Stevenson Church of Christ

Lesson 2

In our first study, we learned:

1. That God exists, and is eternal, always present, all knowing, all powerful, is love, and is just.

2. That Satan is real and dangerous, a liar, blinds men to the truth, and tempts men to sin.

3. That Jesus is God in the flesh, is the Son of God, died for our sins, is the Savior of the world.

4. That sin separates men from God, is transgression of God's law, all men have fallen short of God's glory because of it, its wages is death, and one can't get into heaven while burdened with his sin.

5. That the Bible is from God and contains our pattern or plan for getting to heaven in the New Testament.

In this, our second study, we want to illustrate how man and God were at one time united, became separated as a result of man's actions (with eternal consequence to man), but now the two can become reunited, resulting in eternal bliss for man.

It has already been shown that God exists (Gen.1:1). On a separate sheet of paper, write the word "GOD" in the upper left hand corner and draw a circle around it.

1.
GENESIS 1:26-27
How did God create man?________________

2.
JOHN 4:24,JOB 32:8,PROVERBS 20:27,
ECCLESIASTES 12:7
How is man made in the image of God?________________

Thus, man and God, in the beginning, were united. On the separate sheet of paper, write the word "MAN" next to the circle in which you wrote the word "GOD", and draw a circle around it connecting the two.

3.
ISAIAH 59:1-2,ROMANS 3:23
How so man and God become separated?________________

That man and God can become separated necessarily implies what about them?_______________________________

The story of Genesis 3 tells of how this tragic separation first took place.

4.
EPHESIANS 2:12
In this separated state, what condition is man in?________________

On the separate sheet of paper, cross out the circle with the word "MAN" in it, and rewrite the word "MAN" in the bottom right hand corner of the paper, and draw a circle around it.

5.
PROVERBS 14:12,JEREMIAH 10:23
[YES] [NO] Can man make it back to God by his own methods or plans?________________

Since man cannot reunite himself to God, if the unity is to take place, God must bring it about.

By examining the next series of listed scriptures we will see how God did bring about the possibility of every man being reunited with him. It is noteworthy that though it was man who caused the separation, it was God who made possible the reconciliation.

It will be noticed that salvation, or unity with God, is brought about by several factors. This can be illustrated by the many ingredients it takes to make a cake; the cake is not complete without all the ingredients.

6.
JOHN 3:16,1 JOHN 4:10
From these passages, what attribute of God was needed and was manifested in order for man to be united with God?_______________

7.
ROMANS 5:6-8
For what kind of men was the love of God manifested?________________

8.
ROMANS 3:23
How many men fit that description?________________

9.
Can one be saved without the love of God?__________

Further investigation of the scriptures will show that man cannot be saved by the love of God alone.

ON the separate sheet of paper, just under and to the right of the circle containing the word "GOD" write the word "LOVE" and draw a circle around it connecting it to the one above it.

10.
EPHESIANS 2:8-9
What is here recognized as a second link necessary in the process of reuniting man and God?________________

Grace is the gift of whom?________________

If it is a gift, then it is something undeserved or earned. Grace is often defined as "unmerited favor."

11.
TITUS 2:11
To whom is the gift of grace given?________________

12.
TITUS 3:7
What does God's grace do for man?________________

13.
[yes] [no] Can man be saved without the Grace of God?________________

Since both the love and grace of God have already been shown as necessary for man's salvation or reconciliation with God, we know that man is not saved or reconciled by grace alone. Continued investigation of the Bible will further substantiate this fact.

On the separate sheet of paper, just under and to the right of the circle containing the word "LOVE", write the word "GRACE" drawing a circle around it connecting it to the one above it.

14.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-4
Verse 1 and 2 teach that we are saved by what?_______________

The Gospel (word of God) is centered around what three events?______________________________

These events, being brought about by the love and grace of God cannot be learned without the Gospel or Word of God.

