“This, I Believe”
A summary of the personal beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists
This document is not to be considered a complete or final definition of doctrine.
Official 28 Fundamental Beliefs>>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. MY PURPOSE
Q. What is the main purpose for man?
A. My main purpose is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
Q. What does this mean?
A. It is my pleasure and joy to obey God, to serve him, to be his disciple and to follow him every moment of my life from now on.
References: Ps 16: 5-11; Ps 37: 1-5; Ps 66; Ps 86; Ps 144: 15; Prov 3:5-6; Isa 12:2; Isa 60:21; Luke 2:10; Rom 11:36; 1Cor 6:20,31; Phil 4:4; Rev 4:11; Rev 21:3-4
2. THE BIBLE
Q. What has God given us, to show us how to glorify him and enjoy him?
A. God has given me His word, which is the Holy Bible. It is the only authority that tells me how to glorify Him and enjoy Him.
Q. How has God given us the Holy Bible?
A. God has given me the Holy Bible as His written word. It has been given to me by divine inspiration through holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Q. Why has God given us the Holy Bible?
A. In His Word, God has given to me the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the infallible revelation of God’s will. They are the standard for my character, the test of my experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history.
Q. What do the Scriptures teach us?
A. The Scriptures principally teach me what I am to believe concerning God and what God requires of me.
References: Deut 4:2; Deut 10:12,13; Josh 1:8; Ps 19:7-11; Ps 119:105; Prov. 30:5,6; Isa 8:20; Micah 6:6-8; Matt 19:4,5; (Gen 2:24); Luke 24:27,44; John 5:39; John.15:11; John 17:17; John 20:30,31; Rom 10:17; 1 Cor 2:13; 1 Cor 14:37; 1 Thess 2:13; 2 Tim 3:15-17; Heb 4:12; 2 Pet 1:20-21; 2 Pet 3:2,15-16; 1 John 1:4.
3. THE TRINITY
Q. What do the Scriptures tell us about God?
A. There is one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal persons. They are equal in power and glory. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration and service by the whole creation.
References: Deut 6:4; Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:13,14; Eph 4:4-6; 1 Tim 1:17; 1 Pet 1:2; Rev 14:7.
Q. What do the Scriptures say God the Father is like?
A. God, my Eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and Holy Spirit are also revelations of the Father.
References: Gen 1:1; Ex 34:6-7; John 3:16; John 14:9; 1 Cor 15:28; 1 Tim 1:17; 1 John 4:8; Rev 4:11.
Q. What does the Bible tell us about God the Son?
A. God the Eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus Christ.
Q. What does the Bible tell us about Jesus as a man?
A. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but gave a perfect example of the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He showed God’s power and was attested as God’s promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for my sins and in my place; He was raised from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in my behalf. He will come again in glory for my final deliverance and that of all His people and the restoration of all things.
References: Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, 14; John 5:22; John 10:30; John 14:1-3,9; Rom 6:23; 1 Cor 15:3,4; 2 Cor 5:17-19; Phil 2:5-11; Col 1:15-19; Heb 2:9-18; Heb 8:1-2.
Q. What does the Bible tell us about the Holy Spirit?
A. God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in creation, incarnation and redemption. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. He draws and convicts me of sin and when I respond He renews and transforms me into the image of God.
Q. What does the Holy Spirit give me?
A. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with me, He gives spiritual gifts to me and empowers me to bear witness to Christ and, in harmony with the Scriptures, He leads me into all truth.
Refernces: Gen 1:1,2; Luke 1:35; Luke 4:18; John 14: 16-18, 26; John 15:26-27; John 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; Acts 10:38; 2 Cor 3:18; Eph 4:11,12; 2 Pet 1:21.
