Synoptic Gospels Bible Study Student Feedback

Synoptic Gospels Bible Study Student Feedback

1. Did you learn anything new about the Bible or the subject of theology during the Synoptic study? If so list some of the important things you learned.

2. What did you like and what did you dislike about Synoptic study?It contains the Gospel Story of the Life of Jesus Christ, Lordship of Christ and quality of faith issues, death  and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth which I like in synoptic study.There is nothing I dislike because it’s a inspired  Gods word .
3. Did we leave any important aspect of God's Word out with our brief study of the Synoptic Gospels?

I do not think so.

4. What changes or improvements to the Synoptic Study would you suggest?

To add 4 soil ministry  in face book. Award with Course completion  certificate. Also I wish there was  a the Synoptic Gospel Survey.

5. Tell me a little more about yourself. Have you been able to use anything from your study in your ministry?

I publish these lessons on my blog and I have gained a lot of biblical knowledge as I am doing my lessons. It has helped me in writing Christian articles.

6. What were some of the important doctrines in the Synoptic Gospels that had their root in the first six books of the Old Testament?

The doctrine of grace ,church doctrine ,Jesus' warning about persecution,et c
7. Also do a lecture outline on the "Good News" presented in the Synoptic Gospels.

Because Matthew, Mark, and Luke are all in agreement they are called the Synoptic Gospels. Each of the Synoptic Gospels basically tells the same story – differently!

There are 4 Gospels telling the “Good News” the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They are called “synoptic” because of their unique similarities and their unique differences. The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Mark 1:1-2. The word "gospel" is a translation of the Greek word "euangelion" which means "good news. The Synoptic Gospels tell of the Good News of the Kingdom. The Kingdom means the Reign of the will of God. The true gospel Jesus brought proclaims the solution to the world's troubles, but men rejected that gospel and crucified Jesus for preaching it.

This gospel is the Good News that Christ died for our sins, was entombed, and has been raised from among the dead.

8. Choose three situations (stories, parables, etc) in the Synoptic Gospels that have applications/truths in Christian counseling, such as forgiveness.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is found in Luke chapter 15, verses 11-32. The main character in the parable, the forgiving father, whose character remains constant throughout the story, is a picture of God. In telling the story, Jesus identifies Himself with God in His loving attitude to the lost. The younger son symbolizes the lost (the tax collectors and sinners of that day, Luke 15:1), and the elder brother represents the self-righteous (the Pharisees and teachers of the law of that day, Luke 15:2). The major theme of this parable seems not to be so much the conversion of the sinner, as in the previous two parables of Luke 15, but rather the restoration of a believer into fellowship with the Father. In the first two parables, the owner went out to look for what was lost (Luke 15:1-10), whereas in this story the father waits and watches eagerly for his son's return. We see a progression through the three parables from the relationship of one in a hundred (Luke 15:1-7), to one in ten (Luke 15:8-10), to one in one (Luke 15:11-32), demonstrating God’s love for each individual and His personal attentiveness towards all humanity. We see in this story the graciousness of the father overshadowing the sinfulness of the son, as it is the memory of the father’s goodness that brings the prodigal son to repentance. A tragic ending to a story filled with such hope, mercy, joy, and forgiveness.

The picture of the father receiving the son back into relationship is a picture of how we should respond to repentant sinners as well.

The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds, or Tares, is filled with spiritual significance and truth. But, in spite of the clear explanation of the parable that Jesus gave (Matthew 13:36-43), this parable is very often misinterpreted. Many commentaries and sermons have attempted to use this story as an illustration of the condition of the church, noting that there are both true believers (the wheat) and false professors (the weeds) in both the church at large and individual local churches. While this may be true, Jesus distinctly explains that the field is not the church; it is the world (v. 38).

Even if He hadn’t specifically told us the world is the setting of the story, it would still be obvious. The landowner tells the servants not to pull up the weeds in the field, but to leave them until the end of the age. If the field were the church, this command would directly contradict Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18, which tells us how to deal with unrepentant sinners in the church: they are to be put out of the fellowship and treated as unbelievers. Jesus never instructed us to let impenitent sinners remain in our midst until the end of the age. So, Jesus is teaching here about “the kingdom of heaven” (v. 24) in the world.

Jesus Christ will one day establish true righteousness. After He raptures the true church out of this world, God will pour out His righteous wrath on the world. During that tribulation, He will draw others to saving faith in Jesus Christ. At the end of the tribulation, all unbelievers will be judged for their sin and unbelief; then, they will be removed from God’s presence. True followers of Christ will reign with Him. What a glorious hope for the “wheat”!

In the first parable, Jesus invites His listeners to place themselves into the story with, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep.” In doing this Jesus is appealing to their intuitive reasoning and life experiences. As the story completes, the Pharisees in their pride refuse to see themselves as shameful “sinners,” but eagerly take the honoring label of being “righteous.” However, by the implication of their own pride, they place themselves in the position of being the less significant group of ninety-nine: “There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” There may be a bit of sarcasm in the reference to the Pharisees “who do not need to repent” .

In the “lost coin” parable, the ten silver coins refers to a piece of jewelry with ten silver coins on it worn by brides. This was the equivalent of a wedding ring in modern times. Despite having ninety-nine other sheep, despite the sinful rebellion of His lost sheep, God joyfully receives it back, just as He does when we repent and return to Him.

9. If you are working toward a counseling certificate complete Counseling lesson 4.

Ok.

10. Meditate upon the Synoptic Gospels. Think about some of the key teachings of Jesus and then meditate upon the following words/phrases in relationship to each. {freedom granted to man, foreknowledge of God, fore-ordination by God, fellowship with God (terms), faithfulness or failure by man & God, and forgiveness by God}Is there a consistent pattern, especially in His parables - pick out one story and relate it to me in a few sentences.

We human beings think  freedom means having no rules or restrictions. freedom do a man means  being able to do whatever we want and whenever we want to do it. God wants us all to be free.  Freedom is a gift given by god. we find freedom in God’s Word, however if we chose to sin we have abused the gift of freedom. Out of love for us God gave us His Word to guide us to true freedom and to enable us by His grace to find true fulfillment and purpose for our lives. God is a loving Father.  He has given us rules to live by not because he wants to control us, but rather because He loves us so much He wants to protect us from harm. To choose to sin is to reject our freedom.  Freedom is a gift for the purpose of enabling us to do that which is right.  Freedom then is the ability to choose what is right and good. We are not free to sin or to embrace error. By learning and applying God’s Word and Truth in our lives we can be truly free.

