1. NATURE OF SIN
a) DEFINITION: The following subtopics define sin.
Sin is rebellion against God. Because all have sinned (Ro 3:23), all have become God’s enemies and are separated from His love De 9:7-8; Jos 1:18; Isa 59:2
– The original sin created the breach.. Ge 3:1-24
– Idol-worship is sin .. Ex 32:31; IKi 12:28-30; Isa 31:7; Jer 17:3; 3235;
Eze 23:49; Ho 13:2
– Burning incense (to false gods) Jer 44:23
– Witchcraft…. ISa 15:23
– Transgression of the law ….. Le 16:16;’Ne 1:6-7; IJo 3:4
> see Ten Commandments …. Section I1
– Disobedience to God’s command ….Ex 9:27,34; 10:16-17; Le 5:17
> may be done in ignorance .. Le 4:2,13,22,27; 5:15,17
> may be done in secret….Ps 90:8; Pr 28:13
– All unrighteousness .IJo 5:17
– Sexual immorality, see Marriage and the Family…. Section G9.
> homosexuality .. Ge 9:22;18:20;19:5-9; Le 18:22;Ro 1:24-27;
ICo6:9,10
> bestiality Le 18:23
> incest …. Ge 19:33-38; Le 18:6-20s
> the children of incest, Moab and Ammon, were very ungodly
De 23:3;Jdg 10:6; IKi 11:4,7; 2Ki 21:11
> fornication .. Mt 5:32; Ac 15:20-29; ICo 5:1,11; 10:8;
> adultery. Ge 20:7-9; 39:7-10; ICo 6:6-10; 7:2; Ga 5:19
– Not doing the good we know …. Le 5:1; Jas 4:17
(Sins of omission)
– Thoughts of foolish people . Pr 24:9
– Vain or useless talk . Pr 10:19
– Despising others, pride . Pr 14:21; 21:4
– Unbelief and acts without faith . Rol4:23;Heb 12:16; Re 2:14,20; 9:21
b) SIN DESCRIBED AS
– Entering the world through Adam… Ge 3:1-24; Isa 43:27; Ro 5:12
– Of the devil . IJo 3:8; Joh 8:44
– Works of darkness .. Eph5:11-14
– Crouching at the door to attack .Ge4:7
– Coming from the heart .. Mt 15:19-20
– The outcome of lust .Jas 1:15
– Coming through ancestors .. Ex 20:5 Ps 37:28; Pr 14:11
– A source of human misery .. … … Job 15:20 Pr 13:15; Ro 2:9
– Inexcusable . Ro 1:20,2:1; Joh 15:22
c) WHO HAS SINNED?
– Jesus Christ alone is without sin ….. 2Co 5:21; Heb 4:15; Heb7:26;IJo3:5
– Scripture says all are under sin.. Ga 3:22; Ps 53:3; Isa 53:6
– All have sinned ..IJo 1:8; IKi 8:46; Ro 3:23
– By heredity we are sinners ..Job 15:14; Job 25:4; Ps 51:5; Ro 5:12-19;
ICo 15:21-22
> Seth in image of sinful Adam….Ge5:3
– We have sinned
> by our deeds (body) ….. Ge 5:17-21
> by our attitudes (soul)… Mt 5:21-22; Jas 2:8-9
> we are in a sinful state (spirit) ..Joh 16:8-9
– Therefore ALL are sinners ..Ro 3:23
d) RESULTS OF SIN
– Separates us from God .. Ge3:23,24;Isa59:2
– Excludes sinner from heaven …. lCo6:9;Ga5:l9-21; Eph 5:5-7; Re 21:27
– Brings death Ge3:2.3; 3:19; Jas 1:15; Ro 6:23; Eze 18:4
– Brings God’s anger ..De 25:16; Pr 6:16-19; IKi 16:2
– Brings God’s curse
> ground was cursed because of sin .. Ge 3:17-18
> toil and sweat because of it Ge3:16, 17, 19; Job 14:1
> pain in childbirth because of sin …. Ge 3:16
– All creation in bondage .Ro8:21-22
– Brims calamities
> drought.. Jer 5:24; 2Ch 6:26-28
> war…2Ch 6:36-39
> sickness Ps 38:3
> national problems …Pr 14:34; Jer 8:14-16; 2Ch 25:4
– Incurs God’s punishment
> present .. Isa 13:11; Am 3:2; Jer 5:25; Lu 12:47; Ro 2:8-9
> future punishment .. Mt 18:9; Mk 3:29; Lu 3:17; 2Th 1:9; 2 PC 2:9; Re 14:11;
Re 20:15
– God alone can forgive …Ex 34:7; Da 9:9; Mic 7:18; Mk2:7
e) GOD’S SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF SIN
