Our Convictions

What We Believe – Our Statement of Faith

The Scriptures

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Bible, “as it is in truth, the Word of God…” (I Thessalonians 2:13). We believe in verbal, plenary inspiration in the original writings, and God’s preservation of His pure words to every generation (II Timothy 3:16, Psalms 12:6-8). The Masoretic Text of the Old Testament and the Received Text of the New Testament (Textus Receptus) are those texts of the original languages we accept and use; the King James Version of the Bible is the only English version we accept and use. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice.

The Godhead

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; II Corinthians 13:14).

The Person and Work of Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men (John 1:1-2, 14; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; 7:14; Philippians 2:5-8; Galatians 4:4-5).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His finished work on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24-25; I Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:3-5).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 9:24, 7:25; Romans 8:34; I John 2:1-2).

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Person who reproves the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, indwelling all believers and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8-11; II Corinthians 3:6; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14).

We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayer of believers for physical healing (II Corinthians 12:12; I Corinthians 13:8; Hebrews 2:3-4; Mark 16:17-20; I Corinthians 1:22, 14:21-22).

Man

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and that man is totally depraved, and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12).

The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image and is mindful of him, and in that Christ died for man; therefore every individual possesses dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love. (Psalm 8:4-9; Colossians 3:9-11).

The Way of Salvation

We believe that the clear message of salvation is “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). We believe that salvation is “by grace” plus nothing minus nothing. We believe that men are justified by faith alone and are accounted righteous before God only through the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12; I Peter 1:18-19)

We believe that all the redeemed, once saved are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. We believe that eternal life is the present possession of every believer (John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38-39; I Corinthians 1:4-8; I Peter 1:4-5; Jude 1, 2).

The Church

We believe that the New Testament church is a local assembly of baptized believers who have voluntarily joined themselves together to carry out the Great Commission. The Lord is doing His work in this world through local churches. The establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).

We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control. Christ is the only head of the church (Acts 13:1-4, 15:19-31, 20:28; Romans 16:1, 4; I Corinthians 3:9,16; 5:4-7,13; I Peter 5:1-4).

The Ordinances of the Church

We recognize the ordinances of baptism by immersion in water and the Lord’s Supper as a Scriptural means of testimony for local churches in this age (Matthew. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 18:18; I Corinthians 11:23-26).

Biblical Separation

We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and, that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded of God (II Timothy 3:1-5; Romans 12:1, 2, 14:13; I John 2:15-17; II John 9-11; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1).

The Return of Christ

We believe the “Blessed Hope” of our Lord’s return is literal, personal, visible, imminent, premillennial, and pretribulational. Believers will caught up to be with the Lord prior to the seven years of tribulation, and at the end of the tribulation Christ will return with His saints to establish His thousand-year reign on the earth. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; I Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 3:10; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-6; Psalm 89:3-4)

Our Eternal State

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28, 29, 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-13).

We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43; Revelation 20:4-6; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23, 3:21; I Thessalonians 4:16-17).

We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting, conscious punishment (Luke 16:19-26; Matthew 25:41-46; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 20:11-15).

What An Independent Baptist Church Stands For

Bible Reading: Matthew 16:5-12

Aim: To make it clear as to what an Independent Baptist Church is and what it stands for, so that we can have strong convictions as to the truth of our position. To beware of the leaven of false doctrine.

Introduction

To many people an Independent Baptist church is something new. To those people in denominations, they find the concept of each church being independent and accountable only to God as difficult to understand. Yet this is precisely the New Testament pattern.

Jesus, in Matthew 16:5-12, compares false doctrine to leaven (something which affects the whole batch). Jesus tells his disciples in v.6 to TAKE HEED and BEWARE of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Jesus explains this leaven in v.11,12 to be their false doctrine. Today, much false doctrine exists in Christendom, and we must be very careful to check every idea with the Bible. Independent churches that baptized believers by immersion were the norm up to 300 AD. They paralleled the Eastern Orthodox and Roman churches. They predated the Reformation. It is not new. It lays claim to a long, and glorious heritage. It has been a persecuted church. Today there are millions of Independent Baptist churches all over the world in China, India, Africa, North and South America, Asia and Europe. They meet in buildings, houses, or in open air in poor countries.

What makes an Independent Baptist church so distinct?

An Independent Baptist church is a:

1. SELF GOVERNING CHURCH with no external hierarchy. All churches in the New Testament were independent, autonomous, self governing, responsible only to God, not to the commands of some man made hierarchy. The leading of the Lord is sought on all matters and this independence of a man-made hierarchy actually increases our dependence on the Lord. In Revelation 2,3 each church is accountable to Jesus Christ, not to an external, man-made hierarchy.

2. BIBLE CENTERED CHURCH

An Independent Baptist Church is a Bible believing, teaching and obeying church. The Bible is central in every service, because God “has magnified his Word above all his name.” Psalm 138:2. The Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God, without error and is the standard by which all behavior and beliefs are judged. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 and 2:15.

3. KING JAMES VERSION is the Bible is used, and not modern versions because of their many omissions and errors. This is because they were translated from mainly two corrupted manuscripts namely Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus. Omissions in modern versions include:

Matthew 17:21; 18:11 and 23:14

Mark 7:16; 9:44, 46; 11:26 and 15:28

Luke 17:36 and 23:17

John 5:4

Acts 8:37; 15:34; 24:7 and 28:29

Romans 16:24

Verses changed, left out partly, or cast doubt on are: Mark 16:9-20; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1

John 5:7,8 and John 3:13; 1 Corinthians 15:47.

We believe in 100% inspiration and preservation of the whole Bible to today as in the King James Version which is translated from the vast majority of NT manuscripts (Psalms 12:6,7).

We are not KJV only…..Which means you can not come to our church if you carry another interpretation.. Everyone is welcome!

WE are KJV only….. Which means that we preach, teach, read, believe, live, love,and use, only the KJV Bible!

4. ACCURATELY INTERPRETING THE BIBLE

The Bible has only one correct interpretation. This means it is not of any private

Interpretation (2 Peter 1:20). Rules for correct interpretation are applied such as grammar, context, history, cross-references, word meanings, and whether a passage is literal or figurative speech.

5. BELIEVERS BAPTISM BY IMMERSION, not infant sprinkling.

Baptism means to dip or immerse and pictures the Gospel of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Baptism is for adult believers, not for infant unbelievers (Acts 8:37, Mark 1:9-11).by: Immersion, not sprinkling (Matthew 28:19, 20).

to: Obey Christ, not to get saved. by: a Bible-believing Church, not a false church.

“Sprinkling” in Greek is “rantizo”; Immersion is “baptizo”. The early church immersed believers, but never sprinkled them. Sprinkling was a pagan practice introduced later.

Baptism by immersion after salvation shows that a person wishes to obey God’s Word rather than men.

6. SOUL WINNING and MISSIONARY MINDED

An Independent Baptist church takes the Great Commission seriously as we are

accountable to Christ to be fishers of men (Matthew 4:19, Matthew 28:19,20). We do not just witness, but we seek to explain the Gospel clearly to lost people, challenging them to receive Jesus Christ as their Saviour from sin. We also see the need to preach the Gospel in regions beyond, and the starting of Independent Baptist churches all over the world.

We believe that men are eternally damned to hell without Christ as their Saviour, and it is our responsibility to spread the Gospel to all the world.

7. PREMILLENNIAL, LITERAL INTERPRETATION OF PROPHECY

An Independent Baptist Church looks for the blessed hope of believers being caught up to heaven at the return of Christ to the air (Titus 2:13 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17)

The book of Revelation Takes the whole bible of end times and prophecies and places them in a beautiful order for you to see, Just as clear as the nose on your face.

