BIBLE DOCTRINAL STUDIES AND OUTLINES

AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-21 

14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1. An Ambassador is not self-appointed but the appointment either comes through his (her) country or head of state with authority to enter into the domain of a foreign land as a foreigner representing his (her) country or head of state. We are appointed by God-“God did beseech you by us” v. 20). 

2. An Ambassador goes at the expense of the leader or country he (she) represents and does not support him (her) self. Our necessities are supplied by God (Phil. 4:19). We are sustained by God (1 Cor. 9:7-14; 2 Tim. 2:3-4, 6).    

3. An Ambassador does not represent him (her) self. We represent God in this foreign terrestrial land (

4) An Ambassador does not belong to the nation to which he (she) is sent even while living on foreign soil. Positionally, our citizenship is in heaven though experientially we are in the world (Phil. 3:20)

5. An Ambassador has a written communiqué to deliver to the head of state and its inhabitants. We have the Word of God (1Cor. 5:19; 1 Thes. 4:1-2). The communiqué contains:

   a. Message Content-“him which died for them, and rose again”-v.15

   b. Mankind’s Condition-“then were all dead”-v.14

   c. Motivation’s Constraint-“for the love of Christ constrains us”-v.14

   d. Magnify Christ-“ known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth...no more”-v.16

   e. Marvellous Creation-“ he is a new creation... all things are become new”-v.17

   f. Mediatorship of Christ-"reconciled us to himself  by Jesus Christ"-v.18              

   g. Mercy of Christ- "not imputing their trespasses unto them"-v.19

   h. Method of Continuation-"committed unto us the word of reconciliation"-v.19

    i. Manner of Calling-"God did beseech you by us"-v.20

6. An Ambassador who is mistreated or insulted while representing his (her) country does not take such treatment as personal-Rom. 12:14,17-21

7. An Ambassador that is "suddenly taken away" (raptured) or recalled from a country it is tantamount to a "Declaration of War". After the Rapture, there will be a massive terrestial and celestial warfare- 1 Thess. 4:13-17

THE WILL OF GOD

1. FOUNDATION OF THE WILL OF GOD

1. The Sovereign Will of God- Eph. 1:5,11

   a. Creation- Sovereign Over-

      1a. Disease-Mt. 12:14-16; 15:30-31

      2a. Demons-Lu. 4:40-41; 7:20-22

      3a. Demands-Jn. 2:1-11; Mk. 5:25-34; Lu. 18:35-43

      4a. Death-Lu. 7:12-16; Mk. 5:35-43; Jn. 11:1-45; Mt. 28:1-9

      5a. Disturbances-Mt. 8:23-27; 14:22-33

      6a. Domestic-Eph. 5:21-32-6:4

   b. Church- Sovereign Over-

      1b. Head-Eph. 1:22; 5:23; Col. 1:18

      2b. Heir-Eph. 1:18; Rom. 8:17

      3b. Hope-Col.1:27; Rom. 15:13; Eph. 4:4

   c. Civilization- Sovereign Over-

      1c. Elected-Rom. 9:11-23(Rom. 9-11)

      2c. Excluded-Rom. 9:4 w/ Eph. 2:11-12 (Ac. 17:26-28 (Gen. 1-11 -Gentiles only)

      3c. Empires-Kingdoms-Dan. 2:36-45; 7:4-12

      4c. Emperors-Rulers-Col. 1:16-17; Rom. 13:1-4; Dan. 4:17

   d. Creatures

      1d. Mammals-Psa. 50:11;Gen. 1:20-25; Mt. 6:26

      2d. Mankind-Gen. 1:26-26; 2:7-8; Ps. 139; Jer. 1:5-10; Gal. 1:15-16; Rom. 9:11-13  