15.
1 CORINTHIANS 1:21
How does God plan for the world to learn of the grace and love of God?_______________________

16.
1 PETER 1:23
The Word of God, by which we are born again, is described as being what?__________________

17.
REVELATION 22:18-19
What is the fate of those who attempt to corrupt the Word of God by adding to or taking from it?__________________

18.
2 THESSALONIANS 1:7-9
What is the fate of those who do not obey it?___________________

19.
[yes] [no] Can one be saved without the Word of God?________

As already noticed, we are saved by the love and grace of God. Thus it is obvious that we are not saved by the Word of God alone.

On the separate sheet of paper, just below and to the right of the circle containing the word "GRACE," write the word "WORD," drawing a circle around it connecting it to the one above it.

20.
JOHN 3:16
Everlasting life (unity with God) is promised to those who believe in whom?________________

As discussed in lesson 1 (question 4) in John 1:1-3,14 the Son of God is shown to be God in the flesh.

21.
MATTHEW 3:16-17
Who is the Son of God?________________

22.
1 TIMOTHY 1:15
What did the Son of God come to do?____________________

23.
ACTS 4:11-12
[YES] [NO] Can one be saved by anyone else?____________

24.
HEBREWS 2:9
For how many did the Son of God die?____________

It must be remembered, as pointed out in lesson 1 (question 8) that, acccording t Matthew 7:13-14, even though the Son of God died for all men, not all men will be saved because many men choose, by their actions, not to be.

25.
[YES] [NO] Can one be saved without the Son of God?____________

Since one is saved by the love, grace, word, and Son of God, we know that one is not saved or reconciled to God by the Son of God alone.

Just below and to the right of the circle containing the word "WORD" on the separate sheet of paper, write the word "SON," connecting it to the word above it by circling it.

26.
EPHESIANS 1:7
Redemption (being bought back) is through what?____________________

27.
REVELATION 1:5
The blood of Christ does what?____________________

28.
ROMANS 5:9
The blood of Christ does what?____________________

29.
HEBREWS 9:12
[YES] [NO] Can the animal blood of the Old Testament redeem one?__________

30.
[YES] [NO] Can one be saved without the blood of Christ?

In light of the aforementioned elements, we know that the blood of Christ by itself is not enough to cause the reconciliation of God and man to take place.

Draw a new circle on the separate sheet of paper just below and to the right of the last one connecting the two and write in it the word "BLOOD."

31.
ACTS 2:47
Those that are saved are in what?_____________

32.
EPHESIANS 5:23
Christ is the Savior of what?________________

33.
MATTHEW 16:18
Who built the church?________________

34.
ACTS 20:28
What was the purchase price of the church?________________

35.
[YES] [NO] Can one have unity with God without (outside of) His church?____________

Thus, along with the love, the grace, the word, the Son of God,and blood of Christ, one needs the church of Christ to be united with Him.

On the separate sheet of paper, below and to the right of the circle containing the word "BLOOD,"write the word "CHURCH," drawing a circle around it connecting it to the one above it.

God has done a great deal in order to bring about this reunion between man and Himself, a unity which man dissolved in the first place. The Bible does not teach that God has or will do any more than He has already done to unite the alien sinner (a person who is not a Christian) to Himself.

However, as we continue our investigation of the Bible, we find that God has not done these things without placing conditions upon man in order for him to receive the benefit of these precious blessings. As our lesson continues, we will notice what those conditions are, and how very simple they are to meet. It must be noticed, however, that even though there are conditions to be met, it cannot be said that man has worked for or earned his salvation by meeting these conditions.

The first link, of course, is man himself. Man must be willing to turn himself over to God. He must be willing to do whatever God says.

36.
MATTHEW 4:4
What id it that man must live by?________________

It has already been noticed (Rev. 22:18-19) that man cannot, without consequence, change that which proceeds out of the mouth of God. In the beginning (Gen.3) man fell from God because he did not live by that which came from God. It is still the case today that when a man falls from God, it is because man did not live or abide by that which comes from God.