See Gospel …. Section F3, F4, F5
See Salvation . Section E2
See Death & Endtimes …. Section H
2. SIN AND THE LAW
a) LIMITED TIME-PERIOD OF THE LAW
– Exists until its requirements are fulfilled …. Mt 5:18
– Christ Jesus fulfilled the Law…. Mt 5:17-18; Lu 24:44
> for those who walk after the Spirit of God .Ro 8:3-5
– Love fulfills the law Ro 13:8-10; Ga5:14;Jas 2:8
– Bearing one another’s burdens fulfills the law…Ga 6:2
b) SALVATION BY PROMISE (GRACE & FAITH)
– BEFORE the Law-through Abraham ….Ro 4:13,16; Ga 3:17-21
> Abraham counted as having obeyed the law…..Ge 26:5
– AFTER the Law-through Jesus..Job 1:17; Ro 8:2; Ga 2:16
> the law was in effect until John the Baptist Lu 16:16
> after John the Baptist the gospel is preached … Lu 16:16
c) CONTENT OF THE LAW
– Old Covenant Content
> Ten Commandments …. Ex 20:3-17; De 5:7-21
> Levitical Laws ..Ex; Le; De
– New Covenant Understanding of the Law
> greatest commandment is to love God fully …. Mt 22:36-40; Lu 10:26-27
> next greatest is to love others as yourself… Mt 22:39; Lu 10:27
> important matters – judgment, mercy, faith Mt 23:23
> Jesus is above the law… Job 8:5-11; Mt 12:8
d) PURPOSE OF THE LAW
– Made for sinners
> made for the ungodly, not the redeemed…. ITi 1:9
> reveals God’s wrath against the ungodly … Ro 4:15
> law was added because of transgressions .. Ga 3:19
– Law is pictured as a prison.. Ga 3:23
> within a larger prison-the Prison of Sin ….. Ga 3:22
> when faith comes we are freed from the Law ..Ga 3:23
> with God’s Spirit we are freed from Sin’s
bondage … .. Ga 5:13-18
– Is a shadow of the good things to come Heb 10:1
– Brings a consciousness of sin ….Ro 3:20; 7:7
– Put in charge to lead us to Christ …. Ga 3:23-29
e) RESULTS OF THE LAW
– Law gives sin its power ICo 15:56
> without law, sin isn’t counted against us ….Ro 5:13
– People are unable to keep the Law
> requires perfect obedience . De 27:26; Ga 3:10-11; Jas2:10
> no one can perfectly obey the law . Ro 3:10
> Israel couldn’t keep the law ….. Isa 42:24; Jer 9:13; Da 9:11
> all people need to be justified by God’s grace . Ro 3:19-24
– Law unable to save because of man’s sinfuteess …. Ro8:3
> the law made nothing perfect … Heb 7:19; Ga 2:16
> through the law we die to the law, to live
for God …. Ga 2:19-21
f) CHRIST JESUS IS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW
– The law was in effect until John the Baptist ….. Lu 16:16
> after John the gospel is preached instead … Lu 16:16
– Church not obliged to keep the law of Moses .. Ac 15:5-21; Ro 6:14
> but this is not permission to sin Ro 6:15
> justified by faith without the law … Ro 3:28
– Christ fulfilled the requirements of the law … … … Mt5:17
– Christ abolished the law by His death …Eph2:15-17;Ro 10:3-4
– Christ freed us from the curse of the law ….Ga3:13
g) A NEW COVENANT WITH GOD
– The New Covenant (Grace and Faith) puts the REQUIREMENTS of the Law into our hearts … Heb 8:10-13; 10:16-17
– See the Gospel .. Section F3
3. SIN, TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS
a) TRIALS
These are circumstances that we are meant to endure. They are not caused by our sinfulness; rather they are often caused by our standing for righteousness in a sinful world.
