BIBLE TEACHINGS
              A REFERENCE HELP 
     

    This document was prepared and printed as a
    Bible teaching reference help for preachers and
    teachers of the Liberia Inland Church, and other
    interested English-speaking Christians. It is now
    made freely available on the Internet because of the
    warm welcome and wide use it has received.

    Note that the context is clearly Liberian-African and
    the studies take more or less account of African realities.

    The authors, June Jackson assisted by her husband Tom, 
    WEC missionaries,
    were killed in 1990 when attacked 
    during the war
    in Liberia.

    A search for topics and the appropriate Bible references
    can be done using the topics listed in the Table of Contents.
     


     

    BIBLE TEACHINGS -- A REFERENCE HELP
     
     

      Table of Contents

      THE BIBLE
      GOD
      THE TRINITY
      MAN and SIN
      JESUS CHRIST
      THE HOLY SPIRIT
      THE CHURCH
      SALVATION -- Repentance
      SALVATION -- Faith
      SALVATION -- Regeneration
      SALVATION -- Justification
      SALVATION -- Assurance
      SALVATION -- Sanctification
      PRAYER
      ANGELS
      THE DEVIL AND EVIL SPIRITS
      DEATH
      THE SECOND COMING
      SICKNESS AND HEALING
      DREAMS and PROPHETS
      MONEY
      CULTURE
      MARRIAGE
      ABOMINATIONS
       



     
          THE BIBLE
    What is the meaning of the word 'Bible'?
    The word came from the Greek word 'biblos' which means book.
    How many books are there in the Bible?
    There are 66; 39 in the Old Testament, 27 in the New Testament.
    What are the names of the books in the Old Testament?

        Law books                                         History Books
    Genesis (Gen.)                      Joshua (Josh.)                 1, 2 Chronicles
    Exodus (Ex.)                         Judges (Judg.)                 (Chron.)
    Leviticus (Lev.)                     Ruth Ezra
    Numbers (Num.)                   1, 2 Samuel (Sam.)         Nehemiah (Neh.)
    Deuteronomy (Deut.)             1, 2 Kings                      Esther (Est.)

        Wisdom Books                                  Prophetic Books
    Job                                       Isaiah (Isa.)                     Obadiah (Obad.)
    Psalms (Ps.)                          Jeremiah (Jer.)                 Jonah (Jon.)
    Proverbs (Prov.)                    Lamentations (Lam.)        Micah (Mic.)
    Ecclesiastes (Ecc.)                 Ezekiel (Ezek.)                 Nahum (Nah.)
    The Song of Solomon            Daniel (Dan.)                    Habakkuk (Hab.)
    (Song.)                                 Hosea (Hos.)                     Zephaniah (Zeph.)
                                                Joel                                  Haggai (Hag.)
                                                Amos                               Zechariah (Zech.)
                                                                                       Malachi (Mal.)

    What are the names of the books in the New Testament?
        History Books                                        Letters
    Matt (Matt.)                        Romans (Rom.)                  1, 2 Timothy (Tim.)
    Mark                                  1, 2 Corinthians (Cor.)         Titus (Tit.)
    Luke                                  Philemon (Philm.)
    John                                   Galatians (Gal.)                    Hebrews (Heb.)
    Acts                                   Ephesians (Eph.)                  James (Jas.)
                                             Philippians (Phil.)                 1, 2 Peter
                                              Colossians (Col.)                 1, 2, 3 John
                                              1, 2 Thessalonians (Thes.)   Jude

        Prophecy
    Revelation (Rev.)

    When was the Bible written?
    The books of the Old Testament were written before Jesus came.
    He taught His disciples from them.
    Luke 24.27
    The books of the New Testament were written 50-100 years after Jesus was born.

    Who wrote the Bible?
    The books of the Bible were written by about 40 different people.
    They were rich, poor, fishermen, kings, shepherds.
    They lived in different countries at different times.

    Why was the Bible written?
    The Bible was written that we might believe that Jesus in the Son of God,
    and that we might receive life through faith in Him.
    John 20.31; 1 John 5.13; John 5.39; Acts 18.28; Luke 24.27; Acts 8.34-35
    The Bible was written to teach us.
    Rom. 15.4; 1 Cor. 10.11; Ps. 19.7-11
    The Bible was written to give us hope.
    Rom. 15.4

    How was the Bible written?
    The Holy Spirit moved men to write the books.
    2 Peter 1.21; 2 Tim. 3.16; Matt. 22.43
    The books, written at different times in different places by different people,
    all say the same thing.
    The voice of the Spirit in the Bible says the same thing as
    the voice of the Spirit in a believer's heart.

    How can the Bible help us?
    The Bible is our food.
    1 Peter 2.2; Heb. 5.12-14; Ps. 119.103; Jer. 15.16
    The Bible is our sword.
    Eph. 6.17; Matt. 4.4, 7, 10
    The Bible is our light.
    Ps.119.105
    The Bible is truth -- we test al teaching with it.
    Acts 17.11; John 17.17
    The Bible in our hearts will keep us from sin.
    Ps. 119.11; Prov. 6.20-24
     


                                 GOD
    Who is God?
    God is the Person the writers of the Bible tell us about.
    God shows Himself to us through the writers of the Bible.
    He is the One who made everything.
    Gen. 1.1
    He is the One who looks after everything.
    Ps. 104.27-30
    A person must believe that God is before he can come to Him.
    Heb. 11.6
    The Bible says the person who says there is no God is a fool.
    Ps. 53.1

    What are the names of God?
    Elohim (plural)     These two are written as God.
    El                  )
     

    Jehovah )
    Jahveh   )    ( This is God's covenant name.
    Yahweh )    ( This is written LORD.

    Adonai          This is written Lord.

    What is God like?
    God is Spirit.
    John 4.24
    God is a Person.
    Ps. 94.9-10; Ps. 147.11; Jer. 10.10
    God is One.
    Deut. 4.35; 6.4; Isa. 44.6; 45.5; 1 Tim. 2.5
    God was and is God forever.
    Ps. 90.2; Gen. 1.1; Hab. 1.12; Rom. 1.20; 1 Tim. 1.17; 6.16
    God doesn't change.
    Ps. 102.27; Mal. 3.6; Jas. 1.17
    Man cannot see God.
    Ex. 33.20; John 1.18; 1 Tim. 1.17; 6.16
    Man has only seen a form of God.
    Gen. 18.16-22; Ex. 13.21; 24.10; Ex. 33.18-23; John 1.32
    What kind of Person is God?
    God is holy.
    Lev. 19.2; Isa. 6.1-3; 57.15; John 17.11; 1 Peter 1.15-16
    God is righteous.
    Ezra 9.15; Ps. 11.7; 103.6; 145.17; John 17.25
    God loves people.
    John 3.16; 1 John 3.1; 4.8-16; Rom. 5.8; Eph. 2.4; Deut. 33.3; Isa. 63.9
    God is merciful.
    Ps. 86.15; 103.8-18; 145.8; Isa. 55.7; Luke 6.36; Eph. 2.4
    God is true and faithful.
    Deut. 7.9; Ps. 100.5; 1 Cor. 1.9; 10.13; 2 Thess. 3.3; Tit. 1.2
    What else do we know about God?
    God is everywhere.
    Ps. 139.7-10; Isa. 66.1; Jer. 23.23-24; Acts 17.24-28
    God can do everything.
    Gen. 18.14; Job 42.2; Ps. 135.6; Jer. 32.17; Matt 19.26; Mark 14.36
    God knows everything.
    Ps. 139.1-6; 147.4-5; Prov. 15.3; Ezek. 11.5; Acts 15.18; Heb. 4.13; 1 John 3.20
    God is above all.
    1 Chron. 29.11; Ps. 95.3
    God has a plan.
    Acts 2.23; Rom. 8.28-29; Eph. 1.4-5; 2 Thess. 2.13; 2 Tim. 1.9; Gal. 4.4-5;Gen. 3.15
     



     
        THE TRINITY
    If God is One, how can Jesus and the Holy Spirit be also God?
    In the Bible, the word `one' can be used when more than one person is meant.
    Gen. 2.24; 11.6; John 17.22-23; 1 Cor. 3.8
    The name Elohim (God) is a plural word.
    God talks about `us'.
    Gen. 1.26; 3.22; Isa. 6.8

    How do we know there are three Persons?
    When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit came on Him and God spoke from heaven.
    Matt. 3.16-17
    Jesus said to baptize people in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
    Matt. 28.19
    Paul used the three names.
    2 Cor. 13.14
    Jesus talked about three Persons.
    John 14.16

      The Father is God.
      Rom. 1.7
      The Son is God.
      Heb. 1.8
      The Holy Spirit is God.
      Acts 5.3-4
      

     
      MAN and SIN
    Where did people come from?
    God created them.
    Gen. 1.26-27; Ps. 8.5; Acts 17.26

    What were people like when God made them?
    They were like God.
    Gen. 1.26; 9.6; 1 Cor. 11.7; Col. 3.10; Jas. 3.9
    They could choose to obey God.
    They could choose to disobey God.
    Gen. 3; Rom. 5.12, 19; Matt. 4.1

    Where did sin come from?
    The Bible does not tell us.
    The Bible tells us that God causes the bad things that come after sin.
    Isa. 45.7; Job 2.10; Amos 3.6
    The Bible tells us how sin came into people.
    Gen. 3; Rom. 5.12-19; 1 Tim. 2.14

    What happened when sin came into people?
    Death came into the world.
    Gen. 3.3, 19; Gen. 5.5; Rom. 5.12; 6.23; Eph. 2.1
    Suffering came.
    Gen. 3.16-19
    All men are now slaves to sin.
    Gen. 6.5, 12; Ps. 14.2-3; 51.5; Isa. 53.6; John 8.31-36; Rom. 3.10-12;
    5.12, 21; 6.12, 17-18; Tit. 3.3
    Every part of man has been spoiled by sin.
    Gen. 6.5; Jer. 17.9; Rom. 7.18; 2 Cor. 4.4; Eph. 4.18; Tit. 1.15
    Man is separated from God.
    John 8.44; 1 John 3.8-10
    God's wrath is on man.
    John 3.36; Eph. 2.3

    What is sin?
    Sin is fighting against God.
    Jer. 44.4-5; Dan. 9.5-6, 10-11; Rom. 8.7; 1 John 3.4
    Sin is not being the way we should be.
    Rom. 3.23
    Sin is not doing the thing we should do.
    James 4.17
    Sin is doing what we want, not what God wants.
    Rom. 1.28-32; Isa. 53.6
    Sin is doing what we should not do.
    Matt. 15.18-19; Rom. 7.17-19; Jas. 2.10
    Sin is doing things without faith.
    Rom. 14.23
    Sin makes people hard.
    Heb. 3.13

    Why do people sin?
    They sin because they choose their own way,
    and will not take God's way of salvation.
    Isa 30.15; John 5.24, 40; Matt. 23.37; Acts 7.51; 10.43; Rev. 3.20
       



     
        JESUS CHRIST
    Who is Jesus Christ?
    He is God.
    Matt. 1.23; John 1.1; 10.30; 20.28; Phil. 2.5-6; Col. 2.9; Tit. 2.13; Heb. 1.8
    He is the Son of God.
    Matt. 16.16-19; Mark 1.11; 9.7; Luke 1.35; 4.41; John 1.18; 5.18-23, 26; 14.7-12;
    John 17.1; Rom. 1.4; Col. 1.13; Heb. 1.5; 1 John 4.9; 5.5, 9-13, 20
    He is the Creator.
    John 1.1-3; Col. 1.16
    He looks after everything.
    Col. 1.17; Heb. 1.3
    He is eternal.
    John 1.1-3; 8.56-58; 17.5; Heb. 1.2; Rev. 1.8

    What did Jesus Christ do?
    In God's time He came into the world and was born in a human body.
    Gal. 4.4
    The Holy Spirit caused a virgin, Mary, to bear Him.
    Luke 1.27-32; Matt. 1.18-25

    Why did He come?
    He came to save people.
    John 3.17; 2 Cor. 5.21; Gal. 4.4-5; Heb. 2.14-18; 1 John 3.5
    He came to show us the way God is.
    John 1.14; 14.5-9

    How did He save people?
    He saved people by 1) His life, 2) His death,
    3) His rising from the dead
    and going back to His Father.