Chapter 1= Jesus Christ Glorified —the post resurrection of Jesus

Chapter 2,3= The Church Age— the type of the churches at lest 2,ooo years

Chapter 4= Church is Rapture— the opening up of Heaven, saints are seen around the Throne of God.

Chapter 6-19= Details of The Tribulation Period= the darkness of judgment begins

Chapter 20= 1,000 year Jesus Christ Reigns

Chapter 21-22= Eternal Age

8. CREATION BY GOD IN SIX LITERAL DAYS

An Independent Baptist Church believes that when God says He created the heaven and earth in six literal days, He means exactly what He says. (Exodus 20:11). God did not use the unscientific theory of evolution to create life. We resist the modernist trend to believe evolution. We choose to believe God as Creator rather than man’s vain philosophy and deceit of evolution, which is woefully lacking real evidence.

9. PURITY OF LIFE. SEPARATION FROM WORLDLINESS AND SIN.

A COMMITMENT TO HOLINESS, GOD AND TRUTH.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” 1 John 2:15,16.

2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1 tells us to “come out from, be separate from, and touch not the unclean thing, and to perfect holiness in fear of God.”

Jesus warned His disciples (Matthew 7:15-23), as did Paul warn the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:28-30), against grievous wolves who would come in sheep’s clothing. Jude 3,4 warned against those who would creep in unawares and for us to earnestly contend for the faith (doctrine). 2 Peter 2:1 warns against false teachers in the church.

We are to “flee fornication” and all ungodliness. The Independent Baptist Church

stands apart from apostasy (1 Timothy 4:1,2). We do not fellowship with churches which teach false doctrine (Hebrews 6:1,2) or tolerate unbelieving religious leaders (Romans 16:17,18).

10. NOT FIVE POINT CALVINIST (not TULIP doctrine)

We do not believe that God chooses one person to be saved before birth and another person to be damned. This is not the just God of the Bible. God makes salvation 100% available freely to all mankind, and God holds man 100% responsible to receive Christ as Saviour. Man is totally depraved, but can still call on Christ to save him.

God chooses people not unconditionally, but on the condition of Christ’s blood

sacrifice being claimed for oneself. Salvation is not limited to those who would be

saved, but Christ tasted death for every men (Hebrews 2:9).

God’s grace to be saved is not irresistible but resistible (Acts 7:51; 1 Peter 1:4,5).

Saints do not persevere in salvation, but Christ keeps us saved forever.

11. REVERENT MELODIOUS WORSHIP, NOT ROCK MUSIC

“Rock music has always been the devil’s music.” D. Bowie.

Ephesians 5:19 “Making melody … to the Lord.”

It is wrong to bring rock music into the church.

Don’t use worldly music to worship God.

Don’t use worldly music to reach the world for Christ.

12. AVOID PAGAN PRACTICES like infant baptism, black robes, rosary beads, Mary worship, holy water, confession to priest, and confirmation. And so on–

13. NOT TONGUES SPEAKING, SLAYING IN SPIRIT, or NEW REVELATIONS

1 Corinthians 13:11 “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

1 Corinthians 14:22 “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not …”

1 Corinthians 14:15 ” I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also…”

Praying in tongues is wrong because we must understand what we are praying for. (1 Corinthians 14:15).

“Slaying in the Spirit” is not mentioned in the Bible. Therefore don’t do it. New

revelations from God are not necessary because the Bible is our only and complete revelation from God for this age. (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

14. HELL

An Independent Baptist Church teaches the reality of a literal burning hell of fire that Christ rejecters send themselves to after death. Jesus Christ warned people against going to hell many times, such as:

“Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

“These shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.”

Matthew 25:41,46.

“Into hell where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:44,46.

Some people may not like hearing about hell, but we must tell people all the relevant facts. Hell is relevant to unbelievers. A PLACE YOU’RE NOT WELCOME AT… IT WAS MADE FOR THE devil and his followers.

CONCLUSION

An Independent Baptist Church is more concerned about pleasing and obeying God, than about pleasing men. The Word of God will judge us at the last day (John 12:48). We won’t have to give account of our lives to men, but to God (Romans 14:12). It is very important WHAT we believe.

Matthew 5:19 “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called THE LEAST in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall DO and TEACH them, the same shall be called GREAT in the kingdom of heaven.”

Question: Do you want to be called “the least” or “great” in God’s kingdom?

Therefore, get involved in doing God’s work in an Independent Baptist Church. If you are in a church that does not hold to these important truths or holds false doctrines GET OUT OF IT NOW. You will never reform it by staying in it. God says: “What fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.” 2 Cor. 6:14,17; Rev. 18:4,5.

Question: Will you be like many chief rulers who believed on Christ, yet were afraid of being put out of the synagogue because “they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”? John 12:42,43.

Is separation from other Churches Holding False Doctrine, really important in the Christians life?

Let’ look into the bible for our guide. It will not lie!!!

Everybody has a fence around their home or farm, because it defines the borders of their property. If all boundary fences were torn down, things would go on fairly well for the generation who knew where the fences used to be. However, future generations, who never knew where the fence used to be, would have trouble and constant fights over what was the right boundary.

‘Remove not the ancient landmark.’ Proverbs 22:28.

New Evangelicalism’s founding fathers (Harold Ockenga and Billy Graham) tore down the fences and today’s generation can’t even remember where they were.

We need to rebuild the fences, so that our churches know right from wrong, and are protected from the creeping influence of false doctrines. We pastors and workers must impress on our people the principles of separation from error.

Question 1: Is separation from error really that important?

What if we don’t preach or train our people to separate from error?

Answer: Then II John 8 will result: “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought; but that we receive a full reward.”

IF we fail to practice Biblical separation from error:

1) We will lose our life’s work, that is strong Bible preaching fundamental churches; and

2) We will lose our heavenly rewards.

Question 2: Do we have to rebuke believers who hold error?

Can’t we just keep quiet and love them?

Answer: When the apostle Peter defected in doctrine and practice by refusing to eat with Gentile believers fearing those of the circumcision, Paul said: ‘I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.’ (Galatians 2:11-13).The sad result of Peter’s weakness and compromise with error was that other Jews, as well as Barnabas followed his example. If Paul had not had the courage to publicly rebuke Peter, then Peter’s error may have split the church for the next 2000 years. If we condone error by our silence, we aid its spreading. We must reprove believers who hold to error: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (Ephesians 5:11).

It is wrong to treat apostate churches as if they are the same as fundamental churches.

Some things, such as disagreements in politics, marriage and business, may be solved by compromise. On the other hand, there are some truths and convictions which cannot be compromised. Martin Luther refused to renounce his writings and said to his opponents:

‘Here I stand, I can do no other.’

Aim: To show that the Bible commands believers to separate from errors such as are in the New Evangelical movement in order to preserve the holiness and effectiveness of local churches.

We must warn believers to reject and separate from these errors.

Bible Reading:

a) “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and AVOID them.” Romans 16:17. What are we commanded to do about disobedient brethren? AVOID THEM! That is separation.

b) “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye WITHDRAW yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received from us.”

II Thessalonians 3:6

c) “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather REPROVE them.”

Ephesians 5:10,11.

d) “I (Paul) withstood him (Peter) to the face because he was to be blamed.”

Galatians 2:11-13.

e) “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud,…FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF.” I Timothy 6:3-5.

Introduction: ‘Speaking the truth in love’ (Ephesians 4:15) is how we should approach people who hold wrong doctrinal positions. Many of us who hold true doctrines previously believed some false doctrines. We wanted people to tell us the truth in a kind way. We are all on a learning curve and we must be patient and loving to those who believe error. “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.”

