FUNDAMENTALS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
BIBLE STUDY
FUNDAMENTALS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
INTRODUCTION
A careful observation of the current events in our society and in the world at large will reveal a major deviation from the TRUTH and almost a total departure from the GOD of HOLINESS and RIGHTEOUSNESS Isaiah 59:10-15. These factors, deviation and departure, have adversely affected our world of today to the tone and level of innumerable degrees of wickedness. Churches and Christian Ministries keep springing up every now and then, yet wickedness and vices are in the increase. Hardly will someone cover a distance of three or four poles along any street before one will locate a sign-board of a church. Sometimes, two different churches or ministries may be sharing one compound or even struggling for one building, allotting different periods for services to themselves. What are all these, a spirit filled Believer will ask? Confusion! There are many Cathedrals today, many Local Assemblies, many church structural Edifice and many camping grounds YET the ratio of the Born-Again among the teaming crowd inside the various churches of today is not only very low and inconsequential BUT is tending to a vanishing point. What is wrong? Something is responsible and that is the aim of this study, to direct us, the Christians to the tenet of our faith.
The Pentecostals who once accused, ridiculed and spiritually downgraded the Orthodox Churches are worst of same spiritual lethargy today. The problem of weak foundation or no foundation at all has plagued most of the Christian Ministries as well as the issue of misplacement of emphasis and priorities, in addition to the pursuit of wrong and ungodly goals for selfish interest. There is therefore a very serious and urgent need to re-locate the fundamentals of our faith, uphold and enforce same among ourselves and our converts. 1 Tim 4:16. Teachings on the fundamentals of our faith will go a long way in the process of making disciples of All Nations, which was our Master?s Command before He went back to Heaven. For simplicity, this topic is to be treated under the following sub-headings as listed below:
(a) Meaning of being Born-Again
(b) Assurance of Salvation
(c) Growth.
(i) Knowing God
(ii) Quiet Time
(iii) The personality of Jesus Christ
(iv) Christian Fellowship
(v) Witnessing
(vi) Test of faith (Persecution).
(a) MEANING OF BEING BORN AGAIN: TEXT: John 3:1-7
The term ?Born-Again? is commonly used among believers in Christ Jesus, but many do not know the meaning of it. They assume and think that when anyone starts attending a church or joins the people of God to worship in a Sunday Service, automatically the person becomes a born-again. Some have the wrong belief that if they drop or abandon some of their sins and wicked acts, then this half repentance makes them to become Born-Again. This last category of people erroneously believe that repentance is in stages. No, none of the above is the correct meaning, but it is a spiritual or Biblical terms that connotes a change or transformation of life from one spiritual realm to another realm, from the carnal and dead nature to the spiritual and living nature. It is a process that involves rebirth which means that the first birth (physical birth through which we came into the world) is not the only birth that a man will undergo especially if he or she must relate well with his or her Maker. Being Born-Again in another sense means spiritual circumcision. Rom. 2:29. This is the removal of the false skin of the heart otherwise known as the coating of sin upon the spirit of man. This coating inhibits the receptivity and sensitivity of the spirit of man to the real life of God.
For more understanding, answers to the following thoughtfully designed questions as listed below will be of immense help.
(a) What does it mean to be born again?
Answer: It means to be born not of blood, nor of the will of
the flesh, nor of the will of man but of God. John 1:13
It means to receive the spirit of adoption. Rom 8:15, Gal. 4:5
It means to be born of the spirit of God. John 3:8, Gal. 4:6
It means the inward circumcision of the heart by the Holy Spirit. Rom. 2:29.
It means a change of life from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God?s marvelous Light. 1 Peter 2:9
It means to be dead to sin and alive unto righteousness. Rom. 6:1-2, 18; 7:6
(b) Why do we need to be born again?
Answer:
We need to be born again because the nature of the first birth ? physical birth is corrupted and stained with sin and iniquity. Psalm 51:5, Eph. 2:3.
We need to be born again so that we can be cleansed from all iniquities and our hearts be purged from all evils. Psalm 51:7; 1 John 1:8-9; Heb. 9:14.
We need to be born again so that our stony hearts will go and we shall receive from the LORD hearts of flesh and His Holy Spirit. Ezek. 36:25-27.
We need to be born again so that we can have control over our flesh (our carnal nature, habits, desires, evil inclinations etc.) Rom. 6:14; 8:2.
We need to born again so that we can meet God?s conditions for service in His Vineyard. Ezek. 36:27, Luke 1:74-75, 1 Pet. 1:14-17; 22-23.
(c) By what means can we be born again?
Answer:
One can be born again by the means of the word of Truth which one receives into one's heart. James 1:18, 1 Pet. 1:23.
Another means by which one can be born again is the Holy Spirit Operation in one's heart after receiving the Word of God. Jn. 3:5-6; Titus 3:5. Summarily, the WORD of GOD and the HOLY SPIRIT are the sole agent of conversion while the third agent is the preacher who carries the WORD OF GOD to the sinner.
