INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. Regarding the Statutes of Christ
2. Regarding the Sonship of Christ
3. Regarding the Spirit of Christ
Remarks.
1. In our lesson tonight we are going to be discussing: "Taking Away the Vail." It is abundantly clear in our text that there "still remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament; which vail is done away in Christ."
2. First, one of the vails which must be taken away is that of the Law of Moses, which many feel today they must keep in order to obtain righteous in the sight of God. But Paul argues: "Which vail is done away in Christ. Nevertheless when it (the people of Israel) shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away." As Christians, we are not under the old law; but the new law, the statutes of Christ. The covenant of Christ; is also the New Testament. Notice: "But now hath he (Christ) obtained a more excellent ministry; by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises," Hebrews 8:6. The Law of Moses was the law of bondage; the law of Christ is the law of liberty. So believers, "Stand fast therefore in the (law of) liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not again entangled again with the yoke (law) of bondage," Galatians 5:1.
3. Secondly, we must address another vail which covers the eyes of many; that is the Sonship of Christ. Jesus: "is the Christ the Son of the Living God." Not a son, but the Son of God. And as such, he share equally the divinity of the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is not the Father; but the Son. He is not the Spirit; but the Son; the sender of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says: "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father; even the Spirit of truth, he shall testify of me; and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning," John 15:26-27.
4. Finally, we must remove that vail that surrounds the Spirit of Christ. Paul admonishes us: "Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ; he is none of his," Romans 8:9. The vail concerning the Spirit which must be removed is that one can have the Holy Spirit and not have power from the Spirit to perform miracles, signs and wonders; or to speak in an unlearned tongue or prophesy regarding the will of God. And finally, the vail of much contention is that of the Holy Spirit baptism. If the Spirit is of Christ; then we must look to Christ for his explanation of the Holy Spirit Baptism, which he promised to his apostles.
BODY OF LESSON
I REGARDING THE STATUTES OF CHRIST
A. Paul’s makes contrast of two laws. He compares the Old Testament Law of Moses; with the New Testament Law of Christ. In our lesson text, Paul unfolds the differences between these two laws for our consideration. Notice:
1. The law of the letter (Moses) and spirit (Christ); where the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
2. The ministration of the Old Testament and the New Testament. One is described as the Law of Moses; the other as the law of Christ.
3. The ministration of death and the ministration of life. One is the ministration of death because it kills; the other is the ministration of life because it promises eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
4. The glorious and the glorious that excelleth. One is glorious (the Law); the other excelleth in glory (the Law of Christ) though the Son.
5. The vail that remaineth over Israel (the face of Moses); has been taken away in (the face of Jesus Christ). The vail over Moses’ face has been overshadowed by the light that shines in the face of Christ, the Son of the living God.
6. Conclusion:
a. First, "And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face; that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ," 2 Corinthians 3:13-14.
b. Further, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the Excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us,” 2 Corinthians 4:3-7.
c. Finally, if one cannot see the face of Christ in the gospel; it is because the evil one (the devil) has blinded their mind lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should shine unto them. As the vail still blinds the minds of the Jews pertaining to the Law of Moses; so has Satan blinded the minds of many pertaining to the gospel of Christ; lest its light should shine (the face of Christ) unto them, “which vail has been done away in Him,” 2 Corinthians 3:14.
B. But even unto this day. Paul continues: “When Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it (that is Israel) shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord,” 2 Corinthians 3:15-18. Paul affirms that, “But even unto this day when Moses is read:”
1. The vail, “Is upon their heart.” They are still blinded to the truth. They are unable to see the truth of the gospel of Christ with its redeeming grace within their hearts. They are totally blinded to the New Testament with its benefits that far outshines that which was “glorious – the Old Testament”; but now the veil which:
a. “Is abolished,” 2 Corinthians 3:13.
b. “Is done away in Christ,” 2 Corinthians 3:14.
c. “Shall be taken away,” 2 Corinthians 3:16.
d. “The Lord is that Spirit – and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty,” 2 Corinthians 3:17.
e. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherein Christ hath made us free,” Galatians 5:1.
f. “Perfect law of liberty,” James 1:23-25; 2 Corinthians 3:18.
2. Blindness has happened. Paul writes:
a. First, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in,” Romans 11:25. Note also:
1) Isaiah, “But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people,” Romans 10:20-21; Isaiah 65:1-2. Stephen described Israel as a “disobedient and gainsaying people.” A people “stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, which always resist the Holy Ghost, as did their fathers,” Acts 7:51.
