Defined SUMMER 2017 THE INSTITUTE UPDATE IN THIS ISSUE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS STAGE ONE

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1 U B L I L B E B T e IN h T SUMMER 2017 Volume 19 June, July, August Training for Ministry Issue 1 Rightly Dividing God s Word THE INSTITUTE UPDATE Defined Dr. Robert E. Nix, BBI President CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS STAGE ONE Pastor Andy Kern, BBI Dean of Academics I recently shared with you that BBI is embarking on a three stage capital improvement campaign. It is our desire over the next several years to address some of the key building and maintenance issues facing BBI. The first stage is the repaving of our parking lot. The second stage will be to address our deteriorating concrete stairs that run alongside of our building and then the final stage will be to address several building and structural issues with our building. At the writing of this update What is grace? The word did not mean much to me until I came to know Christ as my Savior and began to understand the grace of God. When I think of the word now, it is almost always in the context of God s grace, and I sometimes feel as though my understanding barely scratches the surface of this small, simple but profound word. Grace is a concise term Scripture uses that has meaning that is truly unfathomable. We can gain a working definition of grace, but to fully explore its riches and depths is really akin to fully understanding the infinite goodness of God. (continued on page 6) IN THIS ISSUE We know that the Apostle Paul is the Apostle of Grace. The Dispensation of Grace was committed to him (Eph. 3:2), and he described his calling and ministry as acts of God s grace (Gal. 1:15; 1 Cor. 15:10). He wrote and preached about how God s grace is the channel of redemption and The Institute Update...1 Grace Defined...1 Mail Received at Box The Bulletin Board...2 Bible Words and Words of the Bible...4 (continued on page 3) Berean Bible Institute PO Box Kettle Moraine Dr. S. Slinger, WI Phone: (262) Fax: (262) bbi@bereanbibleinstitute.org Web: 1

2 Mail Received at Box 587 A Biblical Life A 50 page booklet on Folllthe Christians daily life. Available for $4.00 plus S&H. The Bulletin Board Upcoming Events & News FROM WISCONSIN: We appreciate the ministry and fellowship of the BBI. Praying Dr. Nix will be blessed and encouraged on his upcoming mission trip. Grace and peace to you all. FROM ARIZONA: A small donation to help with the expenses of teaching men how to hold forth the Word of God in this Age of Grace, standing firm in teaching the Mystery. Thank you again for your faithfulness. FROM PENNSYLVANIA: Bible Answers to Bible Questions continues to encourage me and strengthen me in the truth, and also gives good reading to pass on to others. Thanks for your faithful labor in the Lord. FROM WISCONSIN: Just a note to send you a gift, use where needed. It was exciting to read in the newsletter that Dr. Nix will be going to Zambia! This will be June 25-July 8 and we shall be praying. FROM WASHINGTON: I would like to thank you so very much for your faithful delivery of your publications, the BBI Bulletin and Bible Answers to Bible Questions. I have been receiving it for the last few years and they have been paramount to my transformation. Only one life; twill soon be past. Only what s done in Christ will last. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! June 25- July 8th Zambia Grace Leadership Conference in Kabwe, Zambia (Remember to pray) July 21 BBI Board Meeting August 21 on-campus classes begin August 23 on-line classes begin ORDER YOUR 2017 BBI T-SHIRT TODAY! Show your support, represent the Lord s message and help support the school! Our theme is Surrendered to the Call! All sizes available, for only $10.00 each (2X and 3X are $12.00). To order please check out our website at bereanbibleinstitute.org or call us today. Register now for the Fall Semester! (Registration deadline is August 11, 2017) On-campus classes start August 21, 2017 For more information, class schedule, application, or a Handbook & Course Catalog, contact BBI. Contact BBI at: bbi@bereanbibleinstitute.org, or check out our website: Our goal is to equip men and women to stand for and defend the truth of God s Word! ARE YOU READY? 2