(d) What must one do to be born again?
The following procedure must be observed and upheld sequentially.
Step 1:
In humility, one must acknowledge one's sins before God. Luke 18:13-14; Isaiah 6:5, Psalm 51:5.
Step 2:
One must be ready to abandon or do away with one's sins, cut off from one?s sin-partner as well as from any Anti-Christ groups, e.g. occult societies. Luke 3:12-14; 19:8; Acts 19:19; Col. 3:8-9.
Step 3
One must confess one's sins to God. Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 19:18
Step 4:
One must repent, that is, be remorseful of one's sins and forsake them from one's heart in order to receive pardon from God. Acts 3:19, Isaiah 55:7.
Step 5:
One must believe that Jesus Christ died for one's sins on the cross of Calvary, buried and rose again from the dead for one's justification Rom. 4:25; 10:11; 14:9.
Step 6:
One must invite Jesus Christ into one?s life, receive Him and accommodate Him in one's heart as Lord and saviour. John 1:12; Rev. 3:20.
(e) How can others know that one is born again?
The one that is born again will manifest the under listed qualities. He or she lives a righteous and fulfilled Christian life. 1 John 2:29.
The person does not practice sin again. 1 John 3:9; 5:18
He or she loves God and others, 1 John 4:7-8.
He or she aspires to live a victorious life daily. 1 John 5:4
The person prays always. 1 Thess. 5:17
The person studies the Bible daily. John 5:39; 1 Peter 2:2-3
He or she keeps himself or herself pure. 1 John 3:3
He or she advertises Jesus Christ before men and equally directs men, women, boys and girls to his or her saviour Jesus Christ. John 4:29-30.
I urge you therefore, be born again because those who are born again and maintain their born again experience till the end will not face the second death. Rev. 21:8. When you are born once, you will die twice but if you are born twice you will die once, and second death has no power over you. Rev. 20:6.
B. ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
It is important to note that the birth of any new born-babe into this physical world is a definite event, so also is the issue of the second birth (spiritual birth) into the spiritual family of Godhead which only can take place in Christ Jesus. We should know that God Almighty is true to His Word and cannot lie, therefore, we must believe what God had said in His Holy Word, the Bible. Salvation is of the LORD and is for those who sincerely come and call upon the name of God Almighty through His only begotten son, Jesus Christ. If you come to Jesus, you are saved but if you reject Him, the wrath of God abides on you. John 3:16, 36. For further explanations, let us consider the questions below and their possible answers.
(a) How can one be sure that one is saved and has eternal life?
Answer: There will be a manifestation of God?s Eternal Power in
one?s life after one has believed the gospel. John 1:12.
There will be a feeling of release, inner freedom because of the Spirit of Christ Jesus that one has received and this will have an outward effect on one?s physical body. In some people, the ailment they have suffered for too long will just disappear unnoticed. The yoke of bondage is broken because of the presence of the Holy Spirit that now occupies one?s heart or human spirit. This experience will be accompanied with an inner witness of joy that one is now a child of God. One will be bold to declare it and it will make more meaning to oneself than just ordinary or empty saying. Fear of the powers of darkness is gone. Rom. 8:15-17.
Furthermore, there will be an inner tendency in oneself to separate from unholy affairs in order not to be blamed before God. To please God becomes of paramount importance. Eph. 1:3-4.
There will be serious hunger for the Word of God in the life of such a one. He or she cannot stay a whole day without studying and meditating on the Word of God, the Holy Bible. 1 Peter 2:2-3.
Another important acid-test is that if you were once a toy or a handkerchief in the hands of the devils, the witches and wizards oppress you, suck your blood at will every now and then, or the occult world has pinned you down that nothing will work out good for you, when you become born again, there is a change of Master and Ownership. The Almighty Father who is greater than all, will hand you over to His son Jesus Christ who is the Head of all Principalities and Powers, both in heaven and on earth and under the earth. Then those oppressions and attacks will stop because Jesus Christ is now your New Master. The enemies cannot suck your blood anymore nor eat your flesh again. God Almighty will also start to speak to you through His Word (Bible) and you will hear His voice and will be eager to follow Him as one of His sheep. John 10:27-29.
(b) Could there be any further evidence of salvation?
Answer: In a person who is saved, there are still some further manifestations or evidence in the person?s life, such as:
(i) The person will be hungry for God and His word. Psalm 63:1-3; 42:1-2; Jer. 15:16.
(ii) The person is eager to practice the word of God. Psalm 119:11, 16; 1 John 2:3
(iii) He or she loves the fellowship of the brethren. Psalm 122:1; Heb. 10:25
(iv) He or she prays always. Psalm 5:1-3
(v) He or she praises God always. Psalm 34:1-3
(vi) He or she will observe that the practice of the old nature is gone. 2 Cor. 5:17
(vii) The person enjoys an inner peace with God. John 14:27, Psalm 119:165
(viii) The person will have the joy of forgiveness of one?s sins. Eph. 1:6-7
(c) GROWTH
Growth is synonymous with life and it takes only the living beings to grow. As it happens in the physical, the same is obtainable in the spiritual realm. Now that you are born again, you should reckon also yourself to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 6:11. Since we are
alive unto God, there is the need to grow in the Spirit of Christ unto maturity. The basic elements for spiritual growth can be tapped from the following sub-headings below.