4. CREATION
Q. What is the work of Creation?
A. God is the Creator of all things, and has revealed in Scripture the true account of His creative activity. In six days the Lord made the ’heaven and the earth’ and all living things upon the earth and rested on the seventh day of that first week. The first man and woman were also made in the image of God as the crowning work of Creation. He gave them dominion over all that He had created. When the world was finished, God declared it to be “very good”
References: Gen 1; Gen 2; Ex 20:8-11; Ps 8; Ps 19:1-6; Ps 33:6-9; Ps 104; Eph 4:24; Col 1:15-17; Col 3:10; Heb 11:3
5. THE NATURE OF MAN
Q. What was man like when God made him?
A. Man and Woman were made in the image of God with individuality and the power and freedom to think, choose and do. Though created a free being, I am an indivisible unity of body mind and spirit, dependent on God for life and breath and everything else.
References: Gen 1:26-28; Gen 2:7,15; Gen 3; Ps 8:4-8; Ps 51:5,10; Acts 17:24-28; Rom 5:12-17; 2 Cor 5:19,20; 1 John 4:7,8,11,20.
Q. What happened when man sinned?
A. When our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their high position under God. The image of God in them became marred and they became subject to death. I share this fallen nature and its consequences. I am born with weaknesses and tendencies to sin
Q. How did sin begin?
A. All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, His law and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict originated in heaven when a created being endowed with the freedom of choice, in self- exaltation became Satan, God’s adversary and led into rebellion a portion of the angels.
References: Gen 3; Gen 6-8; Isa 14:12-14; Eze 28:12-18; Rom 1:19-32; Rom 5:12-21; Rom 8:19-22; 1 Cor 4:9; Heb 1:14; 2 Pet 3:6; Rev 12:4-9.
Q. How did sin enter this world?
A. Satan introduced this same spirit of rebellion into this world when he led Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in a distortion of the image of God in humanity. It resulted in the disordering of the created world and its eventual devastation at the time of the world-wide flood. Observed by the whole universe, this world became the arena of the universal conflict, out of which God”s love ultimately will be vindicated. To help me in this controversy, Christ sends His Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect and sustain me in the way of salvation.
6. MY SALVATION
Q. What did God do to help man out of this condition?
A. In Christ’s life of perfect obedience to God’s will, His suffering, death and resurrection, God provided the only means of atonement for my sin, so that I by faith can accept this atonement and have eternal life. The whole of creation will thus better understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of God’s law and the graciousness of His character for it both condemns my sin and provides for my forgiveness.
References: Isa 53; John 3:16; Rom 1:4; Rom 3:25; Rom 4:25; Rom 8:3-4; 1 Cor 15:3-4,20-22; 2 Cor 5:14-15,19-21; Phil 2:6-11; Col 2:15; 1 Pet 2:21-22; 1 John 2:2; 1John 4:10.
Q. What does Christ’s death and resurrection do for you?
A. The death of Jesus is in place of my death; it pays the penalty for my sins; it reconciles me to God and transforms my whole life. The resurrection of Christ proclaims God’s triumph over the forces of evil and because I accept the atonement, it assures my final victory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ before whom every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth.
Q. What does the “Lordship of Jesus Christ” mean to you?
A. It means Jesus Christ has every right to rule in my life.
Q. How does God save you?
A. In infinite love and mercy, God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for me, so that in Him I might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit, I sense my need, acknowledge my sinfulness, repent of my transgressions and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith, which receives salvation comes through the divine power of the word and is the gift of God’s grace to me. Through Christ I am justified, adopted as God’s son/daughter and delivered from the lordship of sin.
References: Eze 36:25-27; Matt 9:23,24; Luke 17:5; John 3:3-8,16; John 16:8; Rom 3:21-26; Rom 5: 6-10; Rom 8:1-4, 14-17; Rom 10:17; Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Gal 1:4; Gal 3:13,14,26; Gal 4:4-7; Eph 2:5-10; Col 1: 13,14; Titus 3:3-7; Heb 8:7-12; 1 Pet 1:23.
Q. What part does the Holy Spirit play in your salvation?
A. Through the Spirit I am born again and sanctified. The Spirit renews my mind; writes God’s law of love in my heart and I am given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him, I become a partaker of the divine nature and have the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment.
