The church is the body of Christ. The body needs the head. The church is essential to Christianity.

2. Ephesians 2:19-21

A. The church is the family of God.

B. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 teaches we are baptized into the body of Christ, the church.

C. Romans 6:3-4 teaches we are also baptized into Christ. Baptism is when we become a Christian, a

son of God, and at that same point we become members of the church, the family of God.

3. Ephesians 2:20

A. Cornerstone: Christ

B. Foundation: Apostles and Prophets

1. Apostles = New Testament Bible

2. Prophets = Old Testament

C. The church is based on the Word of God only.

4. Have you ever wondered why there are so many denominations – divisions?

(450 or more exist in the U.S. alone.)
A. The Bible teaches that there is one church.
1. Ephesians 4:4-6 – one body

2. Romans 12:4-5 – one body

3. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 – one body

B. Divisions in Christendom are either of Satan or of God.

1. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 Division is sin, when following personalities and in time their writings

(traditions of men that contradict the Word – false doctrines). Matthew 15:6-9

2. Luke 12:51-53; John 10:19-21 Division will occur and is righteous, when an individual, church or

movement aligns themselves with the Word of God. The Jews considered themselves “God’s people,”

yet Jesus’ words (the truth) divided them into two groups – those who opposed Him and those who

obeyed Him.

C. The following are the major historical divisions in Christendom – some were formed by a noble stand for

the truth (though not a complete return), while others were departures from the truth.

1. Through the centuries the church was corrupted by traditions of men – false doctrines,
such as: infant baptism, original sin, perpetual virginity of Mary, priests as clergy, papal

infallibility, etc… This becomes the Catholic Church. In 364 AD the Roman Empire is split into
two parts. This division leads to a split in Christianity – the eastern portion becomes Eastern

Orthodox Church and the western part becomes the Roman Catholic Church. Practices

diverge, for example – Orthodox has married priests, Roman Catholic priests are celibate. The

“Great Schism” occurs in 1054 AD, as the leaders of “each church” excommunicate each other.

2. 1500’s Reformation Movement – Martin Luther (Lutheran Church) He takes a stand against

the Roman Catholic Church on these convictions: Bible authority over church authority, salvation

by faith not works, and the priesthood of all believers, yet still baptizes infants. Other noted

reformers were John Calvin (Presbyterian Church), Ulrich Zwingli and Conrad Grebel

(Anabaptists) Anabaptists were heavily persecuted by Catholics and some reformers, because of

their stand for adult baptism. Henry VIII (Anglican Church / Church of England) He breaks from

the Catholic Church over his right to divorce his wife. He appoints himself head of the church.

Later in the United States, the Anglican Church becomes the Episcopalian Church, since

members will not follow the king of England.

3. 1700’s Great Awakening Movement – John and Charles Wesley (Methodist Church)

Followers divide from Church of England over: personal transforming decision for Christ not state
religion, high accountability of members, and preaching to the “unchurched;” also practiced infant

baptism.

4. 1800’s Restoration Movement – Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone (Mainline Church of
Christ and Conservative Christian Church) Take a stand against both Catholic and Protestant

doctrines of salvation. They preach to be saved one must have personal faith in Christ,

repentance and baptism (immersion) for the forgiveness of sin to receive the Holy Spirit. In
reaction to Catholicism, their congregations are autonomous – self-governing. (1906 is the formal

split between Mainline Church of Christ, which is non-instrumental, and the Conservative

Christian Church, which is instrumental.) Joseph Smith (Mormon Church) divides from

Restoration Movement in 1830 over “new revelation” – the Book of Mormon.

5. 1967 Crossroads Movement (Total Commitment Movement) Controversial, though never

departing from the Mainline Church of Christ, the Crossroads Church near the University

of Florida pioneers evangelizing the secular campuses of United States, “counting the

cost” with each person that desires to be baptized, and the shepherding of new converts.