(i) KNOWING GOD
The knowledge of God makes a lot of difference in the life of any person irrespective of the race, age or status. God is the beginning and the ending, He is the first and the last. Rev. 1:8. Having the true knowledge of God means eternal life for that individual who upholds that knowledge and lives by it. John 17:3. The Bible teaches about the existence of God and His power and those who do not believe these Biblical facts are regarded as fools. Psalms 14:1. As in our earlier adopted approach, we shall answer some questions in order to elucidate the issue under discussion. It is an obvious fact that most people in the world believe that God exists but they do not know Him. Acts 17:23.
(a) Do you know God, if yes, who is God?
Answer: God is the creator of heaven and earth. Gen. 1:1; Acts 17:24. God is self-existing, does not depend on any being in order to live, rather He gives life to all, breath and all things to His creature. Acts 17:25; John 5:26. further still, God is a Spirit, He has no flesh and blood. John 4:24.
(b) How can one truly know God?
Answer: One can truly know God by knowing His begotten son, Jesus Christ who is in the bosom of the Father. Jesus replied Philip and said ?Have I been so long time with you, and yet has thou not know me Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father, and how sayest thou then, show us the Father:??. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me. John 1:18; 14:7-11. Therefore, deliberate effort to know more about Jesus Christ is a step in the right direction to discover whom the Father is. John 5:39.
(c) What differentiate God from idols?
Answer: The LORD is the true God, the Living God, the Everlasting King and HE is the God of wonders. But the idols are vanity, the work of errors, and they shall perish from the earth and from under heaven. Idols have no life in them. Jer. 10:10-15. Acts 14:15.
(d) Why do we need to know our God?
Answer: We have to know our God very well so that we can be strong spiritually in order to shine for Him anywhere we go and be His true ambassadors. Daniel 11:32b;
Secondly, knowing God means eternal life for those who acquire the knowledge of this Holy God. John 17:3.
(e) Has God some special qualities?
Answer: Yes, Almighty God has some special qualities which we refer to as the Attributes of God. These qualities are peculiar with God alone, such as
1. He is Eternal, that is, God has no beginning and no ending. Psalms 102:24-27; 1 Tim. 1:17.
2. He is unchangeable. He cannot change with the changing world, never depreciates in His nature as God and shall never grow old. Mal. 3:6; James 1:17; Heb. 1:10-12
3. He is Omnipotent, that is, God can do all things. Jer. 32:27, Job 42:2
4. He is Omnipresent, that is, God is everywhere. Jer. 23:23-24; 1 King 8:27.
5. He is Omniscient, that is, God knows everything. Dan. 2:22, Job 26:6
ii) QUIET TIME
Text: Psalms 5:1-3; 88:13
Quiet Time is a period of time set aside by an individual or a family in order to fellowship with God. It should be a time that is almost free from all kinds of distraction and for most people, their quiet time is usually very early in the morning and very late in the night when they are about to sleep. In other words, it is a time of devotion to God. Quiet time should not be observed as a routine or for formality but should be observed as a spiritual exercise which must come up regularly to build up the individual as well as the family that care for it.
(a) Why should we have or observe a quiet time?
Answer: We observe a quiet time so as to fellowship with the LORD and at the same time renew our strength. Isaiah 40:31.
Quiet time ushers us into God?s presence, where we derive His joy. Psalm 16:11.
(b) What does quiet time comprise?
Answer: Quiet time comprises the following: Worship ? Psalm 95:6-7; Thanksgiving ? Psalm 119:62; Prayer ? Psalm 5:1-3; Luke 6:12; Study and meditation of the word of God ? Psalm 1:2; Joshua 1:8; Jere. 15:16.
(c) What materials do you need for quiet time?
Answer: The Holy Bible, a notebook, a Biro or pen, a dictionary and a study guide eg. Our Daily Bread.
(d) How can one prepare well for a quiet time?
Answer: One must avoid sleeping very late at night. One must be fully awake, not a time to doze off. Silence must be observed and high degree of concentration maintained. Psalm 46:10a
iii) THE PERSONALITY OF JESUS CHRIST
TEXT: Phil. 3:9-14
In this section, we want to define personality as qualities that make up somebody?s character, by which the person is known. Therefore, in considering the personality of Jesus Christ, we will look at His exceptional qualities that distinguish Him from others such as His Divine Origin, meaning of His Name, His Sinless Nature, Power in His Name, Power in Action and His Interest. It is the aim of this study, that through the help of the Holy Spirit we might be exposed to a deeper knowledge of who Jesus is. ?That I may know Him and the Power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death.? Phil 3:10
(a) His Divine Origin:
By His Divine Origin, we want to stress about His pre-existence, and that is to mean that Jesus Christ had been existing before coming into the world. He came from heaven where He was known and addressed as the WORD OF GOD. John 1:1; 1 John 5:7. He is God and is the second personality in the Holy and Blessed Trinity. He created the heaven and the earth but later decided to come into the world and put on flesh as human for the purpose of redeeming man from the bondage of sin and death. John 1:2,3,10,11 and 14; Col. 1:13-18.
