Study on Grace

8/13/2019 Study on Grace

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A Study on GraceWritten by T.O.D. Johnston

A concise study on the subject of Grace, based on the bookGrace by Leis S!erry "hafer in #$%%. The book is tota&&y based onScri!ture. 'y !ur!ose as to di(est and concise&y co)er the *osti*!ortant !oints of this &en(thy study of the subject of Grace. A&&the a!!ro!riate Scri!ture is inc&uded.

+ead the book Grace by Leis S!erry "hafer here htt!-barti*aeus.us!ub/do*(race/!#.ht*&

The author of this study on Grace, T.O.D. Johnston, has been astudent of Scri!ture since #$0%, and as &icensed to !reach theGos!e& by 1aran 2a!tist "hurch on 'ay %3, #$0$. 4e as an art teacherfor o)er 56 years in 7&orence Schoo& District 5. 4e no enjoyss!endin( his ti*e ith his ife, and at his studio on ##8 Sau&s St,Lake "ity, S".

htt!-bib&estudy&essons!df.co*htt!-.!aranba!tistchurch.co*

1ub&ished by Oen Johnston 9 htt!-oenjohnstonkarate.co*This docu*ent is a ork in !ro(ress 9 :ersion 6.$.$.$bLast u!dated 9 ;o)e*ber


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%A Study on Grace 9 Lesson =

The (race of God !ro)ides sa&)ation throu(h the sacrifice of"hrist, free&y, by faith. God has (i)en instruction to thesebe&ie)ers as to ho to &i)e in res!onse to their ne standin( andhea)en&y ca&&in( in "hrist. They are to be obedient chi&dren to the4ea)en&y 7ather, to be (uided by 4is S!irit.

To the or&d >and a&& other re&i(ions?, "hristians are obser)edand jud(ed accordin( to outard orks. They see just another syste*of orks to earn sa&)ation and a ticket to hea)en. This is s!iritua&b&indness. =t cannot be hea&ed by obser)ation or kno&ed(e. A&& otherre&i(ions ha)e &ists or ru&es, a&so.

S!iritua& si(ht and understandin( co*es on&y throu(h the*inistry of the Word of God and the 4o&y S!irit. The be&ie)errecei)es the S!irit that they i&& kno the thin(s of God, (i)en usfree&y in "hrist-

= "orinthians %-$,#6,#<

$ 2ut as it is ritten,@ye hath not seen, nor ear heard,neither ha)e entered into the heart of *an,the thin(s hich God hath !re!ared for the* that &o)e hi*.#6 2ut God hath re)ea&ed the* unto us by his S!irit- for the S!iritsearcheth a&& thin(s, yea, the dee! thin(s of God.#< 2ut the natura& *an recei)eth not the thin(s of the S!irit ofGod- for they are foo&ishness unto hi*- neither can he kno the*,because they are s!iritua&&y discerned.

John 5-5

5 Jesus ansered and said unto hi*, :eri&y, )eri&y, = say untothee, @Bce!t a *an be born a(ain, he cannot see the kin(do* of God.

=t is on&y the 4o&y S!irit that is !ro*ised to us into a&&truth. 4e is ca&&ed the S!irit of Truth. 4e i&& s!eak of the (&oriesof God and the b&essin(s of 4is sa&)ation in "hrist Jesus, and i&&sho us thin(s to co*e >see John #3-#5#C?.

So be it, A*en.

The Word is the seed that is s!read by hearin( or readin( to thehu*an *ind >as different as each !erson, as described by thedifferent soi&s in the !arab&e of the Soer?. The S!irit aters ande*!oers the seed to s!rout. =n ferti&e soi&, it (ros into the heartand beco*es a &i)in(, *aturin( !&ant to !roduce fruit. :arious otherconditions and distractions are described as !re)entin( the s!routand a ne &ife. The 4o&y S!irit continues to (uide and e*!oer the


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5A Study on Grace 9 Lesson = continued

ne &ife, and God (rants the increase.

= John %-%0

%0 2ut the anointin( hich ye ha)e recei)ed of hi* abideth in you,and ye need not that any *an teach you- but as the sa*e anointin(teacheth you of a&& thin(s, and is truth, and is no &ie, and e)en asit hath tau(ht you, ye sha&& abide in hi*.

Sa&)ation is not the resu&t of the ork of *an for God. =t isthe (ift of God- by (race, throu(h faith.

'odernis* dec&ares that anyone that has !ursued the !ro!ereducation are then ua&ified to be an authority in that subject. Thishas &ed *any inte&&i(ent and educated *en >*ost&y? to teach and rite

about "hristianity and the 2ib&e ithout knoin(, understandin(, ore)en reco(niEin( thin(s of a s!iritua&, *iracu&ous, or di)ine nature.They can be ca&&ed unre(enerate and s!iritua&&y b&ind. They are &eftith a syste* of ethics as the (reatest benefit of "hristianity to*odern society. This is the &i*it of their ritin(, teachin(, and!reachin(. Their "hurches beco*e a se&fi*!ro)e*ent society. The (oa&is to (ro and *ake the ho&e cu&ture and beha)ior better and better9 a !aradise on earth. The 4u*an =*!ro)e*ent Society. They a&soreco(niEe the (ood ad)ise and ru&es of other re&i(ions, as different>but not bad or fa&se? ays to God.