Theology Lesson 4

Theology Lesson 4

God's Everlasting Covenant

God never changes. Yet our understanding of God changes with each new revelation. As we study the Scriptures our understanding of who God is and what he requires of us grows. For example Heb 13:8 states "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" and Malachi states "I the Lord do not change".

Therefore His requirements (EverLasting Covenant) never changes, just our understanding of It. The Bible says that God is a covenant making God and keeps His covenant for a 1000 generations. How many generations from current generation back to Abragham, back to Adam? Most Bible scholars say that it is much less than 1000 generations.

God is the same. His truths do not change. God is always faithful to all His promises, good and bad, blessing or curse, life or death! Again it is not God or His word changing but our undersatanding through His revelation. God makes promises about Eve's, Abraham's and David's seed and we see clearly in the New Testament all these promises was the one SEED, Christ.

For example Gal 3:16 states "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." Paul goes on in Romans to show that the true Jew is not a physical descendent of Abraham, but spiritual. Rom 2:28-29 states "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."

Just as God's Covenant requirements never change (everlasting), the solution never changes; "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant," Heb 13:20. What does the Lord God require of the Covenant keeper? Deut 10:12-13 states "And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?" This concept of a covenant keeper is defined by Christ in John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John 14:23 ties in the terms of the everlasting covenant with the concept of a circumcised heart (born again of the Spirit) from Romans and then Revelation 14:12 identifies the saints as "they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Then the writer od Revelation in verse 22:14 states "Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

Before the foundation of the World God put a plan (covenant) in place and kept it a mystery as stated in 1 Cor 2:7-8 which states "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." Then if you interperet Eph 1:4 to be speaking about the method of salvation (chosen us in him before the foundation of the world) through the blood of the everlasting covenant by putting the focus of the verse on Christ and not man.

For example Eph 1:4 states "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:", not only are the three pronouns (he, him, him) are refering to Christ, but in the first ten verses of Eph chapter 1 Jesus is referenced 21 times, therefore it makes more sense to me to interpret verse four with a focus on Christ as the method of salvation for all mankind (blood of everlasting covenant) and not that He (Christ) has chosen a specif person (election) before the foundation of the world.

Use the "Blue letter Bible) in the kjv mode and do a word search on the following two strings "mystery" and then "everlasting covenant". The word "mystery" should return 22 verses and "everlasting covenant" 16 verses. Read these verses, pray and meditate and then send me a few comments on what God reveals to You.

Biblical Counseling Lesson 4

Biblical Counseling Lesson 4

Four Soils Ministry is a Bible Based Ministry established for the purpose to equip workers in the area of preaching, teaching, discipleship and Biblical Counseling. We firmly believe that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit uses His written Word to provide the solution to man's emotional and relational problems that were caused by Adam and Eve's sin in the garden of Eden. Read in Genesis chapter three the fear and guilt, plus the blaming, covering-up and excuses demonstrated by Adam and Eve immediately after their sin (disobedience). Any time we sin today we experience the same emotions and broken relations that were generated in the garden.

Four Soils Ministry provides the Biblical foundation for our Biblical Counseling students and we rely on organizations such as Biblical Counseling Insights to supplement our instruction with specific Biblical counseling resources

Biblical Counseling Insights             http://biblicalcounselinginsights.com/

For those who are seeking Proven Counseling Insights, Dr.Henry Brandt's Biblical Counseling Insights website provides the resources.

Here is an indispensable treasury of wisdom... from the man Dr. Bill Bright called "one of the most biblically-oriented psychologists of our time"

Find the answers you need. . . Are you seeking solutions to life's problems? Maybe a personal struggle? Difficulties in your marriage? Conflict in a relationship? Parenting challenges? Or perhaps a leadership dilemma?

Life-changing insights are readily available to you in various formats on Biblical Counseling Insights website:

"How can I deal with inner turmoil?" is of many useful articles found on this website.

"How can I deal with inner turmoil?"

Please read the above article and submit your comments to us.

Synoptic Gospels Bible Study Lesson 10

Synoptic Gospels Bible Study Lesson 10 Questions

1.      Read Mt 28:15-20. What is this Scripture know as? Who was this scripture written for?

In Matthew 28:15-20, Jesus commands his followers to make disciples. In this passage, Jesus calls us to not only speak the Gospel but to also develop relationships with others so they can learn how to imitate Jesus Christ in their own lives. Matthew 28:15-20 is known as the Great Commission. As the last recorded personal directive of the Savior to his disciples, it holds great significance to all followers of Christ.

2. Read Acts 1:8. How does this Scripture relate to Mt 28:18-20? Who gives the power? What is the power?

In other words the apostles knew that the Old Testament promise of the outpouring of God's Spirit was a promise for the last days when God would establish his kingdom on the earth and restore his people. at the Last Supper Jesus Jesus had told them that the kingdom would be restored to Israel—they themselves would sit on thrones as rulers along with the Son of Man over a renewed and believing Israel. The Bible tells us that everyone who believes in Jesus has the Spirit. This means that everyone who believes is a witness. Spirit-filled people – and that's you and me – are witnessing people. God gives us the Spirit. And with the Spirit we are given the power, the courage, the strength, to be witnesses. When apostles received the Spirit they received the power to tell, the power to witness, the power to pass on the good news of the Gospel. Mt 28:18-20 contains what has come to be called the Great Commission is to is “make disciples. The Great Commission is enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are to be Christ's witnesses, fulfilling the Great Commission in our cities (Jerusalem), in our states and countries (Judea and Samaria), and anywhere else God sends us (to the ends of the earth).

3. John the Baptist said one was coming to baptize with spirit and fire. Acts 1:8 speaks of baptism of spirit. When will be the baptism of fire?

John the Baptist came preaching repentance and baptizing in the wilderness of Judea, and he was sent as a herald to announce the arrival of Jesus, the Son of God (Matthew 3:1-12). He announced “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11).

