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7 Basic Bible Facts EVERY Christian should KNOW and BELIEVE

FACT NO. 1 - The the Bible MUST be rightly divided in order for it to make sense. Notice what it says: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed , RIGHTLY DIVIDING the Word of Truth." (2 Tim. 2:15) This is one of the cardinal rules for interpreting the WHOLE Bible. Neglect of this rule or a faulty use of it will lead to only one result, CONFUSION, since our God is not the author of confusion.

The reason for a right division of the Bible is because of God's two distinct purposes: 1.) His purpose concerning Israel adn the world according to PROPHECY, and 2.) His purpose concerning the Gentiles in this present age according to the MYSTERY revealed to Paul. God doesn't want us to confuse the teaching of these two purposes. He has very graciously given us the key for a proper understanding of this.

FACT NO.2 - That the DISTINCTIVENESS of Pauline truth is the most important doctrine of the Bible. The risen Lord Jesus Christ revealed His heart and His mind to the Apostle Paul : "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man , neither wsas I taught it by the REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST" (Gal. 1:11.12) "If ye have hearf of the dispensation of the the grace of God which is given me to you -ward; how that BY REVELATION He made known unto me the MYSTERY...." (Eph. 3:2,3)

This proves conclusively that Paul did not preach what the 12 Apostles preached. Rather he went up to Jerusalem to TELL THEM of the special gospel of grace that Christ gave to him (Gal. 2:2) . He preached Jesus Christ acording to the REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY which was kept secret, hid in God ..." (Romans 16:25; Eph. 3:9) He was the Apostle to the Gentiles and magnified his office (Rom. 11:13)

FACT NO. 3 - That the gospel WE are to preach is called the Gospel of the GRACE of God. "But none of these theings move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus Christ, to testify of the GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD." (Acts 20:24) This is God's ONLY message for the lost in this present age. We are to follow Paul as he followed Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). In Paul's writings alone do we find the doctrine, position, walk and destiny of the Christian.

Some other important aspects of grace are:

1. We are saved by GRACE (Eph. 2:8,9)
2. We are justified freely by His GRACE (Rom. 3:24; Titus 3:7)
3. His GRACE is sufficient for us (2 Cor 12:9)
4. We are not under LAW but under GRACE (Rom. 6:14,15)
5. This is the age of GRACE (Eph 3:2)
6. We are to approach the throne of GRACE in prayer (Heb. 4:16)

FACT NO. 4 - That the Bible definitely teaches that water baptism was and is a part of Israel's religion (Heb. 6:2; 9;10) It wsas for the remission of sins and was by sprinkling (Mark 1:4; Acts 2;38; Ezek. 36:25)

In this age there is only ONE baptism, not two: "One Lord, one faith, ONE BAPTISM" (Eph. 4:5) This baptism is the placing of the Christian into the Church, the Body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit. "For by one SPIRIT are we all BAPTIZED INTO ONEBODY, whether we be Jews or gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been ALL made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Cor. 12:13) This baptism takes place once for all at the time of salvation.

The Apostle Paul was not sent to baptize with water. " For Christ sent me NOT TO BAPTIZE but to preach the gospel.." (1 Cor. 1:17) ONLY a change in God's purpose would necessitate a statement like this. There is no importance attached to water baptism today. It is NOT a part of Christianity and only causes confusion.

FACT NO. 5 - That we must understand the two-fold ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. During His earthly ministry He ministered EXCLUSIVELY to Israel. "But He answered and said , I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the HOUSE OF ISRAEL." (Matt. 15:24) His whole ministry to the Nation was under the LAW of Moses (Matt. 5:17; Gal. 4:4,5) Christians are not under the law so we are no tto live according to Israel's teachings.

During His ministry in Heaven, He is ministering according to what He revealed to the Apostle Paul. He is saving men according to His gospel of GRACE. He is at the throne of grace making intercession for us. (Rom. 8:34) We are to live in Paul's epistles where pure Christianity is found. This is not to say that we should neglect the rest of the Bible. It is ALL for us but not all TO us. (1 Cor. 10:6,11)

FACT NO. 6 - That SIGNS belong to the Nation of Israel and its religion: "For the JEWS REQUIRE A SIGN, and the Gentiles seek after wisdom ." (1 Cor. 1:22) Speaking in tongues is a SIGN: "Wherefore TONGUES are for a SIGN, not to them that believe but to them that believe not." (1 Cor. 14:22)

In Jesus' day, those who sought after signs were called an evil and adulterous generation (Matt. 12:39) The eight miracles of the Gospel of John are properly called SIGNS, which included the rising of Lazarus srom the dead: and in the commission of Mark 16:15-18, water baptism is associated with SIGNS. This is proved in the book of Acts because everywhere water baptism is mentioned a SIGN is mentioned in the immediate context.

This PRESENT age is a signless age. We have been blessed with all SPIRITUAL blessings in the heavenlies in Christ (Eph. 1:3). This is where the emphasis lies for the Christian today.

FACT NO. 7 - That the COMMISSION the Church, the Body of Christ, is to work under is found in 2 Cor. 5:14-21 and Ephesians 3:9. The KINGDOM commission of Matthew 28:19-20 adn Mark 16:15-18 does not belong to God's present grace purpose. The message of RECONCILIATION has been committed to US, the Body of Christ.

The RESULTS of knowing and believing these 7 things :

1. The Christian will begin to perceive and grasp the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2:10-12)

2. There will be a wonderful growth into spiritual maturity and adulthood (Eph. 4:12-15)

3. You will become a faithful steward of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 2:7; 4:1,2)

4. You will possess the BIBLICAL answer to Satan's false cults like Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Christian Scientists, Unitarians, Modernists, etc. They all borrow some aspects of Israel's religion.

5. A mighty revival might take place if Christians would get BACK to Pauline truth.

Robert Brock