2) Paul, “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness,” Romans 9:30-31. See Romans 10:1-4. Illustrate: Ignorant of God’s Righteousness.
3) Peter, speaking of the Gentiles: “Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy,” 1 Peter 2:11.
b. Further, “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles,” Acts 13:46.
c. Finally, “And when they were come (to Antioch), and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles,” Acts 14:27.
d. Conclusion: The Gentiles had embraced the gospel of Christ; while the Jew’s rejected it. It was needful that the gospel began with the Jews; but it was not to remain with them alone. The preaching of the cross was to all that would believe and accept Christ as Lord, Savior and Redeemer.
3. Now the Spirit. “Now where the Spirit is; there is liberty.” There is freedom from the Law and it condemnation. We are able to see the truth of the gospel of Christ.
4. We are changed. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Paul says we all:
a. First, “With open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord.”
b. Further, “Are changed into the same image from glory (the Law of Moses) to glory (the Law of Christ).”
c. Finally, "Even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
C. Law our school master. Paul's Letter to the Galatians affirms that the law was our school master to bring us to Christ. Notice:
1. First, "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under the schoolmaster," Galatians 3:24-25.
2. Further, no longer under the schoolmaster.
3. Finally, Christ has taken it out of the way.
4. Conclusion: "A change has come!" See Jeremiah 31:31-34.
a. First, Notice: “I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her Sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts,” Hosea 2:11. These were all done away at Calvary, Colossians 2:14-17. Illustrate: Sabbath and solemn feasts ends.
b. Further, “Her feast days shall cease,” Amos 8:5, 9; Matthew 27:34.
c. Finally, Jesus: “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me…,” Luke 24:44-47.
D. We gave no such commandment. Who has commanded us to keep the Law? The first century form of this doctrine was being imposed upon the Gentiles. Notice: "And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved...But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses," Acts 15:1, 4.
1. Certain men from Judaea taught the brethren.
2. Certain of the sect of the Pharisees taught.
3. Men from James cause dissention among the Gentiles churches. Paul charged Peter’s behavior as being the root cause of this confusion. When the leadership misbehaves, that gives members license to follow in their example, Galatians 2:11-12.
4. But, what saith the Apostles, elders, and the Holy Spirit concerning this teaching?
Notice Luke: "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment," Acts 15:24. Notice:
a. They went out from us, having troubled you with words. They come with troubling words when they are not aligned to the gospel of Christ. They merely become “good words and fair speeches” presented to “deceive the hearts of the simple,” Romans 16:18.
b. Listen to John: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us,” 1 John 2:19.
c. It is important. To know from whence teachers and believers have their origin (roots). The fruit doesn't fall too far from the tree, Matthew 7:16-20.
E. Circumcision and law keeping a perverted gospel. Note: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another," Galatians 1:6-12.
1. Circumcision and law keeping is a perverted gospel.
2. Teachers of this message are accursed. See also, Galatians 5:1, 4; Galatians 5:7-10, 12.
3. Message of the gospel of Christ is certified, Galatians 1:11-12.
4. Certified gospel is from Christ and not men.
II REGARDING THE SONSHIP OF CHRIST
A. What of the Sonship of Christ? What are the implications? As the Son of God Christ shares, and possesses the same nature and divinity of the Father and the Holy Spirit. Paul says: "in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily," Colossians 2:9. Thus, Christ is God; eternal deity, and the possessor of the divine nature. There is one God, but three manifestations of His eternal existence and glory. They are:
1. First, the Father is God. Notice: "And Jesus answered him, the first of all the commandments is, hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord," Mark 12:29; John 20:17.
2. Further, the Word is God. John writes: "In the beginning...," John 1:1-3; John 20:28.
3. Finally, the Holy Spirit is God. Luke writes: "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God," Acts 5:3-4. The Holy Spirit guided and directed the first century church of Christ, Acts 8:29, 39; Acts 10:19; Acts 13:1-4. Illustrate: Holy Spirit’s Work in the New Testament Church.
B. Testimony of his Sonship.
1. Baptism of Christ. Notice: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," Matthew 3:14-17. Here the God of heaven acknowledge Jesus as His beloved Son, in whom He was well pleased in His act of righteousness.
2. Transfiguration of Christ. Hear Him: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased hear ye him," Matthew 17:5. Again, the heavenly Father acknowledges His Son; and instructed the disciples to “hear Him.”
3. Death of Christ. Notice: "Truly this was the Son of God," Matthew 27:54. The centurion confesses Christ as the “Son of God.”