2. The Standard Will of God-

   a. Salvation- 1 Tim. 2:4

   b. Sanctification- 1 Thes. 4:3

   c. Satisfaction- 1 Thes. 5:18

   d. Submission- Rom. 12:1-2

   e. Separation- 2 Cor. 6:14

3. The Special Will of God- (Always Corporate sense)

   a. Surrender-Rom. 12:1-2

   b. Soundness/Sober-1 Cor. 2:16 w/ Phil. 2:5

   c. Separation-Eph. 5:8-17

   d. Satisfier-Eph. 6:5-6

   e. Submit-Phil. 2:5

   f. Schooling-Col. 1:9

   g. Seek-Col. 3:1

   h. Set-Col. 3:2  

   i. Stand-Col. 4:12

11. FINDING THE WILL OF  GOD

   A. Plan -

      1. Predestined-Eph. 2:10 (Good works is God's plan one's life)

      2. Purpose-Eph. 1:4-5;11; Ps. 139  

B. Problems-

      1. Finding- "I don't know what God wants me to do"- 1 Thes. 5:18; 1 Tim. 1:5

      2. Failure- "I've lived a life of wasted years. I've blown it"- Phil. 3:13-14

      3. Fearful- "I'm afraid I can't do what God wants me to do"- Phil. 1:6; 4:13

      4. Fidelity- "I don't know if this is the one God wants me to marry"- 1 Cor. 7:39

C. Promises-

   1. Leads- Rom. 8:14

   2. Needs- Phil. 4:19Eph. 5:17

   3. Seeds- 1 Cor. 3:6-8

   4. Feeds- Ac. 21:27-32

   D. Procedure-

   1. Body- Rom. 12:1

   2. Brain- Rom. 12:2

3. FOLLOWING THE WILL OF GOD

   A. Choice- Rom. 12:1; Col. 3:12-17; Eph. 5:18-21

   B. Confession- Gal. 2:21; 6:14-17; Rom. 8:31-39;  

   C. Confidence-

      1. Past-Rom. 1:17

      2. Present-Gal. 3:11

      3. Planned-Heb. 10:38

   D. Consequence

      1. Correction- 2 Tim. 3:16 2 Cor. 5:7

      2. Chastisement- 1 Cor. 5:5,7,12; 11:29-32

      3. Compensation- 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 9:24-27   

   E. Compliance-

      1. Witness- Rom. 1:5 

      2. Word- Rom. 16:25

      3. Workout-1 Cor. 9:27

      4. Welcome-2 Cor. 7:15

      5. Wholesome- 1 Tim. 5:22

4. FINISH THE WILL OF GOD

   A. God's Word

      -Finish-Acts 20:24; 2 Tim. 4:7

    B. God's Witness

      -Follow- Rom. 8:14

   C. God's Wisdom

      -Find- 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 1:24,30

   D. God's Workers

      1. Leaders- Eph. 4:11

      2. Laborers-Eph. 4:12

      3. Learners- Eph. 4:13-14

   E. God's Ways

      1. Buffetings- 2 Cor. 12:7-10; 1 Cor. 16:9

      2. Blessings- 2 Cor. 12:9-10; Rom. 8:28-39

The inspiration and motivation behind this doctrinal outline study is from Christian Life Study Series, Booklet Two, Life Matured and Life Threatened, authored by Pastor Jerry D. Locke. Great liberty was taken in the adaptation,modification and  enlargement of his outline on The Will of God. The end results and conclusions drawn by me may not necessarily be that of Pastor Locke. DRC

SEVEN HEADSHIPS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE

1. MAN IS HEAD OVER THE WOMAN-1COR. 11:3

2. ISRAEL IS HEAD OVER THE NATIONS-DEU. 28:1,13

3. GOD THE FATHER IS HEAD OVER THE SON-1COR. 11:3;14:24

4. CHRIST IS HEAD OVER THE MAN-1COR. 11:5

5. CHRIST IS HEAD OVER THE POWERS-COL. 2:10

6. CHRIST IS HEAD OVER ISRAEL-HOS. 1:11; REV. 19:11

7. CHRIST IS HEAD OVER THE CHURCH-EPH. 1:22-23; 5:25; COL. 2:17-19

TITLE:QUENCHING THE SPIRIT    TEXT: 1 THES. 5:19

1. HINDERING WORK

   A. DEFINITION:

   "Hindering work of Holy Spirit in Ministry (Life) in the Body of Christ"