Let us begin here to see the conditions God has given for man to receive the blessings of the love, the grace, the Word, the Son of God, Christ's blood,and Christ's church.

37.
JOHN 6:44-45
How are people drawn to the Father?________________

38.
MATTHEW 17:5
God commands us to hear whom?_______________

39.
ROMANS 10:13-17
How does proper faith come?________________

40.
[YES] [NO] Can one be saved without hearing the Gospel of christ?____________

From our previous studies, we know that hearing the gospel alone will not save. From continued Bible investigation, we also will see that hearing the Gospel is not the only God-given condition man must meet.

On the separate sheet of paper, just above and to the left of the circke containing the word "MAN," write "HEAR" and draw a circle around it connecting it to the one under it.

41.
ACTS 16:31, GALATIANS 3:26
What, according to these passages, puts man in a saved condition where he is considered a child of God?________________

42.
HEBREWS11:6, JOHN 6:29,8:24
What must we believe or have faith in?________________

43.
HEBREWS 11:1
What is faith?____________________

Thus, even though we can not see God, Christ, or salvation, we can know that they exist by faith.

44.
JAMES 2:14-26
[YES] [NO] Is the faith spoken of in the Bible just a simple acknowledgement of the existence of God or Christ?

What kind of faith is necessary?____________________

45.
[YES] [NO] Can one be saved without faith?________________

Since we have previously studied several things necessary to one's salvation, it follows that one cannot be saved by faith alone.

On the separate sheet of paper, just above and to the right of the circle containing the word "HEAR", write "BELIEVE", connecting it with a circle to the one below it.

46.
LUKE 13:3-5, 2PETER 3:9
In order to keep from perishing in our separated state, what must we do?______________________________

47.
MATTHEW 21:28-31,2CORINTHIANS 7:9-10
What is repentance?________________________
What brings it about?______________________

48.
ACTS 17:30
Who must repent?_______________________

49.
[YES] [NO] Can one have unity with God without repentance?___________

Neither will repentance alone save.

On the separate sheet, just above and to the left of the circle containing the word "BELIEVE", write the word "REPENT" and connect it to the circle below it.

50.
MATTHEW 10:32-33, ROMANS 10:9-10, 1 JOHN 4:15
Upon what condition is unity with God based according to these passages?______________________________

51.
ACTS 7:21
What is it we are to confess?________________

52.
MATTHEW 7:21
[YES] [NO] Will confession alone save?____________

53.
[YES] [NO] Can we be saved without it?____________

On the separate sheet of paper, write the word "CONFESS", just above and to the left of the circled word "REPENT", and circle it connecting the tw0.

54.
MATTHEW 28:19-20, MARK 16:16, 1 PETER 3:21
According to these scriptures, what is necessary for unity with God and salvation?______________________________

55.
REVELATION 1:5, ROMANS 6:3-5, ACTS 2:38,22:16
What does baptism do?______________________________________

56.
ROMANS 6:3, GALATIONS 3:26-27
What does baptism do?____________________

[YES] [NO] Can one be saved outside of Christ?

57.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
What does baptism do?____________________

58.
TITUS 3:5, COLOSSIANS 2:12
[YES] [NO] Baptism is a work of human merit and righteousness.

[YES] [NO] Baptism is a part of God's plan to save us by His mercy.

59.
59. ROMANS 6:4, COLOSSIANS 2:12
[YES] [NO] Baptism requires a burial in water rather than a sprinkling or pouring of water.

60.
[YES] [NO] Can one be saved before one is baptized for the remission of sins? If yes, then the Bible is not true (Rev.21:21-27) (refer to lesson 1, question 1, if necessary).

Just as one cannot be saved without baptism, neither is one saved by it alone. It must be linked with the other conditions set forth by God along with His love, His grace, His word, His Son, Christ's Blood, and Christ's church.

On the separate sheet, connect the links coming from "GOD" and the links coming from " MAN" by writing the word "BAPTISM" between the two and drawing a circle that will connect the two chains.