6. 1979 Boston Movement (International Church of Christ) – Kip McKean – Baptized at the

University of Florida in 1972, divides from Mainline Churches of Christ and Crossroads

Movement over: Bible Church not just New Testament Church, only disciples are true Christians,

each and every member of church must be a disciple, each member should be in discipling

relationships, vision to evangelize the nations in a generation, the planting of new churches to

achieve this vision, central leadership not autonomous congregations, and the role of women. In

2002, the International Churches of Christ return to a more Mainline Church of Christ theology –

each congregation becomes autonomous (self-governing), calling a central leadership and the

vision to evangelize the nations in a generation “unbiblical.” Around the world, thousands fall-

away.

7. 2006 SoldOut Movement (Portland Movement / International Christian Church) Begins

in Portland, Oregon as a revival movement within the International Churches of Christ.

The International Church of Christ separates from the SoldOut Movement, because of the new

movement’s stand on these convictions: Bible Church not just New Testament Church, only

disciples are true Christians, each and every member of church must be a disciple, each

member should be in discipling relationships, vision to evangelize the nations in a generation, the

planting of new churches to achieve this vision, central leadership not autonomous

congregations, and the role of women.

The Church

5. What is the “one church?”

A. Acts 11:25-26 Church = Disciples = Christians When God looks down from heaven, He sees

one church – all the baptized disciples around the world, who are “sold-out” in obeying His Word.

This is called the “church universal” – the one true church. (Ephesians 4:4-6)

B. A local congregation is called the “visible church.” In the first century, all the “visible churches”

made up the “church universal.” However, since so many “visible churches” have departed from true doctrine

and because all sold-out baptized disciples are not in one fellowship, we should strive to be a member of a

local congregation.

C. The Greek word for church is “ekklesia” which means “assembly” or “called out”. (“Ek” meaning “out” and

“kaleo” meaning “to call.”) To be a disciple is to be “called out” from the world. Therefore, the church in the

Bible was the “assembly” of the “called out.”

D. There are several names in the Bible for God’s Church: Disciples, Christians, Church of God, Church of

Christ, The Way, Church of the Firstborn, Saints, etc… Since we are free to choose any name for our

fellowship, since our fellowship goes around the world, and because our churches are composed of only

sold-out disciples, we call ourselves the “International Christian Church.”

6. What distinguishes the International Christian Churches? (What separates or “divides” us from

mainstream Christendom?)

A. We believe God physically resurrected Jesus from the dead.

B. We believe the Bible is inspired by God and is our sole authority. Therefore, since we have not

departed (divided) from the truth, we consider ourselves non-denominational.

C. We are a Bible Church, not simply a New Testament Church. 2 Timothy 3:14-17

The context of the word “Scripture” is referring to the Old Testament. We believe the Old Testament applies

to our lives – as much as the New Testament – except for the Mosaic Law and any teaching in the New

Testament that supersedes the Old Testament. (Example: grounds for divorce)

D. We believe – as in the book of Acts – the visible church should be composed of only

sold-out baptized disciples.

E. “Be silent where the Bible speaks, and speak where the Bible is silent.” In applying Scriptural principles

to build the visible church, we believe we must obey God’s Word, but where the Bible does not prohibit a

practice or name, we are free to use our God-given creativity. Genesis 2:19 (Examples: The principles for

“Bible Talks,” “Lead Evangelist,” “Discipleship Partners” and “Regions” are in the Scriptures, though these

terms are not. However, nowhere are they prohibited. Also, instrumental music and paid Women’s Ministry

Leaders are not prohibited in the Scriptures.)

F. We believe in a Central Leadership. Throughout God’s Word, when His people were unified, there was a

strong central leadership and godly central leader. (Examples: Moses, Joshua, David and of course Jesus

and the Apostles) 1 Corinthians 4:15-17 and Titus 1:5 teaches that local congregations had an overseeing

evangelist, who unified the disciples “everywhere in every church.” In the first century, congregations were a

collective movement – not autonomous, not self-governing.)