(b) Meaning of His Name:
From the account of the gospel of Matthew and prophet Isaiah, ?And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins.? Matt. 1:21. The above statement clearly defines the name of Jesus as a Saviour. In another quotation, it is stated thus, ?Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son and they shall call his name Emmanuel which being interpreted is, God with us. Matt. 1:23; Isa. 7:14; 9:6 .
From the above quotation, it means that His name is also Emmanuel which means God is with us. That is, that God has come to dwell with man in human form. In the book of Isaiah it was reported that His name should be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Then the above facts are enough proof that Jesus is God and became God-man in order to save mankind from the hands of Satan our arch-enemy.
(c) His Sinless Nature:
Under normal situation, it takes somebody who is free to bail someone else, who is in trouble. If you are indebted to someone and as a result of this, you are imprisoned, for you to volunteer to pay the debt of another person entirely is not possible when your debts remain unpaid. It takes somebody who has no debt to pay, to volunteer to pay the debt of another person when he or she has all the resources to do so. Jesus Christ has no sin of Himself, either to pay or die for. In 2 Cor. 5:21, Apostle Paul stated that God, the Father had made Jesus to be sin for us, Jesus who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him ? Jesus. From Isaiah 53:4-6, ?Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows, yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.? Jesus Christ is our High Priest; He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. Heb. 4:15; 7:26: In 1 Peter 2:21-22, it is stated that ?For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow His steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.? Jesus had no sin to pay for, hence He was super-qualified to pay for us.
(d) Power In His Name:
The names that we bear are very important because your name has some influence over you either negatively or positively. The name of Jesus is not left out, God the Father has highly exalted that name above every other name both in heaven and on earth, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:9-11. Power in His name does not fade and it is not subject to changes. That name JESUS does not fail, is the same yesterday, today and forever. Heb. 13:8. The only condition that is needed, is that you who wish to use that name must be right with God. If used otherwise, the negative forces will fight the person back. Acts 19:13-17. Power in this name Jesus has provided various solutions to the needs in human life as can be seen from the references below.
In Matt. 7:22, one can prophesy through the power in His name. One can cast out devils and perform many wonderful works through the Power in His name.
In Mark 16:17-18, one can cast out devils, heal the sick, speak in a new tongue and neutralize the power of poison through the power in Jesus name.
In John 14:13-14, one can only get answers to one?s prayers by using Jesus? Name. Praying through any other name outside the name of Jesus is demoniac.
In John 20:31, Eternal life is only possible through the power in His name.
In Acts 3:16, the lame walked through faith in His name: note that this power in His name is the same as the Power of His resurrection.
(e) Power In His Action:
One may ask, what is the difference between Power in His Name and Power in His Action? Power in His Name is the weapon, the spiritual armour which has been deposited with the church to fight Satan and his groups. While Power In His Action is the power demonstrated, exhibited during His public ministry here on earth and before He came into the world. Some examples abound in the references listed below:
In John 1:1-3; Heb. 1:10 and Col 1:16-17, His Power during the Creation of heaven and earth was revealed and re-echoed before men as the Creator.
In Mark 7:32-37, He practically healed a man that was formerly deaf and dumb.
In Mark 11:12, 20-21, Jesus cursed the fig tree and it dried up to the root the following morning.
In Luke 8:22-25, Jesus rebuked the wind and the ragging of the water (waves) and they ceased, and there was calm.
In John 2:1-9, Jesus changed water into wine at the marriage feast in Canna of Galilee.
In John 11:42-44, Jesus practically raised Lazarus back to life after four days in the grave.
In John 18:2-6, Jesus demonstrated to those who came to arrest Him that He was not just an ordinary man, by way of identifying Himself to them, He said ?I AM HE? the same ?I AM THAT I AM? of Old, who spoke to Moses in the burning bush. The moment he said ?I AM HE?, all of them that came for His arrest fell flat on the ground. A sign to prove to them that if it were to be a matter of physical combat, all the military across the globe would not have succeeded in arresting Him.
It is worthy to comment that Jesus was and is still an action personality.
In Matt. 12:9-14; Jesus healed a sick man on a Sabbath day, a man who had withered hand. He commanded the man to stretch forth his hand and instantly, restored the man?s hand whole. I, therefore, challenge you through this write-up, that you exercise your faith and be as Jesus, because it is written that as He is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:17. And Jesus said ?Verily, verily, I said unto you, He that believe on me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do because I go unto my Father. John 14:12. May the Almighty God and His Christ count on you and me as His faithfuls in Jesus name. Amen.