Go To Lesson 3

	In our first study, we learned: 1. That God exists, and is eternal, always present, all knowing, all powerful, is love, and is just. 2. That Satan is real and dangerous, a liar, blinds men to the truth, and tempts men to sin. 3. That Jesus is God in the flesh, is the Son of God, died for our sins, is the Savior of the world. 4. That sin separates men from God, is transgression of God's law, all men have fallen short of God's glory because of it, its wages is death, and one can't get into heaven while burdened with his sin. 5. That the Bible is from God and contains our pattern or plan for getting to heaven in the New Testament. In this, our second study, we want to illustrate how man and God were at one time united, became separated as a result of man's actions (with eternal consequence to man), but now the two can become reunited, resulting in eternal bliss for man. It has already been shown that God exists (Gen.1:1). On a separate sheet of paper, write the word "GOD" in the upper left hand corner and draw a circle around it.
1.	GENESIS 1:26-27 How did God create man?________________
2.	JOHN 4:24,JOB 32:8,PROVERBS 20:27, ECCLESIASTES 12:7 How is man made in the image of God?________________ Thus, man and God, in the beginning, were united. On the separate sheet of paper, write the word "MAN" next to the circle in which you wrote the word "GOD", and draw a circle around it connecting the two.
3.	ISAIAH 59:1-2,ROMANS 3:23 How so man and God become separated?________________ That man and God can become separated necessarily implies what about them?_______________________________ The story of Genesis 3 tells of how this tragic separation first took place.
4.	EPHESIANS 2:12 In this separated state, what condition is man in?________________ On the separate sheet of paper, cross out the circle with the word "MAN" in it, and rewrite the word "MAN" in the bottom right hand corner of the paper, and draw a circle around it.
5.	PROVERBS 14:12,JEREMIAH 10:23 [YES] [NO] Can man make it back to God by his own methods or plans?________________ Since man cannot reunite himself to God, if the unity is to take place, God must bring it about. By examining the next series of listed scriptures we will see how God did bring about the possibility of every man being reunited with him. It is noteworthy that though it was man who caused the separation, it was God who made possible the reconciliation. It will be noticed that salvation, or unity with God, is brought about by several factors. This can be illustrated by the many ingredients it takes to make a cake; the cake is not complete without all the ingredients.
6.	JOHN 3:16,1 JOHN 4:10 From these passages, what attribute of God was needed and was manifested in order for man to be united with God?_______________
7.	ROMANS 5:6-8 For what kind of men was the love of God manifested?________________
8.	ROMANS 3:23 How many men fit that description?________________
9.	Can one be saved without the love of God?__________ Further investigation of the scriptures will show that man cannot be saved by the love of God alone. ON the separate sheet of paper, just under and to the right of the circle containing the word "GOD" write the word "LOVE" and draw a circle around it connecting it to the one above it.
10.	EPHESIANS 2:8-9 What is here recognized as a second link necessary in the process of reuniting man and God?________________ Grace is the gift of whom?________________ If it is a gift, then it is something undeserved or earned. Grace is often defined as "unmerited favor."
11.	TITUS 2:11 To whom is the gift of grace given?________________
12.	TITUS 3:7 What does God's grace do for man?________________
13.	[yes] [no] Can man be saved without the Grace of God?________________ Since both the love and grace of God have already been shown as necessary for man's salvation or reconciliation with God, we know that man is not saved or reconciled by grace alone. Continued investigation of the Bible will further substantiate this fact. On the separate sheet of paper, just under and to the right of the circle containing the word "LOVE", write the word "GRACE" drawing a circle around it connecting it to the one above it.
14.	1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-4 Verse 1 and 2 teach that we are saved by what?_______________ The Gospel (word of God) is centered around what three events?______________________________ These events, being brought about by the love and grace of God cannot be learned without the Gospel or Word of God.
