2.            Three verses define “what” the antichrist is (I John 2:22; 4:3; II John 7).

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.  This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

3.            There are religious groups that teach that the antichrist has not yet come.  John taught that they were in existence in the first century.

a.         I John 2:18

Little children, it is the last time:  and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

                                    b.         I John 4:3

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:  and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4.            The antichrist was nothing more than a general spirit of unbelief.  It especially opposed the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

5.            Such a spirit was at work in the first century, and it continues to be manifested today.

B.           There are those today who are looking for “the” antichrist.

1.            Some facts they present about him:

a.         He is a specific person.

b.         He is to be an evil world dictator.

c.         He has not come to power.

d.         His rule will be a sign of the imminent return of Christ.

2.         Many world leaders have been referred to as the antichrist by those who hold to dispensational premillennialism (Handout).

3.         The premillennial concept of an antichrist does not harmonize with John’s teachings about him.  Because of this, premillennialists will not appeal to the verses that specifically mention the antichrist when they discuss their doctrine.

a.         They believe the antichrist is one man.  John says that many antichrists existed in the first century.

b.         They believe the antichrist has not come.  In the first century, John said:  “…even now already is it in the world” (I John 4:3).

c.         They believe the antichrist will signal the Lord’s return.  It has been almost 2000 years since the presence of the antichrist in the first century and Jesus has not returned.

C.          The reality is that any man can be an antichrist.  When we oppose God, the Christ, His teachings, the church, etc., we are “anti” Christ.  God’s face is against all who come against him.

II.      WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE FAITHFUL?  CAN I SIMPLY ATTEND ALL THE SERVICES AND CALL MYSELF FAITHFUL?

A.          A passage was referred to by the one asking the question, Revelation 2:10.

…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown life.

B.           This is an interesting question because the definition humans give the word “faithful” often seems to be very subjective.

1.            Some base it solely upon whether they believe they have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  It has nothing to do with what, or how much, they do for the cause of Christ.

2.            Congregations have devised an apparent standard of faithfulness for their members.  It involves attending the A.M. worship services and not being engaged in public sin.  As long as a member does these two things, he will never be the subject of disciplinary action.

3.            Most desire a faithfulness checklist.  They want to be able to check off all that is on the list and be considered faithful.

C.        Webster has a comprehensive definition of “faithful.”

1.         Full of faith

2.         Steadfast in affection or allegiance

3.         Firm adherence to promises or in observance of duty:  conscientious

            D.        If we develop a checklist, perhaps it should involve the following items:           

                        1.         Belief in every fact that God ever sets forth.

                                    a.         Several facts that must be initially believed.

1)         That God is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).

                                                2)         That Jesus is the Son of the living God (John 8:24).

3)         The facts of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (I Cor. 15:1-4).

b.         Many other facts:  essential nature of baptism to salvation, the oneness of the church, Christ’s kingdom is not of this world, etc.

                        2.         Initial obedience to the gospel of Christ (Acts 16:15).

And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there.  And she contrained us.

                        3.         A student of the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

4.            Complete affection for God.

a.         Mark 12:30

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:  this is the first commandment.

b.         It cannot be a love that is divided between God and the world (I John 2:15).

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the

love of the Father is not in him.

5.            Steadfast allegiance to God (I Cor. 15:58).

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

6.            Firm adherence to duty (Matt. 24:45-46).

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

7.            Diligent use of talents (Matt. 25:21, 23).

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:  thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:  enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

8.            Responsible in little things (Luke 16:10).

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:  and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

9.            Firm trust in the reliability of God’s promises (Rom. 4:18).

Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

D.          The members of the body of Christ who will apply these principles can be sure to be counted among God’s faithful in the last day.

CONCLUSION

A.          In these two questions, we have seen the two major components of Christianity:  doctrine and life.

B.           In our last question, we saw the two divisions of faithfulness:  initial obedience to the gospel and dedicated and diligent living until death.


 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (9)

Victor M. Eskew

INTRODUCTION

A.                Bible questions fall into many different categories.

1.                 Some are simple:  Is faith necessary to salvation?

2.                 Some are subjective:  Should a person study the Bible 30 minutes or 60 minutes each day?

3.                 Some are complex:  Can Jesus be seen in very book of the Bible?

4.                 Some are difficult:  Explain the difference between the soul and spirit.

B.                In our Q & A series, we have asked you to submit your questions.  You have done a great job in presenting them.  They have fallen into each category.