2 Timothy 2:24,25. This chapter teaches that:

a) Pastors should not affiliate their churches with other churches or groups that believe false doctrines.

b) Individual believers should not join or support churches that teach false doctrines. If you do, you will help them spread their errors and God will hold you accountable.

c) God’s work will grow faster if we separate from churches teaching error and support a church that teaches true doctrines. If we join up with churches teaching error, numbers initially may appear larger, but multiplication of quality disciples will not take place and future growth will be of poorer quality.

d) We should reprove (point out the errors of) those who believe false doctrines so they may escape satan’s snare, bear fruit for Christ, and stop spreading error. Ephesians 5:11.

The New Evangelical disobeys God’s command to separate from apostasy.

God says, ‘Come out.’ New Evangelism says, ‘No, we will remain in a group with false doctrines, we will infiltrate it, we will associate with it, we will dialogue with it.’

If this be correct, then we have no defense against error Separation as a church from disobedient brethren (I Corinthians 5:5-13), apostate churches and denominations holding or endorsing false doctrines (II John 7-11).

Separation is the doctrine which stands at the cross-roads between Fundamentalism and New Evangelicalism. Why?

‘Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?’ (I Corinthians 5:6).

Jesus warned us to: ‘Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.’ (Matthew 7:15).

Paul warned ‘that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.’ (Acts 20:29).

Wolves looking like sheep will creep in (Jude 4) with subtlety and stealth, to infiltrate churches, and hence would greatly impede the progress of the gospel. This is one of Satan’s chief devices.

LOOKING AT NEW EVANGELICALISM THROUGH SCRIPTURE

Accommodation is not taught in the New Testament. We are not to trim God’s message or method to win a hearing for the message. We must not seek to conform God’s Word to man’s desires. We must not be ‘conformed to this world.’ (Romans 12:2).

Some think that an ecumenical spirit is brotherly and kind, and that love is more important than doctrine, appealing to John 17:11 where Jesus prayed that ‘they may be one.’ They criticize fundamentalists who oppose the ecumenical movement with the charge of ‘sowing discord among the brethren’ or continuing the ‘sin of division.’

Answer: Jesus’ prayer for all believers to be one has already been answered. Since we are all baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ (Galatians 3:27; I Corinthians 12:13), ‘we are all one in Christ Jesus’ (Galatians 3:28) having spiritual unity in the bride of Christ. It is not talking about organizational unity.

New Evangelicals’ Unwillingness To Separate From Churches Holding False Doctrine.

Fundamentalists believe in complete separation from all churches or fellowships which tolerate false doctrine, unbelief or compromise with error. New Evangelicals on the other hand believe ‘let us compromise doctrinal matters for the sake of evangelism.’

Question: Why do some people not obey the Biblical command in II Corinthians 6:14-18 to break fellowship with those who promote unbiblical positions?

Answer:

1. Taking a stand against unbelief can be costly.

If pastors left a denomination with false doctrines, they would lose many friends and their retirement money. For some this is too great a price to pay.

2. One’s prestige and influence in denominational leadership would be lost if he separated to become an independent pastor. Are influence, respect and position more important than obeying God?

Wasn’t Noah a preacher of righteousness who was only supported by seven people?

Didn’t Jeremiah get abused and imprisoned for rebuking the sinners of his day?

Didn’t Paul get beaten, hated and jailed for preaching against the Jews’ view of Jesus ?

Didn’t John the Baptist get imprisoned and beheaded for rebuking Herod’s sins?

Didn’t Jesus rebuke the Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes, not fearing the consequences or seeking their acceptance?

Many New Evangelicals today honor Spurgeon, but few of them would have stood with him when he rebuked the Baptist Union for its apostasy and was excommunicated as a result.

3. New Evangelicals have a different concept of the purpose of the church from the Fundamentalists. Fundamentalists view the church as ‘Donatist,’ which regards holiness and doctrine as more important than unity in local churches.

New Evangelicals view the church as ‘Augustinian,’ which regards unity as more important than holiness and doctrine. If a church has holiness and sound doctrine, it will have true unity, which leads to quality outreach.

If a church has external unity, but internal doctrinal divisions, then the ‘leaven will soon leaven the whole lump’ (Galatians 5:9) and will hinder quality outreach.

4. New Evangelicals see the church’s mission to penetrate the world with Christian values.

Fundamentalists see the role of the church to win the world to Christ and to disciple them (Matthew 28:18-20). Satan will remain the political and religious head of this world’s system until Christ returns to defeat him. (II Corinthians 4:3-5).

‘For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord . . .’ (II Corinthians 4:5).

We don’t preach ourselves as the agent of social change, but we preach Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world. The early church never tried to reform social culture.

The Holy Spirit today is moving among the nations ‘to take out of them a people for his name’ (Acts 15:14), not to Christianize the nations.

New Evangelicals try to be good guys by avoiding controversial subjects. This dulls the cutting edge of Christianity. We must guard against civility and courtesy breeding timid preachers. The contemporary worldly attitude is against all absolutes, dogmatism and exclusiveness. This thinking has crept into the churches, so that now many churches defend homosexuality, evolution, abortion, feminism. How did these churches degenerate so far? By twisting the Word of God to the latest intellectual fashions of the world.

New Evangelicals have a burning desire to be accepted and recognized by the world, when the world despises the Word of God and has no intention of becoming Christian. This is pitiful and treasonous.

Question: What happens when people compromise sound doctrine?

Answer: Churches and Bible Colleges deteriorate spiritually.

Preachers seeking to be civil, de-emphasize the Bible’s more offensive subjects such as accusations of heresy, sin, immorality, paganism, God’s judgment, hell and intolerance of error. Did Jesus, Paul, and Peter seek to adjust their message to their worldly, unsaved hearers? No! Paul did not use flattering words (I Thessalonians 2:5).

Reasons For Coming To Church

If you are:

a) Not coming to God’s house regularly, or

b) Not seeking to build it, then

Consider these reasons why you should fully direct your energies to build this and other local churches:

1. God commands us to meet together to consider one another and to PROVOKE one another to love and to good works. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24,25.

2. To rescue people from HELL. “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments..…and said,…… I am tormented in this flame.” Luke 16:23,24.

3. By coming to church, you TEACH YOUR CHILDREN that God’s House is important.

By not coming to church, you teach your children to forsake God, God’s House,

God’s people and God’s work. You also teach them that the things of God do not matter. Deuteronomy 6:4,9.

4. Coming to church is an unselfish thing that we do:

a) To put ourselves out to help others,

b) To glorify God,

c) To extend God’s kingdom. Matthew 6:33.

5. You will never be fruitful 100 fold by avoiding church. Do you want to be fruitful? Matt. 13:23.

6. If you know what is right and don’t do it, God will count you as unfaithful. Luke 12:42-48.

7. It proves our love for God and for others. II Corinthians 8:8.

8. If Christ gave eternal life to us, we should give our time and life for God and others. II Cor. 8:9.

9. Not to suffer loss of rewards in eternity. I Corinthians 3:10-15.

10. Coming to church proves our salvation, because we show our love for the brethren.I John 3:14-16

11. Jesus went to God’s house weekly. Luke 4:16.

12. To learn obedience.If we obey God by attending church,we’ll obeyGod in big

things.Luk16:10-21

13. To become a Bible Teacher. Hebrews 5:12.

14. To become great in God’s eyes like Moses who:

a) Refused worldly honour, v.24

b) Chose to suffer affliction with the people of God,

c) Did not pursue the pleasures of sin for a season,

d) He had respect for the recompense of God’s eternal reward. (Hebrews 11:24-27).

15. We are being watched by so great a cloud of witness of angels and departed

believers. Heb.12:1.

16. To be a labourer in God’s harvest. Matthew 9:36-38.

To reap and receive eternal wages and gather fruit unto eternal life. John 4:34-38.

17. a) To multiply our talents. Matthew 25:19-21.

b) For God to say “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

c) To become ruler over many things. Matthew 24:44-45.