15.	1 CORINTHIANS 1:21 How does God plan for the world to learn of the grace and love of God?_______________________
16.	1 PETER 1:23 The Word of God, by which we are born again, is described as being what?__________________
17.	REVELATION 22:18-19 What is the fate of those who attempt to corrupt the Word of God by adding to or taking from it?__________________
18.	2 THESSALONIANS 1:7-9 What is the fate of those who do not obey it?___________________
19.	[yes] [no] Can one be saved without the Word of God?________ As already noticed, we are saved by the love and grace of God. Thus it is obvious that we are not saved by the Word of God alone. On the separate sheet of paper, just below and to the right of the circle containing the word "GRACE," write the word "WORD," drawing a circle around it connecting it to the one above it.
20.	JOHN 3:16 Everlasting life (unity with God) is promised to those who believe in whom?________________ As discussed in lesson 1 (question 4) in John 1:1-3,14 the Son of God is shown to be God in the flesh.
21.	MATTHEW 3:16-17 Who is the Son of God?________________
22.	1 TIMOTHY 1:15 What did the Son of God come to do?____________________
23.	ACTS 4:11-12 [YES] [NO] Can one be saved by anyone else?____________
24.	HEBREWS 2:9 For how many did the Son of God die?____________ It must be remembered, as pointed out in lesson 1 (question 8) that, acccording t Matthew 7:13-14, even though the Son of God died for all men, not all men will be saved because many men choose, by their actions, not to be.
25.	[YES] [NO] Can one be saved without the Son of God?____________ Since one is saved by the love, grace, word, and Son of God, we know that one is not saved or reconciled to God by the Son of God alone. Just below and to the right of the circle containing the word "WORD" on the separate sheet of paper, write the word "SON," connecting it to the word above it by circling it.
26.	EPHESIANS 1:7 Redemption (being bought back) is through what?____________________
27.	REVELATION 1:5 The blood of Christ does what?____________________
28.	ROMANS 5:9 The blood of Christ does what?____________________
29.	HEBREWS 9:12 [YES] [NO] Can the animal blood of the Old Testament redeem one?__________
30.	[YES] [NO] Can one be saved without the blood of Christ? In light of the aforementioned elements, we know that the blood of Christ by itself is not enough to cause the reconciliation of God and man to take place. Draw a new circle on the separate sheet of paper just below and to the right of the last one connecting the two and write in it the word "BLOOD."
31.	ACTS 2:47 Those that are saved are in what?_____________
32.	EPHESIANS 5:23 Christ is the Savior of what?________________
33.	MATTHEW 16:18 Who built the church?________________
34.	ACTS 20:28 What was the purchase price of the church?________________
35.	[YES] [NO] Can one have unity with God without (outside of) His church?____________ Thus, along with the love, the grace, the word, the Son of God,and blood of Christ, one needs the church of Christ to be united with Him. On the separate sheet of paper, below and to the right of the circle containing the word "BLOOD,"write the word "CHURCH," drawing a circle around it connecting it to the one above it. God has done a great deal in order to bring about this reunion between man and Himself, a unity which man dissolved in the first place. The Bible does not teach that God has or will do any more than He has already done to unite the alien sinner (a person who is not a Christian) to Himself. However, as we continue our investigation of the Bible, we find that God has not done these things without placing conditions upon man in order for him to receive the benefit of these precious blessings. As our lesson continues, we will notice what those conditions are, and how very simple they are to meet. It must be noticed, however, that even though there are conditions to be met, it cannot be said that man has worked for or earned his salvation by meeting these conditions. The first link, of course, is man himself. Man must be willing to turn himself over to God. He must be willing to do whatever God says.
