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.