(f) His Interest:
In this section, we want to consider what was uppermost in the life of Jesus on earth so that we can draw inspiration from Him. It is a known fact that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Matt. 12:34b. Jesus spoke out His mind, in John 4:31-34 which revealed His interest and purpose of coming into the world. Thus, Jesus declared, ?My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work. The same was repeated in John 5:30. His interest was and is still to do the WILL of His Father that sent Him.
In John 3:17-18, the WILL of the Father is revealed and it is stated thus, ?For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 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.?
In Heb. 10:3-7, His interest and purpose had been restated .......Lo, I come in the volume of the book it is written of me, to do thy Will O God. Towards the hour of His arrest in the garden of Gethsemane, while He was agonizing in prayers to the Father, He said Nevertheless not my Will but thy Will be done.'
Luke 22:45. As a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, let your interest and purpose in life focus on how to do the Will of God at all cost and time. Let your life be found pleasing before the Living God and at the same time, has taste and meaning before men. Phil. 1:20-21.
(iv) CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Christian Fellowship means an assembly of believers who gather together on a regular basis for a common purpose. It is the body of Christ which has allotted time of meeting to certain spiritually planned activities capable of enforcing love, unity and discipline among her members. Activities such as worship service, Bible Study Service, Prayer Meeting Service, Evangelism and Visitation Programmes, Faith Clinic Service and Counseling Service. It is the Will of God and indeed a command that must be obeyed if one is to live a victorious Christian life. Acts 2:41-47. The effectiveness of the fellowship we share with one another depends to a large extent on the individual fellowship we have with God. 1 John 1:7. We shall therefore consider the two aspects of fellowship.
(a) Fellowship With God:
Members of the Body of Christ are supposed to have fellowship with God individually at a time thoughtfully set aside for the purpose. It is a time to praise and worship God with songs of adoration and appraise His works in our lives. In the scriptural passages below, reasons and benefits for having fellowship with God individually are given.
In Exodus. 34:29-35, it was discovered that the face of Moses was shinning to the extent that Aaron and the other Israelites could not look at him because of the glory of God he had acquired while in the presence of God. Similarly, when one fellowships with God, stays in His presence, the person will radiate and reflect the glory of God.
In Psalm 16:11, one will discover the right way of life, that is, one will be guided. Also there is fullness of joy in God?s presence in addition to spiritual pleasures and splendour.
In Luke 10:40-42, one receives the spiritual illumination to make the right choice that will guide one throughout life.
In Acts 4:13, the presence of God drives away fear and at the same time implants boldness in the life of the worshipper.
While in 1 John 1:6-7 cleansing from all sin is obtained in God?s presence through the blood of His son Jesus Christ. Note that total obedience to all that God ministers to you in His presence must be rigidly followed for growth and continuous walk with Him. It is equally important to mention that sin can hinder and break our fellowship with God. Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:2.
(b) Fellowship With Christians:
(1) Why does one need to fellowship with other believers?
Answer: Prayers are answered quicker in some cases where two or three are gather together in His name and because His presence is guaranteed. Matt. 18:19-20.
As one fellowships with other believers, one will avail himself or herself, the opportunity of sharing in the breaking of bread which is the Holy Communion. One will also benefit from the experience of the older people in the faith. Acts. 2:41-42. Favour from both God and man follows as one fellowship with others. Acts. 2:46-47.
Furthermore, there is an immense profit both spiritual and physical, more also, as one will be taught on how to develop one?s faith towards God and His Christ. Acts. 20:20.
As we fellowship with other believers and exhort one another daily, it will become more difficult for the devil to harden our hearts through the deceitfulness of sin. Heb 3:13.
When we fellowship with other Christians, we provoke one another unto love and good works. Heb. 10:24; Prov. 27:17.
In the time of troubles, trials and temptation, the scripture says woe to him that is alone but if you are two or more in number, you will be encouraged, prayed for, counseled and assisted by others. Ecc. 4:9-10. Heb. 10:25.
(2) What are the likely hindering factors that can stop or prevent someone from the fellowship of the saints?
Answer: One major factor that can hinder someone from fellowshipping with other Christians is shame Luke 9:26. another factor that prevent people from fellowshipping is cares of this world. Luke 10:40.
Thirdly, someone can stop attending a fellowship because of persecution. Matt. 5:10-12. But Apostle Paul said, ?Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword???.? Nay, in all these things we are more than conqueror through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, not angels, nor principalities, nor powers, not things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8:34-39.
(3) What should be your attitude to other believers?
Answer: In Rom 8:16-17, Gal. 3:26 and Matt. 23:8, believers are refer to as children of God, heirs and joint heirs with Christ and as brethren. Therefore, you should embrace other believers in Christ Jesus as brethren, children of one Divine Father. What binds us together is the powerful Blood of Jesus Christ.