C. Christ pre-incarnated state. Notice Paul: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, though it not robbery to be equal with God,” Philippians 2:5-6. Notice:
1. Form of God. Greek: morphḗ, mor-fay'; (perhaps from the base of through the idea of adjustment of parts); shape; figuratively, nature:—form). Christ is the exact image and form of the heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit; as the Son of God, John 14:9.
2. Took on himself the form of a servant. Notice: “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion (Gr: schema - external figure) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross," Philippians 2:7-8.
3. Made in likeness of men. Greek: gínomai, ghin'-om-ahee; (a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being)). He assumed the likeness of a man in his complete form (morphḗ).
a. Servant. Greek: doûlos, doo'-los; from; a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency):—bond (-man), servant. He became a servant, not a ruler, owner or a prince.
b. God-the Word, tabernacle among us! Notice: "Who (Christ) is the image (Gr: eikon - likeness) of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature; for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist," Colossians 1:15-17.
c. God-the-Word, before incarnation. The Hebrew writer: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoke unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high," Hebrews 1:1-3.
4. Christ the image of God: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them," 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.
D. Christ incarnated state. He was, "Immanuel, God with us," Matthew 1:23. He was the, "Word made flesh, and dwelt among us," John 1:14. Finally, He was, "God manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory," 1 Timothy 3:16. Others understood Christ was God. Notice:
1. Jewish leaders. Notice: "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God," John 5:18.
2. Jews again: "I and my Father are one…the Jews answered him saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, maketh thyself God," John 10:30-33.
3. Thomas his disciple: "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God," John 20:28.
E. The Godhead. Mentioned three times in the New Testament, each time if refers to the divinity; power; deity; and the glory of the One God.
1. The Godhead:
a. First, Paul to the Romans: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse,” Romans 1:20.
b. Further, Paul to the Colossians: “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily,” Colossians 2:9.
c. Finally, Paul on Mars Hill: “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device,” Acts 17:29.
1) One Godhead, One true God, expressed as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:4-7.
2) All co-equal, in authority, power, glory, and honor.
3) Illustrate: I and my Father are one, John 10:30.
2. Jesus is the Christ. Notice John: "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is anti-Christ, which denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, that same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also," 1 John 2:22-23.
3. Doctrine is of Christ. John again: "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son," 2 John 9.
4. Christ must be honored as the Son. Hear Jesus: “That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him,” John 5:23.
5. The Father requires believers to love and honor Jesus as they do Him. If the believer denieth that Jesus is the Son of God, they dishonor Him; and therefore dishonor the Father. Jesus said: “If ye believe in God, believe also in me,” John 14:1.
a. Honor, Greek: timáō, tim-ah'-o; to prize, (i.e. fix a valuation upon; by implication, respect, to revere:—honor, to value).
b. First, Jesus says: “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor,” John 12:26.
c. Further, Jesus answered: “I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and ye do dishonor me,” John 8:49. Therefore, neither do ye honor my Father.
d. Finally, he says: “I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?” See John 5:43-44. True honor and approval for one’s life comes from God alone!
e. Jewish leaders. The Jewish leaders, “loved the praise of men more than the praise of God,” John 12:42-43. This is so of many religious leaders today. They love the praise of men; as well as their flattering titles, Job 32:21-22. Illustrate: Flattering Titles to Men.
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III REGARDING THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST
A. Finally, we need to take away the vail, as it pertains to the Spirit of Christ. Paul says: "Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his," Romans 8:9. You may recall our exhaustive discussion of this point some time ago? For those hearing of this for the first time, let me review some of the points briefly.
1. Nearly all audiences will acknowledge that God has made His Spirit available to the child of God. Paul affirms if one has not the Spirit of Christ; he is none of His.
2. Where the vail yet remaineth; is how and when does the child of God receive the Holy Spirit? We will consider this in the rest of this lesson.
3. God has promised the Holy Spirit to the believers, and given to them after they have completed their obedience to the gospel of Christ. Notice:
a. Peter on Pentecost: “Repent and be baptized for remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38.
b. Peter before the council: “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him,” Acts 5:32.
c. Paul to the Galatians: “O foolish Galatians…Received ye the Spirit by works of the Law or by the hearing of faith?” See Galatians 3:1-2. Notice also: “And because ye are sons, God hath set forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba Father,” Galatians 4:6.
d. Paul unto the Ephesians: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith,” Ephesians 3:17.
e. John the Beloved: “And he that keepeth his commandment dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he that given to us,” 1 John 3:24. And finally: “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit,” 1 John 4:13.
f. Conclusion: There is sufficient proof in these verses that the Spirit of God or Christ dwelleth in us and has been given to us by God; because we are the sons of God.