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the "hurch? is to *ake increase ofthe body >see @!hesians


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8A Study on Grace 9 Lesson ===

Grace cha!ter %, continued.

The !ur!ose of God shos forth the eBceedin( riches of 4is(race. =t (oes far beyond the boundaries of this a(e and inc&udes theho&e of creation, the !reser)ation, and consu**ation of theuni)erse. "hrist is the center, cause, !ur!ose and benefactor of a&&creation.

"o&ossians #-#3,#0.#3 for by hi* ere a&& thin(s created, that are in hea)en, and thatare in earth, )isib&e and in)isib&e, hether they be thrones, ordo*inions, or !rinci!a&ities, or !oers- a&& thin(s ere created byhi*, and for hi*-#0 and he is before a&& thin(s, and by hi* a&& thin(s consist-

Throu(h the b&ood of 4is cross, 4e is to reconci&e a&& thin(sunto 4i*se&f. 4e as the La*b s&ain fro* the foundation of the or&d.

The (ood orks of the redee*ed !roc&ai* the Gos!e& of GodFssa)in( (race. G&ory i&& be (i)en to the Lord for 4is a&&sur!assin(&o)e. This fro* 4is incarnation as a hu*an, a ser)ant, hu*b&e,obedient unto e)en death on the cross. God then hi(h&y eBa&ted 4i*,4is ;a*e abo)e e)ery na*e in a&& of creation.

1hi&i!!ians %-3##.3 ho, bein( in the for* of God, thou(ht it not robbery to beeua& ith God-

0 but *ade hi*se&f of no re!utation, and took u!on hi* the for* ofa ser)ant, and as *ade in the &ikeness of *en-8 and bein( found in fashion as a *an, he hu*b&ed hi*se&f, andbeca*e obedient unto death, e)en the death of the cross.$ Wherefore God a&so hath hi(h&y eBa&ted hi*, and (i)en hi* a na*ehich is abo)e e)ery na*e-#6 that at the na*e of Jesus e)ery knee shou&d bo, of thin(s inhea)en, and thin(s in earth, and thin(s under the earthH## and that e)ery ton(ue shou&d confess that Jesus "hrist is Lord,to the (&ory of God the 7ather.

4ebres #-%,5.% hath in these &ast days s!oken unto us by his Son, ho* he hatha!!ointed heir of a&& thin(s, by ho* a&so he *ade the or&dsH5 ho bein( the bri(htness of his (&ory, and the eB!ress i*a(e ofhis !erson, and u!ho&din( a&& thin(s by the ord of his !oer, henhe had by hi*se&f !ur(ed our sins, sat don on the ri(ht hand of the'ajesty on hi(hH


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$A Study on Grace 9 Lesson === continued

The co*!&ete shoin( forth >*anifestation? of di)ine (race i&&be re)ea&ed hen "hrist is to(ether ith 4is transfor*ed body >the"hurch? in 4ea)en. The res!onse- 4is eBceedin( joy >see Jude #-%


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#6A Study on Grace 9 Lesson === continued

%.? The con)ictin( ork of the 4o&y S!irit. The Gos!e& isi&&u*inated in the *ind and heart of the unsa)ed. 4e con)inces ofsin, ri(hteousness, and jud(*ent. >John #3-0##.? On&y in this *annercan the b&ind and dark sou& be &ed into the (&orious &i(ht of "hrist>== "orinthians


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##A Study on Grace 9 Lesson === continued

Gos!e& in any ay, unre)okab&e anathe*a is !ronounced u!on that!erson >see Ga&atians #-8,$?.

The Word of God is the bread of &ife to those ho be&ie)e- it isthe Truth. =t shos the True Way. =t i*!arts the True Way of Life in"hrist Jesus our Lord, both no and fore)er*ore.

Thus the &o)e of God shon forth by 4is (race in !ro)idin(for(i)eness and eterna& &ife ith 4i* in the Gos!e& of 4is Son.


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#%A Study on Grace 9 Lesson =:

Grace, cha!ter 5. Safekee!in( in Grace.

+o*ans C-% by ho* a&so e ha)e access by faith into this(race herein e stand, and rejoice in ho!e of the (&ory of God.>See a&so = 1eter C-#%.? This ord a&so eB!resses the condition ofcontinuin( and endurin(. To stay, ithout chan(in(, as standin(. Thisis the ork of God, throu(h the !oer of the inde&&in( 4o&y S!irit.4u*an effort or abi&ity has no !oer to attain the standin( ofsa&)ation than it has the abi&ity to *aintain it >a ri(ht standin(?before God. GodFs sa)in( *inistry of (race inc&udes and (uarantees4is kee!in( *inistry of (race.

So*e theo&o(ica& syste*s. They describe the kee!in( of sa&)ationas bein( conditioned on hu*an effort or orks. On&y hi&e and if youare F(oodF enou(h do you stay sa)ed. This be&ief *akes it i*!ossib&eto (ro in understandin( and *aturity concernin( the certainty of

GodFs kee!in( !oer fro* the *o*ent of sa&)ation into the eterna&state. To utter&y refute the ron( syste*, *ore detai& i&& shoc&ear&y the kee!in( !oer of God. A&& !rinci!&es of (race inc&udeGodFs kee!in( !oer, and that continues into the ti*e of itsconsu**ation, yet to co*e. God has !ro)ided *any safe(uards to thatend.

