Instructor Pt 2

BIBLE TRUTH Q&A
Part 2

CONCERNING THE DEATH OF CHRIST

In what way does God save men from their sins by Christ? (52)

He forgives them for Christ's sake, and by the power of his teaching. He turns men away from their sins, and leads them to righteousness.

"God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Eph. 4:32).
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Col. 1:14).
"Your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake" (1 John 2:12).
"God, having raised up His son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities" (Acts 3:26).

Why for Christ's sake, does God forgive? (53)

Because of what had been accomplished in him.

"Because he hath poured out his soul unto death, and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors" (Isa. 53:12).

What has been accomplished in Christ? (54)

Sin had been condemned in his death on the cross, and the righteousness of God has been declared and exhibited to all the world in the shedding of his blood.

"In that he died, he died unto sin once" (Rom. 6:10).
"His own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree" (1 Pet. 2:24).
"What the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God (hath done) sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh" (Rom. 8:3).
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare at this time His righteousness; that He might be just and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus" (Rom.3:25, 26).

How could sin be condemned in Christ who was sinless? and how could the righteousness of God be declared in the blood shedding of a righteous man? (55)

Because being born of Adam's condemned race, and partaking of their condemned nature, Christ was made subject, equally with them to the consequences of Adam's transgression. Therefore his public execution was a public exhibition of what was due to a man from God. It pleased God to require this before inviting men to reconciliation through the man in whom this vindication should take place.

"Forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil (or sin in the flesh)" (Heb. 2:14).
"He put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Heb. 9:26).
"He was made of the seed of David according to the flesh" (Rom. 1:3).
"Death hath no more dominion over him; for in that he died, he died unto sin once" (Rom. 6:9-10).

Where did Jesus differ in this matter from other men? (56)

Where Jesus in this matter differed from other men was, in the spotlessness of his personal character, on account of which the Father was well pleased. Jesus required no forgiveness. It was this that opened the way for his resurrection. For had he been a sinner as other men, death must have held the power over him that it had over them. But God raised him from the dead after sin had been condemned in his crucifixion, and being raised from the dead, "death hath no more dominion over him." "He ever liveth to make intercession for us, and is able to save to the uttermost all those who come unto God by him." In this way he has become the righteousness of God to us.

"He was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Heb. 7:26).
"He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15).
"Which of you convinceth me of sin?" (John 8:46).
"This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17).
"In him is no sin" (1 John 3:5).
"It was not possible that he should be holden of it (death)... Neither wilt thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption" (Acts 2:24-27).

What are we to understand by the statement of Paul quoted in proof of the answer to Question (55) that Jesus died that through death he might destroy him that hath the power of death, that is, the devil? Who is the devil? (57)

The devil, or Satan, is the Bible name for sin in its various forms among men. Christ took away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Sin is the death-power. There is no such being as the personal immortal devil of popular religious belief. The belief in such a being is due to the misunderstanding of certain figures and symbols in the Bible. The Bible devil has many shapes; but all these have their origin in the insubordination of flesh and blood to divine law. He presents himself in our own feelings, and in the persons of those who would draw us into wrong ways. In his largest shape, he exists in the present political constitution of things upon the earth.

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb 2:14).
"For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Heb 9:26).
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom 6:23).
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (James 1:14-15).
"Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin" (Heb 12:4).
"And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou (Judas) doest, do quickly" (John 13:27).
"Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?" (John 6:70).
"Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God" (Acts 5:3-9).
"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of B>disobedience" (Eph 2:2).
"I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan" (1 Tim 5:14-15).
"Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan" (1 Tim. 1:20).
"But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men" (Matt. 16:23; Mark 8:33; Luke 4:8).
"Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us" (1 Thess. 2:18).
"To the angel of the church in Pergamos write... I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth" (Rev 2:12).
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet 5:8).
"Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried" (Rev 2:10).
"And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly" (Rom 16:20).
"And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev 12:3, 17).
"And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast" (Rev. 17:9, 12).
"And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years" (Rev 20:2).

CONCERNING THE WAY OF SALVATION

Is it possible for us to be saved apart from this work of Christ? (58)

No: God has provided no other way of salvation for man than Jesus Christ.

"Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
"I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
"If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24).
"Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, ye have no life in you" (John 6:53).
"Without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).
"At that time ye were without Christ, bring aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Eph 2:12).

In what way are we brought into connection with the work of salvation accomplished in Christ? (59)

By faith in it. Our faith is counted for righteousness.

"Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness... to us also it shall be imputed if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead" (Rom. 4:3, 24).
"Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1).
"The righteousness of God is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe" (Rom. 3:22).

Is faith by itself enough to secure for us the benefit of the work of Christ? (60)

No: there must he obedience, or "works" also.

"Faith without works is dead. Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" (Jas. 2:20-22).
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21).
"I will give to every one of you according to your works" (Matt. 16:27; Rev. 2:23).
"Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded" (Matt. 28:20).

What "works" are those who believe commanded to do? (61)

There are many things they have been commanded to do. First, they are commanded to be baptized.

"He commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:48).
"Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).
"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38).
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).

What is baptism? (62)

Burial in water.

"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized?" (Acts 10:47).
"We are buried with him by baptism into death" (Rom. 6:4).
"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him" (Col. 2:12).
"Planted together in the likeness of his death" (Rom. 6:5).

What does baptism do for us? (63)

It is the act that God has appointed, by which a believer puts on Christ and receives the remission of his sins.