36.	MATTHEW 4:4 What id it that man must live by?________________ It has already been noticed (Rev. 22:18-19) that man cannot, without consequence, change that which proceeds out of the mouth of God. In the beginning (Gen.3) man fell from God because he did not live by that which came from God. It is still the case today that when a man falls from God, it is because man did not live or abide by that which comes from God. Let us begin here to see the conditions God has given for man to receive the blessings of the love, the grace, the Word, the Son of God, Christ's blood,and Christ's church.
37.	JOHN 6:44-45 How are people drawn to the Father?________________
38.	MATTHEW 17:5 God commands us to hear whom?_______________
39.	ROMANS 10:13-17 How does proper faith come?________________
40.	[YES] [NO] Can one be saved without hearing the Gospel of christ?____________ From our previous studies, we know that hearing the gospel alone will not save. From continued Bible investigation, we also will see that hearing the Gospel is not the only God-given condition man must meet. On the separate sheet of paper, just above and to the left of the circke containing the word "MAN," write "HEAR" and draw a circle around it connecting it to the one under it.
41.	ACTS 16:31, GALATIANS 3:26 What, according to these passages, puts man in a saved condition where he is considered a child of God?________________
42.	HEBREWS11:6, JOHN 6:29,8:24 What must we believe or have faith in?________________
43.	HEBREWS 11:1 What is faith?____________________ Thus, even though we can not see God, Christ, or salvation, we can know that they exist by faith.
44.	JAMES 2:14-26 [YES] [NO] Is the faith spoken of in the Bible just a simple acknowledgement of the existence of God or Christ? What kind of faith is necessary?____________________
45.	[YES] [NO] Can one be saved without faith?________________ Since we have previously studied several things necessary to one's salvation, it follows that one cannot be saved by faith alone. On the separate sheet of paper, just above and to the right of the circle containing the word "HEAR", write "BELIEVE", connecting it with a circle to the one below it.
46.	LUKE 13:3-5, 2PETER 3:9 In order to keep from perishing in our separated state, what must we do?______________________________
47.	MATTHEW 21:28-31,2CORINTHIANS 7:9-10 What is repentance?________________________ What brings it about?______________________
48.	ACTS 17:30 Who must repent?_______________________
49.	[YES] [NO] Can one have unity with God without repentance?___________ Neither will repentance alone save. On the separate sheet, just above and to the left of the circle containing the word "BELIEVE", write the word "REPENT" and connect it to the circle below it.
50.	MATTHEW 10:32-33, ROMANS 10:9-10, 1 JOHN 4:15 Upon what condition is unity with God based according to these passages?______________________________
51.	ACTS 7:21 What is it we are to confess?________________
52.	MATTHEW 7:21 [YES] [NO] Will confession alone save?____________
53.	[YES] [NO] Can we be saved without it?____________ On the separate sheet of paper, write the word "CONFESS", just above and to the left of the circled word "REPENT", and circle it connecting the tw0.
54.	MATTHEW 28:19-20, MARK 16:16, 1 PETER 3:21 According to these scriptures, what is necessary for unity with God and salvation?______________________________
55.	REVELATION 1:5, ROMANS 6:3-5, ACTS 2:38,22:16 What does baptism do?______________________________________
56.	ROMANS 6:3, GALATIONS 3:26-27 What does baptism do?____________________ [YES] [NO] Can one be saved outside of Christ?
57.	2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 What does baptism do?____________________
58.	TITUS 3:5, COLOSSIANS 2:12 [YES] [NO] Baptism is a work of human merit and righteousness. [YES] [NO] Baptism is a part of God's plan to save us by His mercy.
59.	59. ROMANS 6:4, COLOSSIANS 2:12 [YES] [NO] Baptism requires a burial in water rather than a sprinkling or pouring of water.
60.	[YES] [NO] Can one be saved before one is baptized for the remission of sins? If yes, then the Bible is not true (Rev.21:21-27) (refer to lesson 1, question 1, if necessary). Just as one cannot be saved without baptism, neither is one saved by it alone. It must be linked with the other conditions set forth by God along with His love, His grace, His word, His Son, Christ's Blood, and Christ's church. On the separate sheet, connect the links coming from "GOD" and the links coming from " MAN" by writing the word "BAPTISM" between the two and drawing a circle that will connect the two chains. Go To Lesson 3