;ohere in Scri!ture is there a se!aration of GodFs kee!in(!oer fro* (race, nor a &ack of its inc&usion in a&& considerationsof GodFs (race. There is no sin of a "hristian that is not co)ered by"hristFs death on the cross. God does safe(uard "hristians fro*!racticin( sin. 4e chastens hen needed as a ri(hteous 7ather does.

Does sin Funsa)eF the be&ie)er Scri!ture >es!ecia&&y the @!ist&es?dea& ith "hristians, a&& of ho* do sin. "hristians are notconde*ned for these sins.

4u*an eB!erience testifies that "hristians do re*ain sa)ed ins!ite of i*!erfections and sin. The fact is that "hristians are not&ost hen they sin, nor sin&ess hen they re*ain sa)ed. They are ke!tby the !oer of God. ;o "hristian re*ains standin( based u!on their(ood orks outei(hin( their eaknesses or sins. God is !&eased tokee! 4is chi&d throu(h 4is continua& &o)e and (race. =t is GodFssu!re*e !ur!ose to !reser)e 4is chi&dren fore)er. This i&& not berea&iEed unto the sa)ed sinner is transfor*ed into the i*a(e of

"hrist and u!&ifted. Sa&)ation throu(h "hrist inc&udes e)ery *o*entfro* the first of faith, e)ery ste! of the ay to the *o*ent ofconsu**ation.

1hi&e*on #-3- bein( confident of this )ery thin(, that he hichhath be(un a (ood ork in you i&& !erfor* it unti& the day of Jesus"hrist-. The be&ie)er sha&& ha)e e)er&astin( &ife >John 5-#3 end?.There is on&y one condition- be&ief. ;o condition re&ated to ti*e or*erit to recei)e hat is (i)en hich a&so does not inc&ude any &i*itof ti*e or because of *erit or &ack of it.


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#5A Study on Grace 9 Lesson =: continued

GodFs !ro)isions- 4is su!re*e !oer kee!s 4is on unto 4iseterna& !ur!oses. =n +o*ans 8-58,5$ 1au& eB!resses the obser)ationthat nothin( in the natura& or&d, s!iritua& or&d, neither death nor&ife, or any other creature can se!arate us fro* the &o)e of God,hich is in "hrist Jesus our Lord. This ob)ious&y inc&udes a&& !astsins, !resent sins, or future sins as not e)en considered. God isab&e >has the !oer? to do eBceedin( abundant&y abo)e a&& that eask or think >@!hesians 5-%6?. We cannot e)en i*a(ine the eBtent ordi*ension of hat is !ossib&e to God. 4ebres 0-%C 4e is ab&e tosa)e the* to the utter*ost. 1au& rote in +o*ans


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#+o*ans 5-%%?. Thus the ba!tis* ith the S!irit is onceand for a&& a union ith "hrist.

The Sea&in( ith the S!irit. 'entioned on&y 5 ti*es in the ;eTesta*ent >== "orinthians #-%%? ith the 4o&y S!irit of !ro*ise>@!hesians #-#5H @!hesians


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#3A Study on Grace 9 Lesson =: continued

The ;e "o)enant in "hristFs 2&ood. There are to ty!es of"o)enants. One is conditiona&, of hich any !oint i&& de!end on thefaithfu&ness of *an. The other is unconditiona&, hich consistsentire&y of GodFs dec&aration of hat 4e !ur!oses to do.

The La of 'oses as a conditiona& co)enant. =f the !eo!&efo&&oed the La, God ou&d b&ess the*. The "o)enant ith Abraha* isan unconditiona& one. God dec&ared to Abraha* hat 4e !ur!osed to do.

The ;e "o)enant is GodFs dec&aration of hat 4e !ur!osed to dofor e)eryone that !&aces their faith in the finished ork of "hriston the "ross. So a&so the (reat !ro*ises of the kee!in( of Godthrou(h (race are unconditiona&. They are in no ise de!endent on any!oint u!on the (oodness or faithfu&ness of the be&ie)er. The &ife ofthe be&ie)er is to be unto (ood orks to the (&ory of God. This isdescribed as bearin( (ood fruit. These orks (o under jud(*ent on&yfor reards.

God sa)es !erfect&y, for a&& ti*e and eternity. As God hass!oken, so sha&& 4e brin( it to !ass.

A*en.


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#0A Study on Grace 9 Lesson :

Grace, cha!ter


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#8A Study on Grace 9 Lesson : continued

Dai&y &ife is to be directed by the teachin(s of (race. Theyca&& for honesty, fairness, !urity, beauty, !ositi)ity, andu!bui&din(. Think on these thin(s and then act accordin(&y. This ishat 1au& ca&&s u!on be&ie)ers to do, kee!in( his teachin(s and his&ife as an eBa*!&e, ith the !ro*ise and the God of !eace sha&& beith you. >See 1hi&i!!ians See Ga&atians C-3.?"hristFs &ife and teachin( had to *ajor as!ects, as a Je, the 4o!eof =srae&. 4e ke!t, tau(ht, enforced, and fu&fi&&ed the &a. Assa)ior of the or&d, 4e estab&ished the ne *anner of re&ationshi!and dai&y &i)in( for the be&ie)er under (race.