"As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27).
"Baptized into Jesus Christ" (Rom 6:3).
"Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins" (Acts 2:38).
"Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins" (Acts 22:16).
"Baptism doth also now save us" (1 Peter 3:21).

CONCERNING THE COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST

What other commandments has Christ delivered for our observance? (64)

He has commanded us to assemble ourselves together on every first day of the week to break bread and drink wine in remembrance of him.

"I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, Take, eat: this is my body which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me" (1 Cor. 11:23-25).
"On the first day of the week... the disciples came together to break bread" (Acts 20:7).
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" (Heb. 10:25).
"Upon the first day of the week" (1 Cor. 16:2).

Are there other commandments that we must obey? (65)

Yes; many. Some of these commandments tell us what we are to do, and others tell us what we are not to do.

What are a few of the things we are to do? (66)

(1) We are to love God and Christ; (2) to do to men as we would that they should do to us; (3) to love one another; (4) to sympathize with men in their joys and sorrows; (5) to love even our enemies, blessing those who curse us, doing good to those who hate us, and praying for those who badly use us; (6) we are to be ready to every good work, to give to those who ask, to relieve the afflicted; (7) to be faithful even to bad masters; (8) to pray always and in every thing give thanks; (9) to speak the truth always; (10) to be blameless and harmless; (11) to be humble, brave, joyful, courteous and manly; (12) to follow after whatsoever things are true, honest, pure, just, lovely and of good report.

Matt. 22:37, Luke 10:27. (2)-Matt. 7:12 (3) John 13:34. (4) Rom. 12:15. (5) Luke 6:27-28, 1 Peter 3:9 Matt. 5:44. (6) Titus 3:1; Matt. 5:42; Rom. 12:13 (7) 1 Tim. 6:1 2. (8) Luke 18:1 Eph. 5:20 (9) Eph. 4:25. (10) Phil. 2:15. (11) Luke 14:11-13; Phil. 4:4; 1 Thess. 5:8-10. (12) Phil. 4:8.

Can you enumerate some of the things we are not to do? (67)

(1) We are not to be masterful and lordly; (2) we are not to return evil for evil; (3) we are not to avenge ourselves, but rather give place to wrath, and suffer ourselves to be defrauded; (4) we are not to do our alms before men, or let our left hand know what our right hand doeth; (5) we are not to labour to be rich or to love the world; (6) we are not to return cursing for cursing, or railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing; (7) we are not to grudge, judge, complain, or condemn; (8) we are not to give way to anger, wrath, bitterness, or evil speaking; (9) we are not to conform to the world or to be ambitious after higher things; (10) we are not to be slack in paying our debts; (11) we are not to backbite or speak of other men's sins until we have spoken to themselves first; (12) we are not to be guilty of adultery, fornication, uncleanness, drunkenness, covetousness, wrath, strife, sedition, hatred, emulation, boasting, vainglory, envy, jesting or foolish talking.

(1) Matt. 23:11; John 13:13-17. (2) Rom. 12:17. (3) Rom. 12:19, 20. (4) Matt. 6:1-4. (5) 1 Tim. 6:8. (6) 1 Pet. 3:9. (7) Jas. 4:11; Matt. 7:1; Phil. 2:14. (8) Eph. 4:31; 1 Pet. 2:1. (9) Rom. 12:2, 16. (10) Rom. 13:7-8. (11) Matt. 18:15; Jas. 5:19-20. (12) Eph. 5:3-4.

Will the gospel save us if we are disobedient to those commandments? (68)

No: our belief of the Gospel and baptism will only be to our condemnation if we live in disobedience to the commandments of Christ. Only those who do his commandments will at last be among the blessed.

"Blessed are they who do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city" (Rev. 22:14).
"Everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it" (Matt. 7:26).
"lt had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them" (2 Pet. 2:21).

Is there forgiveness for those who, having submitted to the Gospel, may fail in rendering a perfect obedience to the commandments of Christ? (69)

Yes: if there were not, no flesh could be saved. But forgiveness is conditional on our confessing and forsaking our sins; and also on our being forgiving to others; and forgiveness is only granted at the intercession of Christ. If we are unforgiving, or if he refuses to intercede, there is no hope for us.

"If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee" (Psa. 130:3-4).
"If we walk in the light... the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John l:7).
"If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1).
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" (1 John 1:9).
"He ever liveth to make intercession for us" (Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:34).
"If you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt. 6:15).
"I pray not for the world" (John 17:9).

CONCERNING FAITH AND THE GOSPEL

You have said that our faith is counted to us for righteousness when we obey the truth in baptism. What is faith? (70)

lt is the act of mind by which we believe or have confidence in professions or promises that may be made.

"Faith is the conviction of things hoped for, the assurance of things not seen" (Heb 11:1).
"Faith cometh by hearing... the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17).
"He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God" (Rom. 4:20).
"Abraham believed God and... faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness" Rom. 4:3, 9).

What is it that we are invited to believe or place confidence in before our baptism? (71)

In the Gospel.

"Preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:15-16).
"The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom. 1:16).
"It hath pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Cor. 1:21).

What is the Gospel? (72)

The word "gospel" means good news or glad tidings; and the glad tidings announced by Christ and the Apostles are the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.

"Jesus went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God" (Luke 8:1)
"And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also, for therefore am I sent" (Luke 4:43).
"They believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 8:12).
"I (Paul) have gone preaching the kingdom of God" (Acts 20:25).
"Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house... preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 28:30).