– Job withstands the attack of Satan .. Book of Job
– O.T. believers had cruel trials…. Heb 11:36-40
> many modern believers suffer cruel trials
– Trials come to refine us Jas 1:2-5; IPe 1:6-7
– We are partakers with Jesus’sufferings . lPe4:12-16
– God is able to rescue the righteous . 2Pe 2:7-9
b) TEMPTATIONS
Temptations are not sin, but Satan uses them to cause us to sin. We must resist the temptations to sin.
– God does not tempt us to sin …. Jas 1:13-15
– God provides a way out of temptations ICo 10:13; 2Pe 2:9
– Satan is the chief tempter
> Satan tempts Eve in Eden .. Ge3:l-7
> Satan tempts King David … ICh 21:1-30
> Satan tempts us 2Co 2:10-11; 11:3; ITh 3:5
– World provides temptations IJo 2:15-17; Mt 13:22; Lu8:13
> desire for riches is a terrible snare . ITi 6:9-11
> Achan takes the riches of Babylon …..
Jos 7:1-26
> Lot desires the land around Sodom ….. Ge 13:10-13
> King Saul keeps the best of the Amalekite cattle .. ISa 15:20-26
> Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, takes gold and clothes …. 2Ki 5:20-27
– Our own evil desires entice us .. Jas 1:14
> the desires give birth to sin. Jas 1:15
> full-grown sin gives birth to death . Jas 1:15
> Esau gives up his godly birthright for food ….. Ge 25:29-33
> King Solomon’s desire for women leads
him astray … … … IKi 11:1-4
– Jesus was tempted in all points like we are Heb 4:15
– Jesus was tempted by the devil. Mt 4:1; Mk 1:13; Lu 4:2
> bodily-satisfy desires of the body .. Mt 4:2-4
> soul – show His special relation with the Father …. Mt 4:5-7
> spirit – worship Satan in order to receive power …. Mt 4:8-10
– We ought to pray to be kept from temptation … Mt 6:13; Lu 11:4
– Be careful not to be tempted by sins of those we help . Ga6:l
– We ought to resist temptations . Pr 1:10; Ro 6:13; Eph 6:13
> Elisha does not take money for healing Naaman… 2Ki 5:16
> Peter does not take money for spiritual gift ….. Ac 8:20
> Job resists his wife’s evil counsel .. Job 2:9-10
> Rechabites refuse wine Jer 35:5-6
> Daniel and his friends refuse the king’s food … Da 1:8
4. CREATION OF MAN
a) CREATION OF MAN
– By God the Father …Ge 1:27; Isa 45:11-12
– By Jesus Christ.. Job 1:1-5; Col 1:13-16
– By Holy Spirit…. Job 33:4
– On the sixth day of creation Ge 1:26-27
– On the earth, not elsewhere De 4:32; Ps 104:30; Isa 45:12
– Body from the dust . Ge 2:7; Job 33:6
– Man’s spirit by God’s breath ….. Ge2:7; Ec l2:7
– Male & female He created them ….. Ge 1:27; 5:1-2
> Woman is in no way inferior to man; the term “helper” used in Ge 2:20 is the term used of God in Ps 33:20
– It was very good ….. Ge 1:31; Ps 139:14
– Created with a free will. Ge 2:16,17; Jos 24:15
b) MAN IS A COMPOUND BEING-SPIRITUAL AND MATERIAL
– Man has an earth-like body Ge2:7;Ec l2:7
– Man has a spiritual part. God’s breath of life …. Ge2:7;Ec l2:7
> called “soul” ….. Mt 10:28
> called “spirit” … Ac 7:59
> called “spirit” and “soul” and “body” .. I Th 5:23
– The immortal (spiritual) part lives in the body . 2Co 5:63
– Death of the body happens when spirit departs Jas 2:26
> when the spirit returned the body became alive….. Lu 8:55
> after physical death, the spirit remains alive…. Mt 22:32
– Soul and Spirit are hard to separate
> used as if almost the same . I Sa 1:15; Job 7:11; Isa 26:9
> Word of God is able to separate between them Heb 4:12
– Salvation is the saving of our SOUL …. 1Pe 1:8-9;Jas 1:21;Heb 10:39
> otherwise our soul is destroyed Mt 10:28; Ac 3:22- 23
> our SPIRIT goes back to God who made it ….. Ec 12:7
– We can see our body. Our soul and spirit are not visible. Our spirit is the life from God.
