Being Transformed

Learning to Understand Biblical Principles One Day at a Time

Thomas

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2014
• ISBN:
  9781630872021
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religion

It is never surprising that even after years of sitting in the pews of America's churches basic understanding of who Jesus is and how he expects us to live day to day escape laymen and leaders alike. Being Transformed focuses on teaching basic biblical principles, with concert biblical examples that reinforce lessons taught. It can be used as an individual study for believers of all ages or taught in groups for exciting youth Bible challenges. This exciting pocket-size manual is a valuable tool written specifically to help believers walk out their faith one day at a time.

Week 1

What We Believe

Day 1

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
(John 3:16)

Recently I was watching a cable television show whose host described Christianity as a faith that believes in a god from space who came down off his throne, impregnated an underage girl, and flew back to heaven to return again soon. I was angered by his description of my Christian faith and wanted to set him straight. But what angers me even more is that many Christians are clueless as to what they really believe and that this television personality’s comments really didn’t seem to brother them.

In this first chapter, I want to examine what we believe as evangelicals and how we can effectively communicate the message of our faith. Just imagine that your child, who has been taught all the songs about Jesus and has learned many Bible verses, was watching television that night and came across that popular late night host making such statements about Christianity. What would you say to your child? The explanation you would give your child in that moment is the same message the world needs to hear. Everyone with children, and even those without, needs to understand their faith and be able to give a clear, sound profession concerning what they believe about Jesus.

Below is a five-question quiz. Be honest—you won’t get a grade for this quiz. It’s just a tool to help you see where you are in basic Christology.

1. Who is Jesus?

2. How would you describe the Trinity?

3. What is the purpose of the Bible?

4. What really happened in the Garden of Eden, and why is this important to our salvation?

5. Why did Jesus have to die?

Bonus Question: What is hell?

Answers

1. Who is Jesus?

Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary. He grew up, had human desires and human thoughts, and possessed normal human features (John 2:21). He, like us, suffered human weaknesses and limitations. He became hungry (Matt 4:3), thirsty (John 19:28), tired (John 4:6), and sleepy (Matt 4:2). There was only one weakness Jesus was immune to—human frailty. The effects of sin did not mark him: “And in him is not sin” (1 John 3:5). Jesus was tempted to sin (Matt 4:1–11), but because of his divine nature he never yielded (Heb 4:15).

Jesus is God’s Son. A pastor friend of mine gave me this helpful example: My friend is his father’s son. His father was a husband; recently my friend got married and now he too is a husband. His father is a pastor, and now my friend is also a pastor. His father had children, and now my friend has children as well. His father was a community activist, and now he too is a community activist. He and his father are one in purpose, but each exists independently even though they have never acted independently. Each is a distinct person, but they are one in purpose, in deed, and in nature. So who is Jesus? He is the only begotten Son of God, one in purpose with God, and thus we can say God in the flesh, for God the Father is a spirit.

If Jesus was the only begotten Son of God (God with us), did he act like his Father while on this earth?

If Jesus was in fact the only begotten Son of God, did he act like his father? Did his personality have God’s qualities and power while on this earth? Have you ever heard the phrase, “If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and walks like a duck, it must be a duck”? Let’s see if Scripture supports Jesus’ claim of being the only begotten Son of God while he walked this earth by considering what we know to be the three main characteristics of God. After that, let’s see if you can answer the question.

First, we know that only God can forgive sins. Did Jesus forgive sins? In Mark 2:1–12, you will find that he did. Why is the forgiveness of sins viewed as a characteristic belonging to God? Well, when we sin, we willingly or unwillingly offend God, which is why it’s up to him to forgive us. Yet Jesus also forgave sins while on earth.

Second, we know that God and only God will judge the world. In the Old Testament, the final judgment is described as an eschatological event to be performed by God (Dan 12:1–2, Mal 3:5). Throughout Scripture, Jesus uses passages from the Old Testament to describe his participation in the future judgment (Matt 25:31; John 5:27).

Third, God, from the day of creation, was a God of miracles. While on earth, Jesus demonstrated his divine authority over the natural world by his miracles. According to gospel records, Jesus performed over thirty miracles. These events exhibit supernatural power. In fact, it was often asked, “What matter of man can heal the sick and raise the dead?” as in the case of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:22–43), the widow’s son (Luke 7:11–15), and Lazarus (John 11:1–44). Jesus was in fact a miracle-working God.

From our study of the Bible, it is clear that Jesus in fact embodied the characteristics of God. So, the ultimate answer the question, “Who is Jesus?” is that Jesus is the Son of God, God in the flesh, God with man, Emmanuel, or simply put, our Lord and Savior.

2. How would you describe the Trinity?

Often, people feel that this question makes the Christian faith confusing. We believe in Jesus, but in a God that is triune, who is the main God? Don’t let this confuse you. The Holy Spirit, God, and Jesus all coexist as equal partners. They are one, yet three distinct persons, but they are one in purpose, in deed, and in nature.

Going Deeper . . .

Your arms are separate from your legs and your head is separate from your foot, but all of them make up your one body. So it is with the Holy Spirit, God, and Jesus. Each has a different function, just as the eye has a different function than the nose even as both are part of your one body. Think of it like this: God the Father is present in Scripture as the sovereign ruler, the omniscient God, and the omnipotent Lord. Jesus the Son is the revealer, the redeemer, and the Messiah. The Holy Spirit is working in us and through us to give us conviction, leadership, and guidance. Together, all three make up the Trinity, which simply means the three ways in which God has revealed himself to humankind.

3. What is the purpose of the Bible?

We believe the Bible has three main purposes:

First, the Bible reveals God to the universe. The Bible helps us to understand who God is and his likes and dislikes. It gives us glimpses inside the mind of an infallible God so that we might know more of him.

Second, the Bible helps us to understand who we are, why we were created, and for what purpose. It is a road map for humanity to find itself inside God’s will. Without the Bible, knowingly or unknowingly, humankind would be lost.

Third, the Bible also helps us to understand the past, present, and future. God does not leave us in the dark. He wants us to understand who we are in Jesus Christ. The Bible calls us “chosen, a royal priesthood” (1 Pet 2:9), and if we never read the Bible, we will never know what our inheritance is and how we should live to qualify for such an inheritance. If we don’t read the Bible, we also won’t know what will happen to those who don’t put their trust in Jesus. It’s all revealed in the word of God.

4. What really happened i...