C.                It is my hope that I have Biblically answered your questions.  This is my responsibility as a preacher.

I.                 THE ANTICHRIST.  WHO IS HE?  HAS HE COME YET?  WHAT DOES, DID, OR WILL HE DO?  IS THERE MORE THAN ONE?

A.                A Bible answer to these questions is relatively simple. 

1.                 The word “antichrist” or “antichrists” is used five times in four verses in the New Testament.

2.                 Three verses define “what” the antichrist is (I John 2:22; 4:3; II John 7).

3.                 There are religious groups that teach that the antichrist has not yet come.  John taught that they were in existence in the first century (I John 2:28; 4:3).

4.                 The antichrist was nothing more than a general spirit of unbelief.  It especially opposed the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

5.                 Such a spirit worked in the first century, and it works today.

B.                There are those today who are looking for “the” antichrist.

1.                 Some facts they present about him:  a)  A specific person, b)  An evil world dictator, c)  Has not come to power, and 4) Will be a sign of the imminent return of Christ.

2.                 Many world leaders have been referred to as the antichrist by those who hold to dispensational premillennialism (Handout).

3.                 The premillennial concept of an antichrist does not harmonize with John’s teachings about him.  Because of this, premillennialists will not appeal to the verses that specifically mention the antichrist when they discuss their doctrine.

a.                 They believe the antichrist is one man.  John says that many antichrists existed in the first century.

b.                 They believe the antichrist has not come.  In the first century, John said:  “…even now already is it in the world” (I John 4:3).

c.                 They believe the antichrist will signal the Lord’s return.  It has been almost 2000 years since the presence of the antichrist in the first century and Jesus has not returned.

C.                The reality is that any man can be an antichrist.  When we oppose God, the Christ, His teachings, the church, etc., we are “anti” Christ.  God’s face is against all who come against him.

II.                WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE FAITHFUL?  CAN I SIMPLY ATTEND ALL THE SERVICES AND CALL MYSELF FAITHFUL?

A.                A passage was referred to by the one asking the question, Revelation 2:10.

B.                This is an interesting question because the definition humans give the word “faithful” often seems to be very subjective.

1.                 A relationship with Jesus Christ.

2.                 Congregational standard:  Attend A.M. Worship and do not commit public sin.

3.                 Most desire a faithfulness checklist.

C.                Webster has a comprehensive definition of “faithful.”

1.                 Full of faith

2.                 Steadfast in affection or allegiance

3.                 Firm adherence to promises or in observance of duty:  conscientious

                    D.                If we develop a checklist, perhaps it should involve the following items: 

                                        1.                 Belief in every fact that God ever sets forth.

                                                            a.                 Several facts that must be initially believed.

1)                That God is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).

                                                                                2)                That Jesus is the Son of the living God (John 8:24).

3)                The facts of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (I Cor. 15:1-4).

b.                 Many other facts:  essential nature of baptism to salvation, the oneness of the church, Christ’s kingdom is not of this world, etc.

                                        2.                 Initial obedience to the gospel of Christ (Acts 16:15).

                                        3.                 A student of the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).

4.                 Complete affection for God.

a.                 Mark 12:30

b.                 It cannot be a love that is divided (I John 2:15).

5.                 Steadfast allegiance to God (I Cor. 15:58).

6.                 Firm adherence to duty (Matt. 24:45-46).

7.                 Diligent use of talents (Matt. 25:21, 23).

8.                 Responsible in little things (Luke 16:10).

9.                 Firm trust in the reliability of God’s promises (Rom. 4:18).

E.                 The members of the body of Christ who will apply these principles can be sure to be counted among God’s faithful in the last day.

CONCLUSION

A.                In these two questions, we have seen the two major components of Christianity:  doctrine and life.

B.                In our last question, we saw the two divisions of faithfulness:  initial obedience to the gospel and dedicated and diligent living until death.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (9)

Victor M. Eskew

INTRODUCTION

A.                Bible questions fall into many different categories.

1.                 Some are __________________:  Is faith necessary to salvation?

2.                 Some are __________________:  Should a person study the Bible 30 minutes or 60 minutes each day?

3.                 Some are __________________:  Can Jesus be seen in very book of the Bible?

4.                 Some are __________________:  Explain the difference between the soul and spirit.

B.                In our Q & A series, we have asked you to submit your questions.  You have done a great job in presenting them.  They have fallen into each category.