11. HINDERING MINISTER'S WORK -VV. 12-13

   A. Relationship- "know them"

   B. Rule- "over you"

   C. Renewal- "admonish

   D. Respect- "highly esteem"

   E. Reconciliation- "at peace"

111. HINDERING MEMBER'S WELLBEING -VV.14-15

   A. Division- "unruly

   B. Despondent- "fainthearted"

   C. Disease- "weak"

      1. Impotent in Flesh-

      2. Impotent in Faith-

      3. Impotent in Fruit-

   D. Delicate- "patient"

   E. Distribution- "render evil for evil"

111. HINDERING MEANINGFUL WORSHIP- VV. 16-21

   A. Acknowledgement of Presence- "rejoice evermore"

   B. Attitude of Prayer- "pray without ceasing"

   C. Adoration of Praise- "in everything give thanks"

   D. Acceptance of Purpose- "this is the will of God"

   E. Approval of Proclamation- "despise not prophesyings"

   F. Ascertainment of Proof- "prove all things"

   G. Appropriation of Prophecy- "hold fast that which is good"

 V1. HINDERING MEMBER'S WHOLENESS- VV. 22-24 

   A. Self-control- "abstain from all appearance of evil"

   B. Sort- "evil" in all forms, shapes and fashion

   C. Source- "evil" -when we overtake evil or it overtakes us

   D. Sanctification-  "God of peace sanctify you" - A process that starts and ends with God

   E. Salvation- "mind, body and spirit"- threefold aspect of salvation

   F. Security- " be preserved"

   G. Sins- "blameless"

   H. Second Coming - "coming of our Lord" - Judgement Seat"

V. HINDERING MESSENGER'S WORD- VV.25-28

   A. Request- "pray for us"-

   B. Reception- "greet"- 

   C. Reconciliation- "holy kiss"

   D. Responsibility- "read"

   E. Resource - "grace"

CANONIZATION OF SCRIPTURES- DIVINE OR DEVISED

1. THE DIVINE CANONIZATION OF THE ENTIRE OLD TESTAMENT WAS MADE BY CHRIST WHEN HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE THREE MAJOR DIVISIONS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT – LUKE 24:44-46

“44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day”

   A. THE LAW (5 BOOKS)

      1. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

   B. THE PROPHETS (8 Books)

      1. MAJOR PROPHETS (4 Books): Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings

      2. MINOR PROPHETS (4 Books)

         a. Major (3 Books): Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel

         b. Minor (1 Book) The Twelve (12 Minor Prophets= 1 Book): Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi

   C. THE WRITINGS (11 Books)

      1. Poetical (3 Books): Psalms, Proverbs, Job

      2. Five Rolls (5Books): Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther

      3. Historical (3 Books): Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles

   D. THE BOOKS OF THE JEWISH BIBLE IN ORDER OF THEIR APPEARANCE.

    1. The New Testament quotes from all Old Testament Books except Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. This does not mean they are not inspired. Jesus quoted from 24 different Old Testament books.

   2. The following 19 Old Testament books are referred to in the New Testament as “Scripture” or “It is written”. They are:

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra, Job, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Amos, Micah, Habakkuk, Zechariah, Malachi

11.  CHRIST DECLARED THE DIVINE CANONIZATION OF THE BOOKS FOUND IN THE JEWISH BIBLE IN THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE.  LUKE 11:51

“50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 51 From the blood of Abel (Genesis) unto the blood of Zacharias (2Chron. 24:20-21), which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.”

   A. The Hebrew Bible commences Genesis and ends with 2 Chronicles. Therefore, Christ is actually “canonizing” all of the Books contained in the Jewish Bible from Genesis through 2 Chronicles!

   B. The Apocryphal books are not quoted nor referenced in the Jewish Bible, moreover, neither did Christ or His Apostles ever quote from the Apocryphal books invalidating any claims for their inclusion in the Bible!

111. DIVINE CANONIZATION CONFIRMED THROUGH THE APOSTLE PETER.

   A. HE PLACES THE OTHER APOSTLES AND HIS WRITINGS EQUAL TO THAT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT WRITERS- 2 PET. 3:2-

“That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets (OT prophets), and of the commandments of us, the apostles (NT apostles) of the Lord and Savior” (see Jude 17)

   B. PETER REFERS TO THE PAULINE EPISTLES AS SCRIPTURES IN THE SAME CLASS WITH OTHER SCRIPTURES. 2PETER 15-16 –

“15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

All of Paul’s Epistles had already been written, except 2 Timothy -67AD, by the time Peter wrote 2 Peter in 66AD. Listed below are the Pauline Epistles and the approximate date of their writing.

