Assurance:
Assurance: What is the Gospel?
Romans 1:16 - Romans 1:17 (KJV)
16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Who Needs to be saved?
Romans 3:10 through Romans 3:17 (KJV)
10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17And the way of peace have they not known:
Romans 3:23 (KJV)
23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
God’s Provision for Salvation:
Romans 5:8 (KJV)
8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:19 (KJV)
19For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Romans 6:23 (KJV)
23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Steps to Salvation:
Romans 10:9 - Romans 10:11 (KJV)
9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
John 10:9 (KJV)
9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Acts 2:38 (KJV)
38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Psalm 55:16 (KJV)
16As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Ephesians 2:8 - Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Who can be saved?
Acts 2:21 (KJV)
21And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Psalm 145:18 (KJV)
18The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
Assurance of Salvation:
Romans 10:13 (KJV)
13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 8:14 - Romans 8:16 (KJV)
14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
1 John 3:14 (KJV)
14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1 John 5:11 through 1 John 5:13 (KJV)
11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Baptism:
Who should be baptized?
“If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest (be baptized)” Acts 8:37
“Then they that gladly received His word were baptized” Acts 2:41
Conclusion: Baptism is for believers only
Why should I be baptized?
1. It is commanded by Christ.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” Matt. 28:19
2. Christ set the example for us.
“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of Him.” Matt. 3:13
Conclusion: We are baptized to obey the command of Jesus Christ.
How should I be baptized?
Baptism pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.” Mk. 1:9
“And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:” Mk 1:10
“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” Acts 8:38-39
Conclusion: Only baptism by immersion pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
Biblical Separation:
Question: "What is Biblical separation?"
Answer: Biblical separation is the recognition that God has called believers out of the world and into a personal and corporate purity in the midst of sinful cultures. Biblical separation is usually considered in two areas: personal and ecclesiastical.
Personal separation involves an individual’s commitment to a godly standard of behavior. Daniel practiced personal separatism when he “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8). His was a biblical separatist because his standard was based on God’s revelation in the Mosaic law.
A modern example of personal separation could be the decision to decline invitations to parties where alcohol is served. Such a decision might be made in order to circumvent temptation (Romans 13:14), to avoid “all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22), or simply to be consistent with a personal conviction (Romans 14:5).
The Bible clearly teaches that the child of God is to be separate from the world. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17; see also 1 Peter 1:14-16).
Ecclesiastical separation involves the decisions of a church concerning its ties to other organizations, based on their theology or practices. Separatism is implied in the very word “church,” which comes from the Greek word ekklesia meaning “a called-out assembly.” In Jesus’ letter to the church of Pergamum, He warned against tolerating those who taught false doctrine (Revelation 2:14-15). The church was to be separate, breaking ties with heresy. A modern example of ecclesiastical separation could be a denomination’s stance against ecumenical alliances which would unite the church with apostates.
Biblical separation does not require Christians to have no contact with unbelievers. Like Jesus, we should befriend the sinner without partaking of the sin (Luke 7:34). Paul expresses a balanced view of separatism: “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world” (1 Corinthians 5:9-10). In other words, we are in the world, but not of it.
We are to be light to the world without allowing the world to diminish our light. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16).
Sin:
DEFINITION:
The Greek word translated "sin" in the Bible is an interesting term. It, (hamartano), literally means, "to miss the mark." Think of it in this way. In shooting an arrow from a bow, if your arrow flies beyond the target or falls short of it, if it veers to the right of the target or to the left, you "miss the mark." If in our lives we go beyond the will of God, doing things God has said not to do; if we fall short of the will of God by not doing things commanded by God; if we veer away from God's will, doing things for which we have no authority; we "miss the mark" or SIN.
As John states in 1 John 3:4, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." Sin is transgression of the law. God has revealed to us His law or will. The Bible is the final authority on sin and its consequences.