    1) HIS LIFE
    What do we know about His life?
    He grew as a human grows.
    Luke 2.40, 52
    He was human.
    Matt. 4.2; John 4.6; 11.35; 19.28; Heb. 2.17
    He was tempted as we are tempted.
    Heb. 4.15
    He never sinned.
    Heb. 4.15
    He always obeyed God.
    Rom. 5.19; Heb. 10.6-7; John 5.19; 6.38; 8.29
    At the same time, He was also God.
    Matt. 8.26; 11.27; Luke 5.4-6; John 1.18; 2.24-25; 3.13;
    5.19-20; 10.18; 14.10
    His perfect life meant He could become the offering for sin.
    Lev 1.3; 3.1; 4.3, 14; Mal. 1.13; Isa. 53.5-11; Phil. 2.5-8;
    Heb. 5.9; 9.14; 1 Pet. 1.19

    2) HIS DEATH
    What do we know about His death?
    His death is very important.
    Luke 9.30-31; 24.26, 44; 1 Cor. 15.1-3; 1 Peter 1.11; Rev. 5.8-12
    These words are used in the New Testament about His death :

      ransom                         Matt. 20.28; 1 Tim. 2.6
      propitiation                    Rom. 3.25; 1 John 2.2; 4.10
      reconciliation                 Rom. 5.10; 2 Cor. 5.18-19;
                                          Eph. 2.16; Col. 1.20-21
      offering/give life             Heb. 10.10, 14; Gal. 1.4; 2.20; John 10.17
      sacrifice                        Heb. 10.12; 1 Cor. 5.7; John 1.29
      redemption                    Rom. 3.24; Gal. 3.13; Eph. 1.7;
                                          Col. 1.4; 1 Peter 1.18-19
    Christ took our place.
    Isa. 53.4-6; 1 Peter 2.24; 3.18; Rom. 5.8;
    1 Cor. 5.7; 2 Cor. 5.21; Gen. 22.13

    Why did Jesus have to die?
    God is holy, and can only be approached through blood.
    1 Peter 1.15-16; Heb. 9.7, 12-14, 22; 10.4, 11-12
    Man is sinful, and God's wrath is on him.
    John 3.36; Eph. 2.3
    The Scripture has to be fulfilled.
    Matt. 26.53-54; Luke 24.25-27, 44; John 19.28, 36

    Who did Jesus die for?
    He died for the world.
    1 John 2.2; John 1.29; 1 Tim. 2.6
    He died for every person.
    Heb. 2.9
    He died for the sinful, unjust and ungodly.
    Rom. 5.6-10; 1 Peter 3.18; 1 Tim. 1.15
    He died for the church.
    Eph. 5.25-27

    3) HIS RESURRECTION
    Why did God raise Jesus from the dead?
    To show that He was God's Son.
    Rom. 1.4
    To show He accepted His sacrifice.
    Rom. 4.25
    To show the message of the Gospel is true.
    Matt. 12.40; John 2.18-22; 1 Cor. 15.14, 17
    To show Christians that death could not hold Jesus and it will not hold them.
    Acts 2.24; Rom. 8.10-11; 1 Cor. 15.20-23; 2 Cor. 4.14; John 14.19
    To fulfill the Scriptures.
    Acts 13.32-37
    To show the world that the day of judgment is coming.
    Acts 17.31

    How do we know Jesus rose?
    There were many witnesses in different places and at different times.
    Matt. 28.9-10; John 20.14-18; Acts 10.40-42; 5.30-32; 1 Cor. 15.4-8; Acts 1.3
    The body of Jesus could not be found.
    Matt. 28.6, 12-13; Mark 16.6; Luke 24.3, 12; John 20.1-2
    The disciples changed from fear to boldness.
    John 20.19; Acts 2; 4.13
    There are still Christians today.

    What did Jesus do after He rose from the dead?
    He went back to His Father in heaven.
    Acts 1.1-11; Eph. 4.10; Heb. 4.14
    God gave Him the place of power at His right hand.
    Eph. 1.20-21; Phil. 2.9; Col. 3.1; Rom. 8.34; Heb. 1.3

    What is Jesus doing now?
    He is the way for people to come to God.
    John 14.6; Rom. 5.2; Eph. 2.13-18; Heb. 4.15-16; 10.19-20
    He is talking to God for His people.
    Heb. 7.25; Rom. 8.34; 1 John 2.1
    He is preparing a place for His people.
    John 14.2
     


     
      THE HOLY SPIRIT
    Who is Holy Spirit?
    He is God.
    Acts 5.3-4; Matt. 28.19; 2 Cor. 13.14
    He is a Person.
    John 14.26; 16.7-8, 13-15; Rom. 8.9
    He is the One through whom God does all that is in His heart to do.
    Gen. 1.2; 6.3; Ps. 104.30; Luke 1.35; 3.22; 4.1, 14; John 3.5-8;
    John 16.8; Tit. 3.5; Heb. 9.14
    He is the One the prophets said would come
    and live in the Saviour God was going to send.
    Isa. 11.2-5; 42.1-4; 61.1-3; Luke 4.17-21
    He is the One the prophets said would come and live in God's people.
    Ezek. 36.26-27; Joel 2.28-29

    When did the Holy Spirit come to live in God's people?
    Jesus told His disciples the Holy Spirit would come and live in them.
    John 14.16-17
    Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit to them
    when He went away from this world.
    John 16.7; Luke 24.49
    Jesus received the Holy Spirit from God when He went back to heaven.
    Acts 2.33
    He baptized His disciples with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
    John 1.33; Acts 1.5; 2.1-4

    Can we get the Holy Spirit by paying money?
    Peter said a gift of God cannot be bought with money.
    Acts 8.20
        The Holy Spirit is God's gift to His people.
        Acts 2.38
        All those who turn from their sin and put their faith
        in God's Son Jesus receive this gift.
        Acts 2.38-39; 10.43-46; 11.16-17; Gal. 3.2, 14; Rom. 8.9, 16; Tit. 3.5
        Some people received the Holy Spirit when they came to the Lord.
        Acts 2.38, 41; 10.44-47
        Some people were filled with the Holy Spirit after they came to the Lord.
        Acts 9.8-18; 8.12; 14.17
        Some received the Holy Spirit when hands were laid on them,
        some without hands being laid on them.
        Acts 8.17; 19.6; 2.38, 41; 10.44

    Does God fill only special people with His Holy Spirit?
    God tells all His people to be filled with the Spirit.
    Eph. 5.18
        A wise man hears what God says and does it.
        When troubles and temptations come, he will not fall.
        A foolish man hears what God says and does not do it.
        He will fall when troubles and temptations come.
        Matt. 7.24-27

    How can we be filled with the Holy Spirit?
    We have to want to be filled with all our heart.
    Matt. 5.6
        People can ask for things for a wrong reason.
        Acts 8.19-21; Jas. 4.2-3
    We have to ask God.
    Luke 11.13
        God will give us what we ask when we obey what He says
        and do the things that please Him.
        1 John 3.22; Acts 5.32
    We have to give Him every part of ourselves.
    Matt. 22.37
        Only what is given can be filled.
        2 Kings 4.1-6
        Only what is on the altar can be burned with fire.
        Rom. 12.1; Luke 3.16; Lev. 1.3, 9

    What will happen when God's people are filled with the Spirit?
    Jesus said the Holy Spirit would come to be the Helper of His disciples.
    John 14.16, 26

    • He helps them to live for God.
        He lives in them.
        1 Cor. 3.16; Gal. 4.6; 1 Cor. 6.19; Rom. 8.9
        He is the One who caused men to write the Scriptures,
        and He helps God's people to understand them.
        2 Peter 1.21; 1 Peter 1.11; 2 Tim. 3.16; John 14.26; 16.13-15; 1 Cor. 2.10-15
        He shows them the things of God and of Christ.
        1 Cor. 2.10; Eph. 3.3-6; John 16.14
        He helps them to pray.
        Rom. 8.26-27; Eph. 6.18; 2.18
        He helps them to change their way and walk in the straight way.
        Rom. 8.2-4, 11-14; 2 Cor. 3.17-18; 1 Thes. 1.5-7; 1 Peter 1.2
        The Holy Spirit
        He produces fruit.
        Gal. 5.22-23; Eph. 5.18-21
        A tree is known by its fruit.
        Matt. 7.15-20; 1 Cor. 13
        The church will know when a person is full of the Holy Spirit.
        Acts 6.3, 5
    • He helps them to work for God.
        He gives them power to witness about Jesus.
        Acts 1.8; 4.31, 33; 6.10
        He makes the people of God one.
        Eph. 4.3-4; 1 Cor. 12.13
        He gives power to preaching.
        1 Cor. 2.4
        He leads them in their work.
        Acts 8.29; 13.2; 16.6-7
        He brings God's gifts to them to make the church strong to do God's work.
        1 Cor. 12.4-13; 14.12, 26; Eph. 4.12; 1 Peter 4.10

    Are there gifts for all of God's people?
    Everyone has at least one gift.
    Rom. 12.3-6; 1 Cor. 12.11; Eph. 4.7; 1 Peter 4.10
    God's people are a body.
    1 Cor. 12.13
        Each member is different.
        1 Cor. 12.15-16
        Each member has a different work to do.
        Rom. 12.4
        All are needed.
        1 Cor. 12.21-22

    Can we have the gifts we want?
    We are told to want the best gifts.
    1 Cor. 12.31

    Which are the best gifts?
    The best gifts are the ones that help the church the most.
    1 Cor. 14.1, 12

    Who decides which gift or gifts we will receive?
    God gives His gifts as He wants to.
    He decides which gift or gifts He will give to each one.
    1 Cor. 12.11, 18; Mark 13.34

    What are the gifts the Holy Spirit brings to God's people?
    He brings gifts of preaching and teaching.
    Eph. 4.11; 1 Cor. 12.28; 1 Peter 4.11
    He helps people speak what God puts in their mouth.
    1 Cor. 12.28; 14.24; 29-33; Rom. 12.6 (See Dreams & Prophets)
    The church is to judge what is spoken in the Name of the Lord.
    1 Cor. 2.15; 14.29; Acts 17.11; 1 Thes. 5.20-21;
    2 Tim. 3.5, 8; Deut. 13.1-5; 18.21-22
    He gives power to do wonderful things.
    1 Cor. 12.9-10, 28; Acts 5.1-10; 13.9-11; 6.16-18; Rom. 15.19
    He gives power to help other people.
    Rom. 12.7-8; 1 Cor. 12.28; 1 Peter 4.11
    He brings faith.
    1 Cor. 12.9
    He brings gifts so that people can help others
    with their wisdom and knowledge.
    1 Cor. 12.8; Ex. 31.3; 1 John 2.20
    He brings gifts to help people know if the Holy Spirit is the one
    who is causing a person to say or do something,
    or if something else is the cause.
    1 Cor. 12.10
    He brings gifts to help people to be leaders.
    1 Cor. 12.28; Rom. 12.8; Acts 20.28; Eph. 4.11; Judg. 3.10
    He brings gifts to help people worship God
    in a language that is new to them.
    1 Cor. 12.10, 28, 30; Mark 16.17
    When God gave this gift, people were not looking for it.
    Acts 2.4; 10.44-46; 19.6
    These utterances are to be tested.
    1 Cor. 12.3

    What is the essence of these things?
    The essence is this :

    • BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT!

    • Eph. 5.18
    • WALK IN THE SPIRIT!

