GBI Basics of Grace Summer 2010

1. GBI Basics of GraceSummer 2010 An Overview of Systematic Theology

2. Anthropology: What is Man Like? A Study of the Doctrine of Man

3. The Fall of Man (Gen. 3) • The temptation was a corruption of God’s word / command (3:1). • The temptation was a question about God’s love. • The temptation was a direct denial of God’s Word (3:4). • The temptation was an appeal to idolatry (3:5). • The temptation included a disregard of the consequences of sin (3:5-6). • The temptation was a twisting of reality (3:6).

4. Hamartiology: Is Sin Really So Bad? A Study of the Doctrine of Sin

5. Hamartiology Defined Hamartia + logos = hamartiology Sin + word = word/study of man

6. What is Sin? “Sin is what you do when you’re not satisfied with God.” [John MacArthur] “Sin is irrational. Consider Satan himself, who knows more about God than most any of us but, nevertheless, seeks to replace God on the throne; an intelligent begin, yet from one perspective incredibly stupid.” [John Frame, Salvation Belongs to the Lord.]

7. What is Sin? • Every — and any — sin is worthy of eternal condemnation (Rom. 5:16; 6:23) • Scripture denotes that some sins are greater or lesser than others (Mt. 5:19; 23:23; Jn. 19:11). • Some sins are more offensive to God because — • some sins deserve excommunication from the church body • some sins do not deserve excommunication from the church body • some sins attributed the work of Christ to Satan • some sins remain perpetual, malicious, willful and unconfessed

8. The Question of Original Sin — Depravity • Depravity does not mean — • every individual is as completely corrupt and depraved as he could become • the sinner has no innate knowledge of God • the sinner cannot admire virtuous and righteous character • every unbelieving man will indulge of every form of sin. • Depravity does mean — • the inherent sin in man extends to every part of his nature • there is no spiritual good in relation to God in the sinner at all

9. How Was Sin Imputed to all Men from Adam? • Imputation of sin means that sin is universal. • We sin because we are sinners (born with original sin) and we are sinners because we sin(our own sin condemns us). • If there is no imputation of Adam’s sin to us, then neither can there be an imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us (Rom. 5:18). If Adam cannot sin on our behalf, then neither can Christ offer His righteousness on our behalf (1 Cor. 15:22).

10. Why Do Christians Still Sin? • Believers have been saved from the power of sin so they no longer have to sin (1 Jn. 2:1). • Believers still have indwelling sin(Rom. 7:17, 18, 20, 21), though they are freed from its power. • The sources of conflict for the believer are (1 Jn. 2:16) — • the world — the system that is under the control of Satan which is hostile to God. • the flesh — the old nature and man — indwelling sin • the devil — Satan and his angels who seek to devour Christians (1 Pt. 5:8).

11. What is the Provision for the Believer? • the Word of God (Js. 1:5) • the intercession of Christ (Heb. 7:25) • the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16ff) • the redemption of sin through confession and forgiveness (1 Jn. 1:9)

12. What is the Hope for the Christian Who Sins? • Our sin does not affect our legal standingwith God. • Our sin does disrupt our fellowship with God — • Our sin is redeemable and is able to be used as an instrument of growth by means of appropriating afresh the truths of the gospel.

13. What About Unbelievers? • Unregenerate men remain guilty because of imputed sin. • Unregenerate men are born with original, in a state of death, separated from God. • Unregenerate men are guilty because of their own acts of personal sin against God. • Unregenerate men live under sin, with no ability to escape apart from God’s grace. • Unregenerate men remain under the blinding influence and authority of Satan.

14. Soteriology: How Are Men Saved? A Study of the Doctrine of Salvation

15. “Our method of proclaiming salvation is this: to point out to every heart the loving Lamb, who died for us, and although He was the Son of God, offered Himself for our sins...by the preaching of His blood, and of His love unto death, even the death of the cross:…to name no virtue except in Him, and from Him and on His account, — to preach no commandment except faith in Him; no other justification but that He atoned for us; no other sanctification but the privilege to sin no more; no other happiness but to be near Him, to think of Him and do His pleasure; no other self denial but to be deprived of Him and His blessings; no other calamity but to displease Him; no other life but in Him.” [Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf (1700-1760).]