A LIST OF SINS
So, what is and what is not sinful? The Bible lists many things that are sinful in God's eyes. One such list is found in Galatians 5, where the apostle Paul identifies them as works of the flesh. Beginning with verse 19, he states, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
We should not consider such lists as exhaustive. Note that Paul ends his list with the phrase, "and such like". More important, I think, is the contention Paul makes that the works of the flesh (sins) are "evident". They are obvious. Anything that is in conflict with the nature of God and His will is sinful. His nature and will are revealed plainly in the Bible, and as such those things that are contrary to Him are plain as well. There is an objective standard. We can know the difference between right and wrong. And after determining the difference, we ought to be careful to avoid all sin. Paul's question in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 is a rhetorical one. He states, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,"
Righteousness has NO fellowship with lawlessness, and claims of righteousness are legitimate only if we shirk sin.
THE NATURE AND CONSEQUENCE OF SIN
Sin is serious. It is a malignancy. It is repugnant to God, and carries with it unpleasant consequences. The children of Israel in Isaiah's day were complaining about God's remoteness. Isaiah answered them by writing, "Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." (Isaiah 59:1-2). This is an important point. God is the giver of life. Sin, in separating you from God, separates you from life. That is why Paul rejoiced in Colossians 2:13 that, "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;." All are "dead" in their trespasses until they receive forgiveness.
To remain in sin, and to die physically without having sin forgiven, is to consign yourself to an eternal death and punishment.
The Old Testament provides a litany of examples regarding the consequences of sin.
* Adam and Eve were driven out of Paradise, and denied access to the tree of life because of their sin (Genesis 3).
* The ancient world was destroyed by a great Flood as a result of the wickedness of the day (Genesis 6-8).
* The ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire and brimstone from heaven because of the abomination of homosexuality (Genesis 19).
* Nadab and Abihu were consumed by fire which "went out from the Lord", because they offered up as a part of their worship fire not authorized by God (Leviticus 10).
* Israel was sentenced to wander in the wilderness for a generation because they refused to enter Canaan (Numbers 14).
* Moses was not allowed to enter Canaan after he presumptuously disobeyed God by striking the rock at Kadesh (Numbers 20).
* Israel was defeated in her battle with the small city of Ai as punishment for Achan's disobedience in stealing forbidden treasure (Joshua 7).
* The pattern stated in Judges 2:11, after the death of Joshua, "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:"was repeated many times throughout the nation's history. This resulted in many judgments and punishments of the nation by Jehovah.
We are told that these events are recorded for us to serve as examples. Note Jude's statement, "I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." (Jude 1:5-7).
It is obvious from the above that there are many physical consequences to sin. It only takes a cursory look at our society today to see the truth of that observation. AIDS, crime, teenage pregnancy, anarchy, and drug abuse are rampant on the social front. Greed, dishonesty, and slander are the order of the day in government and business. Division and the rejection of bible truths is characteristic of religious denominations in our times. All of these things have figured prominently in destroying the homes and individual lives of so many. The devil has been thorough in his work.
However, the spiritual consequences of sin are even more devastating. Remember what Paul said For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 6:23) The death that he is referring to is not only physical, but spiritual as well. Those who do not receive Jesus Christ and His forgiveness of sins are destined to spend eternity in Hell. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18) “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).Hell is described as a place where the "worm does not die and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:44). A place of "outer darkness" where there will be "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 8:12). Surely the eternal destiny of those separated from God by sin underscores the seriousness of the offense.
THE CURE FOR SIN
Perhaps the most important fact about sin is its universality. Paul stated in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Rom. 3:10) In effect, all of us are guilty, and as such face eternal separation from God. All who sin are worthy of death. Because God loves each of us so much, and does not want any to perish, he made the ultimate sacrifice. He sent His Son to die in our place. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
Because God is just, the penalty for sin had to be paid. Because He cares for us, he sent His Son to pay that ultimate price. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus is our cure for sin.
