Believer s Bible Institute 2016 These outlines were created for Pastor Rachel s beloved Believer s Class, but have also been added to the Believer s Bible Institute curriculum. She has categorized her personal teaching outlines due to the wide variety of Christian growth levels as explained below: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good Ps. 34:8 Appetizer - Interesting info which makes you want more. Entree - The main part of the meal which will make you strong. Dessert - Additional info which makes the Word extra sweet! Title: What Do Christians Believe? (And Why Does It Matter?) Text: Hebrews 6:1 2 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of: Repentance from Dead Works Faith Toward God The Doctrine of Baptisms Of Laying On Of Hands Resurrection Of The Dead Eternal Judgement. Appetizer - I. Principles of Christ Answer Life s Six Questions A. What s wrong with me? Repentance From Dead Works B. How do I fix it? Faith Toward God C. Now what? The Doctrine of Baptisms D. Can my life make a difference? Of Laying On Of Hands E. What happens when I die? Resurrection Of The Dead F. Is there really a heaven and hell? Eternal Judgement Entree - The main part of this meal II. Principles Of Christ A. Principles guiding truths which never change B. Elementary educators teach by repetition; ABCs, multiplication facts; foundations for more more difficult topics C. Deception will be exposed
D. Spiritual maturity is objective II. Repentance From Dead Works A. Any human attempt to appease or impress deity B. Remorse vs. Repentance = Feeling guilty vs. Complete 180* Change C. Eph. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. D. Tweet this! There s nothing good that you can do to make God love you more. There s nothing bad that you can do to make God love you any less. Rachel Burchfield III. Faith Toward God A. Trusting in God s All Sufficient Word and Character B. Rom. 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, (we have peace) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also (we have access) by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ( parentheses mine) IV. Doctrine Of Baptisms A. Baptizo, gr. = immerse; Texas term = dunked B. Pattern of spiritual growth through 3 New Testament baptisms C. Baptism of water = New Life Baptism of Holy Spirit = New power Baptism into Body of Christ = New family V. Laying On Of Hands A. One of God s methods to impart blessing, authority, and healing B. The Believer s Anointing Mark 16:18 C. The Five Fold Anointing Eph. 4:11 D. II Tim. 1:6 Stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. VI. Resurrection Of The Dead A. There is an afterlife which involves two phases for all humanity: 1) Spiritual resurrection is immediate 2) Glorified bodies at Christ s return B. Jn. 11:25 Jesus said, I am the Resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. VII Eternal Judgement A. Great White Throne Unbelievers Rev. 20:11 B. The Judgement Seat Of Christ Believers II Cor. 5:10 C. II Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he had done, whether good or bad. ( worthless is better transliteration)
Dessert, Anyone? (Additional info which makes the Word extra sweet!) I. Repentance From Dead Works Life Question: What s wrong with me? Humanity has an inner awareness of guilt and lack of purpose. Dead works are the human response to rid themselves of this inner chaos. Examples Of: Mayan Indians persuaded gods to send rain or sunrises through daily human sacrifice. Canaanites placed corpse of firstborn into temple foundations. La Scala Santa Roman Catholics climb holy stairs on knees to lessen time in purgatory. These 28 marble steps were believed to be the stairs outside of Pontius Pilate s house where Jesus walked. Emperor Constantine s mother, St. Helena is accredited to bringing them from Jerusalem to Rome in 313A.D, covered them in wood and built a chapel to house them. Pope Pius II in 1817 declared each stair ascended on one s knees decreases 9 years of purgatory. Martin Luther climbed these stairs in 1511 and doubted in his heart of its validity. Common in church today: If I pray, fast or read my Bible more, God will love me more. Three types of works mentioned in the Bible: good, evil, dead Dead works only found in Hebrews Heb.6:1, 9:14 Religion emphasize doing right. Christianity emphasizes believing right. Remorse vs. Repentance Remorse, defined deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed Repentance To turn back, return, Hbw. (an action) To change your mind, Gr. (a decision) The prodigal son repented, but Judas Iscariot was remorseful. II. Faith Toward God Life Question: How do I fix it? Trusting in God, instead of themselves, is humanity s only hope. Depending totally on God for salvation Illustration a wealthy man had donated large sums of money to multiple charities. Upon his deathbed, someone said, If anyone can get to heaven, it shall be you, for your generosity has exceeded many. Knowing Christ, as His only hope, he asked them to sing, My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less (than Jesus blood and righteousness). At the conclusion of the beloved hymn, he said, Upon this truth, I hang my eternity. He smiled and stepped into the presence of the Lord. III. Doctrine of Baptisms Life Question: I m saved. Now what? Spiritual growth is progressive as seen in 3 distinct baptisms. Doctrine same Latin word as doctor the expert who can make one strong Notice the plural form