'any !assa(es in the ;e Testa*ent *ention the co**and*ents of"hrist. >John #


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#$A Study on Grace 9 Lesson : continued

The La as the @ntire Syste* of Go)ern*ent for =srae& in theLand. The #6 "o**and*ents ere the center. The Jud(*ents ere tore(u&ate the socia& &ife of =srae& >@Bodus %#-#%@Bodus%beteen Ada* and 'oses?. 2y Ada*, sin enteredthe or&d, and death by sin. A&& ha)e sinned and a&& i&& die as

a(es of their indi)idua& sin. >See +o*ans 5-%#C-##.? "hrist a&sodied Funto sinF, the basis u!on hich the rei(nin( !oer of the sinnature is di)ine&y o)erco*e. >+o*ans 3-#8-


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%6A Study on Grace 9 Lesson : continued

=srae& as (i)en these Di)ine "o**and*ents to set it a!art as achosen and *ost res!onsib&e !eo!&e before God. Ob)ious&y, they ereunab&e to kee! the &a. The &a, in this *anner, !ro)ed theirhe&!&essness and sinfu&ness. The &a then !ronounced conde*nationu!on a&& trans(ressors, hich ere a&& the !eo!&e.

+ather than *akin( !eo!&e better or *ore ri(hteous, the &a astaken as a re*inder of sins 9 and they had so far ne(&ected !racticeof the &a. >+o*ans 0-8.? The &a, in this sense, !ro)ided the*easure of a&& that is ho&y, just, and (ood. "ontrasted to that arethe sins and sinfu& nature of *an- *ade irrefutab&e and c&ear. A&&!eo!&e are forced to face that truth- a&& are sinners, a&& ha)esinned. A&& therefore need a sa)ior fro* its !ena&ty of death.

A&& !eo!&e shou&d be ab&e to see and understand that they had nochance to fu&fi&& the &a. So hy ou&d they then ant to try tofo&&o the &a ith their ob)ious and utter inabi&ity to do so Fin

the f&eshF The &a as not (i)en as a ay of sa&)ation, but as thec&ear state*ent of sin. >+o*ans 5-%6H Ga&atians 5-##,%


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%#A Study on Grace 9 Lesson :

Grace, cha!ter co**anded? to a&k ho&y ithGod accordin( to the resources of the ne birth and the inde&&in(4o&y S!irit. This is the !ro)ision under (race.

The La as (i)en on&y to the chi&dren of =srae&. +o*ans $-such as *urder?. =n the kin(do*, an(er isconde*ned. The (&ance of the eye >in &ust? is conde*ned, here on&yadu&tery had been forbidden in the La.

The O&d Testa*ent *entions of the 'essiahFs rei(n inc&ude the

!ro*ises to =srae& of restored earth&y !ro*inence, the uni)ersa&b&essin(s to Genti&es, and creation >nature? reneed.The detai&s about indi)idua& res!onsibi&ity ere to be re)ea&ed

by the !ersona& teachin( of the Iin( hen the kin(do* ou&d be athand.

The O&d Testa*ent !ro!hecies about "hristFs rei(n- a ri(id rei(nof ri(hteousness, fro* Jerusa&e*, ith sift jud(*ent u!on the sinner>=saiah %-#Jere*iah 5#-5#


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%%A Study on Grace 9 Lesson : continued

The ;e Testa*ent Gos!e&s record "hristFs teachin(s, hichinc&ude the teachin(s of 'oses, the teachin(s of (race, and the*essa(e of the Iin(do* of 4ea)en. @ach Gos!e& features these threeteachin(s in a different ay.

'atthe rote to =srae&, about their Iin( and 4is kin(do*."hrist is introduced as the Son of Da)id, Who i&& brin( the* athrone, a kin(do*, and a Iin(. "hrist as the Son of Abraha* c&osesthe Gos!e&.

'ark !resents "hrist as the Ser)ant of Jeho)ah. 'ore of 4isser)ice than his teachin(, a&*ost co*!&ete&y addressed to =srae&.

Luke !resents "hrist in 4is hu*anity. Written to Jes, yetdedicated to estab&ish the truth ith certainty the facts of "hristFs&ife and death fro* the testi*ony of eyeitnesses.

John rote to ins!ire be&ief that Jesus is the "hrist, the Sonof God, the Word of God. 2ut these are ritten, that ye *i(ht

be&ie)e that Jesus is the "hrist, the Son of GodH and that be&ie)in(ye *i(ht ha)e &ife throu(h his na*e. >John %6-5#.? Grace that sa)es."ha!ters ##%, the (race of God that sa)esH cha!ters #5#3, and #$%#9 the teachin(s of the (race of God.

The (reat ho!e of =srae& hen "hrist ca*e as the 'essiah ofTriu*!h to reestab&ish their nationa& !oer and (&ory.