Prayer:
1. God commands us to pray
[Mat 26:41], [Mark 13:33], [Luke 18:1], [1Ti 2:1], [Eph 6:18], [Rom 12:12]
2. Prayer is entering God's presence
[Hbr 4:14-16], [Hbr 8:1], [Hbr 9:24], [Rom 8:34], [2Chr 30:27], [Isa 57:15], [Rev 5:7-9], [Rev 8:3], [Luke 3:21], [Eph 1:3], [Eph 2:6], [Col 3:1-2]
3. The Bible encourages us to ask for things specifically in prayer, that is, to offer petitions in prayer
[Mat 21:22], [John 16:23-26], [Mat 18:19], [John 14:13,14], [Phil 4:6], [1Jhn 5:15]
4. Though encouraged to offer God petitions, prayer should initially focus on God Himself, our love relation with Him, and the things of His kingdom, not our petitions
[Mat 6:9-10], [Mat 6:31-33], [Ps 27:4], [Ps 73:25], [1Ki 3:5-13], [Col 3:1-2]
5. Prayer must be offered in humility and holy reverence before God
[2Chr 7:14], [Ps 34:18], [Ps 51:17], [Ps 145:18-19], [Isa 6:1-5], [Isa 57:15], [Isa 66:2], [Luke 18:9-14], [Jam 4:6]
6. We should confess our sins to God, repent, believe and receive His forgiveness, whenever we pray
[Mat 6:12], [Ps 66:18], [Ps 139:23-24], [Hab 2:1], [1Jhn 1:9], [2Chr 7:14]
7. The Holy Spirit's empowering comes by prayer
[Acts 1:4-8, 13,14], [Acts 4:31], [Acts 13:1-4], [John 7:37,38], [Luke 11:13]
8. Intercessory Prayer is the ultimate, and necessary outcome, of "putting on the whole armor of God"
[Eph 6:12,17,18]
9. We are commanded to pray continually, by every means, and for every need
[Eph 6:18], [1Th 5:17], [Luke 18:1], [Rom 12:12], [Ps 55:17], [Luke 6:12], [2Tim 1:3]
10. Prayer needs to be offered with faith in God's promises
[Mat 21:22], [Jam 1:5,6], [Mar 11:24], [John 14:12,13], [Heb 11:1], [Heb 11:6]
11. Prayer needs to be persistent, and prevailing
[Luke 11:5-13], [Luke 18:1-8], [James 5:16-18], [Heb 5:7], [Is 62:6-7], Example: Daniel [Dan 10:2] [Dan10:12-13]
12. God's guidance, and will for our lives is revealed through prayer
[James 1:5], [Acts 13:1-3], [Mat 26:39], [Rom 15:30-32], [Ps 37:4,5], [Ps 40:1-8]
13. The Holy Spirit helps us pray
[Rom 8:14-16, 26], [Phil 1:19], [Jude 20]
14. It is more important to listen to God, than talk to Him
[Jer 33:3], [Isa 55:8,9], [Ps 40:5], [1Cor 2:9-13], [Hab 2:1], [Ps 85:8], [Ps 46:10], [John 10:27]
15. When Christians pray with one heart, one mind, one voice, GREAT things happen
[Acts 1:1-14 ; 2:1], [Acts 4:31], [Acts 12:1-19], [Acts 13:1-3], [2Chr 7:14]
16. Our Intercessory Prayer matters, and is effectual
[1Th 3:10], [Col 4:12], [2Cor 1:11], [Luke 22:31-32], [Acts 12:5], [1Jhn 5:15,16], [Eph 3:14-21], [Job 42:10]
17. Intercessory Prayer is crucial toward spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ
[Eph 6:19], [Col 4:3], [Acts 4:31], [2Th 3:1,2], [Mat 9:38], [John 17:20-23], [Rom 10:1]
18. General Encouragements to Pray
[Ps 27:13-14], [Ps 34:10], [Ps 50:15], [Ps 91:15],[Ps 116:12-13], [Is 40:31], [Is 65:24], [Luke 11:9], [Phil 4:6-7], [1Jhn 5:14]
19. Jesus' Seven-Fold Exhortation to Pray
[John 14:13], [John 14:14], [John 15:7,8], [John 15:16], [John 16:23], [John 16:24], [John 16:26]
Government:
Christians and Politics
The Bible commands God's people to interact with civil authorities in the following ways:
1. Pray for the governing authorities (I Timothy 2:1-2)
2. Conduct themselves as law-abiding, taxpaying citizens (Romans 13:1-7)
3. Give to the government all that it's due (Matthew 22:21)
4. Honor those in authority and the institutions of government (Romans 13:1-7, I Peter 2:17)
Even in the case of flawed, corrupt, and (in some cases) evil governments, Christians are expected to adhere to the above principles. However, they are not to take part in evil actions themselves and may, under certain circumstances, resort to civil disobedience (Acts 5:29). They are also encouraged to speak truth to power, as the prophet Nathan did to King David (II Samuel 12:7) and John the Baptist did with Herod Agrippa (Matthew 14:3-5).