After Jesus had risen from the dead, He instructed His apostles to “…wait for the Promise of the Father which you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:4-5). This promise was first fulfilled on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), and the baptism of the Spirit joins every believer to the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). But what about the baptism with fire?

Some interpret the baptism of fire as referring to the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was sent from heaven. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them” (Acts 2:2-3). It is important to note that these were tongues as of fire, not literal fire.

Some believe that the baptism with fire refers to the Holy Spirit’s office as the energizer of the believer’s service, and the purifier of evil within, because of the exhortation “Do not quench the Spirit” found in 1Thessalonians 5:19. The command to the believer is to not put out the Spirit’s fire by suppressing His ministry.

A third and more likely interpretation is that the baptism of fire refers to judgment. In all four Gospel passages mentioned above, Mark and John speak of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but only Matthew and Luke mention the baptism with fire. The immediate context of Matthew and Luke is judgment (Matthew 3:7-12; Luke 3: 7-17). The context of Mark and John is not (Mark 1:1-8; John 1:29-34). We know that the Lord Jesus is coming in flaming fire to judge those who do not know God (2 Thessalonians 1: 3-10; John 5: 21-23: Revelation 20:11-15), but praise be to God that He will save all that will come and put their trust in Him (John 3:16)! Baptism of the Holy Spirit1 is a term used to describe a movement of the Spirit upon and/or within a believer usually sometime after the person is saved.  Baptism of the Spirit occurs at salvation.

4. After Jesus’ resurrection how many days did He remain on earth? When and where did He ascend? What did the angels say about His coming?

The Bible tells us that after He rose, He ascended 10 days before the holiday of Pentecost.  We know that Jesus died during Passover.  That would mean over a period of about 40 days, which is a very interesting Biblical number.

He appeared to the Disciples at various times, and Paul talks about Him appearing to two on the road to Emmaus.  He appeared to Peter privately – we don’t know about that meeting, but it’s mentioned.  He appeared in the Upper Room on two different occasions.  He appeared by the sea and He appeared on the mountain when He ascended.  So over a period of 40 days, He appeared to the Disciples after the Resurrection.

Angels were God's messenger they were used to announce the coming of Jesus into the world – both at his birth and to tell Jesus' friends that he had come back to life. The angel who announced Jesus Christ's resurrection was one of two angels present in his tomb on the first Easter. His resurrection announced by angels to a few women. An angel rolled back the stone and told the women that Jesus was risen (Matthew 28:2-5). The women saw one or two angels inside the tomb (Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4, 23; John 20:11). Jesus said that angels will again play a major role when he returns.

5. In Acts when did the Spirit come? In what visual form did it come? What were the comments of the crowd?

The Day of Pentecost marked a turning point in the early Christian church. Pentecost, a Jewish feast, was celebrated 50 days after Passover, and pilgrims had come to Jerusalem from all over the world to celebrate the event.

The 12 apostles were gathered together in a house when a terrific wind came from heaven and filled the place. They saw tongues that looked like fire, that separated and came down on each of them.

Immediately the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, who caused them to speak in tongues. The crowds of visitors were astonished because every pilgrim heard the apostles speaking to him or her in their own foreign language

Before his ascension into heaven, Jesus had promised his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit to give them strength and wisdom to spread the gospel throughout the world. (Acts 1:8)

The apostles' ability to address these foreign visitors in their own languages was a miracle from God. After they were filled with the Holy Spirit, the 12 did many other miracles and wondrous signs.

Some accused the apostles of being drunk.

The Apostle Peter stood and addressed them, saying they were not drunk. It was only nine o'clock in the morning. Then, empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter preached boldly to them, explaining about Jesus Christ and God's plan of salvation.

The crowd was so moved when Peter told them of their part in Jesus' crucifixion that they asked the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37, NIV).

The right response, Peter told them, was to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. He promised that they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

6. Peter’s first sermon on the day of Pentecost brought what response? What was the question they asked Peter? What was his response?

At Pentecost, the disciples witness the birth of the New Testament church in the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell all believers. Thus the scene of the disciples in a room at Pentecost commences with the beginning of the Holy Spirit’s work in the church with the conclusion of Christ’s earthly ministry in the upper room before the crucifixion. Another aspect of the Day of Pentecost is the miraculous speaking in foreign tongues which enabled people from various language groups to understand the message of the apostles. In addition is the bold and incisive preaching of Peter to a Jewish audience. The effect of the sermon was powerful, as listeners were “cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37) and instructed by Peter to “repent, and be baptized” (Acts 2:38). The narrative concludes with three thousand souls being added to the fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayers, apostolic signs and wonders, and a utopian community formed in which everyone’s needs were met.

7. What was a common element of John the Baptist preaching, Jesus' preaching and Peter's? Do you hear that element in preaching today?

In Luke 3:3-4, we are told, "And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." Also in Matthew 3:1-3, "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Jesus himself said in Matthew 4:17: From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Even Peter emphasized on repentance. Peter  replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Very few people talk about repentance today.

8. The Bible says we have been given the “power" for salvation. Power over sin, power to resurrect. Give a Bible reference for each.

Jesus died on the cross so our sins could be forgiven but without His resurrection, God’s power to be a victor over sin and sin’s penalty would appear uncertain.

The Bible says that Jesus died for the sins of the world – but without the resurrection there would be no justification of our sins.

Romans 4:25 - He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.

Without Christ it is impossible to have forgiveness of sins and at death it is impossible for one to enter heaven.

Romans 6:9, "Christ rose from the dead and will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him".

The Resurrection secured our victory over death as well and "lifted us up from the grave into glory along with Christ, where we sit with him in the heavenly realms

Romans 6:5: For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Romans 8:11 – “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”

Romans 6:6,14 :Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

9. Is this power automatic or do we have to seek/yield to it? Explain your answer.

But this does not mean that every person is automatically saved.This is not automatic, for one must receive Christ. Salvation has always been through making a free will decision to trust God's promise concerning the person and work of the Messiah savior. One must accept Christ's work on his behalf by personal trust. since Christ paid for the sins of the whole world, it is God's responsibility to make the information about this salvation available. This is called the "drawing" of God by which He convicts through the Holy Spirit that man needs to trust in Christ. If someone has failed to trust in Christ during his lifetime on earth, his name is blotted out of the book of life and he will spend eternity separated from the Godhead in the lake of fire.