Q. What else does the Holy Spirit do for you?
A. When Jesus died on the cross for me, He triumphed over al the forces of evil. He broke the power of evils spirits and demons and made certain their ultimate doom. But these evil spirits are still in the world and, led by Satan try to destroy my relationship with God. The Holy Spirit dwells in me and empowers me so that I am set free from the burdens of past sins. Now I do not need to fear these spirits. I no longer live in the darkness and ignorance of my former life. Now I grow into the likeness of Jesus, talking to Him in prayer, reading His word, singing His praises, worshiping Him and telling others about Him. The Holy Spirit gives me this ability. He is with me always. He helps me overcome the evil powers that formerly controlled me.
References: Ps 1:1,2; Ps 23:4; Ps 77:11,12; Matt 20:25-28; Luke 10:17-20; John 20:21; Rom 8:38,39; 2 Cor 3:17,18; Gal 5:22-25; Eph 5:19,20; Eph 6:12-18; Phil 3:7-14; Col 1:13,14; Col 2:6,14,15; 1 Thess 5:16-18,23; Heb 10 25; 2 Pet 2:9; 2 Pet 3:18; 1 John 4:4
7. CHRIST MY HIGH PRIEST
Q. What did Jesus do after his resurrection?
A. After Jesus rose from the dead, He ascended to heaven at which time He began His work as our great High Priest.
Q. What does the work of Jesus as High Priest mean?
A. The Old Testament Sanctuary portrays how God deals with sin. The priest mediated between man and God. In the same way, Jesus is my mediator between me and God. He pleads my case before the Father, offering His own sacrifice as sufficient for my acquittal.
Q. How is the Old Testament Day of Atonement portrayed in the ministry of Jesus?
A. After the prophetic period of the 2300 days which ended in 1844, Jesus began the work of Investigative Judgment (corresponding to the Day of Atonement in the OT) which vindicates the justice of God in saving me. The close of this ministry will mark the end of probation and the return of Jesus.
References: Lev 16; Num 14:34; Dan 7:9-27; Dan 8:13,14; Dan 9:24-27; Eze 4:6; Heb 1:3; Heb 2:16-17; Heb 4:1-16; Heb 8:1-5; Heb 9:11-28; Heb 10:19-22; Rev 14:6-12; Rev 20:12.
8. GOD’S CHURCH
Q. What is the Church?
A. The Church is the community of believers who confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour. Following the example of the people of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from the world; and we join together for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, and for the world-wide proclamation of the gospel.
Q. To what is the church likened in Holy Scripture?
A. The church is God’s family adopted by him as children, and its members live on the basis of the new covenant in which God’s law is written in my heart. The church is the body of Christ; a community of faith of which Christ Himself is the head. The church is the bride for whom Christ died that He might sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He will present her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful of all the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot or wrinkle but holy and without blemish. I am now a part of this church.
References: Gen 12:3; Matt 16:13-20; Matt 18:18; Matt 28:19,20; Acts 7:38; Col 1:12,18; Eph.1:22,23; Eph.2:19-22; Eph.3:8-11; Eph.4:11-15; Eph.5:23-27.
9. THE REMNANT CHURCH
Q. What is the Remnant Church?
A. The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ and heralds the approach of His second advent.
Q. How does the Bible describe the preaching of the Remnant church?
A. This proclamation is symbolized by the Three Angels of Revelation 14. It coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. I am called to have a personal part in this worldwide witness.
Q. What are the Three Angels Messages?
A. The Three Angels Messages of Revelation 14 are:
6 And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people;
7 and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”
8 And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.”
9 Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,
10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
12 Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
References: 2 Cor 5:10; 1 Pet 1:16-19; 2 Pet 3:10-14; Jude 3,14; Rev 12:17; Rev 14:6-12; Rev 18:1-4; Rev 21:1-14.
10. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Q. Who can belong to the church?
A. The church is one body with many members called from every nation, kindred, tongue and people. In Christ we are a new creation. Distinctions of race, culture, learning and nationality, differences between high and low, rich and poor, male and female, must not be divisive among us.