18. To lay up treasures in Heaven. Matthew 6:19.

19. The Lord is coming soon. I John 2:28; Romans 14:12. We will all have to give account of our life and actions to God. We will be either confident or ashamed. Revelation 3:11.

20. If you reject the Holy Spirit’s promptings on big things like church, you’ll never hear God’s promptings on important smaller things.

21. The preacher’s message at church is often exactly what you need to hear from God.

22. To get re-motivated and inspired to serve God.

23. To set up a lighthouse for the truth of Christ and salvation to the community. Matthew 5:16.

24. So you can notice and encourage any new or struggling people.

25. So you can get the advice of Godly Christians regarding problems you may have.

26. So you can help fight and pull in the spiritual battle for souls. Ephesians 6:11-19.

27. So you can learn soul winning. Matthew 4:19.

28. So you honour the Lord with your tithes and support and send out missionaries. Malachi 3:7-12.

29. You get your next instructions from God at church.

30. It is the first base to spiritual growth.

31. Building this church is a key to multiplying other churches.

32. It gives you self discipline to learn more.

Why Baptism

The Meaning of Baptism

If baptism has no saving power, then what is the significance of baptism? Baptism has importance for every believer because of its frequent appearance in the New Testament (115 clear references).

First, baptism is a public declaration of one’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture declares that we are to openly and publicly profess Christ. There are to be no “silent saints.” Therefore, baptism should immediately follow salvation, for in doing so, we proclaim Christ’s work in us (Matthew 10:32).

Next, baptism is a perfect illustration of what Christ has done for all sinners through His death, burial and resurrection. Baptism illustrates the new believ­er’s break with the past and the beginning of a new life, a resurrected life, through a new birth in Christ.

Then, baptism is a personal identification with Christ and with His Church (Galatians 3:27).

Baptism says, “I belong to Jesus Christ and I honor the witness and practice of His Church.” Baptism is the seal of our commitment to Christ, and it recognizes the responsibility of His Church to teach and practice this ordinance described in Scripture. In many ways, baptism is like a wedding ring. You can be married without a ring, but the ring reflects the commitment and alignment of your life to another. Christ compares the husband/ wife relationship to Himself and His bride, the Church. Baptism is important for identity as well as obedience.

The Motive for Baptism

Why are we baptized? Baptism not only signifies our identification with Jesus Christ but our desire to live a life of obedience to Him. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). When we obey Christ we demonstrate our trust in Him and our submission to His will. Loving Christ means expressing that love in ways that are pleasing to Him. Motivated by love and gratitude, we follow Christ in baptism.

Let’s consider three reasons for our church’s practice of baptism:

The example of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus began His public ministry with baptism (Matthew 3:13- 17). He did not need to be saved, but through bap­tism, Christ was identifying Himself with us—those He came to save.

In baptism, Jesus was saying, this is what I have come to do for you. He died on the cross, He was buried, and He rose again. No wonder John the Baptist said

of Jesus at His baptism, “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”

The encouragement of New Testament believers. Throughout the New Testament, baptism was the first response of these eager believers. Consider Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-38), Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10:47-48), and Paul and the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:25-34).

The explanation of Scripture. In Romans 6:4-5, we see baptism used to describe the new life we now live in Christ. In Acts 16:31-34, we see new believers being baptized, pointing to the fact that this act is an outward symbol of the inward reality of what Christ has done in their lives.

Therefore, our motive in baptism is obedience to Christ and for the glory of Christ and His Church.

The Method of Baptism

How should baptism be done? Although this has been a point of confusion for some, the Scripture is quite clear on the manner or method of baptism. Because baptism is an intended picture of our identification with Christ—that is in His death, burial and resurrection—any alteration of this picture would interfere with the intended message of baptism.

The word “baptize” is actually an adaptation of the Greek word baptizo given in the New Testament. It is clear that this word most accurately translated means to “immerse,” “submerge,” or “to place under.” Scripture tells us that when Jesus was baptized, He came up out of the water. Philip and the Ethiopian came to a place of much water. The Jordan River was often a place referenced in Scripture where baptisms occurred.

The Moment of Baptism

The question is often asked: “When should I be bap­tized?” The answer is simple—immediately after you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. This is the New Testament pattern (Acts 2:41). Yet, there is one point of clarification we must observe.

Baptism should always follow salvation, never precede it. The experience of baptism, no matter how sincere, is inadequate if it has occurred prior to your under­standing of personal repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, if you were baptized prior to your salvation experience, you should follow Christ in baptism as a believer.

Is Baptism required for church membership?

People come to Mountain Springs Baptist from denominations or church backgrounds that do not share our doctrines, beliefs or practices. This is often true at the point of bap­tism. For this reason, we seek to offer clear instruction and assistance in following Christ in believer’s baptism.

Baptism is not a matter of personal preference, but a scrip­tural command. Therefore, we believe the proper practice of baptism is important in the life of every member of our church.

At Mountain Springs Baptist, we require those who have not been baptized by immersion or who come from a church back­ground that does not share our faith in the purpose and practice of baptism to be baptized.

Our goal is not to question a person’s salvation experience or diminish his or her Christian heritage but to unite our membership in belief and practice. Obedience to Christ and His Word is the starting point for growth and fellow­ship together.

Why The Church Exists

Bible Reading: Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-16.

Aim: The main purpose for the church’s existence is to evangelise the world and build up believers.

Introduction: Many people who attend churches wonder, What is the purpose of the local church?  Some people ask, ‘Why go to church?’ ‘Why go to this particular church instead of another?’

Question: Why did Jesus Christ institute the church?

Answer: Jesus said, ‘I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ (Matthew 16:18). This tells us that local churches are to attack the gates of hell, and take captive hell’s prisoners. Let us study several reasons for the church’s existence:

1. To preach the Gospel and make disciples (teach) of all nations.

God wants us to evangelise the world with the blessed message of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The Great Commission is stated five times by Jesus Christ in the following passages:

a) Matthew 28:18-20 ‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.’

b) Mark 16:15 ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature’.

c) Luke 24:47 ‘And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.’

d) John 20:21,23 ‘As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you . . .Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.’

e) Acts 1:8 ‘But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.’

The main reason God leaves His church in the world is to save people from hell by preaching the gospel. Gordon G Johnson writes: ‘One day Dr Wilfred Grenfell, medical missionary to Labrador, was guest at a dinner in London, together with a number of socially prominent British men and women. During the course of the dinner the lady seated next to him turned and said, “Is it true, Dr Grenfell, that you are a Missionary?” Dr Grenfell looked at her for a moment before replying. Then he said, “Is it true, madam, that you are not?”’ (My Church, p 88).

2. To edify believers

Edify means to build up believers in their spiritual life. Edify (3618, 3619) comes from the word ‘to construct, or to be a house-builder.’ Edification is the purpose for which a church exists as a gathered community. Most of the New Testament was written for the edification of believers. These letters were sent to churches to be read and studied for their spiritual growth and development. The following verses teach us about edification:

a) I Corinthians 14:26, ‘Let all things be done unto edifying.’ Every believer should seek to build up each other, rather than to pull each other down.

b) I Thessalonians 5:11, ‘Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.’ Strive to build up each other, and to establish each other in Bible truths.

c) II Peter 3:18, ‘But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’. Christlike character may be cultivated as much as one wishes to possess. Growth in grace may begin as a grain of mustard seed, and will increase as it is cultivated. To know Jesus Christ means to possess correct views of His person as fully God and fully man, His character, teachings &work.

d) Jude 20, ‘But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.’ We should establish ourselves most firmly in sound doctrine and in fulfilling our Christian duties such as prayer.

e) Ephesians 4:11-16, Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers were given to:

i) Perfect the saints;

ii) Fulfil the work of the ministry;

iii) Edify the body of Christ (v.12,16).