10. Read Rom 6:1-4,6,11, & 13 and relate them to (1) knowledge - understanding (2) reason - decision (3) acting - will
Which of these steps could be considered works? Explain

Romans 6 deals with:

v.1-not continuing in sin;
v.2-not living in sin;
v.4-walking in newness of life;
v.6-not serving sin (being a slave to it);
v.10-11-living unto God;
v.12-not letting sin rule over us;
v.13-serving God with our bodily members;
v.14-not being under the dominion of sin;
verses 19 and 22-holiness. The three key words in Romans 6 are these: 1) KNOW (v.3,6,9); 2) RECKON (v.11); 3) YIELD (v.13). First, the believer must KNOW THE FACTS! These facts center upon the death and resurrection of Christ (the facts of justification centered upon the very same gospel facts also--Rom. 4:25). These facts center upon what Christ has already accomplished by His death and resurrection (His FINISHED WORK). The emphasis is not upon what I do but upon what Christ has already done! Secondly, the believer must RECKON or COUNT ON THESE FACTS (consider them to be true). Faith is the key! Faith fixes itself upon the facts of God’s Word and counts them as true! Faith says "Amen" to the facts of God’s Word. Faith says, "Yes it is true. I am dead to sin and I am living unto God! I rejoice in this fact!" (compare verse 11). Thirdly, the believer in Christ is to  YIELD or present his bodily members to God as one who is ALIVE FROM THE DEAD (v.13). As a new creature in Christ he realizes that all that he has is to be presented to the service of the King of Kings!

Synoptic Gospels Bible Study Lesson 9

Synoptic Gospels Bible Study Lesson 9 Questions

1.Read Mt 20:18-19.

Jesus would be betrayed by Jewish authorities. Rejection by religious leadership of Israel is a central theme in Matthew. It is clear that Jesus took this course willingly. Jesus did not want this to be a surprise to the twelve.

Jewish leaders handed Jesus over for crucifixion because it was not legal for them to execute the death penalty (Jn 18:31). This is the first time Jesus referred to His death as crucifixion. Crucifixion was capital punishment. God by capital punishment on the cross provided sacrifice for man’s sin. Jesus was the ultimate Passover Lamb.

2.read Mt 20:28. What was Jesus' purpose in coming? How does this relate to His statement "seek and save the lost"?

Mt20:28:just as [Jesus is the ultimate example of leadership] the Son of Man [it was the humanity of Christ that paid for our sins] did not come to be served [although He deserved it],

Jesus is the outstanding example of service to others (Ph 2:7). We are to follow His example “just as” He served.

but to serve, and to give His life a ransom [payment] for many.”

Jesus gave Himself as a “ransom.” He gave Himself as a sacrifice for sin. A ransom is the price paid to redeem a slave. The price here is Christ’s own life. He paid with His life as a blood sacrifice.

The word “for” means in the place of. Jesus took our place. He took our hell that we might have His heaven. He personally paid for the penalty of our sins.

 Jesus paid the ransom to the Father so that He would satisfy payment for sin.

The doctrine of propitiation is the doctrine that God is satisfied with our sin issue because Christ fully paid the price for sin. That ransom is valid only for those who rest in Jesus’ cross to forgive and pay for their sins.

1 Co 6: 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Ga 3: 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us

Jesus didn't come to please the religious crowd. Jesus didn't come to pander to the social crowd. Jesus didn't come to hang out with the wild bunch. Instead, Jesus entered the world to save sinners. When we look back over the Gospel of Luke, we see Jesus reach out to men and women, young and old, powerful and forgotten, demon possessed, and the politically connected. He came to save sinners of all shapes, sizes, and stripes. He came to save you and me.

3.Did Jesus foreknow of His crucifixion? Who decided this and when was it decided?

We know from Scripture that God is omniscient, which literally means “all-knowing. Leave no doubt that God’s knowledge is infinite and that He knows everything that has happened in the past, is happening now, and will happen in the future. The crucifixion of Christ, as atonement for God’s people, was foreknown and foreordained by God. Luke 17:22 "And he said unto the disciples, The days will come,

when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye

shall not see [it]."

    Jesus is telling these disciples. I am with you now, but there

will come a time when I will not be with you. You will long to see me,

but I won't be there.

    Luke 17:23 "And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go

not after [them], nor follow [them]."

     In verse 22 above, we see that this message is to all followers

of Jesus for all time, because it said those who have disciplined

themselves to follow Jesus (the disciples). Throughout the ages every

Christian has longed to see Jesus. Verse 23 above is looking to our

time. Everyone is looking for Jesus. We must be careful not to look in

the wrong places. We are warned not to go looking for Jesus in any out

of the way places. We will see in the next verse where we will find

Him.

Jesus foreknew all the things that would happen at crucifixion and at His second coming.

4.As Jesus passed through Jericho He encountered Zaccheaus and Bartimeaus. What was common about these two encounters? Lu19:1-10 Those who sincerely desire a sight of Christ, like Zaccheus, will break through opposition, and take pains to see him. Christ invited himself to Zaccheus' house. Wherever Christ comes he opens the heart, and inclines it to receive him. He that has a mind to know Christ, shall be known of him. Those whom Christ calls, must humble themselves, and come down. We may well receive him joyfully, who brings all good with him. Zaccheus gave proofs publicly that he was become a true convert. He does not look to be justified by his works, as the Pharisee; but by his good works he will, through the grace of God, show the sincerity of his faith and repentance. Zaccheus is declared to be a happy man, now he is turned from sin to God. Now that he is saved from his sins, from the guilt of them, from the power of them, all the benefits of salvation are his. Christ is come to his house, and where Christ comes he brings salvation with him. He came into this lost world to seek and to save it. His design was to save, when there was no salvation in any other. He seeks those that sought him not, and asked not for him.