    • Gal. 5.16
      

     
        THE CHURCH
    What is the church?
    All the people who belong to Christ are called the church.
    Christ is the Head, and they are His body.
    Eph. 1.22-23; 5.23; 1 Cor. 12.27; Col. 1.18
    They are a body, not a society or a club, and the members of the body are brothers.
    Matt. 23.8; 1 Tim. 6.2
    They are on earth to do the will and work of God.
    John 6.38; 4.34
    The Holy Spirit lives in them.
    1 Cor. 6.19; John 14.17
    They are under the Word of God.
    Josh. 1.8; Acts 17.11; Rom. 15.4; 2 Tim. 3.16
    They are sons of God who have been bought by blood.
    Heb. 12.23; Acts 20.28
    They belong to God's town, and He has written their names down.
    Heb. 12.23; Luke 10.20; Rev. 21.27

    A group of Christ's people meeting together is called a church.
    The church is not a building.
    Acts 7.48; 1 Cor. 6.19; 3.16-17; 2 Cor. 6.16
    It is a group of Christ's people meeting in a place.
    1 Cor. 1.2
    They meet in Christ's name.
    Matt. 18.20
    He is among them when they meet.
    Matt. 18.20; Heb. 2.12

    How can a person join the church?
    When a person becomes part of the body of Christ, he has joined the church.
    1 Cor. 12.13
    Jesus told some people one day they were the children of the devil.
    John 8.44
    It is only by faith in Jesus Christ a person becomes a child of God.
    Gal. 3.26; John 1.12; Acts 4.12
    When a person becomes a child of God, he becomes part of the body of Christ.
    Rom. 12.5

    Will baptism make us part of the church and save us?
    Simon believed what Philip was teaching, and he was baptized.
    Acts 8.12-13
    But Peter told him his heart was not right.
    Acts 8.21
    He told him to repent and pray for his sin to be forgiven.
    Acts 8.22
    Before being baptized, a person has to show he has left his sins,
    and has believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.
    Acts 2.38; Luke 3.8; Acts 19.4-5
    Repentance and faith are what saves a person.
    Acts 20.21

    Where can the church meet?
    The church can meet in homes.
    1 Cor. 16.19; Rom. 16.5; Col. 4.15; Acts 20.20
    The church can meet in buildings belonging to other people.
    Acts 19.9; 5.12

    What is the work of the church?
    The church is to be a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ to everybody.
    Acts 1.8; Acts 8.4; Mark 16.15; Matt. 24.14
    They are to teach all that the Lord Jesus taught.
    Matt. 28.19-20
    The Lord will add to the church.
    Acts 2.47; John 15.5

    How can the church do its work?
    The church can only do its work through the power of the Holy Spirit.
    The Holy Spirit gives power to witness.
    Acts 1.8
    The Holy Spirit sends people to preach the gospel.
    Acts 13.2
    The Holy Spirit leads into all truth, and brings to people's minds what Jesus taught.
    John 14.26
    The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the church to make the body strong to do its work.
    (See The Holy Spirit)

    Who leads the church?
    The church is led by elders and deacons.
    Phil. 1.1
    Other names for elders are bishops and pastors.
    Tit. 1.5, 7; Acts 20.17, 28

    Who can be an elder?
    Elders must be people whose lives are without fault.
    They must be able to control themselves, and not be controlled by wine or money.
    They must not be new believers. They must have a good name outside the church.
    Elders must be people who lead their own homes well.
    They must have one wife, and believing, obedient children, and look after strangers well.
    Elders must be able to teach.
    They are to hold the truth of the Word, and teach it, and be able to show
    what is not true in the teaching of those who fight against the truth.
    1 Tim. 3.1-7; Tit. 1.6-9

    Who can be a deacon?
    Deacons also must be those who lead good lives, who hold to the truth well,
    and who lead their own homes well.
    1 Tim. 3.8-12

    Who appoints the elders and deacons?
    The leaders appoint other leaders.
    Acts 14.23; Tit. 1.5; 1 Tim. 4.14; 2 Tim. 1.6
    They appoint those that the church say are the right kind of people.
    Acts 6.1-6; 16.1-3; 1 Tim. 3.10
    They take time before appointing them.
    1 Tim. 5.22

    Why is it good to take time appointing leaders?
    Paul told Timothy to take time, so that he would not put a difference between people.
    1 Tim. 5.21-22
    The church is only as strong as its leaders.
    Luke 6.39-40
    God holds those who teach more responsible than He holds other people.
    Jas. 3.1; Rom. 2.3
    Leaders are to be rebuked before all if they sin.
    1 Tim. 5.19-20

    How should a leader do his work?
    He should do it willingly, with a free heart.
    1 Peter 5.2
    He should do it because he wants to help people,
    not because he wants to get money.
    1 Peter 5.2; Acts 20.33-35
    He must not make himself big, but he must know he is the servant of everybody.
    1 Peter 5.3; Matt. 20.26-28; Mark 10.45; John 13.4
    He must be an example to the church.
    1 Peter 5.3

    What is the work of an elder?
    He is to feed and look after God's sheep.
    1 Peter 5.1-2; Acts 20.28; Jer. 23.1, 4; John 21.15-17
    He is to lead the church in looking into the questions
    that come about the truth of God.
    Acts 15.6, 22-23
    He is to pray for the sick who call him.
    Jas. 5.14

    What is the work of a deacon?
    He is to be a servant to help the church.
    Acts 6.2-3; Matt. 27.55; Luke 8.3

    What food should the church be given?
    The food is the Word of God.
    1 Peter 2.2; 2 Tim. 3.14-17
    The Word of God is also the sword which God's Spirit gives us
    to fight the devil and all his powers.
    Ps. 149.6; Heb. 4.12; Luke 4.1-13

    What should the church do when it meets?

    •  The church meets to worship God.
    They hear the preaching of the Word.
    2 Tim. 4.2-4
    They hear the reading of the Word of God.
    1 Tim. 4.13
    They learn about Jesus Christ.
    Acts 5.42
    They learn what the apostles taught.
    Acts 2.42; 1 Cor. 11.23; 15.1-4
    They sing praises.
    1 Cor. 14.15, 26; Heb. 2.12; Ps. 30.4
    They hear what God says.
    1 Cor. 14.29-31; Acts 13.2
    They pray together.
    Acts 2.42; 4.24-31; 12.5, 12; 16.13; Phil. 4.6; Eph. 6.18; 1 Tim. 2.8
    They remember the Lord's death.
    Acts 2.42; 20.7; 1 Cor. 11.23-32
    • The church meets to hear reports from God's workers.
    They heard Paul and Barnabas when they returned after preaching in far places.
    Acts 14.27; 15.4
    • The church meets to make decisions.
    They decide who they should help.
    Acts 11.29; Phil. 4.15; 1 Tim. 5.9, 16; 3 John 5-8
    They send out God's workers.
    Acts 13.3; 2 Cor. 8.19
    They meet to judge sin in believers.
    1 Cor. 5; 2 Cor. 2.6; Matt. 18.18; 16.18-19; John 20.23

    Why does a church judge believers?

    • The church is to give glory to God.
    When a believer goes on in sin, it causes unbelievers to say bad things about God.
    2 Sam. 12.14; Rom. 2.21-24
    • The church is to bring believers back to God.
    2 Chron. 24.19; Gal. 6.1
    People can be deceived by their own hearts.
    Jer. 17.9
    If a believer goes on in sin, he is in darkness. He cannot see his sin,
    and God must show it to him through His church.
    1 John 2.11; Luke 11.34-35
    It is only when he sees his sin that he can confess it.
    God forgives him when he confesses his sin.
    1 John 1.5-10
    • The church is to stop sin spreading.
    If sin is not dealt with, it will spread.
    1 Cor. 5.6; Rev. 2.20
    If it is rebuked, others will fear.
    1 Tim. 5.20

    Should a church judge everything?

    • There are some things that God alone judges.
    He judges the work a person does for Him.
    2 Tim. 4.8; 1 Cor. 4.1-5; Eph. 6.8; Rev. 22.12
    He judges the things in a person's heart.
    1 Cor. 4.5; Rom. 14.3-13; Rev. 2.23; 1 Chron. 29.17
    There are some things believers are not to judge.
    Matt. 7.1-5; Col. 2.16; Eph. 5.22-6.9

    What should a church judge?
    The church should judge preaching.
    Tit. 1.9; 1 Cor. 14.29; Acts 17.11; Deut. 13.1-5; 18.21-22
    The church should judge open sin.
    1 Cor. 5

    How is the church to judge?
    The church is to look into the matter.
    Deut. 17.2-4; 1 Tim. 5.19; John 7.51; Acts 25.16
    Sin must be dealt with before all.
    1 Tim. 5.20; Gal. 2.11, 14; 1 Cor. 5; Eph. 5.11
    The church must not allow false teachers to teach.
    1 Tim. 1.19-20; 2 Tim. 2.17-18; Rev. 2.20
    The church must warn those that cause divisions,
    and then have nothing to do with those who do not listen.
    Tit. 3.10; Rom. 16.17
    The church must keep away from believers who are lazy and will not work.
    2 Thes. 3.6-12
    The church must deal with matters between two brothers,
    if the matter does not finish when it is dealt with privately.
    Matt. 18.15-17; Lev. 19.17; 1 Cor. 6.1-7

    If the church judges people in this way, does it mean
    those who are not judged are perfect?
    No. God says some sins are seen now, and others will only be seen in the future.
    1 Tim. 5.24
    God said that good and bad will be together until the day of judgment.
    Matt 13.24-30, 36-43
    God will judge all secret things.
    Rom. 2.16

    When should a believer who is judged come back into fellowship?
    When he has shown that he has repented and left his sin.
    2 Cor. 2.5-10; Luke 3.8; 17.3

    What should the church remember when it meets to make decisions?

      The church will make the right decision
      if it looks for what the Lord wants.
      John 5.30
      We are find out what the Lord's will is.
      Eph. 5.17
      We are not to fight for ourselves.
      Luke 22.42
      We are not to try and satisfy people.
      Gal. 1.10
      God has given the church two helpers: the Word and the Spirit.
      Rom. 15.4; 2 Tim. 3.16; John 14.16, 26
    If a church is ready to do what God wants, God will show them what to do.
    Ps. 32.8-9; Isa. 30.21; John 8.12; Matt. 7.6

    How can a church know what God's will is?
    God is a God of peace.
    1 Cor. 14.33; Ps. 85.8; 1 Kings 19.12
    Confusion, fighting, jealousy and selfishness are marks of the wisdom of the world.
    Jas. 3.14-16
    God's wisdom is peaceful, easy, merciful, good and true,
    and it does not make a difference between people.
    Jas. 3.17

    Suppose everybody does not agree?
    The decision is made by the majority.
    2 Cor. 2.6
    If the majority is right, time will show it.
    Luke 7.35; Isa. 32.17
    The majority may not always be right.
    Num. 13.17-33
    If they are not right, time will show it.
    Num. 14.26-37

    What is the essence of these things?
    The essence is this:

    • The church is the body of Christ.
    • It is on earth to do the will of God.
    • God has given two helpers to His church: His Word and His Spirit.



     
        SALVATION
     
      SALVATION -- Repentance
    What is repentance?
    Repentance means change.
    It means to change our thinking about what we will do.
    Matt. 21.29; Luke 15.17-18
    It means to change our thinking about God and Christ.
    Acts 2.36-38; 20.21
    It means our feeling are changed and we are sorry about sin.
    Luke 10.13; 18.13; 22.62; 2 Cor. 7.10; Ps. 38.18; Ps. 51
    It means to decide to leave one way and take another.
    Isa. 55.7; Ezek. 33.11; Matt. 16.24; Luke 15.18, 20; Acts 26.20

    Why is repentance important?
    God wants it and commands it.
    2 Peter 3.9; Acts 17.30
    It is the first response to the message of salvation.
    Matt. 3.1-2; 4.17; Mark 6.12; Luke 24.47; Acts 2.38; 3.19

    Who causes repentance?
    God causes repentance.
    Acts 5.30-31; 11.18; 2 Tim. 2.25
    The Holy Spirit shows us our sin, using God's Word.
    John 16.8; Acts 2.4, 16-41; Heb. 4.12-13

    How do people repent?
    They confess their sin.
    Ps. 51.3-4
    They leave their sin.
    Ezek. 18.30; Luke 19.8
    They turn to God.
    Acts 26.20; 1 Thes. 1.9

    How do we know if a person has repented?
    People will see the fruits.
    Luke 3.8; Acts 19.19; 26.20
     
     

      SALVATION -- Faith
    What is faith?
    Faith is believing a thing is so.
    Heb. 11.1, 6; Matt. 16.16
    Faith is committing our hearts to someone.
    John 5.24; 6.68-69; John 9.35-38; Acts 27.25;
    Rom. 4.20-21; 10.9-10; Heb. 11.11

    Why is faith important?
    Every part of our salvation is by faith.
    John 3.16-18; Acts 16.30-31; 26.18; Rom. 5.1;
    Gal. 3.26; Eph. 2.8; 1 Peter 1.5
    We walk with God by faith.
    2 Cor. 5.7; Gen. 5.22; Heb. 11.5-6
    We do things by faith.
    Mark 9.23; Matt. 21.21; John 14.12; Heb. 11.32-40

    Where does faith come from?
    It comes from God.
    Rom. 12.3; Phil. 1.29
    It comes from Jesus Christ.
    Luke 17.5; Heb. 12.2
    It comes from the Holy Spirit.
    1 Cor. 12.9; Gal. 5.22
    It comes from hearing the Word of God.
    Acts 4.4; Rom. 4.20-21; Rom. 10.17; Gal. 3.2-5

    How will we know if a person has faith?
    He will be doing good things.
    Eph. 2.10; Jas. 2.20
       
     

      SALVATION -- Regeneration
    What is regeneration?
    Regeneration is to be born again.
    It means new life comes to those who are dead in sin.
    John 3.16; 5.21, 24; 2 Cor. 5.17; Eph. 2.1, 10; 4.24; 2 Peter 1.4; 1 John 5.12
    It means new power comes into a person's life, so that he can
    live as God wants him to.
    Ezek. 36.25-27; Rom. 8.2; 1 John 3.6-9