C.                It is my hope that I have Biblically answered your questions.  This is my responsibility as a preacher.

I.                 THE ANTICHRIST.  WHO IS HE?  HAS HE COME YET?  WHAT DOES, DID, OR WILL HE DO?  IS THERE MORE THAN ONE?

A.                A Bible answer to these questions is relatively simple. 

1.                 The word “antichrist” or “antichrists” is used _______ times in __________ verses in the New Testament.

2.                 _____________ verses define “what” the antichrist is (I John 2:22; 4:3; II John 7).

3.                 There are religious groups that teach that the antichrist has not yet come.  John taught that they were in existence in the first century (I John 2:28; 4:3).

4.                 The antichrist was nothing more than a general __________ of _________.  It especially opposed the _________________ of Jesus Christ.

5.                 Such a spirit worked in the first century, and it works today.

B.                There are those today who are looking for “the” antichrist.

1.                 Some facts they present about him:  a)  A specific person, b)  An evil world dictator, c)  Has not come to power, and 4) Will be a sign of the imminent return of Christ.

2.                 Many world ________________ have been referred to as the antichrist by those who hold to dispensational premillennialism (Handout).

3.                 The premillennial concept of an antichrist does not harmonize with John’s teachings about him.  Because of this, premillennialists will not appeal to the verses that specifically mention the antichrist when they discuss their doctrine.

a.                 They believe the antichrist is ______ man.  John says that many antichrists existed in the first century.

b.                 They believe the antichrist has _________ come.  In the first century, John said:  “…even now already is it in the world” (I John 4:3).

c.                 They believe the antichrist will signal the Lord’s __________.  It has been almost 2000 years since the presence of the antichrist in the first century and Jesus has not returned.

C.                The reality is that _________  _________ can be an antichrist.  When we oppose God, the Christ, His teachings, the church, etc., we are “anti” Christ.  God’s face is against all who come against him.

II.                WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE FAITHFUL?  CAN I SIMPLY ATTEND ALL THE SERVICES AND CALL MYSELF FAITHFUL?

A.                A passage was referred to by the one asking the question, Revelation _______:10.

B.                This is an interesting question because the definition humans give the word “faithful” often seems to be _______________.

1.                 A ___________________ with Jesus Christ.

2.                 Congregational standard:  Attend _______________ Worship and do not commit ______________ sin.

3.                 Most desire a faithfulness ________________.

C.                Webster has a comprehensive definition of “faithful.”

1.                 __________ of faith

2.                 Steadfast in _________________ or allegiance

3.                 Firm adherence to promises or in observance of _____________:  conscientious

                    D.                If we develop a checklist, perhaps it should involve the following items: 

                                        1.                 Belief in every _________ that God ever sets forth.

                                                            a.                 Several facts that must be ________________ believed.

1)                That God is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).

                                                                                2)                That Jesus is the Son of the living God (John 8:24).

3)                The facts of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (I Cor. 15:1-4).

b.                 Many other facts:  essential nature of baptism to salvation, the oneness of the church, Christ’s kingdom is not of this world, etc.

                                        2.                 Initial _______________ to the gospel of Christ (Acts 16:15).

                                        3.                 A ________________ of the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).

4.                 Complete ________________ for God.

a.                 Mark 12:30

b.                 It cannot be a love that is __________________ (I John 2:15).

5.                 Steadfast _________________ to God (I Cor. 15:58).

6.                 Firm adherence to __________________ (Matt. 24:45-46).

7.                 Diligent use of ___________________ (Matt. 25:21, 23).

8.                 Responsible in ________________ things (Luke 16:10).

9.                 Firm trust in the reliability of God’s _____________________ (Rom. 4:18).

E.                The members of the body of Christ who will apply these principles can be sure to be counted among God’s faithful in the last day.

CONCLUSION

A.                In these two questions, we have seen the two major components of Christianity:  ________________ and ________.

B.                In our last question, we saw the two divisions of faithfulness:  __________ obedience to the gospel and dedicated and diligent _________________ until death.