Mark 10:46-52: Bartimeus had heard of Jesus and his miracles, and learning that he was passing by, hoped to recover his eyesight. In coming to Christ for help and healing, we should look to him as the promised Messiah. The gracious calls Christ gives us to come to him, encourage our hope, that if we come to him we shall have what we come for. Those who would come to Jesus, must cast away the garment of their own sufficiency, must free themselves from every weight, and the sin that, like long garments, most easily besets them, Hebrews 12:1. He begged that his eyes might be opened. It is very desirable to be able to earn our bread; and where God has given men limbs and senses, it is a shame, by foolishness and slothfulness, to make themselves, in effect, blind and lame. His eyes were opened. Thy faith has made thee whole: faith in Christ as the Son of David, and in his pity and power; not thy repeated words, but thy faith; Christ setting thy faith to work. Let sinners be exhorted to imitate blind Bartimeus. Where the gospel is preached, or the written words of truth circulated, Jesus is passing by, and this is the opportunity. It is not enough to come to Christ for spiritual healing, but, when we are healed, we must continue to follow him; that we may honour him, and receive instruction from him. Those who have spiritual eyesight, see that beauty in Christ which will draw them to run after him.

5. Read Mt 23:37039; Luke 19:41; and 2 Peter 3:9. What are the common elements of these verses?

It is evident that our blessed Lord seriously and earnestly wished the salvation of the Jews. But let every one remember, that though Jesus wept over Jerusalem, he executed awful vengeance upon it. Though he delights not in the death of a sinner, yet he will surely bring to pass his awful threatenings on those who neglect his salvation. A reason why the last day does not come too soon, because God patiently waits until all the elect are brought to repentance, that none of them may perish.

6.Do these three verses imply that the people of Jerusalem had the freedom and ability to come to Jesus? Do they imply that this was His desire?

Christ wished that salvation of Jerusalem; his will was for them to be saved: he sought to influence their wills to make a choice of salvation, but they would not. So God still is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2Pe 3:9), but there are many who will not come to Christ that they might have life .While God wills the salvation of men, he does not destroy free agency by coercing the human will, but says: Whosoever will, let him come.

7.Read the parable of the two sons, wicked tenants, and wedding feast. What in each parable could represent Israel? In each case did the individual have the freedom to decide? Jesus’ parable of the vineyard ((Matthew 21:33-41; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-18), along with many of His prophecies, warns Israel that it is about to carry out the most decisive act of rebellion. In spite of its rebellion, the vineyard had been plundered but never taken from Israel.

In the Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32), The basic story is of a man with two sons who told them to go work in the vineyard. The first son refused, but later obeyed and went. The second son initially expressed obedience, but actually disobeyed and refused to work in the vineyard. The son who ultimately did the will of his father was the first son because he eventually obeyed. Jesus then likens the first son to tax collectors and prostitutes—the outcasts of Jewish society—because they believed John the Baptist and accepted “the way of righteousness” (v. 32), in spite of their initial disobedience to the Law. It is in this context that Jesus tells three parables—the Two Sons, the Tenants, and the Wedding Feast. Each of these parables is told to the Jewish religious leaders, each illustrates their rejection of Jesus, and each pronounces judgment on Israel for their rejection of their Messiah. In the Parable of the Two Sons, the leaders of Israel are the second son who claimed obedience, but did not do the will of the father.

8.How could you relate these three parables to Hebrews 8 where Israel broke the covenant with God?

Heb 8:10 This is the covenant I will make after those days - After the Mosaic dispensation is abolished. I will put my laws in their minds - I will open their eyes, and enlighten their understanding, to see the true, full, spiritual meaning thereof. And write them on their hearts - So that they shall inwardly experience whatever I have commanded. And I will be to them a God - Their all - sufficient portion, and exceeding great reward. And they shall be to me a people - My treasure, my beloved, loving, and obedient children.

Even in 3 parables ,they forgot, or rejected their covenant .

9.Read parables of talents, bridesmaids, and sheep & goats. What are these parables about? How do they relate to rev 20:11-15?

10.In Mt 20-25 are not all the people in these parables represented a shaving the ability to choose and are they not held accountable for their choices?

Mt 20-25 :Pagan rulers relish power. They relish greatness and dominance. They exercise dictatorship as their style of leadership.

as Mark expresses it, "they which are accounted", or "seem to rule over the Gentiles": who know not God, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, who neither serve and obey him, or have any dependence on him, but assume a power of governing others, take upon them to rule the nations of the world, and are acknowledged as such by them: these claim a superiority over others, and exercise lordly power over them; and they that are their great ones, their lords, and nobles under them; these also assert a preeminence, and exercise authority on those that are below them; which they have received from those that are above them: this is the usual way and method of the governments of the kingdoms of this world: wherefore, for the apostles to affect and desire a superiority to each other, in the kingdom of Christ, was to imitate the Gentiles, and to act according to worldly forms of government; which is very unsuitable to the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, whose kingdom is spiritual, and not of this world.

Synoptic Gospels Bible Study Lesson 8

Synoptic Gospels Bible Study Lesson 8 Questions

1.How does Luke 15:2 relate to the three parables that follow?

Luke 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. The parable of the lost sheep is very applicable to the great work of man's redemption. The lost sheep represents the sinner as departed from God, and exposed to certain ruin if not brought back to him, yet not desirous to return. Christ is earnest in bringing sinners home. In the parable of the lost piece of silver, that which is lost, is one piece, of small value compared with the rest. Yet the woman seeks diligently till she finds it. This represents the various means and methods God makes use of to bring lost souls home to himself, and the Saviour's joy on their return to him. How careful then should we be that our repentance is unto salvation. Three parables of the same import: for the sheep, the piece of silver, and the lost son, all declare (in direct contrariety to the Pharisees and scribes) in what manner God receiveth sinners.

2.What are the common elements of the three parables?

 The three parables of Luke 15 have to do with finding what was lost, the Parable of the Lost and Found Sheep, the Parable of the Lost and Found Drachma (Coin) and the Parable of the Lost and Found Son (commonly called the Prodigal Son). parables are told in response to criticism of Jesus for eating with sinners (15:1-2). The parables teach on God’s infinite love and mercy, rebuke Jesus’ critics and defend his actions. We are so important to God. The power of God’s desire for us breaks throughhuman barriers, such as those imposed by the Pharisees and scribes (15:2).

3.How does the statement "joy in heaven when a sinner repents" in first two parables relate to "prodigal son"?