    Why is it important to be born again?
    It is important because there is no other way to enter the kingdom of heaven.
    John 3.3-7; Gal. 6.15; Matt. 18.3
    Man cannot do anything by himself to make him fit to go to God.
    John 3.6; Rom. 8.8; 7.18; Heb. 12.14; Jer. 13.23; 17.9; Ezra 9.15

    How can a person be born again?
    God does it through the Holy Spirit.
    John 1.13; 3.5; John 6.37, 44, 63; 2 Cor. 3.6; Phil. 2.13; Tit. 3.5;
    Jas. 1.18; Ezek. 11.19
    God does it when a person receives Christ.
    John 1.12-13; Gal. 3.26
    God does it when a person accepts the Gospel.
    Acts 16.14; Rom. 1.16; 10.17; 1 Cor. 1.21; 4.15; Jas. 1.18; 1 Peter 1.23, 25

    How do we know if a person has been born again?
    He will do right things.
    1 John 2.29; 3.10
    He will not continue to sin.
    1 John 3.9; 5.18
    He will love God's children.
    1 John 3.14; 5.1-2
    He will believe Jesus is the Christ.
    1 John 5.1
    He will overcome the world.
    1 John 5.4
     
     

      SALVATION -- Justification
    What is justification?
    Justification means saying a person is right or straight.
    Deut. 25.1
    God takes the palaver off a person's head, and says he will not be punished.
    Rom. 8.1, 33-34; Acts 13.38-39; Mic. 7.18-19; Ps. 130.4; 32.2; Eph. 1.7; 1 John 1.8-10
    God says that in His eyes, the person is now righteous.
    Rom. 3.22; 4.3; 5.17-21; 1 Cor. 1.30

    How can a person be justified?
    God does it by His grace.
    Rom. 3.24; 8.33; Tit. 3.7
    No-one can be justified by trying to obey God's laws.
    Rom. 3.20, 28; Gal. 2.16; 3.10-11
    A person can be justified because Jesus shed His blood.
    Rom. 3.24; 5.9; 4.25; 2 Cor. 5.21; Heb. 9.22; Isa. 53.11
    A person can be justified through faith in Jesus Christ.
    Acts 13.39; Rom. 3.26, 28; 4.5; 5.1; Gal. 2.16; 3.10-12
     
     

      SALVATION -- Assurance
    How can we know we are saved?
    We know because the Bible says so.
    John 3.16; 1.12; 3.36; 1 John 3.14; 5.13
    We know because we have the witness in our heart.
    1 John 5.10; 4.13; Rom. 8.16

    Are we saved for ever?
    The life God gives is eternal.
    John 10.28-29; 3.16; 17.2-3; 2 Tim. 4.18; 1 John 5.11
    We must go on in the faith.
    Heb. 2.1-3; 6.4-6; 10.29; Heb. 3.14, 6; Col. 1.23
     
     

      SALVATION -- Sanctification
    What is sanctification?
    Sanctification means to leave that which is unholy.
    Lev. 11.44; 2 Chron. 29.5, 15-18; 2 Cor. 6.17-18; 1 Thes. 4.3
    To sanctify means to be put on one side for God to use as He wants to.
    John 10.36; Ex. 28.41; Rom. 12.1

    Why is sanctification important?
    God commands it.
    1 Peter 1.15-16
    He wants all His people to be sanctified.
    Luke 1.74-75; John 17.17; Eph. 1.4; 1 Thes. 4.3

    When are we sanctified?
    We were sanctified when we put our faith in Christ.
    Acts 26.18; 1 Cor. 1.2; 6.11; Heb. 10.10, 14
    We are being sanctified as we walk with God.
    2 Cor. 3.18; 7.1; 1 Thes. 4.1, 10; 2 Peter 3.18;
    1 Thes. 5.23; Tit. 2.12; Eph. 4.11-12
    We will be sanctified when Christ comes.
    Eph. 5.27; 1 Thes. 3.13; Phil. 3.12-14, 21; 1 John 3.2

    How are we sanctified?
    God does it.
    1 Thes. 5.23-24; Phil. 2.12-13; John 17.17
    Christ does it.
    1 Cor. 1.30; Eph. 5.25, 27; Col. 1.22; Heb. 10.10; 13.12
    The Holy Spirit does it.
    Rom. 15.16; Gal. 5.17-22; 2 Thes. 2.13; 1 Peter 1.2
    We are sanctified through the Word of God.
    John 17.17; 15.3; Rom. 6.17-18; Eph. 5.26; 1 Tim. 4.5
    We have to do our part.
    Rom. 6.12, 19-22; 2 Cor. 6.17; 7.1; Eph. 4.22-24; Tit. 2.12; Heb. 12.14
    We are sanctified by being one with Christ in His death and resurrection.
    John 14.23; 15.4-7; 17.23; Rom. 6.6, 8, 11; Rom. 8.10; 1 Cor. 6.17;
    Gal. 2.20; Eph. 2.5-6; 3.17; Col. 1.27; 3.3-4
     



     
        PRAYER
    In what position should we be when we pray?
    One day Paul knelt down and prayed.
    Acts 20.36
    David sat and prayed.
    2 Sam. 7.18
    Hezekiah lay in bed and prayed.
    2 Kings 20.2
    Solomon stood and prayed.
    1 Kings 8.22
    Jesus fell on his face on the ground and prayed.
    Matt. 26.39

    Where can we pray?
    We can pray in our own room.
    Matt. 6.6
    We can pray in a quiet place.
    Jesus prayed up a mountain.
    Mark 6.46
    And in a garden.
    Matt. 26.36
    And in the wilderness.
    Luke 5.16
    We can pray to God everywhere.
    Jesus prayed beside a river.
    Luke 3.21
    Some women prayed beside a river.
    Acts 16.13
    Paul and Silas prayed in prison.
    Acts 16.25
    Paul and his friends prayed on the beach.
    Acts 21.5
    Hannah prayed in God's house.
    1 Sam. 1.10
    Jonah prayed inside the fish.
    Jon. 2.1

    At what time should we pray?
    Daniel prayed three times a day.
    Dan. 6.10
    Jesus prayed all night.
    Luke 6.12
    Nehemiah prayed as he was working.
    Neh. 2.4
    Paul said we should pray all the time.
    Eph. 6.18

    What do these things show us?
    These things show that the important things
    about prayer are not the position we are in,
    nor where we are, nor the time we pray.

    What are the important things about prayer?
    The important things are these:
    We must have faith when we pray.
    Mark 11.24; Heb. 11.6
    We must forgive others when we pray,
    if we want God to forgive us.
    Mark 11.25
    We must mean what we pray.
    Matt. 6.7
    We must not pray just for others to see us.
    Matt. 6.5
    We must not pray long prayers to cover up wrong things we do.
    Mark 12.40
    We must treat our wives properly.
    1 Peter 3.7

    Is God always pleased when we pray?
    No. Sometimes He is angry when we pray.

    What makes God angry when we pray?
    If we turn our ear away from His law, then He hates our prayers.
    Prov. 28.9
    When His children have rebelled against Him,
    and left Him, and are doing evil, God does not
    want their gifts and will not hear their prayers.
    Isa. 1.2, 4, 13, 15
    When people steal, murder, commit adultery, lie,
    worship other gods, and then come and stand before
    God in His house, God will not hear their prayers.
    Jer. 7.9-10, 16
    Let us be careful then to pray in the way God wants us to.
    He is looking for people who will do this.
    John 4.23-24



     
        ANGELS
    What are angels?
    Angels are spirits created by God.
    Ps. 104.4; Heb. 1.7; Col. 1.16; Heb. 1.14; Rev. 4.11
    They are below God but above men.
    Heb. 2.7; Ps. 8.5
    Some are more important than others.
    Col. 1.16; 1 Thes. 4.16; 1 Peter 3.22; Jude 9
    They are many.
    Heb. 12.22; 2 Kings 6.17; Matt. 26.53
    They are strong.
    2 Peter 2.11; Ps. 103.20; Isa. 37.36
    Sometimes they appear in human form.
    Gen. 18; Judg. 2.1; Judg. 6.11-22; Luke 24.4, 23; Acts 10.3, 30

    Are all angels good?
    No. Some sinned and God is keeping them for judgment.
    2 Peter 2.4; Jude 6; Matt. 25.41
    They fight against what God wants.
    Dan. 10.10-14
    They fight God's people.
    Eph. 6.12
    They serve Satan.
    Matt. 25.41

    What do good angels do?
    They serve in heaven.
    Isa. 6.1-3; Rev. 5.11-12; 8.3-4
    They serve God by helping His people on earth.
    Luke 1.11, 26; Luke 2.9; Acts 8.26; 10.3;
    12.7-11; 27.23; 5.19; Luke 16.22; 22.43;
    Matt. 4.11; 1 Kings 19.5-8; Gen. 19.1, 10-11; Dan. 6.22
    They watch the church.
    1 Tim. 5.21; 1 Cor. 4.9
    They will come with Christ.
    Matt. 24.31; 25.31-32; 2 Thes. 1.7
     



     
    THE DEVIL AND EVIL SPIRITS
    Who is the devil?
    He is the enemy of God and man.
    Matt. 13.39; Mark 1.13; Luke 22.31;
    2 Cor. 2.11; 1 Thes. 2.18
    He is also called Satan, Beelzebub, the prince
    of the devils, the prince of this world,
    the prince of the power of the air, the accuser,
    the old serpent, the great dragon.
    Mark 3.22-23; John 14.30; Eph. 2.2; Rev. 12.9-10

    What are evil spirits?
    They are the servants of the devil, he is their leader.
    Mark 3.22; Rev. 16.13-14
    They are also called demons and devils and unclean spirits.

    Are evil spirits the spirits of dead people come back?
    The Bible does not say that.
    When people die, their spirits go to the place prepared for them.
    Luke 16.19-31;
    2 Cor. 5.1-8; Ps. 9.17; 1 Peter 3.18-20;
    Rev. 20.13-14; 1 Thes. 4.14; 5.10; Phil. 1.23

    What does the devil do?
    He moves men to do things that do not please God.
    1 Chron. 21.1-7; Luke 22.3-4; John 13.2, 27; Acts 5.3
    He sins.1 John 3.8
    He lies.
    John 8.44
    He tempts men to do wrong.
    Gen. 3.1; 1 Cor. 7.5; Heb. 4.15; 1 Cor. 10.13; Eph. 4.27; 6.11
    He sets traps to catch people.
    1 Tim. 3.7; 2 Tim. 2.26; Prov. 1.17
    He goes around looking for people to destroy.
    1 Peter 5.8
    He makes himself look like an angel to deceive and trick people.
    2 Cor. 11.14; Eph. 6.11; 2 Cor. 2.11
    He troubles those who go to preach the Gospel.
    1 Thes. 2.18
    He makes God's people have wrong ideas.
    Matt. 16.22-23
    He takes God's Word away from men's hearts.
    Mark 4.15
    He causes suffering to people's bodies.
    Luke 13.16; Acts 10.38; 1 Cor. 5.5; 2 Cor. 12.7
    He tells lies about God and makes it look like the truth.
    Gen. 3.4; Luke 4.3-12
    He says bad things about people.
    Job 1.9-11; 2.4-5; Rev. 12.10

    What do evil spirits do?
    They are the things behind idols.
    1 Cor. 10.19-21; Rev. 9.20; Deut. 32.17
    They give people power to tell the future.
    Acts 16.16
    They make people suffer in their bodies.
    Mark 5.2-5; 9.17; Luke 8.27-29; 11.14; 13.11
    They make people unclean.
    Mark 1.23
    They spread false teaching and try
    to make believers leave the truth.
    1 Tim. 4.1
    Sometimes they call their own names.
    Mark 5.9
    They pretend to be the spirits of dead people.
    Lev. 19.31; Deut. 18.11; Isa. 8.19

    How do we know if a person has an evil spirit?
    When an evil spirit controls a person, it will be seen that
    it is controlling him. The people will know it.
    Matt. 4.24; 12.22; Mark 1.32; 3.11; 9.18;
    Luke 6.17-18; Acts 8.7; 16.16

    Do the devil and evil spirits have power?
    Yes. Those who are not in Christ
    are under the power of the devil.
    Eph. 2.2; John 8.44; Acts 13.10; 26.18;
    1 John 3.10; 2 Thes. 2.9; Rev. 13.4-8

    Is their power greater than God's?
    No. God's power is greater.
    Rom. 16.20; John 14.30
    Jesus destroyed the devil's
    power by dying on the cross.
    Heb. 2.14; 1 John 3.8; John 12.31;
    16.11; Col 2.15; 1 Cor. 15.25-27
    They can only act when God allows them to.
    Job 1.12; 2.6; Luke 22.31; 1 Cor. 10.13;
    Rev. 20.2, 7; 2 Cor. 12.7
    Evil spirits have to obey Jesus.
    Mark 1.24-26, 34; 3.11-12
     