John the 2a!tist !roc&ai*ed that the kin(do* of hea)en is athand >'atthe 5-#,%?, by "hrist >'atthe 'atthe #6-C0?. This as to be !roc&ai*ed on&y to Jes. The Jesere so centered on the or&d&y kin(do* !ro*ises, that they haddifficu&ty !ercei)in(, understandin(, and acce!tin( the ne rea&ities

and teachin( of (race. This as true e)en of the disci!&es anda!ost&es of "hrist. This is c&ear&y shon by their uestion to "hristi**ediate&y before 4is ascension. Acts #-3

When they therefore ere co*e to(ether, they asked of hi*,sayin(, Lord, i&t thou at this ti*e restore a(ain the kin(do* to=srae&

The kin(do* of hea)en >in 'atthe? refers to the ru&e of God inthe earth. The kin(do* of God refers to the ho&e uni)erse as GodFsdo*ain. The !ro!hets rote on&y concernin( the 'essianic ru&e of God

in the earth. The kin(do* of hea)en used by "hrist indicated the!ro*ised kin(do* b&essin(s ere at hand. The nationFs ho!e ascentered in the forerunner and the kin(.

John the 2a!tist as accounted as fa&se, and beheaded. "hristas a&so jud(ed and !ut to death. A&& the recorded e)idence asknon. "hrist as sentenced to death as the Iin( of the Jes. TheJes c&ai*ed no kin( but "aesar. A&& this as foreseen and !ro!hesiedin the O&d Testa*ent.


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%5A Study on Grace 9 Lesson : continued

The offer of the kin(do* to the Jeish !eo!&e by Jesus as(enuine. =t as not unti& their rejection and 4is death that theGos!e& of sa&)ation and the for*ation of the "hurch fro* a&& thenations of the earth. "hrist a&so s!oke of the certain fu&fi&&*ent ofe)ery !ro*ise to =srae& to the ti*e of 4is Second "o*in( to earth.God kne beforehand the choice that the Jes ou&d *ake in their sinand se&fishness. They ou&d be he&d (ui&ty. =n e)ery dis!ensation,*an is tested for a di)ine !ur!ose. This re!eated&y forces *an toface his on sinfu&ness, and es!ecia&&y as contrasted ith ari(hteous, ho&y, and &o)in( God.

As has been obser)ed *any ti*es, the O&d Testa*ent recorded to&ines about the 'essiah- #. the sufferin( ser)ant, his sacrificia&death >1sa&*s %%H =saiah C5?, and %. the triu*!hant undyin( Iin( andIin(do*. The ti*e e&e*ent as not disc&osed to these !ro!hets. As=srae& rejected "hrist, the !resent a(e of (race and its !ur!ose

be(an and continues. The re*ainin( unfu&fi&&ed !ro!hecies of the O&dTesta*ent are not set aside or for(otten.

=n this sense, in 'atthe, the Ser*on on the 'ount is to beunderstood as the ru&es of the Iin( for 4is kin(do* on earth u!on 4isreturn. =t *ust be c&ear&y understood that this is in co*!&etecontrast to e)ery feature of the a(e of (race. There is no *ention of(race, sa&)ation, or union of re&ationshi!s a*on( be&ie)ers, the 4o&yS!irit, God the 7ather, and "hrist.

"hristFs Fco**and*entsF ere in the *essa(e of (race to 4isdisci!&es. John #5-5<

A ne co**and*ent = (i)e unto you, That ye &o)e one anotherH as= ha)e &o)ed you, that ye a&so &o)e one another.

The kin(do* of God as before the =srae&ites fro* the!roc&a*ation John announced- the co*in( and then the !resence of theIin(, Jesus the "hrist. The kin(do* as e*bodied in the )ery !ersonof the Iin(, in their *idst.

Another as!ect is the in)isib&e outard as!ect of the ru&e ofGod ithin the heart of e)ery be&ie)er in "hrist >as the kin( rei(nsfro* hea)en?, but a&so be&ie)in( in the future return of "hrist toearth, accordin( to a&& !ro*ises and !ro!hecies >es!ecia&&y those

*ade by "hrist 4i*se&f.When "hrist as rejected, so a&so 4is kin(do*, its rea&iEation!ost!oned unti& 4is return.

The different teachin(s of each !eriod *ust be understood andke!t se!arate.


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%Acts #C.#0.?

5. The "hurch be(an ith the death of "hrist and the co*in( ofthe 4o&y S!irit, to beco*e the 2ride of "hrist, the Iin( to rei(nith 4i*.

"o*!arison and "ontrast of the 'osaic La and the Teachin( ofGrace.

;o nation or (o)ern*ent is set u! under God on the basis of the'osaic La. Grace is offered to the ho&e or&d hich is under theru&e of sin. nder (race, be&ie)ers are ca&&ed u!on to &i)e unto Godin a (reater *ora& and (i)in( *anner than the 'osaic La. The co**and

of the kee!in( of the Sabbath is o*itted. A&so a&& c&ai*s to the &andof =srae& are o*itted. The "hristian is a !i&(ri*, a citiEen ofhea)en, not seekin( a de&&in( or &on( &ife here. The La had none ofthe fo&&oin(- a &ife of !rayer, ser)ice to others, e)an(e&is*,*issions, (os!e& !reachin(, &ife in the S!irit, 7atherhood of God,union ith "hrist, fe&&oshi! of be&ie)ers, ho!e of sa&)ation andeternity ith God, or ho!e of hea)en.