B. Promise of the Spirit. Jesus said: "He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified,)" John 7:38-39. This is Christ’s promise of the Holy Spirit to the believers. Let’s notice what the scriptures and others have stated regarding the Holy Ghost.
1. First, the promise of Joel, Joel 2:28-29. The fulfillment of this promise can be seen in Peter’s comments on the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:14-17. The “this is that” is the complete fulfillment of Joel’s prophesy regarding the “pouring out of the Holy Ghost upon all flesh.”
2. Further, the promise of John the Baptist. John says: "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire," Matthew 3:11. Jesus quotes the promise of John before His ascension into heaven, in Acts 1:4-8.
3. Finally, the promise of Christ. Christ says: “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you,” John 16:12-15. Illustrate: Promise of Holy Spirit to the Apostles.
C. Holy Spirit and Power. Is it possible for one to have the Holy Spirit without power?
1. Holy Spirit without Power. Luke writes: "And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him," Acts 5:32. Obey what? "Repent and be baptized," Acts 2:38. Holy Spirit given to the believers after they have believed and obeyed the gospel of Christ. It is possible for one to have the Holy Ghost without power. John the Baptist is our example, John 10:40-42. He had the Holy Ghost but performed no miracles, signs or wonders, Luke 1:13-15. Illustrate: Power without the Holy Spirit, Matthew 10:1-8; Mark 6:7-13.
2. Power from the Holy Spirit. The power mentioned in these text and lesson was given to the believer(s) to perform signs, wonders and divers miracles “in the name of Jesus Christ,” Acts 1:8, Acts 3:6, Acts 16:18.
3. Performing signs and wonders. Notice: “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch),” Acts 5:12, Acts 4:30, and Acts 14:3; Romans 15:19, and 2 Corinthians 12:12.
4. This power granted by Holy Spirit. Notice: “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great of salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” See Hebrews 2:3-4.
D. Holy Spirit Baptism. Here Jesus promises the Holy Spirit with power to the apostles just before his ascension, Luke 24:49.
1. No commandment associated with the Holy Spirit Baptism. Believers were never instructed to be “baptized in the Holy Ghost.”
2. Instruction to the apostles was "to tarry in the city of Jerusalem, until they were endued with power from on high," Luke 24:49.
3. Power to accompany the Holy Spirit, Acts 1:1-5, 8.
E. The 12 Apostles. Just the 12 apostles received the baptism of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:1-14. Review this text with audience.
1. Only 12 received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
2. The Multitude, Acts 2:5. The multitude came together being confounded; not knowing what these things meant; and not having received the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
3. All baptized with the Holy Ghost were men from Galilee, Acts 1:11. All the disciples who received the Holy Spirit baptism were men from Galilee. Notice: “And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?” See Acts 2:7.
4. The 120 disciples. Notice: "And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)" Acts 1:15.
a. This audience was composed of both men and women, Acts 1:15.
b. Women were not among those that received the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
c. Women were not among those “speaking in tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance,” Acts 2:7-8, Acts 2:12-13.
d. Women were not among those sitting and acting in one accord; or among those who receive the “cloven tongues of fire” on this day.
e. Therefore, none of the 120 (men or women) were baptize with the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. Regarding the Statutes of Christ
2. Regarding the Sonship of Christ
3. Regarding the Spirit of Christ
B. Summarize main points.
1. The Law of Moses has been abolished; and we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus has purchased salvation for all.
2. Christ is the Son of God! He shares the same glory, honor, power and co-exists with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He was God in his pre-incarnated state; and when incarnated; and he is God even now. He is, "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, which was, and which is to come, the Almighty," Revelations 1:8.
3. Finally, the Spirit of Christ is promised to all who obey Christ; but the Holy Spirit baptism was promised to the 12-apostles only. None except the 12 apostles received this baptism on Pentecost; the multitude, and 120 disciples, did not receive this empowerment.
C. Invitation. Extend heaven’s invitation, H.B.R.C.B.
D. Exhortation. Like Peter, I too “With many other words do testify and exhort, saying: save yourselves from this untoward generation.”
E. Motivation. We love you here at this congregation of God’s people, and want the best for your life and your family. We invite you now to come and respond to the love of God and the death of his Son. What you do today will have lasting benefits for you, and perhaps for those whom you love, whether they be family members or friends.