3 (GRACE DEFINED continued from page 1) forgiveness through the blood of Christ (Eph. 1:7), the basis of justification by faith alone (Rom. 3:22-24), and the foundation of consolation and hope (2 Thes. 2:16). He always began his letters with God s grace directed toward the saints and ended them the same way. He described grace as sufficient for suffering (2 Cor. 12:9), as causing us to abound in good works (2 Cor. 9:8), and as the motivation for ministry (1 Cor. 15:10). In fact, the Greek word for grace, charis, is used 96 times by the Apostle Paul. His epistles are saturated with God s grace. I believe that grace was more than a word to Paul. For the Apostle, grace was a picture of the goodness of God. Paul wrote about his life before Christ in 1 Timothy 1:13, describing himself as a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious. He considered himself to have been the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15), for he relentlessly persecuted those who followed Christ (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2). Yet, the Lord appeared to Paul in a manifestation of grace on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:2-9), and the man was never the same. God s grace changed Paul, transforming him into the champion of grace. He began to relentlessly preach the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24). Paul defended God s grace despite the cost (Gal. 1:6-9), and he taught that grace should abound in the believer s life (2 Cor. 4:15; 9:8). The Lord did not simply tell Paul what grace was about, but showed the Apostle what grace looked like by forgiving him and calling him into ministry. God s grace then compelled Paul to teach and demonstrate God s grace to others. It was not simply a word, but a view of the character of God, and a way of life. The Apostle John wrote that God is love (1 Jn. 4:8) and, based on Scripture, we could also say that God is grace. Everything God does is characterized by grace and love. He is not only grace and love, but also holy and just. God s completely righteous nature demanded that mankind s sins merit death, but it was grace that sent Christ to the cross to die the death required to bring forgiveness of sins to all who believe. Paul wrote, For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might 3 be rich (2 Cor. 8:9). It was grace that brought Christ to earth through the incarnation, leaving behind the glory He possessed with the Father (Jn. 17:5), and becoming an obedient servant to the extent of dying on the cross (Phil. 2:6-8). It was grace that brought us salvation and eternal life through Christ (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 2:11). So, what is grace? It is God s benevolent and giving nature directed toward us. It is His gladness, joy, and delight in our salvation and life with Him. It is His very best delivered to us at His own expense. It was His willingness to sacrifice His own Son to bring us into fellowship with Himself. Through grace, His riches have becomes ours (Eph. 1:7). Grace is the outpouring of God s goodness upon us. If you have trusted Christ as your Savior, God wants grace to characterize you. It is His desire that grace saturates our lives, affecting our hearts, changing our speech, and issuing forth in song and praise (Col. 3:16; 4:6). God s grace is to become our motivation for ministry and desire to give and sacrifice for the Lord. The grace of God is sufficient for us in all things at all times, enabling us to abound in His service (2 Cor. 9:8). Amazingly, His grace is not only manifested to us and through us in this life, but He will continue to demonstrate the wonders of His grace for eternity. As Paul wrote, That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:7). (While the quote below was meant as a criticism of Dispensationalism, we take it as a compliment. Scripture, and Scripture alone is our foundation of truth! CRITICISM OF DISPENSATIONALISM Editor) Methodism has it s Personalism, Old Princeton its Realism, and Roman Catholicism its Thomism, but it would seem that Dispensationalism has no philosophy of its own. Indeed, Dispensationalism is almost anti-philosophical in that it tends to de-emphasize philosophy. It has always been sympathetic to apologetics but it has not been inclined to philosophize beyond the immediate needs for Biblical verification, and it is almost impatient in its desire to get to Holy Scriptures. ¾Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth, John Gerstner

4 BIBLE WORDS & WORDS OF THE BIBLE Dr. W. Edward Bedore, Editor, BBI Bulletin, BABQ anti-christ This term is derived from the combining of two Greek words, anti and christos. The Greek anti can mean against or in place of, and christos means anointed one and is the equivalent of the Hebrew Messiah. In the context that it is found in the Scriptures, the term anti-christ obviously signifies both against and in place of as the anti-christ will both oppose Jesus Christ and try to take His place as the Christ. In doing so the anti-christ s goal is to cause mankind to worship and adore him as God by any means possible, including deception and lethal force. While the Bible speaks of many anti-christs, it is clearly revealed in Scripture that in the End Times, or Last Days, one who is The anti-christ will come to the forefront of the unfolding of human history to challenge Jesus Christ for dominion over all the earth as King of kings and Lord of lords. I refer to this evil emissary of Satan as anti-christ rather than the more commonly used Antichrist partly because anti- Christ is not actually a name nor can it properly be called a title. It is rather a concise