Ceremonial washings were frequent in the Mosaic Law. The Bible lists seven baptisms: B. of Moses (I Cor.10:1 3), B. of John (Mk. 1:4), Bap. of Jesus (Mat. 3:13 17), B. of Fire (Mt. 3:11 12), B. of Holy Spirit (Lk. 3:16), B. of the Cross (of blood / suffering) (Mk.10:35 39), B. of Believers (Rom. 6:3 4) The New Testament lists five: 1. John s Baptism Mk. 4:1 (transitional) Linked OT to NT; Law to Grace Prepared ppl for the Messiah Limited because it did not produce the new birth) 2. *Christian Water Baptism Mat. 28:19, Acts 2:38 A commandment, not a suggestion of the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers Symbolic of Jesus death, burial and resurrection Spiritual significance Rom 6:3 11 (What happened to the the body of Jesus physically happens to a believer spiritually when they got born again.) Old Testament Picture: Noah s Ark (I Pet. 3:20 21) 3. Baptism of Suffering (Lk. 10:38) (exclusive & required of some) 4. *Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5) Available to all; secondary to salvation 5. *Baptism into the Body of Christ (I Cor. 12:13) * The three baptisms for N.T. all believers today. One Baptism or Several? Eph. 4:4 7 List of Seven One s mentions One Baptism Notice three in one pattern: Trinity of God, Trinity of man, Trinity of baptisms There is one baptism which is expressed in three ways. Many will question this, but it is a distraction from the predominant challenge to spiritual growth. Illus. Place 3 believers side by side; The wet one was baptized in water, the bold one was baptized in the Holy Spirit and the faithful and fruitful one understands being baptized into the Body. Immersion leaves no guesswork! Notice who does the baptizing: A human immerses the believer in water. The Lord Jesus is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit baptizes you into the Body of Christ. (I Cor. 12:18) IV. Laying On Of Hands Life Question: Can I really make a difference with my life? 1. To impart blessing, authority and healing Gen. 48:14 Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh Num. 27:18 20 Moses blessed Joshua with the spirit of wisdom and Eleazar, the priest II Kings 13:15 Elisha anointed Joash as military commander. N.T Healing through the laying on of hands Mk. 16:17, Jms. 5:14 2. To impart the Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts Acts 8:18 Peter and John imparted the Holy Spirit to new converts
Acts 9:17 Ananias laid his hands of Saul of Tarsus to receive his sight and receive the Holy Spirit I Tim. 4:14 Elders released spiritual gifts by prophecy 3. To commission ministers Acts 6:1 6 Apostles set apart men to become deacons Acts 13:1 4 Church of Antioch leaders sent out Paul and Barnabus V. Resurrection of the Dead Life question: What happens when I die? Is there an afterlife? Global survey of 18,000 in 23 countries shows 51% believe in God or a higher being, but not necessarily in an afterlife such as heaven or hell. christianpost.com//april 2011 Over 500 people saw Jesus in His resurrected body. I Cor. 15:6 A plethora of Bible scriptures answer this question: Job 14:14, I Cor. 15:35 36, 51, Heb. 9:27, II Cor. 5:1, 8, II Cor. 4:16, Jn. 5:28, Rom. 8:23, I Jn. 3:2 VI. Eternal Judgement Life Question: Is there really a heaven and hell? Jesus confirmed that Heaven is a real place: Mk. 16:19, Heb. 6:19, Jn. 14:1 4 Jesus confirmed that Hell is a real place: Lk. 16:22, Jn. 5:29 Eternal fire Mat. 25:41, Unquenchable fire Mat. 3:12, Shame and everlasting contempt Dan. 12:2, Everlasting destruction II Th. 1:9, Where the wicked are tormented day and night forever and ever Rev. 20:10 The Judgement Seat of Christ is for believers and should be eagerly anticipated. It does not determine salvation. It is an Awards Ceremony for already believers. Jesus is not judging you for your sins, but rewarding you for your service to Him. Five crowns distributed: II Tim. 2:5, II Tim. 4:8, Jms. 1:12, I Pet. 5:4, Rev. 2:10 The Great White Throne is the final judgement prior to the lost being cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:11 15 The Book of Life will be opened. Rev. 20:12 There are conflicting opinions about the # of judgements, (whether 2 or 3) but all agree that Jesus is the Judge and unbelievers have stored up wrath against themselves. (Rom. 2:5) Intercession for the salvation of lost souls makes a difference and should become the priority of all believers.