'osaic La- a co)enant of orks, to be atte*!ted in the f&esh.The Teachin( of Grace- a co)enant of faith, to be eBercised in the


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ener(y of the s!irit.2oth are based on a co)enant of orks and inc&ude co**on

e&e*ents. They are different in certain !oints. A co)enant beteenGod and hu*ans based on hu*an orks inc&udes conditions of GodKs!ro*ises reuire faithfu&ness of *an. The kin(do* b&essin(s arereser)ed to the !oor in s!irit, the *eek, *ercifu&, !ure in heart,the !eace*aker. Li)e by the ru&es and you sha&& &i)e.K

The 'osaic La as a&so conditiona& u!on the faithfu&ness andobedience, then co*e the rich b&essin(s abo)e a&& other nations. Todisobey had dire conseuences- curses sha&& co*e u!on the* ando)ertake the*.

The &a of the Iin(do* >as s!oken in the Ser*on on the 'ount?(oes further than 'osaic La, conde*nin( the thou(ht as eua&&y ron(ith the deed >an(er and *urder, &ust in the heart and adu&tery,etc.?. The turned cheek, the eBtra *i&e, no refusa& hen so*ethin( is

asked for.Grace and the Iin(do* co*!ared and contrasted. =nc&udin( the O&d

Testa*ent !ro!hecies about the kin(do* are in accord ith "hristKsteachin(s about the kin(do* in 'atthe C0. John the 2a!tist firsttau(ht !ure&y &e(a& re!entance unto (ood orks, as hera&d of the Iin(>not the 'osaic La?. So a&so Luke and 'atthe record the teachin( ofthe Iin(do* of hea)en, and the kin(do* of God, *eanin( the earth&yru&e of "hrist as kin(. 'erit of *an as reuired for entrance.

=n (race, hea)en itse&f is in )ie, be&ie)ers re&ated, and in!resence ith God and "hrist.

The kin(do* teachin(s >both O&d Testa*ent and ;e Testa*ent?,

!eace and ri(hteousness, su**ariEe the reuire*ents of eachindi)idua&.

=n (race the ord, be&ief and *ercy are the key reuire*ents.'ercy and (race are (i)en free&y to those that be&ie)e in "hrist.+i(hteousness is !ro)ided >i*!uted and i*!arted?.

The kin(do* rei(n of "hrist i&& not be a ti*e of sin&essnessbut for hi(h *ora& reuire*ents, and just and i**ediate !unish*ent.A&& &i)in( !eo!&e that are a&&oed to enter i&& sti&& retain theirfa&&en hu*an nature. The Ser*on on the 'ount out&ines thesereuire*ents. >'atthe C-##%.?

The 2eatitudes- b&essed are the !oor in s!irit >the hu*b&e?-

theirs is the kin(do* of hea)en.The )irtues are not !ut on by "hristians to (ain hea)en >or theIin(do* of hea)en?, but as &ife &i)ed in the !oer of the S!irit >notto !retend &ike?.

'ournin( describes =srae&, unti& their Iin(, the 1ro*ised'essiah co*es, then they i&& ha)e joy and !raise.

The *eek i&& inherit the earth. The "hurch has an inheritancebut it is eterna&, in hea)en ith God.

To hun(er and thirst after ri(hteousness is to ork to attain


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it. "hristians are accounted ri(hteous in "hrist.The *ercifu& obtain *ercy- !ure La. A&& "hristians ha)e a&ready

been (i)en *ercy, and are ca&&ed u!on to (i)e hat they ha)e a&readyrecei)ed. nder &a see 1sa&*s #8-%


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Grace, cha!ter 'atthe 3-8#0H 0-0##.?

The LordKs 1rayer is in *ind of the kin(do*, and not intended tobe a *ode& !rayer to "hristians. The kin(do* is !rayed to co*e ithGodKs i&& bein( done in earth, as it is in hea)en. One reueststands out- for(i)e us our debts, as e for(i)e our debtors. This is!ure&y &e(a&, conditiona& u!on oneKs orks.

=n the !resent a(e, God is dea&in( ith !eo!&e on the (round of4is Grace as it is in "hrist. The "hristian is to for(i)e othersbecause of ha)in( been for(i)en by God throu(h "hrist >@!hesians4ebres #6-#$,%6H John #3-%'atthe3-#$%Titus 5-C?. Do unto others hat youou&d ha)e the* do unto you- for this is the &a and the !ro!hetsK>'atthe 0-#%? is c&ear&y kin(do* teachin(- a &e(a& !rinci!&e. Graceteaches sharin( your faith in the sa)in( Gos!e& of "hrist.

4u*an effort is reuired to enter at the strai(ht (ate that&eads to &ife. Grace on&y reuires faith.

The 2ib&e is GodKs re)e&ation to a&& !eo!&e of a&& a(es. 'uch ofit is a!!&ied to ti*es !ast, so*e ho&&y future. "onditions of each!eriod are uniue to that ti*e. nder (race, the be&ie)er endures

because he is sa)ed.The difference in order of di)ine b&essin( and hu*an ob&i(ation.nder (race, the di)ine b&essin( co*es first, the ob&i(ation second.nder any &a, obedience co*es first, b&essin( is secondary. nder&a, do and &i)e. 2y (race, &i)e and do.

The (reat doctrina& e!ist&es of the ;e Testa*ent teach GodKs(race and di)ine b&essin(s a&ays co*e before, and hu*an ob&i(ationco*e after. The *i(hty undertakin(s of God are eB!ounded, then theone sa)ed is eBhorted to &i)e accordin( to those thin(s (i)en in


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"hrist to the (&ory of God. The be&ie)er is ca&&ed u!on to !resenttheir bodies a &i)in( sacrifice, ho&y, acce!tab&e to God, hich istheir reasonab&e ser)ice. >+o*ans #%-#.?