Our soul is our personality and character – who we are and who we are becoming.
c) MAN WAS CREATED IN THE LIKENESS OF GOD
– Man was made in image (likeness) of God Ge 1:26-27;5:l-2
> so murder and harsh speaking are not allowed. Ge 9:6; Jas 3:9-10
– Male & Female are in image (likeness) of God.Ge 1:27;5:2
– Likeness is not physical-God is a Spirit ….. Joh 4:24
– Likeness is righteousness, holiness and truth…. Eph 4:21-24
– Likeness is in ethical knowledge …. Col3:l0
– Likeness is in authority to rule (on earth) … Ge 1:26
d) MAN’S LOST AND RENEWED LIKENESS OF GOD
– After the fall (rebellion) of man
> children are born in the image of their
sinful parents.. Ge 5:3
– Jesus’ first coming was
> in the likeness of man .. Ro 8:3; Php 2:7- 8
> in the perfect likeness of God .. 2Co 4:4; Col 1:15; Heb 1:3-4
– People after being redeemed by Jesus
> we are being renewed into image of Jesus. Col 3:10
> we are predestined to be in image of Jesus Ro 8:29
– At the resurrection
>believers will have his likeness Ps 17:15;1Co 15:49
> wicked will have a despised likeness… Ps 73:20
e) ALL RACES OF MAN HAVE THE SAME ORIGIN
– From one man (blood) He made all men …. Ac 17:26-29
– One woman is the original mother of us all Ge3:20
– After the flood, all people come from Noah Ge 9:18-19
f) AUTHORITY ON THE EARTH
– Superior to all earthly creation.. Mt 6:26; 12:12
> rule all creatures and creation .. Ge 1:28; Ps 8:1-9
> plants as food … Ge 1:29
> animals as food Ge 9:1-3
– Redeemed man will judge the world and angels …. I Co 6:2-3
5. CONDITION OF UNREDEEMED, FALLEN PEOPLE
a) REBELLION OF MAN AGAINST GOD see also Sin (Section Dl)
– The disobedience, fall and curse on man …. Ge 3:1-24
– Sin and death entered through Adam … Ro 5:12; ICo 15:21-22
– All guilty ….. Ro3:23; Ge6:5; 1 Ki 8:46; Ps 14:2-3; Isa 53:6; 64:5-7
– All need to be saved.1Ti 2:4; Ro 3:23; Ga 3:22; 1Jo 1:8; 5:19
b) MAN IS UNDER THE WRATH OF GOD
– Sec Sin and the Law Section D2
> cursed is the man who docs not obey God’s law…. De 27:26
> requirements of the law are known to all… Ro 2:13-15
> no person can keep the requirements of the law….. Ro 3:20; Ga 2:21
– Wrath of God
> towards unbelievers ….. Job 3:36> against ungodliness….. Ro 1:18
> at judgment time….. Ro2:5 > those marked 666…. Re 14:9-11
> against the disobedient.. Eph 5:6; Col 3:6
– The saved will not face God’s wrath ….. 1 Th5:9
c) WORK AND MAN
– Work brings wealth and place of honor Pr 10:4; 14:23; 22:29
> laziness leads to poverty …. Pr 10:4; 14:23
> diligence in work is highly commended …. Pr 13:4; 2Ti 2:6
– Before the Fall
> Adam was to rule over creation ….. Ge 1:28
> Adam kept the Garden of Eden ….. Ge 2:15
– After the Fall
> work became more difficult Ge 3:19; 5:29
> God & Jesus work and finish their work … Job 5:17; 17:4
– After salvation
> exhortations to physical work .. I Th 4:11; 2Th 3:10-12
> work of ministry….. Eph 4:12; ITi 3:1