descriptive term for this wicked man and his activities. Once he comes to power as the religious, political, and military leader of the world, he will do all within his power to hinder people from coming to faith in Jesus Christ and to prevent His Second Coming. I personally believe it more fitting to refer to him as the anti-christ rather than the Antichrist because, in my mind anyway, it is more descriptive of this son of Satan who will one day, while claiming to be the Christ, lead the armies of the world in an all-out effort to destroy the true Christ when He returns to earth to claim His inheritance. Of course, it will be an effort that will ultimately fail (see Psa. 2, notably verses 2, 6-8, 12 with Rev. 19:11-21). When the word Antichrist is written the anti activities of obstruction are predominate, but in writing it as anti-christ, the Lord Jesus as the Christ of God is predominate. The term anti-christ is used both in reference to the anti-christ, and to all those who oppose Christ. The anti-christ world system we live in has existed since the Garden of Eden and man s horrific fall into sin (see Gen. 3:1-19). Since then Adam s race has set itself against God and His righteous-ness, tirelessly working to suppress the truth through their ungodly deeds of unrighteousness, an effort that is cap stoned by idolatry. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptable God into an image made like corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things (Rom. 1:21-23; see Rom. 1:18-32). Transcending all ethnic, cultural, and national barriers, the entire world system is permeated by an anti-christ spirit, which all sinners (Rom. 3:23) contribute to. The walk through life of every lost sinner (the unsaved) is, 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 disobedience (see Eph. 2:1-3). All the world is now and always has been against God except for the remnant made up of believers, those who have believed God in each age. The world system is and has always been an anti-christ system. This ongoing conflict is first mentioned in Scripture when the Lord announced that there would be enmity between (Satan) and the woman, and between (Satan s) seed and (the woman s) seed (Christ) shall bruise (Satan s) head and (Satan) shall bruise (Christ s) heel (Gen. 3:15). Satan thought the cross would destroy Christ, but when He rose from the dead Satan s eventual destruction was ensured. Because the whole world is anti-christ and every false teacher of spiritual things can be called an anti-christ, when the one appears in the Last Days who is the anti-christ (I John 2:18, 22; 4:2-3; II John 4:7), the world will follow him (Rev. 13:7-8). This will be a man who is empowered by Satan and will bring about a combined one-world (continued on page 5) 4

5 (BIBLE WORDS AND WORDS OF THE BIBLE continued from page 4) system of government, religion, and economics. He will rule as a tyrannical dictator with the support of a powerful miracle working religious leader called the False Prophet (Rev. 13:11-14, 16:13-14). Both are referred to as a beast and both will be supernaturally empowered by Satan (Rev. 13:1-4; 11-15). The anti-christ will suddenly rise to power at the beginning of the Tribulation of the Last Days and will work towards carrying out Satan s diabolical plan to rule over all humanity. Always a malicious deceiver, Satan, using the anti-christ and the False Prophet, will masquerade as a trinity in place of the True Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with Satan as the false-father, anti- Christ as the false-son, and the False Prophet as the false-holy Spirit. This wicked trio will end up in the Lake of Fire (Rev. 19:19-20; 20:7-10). NAMES, TITLES, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE ANTI-CHRIST He is called the beast out of the sea (Rev. 13:1-4); a blasphemer of God (Rev. 13:5-6); one who makes war against God s people and who gains power over all the earth (Rev. 13: 7); one whom all the unsaved will worship (Rev. 13:8); He is the little horn (Dan. 7:8); the prince that shall come (Dan. 9:26); a self-willed king who claims to be God (Dan. 11:36-37; II Thes. 2:4). He is also the man of sin who is doomed as the son of perdition (II Thes. 2:3); he will be a wicked, or lawless, one whose coming will mark the beginning of the Tribulation (II Thes. 2:6-8), also known as the time of Jacob s (Israel s) trouble (Jer. 30:9). The anti-christ will demonstrate extraordinary ability and skills as an intellectual, an orator, in economics, a politician, in military tactics, administration, and religion (Dan. 7:20; 8:2, 25; 11:21; II Thes. 2:4; Rev. 13:1-2). Scripture pictures anti- Christ as a crowned rider on a white horse who will go forth conquering and to conquer (Rev. 6:1-2). The people of the world will flock to him, believing he will bring peace, prosperity, and safety on earth, but, alas, he will only bring war, famine, and death (I Thes. 5:2-3; Rev. 6:1-8). CONTRASTS BETWEEN JESUS THE CHRIST AND THE