Luke 15:1-7: “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Applying  Scripture, so to speak, the purpose of the Law was not to deliver “ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance”.  Rather, the purpose of the Law was to “shut up everyone under sin”, to temporarily keep us “in custody”, and to be “our tutor to lead us to Christ”.  Again, applying Scripture, so to speak, the purpose of the Law was to corral the Lost Sheep until they could be picked up by the Good Shepherd. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” Instead of condemnation, there is rejoicing for a son who had been dead but now is alive, who once was lost but now is found.

4.Who is the father a picture of? Who is the young son a picture of?

Luke 15:11-24 says the story of prodigal son. Within that parable Jesus reveals God's prodigal grace toward both the irreligious and the moralistic. That father represents the unsearchable grace of God, a grace that rejoices prodigally. This was true of the older son who worked hard, obeyed his father, and brought no disgrace to his family or townspeople. It is obvious by his words and actions, upon his brothers return, that he is not showing love for his father or brother. One of the duties of the eldest son would have included reconciliation between the father and his son. He would have been the host at the feast to celebrate his brother’s return. Yet he remains in the field instead of in the house where he should have been. This act alone would have brought public disgrace upon the father. Still, the father, with great patience, goes to his angry and hurting son. He does not rebuke him as his actions and disrespectful address of his father warrant (vs.29, “Look,” he says, instead of addressing him as “father” or “my lord”), nor does his compassion cease as he listens to his complaints and criticisms. The boy appeals to his father's righteousness by proudly proclaiming his own self-righteousness in comparison to his brother’s sinfulness .By saying, “This son of yours,” the older brother avoids acknowledging that the prodigal is his own brother (vs. 30). Just like the Pharisees, the older brother was defining sin by outward actions, not inward attitudes (Luke 18:9-14). In essence, the older brother is saying that he was the one worthy of the celebration, and his father had been ungrateful for all his work. Now the one who had squandered his wealth was getting what he, the older son, deserved. The father tenderly addresses his oldest as “my son” (vs. 31) and corrects the error in his thinking by referring to the prodigal son as “this brother of yours” (vs. 32). The father’s response, “We had to celebrate,” suggests that the elder brother should have joined in the celebration, as there seems to be a sense of urgency in not postponing the celebration of the brother’s return.

The older brother’s focus was on himself, and as a result there is no joy in his brother’s arrival home. He is so consumed with issues of justice and equity that he fails to see the value of his brother’s repentance and return. He fails to realize that “anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.

5.How does the freedom granted to the young son relate to the freedom granted to Adam & Eve? when a repentant sinner “comes to his senses” and longs to return to the state of fellowship with God which was lost when Adam sinned (Genesis 3:8). God gave Adam and Eve the gift of moral agency 3—the freedom of choice--and God gave them laws pertaining to their unique situation. Two of those laws were:

“Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” 4

Do not eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. 5

Laws have blessings and consequences.

The consequence for partaking of the forbidden fruit was physical death: “in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Another consequence follows every broken law—spiritual death, which is the separation of man from God, because “no unclean thing can dwell with God. Satan would have us misuse our freedom of choice and sin, which always leads to misery, hardness of heart, spiritual blindness, and temporal and spiritual destruction, according to the captivity of the devil, 7 for certainly “the wages of sin are death.” If we misuse our freedom of choice and sin, we can repent and be forgiven and redeemed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The freedom of the prodigal son who spent his inheritance satisfying his own desires (Luke 15:11 32). This freedom ends in slavery, for there is nothing more insidious than the unrelenting struggle to satisfy our own desires.

6.In the parable look at the steps the young son goes through - relate them to the steps of repentance.

The parable begins with a young man, the younger of two sons, who asks his father to give him his share of the estate. The parable continues by describing how the younger son travels to a distant country and wastes all his money in wild living. When a famine strikes, he becomes desperately poor and is forced to take work as a swineherd. When he reaches the point of envying the pigs he is looking after, he finally comes to his senses:

But when he came to himself he said, "How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough to spare, and I'm dying with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.'"

He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.– Luke 15:17-20

The son does not even have time to finish his rehearsed speech, since the father calls for his servants to dress him in a fine robe, a ring, and sandals, and slaughter the "fattened calf" for a celebratory meal. The older son, who was at work in the fields, hears the sound of celebration, and is told about the return of his younger brother. He is not impressed, and becomes angry:

But he answered his father, "Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this, your son, came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him."– Luke 15:29-30

The parable concludes with the father explaining that because the younger son had returned, in a sense, from the dead, celebration was necessary:

"But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found."– Luke 15:32 He had gone out and wasted his living in the things of this life. He was dead; now he was alive. He had come to himself, and returned unto his father’s house and into his father’s service. He was alive. He "was lost, and is found."
This parable teaches the true meaning of repentance, which is the first evidence of new birth. The Lord Jesus began by preaching the gospel of the kingdom saying, "Repent." The first word in the gospel is repent. The first sign, or the first evidence, of true spiritual life is repentance. First, there is a change of attitude. There’s a change of values.

7.What represents grace and what represents faith in the parable of the prodigal? Who is responsible for each?

Lord used the parable in response to the criticism, the two brothers represent the Pharisees and the sinners. In telling the story, Jesus identifies Himself with God in His loving attitude to the lost. The younger son symbolizes the lost (the tax collectors and sinners of that day, Luke 15:1), and the elder brother represents the self-righteous (the Pharisees and teachers of the law of that day, Luke 15:2). This prodigal son was satisfied to return home as a slave, but to his surprise and delight is restored back into the full privilege of being his father’s son. He had been transformed from a state of destitution to complete restoration. That is what God's grace does for a penitent sinner.

8.Did the father force the son to return? What was the father's response and relate to God's response when a sinner repents.