Q. What is the relationship between members of God’s church?
A. We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another. We are to serve and be served without partiality or reservation. Through the revelation of Christ in the Scriptures we share the same faith and hope and reach out in one witness to all. This unity has its source in the oneness of the Triune God who has adopted us as his children.
References: Ps 133:1; Matt 28:19,20; John 17:20-23; Acts 17:26, 27; Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:12-14; 2 Cor 5:16,17; Gal 3:27-29; Eph 4:1-6, 14-16; Col 3:10-15.
11. ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
Q. What is the purpose of baptism?
A. By being baptized, I confess my faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I also testify to my death to sin and my purpose to walk in newness of life. In this way I acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour. I also become one of God’s people and join the membership of his church. Baptism is a symbol of my union with Christ, the forgiveness of my sins and the Holy Spirit coming into my life.
Q. How is baptism conducted?
A. My baptism is conducted by following the biblical example of being fully immersed in water. It follows on from my instruction in the Holy Scriptures and my acceptance of their teachings.
References: Matt 28:19-20; Acts 2:38-42; Acts 16:30-33; Acts 22:16; Rom 6:1-6; Gal 3:26-27; Col 2:12,13; 1 Pet 3:21.
Q. What is Holy Communion?
A. Holy Communion is my participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus and expresses my faith in Him as Lord and Saviour. This Communion is between Christ and His people. At this time I proclaim the death of Jesus as the means of my salvation until he returns in glory.
Q. How do you prepare for this service?
A. I prepare for this service by spending time at home examining my life, confessing my sin and repenting of the same. I also engage in the service of humility with my fellow members signifying my willingness to serve my brothers and sisters in Christ, whoever they might be or wherever they have come from, and to unite my heart with theirs in love.
References: Matt 26:17-30; Luke 22:19-20; John 6:48-63; John 13:1-17; 1 Cor 10:16-17; 1 Cor 11:23-32; Rev 3:20.
12. SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Q. What is meant by Spiritual Gifts?
A. God bestows upon all members of his church, in every age, spiritual gifts which each member is to employ in loving ministry for the common good and building up of the church and of humanity.
Q. How does God give these gifts?
A. God gives these gifts through the Holy Spirit who gives to each person as He wills. In this way He provides all the abilities and ministries that the church needs to fulfill its divinely appointed functions. With God’s help, I will discover and use the gifts he ha given me to his glory and honour.
Q. What do these gifts include?
A. These gifts include such ministries as preaching, teaching, encouraging, healing, prophecy, helping, evangelism, pastoral work, administration and reconciliation. Al these gifts are intended to build up the church to spiritual maturity and to foster unity of faith and knowledge of God.
References: Acts 6:1-7; Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12:9-11,27-28; Eph 4:8,11-16; 1 Tim 3:1-13; 1 Pet 4:10-11.
Q. How is the ministry of Ellen G White regarded by the Church?
A. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the Remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen White. As God’s messenger, her writings are a continuing source of truth which provide for me comfort, guidance and instruction. Her writings also make clear that the Holy Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested.
References: Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb 1:1-3; Rev 12:17; Rev 19:10.
13. GOD’S LAW
Q. After receiving the gift of salvation, what is the main response that God requires from man?
A. After receiving the gift of salvation, the main response which God requires from me is obedience to His revealed will.
References: Lev 19:18; Deut 4:13; Deut 6:4; Deut 29:29; Ps 19:7,8; Ps 40:8; Ps 51:10-12; Ps 119:1; Ps 119:172; Ecc.12:13-14; Isa 42:21; Micah 6:8; Matt 5:21-22,27-28; Matt 19:17; Mark 7:21-23; Luke 10:27; Acts 1:8; Rom 3:31; Rom 7:12; Heb 10:5-7; 1 John 3:4; 1 John 5:2-3;
Q. How is God’s will described in the holy Bible?
A. God’s will is described in the moral law of the Ten Commandments
Q. What do the Ten Commandments do for us?
A. The Ten Commandments tell me what God’s character is like; how to worship God and how to relate to my fellow men. Keeping these commandments does not provide a way of salvation, but having been accepted by the Lord Jesus Christ as one of his children, it describes how my life should be conducted according to his will.