    Can God free a person who is controlled by an evil spirit?
    Jesus cast out evil spirits by His word through the Spirit.
    Matt. 12.28; Mark 1.25; 9.25
    Jesus gave the disciples authority over evil spirits.
    Luke 9.1, 10.17, Matt. 10.1, Mark 16.17
    They cast them out by their word, in the name of Jesus.
    Mark 16.17; Luke 10.17; Acts 16.18

    What is going to happen to the devil and his servants?
    They will go to eternal fire.
    Matt. 8.29; 25.41; Jude 6; Rev. 20.10

    Can the devil touch a Christian?
    A person who is in Christ is above all other powers.
    Eph. 2.4-6; 1.20-23
    When a Christian is doing what God
    wants him to, the devil cannot touch him.
    1 John 5.18; John 14.30
    Nothing can happen to him unless God allows it.
    Job 1.12; 2.6; Luke 22.31
    The only thing the devil can do is to talk to him.
    Gen. 3.1; Luke 4.3
    When a Christian gives his ear to the devil, he gets into sin.
    Jas. 1.12-15
    When a Christian is disobeying God, God is against him.
    Ex. 4.24-26
    When a Christian is disobeying God, he is giving the devil a chance.
    Eph. 4.27

    What should a Christian do?
    He must remember he is on earth to do God's will.
    John 6.38; 15.20
    He is fighting a war against the devil and all his powers.
    Eph. 6.12
    He is to stand against the devil.
    1 Peter 5.9
    He stands against the devil by drawing near to God.
    Jas. 4.7-8
    God rebukes the devil for him.
    Zech. 3.2; Jude 9
    He stands against the devil by not giving him a chance.
    Eph. 4.27
    He stands against the devil and all his powers by putting on the armour God gives him.
    Eph. 6.11-18
    He is to put on the belt of truth.;
    Ps. 51.6; Matt. 5.37; Zech. 8.16; John 4.24; 8.32; 16.13; 17.17; Eph. 4.25
    He is to put on the breast-plate of righteousness.
    Matt. 6.33; 2 Cor. 6.7; 1 Tim. 6.11
    He is to put on shoes to be ready to go and preach.
    Rom. 10.15; Isa. 52.7
    He is to take the shield of faith to stop the devil's arrows.
    1 John 5.4; Luke 22.32
    He is to put on the helmet of salvation.
    Isa 26.3; Phil. 4.8
    He is to use the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
    Matt. 24.35; 28.19-20; 4.4, 7, 10; Ps. 119.89

    Can a Christian win when he fights the devil?
    Those whose sins have been taken away by the Lamb of God,
    who speak for God, and are ready to die for him, win the victory over the devil.
    John 1.29; Rev. 12.11
     



     
        DEATH
    What is death?
    Death is when the soul leaves the body.

    What is spiritual death?
    This means a person is separated from God.
    Rom. 8.6; Eph. 2.1; 1 John 5.12; Rom. 6.23

    What is the second death?
    This means a person is separated from God forever.
    Rev. 20.12-15

    What happens when a Christian dies?
    He goes to be with Christ.
    Luke 23.43; 2 Cor. 5.8; Phil. 1.23; 1 Thes. 5.10

    What happens when an unbeliever dies?
    He dies in his sins.
    John 8.21, 24
    He does not go to God.
    Luke 16.19-31; Ps. 9.17; 1 Peter 3.18-20; Eph. 4.9
     



     
      THE SECOND COMING
    How do we know Jesus will come again?
    Jesus said He would come again.
    John 14.3; Rev. 22.12
    There are more than 300 references to it in the Bible.
    Acts 1.11

    Why should we think about the second coming?
    It will help us remember to be careful how we live.
    Matt. 24.44-46; Luke 21.34-36; 1 John 2.28; 3.3

    How will Jesus come again?
    He will come in the same way as He went.
    Acts 1.11
    People saw Him go. People will see Him come.
    1 Thes. 4.16-17; Rev. 1.7

    When will Jesus come?
    Only God knows.
    Matt. 24.36; Acts 1.7

    Will we know when the time is near?
    There will be signs that the time is near.
    Matt. 24.36-42; 1 Thes. 5.1-5; 1 Tim. 4.1; 2 Tim. 3.1-5

    What will happen when Jesus comes again?

    • The church will be changed and go to be with her Lord for ever.
    1 Thes. 4.13-17; 1 Cor. 15.50-52; Phil. 3.20-21; 1 John 3.2; Rev. 19.6-9; Matt. 25.1-10
    • There will be blessing.
    Faithful servants will be blessed.
    Matt. 25.19, 21, 23; Rom. 8.18-23; Col. 3.4
    The house of David will be blessed.
    Ezek. 34.28; Zech. 12.10; 8.13-23; Amos 9.15; Rom. 11
    There will be blessing on the earth.
    Rev. 20.1-4; Isa. 11.4-9; Ps. 98.9
    • There will be judgment.
    Christians will be judged.
    Rom. 14.10-12; Matt. 25.19; 2 Tim. 4.8; 1 Peter 5.4; 1 Cor. 3.12-15;
    1 Cor. 4.5; 2 Cor. 5.10; Rev. 22.12
    Unbelievers will be judged.
    Matt. 25.31-32, 41, 46; Acts 17.31; Rom. 2.16; 2 Thes. 1.7-9;
    Rev. 20.11-15; Isa. 26.21; Matt. 13.41-42, 49; John 5.28-29; Dan. 12.2;
    Heb. 9.27; Luke 13.24-29
    Jesus will be the judge.
    John 5.22-23, 27; Acts 10.42; Acts 17.31; Rom. 2.16; 2 Cor. 5.10; 2 Tim. 4.1
    Death will be destroyed and the devil judged.
    1 Cor. 15.51-57; Heb. 2.14; Rev. 20.2-3, 10, 14
    This world will be destroyed.
    Heb. 1.10-12; 12.25-29; 2 Peter 3.10-13; Isa. 51.6; Ps. 102.25-26; Rev. 21.1

    What will happen after the judgment?
    God will make all things new.
    Acts 3.20-21; Eph. 1.10; Isa. 65.17-25; 1 Cor. 15.24-28; 2 Peter 3.13; Rev. 21; Rev. 22



     
      SICKNESS AND HEALING
    What causes sickness?
    Sometimes sickness is caused by:-
    Sin.
    Ps. 107.17
    Pride.
    2 Chron. 26.16-21
    Covetousness.
    Isa. 57.17
    Speaking against leaders that God has given.
    Num. 12.1-2, 10; 21.5-6
    Leaving God's way.
    Deut. 28.15, 27-28; 2 Chron. 13.4, 9-11, 20; 1 Kings 13.4
    Not eating the Lord's Supper in a proper way.
    1 Cor. 11.27-30
    Lies, deceit and cheating.
    Mic. 6.10-13
    Trying to get people to turn away from the faith.
    Acts 13.8-11
    Disobedience to God.
    Ex. 4.24-26
    Sometimes sickness is caused by Satan and evil spirits.
    Matt. 12.22; Luke 13.11, 16; Acts 10.38; Job 2.7

    When a person is sick, does it always mean he has done something bad?
    The Bible does not say that.
    Some who were serving God were sick sometimes.
    Daniel was sick.
    Dan. 8.27
    Elisha was sick.
    2 Kings 13.14
    Jacob was sick.
    Gen. 48.1
    Trophimus was sick.
    2 Tim. 4.20
    Hezekiah was sick.
    2 Kings 20.1; 2 Chron. 32.24; Isa 38.1
    Epaphroditus was sick.
    Phil. 2.26-27
    Timothy was sick.
    1 Tim. 5.23
    There were others who were sick, and the Bible
    does not say it was because they had sinned.
    1 Kings 17.17; 2 Kings 8.7
    Jesus said one man was born blind so that God's
    works would be shown through him.
    John 9.2-3

    Who has power to heal?
    God has power to heal people.
    Deut. 7.15; Ps. 103.3; Jer. 33.6; Ps. 62.11
    God gave all power to His Son Jesus.
    Matt. 28.18; Luke 5.17; Matt. 9.1-8
    Jesus gave His twelve disciples power to heal sickness.
    Matt. 10.1; Mark 3.15; Luke 9.1
    The Spirit of God gives gifts of healing to some.
    1 Cor. 12.9, 28, 30; Mark 16.18

    Is God the only one who has power?
    No. Satan has power.
    God told Paul he was to turn people
    from the power of Satan to God.
    Acts 26.18
    Satan gives power to some to do miracles.
    2 Thes. 2.9; Rev. 13

    Whose power is greatest?
    God's power is in His Son Jesus.
    Matt. 28.18; 1 Cor. 1.24
    Evil spirits have power but they have to obey Jesus.
    Luke 4.36
    When Jesus died and rose again,
    He showed His power over all other powers.
    Col. 2.14-15; 1 Peter 3.22
    Those who are in Jesus are above all other powers.
    Eph. 2.1-6
    They are saved from other power.
    Col. 1.13
    No power can separate those who are in Jesus from His love.
    Rom. 8.38

    How can we know whether the power in a person is from God?

    • God's power comes through His Spirit.
    God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power.
    Acts 10.38
    Micah said he was full of power by the Spirit of the Lord.
    Micah 3.8
    Jesus told His disciples they would receive power after
    the Holy Spirit came on them.
    Acts 1.8
    • The Holy Spirit is given to God's people.
    Jesus said those who had faith in Him would receive the Holy Spirit.
    John 7.39
    Peter said those who turned from their sin and were baptized
    in the name of Jesus would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
    Acts 2.38
    Peter said the Holy Spirit was given to those who obey God.
    Acts 5.32
    God looks at people's hearts before giving them His Spirit.
    Acts 15.8
    • God's Spirit in a person will be seen by others.
    A tree is known by its fruit.
    Matt. 7.15-20
    The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
    kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control.
    Gal. 5.22-23
    • Not all the power people say comes from God is really from God.
    The people said Simon was the power of God,
    but Peter said Simon's heart was not right in the sight of
    God, and he was tied by sin, and needed to repent.
    Acts 8.10, 20-23
    Satan can make his people look like the servants of God.
    2 Cor. 11.13-15

    What should a Christian do if he gets sick?
    David prayed for God to heal him.
    Ps. 6.2
    Jeremiah prayed for God to heal him.
    Jer. 17.14
    Hezekiah prayed for God to heal him.
    2 Kings 20.2-3, 5
    James said that the sick man should
    call for the elders of the church.
    Jas. 5.14

    What should the elders do?
    They should pray for the man.
    They should put oil on the man
    in the name of the Lord.
    The prayer of faith will heal the man.
    Jas. 5.14-15

    Should we pray over the oil?
    No. James said we should pray for the man.

    Should we use water to help us?
    The Bible does not tell us to use water
    to heal people, or to drink it to help us.

    Should we make special oil?
    The Bible does not tell us to do that.
    The oil James talked about was the oil
    the people used in their homes all the time.
    God told the people of Israel to make a
    special oil to put on the tabernacle, and to
    anoint the priests. He did not tell them to
    use it to heal people.
    Ex. 30.25-30
    Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit.
    Acts 10.38
    When Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit,
    He went around healing people.
    Acts 10.38

    Does God put power in the oil?
    No. James says the thing that heals
    the man is the prayer of faith.

    If they do not put oil on a sick man,
    does it mean he cannot be healed?
    That is not so.
    A sick man can be healed without using oil.
    The Bible does not say that Jesus
    used oil when He healed people.
    The disciples did not always use
    oil when they healed the sick.
    Oil and water do not heal people.
    The prayer of faith heals people.

    Is James the only one who talks about having faith for healing?
    No. Jesus said to some people that their faith had healed them.
    Matt. 9.22; Mark 10.52
    When Peter and John healed a man one day,
    they said it was faith in the name of Jesus that made the man well.
    Acts 3.16
    Paul healed a man once when he saw the man had faith.
    Acts 14.8-10

    Should we pay money for people to put oil on us?
    No. James did not say that.
    When Jesus sent His disciples to the towns
    to preach and heal people, He said to them,
    "Freely you have received; freely give." Matt. 10.8
    It does not cost anything to put oil on a person,
    so we should not tell them to pay anything.
    The thing that God gives freely cannot be bought with money.
    Acts 8.20

    Should we drink the oil?
    No. The Bible says we must put the oil on the person.