> not hearers but workers are blessed ….. Jas 1:25
> rewarded according to our works .. I Pe 1:17; Re 22:12; I Co 3:13-15
– Work is expected, rest is commanded
> before the law .. Ge2:2-3;
> after the law ….. Ex 20:9-11
d) PHYSICAL, SOCIAL CONDITION OF UNREDEEMED MAN (as seen in Genesis)
– Shame and guilt. Ge 3:7
-Wicked and violent… Ge 6:5,11
– Fear of God.. Ge 3:8,10
-God judges sin…. Ge 6:5-7
– Broken relations. Ge 3:12
-Mercy and grace. Ge 6:8-9
– Savior promised. Ge 3:15
– Meat as food Ge 9:3
– Pain and work…. Ge 3:16-19
– Division of nations…Ge 11:1-9
– Blood sacrifice… Ge 3:21; 4:4-5
– Promise of grace Ge 12:1-3
– Lost blessing Ge 3:23-24
– Famine and Disease. Ge 12:10,17
– Anger and Murder… Ge 4:6-8; 23-24
-War… Ge 14:1-4
– Separated from God. Ge 4:14
– Power of prayer. Ge 18:16-33
– Death from old age.. Ge 5:5
– Sexual immorality….Ge 19:4-5,33
– Demonic activityGe 6:1-4
– God destroys Ge 19:24-29
e) MAN IS OF GREAT VALUE TO GOD EVEN THOUGH FALLEN
– More valuable than birds or sheep .. Mt 6:26; 12:12; Lu 12:24
– Best seen by the redemption price .. Job 3:16; I Pe 1:18-19
– Redeemed in order to share God’s glory ….. Heb 2:10; 2Th 1:11,12
6. REDEEMED MAN AND GOD’S KINGDOM
a) ALL RACES OF MAN ARE INCLUDED IN GOD’S KINGDOM
– He is God of all people . Nu 16:22; 27:16
– Non-Israelites included by the blood of Jesus .. Eph 2:11-22
– God’s Spirit to be poured out on all flesh … Joe 2:28; Ac 2:17
– Heaven includes people from every nation Re 5:9
– People from every nation accepted by God Ac 10:34-35
> Rahab from Jericho Jos 2:1; 6:17; Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25
> Ruth from Moab …. Book of Ruth
> Samaritan woman… Job 4:7-42
> Naaman from Aram 2Ki 5:15-19
> Syrophenidan woman… Mk 7:24-30
> Roman Centurion…. Mt 8:5-13
> Peter’s vision….. Ac 10:9-16
> Cornelius, a Roman Ac 10:17-48
b) ALL CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE ARE INCLUDED IN GOD’S KINGDOM
– In Christ Jesus there is no difference between Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female Ga 3:28
– The poor & the rich Jas2:4-5;
– The old .. Le 19:32
– Children Mt 18:3; 19:14; Ac 2:39
– Married or unmarried ….I Co 7: c) CONDITIONS FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD
– Humility/childlikeness .. Mt 18:3
– spiritual desire …Mt 5:6
– being born again ….. Joh 3:3-5
– Full commitment to Christ .. Lu 9:62
– Faith and love…. Jas 2:5
– Enduring tribulations …. Ac 14:22; 2Th 1:5
d) NATURE OF THE KINGDOM
– eternal…. Da 2:44;Lu 1:33
– expansive….. Mt 13:31-32
– powerful. Mk 9:1;2Co 10:4
– present … Mt 12:28; Lu 17:21; 12:32
– glorious . I Th 2:12
– unshakable .. Heb 12:28
– not of this world Joh 18:36
– diversified … Re 5:9,10; Da 7:14
– has authority Mt 16:19
– hidden/invisible Mt 13:33; Col 1:15,16
– tends to constant growth Isa 9:6,7; Mt 13:33
– includes the angelic hosts … Heb 12:22; Re 5:11