@!hesians conditiona&?.4is fatherhood is unconditiona&. The co)enant of orks >not be(ununti& 'osaic La? ceased ith the death of "hrist. =ts !ur!ose asacco*!&ished, and its ti*e as fu&fi&&ed. The co)enant of faith asannounced in Abraha*, and reinstituted throu(h the death of "hrist.This as GodKs !ur!ose in reachin( the Genti&es unto sa&)ationthrou(h Jesus "hrist. >Ga&atians 5-#


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indi)idua& of the abso&ute necessity of a Sa)ior Who !ro)ided hat hecou&d ne)er do for hi*se&f. The Grace of God !ro)ided the Way, theTruth, and the Life in "hrist Jesus, our Lord. A&& hu*an atte*!ts atorkin( for GodKs a!!ro)a& are obso&ete.

De(ree of enab&e*ent in the La of the Iin(do*.The standard of conduct de*anded as ad)anced and intensified

beyond 'osaic La. This inc&uded thou(hts and intents of the heart.;e reuire*ents are added about bein( yie&ded and de)oted to God.Di)ine enab&e*ent inc&udes 5 !ro)isions-

#. The en)iron*ent- the earth i&& be !urified and transfor*edfro* its !resent deterioratin( condition. Satan i&& be absent. The!ersona& rei(n of "hrist on earth i&& i**ediate&y be knon. 4is!oer and ins!iration i&& eBtend or&dide. A&& the fu&fi&&ed

!ro*ises to =srae& i&& inc&ude their a&& &i)in( in their on &anddurin( the rei(n of their 'essiah Iin(. Their b&essin(s i&& beeBtended to a&& nations. God i&& circu*cise their hearts and thoseof their chi&dren, to &o)e the Lord ith heart and sou&. They i&&obey the Lord. >Deuterono*y 56-C8H 4osea %-#


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Grace, cha!ter 1hi&i!!ians %-CH = John


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the f&oin( out of ri)ers of &i)in( ater >the S!irit?. 1hi&i!!ians%-#5 for it is God hich orketh in you both to i&& and to do ofhis (ood !&easure. This truth is one of the *ost eBtensi)e doctrinesritten about in the ;e Testa*ent, found in the @!ist&es 9 +o*ans#%-53H = "orinthians #-of orks? as su!!&anted. The ho&e of*ankind is in the cate(ory of sinners, ith no !ossib&e *erit beforeGod. On&y by (race throu(h "hrist by faith. There is no other ay.Any use of the &a *ust be se&fi*!osed. To be ri(hteous before God,the ho&e &a *ust be fo&&oed. To offend in one !oint, is to be

(ui&ty of a&&.K ;o hu*an bein( has the abi&ity in the f&esh to be!erfect&y obedient to the ho&e &a.

A&&, Jes and Genti&es, are under (race, hich is the on&y ayo!en to GodKs acce!tance by faith in "hrist unto sa&)ation. Ga&atiansC-#8 2ut if ye be &ed of the S!irit, ye are not under the &a.7ai&ure to kee! the ho&e &a is an insu&t to the ri(hteousness ofGod. >=saiah C%-C.? On&y those that turn to God by faith in the OneWho *et e)ery de*and of the La, by 4is (race, are acce!ted into 4isfa*i&y. 1au& describes the La as a schoo&*aster to brin( the* unto"hrist, to be justified by faith. >Ga&atians 5-#$%C.?

+o*ans 0-%3 describes the o*an ho *arries a second husband

hi&e the first one sti&& &i)es as bein( in sin. =f he is dead, sheis freed of any ob&i(ation to hi*. 1au& &ikens this to the re&ationof the &a as the first husband. The sacrifice of "hrist !aid a&&ob&i(ation to the &a, so she cou&d *arry another, na*e&y "hrist, andunder ob&i(ation on&y to 4i*. This i&&ustrates the ron(ness and!oint&essness of tryin( to kee! the &a in the !resence of God.

The ne union ith "hrist enab&es the be&ie)er to brin( forthfruit unto God. 1ut aside the o&d, f&esh&y ser)ice to the &etter ofthe &a.


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"ontrastin( the La and Grace

La GraceWritten >on stone and scro&&s?. Written by the 4o&y S!iritThe &etter ki&&eth >conde*ns?. in the heart, (i)in( &ife.The *inistration of death The *inistration of &ife inis done aay. the S!irit re*aineth.Abo&ished. 7aith and ho!e e)er&astin(.

Scri!tures 9 Ga&atians C-#8H @!hesians %-#CH "o&ossians %-#1asso)er La*b? hich !ointed to "hrist >the La*b of God?. "hristians!roc&ai* a sacrifice, hich !oints back to the sacrifice of "hrist.A&& the for*s, ritua&s, and cere*onies of Judais* a&so !ointed to"hrist. "hristians ce&ebrate their union ith "hrist as GodKschi&dren, inde&t by the 4o&y S!irit.