In John 13:34-35, your attitude towards other believers should be that of Love, we are enjoin to love one another.
And finally, in Gal.6:10, you are commanded to do good to all men as you have opportunity, especially those of the household of faith. The household of faith referred to, is the members of the body of Christ.
From the above topic, it is clear that believers must fellowship with God and with one another in order to remain strong, focused and victorious in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(v) WITNESSING
What does it means to witness? It simply means to testify for or against something or somebody based on the correct knowledge that one has concerning the matter. In this aspect, witnessing is to testify to others about our Lord Jesus Christ, so that they can decide to enter into personal relationship with Him as Lord and Saviour.
1. Who is a witness? Anybody that has had a real experience of conversion and a personal assurance of salvation. I John 1:1-4.
2. Why is it important that we bear witness to the saving grace in Christ Jesus?
(a) It is a command. Mark 16:15-16, Matt. 20:18-20
(b) Because of the reality of hell fire, the impending judgement and the final end of all sinners. Psalm 9:17, Mark 9:43-48; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:15.
(c) It is a divine responsibility. Ezk. 33:7-9, John 15:16; Isaiah 58:1; 1 Cor. 9:16
(d) It is our father?s heart desire. Ezek. 18:23; 33:11; Ezek. 22:30; John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:9;
(e) The value or worth of a soul has no equal materially Mark 8:36-37; Psalm 49:6-9; Matt. 16:25-26.
(f) There is a reward for those who will faithfully witness for Christ Jesus. Dan. 12:3; Prov. 11:30;
(3) What should be our message for the unbelievers?
(a) Our message should primarily focused on Christ crucified, the power and the wisdom of God. 1 Cor. 1:21-24
(b) Our message should direct sinners to know that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 6:23.
(c) Our message should reveal the wonderful love of God for mankind. Rom. 5:8.
(d) Our message should inform and remind the sinners that all have sinned and come short of God?s glory, therefore no person is justified outside Jesus Christ. Rom. 3:10-23.
(e) In our message, emphasis should be laid on the urgent need for genuine repentance from deed works, so that forgiveness can be received from God. Acts. 3:19-21.
(4) What are the qualities that must be found in us who believe and preach the messages?
(a) We must have the spirit of compassion. Matt. 9:36-38; Matt. 14:14; Mark 6:34.
(b) We must show love, kindness and have mercy on them. John. 8:1-11.
(c) We must have wisdom and be tactful John 4:7-10, 13:13-18; 25-30.
(5) How do we carry out this noble assignment?
(a) By recommendation, we must or ought to go out two by two into every place as we carry the message of good news abroad. Luke 10:1; Eccl. 4:9.
While it is good and scriptural to go out in pairs, preferably, a brother with a brother and a sister with a sister, we must avail ourselves of the opportunity to preach even when we are alone in a bus or with a friend or a relation.
(6) What is the risk involved if one fails to obey this command?
Any person who fails to obey God?s command or instruction, stands to lose his or her life at the end. Ezek. 3:17-21; 1 Kings 20:39-40; 13:7-9, 13-24.
(d) TEST OF FAITH (PERSECUTION)
The test of our faith otherwise known as persecution has faded away in many Christian circles today. It is no longer in our album and hardly appears in our terms any more. But Jesus Christ spoke emphatically on the issue of the CROSS in the book of Mark, Chapter eight from verse thirty-four down to thirty-eight (Mark 8:34-38). "And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also. He said unto them, whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it, but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's the same shall save it...... Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels". The cross is a symbol of suffering, to take up one's cross means to undertake to suffer for Jesus and the gospel, no matter the condition and the price. To accept to carry one's cross, deny oneself and follow Jesus practically means that one has chosen to die for the sake of his Master Jesus Christ, if death becomes the only option. Accepting Jesus and His cross totally has some risky measures and shame attached to it which in no distant time will reverse and change to God's glory, honour and praise. In the reverse condition, the persecutors and mockers will be forced to change their languages, views and opinions about the persecuted believer.
Furthermore, Jesus said in Mathew 16:18, "And upon this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. By the above statement, Jesus Christ had planned that His church would be built on earth, He was aware that His church would face different and series of attacks from Satan and his dark kingdom and He has equally planned that no matter the degree of attacks, His church must overcome her enemies. In order to build such a formidable church that cannot be overcome, a high price must be paid. Anybody desiring to build a house, must or ought to have assessed himself whether he has the means to embark on such project. Jesus Christ was and is still a good and perfect Master planner, He knew that He had all that it would take to pay for His church on earth and finally paid the PRICE with His Blood on the Cross of Calvary. His mission on earth was accomplished and He became the first to offer His life for the church and the entire world. Not as a martyr but as a mediator between God and men and a mediator of a new and better covenant. Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24. Jesus Christ remains the foundation and the divine source of inspiration for all who will follow after the faith that is in His name.
