OceanSide church of Christ

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (57)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    Websites about questions can be deceiving.

1.      www.questions.com:  Welcome to our villa in Aegina, Greece.

2.      www.askquestions.com:  Is really a company called Venture that seeks to sell individuals web domains.

3.      When you type in the words:  “What’s your question?’ in Google search, you are led to the website called:  www.ask.com.

4.      When you type in “Questions Answered,” you are informed that this is the 8th episode of a series entitled:  “Battle for Dream Island.”

5.      www.gotquestions.com:  leads you to gotquestions.org that provides Bible answer to over 625,000 questions.

 

B.      Aren’t you glad that all you have to do is put your questions in the box in the foyer to have your questions answered?  You are immediately directed to your preacher for the answers?  NOTE:  Hopefully, he will appeal to the Word of God for his answers.

 

C.     In this lesson, we will be answering more of your questions.

 

I.                   QUESTION #1:  Forgiveness

 

A.    Stated:  How can you know if your sins have been forgiven?

 

B.      Answer:

1.      Forgiveness is not a tangible object.

a.      It is not something you can hold in your hand.

b.      You are not given a sheet of paper with an official stamp declareing you are forgiven of sins.

c.       So, how do we know we are forgiven?

2.      There are several elements that need to be understood in regard to the answer to this question.

a.      First, there is the remedy for sins that has been provided, the blood of Christ.

1)      Matthew 26:28

 

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

 

2)      Ephesians 1:7

 

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

 

3)      Revelation 1:5b

 

Unto him that love us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

 

b.      Second, there must be the application of the blood in our lives.

1)      Just like we must take medicine and follow the directions when taking it, the same is true of the blood of Christ.

2)      God has given us the prescription in the pages of His holy Word.

a)      Belief (Acts 10:43)

 

To whom gave all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

 

b)      Repentance (Acts 5:31)

 

Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

 

c)      Baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:26; Rom. 6:3)

 

Then 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…And now why tarriest thou:  arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord…Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his dead?

 

c.       Third, there must be faith in the heart of the convert.

1)      God has said if we will do these things we will be forgiven.

2)      God is faithful (I Cor. 1:9; 10:13).

3)      The convert must trust in the Word of God. 

a)      God exists.

b)      This is what God has said to do.

c)      I have done those things.

d)     Therefore, I know that I am saved

e)      Romans 8:16

 

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.

 

II.                QUESTION:  Salvation Is of the Jews

 

A.    Stated:  What did Jesus mean when He said:  “Salvation is of the Jews?”

 

B.      Answer:

1.      This verse is found in John 4:22.

 

Ye worship ye know not what:  we know what we worship; for salvation is of the Jews.

 

2.      NOTE:  If this passage were lifted out of its context, a person might believe that this statement applies to the Jews today.

3.      In the context:

a.      Jesus is speaking to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well (John 4:7).

b.      She asked Jesus a very pointed question (John 4:20).

 

Our father worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

 

c.       Jesus’ words about salvation being of the Jews were spoken in reference to this question.

4.      The Samaritans

a.      The Samaritans were a mixed breed of people.  They were part Jews and they were part foreigners.

b.      After the captivity of the ten tribes, the Samaritan developed as a people.

c.       In Jesus’ day, they held a portion of land between Judea and Galilee with their capital being in Samaria.

d.      Religiously they held only to the first five books of Moses.  Mount Gerizim was the place of their worship.

e.       These individuals were not fellowshipped by the Jews.  In fact, Jesus’ speaking to the woman surprised her (See John 4:9).

 

Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being as Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?  For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

 

f.        This woman asked about the contrast between the two religions and Jesus responded with these words:  “Ye worship ye know not what:  we know what we worship; for salvation is of the Jews.”

1)      The Samaritans had set up a system of worship that was contrary to the Law.

2)      Their worship was empty and vain.

3)      The Jews, on the other hand, were following the Old Covenant. 

4)      At that time, salvation was of the Jews.  They were the covenant people of God. 

5.      NOTE:  Today, the Jews are not the chosen people of God.

a.      Two verses:

1)      Romans 2:28-29

 

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:  but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

 

2)      Romans 9:6b-7

 

For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel; neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children:  but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

 

b.      There is a new group of people who are the elect, the chosen, the seed of Abraham, and spiritual Israel.  This new group is called Christians.  They form the church, or, the called out ones today (Gal. 3:29).

 

And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

III.             QUESTION:  The Usefulness of Scripture

 

A.    Stated:  If all Scripture is useful, what is the purpose of historical books and genealogies?

 

B.      Answer: 

1.      Romans 15:4 provides a summary answer to this question.

 

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

 

2.      The historical narratives are

a.      Foundational:  The OT is the NT concealed, and the NT is the OT revealed.

b.      Entertaining:  Saul and David for instance

c.       Interpretive:  the book of Hebrews as an example

d.      Instructive:  faith, obedience, and courage of men like Noah, Abraham, and Moses

e.       Inspirational:  forgiveness (Joseph), prayer (Hannah), and fortitude (Daniel)

3.      Genealogies:

a.      Messianic confirmation: 

1.      The Messiah was supposed to be born of the lineage of such men as Abraham, Jesse, and David. 

2.      In Matthew 1:1-18, we have Jesus’ genealogy.  These men are part of Jesus’ lineage.  This indicates that He definitely could be the Messiah spoken of by the prophets.

b.      Confirmation of truth:

1.      Jude makes an interesting statement in Jude 14 about Enoch.  He refers to him as being “the seventh from Adam.”

2.      Adam (1), Seth (2), Enos (3), Cainan (4), Mahalaleel (5), Jared (6), Enoch (7)

3.      The accuracy of Jude’s words are confirmed by the genealogy of Genesis 5.

c.       Powerful lessons:

1.      Genesis 5:  The words “and he died” are found over and over again concerning those listed in the genealogy.  All men, Bible greats included, must die.

2.      The marvelous providence of God:  In Jesus’ genealogy of Matthew 1, we have these names mentioned and all involve the hand of God’s providence.

a.      Abraham begat Isaac (v. 2).

b.      Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar (v. 3).

c.       Booz begat Obed of Ruth (v. 5)

d.      David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias (v. 6).

e.       And Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ” (v. 16).

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    The three questions we have studied and their answers should excite us.

1.      We can know that we are forgiven of our sins.

2.      Salvation now belongs to those who call themselves Christians.

3.      Even those “boring” and “difficult” texts of the Bible are useful and deserve our attention.

 

B.      Please keep submitting your questions.  Of late, there have not been very many questions put into the box in the foyer.