ANTI-CHRIST Christ, a Man of sorrows ; anti-christ, the man of sin. Christ, the Son of God; anti-christ, a son of Satan. Christ, the personification of the mystery of Godliness; anti-christ, the personification of the mystery of iniquity. Christ, the Good Shepherd; anti-christ, the worthless shepherd. Christ humbled Himself; anti-christ will exalt himself. Christ was despised; anti-christ will be admired. Christ cleansed the Temple; anti-christ will defile the Temple. Christ died for the people; anti-christ will kill the people. Christ is the Lamb of God; anti-christ is the beast of Satan. Christ is the Truth; anti-christ is a liar and deceiver. Christ is the Holy One of God; anti-christ is the lawless one of the Devil. Christ, will finally be exalted on high; anti-christ, will finally be cast down to Hell. ASSURANCE The idea of having assurance is to be fully persuaded or to be firm in the conviction that something is so. This is an area that many believers struggle with in regards to their salvation. Doubts arise when they start questioning whether they are good enough to be saved or fear that they have lost their salvation because they have committed a sin of some kind or some other imagined reason. Left unchecked, this lack of assurance often leads some to become legalistic in their effort to find spiritual comfort through some form of law-keeping. Others live in what might be called a spiritual despondency that causes them to seek relief from what seems to be a never ending list of spiritual self-help teachings, especially in the area of spiritual warfare. There are also those who just give up and, believing that they have no hope, quit attending church and live like the world. So, how does a believer gain a full assurance of their salvation? The Bible tells us that the salvation of condemned and unworthy sinners comes through faith, or trust, in the Lord Jesus Christ, believing that He died in their place for their sins, was buried, (continued on page 6) 5

6 (BIBLE WORDS AND WORDS OF THE BIBLE continued from page 5) and three days later rose from the dead in complete victory over sin and death (Acts 13:37-39; Rom. 3:21-26; I Cor. 1:18; 15:1-4, 20-22, 55-56). When a lost sinner hears the Gospel message and trusts in Jesus Christ as his or her Savior, they receive the forgiveness of sins, are redeemed, justified (declared righteous), indwelt, sealed, and baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit, given eternal life, and positionally seated with Jesus Christ in heaven (Eph. 1:7, 12-14; 2:4-6; 4:30; Rom. 3:21-26; II Cor. 1:22-23; 5:5, 21; I Cor. 6:11, 19-20). Additionally, the believer is also reconciled and thus declared to be at peace with God through the blood of His cross (Rom. 5:1, 9-11; II Cor. 5:18). The letters of the Apostle Paul, which were inspired by God, abound with passages that confirm the security of the believer s salvation. The believer s enjoyment of salvation is found in in Christ because He is the source of our salvation and very blessing that comes with our salvation is also found in Him. Paul prayed that God would open the spiritual eyes of the saints at Ephesus to the knowledge of Him (Christ) (Eph. 1:17). In Philippians we are instructed to count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus that we might know Him (see Phil. 3:7-10). A lack of assurance is simply a matter of unbelief. Believers who struggle with doubts about whether they are saved or not are really doubting God s Word and the Savior Himself. They are trusting in their own ideas, abilities, and experiences for assurance rather than in what God has told us in His Word, the Bible. Instead of meditating on God s Word, they dwell on what turns out to be vain ideas, inabilities, and failed experiences which result in hopeless despair based on their unworthiness. They are spiritually deceived and emotionally bound by the philosophies and fleshly principles of the word. The only remedy to the uncertainty of salvation is to find the comfort of assurance through faith in the Savior, who is worthy and faithful. The Bible tells us that every believer is complete in Him who is Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior (see Col. 2:8-10). Believe it and rejoice evermore. (THE INSTITUTE UPDATE continued from page 1) our concrete contractors and asphalt contractors are preparing to put in our new parking lot and curbing. The cost to BBI will be approximately $35,000 for both the paving and curbing. Please pray for us as we embark on this project. AFRICA PROJECT As I write this update I am yet preparing for my trip to Africa and, Lord willing, when you read this I will have returned from sharing the gospel of grace with our brothers and sisters in Zambia. I want to thank you so much for your faithful support for this project. Because of your support not only am I able to minister on this trip, I am able to put a packet of Grace material together for each of the participants in this conference. I will be giving each leader