His earlier claim that “there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 who don’t need to” (Luke 15:7), was obviously aimed at those same Pharisees, and the older brother’s behavior mirrors their self-righteous attitude toward the Lord’s dinner companions. Even in the midst of our very worst rebellion, we can’t stop being our Father’s children. Like the Prodigal son, we may yield up our privileges for a time but we can never lose our position in the family of God. Instead of rebuking his son, the father patiently grants him his request. This is a picture of God letting a sinner go his own way. The son begins to reflect on his condition and realizes that even his father's servants had it better than he. His painful circumstances help him to see his father in a new light and bring him hope. No Father did not force his son to return. He realizes he had no right to claim a blessing upon return to his father’s household, nor does he have anything to offer, except a life of service, in repentance of his previous actions. With that, he is prepared to fall at his father’s feet and hope for forgiveness and mercy. This is exactly what conversion is all about: ending a life of slavery to sin through confession to the Father and faith in Jesus Christ and becoming a slave to righteousness, offering one’s body as a living sacrifice. Jesus portrays the father as waiting for his son, perhaps daily searching the distant road, hoping for his appearance. The father notices him while he was still a long way off. The father’s compassion assumes some knowledge of the son’s pitiful state, possibly from reports sent home. When the father reaches his son, not only does he throw his arms around him, but he also greets him with a kiss of love. He is so filled with joy at his son’s return that he doesn’t even let him finish his confession. Nor does he question or lecture him; instead, he unconditionally forgives him and accepts him back into fellowship. The father running to his son, greeting him with a kiss and ordering the celebration is a picture of how our Heavenly Father feels towards sinners who repent. God greatly loves us, patiently waits for us to repent so he can show us His great mercy, because he does not want any to perish nor escape as though by the fire

9.How would you compare 2 Chron 7:14 to the parable of the prodigal? Who is responsible for what? God and man?

God promises to receive those who return with repentant hearts. As the father of the prodigal "ran to meet him," God always meets us at least half-way. We see in this prodigal son story the graciousness of the father overshadowing the sinfulness of the son, as it is the memory of the father’s goodness that brings the prodigal son to repentance. God is pleading with us to repent. He greatly desires that we turn to him. He is patiently waiting on us. Repentance is a change of heart and a change of mind. We must make up our mind to stop living life our way and start living it God's way. It is making up our mind that henceforth we are going to serve God with all our might and do everything He says. The parable of the prodigal son shows the nature of repentance, and the Lord's readiness to welcome and bless all who return to him. It fully sets forth the riches of gospel grace; and it has been, and will be, while the world stands, of unspeakable use to poor sinners, to direct and to encourage them in repenting and returning to God. It is bad, and the beginning of worse, when men look upon God's gifts as debts due to them. The great folly of sinners, and that which ruins them, is, being content in their life-time to receive their good things. To look unto God as a Father, and our Father, will be of great use in our repentance and return to him.

10.How does David's response to his sin with Bathsheba (Ps 51 & 32) relate to the prodigal? Who was responsible for David's response? God or David?

David’s lust for women and his idleness contributed to his committing adultery with Bathsheba. David had to condemn his own sin before he could find forgiveness. Bathsheba was the "daughter of

Eliam" and the "wife of Uriah the Hittite." (2 Sam. 11:3) Now David not only commits premeditated adultery with Bathsheba, but betrays the confidence of his closest bodyguards, Uriah and Eliam, and insults the trust of his counselor Ahithophel. Uriah's

house was adjacent to the palace as a reward for Uriah's faithful service to the king. It is likely that David had observed beautiful Bathsheba many times in royal banquets in his palace.David responded to his guilt with remorseful lament and true heartfelt repentance as we can clearly see in Psalm 51.  When he was told that the child of this

pregnancy would die he fasted and prayed that the Lord would spare the child's life.  When the child died David arose, stopped grieving and broke the fast.  At the child's death David stopped fasting and arose and went about his normal business assuming that his sin and its consequences were over.

David experienced those lifelong consequences for his sin with Bathsheba, including that he would not be approved to build the temple.  But he also reaped the whirlwind with the sins of his son Solomon, (son of Bathsheba) and the generations that followed reaped

the misery of a divided kingdom.  Each of their sins led to the Babylonian Captivity.

When we confess our sins the Lord is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  But it is not over. God will not stop the natural consequences that our sins reap.  We will reap what we sow.  Our sins will affect the course of our lives and the lives of those around us. David sinned against bathsheba and repented so as prodigal son repented for his sins.

Bible Doctrine Lesson 4

Bible Doctrine Lesson 4

Restoration: By the "Seed of Eve" and the "Lamb of God"

In the previous Biblical doctrine lesson (lesson 3), we saw that God created man (Adam) and gave him dominion (freedom) over God's creation (the earth). In that lesson we also saw that Adam and Eve disobeyed God (sinned) and were separated from God (punished). Genesis chapter three not only tells about the first sin, but also God's plan of restoration.

After the fall (sin of Adam and eve) God makes a promise to Satan, Eve, and all mankind. That promise is about a "seed of Eve" who will crush the head of Satan. The Bible traces this "seed promise" through Eve, Abraham, and David.

Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

This "seed of Eve" later becomes the promise to Abraham when in Gen 12:3 God says "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

In Gal 3:16 the Bible states "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ."

In 1Ch 17:11-12 we that the "seed" promise to Eve and Abraham becomes the "seed" promised to David, "And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go [to be] with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me an house, and I will establish his throne forever." (God speaking to David)

The seed of Abraham was not Isaac but Christ. The seed of David was not Solomon but Christ. Isaac and Solomon were the human seed bearers, Christ was the ultimate "Seed".

Also the Bible is full of "parallels", that is the concept where the same thing or concept is mentioned in multiple forms (illustrations). For example in Genesis chapter three the concept of the "Seed" and the "coat of skins" both represent Christ.

The concept of the "coat of skins" (death of an animal) quickly explodes into a "sacrificial system" that provides for a substitute for God's requirement of "eat of tree of knowledge" and die. Jesus later becomes that ultimate substitutional sacrifice. The exodus story of Israel from Egypt starting in the book Exodus and ending in the book Joshua is a picture (type) of the salvation story of how a Christian is delivered from bondage of sin by the "Passover Lamb", Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

In John1:29 John the Baptist says "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" referring to Jesus. In the book of Revelation God's Word says "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing". (Rev 5:12) The whole Bible is a story about how Jesus becomes the "last Adam" and is both the "Seed" and the "Lamb". Sin enters mankind by the way of the first Adam and is purged from man by the blood of the last Adam who is Christ.