G. Matthew 28:19-20 Our vision – the evangelization of all nations in this generation – will be

accomplished through every disciple making disciples and every disciple having discipling relationships.

7. 1 Corinthians 12:14-27

A. We need the body. The body needs us. (v. 21)

B. Be involved on a relationship level in the church. (v. 26)

The Church

8. Hebrews 10:23-25

A. Do not miss church.

B. The fellowship helps us to be unswerving in our commitment. (v. 23)

C. Another purpose of fellowship is to encourage each other so we will remain faithful. (v. 24)

D. Must come to all meetings of the body: Sunday and Midweek Services, Bible Talks, special devotionals,

Jubilees, retreats, etc… Begin to rearrange schedule to come to all the meetings of the body.

9. Contribution

A. Malachi 3:6-12 Do not rob God in your tithes and offerings. Tithing is the guideline of our sacrifice

on Sundays to meet the ministry needs. Benevolent offerings are given at Midweek Services.

B. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Giving should be from a “cheerful” heart – not under compulsion.

C. God blesses you when you sacrifice.

Crossing the Jordan

¹ Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. ² After three days the officers went throughout the camp, ³ giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. ⁴ Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards ^[a]between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

⁵ Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”

⁶ Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them.

⁷ And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. ⁸ Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’ ”

⁹ Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. ¹⁰ This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. ¹¹ See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. ¹² Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. ¹³ And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD -the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”

¹⁴ So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. ¹⁵ Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, ¹⁶ the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea ^[b] ) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. ¹⁷ The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

Staying Babies  in Salvation

HEBREWS 5

Verses 11-14

¹¹We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. ¹²In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! ¹³Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

We have much to say about this : The writer of Hebrews, is frustrated with the spiritual growth of his readers, He has more to say about Melchizedek, the Jewish believers are stagnant in their ability to understand deeper teachings.

Hard to explain: The ability to understand deeper Christian teaching corresponds to spiritual maturity, through spiritual growth.  Though the Hebrew believers become disciples of Jesus, their growth was little if any.  Some question the salvation of those being addressed, because they are at the first stage, being taught simple principles.  But this group is later referred to in Hebrews 6:9 as being saved.

Hebrews 6:9

Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation

you are slow to learn: Those who fail to grow become slow to learn, only through continual use of God’s word do we grow. Failure to advance in our walk, causes us to become slow to learn or lazy in hearing. Time is a commodity to all who live, we can choose to invest our time in the spiritual or the earthly. The spiritual yield an eternal reward but the earthly a temporary reward. “slow to learn” was the problem Israel faced when Christ came, they could not understand his message, except for some.

Mt 13:¹⁵For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them

Mt 13:

¹⁶But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. ¹⁷For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

Teachers: The Hebrew Christians had enough time since their conversion, to be  teachers. Teaching is the next step from conversion, to be able to teach others is  a step in spiritual growth.

The Samartian women in John chapter 4, spent a little time with Jesus, but she quickly used her limited knowledge of Christ to go and tell the people of Sychar about the savior. She was teaching them about Christ.  She was yielding a harvest with limited knowledge but with spiritual eagerness.

First principles: The first principles referred to here are referenced in Hebrews 6:1-

• Elementary principles of Christ
• foundation of repentance from dead works
• faith toward God
• doctrine of baptisms
• laying on of hands
• resurrection of the dead
• Eternal judgment.

Solid food: There are different levels of growth in the Christian walk, different levels of understanding. The writer of Hebrews is using the picture of Human growth to illustrate this point.  A child when first born is unable to eat solid food, but needs to be fed milk by the mother. Only when the child matures does he develop the ability to eat solid food. Solid food requires spiritual maturity, the product of growth.