Their job is to build up believers in knowledge, in truth and in godliness.

3. To glorify God: ‘That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him ..’ (II Thessalonians 1:12). How do we glorify God? Through our:

a) Praise and prayer. ‘Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me.’ (Psalm 50:23;

Hebrews 13:15).

b) Fruitbearing. ‘Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: so shall ye be my disciples.’ (John 15:8).

c) Believing and obeying God’s Word. ‘He (Abraham) staggered not at the

promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to

perform.’ (Romans 4:20,21).

d) Preaching the Gospel. ‘Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified . . .’ (II Thessalonians 3:1).

e) Suffering. ‘If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the

Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.’ (I Peter 4:14,16).

f) Preaching God’s Word and serving. ‘If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God

giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.’

(I Peter 4:11).

g) Giving. ‘But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such

sacrifices God is well pleased.’ (Hebrews 13:16). To communicate is to share

what you have with others.

4. To baptise believers. ‘Baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.’ Matt.28:19. God commands churches to baptise, and believers to be baptised after salvation.

5. To teach believers God’s Ways.

‘Commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.’ (II Timothy 2:2) .‘The servant of the Lord must . . . be apt to teach.’ (II Timothy 2:24).

‘These things command and teach.’ (I Timothy 4:11).

In the church ‘. . . that by my voice I might teach others also.’ (I Corinthians 14:19). ‘For when for the time ye ought to be teachers . . .’ (Hebrews 5:12).

(Acts 5:42 ‘And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.’ God wants us to pass our Bible knowledge on to others.

6. To provide fellowship for believers.

‘They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship . . .’ (Acts 2:42). ‘James, Cephas and John gave to me and Barnabus the right hands of fellowship.’ (Galatians 2:9). Fellowship (koinonia=2842) means “partnership, social participation, communication, contribution and distribution.” God designed people for fellowship, not for isolation. God has put in the human heart the desire to know and be known, to love and be loved. This is best achieved in a local church.

a) The basis of Christian fellowship – the person of Christ (I John 1:3).

b) The nature of Christian fellowship – sharing doctrine and goods                   (Acts 2:44-47).

c) The danger of losing Christian fellowship by sin (I Corinthians 10:16,21).

d) The responsibilities of Christian fellowship are to:

i) Bear one another’s burdens;

ii) Gently restore one another (Galatians 6:1);

iii) Comfort and exhort one another;

iv) Edify one another;

v) Pray for one another;

vi) Forgive one another;

vii) Rebuke sin in each other. (Ephesians 5:11).

7. To provoke each other to love and good works.

‘And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is . . .’ (Hebrews 10:24,25). ‘As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith’. (Galatians 6:10).

By coming to church, we can do good to those attending. We can provoke them to do good works and to show love to others. If we forsake church, we can’t encourage any fellow believers, and we are saying that we don’t care about them.

8. To act as a restraining and enlightening influence in this world.

‘Ye are the salt of the earth . . . Ye are the light of the world.’ (Matthew 5:13-16).

If we work together in church we can have a bigger impact on the world for Christ.

9. To prepare rulers for the future millennial kingdom.

‘If we suffer, we shall also reign with him . . .’ (II Timothy 2:12).

‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I

will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’ (Matthew 25:21,23).

Conclusion: The task of a local church is to make as many people lChrist in the time God has given us. God the Father so greatly loves God the Son, that He desires to populate the universe in eternity with people like Jesus Christ. (I John 3:2). He wants to start the work in repentant sinners now.

Challenge: Are you working with God in this church to achieve this goal to your greatest ability? Your service to Christ now will have a great effect in eternity.

Therefore, let us win the lost, make disciples and edify one another in a good church.

Why Christians Should Be Involved In Soul Winning

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:3-21; Proverbs 11:30

I. WHAT IS SOUL-WINNING?

Soul Winning is starting a conversation with an unsaved person, and sharing God’s plan of Salvation with him, from the Bible, so that he clearly understands HOW he may receive Christ as his Saviour, and have eternal life. It is leading a person to Christ.

II. WHY SHOULD WE DO SOUL-WINNING?

These reasons must be firmly grounded in our minds, and we must teach them to every person that we disciple as soon as possible.

1. God commands us to “Go and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15.

2. That is why Christ came.’ The Son of man is come to seek and to save that      which was lost’ Luke 19:10

3. We must ALL appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ to receive

REWARDS for faithfully serving Christ. II Corinthians 5:10.

4. Because of HELL – “knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men”.           II Corinthians 5:11. Hell is HOT, Heaven is SWEET, and JESUS SAVES”. See Luke 16:19-31; Mark 9:42-48.

5. THE LOVE OF CHRIST Compels us. II Corinthians 5:14.

6. People are BLESSED by being saved, and by becoming a new creature. II Corinthians 5:17.

7. God has given us the MINISTRY (Job) of Reconciliation. II Corinthians 5:18.

This job is to bring God and man together.

8. We are AMBASSADORS for CHRIST. II Corinthians 5:20.

9. So Christ will say to us: “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

Matthew 25:21.

10. Soul – Winners are the BEST Christians. Matthew 4:19.

11. Soul – Winners will shine as the stars forever. Daniel 12:3.

12. So that we won’t be ashamed before Christ. 1 John 2:28.

13. There is a great need, but few labourers (Soul winners). Matthew 9:36-38.

14. JESUS was a soul – winner. John 4; Luke 19:10.

15. Not to have BLOODY HANDS. Ezekiel 3:17,18.

16. We have very little time to do soul-winning (John 9:4). We can’t do S.W. in  heaven, only on Earth.

17. Soul – Winning and Disciple – making is the only hope to save Australia from sin, judgment and bad government. Ezekiel 22:30.

18. We’ll PERISH without a VISION of Soul Winning and Disciple Making.    Proverbs 29:18.

19. Soul – Winning glorifies Christ. When people get saved, they praise God.

20. Soul – Winners are WISER, know the Bible BETTER, and have LESS FEAR.

21. GIVE (the Gospel), and it shall be given unto you. Luke 6:38.

Look after God’s interests and He’ll look after yours.

22. To plant and build Soul-Winning churches all over the world.

23. To HURT SATAN and to make heaven rejoice. Luke 15:3-7.

24. It’s a PRIVILEGE that angels don’t have. Acts 10:3-8.

25. Those you win to Christ will thank you in heaven, and love you always.

26. God gives greater opportunities for service (in this life and the next) to those who are faithful in little things such as Soul-Winning. Matthew 25:21.

27. It’s great to see God use you.

28. If we don’t win them to Christ, the world or cults will win them for Satan.

29. “WOE is unto me if I preach NOT the gospel”. 1 Corinthians 9:16; Luke 12:47.

30. Soul-Winning is the most exciting way to spend your life.

31. You set a MULTIPLICATION CHAIN going that may have millions of people in it. 2 Timothy 2:2

32. JESUS is COMING SOON!!

33. Soul-Winning increases your love for people and for God.

34. Example of Christians in the past e.g. martyrs. Revelation 17:6.

35. It is the BEST WAY to MAKE FRIENDS.

36. It makes you HAPPY and brings UNITY in your church.

37. You may win a great person to Christ.

38. Today, with modern technology such as international air transport, a missionary can fly to the mission field overseas in 24 hours. He can link up with national workers in third world countries to train them, and provide them with tracts, Bibles, books and medical clinics to win thousands of spiritually hungry people to Christ. He can be vaccinated against malaria and other tropical diseases that killed thousands of missionaries last century. We can print and distribute vast quantities of literature to win and train millions of people for Christ and Bible truth.

39. The wealth that we have in the West can be used to multiply the gospel and to build many churches in the Third World.