    Should we keep a bottle of oil in the house to help us?
    No. There is no power in the oil at all.
    God does not put His power in things.
    All of God's power is in His Son Jesus.
    Matt. 28.18
    If we put our faith in a bottle of oil or a bottle of water, we are putting something
    in the place of God. He wants us to put our faith in Him.
    Mark 11.22
    When we put our faith in something else, that thing is an idol to us.
    When we keep a bottle of oil or a bottle of water in our homes,
    it is like keeping an idol there.
    God says we not to have anything to do with idols.
    Ex. 20.4; 1 John 5.21

    Will God always heal us?
    The Bible says there is a time to heal.
    Ecc. 3.3
    When God sent sickness because people had sinned, He healed them
    when they turned back to Him.
    Ps. 107.17-20; Isa. 58.1; 6-8; 19.22; Jer. 3.22; 30.14-17; Hos. 6.1; 14.1, 4
    At times, God showed His power to heal as signs to the people.
    Mark; 16.20; Acts 2.22, 43
    One time God's people asked Him to show His power in this way.
    Acts 4.30
    Sometimes God allows His people to be sick.
    Job was sick.
    Job 2.7
    God used Paul to heal people, and
    at one time did special miracles by his hands.
    Acts 19.11-12
    But another time, one who was
    with Paul was sick, and he did not heal him.
    2 Tim. 4.20
    Paul himself had trouble in his body.
    2 Cor. 12.7

    Should we call people to come and be healed?
    The Bible does not say that.
    James told the Christians to call the elders if they were sick.
    Jas. 5.14
    Sick people came to Jesus.
    Matt. 12.15; 19.2; 21.14; Luke 5.15; 6.17-19; 8.43-44; 9.11
    People came to Jesus to ask Him to come and heal their sick.
    Matt. 8.5-6; 9.18; Mark 5.22-23; John 4.47; 11.3
    People brought their sick to Jesus.
    Mark 6.55-56; Matt. 4.24; 14.35; 8.16; 15.30; 17.14-18
    People asked the disciples to come to help their sick.
    Acts 9.38
    People brought their sick to the disciples.
    Acts 5.15-16
    When the Lord's power to heal is in a person, the news will spread,
    and sick people will come to them, or be brought to them,
    or people will come and call them.
    Matt. 9.26; Luke 5.15

    Should we tell people to go and heal the sick?
    Jesus is the one who tells people to go and heal the sick.
    He told His disciples to go and heal the sick.
    Matt. 10.7-8; Luke 9.2; 10.3, 9
    He gave them power to heal the sick before they went.
    Matt. 10.1; Luke 9.1
    Through His Spirit, He gives gifts of healing to some.
    1 Cor. 12.9
    He is the one who gives the power
    to those whom He chooses to do that work.

    Should we look for people to heal?
    Jesus healed people as He went about serving God.
    Matt. 4.23; 9.35; 14.14; Acts 10.38
    He healed a sick man who was in a house where He went to eat.
    Luke 14.1-4
    He healed ten lepers He met while He was going to Jerusalem.
    Luke 17.11-15
    He healed a sick woman who was in a house He visited.
    Mark 1.29-31
    He healed a sick man who was in the in the synagogue He went to one day.
    Matt. 12.9-10
    He healed a man He met beside a pool of water.
    John 5.2-9
    The disciples to whom He had given power
    healed people as they went about serving God.
    Philip healed people in Samaria when he went there to preach.
    Acts 8.5-7
    Peter and John healed a man they saw as they were going to pray.
    Acts 3.1-11
    Paul healed a sick man who was in the house where he was staying.
    Acts 28.7-8

    If God heals us, what should we do?
    We should thank God.
    Luke 17.15-18
    Some women who were healed went with Jesus to help Him.
    Luke 8.1-3
    Jesus told some to tell people what He had done for them.
    Mark 5.19
    Jesus told some not to let it be known what He had done.
    Matt. 12.15-16; Mark 5.43; 1.44

    What do we need to remember?
    In all these things, let us be careful not to add anything to God's Word.
    Rev. 22.18
    Everything else will pass away -- God's Word will never pass away.
    Matt. 24.35
     



     
      DREAMS and PROPHETS
    What causes dreams?
    Worry can make us dream.
    When we have many things on our minds, it can make us dream.
    Ecc. 5.3
    When we are wanting something, we can dream about it.
    Hungry people dream of eating, thirsty people dream of drinking.
    Isa. 29.8
    Sometimes dreams come from God.

    What kind of dreams did God give people?
    God sometimes gave people dreams in which they saw things.
    Gen. 37.7, 9; Gen. 41.1-7; Gen. 40.5-13; Dan. 2.31; 4.10
    God sometimes gave people a message in their dreams.
    Gen. 20.3-7; 1 Kings 3.5; Matt. 1.20; Matt. 2.13;
    Matt. 2.20; Matt. 2.22; Gen. 15.1; Gen. 46.2
    God sometimes gave people dreams in which
    they saw things and heard a message from Him.
    Gen. 28.12-13; Acts 10.11-16

    Should we ask someone to tell us the meaning of our dreams?
    The Bible does not tell us to do that.
    When God gave a message to His people
    in a dream, they knew it was from God.
    Acts 18.9; Gen. 31.11-13; 1 Kings 3.5, 15;
    Dan. 2.19; Matt. 1.20, 24; Gen. 28.12-16;
    Luke 1.11-22; Acts 9.10
    When God gave a message in a dream to those
    who were not His people, they knew it was from God.
    Gen. 31.24, 29; Matt. 2.12; Gen. 20.3-4; Acts 10.22
    When God gave His people a dream in which
    they saw things, He also showed them the meaning.
    Acts 16.9-10; Gen. 37.5-10; Dan. 7.1, 16; 8.1, 15-26;
    10.1, 8, 10-14; Acts 10.9-17, 28
    When God gave those who were not His people a dream in which they saw things,
    one of God's people showed them the meaning.
    Gen. 41.17-32; 40.8-19; Dan. 2.26-45; 4.4-27; 5.17

    What is the essence of these things?
    The essence is this :

    • Not all dreams have meanings.
        God may give His people dreams or visions sometimes.
        Acts 2.17; 2 Cor. 12.1-4
        If He does so, He Himself will show them the meaning.
    • There are many beliefs about dreams which make people fear.
        But these come from men's teachings.
        They are not in the Word of God.
    • God has given those who belong to Him a
        helmet to put on their heads to guard their minds.
        Eph. 6.17
        He tells them not to worry or fear, but take everything to Him and ask for
        His help. Then His peace will keep their minds.
        Phil. 4.6-7

    Does God speak to everybody in dreams?
    The Bible does not say that.

    Did God say He would speak to some people in dreams?
    Yes. He said He would speak to His prophets in dreams.
    Num. 12.6

    Did God speak to the prophets only in dreams?
    No. He spoke to them also by His Word.
    Isa. 8.1, 5; Jer. 1.2, 4; Ezek. 6.1; Luke 3.2

    Are dreams more important than God's Word?
    No. God's Word is more important than dreams.
    Num. 12.6-8; Jer. 23.28-29

    Prophets

    How did a man become a prophet?
    God gave him the work.
    Jer. 1.5; Ezek. 1.3; 2.1-5; Amos 7.14-15

    Are there prophets today?
    After Jesus went back to heaven, He made
    some people prophets in the church.
    Eph. 4.8-11; 2.20; Acts 21.9; Rom. 12.6; 1 Cor. 12.10, 28

    What is a prophet?
    A prophet is one who speaks what God puts in his mouth.
    Jer. 1.9; 2 Chron. 36.12; 2 Peter 1.21; Ex. 7.1-2; 4.14-16

    What does a prophet do?
    He listens to the Word of God.
    2 Kings 23.2; Dan. 2.17-19; Ezek. 2.1-2, 8; Ex. 19.3
    He goes to people God sends him to, and tells
    them what God tells him to say.
    Isa. 6.9; Jer. 1.7; Ezek. 2.3-4; Amos 3.8; 7.15
    He turns people away from their bad ways.
    Jer. 23.22
    He tells them to obey God's commands.
    2 Kings 17.13
    He tries to bring them to the Lord.
    2 Chron. 24.19
    Sometimes He talks to God for people.
    Dan. 9.3-21; Ex. 18.19; 32.30-32; Num. 27.5;
    1 Kings 13.6; Gen. 20.7, 17
    Sometimes God tells him not to pray for them.
    Jer. 7.16; 14.11
    He talks about the Lord Jesus Christ.
    Deut. 18.15-19; Acts 3.20-26;17.2-3; 2.30-31; 10.43;
    Luke 24.27, 44; Rom. 1.1-4; 3.21-22; Rev. 19.10;
    Luke 1.76; 1 Peter 1.10; John 1.26-27

    What kind of things does God put in prophet's mouths for them to say?
    Sometimes they talked to people about their sin.
    Jer. 25.2-7; Judg. 6.7-10; 2 Sam. 12.1-9; 2 Chron. 20.35-37; Hag. 1.4-5
    Sometimes they said God would judge people because of their sin.
    1 Kings 16.7; 14.7-18; 20.42-43; Ezek. 34.1-6;
    Jer. 25.2-11; Luke 3.7; 2 Chron. 12.5;
    2 Kings 17.23; 21.10-15
    Sometimes they spoke to strengthen God's people.
    Acts 15.32; Haggai 2.1-5
    Sometimes they spoke to encourage and help God's people.
    1 Cor. 14.3; 2 Chron. 15.1-8; Jer. 32.36-40
    Sometimes they gave advice.
    Prov. 31.1; Jer. 29.1-7
    Sometimes they told people what they should do.
    2 Kings 20.1; 2 Chron. 29.25; 1 Chron. 17.4; 2 Kings 9.7; 2 Sam. 12.25
    Sometimes they spoke about what was going to happen in the future.
    Rev. 1.1-3; Dan. 9.23-27; Jude 14; 1 Chron. 17.11; 2 Kings 3.18;
    Ezek. 34.11-31; 1 Kings 11.29-39; 20.13, 28; Acts 11.28; 21.11

    Were the prophets blessed when they spoke what God said?
    People treated the prophets badly.
    2 Chron. 36.16; Jer. 20.2
    They put them in prison.
    Jer. 32.2; 38.6; 2 Chron. 18.26
    They gave them a bad name.
    Luke 6.22-23
    They threatened them.
    Jer. 11.21; 26.8
    They killed them.
    Jer. 26.20-23; 1 Kings 18.4; Neh. 9.26
    The prophets are an example to us, because
    they kept following God,
    and obeying God, even when they suffered.
    Jas. 5.10; Jer. 20.1-6; 26.11-15

    Is everyone who calls himself a prophet a prophet of God?
    No.
    There were false prophets before Jesus came.
    2 Peter 2.1
    Jesus said many false prophets would come.
    Matt. 24.11

    Why are there false prophets?
    Some people look for their own prophets because they don't want to hear
    the Word of God. They want people who will say things they want to hear.
    Amos 2.12; Mic. 2.6; Isa. 30.9-10; Jer. 5.31; Mic. 2.11; 2 Tim. 4.2-4

    What are false prophets like?
    They are people that look like sheep on the outside, but inside they are like fierce,
    bad animals.
    Matt. 7.15
     

    What do false prophets do?
    They do bad things.
    Jer. 23.14; 29.23; Matt. 7.22-23
    They encourage other people to do bad things.
    Jer. 23.14, 17; Ezek. 13.22; Rev. 2.20
    They make people forget God's name.
    Jer. 23.27
    They try to turn people away from faith in Jesus.
    Acts 13.6-8
    They tell lies in the name of God.
    Jer. 14.14; 23.32; 29.21; Ezek. 13.6
    They tell lies about getting dreams from God.
    Jer. 14.14; 23.16, 25
    They go and speak to people when God has not sent them.
    Jer. 14.14; 23.21; Ezek. 13.6-7
    They teach people to rebel against the Lord.
    Jer. 29.31-32

    How can we know who is a true prophet and who is a false prophet?
    We are to test what they say.
    1 Cor. 14.29, 37; 1 John 4.1
    A true prophet says what God tells him to.
    Jer. 1.7, 17; 42.4; Ezek. 2.7; 2 Chron. 18.13; Amos 7.12-15
    A false prophet says what he is paid to say.
    Neh. 6.10-12; Mic. 3.11
    A false prophet speaks to please people.
    1 Kings 22.6, 11-12
    People speak well of them.
    Luke 6.26

    How are we to test people's words?
    We are to use the Word of God.
    False prophets will speak things that turn people
    away from what God has told us in His Word.
    Deut. 13.5
    When someone says something will happen,
    and it does not happen,
    that person's words do not come from the Lord.
    Deut. 18.21-22

    Suppose a person has a special power, does that mean he is a true prophet?
    No.
    Jesus said many false prophets will come,
    who will do great signs and wonders.
    Matt. 24.24; Rev. 19.20
    God said if a person does a miracle, and then tells
    you to do something that is against
    the Word of God, you will know that
    person's words are not from God.
    Deut. 13.1-5
    We are to test people's words by the Word of God.
    Acts 17.10-11
    God will punish false prophets and those who go to them.
    Ezek. 14.10
    God can help His people so they will not be deceived by false prophets.
    Neh. 6.10-12; Jer. 28.15-17

    What is the essence of these things?
    The essence is this:

    • The Bible is God's Word.
        2 Tim. 3.16
    • God's Word is more important than dreams.
    • God's Word is more important than signs and wonders.
    • When a person is willing to do whatever God tells him, he will find out
        for himself that what is written in the Bible is true, and comes from God.
        John 7.17
     
      

     
        MONEY
    Why do we have to be careful about money?
    Because Jesus said, If we are not faithful in handling the riches
    of this world, who will put the true riches into our hand?
    Luke 16.11

    What should we do with our money?
    First, we should give some to God.
    Prov. 3.9

    Who should give to God?
    Those who are following God,
    who are right with their brothers.
    Matt. 5.24
    God does not want anything from
    those who are against Him.
    Prov. 21.27
    He does not want anything from those
    who have gone back from following Him.
    Isa. 1.4, 11, 13, 16
    God wants our hearts first.
    Prov. 23.26; 2 Cor. 8.5
    God gave His Son to us because He loved us.
    John 3.16
    God wants us to love Him, and then give to Him.