1 Cor 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.

1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Do some additional research on the concept of Christ as that promised "Seed" and the "Lamb of God". This research should increase your understanding how the Bible has a single thread from cover to cover, Genesis to Revelation with the message, "nothing but Jesus and Him crucified".
The promise to Abraham was also made by God to “the fathers” of Israel, Abraham, Issac and Jacob and constitutes the second of the three great promises that God has made.
Abraham’s faithful obedience was rewarded by further details being revealed to him.
Here is an outline of the promise and it’s different aspects:

• The initial promise given at UR – Genesis 12:2-3
• Abraham would become a great nation and a great name.
• God would bless those that blessed him and curse those that cursed him
• That in Abraham eventually ALL natians will be blessed.
• After entering the land God was to show him Abraham was then given the following promise at Sichem (Shechem) – Genesis 12:7
• Abraham would have children (seed) who would inherit the land
• After an example of Abraham’s unselfish attitude, where Abraham gave his nephew, Lot, first choice over which land he could go and graze his cattle on, these further revelations occur at Bethel- Genesis 13:14-17
• Abraham and his seed would inherit the land of Israel forever
• His seed would be multitudinous
• When Abraham showed that he believed in God (Genesis 15:6), further developments in the promise are made at Hebron – Genesis 15:1-12+17-20:
• God makes a covenant with Abraham by sacrifice.
• The boundaries of the land which God would give to Abraham and his seed are defined.
• After Abraham passed a great test of faith given to him by God, where he demonstrated that he was prepared to scarifice his only beloved son, Isaac, for God, the final installments of the promise are made on Mount Moriah – Genesis 2215-19:
• That Abraham’s seed would possess the gate of his enemies (this phrase means to be victorious over them – see Psalm 110:1)
• That in this seed all natians would be blessed.
• The promise was confirmed by an oath from God.

These promises were also repeated to Abraham’s son, Isaac and to Isaac’s son Jacob – see Genesis 26:2-24, 28:3-14, 46:3 and 24:4.

What does the promise to Abraham mean?

The seed of Abraham

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Galatians 3:16
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1
The above verses show the importance and meaning of the promise to Abraham. Jesus Christ is the promised seed! The land of Israel was promised to Abraham and to his seed, Jesus Christ. How can others share in this promise?
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise”. Galatians 3:26-29
So a belief, or a faith, in Jesus Christ and an understanding of these promises enable us to be heirs of the promise to Abraham! As Peter puts it:
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”. 2 Peter 1:4
The Bible teaches that by belief and baptism, a person is considered as being “IN CHRIST” who in turn is Abraham’s seed – the promise from God is that “IN THY SEED shall all nations be blessed”. Abraham’s seed then was firstly a singular aspect (Christ) but it also has a multitudinous aspect (believers in the promises through Christ), who are as the “sand and stars” for multitude.

The natural seed of Abraham

So what of the natural descendants of Abraham? How can we be sure the promise is not to them? Consider these verses:
“Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen (The non Jews) through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” Galatians 3:7-9
“And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” Matthew 3:9
“Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children.. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” Romans 9:5-8
“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Romans 3:27-31
The above verses clearly show that to be a natural descendant of Abraham is not enough, a belief in the promises and that they have and will be fulfilled in Jesus Christ enables anybody to be associated with them. This is the gospel.
When Jesus is called the Lamb of God in John 1:29 and John 1:36, it is referring to Him as the perfect and ultimate sacrifice for sin. In order to understand who Christ was and what He did, we must begin with the Old Testament, which contains prophecies concerning the coming of Christ as a “guilt offering” (Isaiah 53:10). In fact, the whole sacrificial system established by God in the Old Testament set the stage for the coming of Jesus Christ, who is the perfect sacrifice God would provide as atonement for the sins of His people (Romans 8:3; Hebrews 10).

The sacrifice of lambs played a very important role in the Jewish religious life and sacrificial system. When John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), the Jews who heard him might have immediately thought of any one of several important sacrifices. With the time of the Passover feast being very near, the first thought might be the sacrifice of the Passover lamb. The Passover feast was one of the main Jewish holidays and a celebration in remembrance of God’s deliverance of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. In fact, the slaying of the Passover lamb and the applying of the blood to doorposts of the houses (Exodus 12:11-13) is a beautiful picture of Christ’s atoning work on the cross. Those for whom He died are covered by His blood, protecting us from the angel of (spiritual) death.

Another important sacrifice involving lambs was the daily sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem. Every morning and evening, a lamb was sacrificed in the temple for the sins of the people (Exodus 29:38-42). These daily sacrifices, like all others, were simply to point people towards the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross. In fact, the time of Jesus’ death on the cross corresponds to the time the evening sacrifice was being made in the temple. The Jews at that time would have also been familiar with the Old Testament prophets Jeremiah and Isaiah, who foretold the coming of One who would be brought “like a lamb led to the slaughter” (Jeremiah 11:19; Isaiah 53:7) and whose sufferings and sacrifice would provide redemption for Israel. Of course, that person was none other than Jesus Christ, “the Lamb of God.”

While the idea of a sacrificial system might seem strange to us today, the concept of payment or restitution is still one we can easily understand. We know that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and that our sin separates us from God. We also know the Bible teaches we are all sinners and none of us is righteous before God (Romans 3:23). Because of our sin, we are separated from God, and we stand guilty before Him. Therefore, the only hope we can have is if He provides a way for us to be reconciled to Himself, and that is what He did in sending His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross. Christ died to make atonement for sin and to pay the penalty of the sins of all who believe in Him.

It is through His death on the cross as God’s perfect sacrifice for sin and His resurrection three days later that we can now have eternal life if we believe in Him. The fact that God Himself has provided the offering that atones for our sin is part of the glorious good news of the gospel that is so clearly declared in 1 Peter 1:18-21: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”

nothing but Jesus and Him crucified :1 Corinthians 2:2: Christ, in his person, and offices, and sufferings, is the sum and substance of the gospel, and ought to be the great subject of a gospel minister's preaching, but not so as to leave out other parts of God's revealed truth and will. Paul preached the whole counsel of God. Few know the fear and trembling of faithful ministers, from a deep sense of their own weakness They know how insufficient they are, and are fearful for themselves. When nothing but Christ crucified is plainly preached, the success must be entirely from Divine power accompanying the word, and thus men are brought to believe, to the salvation of their souls.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.