40. Developing countries are very open and hungry for the Gospel. We should take advantage of these open doors in Africa, India, China, Philippines, Eastern Europe, and South American countries to saturate these countries with literature, the gospel and true Bible doctrine.

41. Our life’s goal should be great usefulness to God by doing Soul-Winning.

42 . You may die tomorrow and have no more chances to do Soul-Winning.

43. You may be surprised by the prosperity that will come to you by Soul-Winning. Ecclesiasties 11:6.

Heaven

In Colossians 3:2 we are told to: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Too many people and Christians are so earthly-minded that they are of no heavenly good. Jesus told to us to “lay up treasures in heaven.” Matthew 6:20.

In view of the difficulties of this world and of the treasures of heaven, we do well to focus constantly on heaven.

Aim: 1. To show us what great things await us in heaven.

2. To comfort us concerning those who have gone to heaven.

3. To motivate us to tell people how they may get to heaven.

1. THE BIBLE TEACHES US THAT THERE ARE THREE HEAVENS

The first heaven is earth’s atmosphere, “the heaven gave rain”. James 5:18.

The second heaven is outer space, “the stars shall fall from heaven”. Matthew 24:29. The third heaven is the throne of God, “New Jerusalem which cometh down out of heaven from my God.” Revelation 3:12.

Paul says in II Corinthians 12:2-4, “I knew a man in Christ…caught up to the third heaven.”

2. NAMES OF HEAVEN

a) “Thine eyes shall behold the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.” Isaiah 33:17.

b) “Ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.” Hebrews 10:34.

c) “The city of the living God.” Hebrews 12:22.

d) “Receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” Hebrews 9:15.

e) “In my Father’s house are many mansions:…I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2.

f) “Far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” II Corinthians 4:17.

g) “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Matthew 6:20.

h) “…a better…heavenly country…he hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:16.

i) “He was caught up into paradise.” II Corinthians 12:4.

3. WHEN WE DIE WHERE DO WE GO?

a) At death, the spirits and souls of believers go immediately to heaven, and the body “sleeps” in the earth until Christ’s second coming when we will be caught up to rejoin our spirits &souls.

“To be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” II Corinthians 5:8. “Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” I Thessalonians 4:14. “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven.” Colossians 1:5.

“But ye are come unto Mt Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem.” Hebrews 12:22.

“But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly.” Hebrews 11:16.

“Knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance” Heb. 10:34

“To an inheritance…..reserved in heaven for you.” I Peter 1:4.

“I heard a great voice of much people in heaven.” Revelation 19:1.

“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Matthew 6:20.

“Where I am (heaven), there shall also my servant be.” John 12:26.

“I go and prepare a place for you…..that where I am (heaven), there ye may be

also” John 14:3 “We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved (physical death), we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” II Corinthians 5:1.

b) At Christ’s return to earth in glory, believers will return to earth with Christ.

“The Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.” Zechariah 14:5.

c) After the 1000 years of Christ’s rule on earth, God will destroy this first earth with fire. He will create a new heavens, new earth and a new Jerusalem city which will be 1500 miles wide, 1500 miles long and 1500 miles high.

This is where our home with God will be forever. Revelation 21:1-3.

4. DESCRIPTION OF HEAVEN.

a) Heaven is where God’s Throne is. “Our Father which art in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9.

b) It is a sinless Holy Place.

“He will hear him from his holy heaven.” Revelation 21:27; Psalm 20:6.

c) Beautiful and clean. “The street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” Revelation 21:21.

d) River of Life and tree of life. Revelation 22:1,2.

e) Angels reside there. “The voice of many angels about the throne in heaven.” Revelation 5:11.

f) Father, Son and Holy Spirit reside there. “They shall see his face.”  Revelation 22:4.

g) Place of reward. “Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.” Matthew 5:12; Revelation 22:12.

h) Place of separation from the wicked. I Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21; Rev. 22:14,15.

i) Believers reside there. “…an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” II Cor. 5:1.

j) We return to the days of our youth, in resurrected, youthful and immortal bodies. Job 33:25. “This mortal must put on immortality.” I Corinthians 15:53.

k) Place of joy and happiness.

“Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Isaiah 35:10; Matthew 25:21.

l) All good earthly gifts come from God in heaven.

“A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” John 3:27.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” James 1:17.

Question: Do you acknowledge God as having given you everything good?

m) God assigns angels in heaven to each child who is born in order to bring that person to hear the gospel, so that they will receive Christ as Saviour and have eternal life. Matthew 18:10.

n) God’s Word which we have in our hands is settled forever in heaven. It is heavenly and without error. We can confidently build our life on it.

“For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89.

o) The permanence of our heavenly possessions comfort us when we lose our earthly possessions. Hebrews 10:34.

p) An inheritance reserved in heaven for you, that fadeth not away. I Peter 1:4,5.

q) Saved people from every kindred, tongue, people and nation will be there.

Revelation 5:9. We will be reunited with saved friends and relatives, children who have died, Jesus Christ and angels.

r) We shall have a glorified body like Christ. “We shall be like him.” I John 3:2. This is Christ likeness. Our new bodies will not be subject to the laws of gravity, time or ageing. John 20:19

s) Heaven is eternal. “an eternal inheritance.” Hebrews 9:15.

t) A place of memory.

Question: Will we know one another in heaven? Yes, David will meet his son. II

Samuel 12:22,23. We shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 8:11.

u) Satisfaction of all our needs. Revelation 7:16,17.

v) Sharing in Christ’s glory. “When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory”. Colossians 3:4.

5. ACTIVITIES IN HEAVEN:

i) Intimate fellowship with God for all eternity. “They shall see      his face.” Revelation 22:4. “That where I am there ye may be also.” John 14:3.

ii) Rest from hard labour. “They may rest from their labours.” Revelation 22:4.

One of the results of sin was the curse of toil and the sweat of hard work.

When we arrive in heaven, we will continue to work, but the agony of labour will be gone.

iii) Exciting service. “His servants shall serve Him.” Revelation 22:3.

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” Luke 16:10.

iv) Ruling. “We shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:10.

“Because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.” Luke 19:17. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.” II Timothy 2:12.

v) Worship. “The 24 elders……worship him that liveth forever and ever.” Revelation 4:9-11. “The Father seeketh such to worship him.” John 4:23. We will be so amazed with the greatness of God, heaven and eternity that we will respond in worship.

vi) Singing. “They sung a new song, saying, “Thou art worthy.” Revelation 5:9.

“The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads.” Isaiah 35:10.

vii) Eating. “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna”. Revelation 2:17.

viii) Marriage supper of the lamb. “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the lamb.” Revelation 19:9.

6. THINGS ABSENT FROM HEAVEN.

The “no-mores” in heaven are:

a) “No more sea.” Revelation 21:1.

b) “The first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” Revelation 21:1.

c) No more tears. Revelation 21:4.

d) No more death.

e) No more sorrow.

f) No more crying.

g) No more pain.

h) No more sun or moon. Revelation 21:23.

i) “No temple for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”Revelation 21:22

j) No more insecurity. “The gates of it shall not be shut at all by day” Revelation 21:25.

k) “No night there.” Revelation 21:25.

l) No sin will enter. “There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles, or works abomination, or makes a lie…” Revelation 21:27.

xiii) No more sickness. “Leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:2

m) “No candle or light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 7:16.

n) No more thirst, hunger or heat. Revelation 7:16.

o) No one who adds or takes away from the Bible. Revelation 22:18,19.

p) Outside are dogs, sorcerers, whoremongers, murderers, idolaters, and liars.Revelation 22:15

7. WHAT WILL BE THERE?

a) Behold I make ALL THINGS NEW. Revelation 21:5.