a copy of Basic Bible Doctrines by Don Webb, Bible Truth by Charles Baker, A Biblical Life by Edward Bedore and finally, A Praying Life by Kevin Sadler. There are many other solid resources that I could have included, but because of luggage restrictions I was somewhat limited. I look forward to reporting back to you on what God accomplished through this ministry opportunity. Thank you so much for your support. BBF CONFERENCE I just wanted to take this opportunity to say how thankful I am to the Berean Bible Fellowship for their yearly Bible Conference. The June 2017 conference held at Community Bible Church was a true blessing. The faculty of BBI always looks forward to attending this conference and this year was no different. During the day the messages focused on the book of Titus and at night various topics found in the book of Revelation. There was a sweet spirit and a wonderful fellowship of believers. I also want to thank the team at Community Bible Church and Pastor Jeff Seekins for his leadership and their hospitality. Our BBI resource table was visited often by those interested in what God is doing at the Institute and those praying about taking courses in the future. (continued on page 7) 6

7 (THE INSTITUTE UPDATE continued from page 7) 2017 FALL CLASS SCHEDULE The following is a list of our upcoming oncampus courses and our on-line courses. Please check our website for exact dates, registration deadlines and course times. ON-CAMPUS (August 21 October 12) Monday Night: 101 Dispensational Survey 115 Public Speaking 113 English 201 Pastoral Ministry 203 Bible Exposition III (Ezra, Nehemiah, and the four Gospels) Tuesday Night: 215 Biblical Greek I 1001 Principles of Family Life 211 Biblical Counseling I 203 Biblical Exposition III (continued) ONLINE COURSES (August 23 October 12) Wednesday Night: 209 Homiletics I / Advanced Public Speaking for Women (This course runs a full sixteen weeks) 205 Practical Dispensational Theology I Thursday Night: 105 Basic Bible Doctrines I 324 Theology In Missions ONLINE COURSES (October 25 December 14) Thursday Night: 207 Major Prophets 109 Dispensational Hermeneutics EXTENSION COURSE ADDED We are excited to announce our second extension course location. On Monday nights from, October 23rd to December 11th, BBI will be holding the course Basic Bible Doctrine I at Friendship Congregational Church, in Friendship, Wisconsin. BBI already has several students in this area and we hope that even more will avail themselves of this awesome opportunity. We will also be holding another course at Grace Bible Church in West Allis, Wisconsin. This course will be 116 Biblical Worldview, and will be held on Monday nights from August 21st October 9th. CONSIDER LEAVING A LEGACY Over the years BBI has been funded primarily by the monthly gifts of individuals and churches that see the need for an Institute with a goal to train students to be leaders in the Grace Movement. Since the founding of Berean Bible Institute in 1996, we have on occasion been blessed with various estate gifts. It has been the desire of these donors to see BBI continue to train leaders for the Grace Movement long after they have gone to be with the Lord. We want to ask that you prayerfully consider BBI as you plan for the future. Please note that there are also various Trusts and or Charitable Annuities that may allow one to give and also receive some tax benefits through their giving. If you have any questions about this process or need more information about Berean Bible Institute don t hesitate to call us. Serving Together, Wednesday Night: 209 Homiletics I / Advanced Public Speaking for Women (continued) 107 Personal Evangelism & Follow-up Dr. Robert E. Nix, President Berean Bible Institute 7

8 The BBI Bulletin is the official newsletter of the Berean Bible Institute Inc., and is sent free of charge to any that request it. Berean Bible Institute exists as a college level school of adult education, which endeavors to provide advanced Biblical and doctrinal studies in accordance with the Biblical principle of right division and the revelation of the mystery along with practical training in ministry and leadership skills, in order to help individuals become prepared to do the work of the ministry in local churches, the mission field, at home or abroad, with the overall goal of making the Gospel of Jesus Christ known to the lost throughout the world, the edification of believers, and the promotion of personal Bible study. President & Executive Editor: Robert E. Nix, Ph.D. /Managing Editor: W. Edward Bedore, Th.D. Associate Editor: Matthew Ritchey, M. BS./ Layout: Jessica Sadler BEREAN BIBLE INSTITUTE 116 Kettle Moraine Dr. S. PO Box 587 Slinger, WI Phone: /Fax: bbi@bereanbibleinstitute.org/web: Berean Bible Institute, Inc. admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin. BEREAN BIBLE INSTITUTE 116 Kettle Moraine Drive S. PO Box 587 Slinger, WI Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Slinger, WI Permit No. 37 8