16. Soteriology Defined Soteria + logos = soteriology Salvation + word = word/study of salvation

17. An Overview of Salvation • Salvation is the result of the past work of God. • Salvation is the present process of God. • Salvation is the future goal of God.

18. An Overview of Salvation “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 1:6)

19. The Work of Salvation — Christ’s Death • Substitution • Redemption • Reconciliation • Propitiation • Forgiveness • God has forgiven and removed sin. • There still remains a daily need for cleansing for the purpose of fellowship.

20. The Work of Salvation — Christ’s Death • Substitution • Redemption • Reconciliation • Propitiation • Forgiveness • Justification

21. The Realization of Salvation —God’s Provision • The work of God the Father • Election • Predestination • Adoption • The work of Christ • The work of the Holy Spirit • Conviction • Regeneration • Baptism • Indwelling

22. The Realization of Salvation —Man’s Responsibility • Faith involves the intellect. • Faith involves emotion. • Faith involves the will. • Faith involves a correct object (1 Cor. 15).

23. The Realization of Salvation —Man’s Responsibility • Faith involves a correct object. • The gospel was planned by God beforehand. • The gospel is an objective physical event in history. • The gospel is an objective accomplishment. • The gospel is an offer to be made to all that what Christ accomplished is free and my be had only by faith in him. • The gospel is an application through faith to specific people of what Christ accomplished. • The gospel is an eternal and infinitely happy future destiny.

24. “…to believe the gospel is not only to accept the awesome truths that 1) God is holy, 2) we are hopeless sinners, 3) Christ died and rose again for sinners, and 4) this great salvation is enjoyed by faith in Christ-but believing the gospel is also to treasure Jesus Christ as your unsearchable riches. What makes the gospel Gospel is that it brings a person into the everlasting and ever-increasing joy of Jesus Christ.” [John Piper, “The Gospel in Six Minutes.”]

25. The Realization of Salvation —Man’s Responsibility • Faith involves the intellect. • Faith involves emotion. • Faith involves the will. • Faith involves a correct object. • Faith produces transformation.

26. The Realization of Salvation —Man’s Responsibility • Faith involves transformation. • Not all who profess Christ have been converted by Christ. • Those who have been converted by Christ will produce fruit by the power of the Holy Spirit. • Believers will produce differing quality and quantity of fruit. • There will be some believers in glory who may give little demonstration of fruit now. • An individual may be saved, though he gives little evidence of that salvation, but he will have no genuine assurance of that salvation

27. The Blessing of Salvation — Security • Security is given to accomplish the sovereign purpose of God. • Security keeps us by the power of God. • Security is a demonstration of the love of God. • Security is produced by the justification in Christ. • Security gifts us with the intercession of Christ. • Security is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit. • Security results in Christ presenting us faultless before Himself.

28. “The gospel is not only the most important message in all of history; it is the only essential message in all of history. Yet we allow thousands of professing Christians to live their entire lives without clearly understanding it and experiencing the joy of living by it.” [Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace.]

29. Ecclesiology — What in the World Does the Church Do? A Study of the Doctrine of the Church

30. Ecclesiology Defined Ecclesia + logos = ecclesiology Church/ + word = word/study of church Gathering The church is a gathering of people in this age (not OT believers) who have been called by God out of the world (and from sin) to become a chosen people of God to worship Him, by being His servants in spreading the good news of His glory.

31. DEFINITION OF THE CHURCH • The church is a gathering of people in this age. • The church is a local assembly of believers • The church is the universal body of believers

32. THE FUNCTION OF THE LOCAL CHURCH • The church meets for worship • The church practices fellowship • The church provides instruction • The church has ministry • The church has organization

33. LEADERS OF THE CHURCH: Elders • Elder, pastor, and overseer are synonymous • Generally, elders serve in a plurality • There are clear qualifications for elders • Elders care for the flock primarily through preachingand teaching. • The goal of the elders’ ministry is to equipthe church body for ministry. • There is an accountabilityfor elders to God.

34. LEADERS OF THE CHURCH: Deacons • The origin of the office is in Acts 6:1-7 • There are qualifications (1 Tim. 3:8-13) • What is the difference between elders and deacons? • What about deaconesses (1 Tim. 3:11)?

35. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH • Episcopalianism • Presbyterianism • Congregationalism

36. ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH • The Lord’s Supper • Transubstantiation • Consubstantiation • Meritorious grace • Memorial • Baptism

37. THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH • Gathered, ministering to the Body • Scattered, ministering to the world

38. LESSONS FOR BELIEVERS • There must be a renewed emphasis in the local church on each believer exercising his spiritual gifts. • We must recognize that being part of a church involves much more than simply attending public worship services. • The church requires the involvement of every believer. • We must work hard to cultivate genuine sense of fellowship that is sacrificial and giving. • The church must remain the primary place for the carrying out of our disciplines and gifts. • We must individually cultivate the godly attributes of humility and love to protect the unity of the body.

39. What are the Characteristics of a God-centered church? A God-sensitive, faithful, loving, Word-loyal shepherd who tends/oversees a doctrinally sound, anchored in Scripture (doctrine matters!) loving, compassionate congregation of born-again people, who are growing spiritually and numerically, who together are ministering/laboring for the gospel, being empowered through Spirit-dependency and effectual prayer whose lives/conduct also witness to the power of the gospel (talk is cheap!) who, at times, upset/anger the world (or other religious people) because of these characteristics. P.S. If your church never upsets the world for its faithful adherence to the Word of God and fervent testimony regarding Jesus Christ, you may not have a God-centered (Christ-honoring) congregation!

40. Angelology: Angels Good and Bad — Who Are They? A Study of the Doctrine of Angels

41. THE NATURE AND ATTRIBUTES OF ANGELS • Angels are a created body of beings. • Angels were created simultaneously and innumerable in number. • Angels are spirit beings. • Angels are a higher order of being than man. • Angels are swift and powerful. • The angels were all created in the same state of goodness or holiness. • All holy angels reside in heaven, in God’s presence.

42. CATEGORIES OF ANGELS • Archangels • Chief princes • Ruling angels • Other kinds of angels — • Cherubim • Seraphim • Living Creatures

43. PROIMINENT INDIVIDUAL ANGELS • Lucifer — perhaps the most exalted angel of all • Michael — the chief of angels • Gabriel — the “missionary” angel

44. THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS • Ministry to God • Ministry to Christ • Ministry to Believers • Ministry to Unbelievers

45. THE CHARACTER OF SATAN REVEALED IN HIS NAMES • Satan — adversary or resister • Evil One — He is responsible for evil • Devil — slanderer • Serpent — referring to his subtlety and craftiness • Tempter • Prince of this world • God of this age • Deceiver of the whole world • Angel of light • Accuser of the brethren • Head of the house of evil

46. SATAN’S HISTORY • Satan enjoyed a privileged status with God • Satan was a wise and intelligent being, perfect in beauty (Ezk. 28:12). • Satan sinned and fell from his exalted position. • Pride was the cause of his downfall. • The five “I wills” of Satan are matched and superceded by the six “I wills” of God • “The ultimate moral question of the universe is this: can the creature in fact become equal to the Creator?”

47. WHY THE CROSS OF CHRIST WAS A DEFEAT FOR SATAN • Heb. 2:14 — Christ defeated death and thereby stripped Satan of his power and gave hope (confidence!) beyond the grave. • Rom. 3:25-26 — God is now both just and the One who justifies; His righteousness is fully validated. • 1 Jn. 3:8 — Christ’s death and resurrection made it possible for a people to live a new and righteous life.

48. TYPES OF DEMONS • Those who still occupy positions in the heavenlies. • Those who roam the earth. • Those who are currently shut up in the abyss, but will be released during the tribulation. • Those who were bound at the Fall, kept in chains until the final judgment.

49. THE ACTIVITY OF DEMONS • They oppose God, His angels, and His people. • They support the work of Satan. • They indwell bodies (both human and animal). • They influence the mind. • They deceive nations. • They deceive people.

50. LESSONS FOR BELIEVERS • Christians cannot be demon possessed. • Christians should put on the whole armor of God. • Christians should be absorbed with Christ and the Scriptures. • Christians should avoid relying on their own power and authority in dealing with demons. • Christians should obey the Scriptures. • Christians should recognize the power of Satan, but not be afraid of him or his followers. • Christians should not blame everything on the Devil.