Q. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?
A. The preface to the Ten Commandments is found in these words: “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” God reveals Himself as Jehovah, the sovereign, eternal and almighty God who rescued Israel from their slavery in Egypt. In the same way He rescues me from spiritual slavery and therefore I am bound to take him as my God alone and to keep His commands.
References: Ex 20:2.
Q. Which is the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment is as follows: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made he heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
References: Ex 20:8-11.
Q. What does this fourth commandment mean?
A. This fourth commandment tells me when and why God requires me to worship him. It means that all my regular work shall cease by sunset on Friday and will not be taken up again until after sunset on Saturday. No regular employment, secular study, nor scholastic examinations will be engaged in during the Sabbath hours neither for myself my family nor anyone working in my home. I will not employ others to do work during the Sabbath hours because the Sabbath is for all men. I will not use the Sabbath hours for preparation for activities outside of the Sabbath such as weddings or birthday parties or any other secular activity.
Q. How will you prepare for the Sabbath each week?
A. I will use each Friday in preparation for the Sabbath to make sure that my house is clean, clothing and food prepared for the Sabbath, and I will be ready to begin Sabbath with my family in worship, before the sun sets. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and with one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ and a sign of our sanctification. It is a token of our allegiance to God and a foretaste of our eternal future in God’s kingdom. At the close of the Sabbath, I will also be with my family to give praise and thanks to God.
Q. Why does this fourth commandment begin with the word, ’Remember’?
A. There are two reasons why the word ’remember’ is used. First, I am prone to forget easily what God has commanded me. Secondly, I am to remember that I have been both created and redeemed by God. The Sabbath is a continual reminder to me of these two facts. I have not evolved into what I am but God has created me in His image. Since I have fallen in sin, He has also redeemed me. Each week, I am to remember my status before God.
Q. Why do most Christian keep Sunday as the Sabbath?
A. Most Christians keep Sunday as the Sabbath because they believe that it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus. However, neither God nor the Holy Scriptures have given any command of this nature. Furthermore, neither God nor the Holy Scriptures have declared any change to the Sabbath.
References: Gen 2:1-3; Ex 16; Ex 20:8-11; Ex 31:13-17; Lev 23:32; Deut 5:12-15; Isa 56:5, 6; Isa 58:13-14; Eze 20:12-20; Matt 12:1-12; Mark 1:21,32; Mark 2:28; Mark 3:1-4; Luke 4:16-27; Luke 13:10; Luke 23:56; Luke 24:1; Acts 13:14,42; Acts 16:13; Acts 17:1,2; Acts 18:4; Heb 4:1-11; Rev 1:10;
Q. Is it possible to keep all of these commandments?
A. No, I am a sinner and I have no power of myself to keep these commandments. In thought, word and deed I break these commandments daily.
Q. So what is the purpose of these commandments?
A. The purpose of these commandments is to show me God’s standard for my life but also my sinfulness and my need of a Saviour. I need the power of the Holy Spirit in my life in order that I might do what these commandments show me I should.
References: Ex 20:1-17; Deut 28:1-14; Ps 19:7-14; Ps 40:7,8; Matt 5:17-20; Matt 22:36-40; John 15:7-10; Rom 8:3-4; Eph 2:8-10; Heb 8:8-10; 1 John 5:3.
Q. How did Jesus summarise His law?
A. Jesus summarized His law as follows in Matthew 22:
37 “ ’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 This is the great and foremost commandment.
39 The second is like it, ’You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Q. How does God say we are to teach His law?
A. I am to teach his law as described in Deuteronomy 6:
1 Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the Lord your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it,
2 so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.
3 O Israel, you should listen and be careful to do it, that it may be well with you and that you may multiply greatly, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.
4 Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!
5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.
14. MY CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOUR
Q. What does every sin deserve?
A. Every sin is against the goodness and holiness of God and His righteous law. It deserves my death. But God provided a way of escape for me by His becoming man, and dying for my sin in my place.