Unskilled in the word: If a Christian can only consume milk after an extended period, then the Christian remains a spiritual baby. The Christian should strive for spiritual maturity, to go beyond first principles; the writer of Hebrews takes his reader beyond first principles.

Full age: The Greek word for “full age” means (ôÝëåéïò teleios) completeness brought to its end, wanting nothing.

Reason of use: Wisdom from God is available to those who seek it.  Daniel and his three friends were not the only captives from Judah, but they are the most prominent. God used Daniel because he made himself available. God also equipped him for the job at hand.  In the same way, God will equip the believer, who wants to be used, even if he/she does not feel they capable.

Daniel 1:¹⁷ To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

Eph 1:¹⁷I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit^[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Eph 1:¹⁸I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints

All Nations

Victor Gonzalez

HEBREWS 4:14 – 5:10

¹⁴Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,^[e]Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. ¹⁶Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Great High Priest: Another Picture or Type we have of Christ is that of High Priest. There were many Priests, but only one High-Priest, the High Priest would offer the sacrifice for Israel. He would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle blood on the mercy seat, for his and Israel’s sin. (Hebrews 2:17, 3;1)

Passed through the heavens: Israel’s High Priest would pass through the “Curtain” once per year, on the “Day of atonement”. (Yom Kippur). This was a picture of Christ, our High Priest passed through the Heavens. (Ephesians 4:10)

Sympathize with our weaknesses: Christ became fully Human, and can understand Man’s condition and weakness.

All points tempted: Every temptation that comes before Man, came before Christ. (Luke 4:2)

Without sin: Christ did not fall to sin, he was the perfect spotless Lamb who was took away the sins of the world. (Isaiah 53:9)

Therefore come boldly: Because Christ understands our condition, and has compassion on us we can approach His throne boldly.

15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

17 and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Romans 8:15-17

Throne of grace: Christ has restored the relationship of those who have believed, we have entered God’s rest. We are no longer under works but grace. We can enter God’s throne room, not for judgment but for Grace.

Obtain mercy: Because of our condition, man’s sinful nature will causes him to sin. We can approach God throne in our time of need.

Qualifications for High-Priest

Hebrews 5

¹Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. ²He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. ³This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

⁴No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.⁵So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.^[a]“^{[b] 6}And he says in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”^[c]

⁷During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. ⁸Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered ⁹and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ¹⁰and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

High Priest: The office of High Priest was first given to Aaron and his sons, following the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant on Mt. Sinai. (Exodus 28-29).  They were to administer the sacrifices with the articles described by God to Moses on the mountain (Exodus 25-27). The High Priest was a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah, who would ultimately fulfill the office.  The High Priest was the Human representative to God, administering sacrifices on his and the nation’s behalf.  He was over the other Priests, and  he alone would enter the Holy of Holies, once a year.

The Tent of Meeting and its articles were copies of their Heavenly counterparts (Hebrews 9:23) revealed in the Book of Revelation. (Exodus 25:40).

Among men: Since the High-Priest represented man to God, he had to be of Human offspring.  (Isaiah 59:16)

He may offer: The High Priest was not limited to sacrifices for sins in his representation, but also served represent thanksgiving to God.  For example, Hannah came to the Templeto pray for a child, and at the birth of Samuel she offered him as gift for God’s service. (I Samuel 2-3)

Compassion: The Greek word used here is metriopaqevw Metriopatheo (met-ree-op-ath-eh’-o);  which means to be affected moderately, not in either extreme. To understand, without being apathetic or too sympathetic to be of any good.  The High Priest would understand those who came before him because he was like them, having their nature.

Ignorant: There were different types of sins represented in the Mosaic law, both intentional and un-intentional.  The un-intentional were due to ignorance or not being aware of the sin.

‘Or if a person touches any unclean thing, whether it is the carcass of an unclean beast, or the carcass of unclean livestock, or the carcass of unclean creeping things, and he is unaware of it, he also shall be unclean and guilty.