A&& the earth&y !ro*ises of God to =srae& ha)e been !ut aside.The s!iritua& !ro*ises to Abraha* by faith in the !ro*ised +edee*erere brou(ht by "hrist to a&& !eo!&e. The *ystery that 1au& ritesabout is the co*binin( of both Jes and Genti&es into the "hurch


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5=John


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Ga&atians 3-#6?. 1rayer for a&& saints >@!hesians 3-#8?. Sub*it tothose o)er you in the asse*b&y and estee* the* hi(h&y >4ebres #5-#0H= Thessa&onians C-#%,#5?.

To abide in "hrist is acco*!&ished on&y by doin( 4is i&&. GodKs!oer does the enab&in(. The or&d be&ie)es that a !ersonKs su*tota&of actions deter*ine his character, hich i&& deter*ine his destiny.This as true under the &a but is forei(n to (race, hich de!endsentire&y on (race and faith in the finished ork of "hrist on thecross.

A&& the traits of true be&ie)ers are described as the fruit ofthe S!irit >Ga&atians C-%%,%5?. They are not found by *anKs effortsa&one, but are found in those ho a&k in the S!irit >Ga&atiansC-#3?. This ha!!ens hen the be&ie)er yie&ds to the (uidance and!oer of the S!irit.

The fa&&en Ada*ic nature >hu*an nature? is sin. Three *eans aretau(ht to contro& the sinnature. To are the !roduct of hu*anreason. The third is the re)ea&ed !ro)ision of God.

One theory is eradication of the sin nature. =t has no Scri!tureto e)en su((est it. A thou(ht (i)in( *anKs reasonin( as ha)in( !oerto ru&e o)er hi*se&f. Scri!ture describes the be&ie)er as !resent inthe f&esh, but under the contro& of the S!irit, hich e*!oers thebe&ie)er to resist the &usts thereof.

Others !ro!ose that ru&es and re(u&ations can contro& the sinnature. This as seen in the history of =srae& under the 'osaic La.#,C66 years of fai&ure s!eaks for itse&f.

nder (race, the be&ie)er is brou(ht into the c&osest fe&&oshi!ith God, and constant de!endence u!on the S!irit. =t is on&yaccordin( to the !ur!ose and Word of God that )ictory is !ossib&e.God &ooks on the heart. 2y (race God !ro!oses to chan(e the desiresof the heart. This is the &eadin( and (uidance of the S!irit>Ga&atians C-#8?. This is under (race, not the &a >+o*ans 3-#


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Ga&atians C-#.?. Liberty is defined as the condition of not bein(under the do*inion of others, or restrictin( circu*stances. 7reedo*to fo&&o oneKs on choices and !reference.

God has !ro)ided a sufficient safe(uard and (uide of the di)ineidea& in the heart. 7or it is God hich orketh in you both to i&&and to do of 4is (ood !&easure. >1hi&i!!ians %-#5.? God a&so!ro)ides the !oer for its eBecution. The chi&d of God is free fro*tryin( to !&ease God by nor*a& >f&esh&y? hu*an effort to fo&&o a setof or&d&y ru&es >e)en ithin a church?.

@ach be&ie)er is ca&&ed u!on to (ro and *ature in their faithand beha)ior. This &eads to *ore and *ore aareness and de!endenceu!on the inde&&in( 4o&y S!irit to s!iritua&&y &ead, (uide, direct,and e*!oer the be&ie)er to the !ath of the idea& chi&d of God, aseBe*!&ified in "hrist. As the (&orious rea&* of hea)en is tota&&y

en&i(htened, so the chi&d of God beco*es increasin(&y en&i(htenedithin. This shines forth in ords and actions, hich in turn shineforth the &i(ht of the truth of the Gos!e& of "hrist.

The on&y eBce!tion is the &a of eB!ediency. This describes a*anner of &ife ada!ted to the i(norance and !rejudices of *en to ho*the be&ie)er is a itness for his Lord, to &ead the* to "hrist, or toedify in the faith. Thus *anKs &as or custo*s *ay be fo&&oed >if(ood or neutra&? in order to a)oid !ersona& dan(er or injury, and inorder to reach out to those in such situations.

The &a of &o)e. To reach out to the unsa)ed, and considerationof the conscience of a eaker brother. 1au& describes it- be a&&

thin(s to a&& *en, that by a&& *eans so*e *i(ht be sa)ed. Theu&ti*ate eBa*!&e is the co*!&ete sacrifice of "hrist for a&& !eo!&e.

The 4o!e of G&ory and "hrist ithin. This is the *ystery notre)ea&ed in the O&d Testa*ent, but re)ea&ed in the ;e. This is the!resent a(e of the !&an and !ur!ose of the (race of God in "hrist.The church of hich "hrist is the head, and 4is body is the *e*bers.As such, the *e*ber is !art of a&& that "hrist has e)er done, of a&&that 4e is doin(, and a&& that 4e i&& e)er do.

The *ystery of unity inc&udes each indi)idua& as fore)erco*!&ete in "hrist. 4e is the shoin( forth of a&& that God is, andat the sa*e ti*e, the shoin( forth of a&& that the be&ie)er is in

4i*. "hrist unites God to *an, and *an to God. 'an no sees God in"hrist, and God sees sa)ed *en in "hrist.The inde&&in( "hrist and 4is !resence *ay be discerned. This is

an assurance and e)idence of eterna& !osition and e)ery !ossession in"hrist. This is the ho!e of (&ory hen in that *o*ent 4e sha&&a!!ear, ca&&in( us to 4i*. >"o&ossians 5-5,


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