This means that everything will be new. It will be a new universe.

b) “He that overcometh shall inherit ALL THINGS.” Revelation 21:7.

c) “The Kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.” Revelation 21:24. This means that there will be a new population on the new earth who will worship the Lord.

d) Mansions. “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” John 14:2.

Question: How may we enter heaven?

We must humble ourselves as little children, and ask Christ to be our Saviour.Matthew 18:1-6 “Thou would have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water”. John 4:10.

Are you really sure of going to heaven?

Are you really living for Christ and for eternity?

Are you working to get lost people saved and into heaven?

Hell

In the New Testament, 162 passages speak about unrepentant people going to hell, and 70  of these were described by Jesus, as he warned people to avoid it.

When the unsaved die, they go immediately to hell. Later, at the end of Christ’s 1,000 year reign on earth, the unsaved will leave hell, receive their resurrected bodies, go to the Great White Throne Judgment and will then be cast into the Lake of Fire, where they remain forever (Revelation 20:11-15).

I . FOUR BIBLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE HELL:

1. GEHENNA1067 referred to the continually burning rubbish dump on the south west side of Jerusalem, known as the valley of the sons of Hinnom (or Tophet). Jesus used the word “Gehenna” to describe the place of everlasting punishment because hell is a place of filth and stink, a place of smoke and pain, a place of everlasting fire and suffering. This garbage dump was likened to hell. It is used as a name for the place of everlasting punishment of the lost. It occurs twelve times in the New Testament. It is the ultimate hell of fire. It is the same as the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14,15). Matthew 5:22 “whosoever shall say, “Thou fool”, shall be in danger of hell fire” (gehenna of the fire). Matthew 5:29 “And if thy right eye offend thee … and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell” (gehenna). Matthew 5:30 “And if thy right hand offend thee … and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell” (gehenna). Matthew 10:28 “…fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (gehenna). Matthew 18:9 “And if thine eye offend thee, … rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire” (gehenna). Matthew 23:15 “Pharisees, … ye make him twofold more the child of hell (gehenna) than yourselves.” Matthew 23:33 “Ye serpents,… how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” (gehenna). Mark 9:43 “And if thy hand offend thee, … two hands to go into hell (gehenna), into the fire that never shall be quenched.” Mark 9:45 “And if thy foot offend thee, … two feet to be cast into hell (gehenna), into the fire that never shall be quenched.” Mark 9:47 “And if thine eye offend thee, … two eyes to be cast into hell fire” (gehenna of fire).

Luke 12:5 “Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell” (gehenna). James 3:6 “the tongue is … set on fire of hell” (set on fire by gehenna).

2. HADES86 is the intermediate state between death and the ultimate hell (gehenna), the Lake of Fire. It is where unsaved departed spirits reside. Luke 16:23. Hades never denotes the physical grave, nor is it the permanent region of the lost. Hades occurs 10 times in the New Testament, and Sheol, the Old Testament equivalent occurs 59 times. Hades is associated with privation, detention and just punishment of the unsaved dead. Matthew 11:23 “Thou, Capernaum…shalt be brought down to hell” (hades). Luke 10:15 Hades here expresses Capernaum’s absolute overthrow, from pride to humiliation.

Matthew 16:18 “The gates of hell (hades) shall not prevail against it” (the churches’ attack).

Luke 16:19-31 “And in hell (hades) he lifted up his eyes, being in torments931 (punishment)” v.23. Hades here has two compartments, close to each other, yet

different. Acts 2:27 “ Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell (hades).”

Acts 2:31 “ That his (Christ’s) soul was not left in hell (hades).” Christ here descended into the underworld of the departed (Ephesians 4:9,10), to take the believers in it (eg: thief on the cross) up to heaven. Believers now go to heaven at death, while unbelievers still go to hades at death, a place of punishment.

Revelation 1:18 “I (Christ) … have the keys of hell (hades) and of death.”

Revelation 6:8 “a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and hell (hades) followed with him.” Hades here is personified as the temporary destiny

of the unsaved. Revelation 20:13 “death and hell (hades) delivered up the dead which were in them.” Revelation 20:14 “death and hell (hades) were cast into the lake of fire.”

Note: Fire is used 27 times in the New Testament to describe the after-death punishment of unbelievers and of demons.

2 Thessalonians 1:8 “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Matthew 13:42, 50 “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire.”

Matthew 5:22; 18:9; Mark 9:43,45,47 “cast into fire unquenchable, hell fire.”

Isaiah 66:24 “… look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against me, for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched.”

Mark9:44,46,48. Isaiah 33:14 “Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?

Who among us shall dwell with the everlasting burnings?”

Matthew 18:8 “Two hands or two feet be cast into everlasting fire.”

Matthew 25:41 “Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Jude 7 “Sodom and Gomorrha … an example suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Literally: of fire eternal, the penalty undergoing).

Revelation 19:20 “Beast, .. false prophet, … and them that worshipped his image.

These were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”

Revelation 20:10 “the devil … shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (for the ages of the ages).

Revelation 20:14,15 and Rev. 21:8 “death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.”

Revelation 14:10,11 “tormented with fire and brimstone … the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever (for ages of ages), and they have no rest

(respite) day nor night…”

3. SHEOL7585 is Hades of the Old Testament. In Hebrew, it means the depth, abyss, pit, world of the dead, underworld. It occurs 66 times in the Old Testament (grave 31 times, hell 30 times, pit 3 times). Though all Old Testament people went to the grave, the souls of some will receive punishment in sheol.

Numbers 16:30 “Korah, Dathan and Abiram went down into the pit.”

Psalm 9:17 “The wicked shall be turned into hell (sheol).” in torment, awaiting judgment and everlasting punishment. 2 Peter 2:4 is its only reference in the Bible. “If God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell (tartarus), and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”

II. WHAT IS HELL (GEHENNA and HADES) LIKE?

1. UNQUENCHABLE FIRE: “He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:12. Hell “fire” is real “fire” because the same Greek word (pur) for fire is used for both. “It rained fire and brimstone…” Matthew 17:15 and Luke 17:29.

The rich man in Hades said: “I am tormented in this flame.” Luke 16:24.

2. MEMORY AND REGRET. Abraham said to the rich man in Hades “remember” in Luke 16:25. Lost people will remember their sins and the times that they rejected the Holy Spirit convicting them of their sins and their need for Jesus Christ to be their Saviour. They will remember how Christians told them the plan of salvation.

3. THIRST. The rich man in hell begged Abraham to “send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue” (Luke 16:24), yet this was refused. Imagine going without water for one day, let alone for eternity without water. Jesus Christ offers in John 7:37, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.”

4. SEPARATION. People in hell will experience a “great gulf” (Luke 16:26) between them and God. They took all the good things of life for granted when they were on earth. They will be forever separated from all the good gifts of God. Many unbelievers joke that “I won’t be lonely in hell, as all my friends will be there.” Friendship means nothing under everlasting torment.

5. INJUSTICE AND FILTHINESS OF SIN are in hell. Revelation 22:11. “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy let him be filthy still.” No one likes people treating them unjustly, nor do people like being abused in a filthy manner. The unsaved will experience these conditions forever in hell.

6. HOPELESSNESS FOR ALL ETERNITY. Hell is the everlasting dwelling place of the unsaved. Sooner or later they will realize that they are in hell to stay there forever, with no escape. In Luke 16:26, Abraham told the rich man in hell: “They which would pass from here to you cannot; neither can they pass to us.”

7. STINK OF SULPHUR. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone (sulphur); which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8.

8. EYESIGHT, HEARING, TOUCH, TASTE AND SMELL are senses that people possess in hell. The rich man in Luke 16:19-31 could “see” Abraham, “hear” his voice, “touch” the flames, desire to “taste” water, and “smell” the sulphur. Revelation 21:8.