Leviticus 5:2

Going astray: The other type of sin one of intent, to intentionally go away from the path, to wander from the right way, such as by lying or stealing. (Leviticus 6:1-8)

Weakness: Israel’s High Priest was also a sinner, he was not above the sins of the people but was subject to the very same sins. Aaron’s two sons Nadab and Abihu, who along with Moses and Aaron and the 70 elders of Israel approached God on the mountain (Exodus 24:9), were later killed before the Lord for intentional disobedience of the Law. (Leviticus 10) Aaron in his role of High Priest was not allowed to mourn for the death of his sons.

He is required: Because of his sin, the High Priest was also required to offer sacrifices for himself as well as for the people.

And Moses said to Aaron, “Go to the altar, offer your sin offering and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself and for the people. Offer the offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as the Lord commanded.”

Hebrews 9:7

Called by God: Aaron and his sons were appointed by God to the role of Priesthood.

The story of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16) demonstrated God did not tolerate self-appointments or rebellion. Korah, a Levite, along Dathan and Abiram, Reubenites, rebelled against  Aaron being assigned the Priesthood. They designated themselves priest also, God demonstrated his choice by allowing the ground to open and swallow the rebels and the ground to cover them up. Fire then fell on the 250 people who tried to assume the role of priesthood.

The Order of Melchizedek

Verses 5-10

⁵So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.^[a]“^{[b] 6}And he says in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”^[c]

⁷During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. ⁸Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered ⁹and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ¹⁰and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

You are My Son: Quoting from Psalm 2:7, The writer of Hebrews distinguishes Jesus from Aaron.  Jesus was not just a “Son of Man”, but also “Son of God”.  Christ took the title “Son of God” at the incarnation.   He was sent from God the Father, to fulfill the role which no human priest could accomplish.

have begotten You: Jesus is the “Only begotten” which means his incarnation is unique, God took on Human flesh, not in appearance only but in reality. Only through human flesh could the Messiah represent man to God.

Priest forever: The Messiah has the dual roles of “Priest” and “King”.  The Messiah would rule forever as King of Humanity as foretold by the prophets.  (Isaiah 9:6-7, Daniel 7:14, Zechariah 14:16). Messiah would also be a Priest forever, representing Man to God, as he bears our sins.

Order of Melchizedek: The name Melchizedek is mentioned 14 times in the Bible, and only 2 times in the Old Testament. (Genesis 14:18, Psalm 110:4). Melchizedek is another foreshadowing of the role of the Messiah. He demonstrates a greater “Priesthood” then Aaron’s. The greater priesthood foreshadows a greater covenant (Jeremiah 31:31)

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;  20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.

Genesis 14:18-20

Days of flesh: Christ took on human flesh in humility for 33 years, prior to and during his days of flesh He was fully God. (Philippians 2:6-9)

Offered up: Christ during his earthly life interceded for mankind, at the grave of Lazarus Christ cried, (John 11:35) before his dead body came back to life.  Jesus at anytime could stopped the whole program, but choose to suffer for humanities sake. He submitted His will to the Father’s. Offering Himself, as our sacrifice, He redeemed us from our sins and became our intercessor.

38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Matthew 26:38-39

Godly fear: Christ unlike the priesthood of Aaron was heard because of His own righteousness. Christ won the right through His righteousness to be heard, as our intercessor.

He was a Son: Even though Jesus was the Son of God, in his humiliation he was tempted and suffered like the rest of humanity.  No aspect of humanity was withheld from Him, except he was without sin, (Hebrews 4:15) God perfect sacrifice.

Learned obedience: Jesus went through all aspects of Humanity, including growing in wisdom and obedience.

⁵²And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Luke 2:52

Perfected: The Greek work translated perfected is teleiooô  ôåëåéüù  meaning tocomplete, that is, (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character):—consecrate, finish, fulfill, (make) perfect. Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to complete or perfect the law, to consummate its purpose. (Matthew 5:18).