– characterized by righteousness, peace and joy . Ro 14:17
– is the place where God’s will is done …. Mt 6:10
e) THE KINGDOM IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
– Abraham’s seed to become a great nation … Ge 12:2
– Abraham’s name changed to father of many nations …. Ge 17:4,5
– Israel chosen to be a kingdom .. Ex 19:5,6
– Gideon knew the kingdom .. Jdg 8:23
– Israel rejected the kingdom .I Sa 8:7
– Esther came to the kingdom ….. Es 4:14
– David’s seed promised to inherit the kingdom . 2 Sa 7:13
– Isaiah saw the King exalted over His kingdom Isa 6:2-6
– Daniel prophesied about the future kingdom … Da 2:44;7:14
f) OTHER NAMES FOR THE KINGDOM OP GOD
– kingdom of heaven . Mt 13:11
– kingdom of Christ…. Lu 22:30; 2Pe 1:11; Eph 5:5
– kingdom of their father . Mt 13:43; 26:29
– kingdom of light ….. I Pe 2:9; Col 1:13
– the (holy) city ….Ps48; Heb 11:16
– (new) Jerusalem Heb 12:22; Mic 4:2; Re 21:2
g) OTHER “KINGDOMS”, i.e. NAMES FOR SATAN’S KINGDOM
– Satan’s kingdom Mt 12:26
– kingdoms of this world . Mt 4:8;Re 11:15; Joh 14:30
– kingdom of darkness ….. Col 1:13; Re 16:10
– Babylon . Da 4:29;Re 18:2
– the sinful kingdom .. Am 9:8
– kingdom of the nations . Hag 2:22
h) CHRIST AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD
– Jesus reigns supreme as King of the kingdom .. I Ti 6:15,16
– Jesus’ coming inaugurated the kingdom ….. Mt 4:17
– Jesus preached most often about the kingdom . Mt 13
– Authority over demons demonstrated the kingdom ….. Mt 12:28
– Jesus’ presence constitutes the kingdom ….. Lu 17:21
– Jesus’return represents the kingdom’s full arrival … Re 11:15
i) PEOPLE OF THE KINGDOM
– Servants Mt 13:27; 25:14-46; Re 7:15
– Sojourners and exiles …. Heb 11:13; I Pe 2:11
– children . Mt 18:1-4
– spiritual priests .. Ex 19:6; I Pe 2:9; Re 5:10
j) PRINCIPLES OF THE KINGDOM
Note: Many principles of the kingdom are expressed in parables, which is a way of expressing the radical difference between them and the principles under which this world operates. Jesus often spoke in parables as a means of expressing these truths which are so difficult to express in human terms. They are foolishness to those who are perishing (I Co 1:18) and are spiritually discerned (I Co 2:9-13).
– it is more blessed to give than receive .. Ac20:35
– the way to live is to die . Joh 12:24, 25; Mt 10:39
– the way to glory is through suffering ….Ro 8:17; 1 Pe 5:10
– strength is found through weakness Heb 11:34; 2Co 12:9
– the meek are exalted ….. I Pe 5:5,6; Mt 5:5
– the persecuted are the ones who are blessed …..Mt 5:11,12
– the inferior are honored, chosen ….. Isa 53:3; I Co 12:23
– the poor are really rich .. Lu 6:20; 2 Co 6:10;8:9
– the slaves are really free ….. Ro 6:18; Phm 1:1
– the fools are becoming wise ….. I Co 1:26; 3:18
– the most dependent are the most mature …. Joh 21:18
– God uses the worthless and useless Heb 11:38; Ex 4:10; Jdg 6:15