    How much should we give to God?
    We should give according to what we have.
    Num. 35.8; Deut. 16.10, 17;
    Ezra 2.69; Acts 11.29; 1 Cor. 16.2
    We cannot give what does not belong to us.
    2 Sam. 24.24; 1 Chron. 21.24; 2 Cor. 8.12
    God expects more from those who have more.
    Luke 12.48
    God judges our giving by looking at
    what we have left after we have given.
    Mark 12.44
    There is more blessing in giving than in receiving.
    Acts 20.35

    When should we give to God?
    Paul told the churches that every one should
    put money on one side on the first day of the week.
    1 Cor. 16.2
    The Bible does not say that we should have
    meetings to raise money.
    Paul told the people to have the money
    ready for the poor, so that there
    would be no need to collect it when he came.
    1 Cor. 16.2
    When Moses set up the tabernacle, the people
    brought their gifts day after day.
    Num. 7.10, 18, 24, etc.
    When David asked the people to bring offerings
    for the temple, they brought their gifts,
    and put them in the hand of the man who
    kept the treasures of the house of the Lord.
    1 Chron. 29.8; 26.21-22
    They brought it day after day, and put it
    in a box the king provided.
    2 Chron. 24.11
    These Scriptures show that the people decided beforehand
    what they would give, and then they brought it.

    How should we give to God?
    We should give with joy.
    2 Cor. 9.7; Deut. 15.10
    God does not force us to give to Him.
    Ananias and Sapphira were free to give
    just what they wanted.
    God judged them because they lied and
    said what they gave was all.
    Acts 5.4
    God wants us to decide of our own free
    will what we will give, and then give with our hearts.
    Ex. 25.2; Lev. 23.28; Ezra. 3.5; 2 Cor. 9.7

    What should the money be spent on?
    The priests were supported from
    the offerings brought by the people.
    Lev. 6.17; 7.32, 34;
    Num. 18.11-25; Deut. 18.3
    The poor were helped from the tithes.
    Deut. 26.12
    The church helped widows, and the poor.
    Acts 6.1; 11.29; 1 Tim. 5.16
    Some of the money the people gave was
    used for the service of the tabernacle.
    Ex. 30.16
    Money was used to repair the house of God,
    but not the money that was for the support of the priests.
    2 Kings 12.9-16
    The churches helped those who had
    given themselves to God's work.
    Phil. 4.15-18; 3 John 5-8

    What do we need to be careful about when giving to God?
    We must remember that God tests our hearts
    when we give, to see the reason why we are giving.
    1 Chron. 29.17
    All our worship is for nothing if our hearts are far from God,
    and if we are teaching people that the things that men say are God's laws.
    Matt. 15.8-9

    Can we give for a wrong reason?
    Yes. Jesus said that the hypocrites gave gifts in their meeting houses
    and on the streets to help the poor, in a way that made people look at them.
    He said they did this so that people would praise them.
    Matt. 6.1-4
    But we are told to do everything in a way
    that makes people praise God.
    1 Cor. 10.31
    We are to give to God the praise that belongs to Him.
    Ps. 96.8
    God does not agree for His praise to be given to somebody else.
    Isa. 42.8
    Jesus told His disciples to give their gifts in a such
    way that people would not know about it.
    Matt. 6.3
    Some people give money to get something from God.
    But what God gives us is free and cannot be bought.
    Acts 8.18-20

    After we have given God some money, can we use our money as we want?
    No. There are some other things we have to think about.
    We have to pay our debts. When Elisha helped a woman who had a debt
    to get some money, he told her to pay her debt first,
    and then use the rest of the money to live with.
    2 Kings 4.7
    God does not want His people to have debts.
    Rom. 13.8
    God told His people that if they would obey Him in everything,
    they would lend to people around, they would
    not borrow, for He would look after them.
    Deut. 28.1, 12; 15.5-6
    We have to pay people if we have cheated them.
    Lev. 6.1-5; Luke 19.8
    We have to pay our taxes.
    Matt. 22.17, 21; Rom. 13.7
    We have to look after our families.
    1 Tim. 5.4, 8
    We have to pay those who work for us at the right time.
    Deut. 24.14-15; Jer. 22.13; Jas. 5.4
    We have to help those who need help.
    Luke 12.33; Prov. 3.28; Matt. 5.42; 25.35

    Is it always right to give to people?
    No. God says it is a sin to take money to free the guilty in a palaver,
    or to put the palaver on the head of the innocent.
    Amos 5.12; Isa. 5.22-23
    He said He would judge those who judge for money,
    and the priests and the prophets who did their work for money.
    Mic. 3.9, 11-12
    He sees when the leaders of the people are looking only for money,
    and do not judge the palavers of the poor.
    Isa. 1.23
    God told His people not to take gifts, because the gift makes
    the person blind, so that a palaver is not talked straight.
    Ex. 23.8; Prov. 17.23

    Is money bad?
    Money is not good, and money is not bad. The thing that is bad is
    to love money, because that makes people do all kinds of bad things.
    1 Tim. 6.10

    What kind of bad things do people do because they love money?
    Judas sold Jesus for money.
    Mark 14.11
    The soldiers lied about Jesus rising from the dead for money.
    Matt. 28.12-15
    Felix kept Paul in prison for two years
    because he was looking for money.
    Acts 24.26-27
    Delilah helped people to catch Samson for money.
    Judg. 16.5, 18
    Gehazi lied to get money.
    2 Kings 5.20-27
    The king agreed to kill all the Jews for money.
    Est. 3.8-11
    People were doing things that were not straight
    in the house of God for money.
    Matt. 21.12-13
    False teachers taught lies for money.
    2 Peter 2.3, 14-15; Jude 4, 11
    Some leave the faith for money.
    1 Tim. 6.10

    Is there anything else to remember about money?
    Yes.
    Money cannot buy sleep.
    Ecc. 5.12
    Money cannot buy life.
    Luke 12.16-21
    Money cannot buy a place in heaven.
    Luke 16.19-31
    Money cannot be used to escape
    the judgment of God.
    2 Chron. 19.7; Prov. 11.4
    Money cannot be taken with you when you die.
    Ps. 49.17; 1 Tim. 6.7
    Money does not stay for ever.
    Prov. 27.24; Jas. 1.11; Gen. 47.15

    Suppose we want to handle our money our own way?
    We can do so. God does not force anyone
    to accept any part of His Word.
    The things which are written there are
    for helping us, so that we might learn.
    Rom. 15.4; 1 Cor. 10.11; 2 Tim. 3.16
    Sometimes when we want our own way
    too much, God will give us what we are wanting.
    But then He takes His blessing away from us,
    and we bring judgment on ourselves.
    Num. 11.4, 17-20, 31-33; Ps. 106.14-15;
    1 Sam. 8.5-22; Hos. 13.11

    What should we do?
    Let us ask God for wisdom.
    Jas. 1.5
    God was pleased when Solomon asked Him
    for an understanding heart
    so that he would know how to lead his people.
    1 Kings 3.9-10
    When Jesus rose from the dead, He explained the Scriptures
    to his disciples, and helped them to understand.
    Luke 24.27, 32
    Let us pray for one another, that God would open the eyes of
    our understanding, that we might understand the will of the Lord.
    Eph. 1.18, 5.17
    If we are ready to do what He tells us He will show us what we are to do.
    Ps. 32.8-9
     


        CULTURE
    Does every nation have its own way of doing things?
    Yes.
    The Jews had their own way of burying their dead.
    John 19.40
    They had their own laws about washing before eating.
    Mark 7.3-4
    They had their own way of making an agreement.
    Ruth 4.7
    They had their own customs about marriage.
    Ruth 4.1-11
    They had their own way of buying land.
    Jer. 32.9-12
    They had their own customs about prisoners.
    John 18.39
    The Assyrians and Babylonians had their own kind of clothing.
    Ezek. 23.12, 15
    The Romans had their own way of judging matters.
    Acts 25.16
    They had their own way of killing criminals.
    John 19.18
    The Jews had a different way.
    Acts 7.58

    Which country has the best way of doing things?
    The ways of every country have been spoiled by sin.
    Ps. 14.1-3; Rom. 3.9-12

    Should a Christian follow the ways of his own country?
    When a person becomes a Christian, he becomes a citizen
    of a new country that belongs to God.
    Heb. 11.16; John 14.2; 18.36
    He does not belong to the world any more.
    John 17.16
    He lives in the world as a stranger.
    Heb. 11.13
    He is under a new ruler.
    John 13.13; 1 John 2.4
    He has a new way to follow.
    Isa. 55.8-9
    Jesus is his way.
    John 14.6; Heb. 10.20

    Should a Christian leave the ways of his country on earth?
    The Christian has to leave the ways that do not please God.
    Lev. 18.30; 20.23; Tit. 1.14
    God gives a Christian a new heart and a new spirit.
    Ezek. 11.19; 2 Cor. 5.17
    This means he begins to think about things differently.
    Isa. 55.8
    God helps him to get new thinking so that he
    can understand what pleases God.
    Rom. 12.2
    God's Spirit will teach him what is true.
    John 14.26; 16.13
    God's Word will help him.
    2 Tim. 3.16
    He will learn what is good and what is bad.
    Heb. 5.14
    God's way is different from man's way.
    Isa. 55.8-9

    How is God's way different from man's way?

    • God's way has power.
    Every person has troubles.
    Job 5.7
    People go for help to people they think have power.
    Isa. 8.19; Acts 8.9-11
        God's power is greater than any other.
        1 John 4.4
        All His power is in His Son Jesus.
        Matt. 28.18
        God's people are to go only to Him with all their troubles.
        Ps. 55.22; 1 Peter 5.7; Phil. 4.6
        God has power to forgive sins.
        1 John 1.9
        God has power to heal the sick.
        Ex. 15.26; Jas. 5.15
        God has power to give a woman a child.
        1 Sam. 1.11, 27; Luke 1.13
        God has power to keep from evil.
        2 Tim. 4.17-18
        God has power to keep from the devil.
        Eph. 6.10-13
        God has power to help our farms.
        Deut. 28.11
        God has power to help our work.
        Gen. 39.2-3
        God has power to help our studies.
        Dan. 1.3, 6, 17, 20
        God wants us to trust Him alone.
        Prov. 3.5-6
     
    • God's way is in the light.
        Men love darkness. John 3.19
        They hide what they are doing.
        Isa. 29.15
        They do cruel things in the dark.
        Ps. 74.20
        They murder people secretly.
        Ps. 10.8
        They make plots secretly.
        Ps. 64.2, 4
        They enjoy doing wrong things secretly.
        Prov. 9.17
        They get drunk at night.
        1 Thes. 5.7
        They bribe people secretly.
        Prov. 21.14
        They commit adultery secretly.
        2 Sam. 12.9, 12
        They talk to people secretly to try and
        get them to worship other gods.
        Deut. 13.6
        They do things that are not right secretly.
        2 Kings 17.9
        It is a shame to speak of what men do secretly.
        Eph. 5.12
        They think God does not see what they do in the dark.
        Ezek. 8.12