God expects that the faith of the church should not fail at any moment because the keys of the kingdom of Heaven have been handed over to her. Matt. 16:19; Luke 22:31-33. God also expects that His Church should suffer persecution because the life style of the church of Jesus Christ on earth will be and remain different from that of the unbelievers in the world, therefore, the world will hate and persecute them. The church is a body of called-out people from the world. 2 Tim. 2:12; 3:12; Acts 14:21-22.
From Church History, it was not too long after the Death, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ that persecution of His followers started which led to the killing of Stephen. He was the second person to suffer and die for the Church. He was martyred because of the faithful way in which he proclaimed the Gospel to those who had killed Jesus. They became so enraged at what he said to them that they drove him out of the city and stoned him to death in the year A.D. 35, Acts. 7:54-60. Soon after the killing of Stephen which added fuel to the fire of Evangelism, persecution and execution became heightened and many lost their lives. There and then, the number of martyrs kept increasing from one decade to another and from one century to the other, even up till date. The scope of this study cannot accommodate the list of all the martyrs from Stephen up to date, whose lives had made a positive and challenging impact in the field of World Mission. But we shall select few examples, just to rekindle in us the fire of Missions, Holiness unto the LORD and total appraisal of our lives in view of Eternity. Such examples include:
1. James the son of Zebedee
He was the first among the twelve Apostles to be martyred. Acts 12:2. King Herod Agrippa I ordered his execution about AD44. Clemens Alexandrinus, an eminent primitive writer, wrote that James was being led to his execution, his extraordinary courage impressed and touched the life of one of his captors such that he knelt before the Apostle asked for forgiveness, acceptance and confessed Jesus as his Saviour and Lord. The same man further said that James should not die alone, therefore both of them were beheaded.
2. Apostle Paul
He was imprisoned in Rome A.D. 61, beside all the problems and persecutions he encountered in the gospel field. He was later judged and found guilty of crimes against the Emperor because he did not change his message to suit the king but remained uncompromising and was beheaded in A.D. 66.
3. Jude
Jude, the brother of James, was crucified at Edessa, an ancient city of Mesopotamia about A.D. 72. He died for his faith in Jesus.
4. Apostle Peter
When he was old, Nero planned to put him to death but the disciples persuaded him to flee from the city of Rome. But when he got to the city gate, he saw Jesus walking towards him; Peter fell to His knees and said Lord, where are you going? Christ answered, ?I have come to be crucified again.? By this, Peter understood the message from the Lord and went back to the city. He was captured and crucified in an upside down position.
5. Apostle Matthew
He traveled to Ethiopia where he became associated with Candace see Acts 8:27), and he was martyred in that country. He was pinned to the ground and beheaded in the city of Nadabah, Ethiopia. AD 60.
6. Andrew
Andrew was said to have preached the gospel to many Asiantic nations. He was killed in Edessa by crucifying him on an X-shaped cross, which came to be known as St. Andrew?s Cross.
7. Mark
He was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria when spoke against a solemn ceremony for their idols Serapis.
8. Luke
From one ancient sources, Luke was said to have served the Lord without distraction, having neither wife nor children. He went to Greece to evangelize and there he was martyred by hanging on an Olive tree in Athens in A.D.93.
9. Thomas Hauker
He was condemned to be burnt to death because of his unalloyed faith in 1555. He joyfully submitted himself to her persecutors and was burnt.
10. Victor
He was known and called the good Christian, he spent much time visiting the sick, the weak and gave considerable money to the poor. When the Emperor got the information of his charitable act, he ordered for his arrest and that he should be bound and dragged along the streets, at the same time, be beaten and stoned. His steadfastness was condemned as stubbornness and he was ordered to be stretched on the rack and be tortured, while it was being done. Victor endured the ordeal with great courage and when his tormentors grew tired of their work, they put him into a cell because he refused to die. There in the cell, he preached Christ to his jailers and three of them, Alexander, Longinus and Felician received Christ.
When the news reached the Emperor, he ordered that the three jailers should be executed immediately and they were beheaded. Victor was remanded to the rack and beaten with clubs and then returned to the prison. The third time, he was brought before a pagan altar with an idol on it, he was given an incense to offer it to the idol in the presence of the Emperor. But Victor kicked the altar that everything on it tumbled and this act of his, so enraged the Emperor that he ordered Victor?s foot to be cut off. Finally he was thrown into a grain mill where he was crushed beneath the millstones. A.D. 303.
11. Romanus
He was a deacon of a church in Caesarea and was arrested, taken to Antioch where he was condemned for his faith. He was scourged, racked, torn with hooks, cut with knives in his body and face, his teeth beaten out, his hair plucked off from his head and finally strangled to death.
12. Susanna
She was a niece to Caius, the overseer of the church in Rome. Emperor Diocletian ordered her to marry a noble pagan who was his relative but she refused because of her faith. Then, she was beheaded for refusal.