Q. What will characterize the behaviour of the person who claims to be a Christian?
A. My behaviour as a Christian will be different because I will now live my life by principle rather than by my own will. I cannot receive salvation by changing my behaviour but I will change my behaviour because Jesus has saved me. Everything that I do will be a delight rather than a burden. Because my body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, I will care for my body as my Creator God has directed. I will avoid those foods and drinks which harm my body and those that God has told me to avoid. My attitude to the world will change because God’s kingdom is not of this world. Therefore I will set limits on what I read, watch on TV or video, the music I listen to, and the games I play. My mode of dress will be simple, modest, and will avoid extremes which draw attention to self.
References: Lev 11:1-47; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 1 Cor 10:31; 2 Cor 6:14-7:1; 2 Cor 10:5; Eph 5:1-21; Phil 4:8; 1 Pet 3:1-4; 1 John 2:6; 3 John 2.
15. MY STEWARDSHIP
Q. What does it mean to be a Steward of God?
A. I am God’s steward because He made me that way when He created man. He has entrusted me with time, opportunities, abilities and possessions. He has proper use. I acknowledge His ownership of al that I have and of everything in the world, by returning His tithe and giving offerings for the support and growth of His work. I also care for my environment and therefore I will keep it clean and free from pollution and will encourage others to do the same.
References: Gen 12:26-28; Gen 2:15; 1 Chron 29:14; Hag 1`:3-11; Mal 3:8-12; Matt 23:23; Rom 15: 26,27; 1 Cor 9:9-14; 2 Cor 8:1-15.
16. THE RETURN OF JESUS
Q. What will happen at the return of Jesus?
A. The Second Coming of Christ is the grand climax of the gospel. My Saviour will come personally and visibly and the whole world will know about it. All the righteous dead will be resurrected and together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken to heaven. The unrighteous will die. I will then begin my eternal life with God and fulfill His purpose for me.
References: Matt 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; John 14:1-3; 1 Cor 15:51-54; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 1 Thess 5:1-6; 2 Thess 1:7-10; 2 Thess 2:8; 2 Tim 3:1-5; Heb.9:28; Rev 1:7; Rev 14:14-20; Rev 19:11-21.
Q. What is meant by death and resurrection?
A. When a person dies of old age or accident, this is an unconscious state that all experience. When Jesus returns he will raise the righteous dead back to life again, just as He was raised back to life after His death on the cross. But, the wages of sin is eternal death, from which there will be no resurrection. It is this second death which Jesus died, the death from which I need to be saved.
Q. What does the Bible mean when it speaks of the Second death?
A. The Second death is the final death that God brings on those who have rejected Him. It is final and it is eternal and there is no resurrection from this death. Those who suffer this death cease to exist for eternity.
References: Ecc.9:5-6; John 5:28-29; John 11:11-14; Rom 6:23; 1 Cor 15: 51-54; Col 3:4; 1 Thess.4:13-17; Rev 20:1-10.
Q. What will take place during this 1000 years of Millennium?
A. The Millennium is the 1000 year reign of the saints with Christ in heaven between the first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged, the earth will be desolate and occupied only by Satan and his angels. At the close of this period, Christ will return with the redeemed to earth. The unrighteous dead will be resurrected and with Satan and his angels surround the Holy City. Fire from God will consume them all and the universe will finally be freed from sin and sinners for ever.
References: Jer 4:23-26; Eze 28:18-19; Mal 4:1; 1 Cor 6:2-3; Rev 20; Rev 21:1-5.
Q. What is the final destiny of the Redeemed?
A. The final destiny of the Redeemed is an eternity with Christ on the New Earth. Here God will make a new home for me with a perfect environment and everlasting love, joy, peace and learning in His presence. Here God will dwell that God is love and righteous and He will reign for ever.
References: Isa 35; Isa 65:17-25; Matt 5:5; 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 11:15; Rev 21:1-7; Rev 22: 1-5.
Garth Anthony
September 2006