49 AD -Galatians 

51 AD-1 Thessalonians

51 AD-2 Thessalonians

56 AD-1 Corinthians

57 AD-2 Corinthians

57 AD-Romans

60 AD- Philippians

60 AD- Colossians

60 AD- Ephesians

60 AD- Philemon

64 AD – 1Timothy

65 AD- Titus

1V. DIVINE CANONIZATION OF ALL SCRIPTURE IS RECOGNIZED BY THE APOSTLE PAUL- 2 TIMOTHY 3:16

   A.  WHEN PAUL WROTE 2 TIMOTHY 3:16 IN 68 AD. IT READS-

“15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures (OT Scriptures), which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture (NT Scriptures) is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”

Note: “the holy scriptures” does refer to the Old Testament, however, “all scripture” specifically must refer to the Pauline Epistles in this Dispensation of the Grace of God as Grace Believers are NOT under the Old Testament (Law). All Scripture in the Bible is written for us but not all Scripture is written to us! Only the Pauline Epistles, therefore, are addressed to the Body of Christ making them authoritative “for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness” that the Grace Believer may be thoroughly furnished unto every good work.

At the time of Paul wrote 2 Timothy all of the New Testament books had been written already with the exception of John’s writings (John, 1, 2, 3 John, Revelation) which were written around 85-95 AD.

45 AD- James

50 AD– Matthew

60 AD- Luke

60 AD- Acts

65 AD- 1 Peter

66 AD- 2 Peter

68 AD- Mark

68 AD- Hebrews

68 AD- Jude

   B. WHEN PAUL WROTE COLOSSIANS 1:25-26 IN 60 AD, HE STATED THAT THE WORD OF GOD HAD BEEN COMPLETED FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST -

“25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints”

NOTE: Various Bible translations interpret the phrase “to fulfil the word of God “ as:

 (CEV)  God's plan was to make me a servant of his church and to send me to preach his complete message to you.

(Darby)  of which *I* became minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given me towards you to complete the word of God,

(GNB)  And I have been made a servant of the church by God, who gave me this task to perform for your good. It is the task of fully proclaiming his message,

(GW)  I became a servant of the church when God gave me the work of telling you his entire message.

(HCSB)  I have become its minister, according to God's administration that was given to me for you, to make God's message fully known,

(MSG)  When I became a servant in this church, I experienced this suffering as a sheer gift, God's way of helping me serve you, laying out the whole truth.

(WNT)  I have been appointed to serve the Church in the position of responsibility entrusted to me by God for your benefit, so that I may fully deliver God's Message--

Paul makes it crystal clear there is not to be any more “revelations” or “scriptures” for the Body of Christ as he has already delivered the “complete word of God” to the Body of Christ. This being the case, we do not need to look for additional revelations located in the writings  of  the Key to Science and Scriptures as claimed by Christian Scientist, the Book of Mormon and the Pearl of Great Price as advanced by the Church of the Latter Day Saints, the New World Translation published by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, nor do we need to seek new oral revelations from ecclesiastical bodies as in the Roman Catholic Church with her College of Cardinals and the Pope’s ex cathedra; nor from charismatic leaders who proclaim  they have received a “word of knowledge”, a “word of revelation”, or “dreams and visions”. Paul said the Body of Christ has the “complete word of God”, “all Scripture” and “that which is perfect is come”. All pertain to the written word of God in its completeness.

   C. THE APOSTLE JOHN, WHILE NOT ADDRESSING THE BODY OF CHRIST, STATED THAT THE JEWISH EPISTLES WERE COMPLETED WITH THE WRITING OF REVELATION IN 95 AD. IT READS –

“18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book”.

Paul was used by God to “complete the Word” for the Body of Christ as was John was used to “complete the Word” for the Jewish Believers. When both Apostles had in essence completed the Word for their groups, they announced the Divine Canonization of the “Word of God” for the Body of Christ and the Jewish Believers respectfully.

The ecumenical councils of the past and present did not “collect and canonized” the Scriptures. God would never trust His Word with fallen humanity to decide which books are to be included in the Bible. Even with the writers of both Testaments God provided the Holy Spirit saying “For prophecy came not at any time by the will of man (that would also include ecclesiastical councils) but holy men of God spoke as they were moved (carried along) by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21). Also, Hebrews 1:1-2 seals the reality of this truth, in that, God has given us the final revelation through His Son. The writer of Hebrews expresses it this way under the “moving of the Holy Spirit”. It reads – “God, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spoke in times past unto the fathers by the prophets (Moses-Malachi), hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son”. That pretty much limits the field I would say! He obviously spoke through the Apostles and writers of the books contained in the New Testament.

One can only conclude that the Scriptures were done by Divine Canonization of Christ and His Apostles and not left to the Devised Canonization of Councils and her Apostates. We may rest confidently in the truth that God has not only presented to us His Word of Truth, moreover, He has preserved His Word of Truth! What God has joined together – the Scriptures cannot be broken – let no one put asunder.