    God is light.
        There is no darkness in Him.
        1 John 1.5
        He does not speak in secret.
        Isa. 45.19; 48.16
        He works openly.
        Rom. 1.20; 2 Sam. 12.12
        Jesus taught openly.
        John 18.20
        God sees everything.
        Jer. 23.24; Ps. 90.8; 139.12
        God will bring all secret things to the light.
        Luke 8.17; 1 Cor. 4.5
        God will judge secret things.
        Rom. 2.16
        God gives light to His followers.
        John 8.12
        The person who says he has fellowship with God,
        and walks in darkness, is a liar.
        1 John 1.6
        Light and darkness cannot agree together.
        2 Cor. 6.14
        God calls His people out of darkness.
        1 Peter 2.9
        He says His people must leave the things of the dark.
        Eph. 5.11; Rom. 13.12
     

    • God's way drives away fear.
    Man's sin brought fear into the world.
    Gen. 3.6, 10
    People fear their dreams.
    Dan. 4.5
    People fear to eat some foods.
    Acts 10.12-14
    People fear spirits.
    Matt. 14.26
    People fear people.
    1 Sam. 28.5; Prov. 29.25
    People fear sickness.
    Deut. 28.60
    People fear what will happen in the future.
    Luke 21.26
    People have beliefs that make them fear:
    They fear witchcraft, idols, medicine.
    They fear to kill certain animals.
    They fear what will happen if they choose the
    wrong name for their baby.
    God's love will drive away fear from His people.
    1 John 4.18
    He will take away fear when they go to bed,
    and give sweet sleep.
    Prov. 3.24; Ps. 4.8
    He will take away fear of foods, for all foods are good for eating.
    Mark 7.18-19; 1 Tim. 4.1-5
    He will take away fear of spirits, for He is above them all, and His people are safe in Him.
    Eph. 2.6; 1.20-22
    He will take away fear of people.
    Heb. 13.6; Deut. 1.17
    His people will not fear sickness:
    Sickness can only come to them if He lets it.
    Job 2.6-7
    If it comes, He will help them.
    2 Cor. 12.8-9
    His people need not fear the future.
    Rev. 2.10; Luke 21.9
    God's Word will free them from the fear of what men teach, for God's Word is truth.
    John 8.32
    God frees His people from all fear.
    Ps. 34.4; Isa. 14.3; Heb. 2.15

    Are all the ways of a country bad?
    Some of the ways are bad and have to be left.
    Lev. 18.30
    Some of the ways have to be made clean.
    Ps. 119.9

    What are some of the ways that have to be made clean?

    • Every country has its own dancing.
    The people of Israel danced at special times.
    Ecc. 3.4
    They danced when they had crossed the Red Sea.
    Ex. 15.20
    They danced when they had won a fight.
    1 Sam. 18.6
    They danced at their religious feasts.
    Judg. 21.21
    They danced when they brought the ark back.
    2 Sam. 6.14
    They were told to praise God in their dancing.
    Ps. 149.3
    But their dancing was not always good.
    One day they held a feast to the Lord, and sang and danced, and God judged them.
    Ex. 32.5-6, 19, 28
    They had turned aside from God's way.
    Ex. 32.7-8
    They had put something in God's place.
    Ex. 32.4
    What happened to them is a warning to us.
    1 Cor. 10.6-7
    Dancing can lead people into sin.
    Matt. 14.6-9
    God's Word says that when something will lead us into sin,
    or make somebody else fall or get weak, it is good not to do it.
    Matt. 5.29-30; Rom. 14.21
     
    • Every country has its own instruments and way of singing.
    Music and songs are used in the worship of God.
    1 Chron. 15.16; 2 Chron. 5.13
    But sometimes instruments are a call to worship something else.
    Dan. 3.5-6
    We have to be sure our songs and music call people to worship God.
     
    • Every country has its own way of dressing.
    The Bible does not tell us to wear special clothes.
    It does not tell us to wear white clothes.
    It does tell us to get white clothes from Him,
    which is the righteousness which comes by faith, in Christ.
    Rev. 3.18; 19.8; Rom. 3.22
    It does tell us that what makes us fine is the way we are on the inside,
    not how we look outside.
    1 Peter 3.3-4
    It does tell us some women dress in a way that causes men to sin.
    Prov. 7.10
    It does tell us we are not to have anything to do with idols,
    or with people who are said to have special powers.
    So we should not wear anything people give us togive us power.
    Ex. 20.3-5; Deut. 18.10-12
     
    • Every country has its own way of trading.
    But God's people are not to steal.
    Ex. 20.15
    They are to measure things properly, and give the right amount.
    Lev. 19.35-36 ; Deut. 25.13-15
    Cheating people is a thing God hates.
    Prov. 20.10, 23
     
    • Every country has its own government.
    The Christian has to obey God first.
    Acts 5.29; Dan. 3.18
    Then he has to respect the government.
    Rom. 13

    So what is the essence of these things we are saying?
    The essence is :

    • Test everything.
    • Hold fast to that which is good.
    • Leave that which is bad.
            1 Thes. 5.21-22; Rom. 12.9
     


     
        MARRIAGE
    Who started marriage?
    It was God.
    Gen. 2.18

    What was in God's mind when He started marriage?
    One man and one woman would be together.
    Gen. 2.22-23
    A man would leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife.
    Gen. 2.24
    They would stay together until death separated them.
    Rom. 7.2-3
    They would be one.
    Gen. 2.24
    Jesus said two people that God has joined together and made them one, should not be
    separated by man.
    Matt. 19.6

    When did people begin taking more than one wife?
    It was after man had sinned.
    Gen. 4.11-19

    Did some of God's people have many wives?
    Yes. We read about them in the Bible.

    What does the Bible say about them?
    Solomon's wives turned his heart away from following God.
    1 Kings 11.1-6
    Loving a woman made David sin greatly, and brought much trouble to his house.
    2 Sam. 11, 12.10
    Jealousy and trouble came between wives.
    1 Sam. 1.2, 6; Gen. 21.9-10; Gen. 30.1-2, 14-17
    Sometimes there was hatred when children had different mothers.
    Judg. 11.1-3; 8.30; 9.2, 5

    What should a Christian do?
    Some do not marry for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.
    Matt. 19.12; 1 Cor. 7.7-8
    It is good for a man to have a wife, and for a woman to have a husband.
    1 Cor. 7.2
    A Christian should marry a Christian.
    1 Cor. 7.39
    A Christian must not live with someone to whom he is not married.
    2 Tim. 2.22; 1 Cor. 6.13, 18; Eph. 5.3; 1 Thes. 4.3; Gen. 39.7-9

    How should a man and his wife live together?
    They must live together the way they should.
    1 Cor. 7.3-5
    The wife must be under her husband the way she is under the Lord.
    Eph. 5.22-24; Tit. 2.3-5
    The husband must love his wife the way Christ loves the church.
    Eph. 5.25-31, 33

    Does God say any Christians should divorce?
    The Bible never tells a Christian to get a divorce.
    It tells them not to.
    1 Cor. 7.10-11

    When did divorce begin?
    The Bible does not say. But Moses had to make a law to control it
    before the children of Israel entered Canaan.

    Why did Moses make a law if divorce was not God's plan?
    Moses made the law because of the bad way people were.
    Matt. 19.7-8

    What law did Moses make?
    Moses said when a person divorces someone, he writes a paper. The woman can then
    marry again, but must not return to her first husband again.
    Deut. 24.1-4

    What did Jesus say about it?
    Jesus said Moses agreed for divorce because of the way people were.
    He did not tell them to divorce.
    Matt. 19.8
    It was the Pharisees who said Moses made a law for a man to divorce his wife.
    Matt. 19.7

    Does the Bible tell us a Christian can get a divorce?
    The Bible only talks about a divorce when a person has committed adultery.
    Matt. 5.32; 19.9
    If a person divorces for any other reason, it means people commit adultery
    if they marry again.
    Matt. 19.9; Mark 10.11-12
    Marriage

    So if a person commits adultery, should there be a divorce?
    We are never told to get a divorce. A person can repent, and be forgiven.
    Eph. 4.32
    Jesus told a woman that was caught not to sin again.
    John 8.11

    If there is no way, and a person is divorced, can he marry again?
    The Bible does not tell him to marry again.
    The Bible does not tell him not to marry again.

    Does the Bible say anything else?
    It says if a Christian is married to an unbeliever, the marriage can go on.
    There should not be a divorce. But if the unbeliever wants to leave the Christian, let it be so.
    1 Cor. 7.12-16
    In the time of Ezra, some people had broken God's command by taking wives
    who were people of the land. They repented and put the wives away.
    Ezra 10



     
      ABOMINATIONS
    What are abominations?
    Abominations are the things God hates.
    We should learn what God hates.
    Ezek. 16.2; Rom. 8.8; Gal. 5.19-21
    Sometimes men love the thing God hates.
    Luke 16.15

    What does God hate?
    God hates all kinds of wickedness.
    He hates it when people go to talk to the dead.
    Deut. 18.11-12; Isa. 65.3-4
    He hates is when people kill human beings to make a sacrifice.
    Ezek. 16.20-22; Deut. 12.31; Jer. 32.35
    He hates it when people talk to idols to find out what is going to happen in the future.
    Deut. 18.10-12; 2 Kings 17.15-17
    He hates it when people make medicine to do bad things with it to people.
    Deut. 18.10, 12; Ezek. 13.18-23; Gal. 5.20-21
    He hates it when people wear things round their necks or their waists to give them power.
    Deut. 18.11-12; Isa. 3.20
    He hates worship of idols.
    Ezek. 8.9-12; 14.3; Deut. 13.12-15; 29.17; 1 Kings 11.4-11; Col. 3.5

    What do these things do?
    These things take people away from the word of God.
    Acts 13.6-8
    These things spoil the house of God.
    2 Chron. 36.14; Ezek. 8.5-16

    What does God say to us about these things?
    He says we are not to go to those who speak to the dead,
    or those who make bad medicine, or those who talk to idols
    to find out what is going to happen in the future.
    Deut. 18.9-12, 14; Isa. 8.19-20; Lev. 19.26, 31
    He says we are not to kill human beings for sacrifice.
    Deut. 18.10; Lev. 18.21
    He says we are not to worship idols.
    Jer. 44.3-4; Lev. 26.1
    He says we are not to bring idols into the house.
    Deut. 7.25-26

    What happens if we do not obey?
    God will not listen to the prayers of people who do these things.
    Ezek. 20.30-31
    God says He will turn against the person who goes to these people.
    Lev. 20.6; 1 Sam. 28.7-19; 2 Chron. 33.1-11

    What will happen to people who do these things?
    God said He would judge people who did these things.
    Isa. 47.9-15; Mal. 3.5
    He said He would cut them off from the people.
    Lev. 18.29
    He said He would not pity them or have mercy on them.
    Ezek. 5.8-11; 7.3-4, 8-9
    People who do these things will not be with God.
    They will be in the lake of fire.
    Rev. 21.8
    They will not be in God's town.
    Rev. 21.27; 22.15
    God will not be their king.
    Eph. 5.5

    What other things does God hate?
    God hates the prayer of the person who will not obey His Word.
    Prov. 28.9
    God hates pride.
    Prov. 6.16-17; 16.5
    God hates lies.
    Prov. 6.16-17; 8.7; 12.22
    God hates murder.
    Prov. 6.16-17
    God hates evil thoughts.
    Prov. 6.16, 18; 15.26; Zech. 8.17
    God hates it when men and women live together in the wrong way.
    Lev. 18.6-26; Ezek. 22.11; Deut. 24.1-4
    God hates it when women wear men's clothes, and men wear women's clothes.
    Deut. 22.5
    God hates it when people cheat when they are selling things.
    Deut. 25.13-16; Prov. 11.1; 20.10, 23
    God hates it when people make trouble between people.
    Prov. 6.16, 19; Rom 16.17-18
    God hates it when people say bad people are good,
    and when they condemn people who have done nothing.
    Prov. 17.15
    God hates the gift a bad person brings to Him.
    Prov. 15.8; 21.27
    God hates the money people give Him which they get by doing bad.
    Deut. 23.18
    God hates it when people give Him spoiled things.
    Deut. 17.1

    What should we do if we have done these things?
    We should turn from idols, and from all the things that God hates.
    Ezek. 14.6; 2 Kings 23; 2 Chron. 34.33; 1 Peter 4.2-3; Acts 19.18-19
    We should destroy our idols.
    Deut. 7.25; 2 Chron. 33.12-16
    We should put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who gives us the power to leave
    these things.
    1 Thes. 1.1, 3, 6-10; 1 Cor. 6.9-11
    God will make us clean, and give us a new heart and a new spirit
    so that we can do the things He wants us to do, and leave the things He hates.
    Ezek. 36.25-27


    (c) 1998, Centre de Documentation Missionnaire, Abidjan
    08 B.P. 424, Abidjan 08, Ivory Coast. [email protected]
     

    Update and HTML Modifications: 30/6/1998
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