How can Christians prevent governments from becoming evil? Jesus answers that question in his famous Sermon on the Mount, when he encourages his followers to be "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:13-14).
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus uses a parable to urge his followers to "occupy" (Luke 19:13, KJV) until he returns.
Christians are not to be passive spectators in society's culture. While their primary task is the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8), they are to engage the culture at all levels, advancing moral principles and seeking to restrain evil. Part of this responsibility includes being "salt" and "light" in the public square and the corridors of government.
The Bible teaches that God ordained government and that government has a specific and important set of God-given responsibilities. Christians believe they are to support the government's efforts to carry out those responsibilities, and use their influence (starting with prayer) to keep it on the right track.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a Person
The Holy Spirit is included in the Trinity, which is made up of 3 distinct persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The following verses give a beautiful picture of the Trinity in the Bible:
Matthew 3:16-17
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
John 14:16-17
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
2 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen
Acts 2:32-33
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
The Holy Spirit has the Characteristics of Personality:
• The Holy Spirit has a Mind:
Romans 8:27
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
• The Holy Spirit has a Will:
1 Corinthians 12:11
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
• The Holy Spirit has Emotions:
Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Isaiah 63:10
But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
Luke 10: 21
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
1 Thessalonians 1:6
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
• He Teaches:
John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
• He Testifies of Christ:
John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
• He Reproves:
John 16:8
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
• He Leads:
Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God
• He Reveals Truth:
John 16:13
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 Strengthens and Encourages:
Acts 9:31
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
• He Comforts:
John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
• He Helps Us in our Weakness:
Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
• He Intercedes:
Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
• He Searches the Deep Things of God:
1 Corinthians 2:11
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
• He Sanctifies:
Romans 15:16
That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
• He Bears Witness or Testifies:
Romans 8:16
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
• He Forbids:
Acts 16:6-7
Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
• He Can be Lied to:
Acts 5:3
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
• He Can be Resisted:
Acts 7:51
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
• He Can be Blasphemed:
Matthew 12:31-32
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
• He Can be Quenched:
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Quench not the Spirit.
Question: "What does the Bible say about marriage?"
Answer: The creation of marriage is recorded in Genesis 2:23-24: "And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” God created man and then made woman to complement him. Marriage is God’s “fix” for the fact that “it is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18).
The word “helper” used to describe Eve in Genesis 2:20 means “to surround, to protect or aid, help.” Eve was created to be alongside Adam as his "other half," to be his aid and his helper. A man and woman, when married, become "one flesh.". The New Testament adds a warning regarding this oneness. "Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." (Matthew 19:6).
There are several epistles written by the apostle Paul that refer to marriage and how believers are to operate within the marriage relationship. One such passage is 1 Corinthians chapter 7, and another is Ephesians 5:22-33. When studied together, these two passages provide biblical principles that form a framework for a God-pleasing marriage relationship.
The Ephesians passage is especially profound in reference to a successful biblical marriage. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body." (Ephesians 5:22-23). "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it " (Ephesians 5:25). "” (Ephesians 5:28-29). “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” (Ephesians 5:31).
When a believing husband and wife institute God’s principles, a biblical marriage results. A biblically based marriage is one that is in balance, with Christ as the head of the man and the wife together. The biblical concept of marriage is a oneness between two individuals that pictures the oneness of Christ with His church.