¹⁸For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. ¹⁹Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds therighteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:18-20

Author of eternal salvation: Without Christ there is no redemption for sin, only through the righteousness of Jesus Christ can man be saved.  He perfected (Completed) the law, which foreshadowed his coming.   Thus, He became the “Cause” or author of salvation.

Obey Him: The road to Heaven is straight and narrow; just as in the days of Moses God required obedience to his “Way”. We do not have the option of rejecting Christ or choosing to our own form or variety of salvation.  There is only His way.

7:22 “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’

7:23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Matthew 7:22-23

The Great Commission

¹⁶Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in^[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mathew 28:16-20

Shabbat (Hebrew: שַׁבָּת, shabbāt, “rest” or “cessation”

A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God

¹Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. ²For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.^{[a] 3}Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
“So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’ “^[b] And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. ⁴For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.”^{[c] 5}And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

⁶It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. ⁷Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”^{[d] 8}For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. ⁹There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; ¹⁰for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. ¹¹Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

¹²For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

¹⁴Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,^[e]Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. ¹⁶Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

¹Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

As Disciples are freed from the ceremonial law, we  must walk the more closely with God in total obedience. As heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, both cannot be followed together; and affection to the one will weaken and abate affection to the other. Those that are baptize disciples  are dead to sin (Romans 6:1-4), because its dominion is broken, its power subdued by the operation of grace, and it shall  be extinguished by obedience, disciplining and accountability. To be dead, then, means this, that we who have the Holy Spirit, mortifying within them the lusts of the flesh, are able to despise earthly things, and to desire those that are heavenly. Christ is, at present, one whom we have not seen; but our comfort is, that our life is safe with him. The streams of this living water flow into the soul by the influences of the Holy Spirit, through faith. Christ lives in the disciples by his Spirit, and the disciple lives to him in all he does. At the second coming of Christ, there will be a general assembling of all the redeemed; and those whose life is now hid with Christ, shall then appear with him in his glory. Do we look for such happiness, and should we not set our affections upon that world, and live above this?

⁵Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. ⁷You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. ¹¹Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

It is our duty to mortify our members which incline to the things of the world. Mortify them, kill them, suppress them, as weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about them. Continual opposition and disciplining  must be made to all corrupt workings, and no provision made for carnal indulgences. Occasions of sin must be avoided: the lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world; and covetousness, which is idolatry; love of present good, and of outward enjoyments. It is necessary to mortify sins, because if we do not kill them, they will kill us.  There is now no difference from country, or conditions and circumstances of life. It is the duty of every disciple to be holy, because Christ is for every disciple, his only Lord and Saviour, and all his hope and happiness.

¹²Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

We as disciples must not only do no hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. Those who are the elect of God, holy and beloved, ought to be lowly and compassionate towards all. While in this world, where there is so much corruption in our hearts, quarrels will sometimes arise. But it is our duty to forgive one another, imitating the forgiveness through which we are saved. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Thanksgiving to God, helps to make us agreeable to all men. The gospel is the word of Christ. Many have the word, but it dwells in them poorly; it has no power over them. The soul prospers, when we are being discipled with the Scriptures. But when we sing psalms, we must be affected with what we sing. Whatever we are employed about, let us do every thing in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in believing dependence on him. Those who do all in Christ’s name, will never want matter of thanksgiving to God, even the Father

⁷So, as the Holy Spirit says:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
⁸do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
during the time of testing in the desert,
⁹where your fathers tested and tried me
and for forty years saw what I did.
¹⁰That is why I was angry with that generation,
and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,
and they have not known my ways.’
¹¹So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’

¹²See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. ¹³But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. ¹⁴We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. ¹⁵As has just been said:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion.”

¹⁶Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? ¹⁷And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? ¹⁸And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed^[c]? ¹⁹So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.