9. THE DEVIL and DEMON ANGELS will accompany the Christ rejecters forever.

10. UNSATISFIED DESIRES. Both of the rich man’s requests were denied in Luke 16:19- 31. He requested a drop of water to cool his tongue, and for Lazarus to return to tell his five unsaved brothers how to be saved and avoid hell. Both requests were denied. How many times a day do you want something and get it? In hell, no one ever gets what they want.

11. PLACE OF WORMS. “Where their worm dieth not…” Mark 9:44,46,48.

Worm means maggot. If the maggots do not die, and the people own the maggots, then neither do the people die or get annihilated in hell.

12. TORMENT and PUNISHMENT. “In hell, he lift up his eyes being in torments.” Luke 1 6:23.

13. SHAME and HATRED. “Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Daniel 12:2. People suffering in hell will get a resurrection body. They will be judged, and sent to the lake of fire in shame at their sins. They will experience everlasting contempt, hating their situation forever.

14. DEGREES OF PUNISHMENT IN HELL. “It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgement, than for that city.” Mark 6:11.

Those who reject Christ most often, will receive greater punishment. Matthew 10:15.

15. WEEPING, WAILING, GNASHING OF TEETH. “So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 8:12 and 13:49,50. People who today are arrogant, proud Christ-rejecters will be wailing and gnashing their teeth in hell.

16. HADES IS IN THE EARTH. Amos 9:2 “though they dig into hell …”,

Isaiah 14:9 “hell from beneath”, Ephesians 4:9 “descended into lower parts of earth”, Numbers 16:33 “they went down alive into the pit”,

Psalm 63:9 “those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.”

17. HELL IS ORIGINALLY PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS

“Depart from me, ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41. How does one get to hell? By neglecting to receive Christ as Saviour. Hebrews 2:3 “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” How does one avoid hell? By receiving Christ as their Saviour. John 1:12. Christians should work harder to rescue people from hell, and seek to build their church to better achieve this task, both at home and overseas.

Question 1: Does “hell” mean “grave” where good and bad must go?

Answer: No, because in Luke 16:19-31 both men went to the grave, but the soul of Lazarus was comforted, and the soul of the rich man was tormented.

Question 2: How can a loving God send people to hell?

Answer: People send themselves to hell by rejecting Christ. God is loving in sending Christ to die for our sins, but God is just in punishing sin.

III. JESUS’ STORY OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS in Luke 16:19-31.

An unbelieving rich man who had abundant material possessions and food in this life, died and went to hell. A believing poor man named Lazarus who had nothing in this life but sickness and poverty, died and was carried by the angels into the comfort of paradise. The suffering rich man in hell made two requests of Abraham in paradise:

i) To send Lazarus to put one drop of water on his tongue to relieve his suffering.

The rich man, who refused to show mercy to Lazarus in need, now begged that Lazarus might show mercy to him in his need (v.24). The rich man declares the greatness of his torment saying: “I am in torment (agony) in this fire (or flame).” v.24.

Lesson: Material things have only temporary, not eternal value. Luke 16:25.

Abraham responded by calling him “son”. This means that he was a son of Abraham by flesh, not by faith. The rich man trusted his wealth and his physical descent from Abraham for his salvation. Christ showed that neither reason was sufficient for salvation. At death, one’s eternal destiny is settled. “Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed” (v.26). The rich man could remember his false confidence in wealth, and his wrong devotion to it. This story refutes “soul-sleep”, because the rich man and Lazarus were conscious, one enjoying comfort, and the other suffering torment.

Note: Hades had two sections: paradise and hell punishment. Jesus emptied the paradise section when He rose from the dead and took the Old Testament believers’ souls to heaven. Eph. 4:8-10; John 20:17.

“Torment” is used four times and means sorrow and grief.

Abraham gave two reasons why Lazarus could not comfort the rich man:

a) The rich man had received his reward (Matthew 6:2,5,16), and he had left God out of his life.

b)The great gulf separated them.

ii) To send Lazarus back to warn his five brothers. Luke 16:27-31.

The rich man did not say: “I’m glad my brothers will come here, we’ll have a wonderful time together.”

People sometimes say: “I want to go to hell. All my friends will be there.”

Answer: There is no friendship in hell. Hell is a place of torment and loneliness.

Lesson: People in hell have a concern for the lost, but they cannot do anything about it,

BUT WE CAN! What are you doing?

v.29-31: Abraham said that the only thing that could prevent his five brothers from coming to hell was:

Hearing the Word of God, and responding to it by faith in Christ as Saviour.

A man named Lazarus did come back from the dead, and some of the Pharisees wanted to kill him (John 11:43-57; 12:10).

God had spoken many times to the rich man while on earth:

1. God permitted him to have riches, but not attributing his riches to God’s goodness, he did not repent.

“The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” Romans 2:4-5.

2. Lazarus would have witnessed to him, but his pride rejected Lazarus’ message.

3. Old Testament scriptures spoke to him.

4. Lazarus dying first, should have reminded him how he would also die. In hell he was still self-centered, praying for his comfort and for the safety of his family. He was not concerned about other lost sinners. C.S. Lewis says: “The safest road to hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”

Lessons from the rich man and Lazarus:

1. The souls of men do not die with their bodies.

2. The souls of men are conscious after death, not asleep until resurrected.

3. The righteous at death are taken immediately to a place of happiness and the wicked are sent to a place of misery and torment.

4. Wealth does not protect us from death.

5. We should not envy the rich, as riches can blind us to the reality of eternity.

6. We should seek a better inheritance than this life can give.

7. The sufferings of the wicked in hell will be indescribably great of torment, burning flame, and insatiable thirst, forever.

8. Hell is a place of suffering beyond the grave. If not, this story has no meaning.

9. There will never be any escape from hell. The gulf is fixed.

10. God warns us to prepare for death through:

His Word.

His Holy Spirit pleading with sinners.

His servants.

His goodness leading us to repentance.

Pleadings of friends.

Heaven.

If all that would not move sinners, then what would? He threatens hell.

11. God will give us nothing more to warn us. No dead man will return to tell us what he has seen. If he did, no one would believe him. If you will not hear Christ or the Bible, there is nothing you will hear. You will never be persuaded, and you will never escape the place of torment.

12. We see the amazing folly of those wanting to go to hell. They have been deceived.

IV. THE IMPLICATIONS OF HELL FOR US TODAY

1. Soul winning is important. When people get angry at a preacher preaching on soul winning, they are doing the devil’s work.

2. We need to become fishers of men. Matthew 4:19.

3. If we are busy pulling souls out of the fire, we will not waste our time fighting other Christians. We will seek to maintain unity in our church.

4. We see our Church as of great importance in rescuing people from hell. Rescuing people from hell is a major purpose of churches.

5. Hell focuses our attention on eternity, taking our attention off petty present things like latest worldly fashions which pale into insignificance in the light of lost people going to an eternal hell.

6. Hell makes us train workers to be soul winners.

7. It gives us a love for people to win to Christ and to train in the Bible.

8. It makes us use our time wisely so that all we do helps in some way to rescue people from hell.

9. Hell makes us mission minded so that we try to win lost people to Christ overseas.

For example, Roman Catholics in Africa grew from 52 million in 1980 to 92 million in 1993.

10. Hell and eternal judgment is the sixth principle of the Doctrine of Christ, so it must be emphasized in our doctrinal teaching. “the foundation of ……eternal judgment.” Hebrews 6:1,2.

11. Hell will give us a better testimony as Christians. If we sin, people will go to hell.

12. Hell will stop us backsliding because we will realize that our job is important to accomplish in rescuing people from hell. “For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36. What is your answer to this question?

Conclusion

Are you really saved?

Have you received Jesus Christ as your Saviour, trusting Him alone to save you, not your religion or your good works?

If you are saved, then what are you doing to tell people how Jesus Christ can save them from hell?