13. Eulalia
She was a young lady of Spanish Christian family, was arrested for being a Christian, the civil officer tried to convert her to paganism, but she so ridiculed the pagan gods that he was enraged and ordered her to be tortured with the greatest severity. During her torture, hooks were inserted into her sides and then pulled through her flesh, and her breasts were burned until they were charred. Her pain was so great and finally died in Dec. A.D. 303.
14. China, 1977
In Kiangsi, China, two Christian girls, Chiu-Chin-Hsiu and Ho-Hsiu-Tzu and their pastor were sentenced to death. Their persecutors mocked and scorned them for being so foolish as to die for an unseen God. Then they promised the pastor that if he would shoot the girls they would release him and he accepted. Before their execution, the two girls prayed quietly together in the cell. Not quite long, the guards came and led them out. They were placed against a wall and their pastor was brought forward by two guards. They positioned him in front of the girls and put a pistol into his hand, then the girls bowed respectfully to their pastor. One of them said:
"Pastor, before being shot by you, we wish to thank you heartily for what you have meant to us. You baptized us, taught us the way to eternal life, you gave us holy communion with the same hand in which you now have a gun. May God reward you for all that you have done for us. You also taught us that Christians are sometimes weak and commit terrible sins, but they can be forgiven again. When you regret what you are about to do to us, do not despair like Judas, but repent like Peter. God bless you and remember that our last thought of you was not one of indignation against your failure. Everyone passes through hours of darkness. We die with gratitude."
After this speech, the Pastor hardened his heart, raised the pistol and shot them. No sooner had they fallen to the ground, than the communist guards put him against the wall for immediate execution as they shot him, he only screamed and died.
15. Nigeria 1995
In the town of Potiskun, a Christian believer, Azubuike was stoned and matcheted almost to death by Muslims. Another Christian was beheaded. His head was then placed on a stick and carried around the town by a Muslim who repeatedly shouted, ?Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar!!? (God is great). This happened when about 5000 Muslims, mostly young Koranic Students, invaded Potiskum with the same shouts. The Muslim burned nine churches to the ground, killed many Christians among them were Pastor Yahaya Tsalibi and Brother Ezra Turaki. Another 165 Christians were injured, copies of Bibles, other books, cars, trucks and equipment belonging to the Christians and the churches were set on fire.
Malo Garba, another victim, was accosted by Muslims and told to recite the Koran, when she refused, they struck her on her face several times and broke all her teeth and the bones in her face. It was so severe that two major operations were carried out on her.
16. Iran, 1996
Pastor Mehdi Kibaj was accused of apostasy, that he denied the Muslim faith and blasphemed against Mohammed. He was imprisoned in a cramped hole with no room to stretch his legs. While he was in prison, his wife, Azizeh, was threatened with stoning. She divorced him and was forced by the government to marry a Muslim.
Then Pastor Kibaj was condemned to death, but to the surprise of all, however, he was freed within a month. A few months after his release, a *fatwa against him appeared in a Tenran newspaper, calling for his execution, soon after he was found dead in a park. He was sixty-five years old before his execution, his four children remain faithful to Christ but the spiritual condition of his wife is not known.
17. Indonesia, 1996
Pastor Ishak Christian, his wife, daughter, niece and a church worker were burned to death as three thousand Muslims ran amok in a church-burning spree in Situbondo, East Java. Traveling by motorcycle, rioters torched seven churches in Situbondo as well as two Christian Schools and an orphanage then spread out to neighbouring cities. By the time police restored order, a total of 25 places of worship had been burned in seven cities. This incident constituted the worst outbreak of violence perpetrated by Muslims against Christians in Indonesia in recent years, and brought the number of churches burned in 1996 alone to over 50.
18. Nigeria, 2000
Thirty-five year old Saratu Turundu loved teaching Sunday school at Rehoboth Church in Kaduna, Nigeria. She was unmarried and had no children of her own, so she gathered all the children in her Sunday School Class into her heart with all the love she had. It was a big heart with room for may others. Friends and relatives said that she often demonstrated the love of Christ by showing great compassion and concern for both Christians and Muslims in the Muslims-dominated community.
Then in February, 2000, ravaging Muslim mobs attacked Christians and burned their homes, business centres and churches. Though many were frightened by the violence and the hatred against them, as a result they fled from the village, Saratu was not afraid. When one mob came to her beloved Rehoboth Church to set fire on it, her brothers urged her to flee into the woods, but she would not run away and defied the mob, though it did no good.
Then she went to her nearby apartment and knelt on the floor to pray for the Christians, the angry Muslims poured several containers of gasoline over the outside walls of the building around her apartment and set it on fire. Unable to get out of the apartment because of the smoke and flames, Saratu was burnt to death. Her younger brother, Pastor Zakari Turundu says his sister was murdered because she was a Christian. ?I saw my sister?s dead body in her room?, he said. ?The fire was so hot that she was burnt to ashes.?
Note:
The above stories were lifted from the book of martyrs, 2001 and many hundreds of such stories about the persecuted Christians are contained in the Book. Are you ready to die for your faith in Christ as many had done?