Thematic Studies In Bible Basics


Lesson 3 True Unity In Christ• Passages to consider…

Jn 17:20-21• The “outline” of the Lord’s prayer –

He prays for Himself vv. 1-5 He prays for His apostles vv. 6-19 He prays for those the apostles will teach

vv. 20-26



Jn 17:20-21• The Lord’s desire for all who come to believe is

that “…they may all be one…” v. 21• Therefore, all of man’s religious efforts should

be to fulfill the Lord’s fervent desire expressed in His prayer



Jn 17:20-21• The Lord was not discussing what is termed

Ecumenical Unity “Unity In Diversity”• The unity Jesus desired is stated in v. 21

• The unity of the Father & the Son purpose• Cp. marriage Gen 2:24 Mt 19:5-6



Jn 17:20-21• The existence of all the man-made churches

testifies that man has not sought to honor the desire of Jesus in His pre-crucifixion prayer

• What is true of unity between Father & Son should be true of all who claim to follow Christ



1 Cor 1:10-13• Paul addresses sectarian attitudes within the

Christians at Corinth v. 12• Based upon who had baptized them v. 13b• Not to say baptism is not important, but something

Paul was glad he had not been a part of vv. 14-15



1 Cor 1:10-13• Thus, unity was being threatened at Corinth

• Christ is “not divided” (compartmentalized) v. 13a• Is this not the view of mainstream, man-made

denominationalism…a “compartmentalization” of Christ into various religious bodies?



1 Cor 1:10-13• Quarrels & contentions are the opposite of

unity v. 11• The solution = “speak the same thing” v. 10

• Division does not exist when we speak thus



1 Cor 1:10-13• The solution = “speak the same thing” v. 10

• Members are to be “perfectly joined together in the same mind, same judgment”

• Good Biblical illustration of found in Gen 11:1-9• Notice God’s acknowledgement vv. 1, 6-7



Gal 1:6-9, 11-12• Paul “marveled” (was surprised) at what the

Galatian Christians were doing v. 6• These disciples turned to “a different gospel”

which in effect was not “another” gospel v. 7• Anything other than genuine truth = a perversion



Gal 1:6-9, 11-12• Even if an apostle or an angel (legion) came

with something other than what was originally delivered, a curse (anathema) would be upon them vv. 8-9

• Repeated for emphasis



Gal 1:6-9, 11-12• The gospel delivered by the apostles is not of

men, but came to the Lord’s chosen servants through direct revelation vv. 11-12

• To “hear” the apostles is to “hear” Christ… even the Father Himself cp. Lk 10:16


Lesson 3 True Unity In Christ• Some Closing Thoughts…

• Unity “won’t just happen”• Unity occurs only when people agree to

believe and practice the same doctrine• For this to take place, 1 objective standard

must be agreed to…all other notions must be rejected out of hand without hesitation


Lesson 3 True Unity In Christ• Some Closing Thoughts…

• May all humanity truly strive to honor the Lord’s desire uttered in His prayer Jn 17:21

• May all mankind endeavor to “speak the same things…be of the same mind and the same judgment” 1 Cor 1:10 cp. Gen 11:1, 6-7


Lesson 4 The Bible…The Only Book• “Publishing Facts” about the Bible…

• Greatest best-seller of all time• Translated into more languages than any other

book ever written• The most “discussed” literary work…from both

a positive (accepted) & negative (rejected) viewpoint


Lesson 4 The Bible…The Only Book• Given such “publishing facts,” one would

expect the vast majority of its owners & readers to have a deep, reverential awe for it

• However, that is not the case• Given how most “Bible owners & readers” live

morally and practice their religion, they actually show a lack of respect for the “Book of books”


Lesson 4 The Bible…The Only Book• How one views the Bible determines…

• …what he is morally, socially, religiously• …where he will spend his eternity

• Man must realize the only way for any of us to know what God expects of us is for Him to tell us the Bible is such a “message”


Lesson 4 The Bible…The Only Book• God has indeed told us His will for us

1 Cor 2:6-16 Eph 3:1-5• The theme of this lesson will be to prove the

Bible to be God’s only book• It has no predecessor, successor Mt 12:31-32• As His only message, it is authoritative


Lesson 4 The Bible…The Only Book The Source Of The Bible

• Before any discussion begins, all must agree with the premise The Bible Comes From God

• Man’s quest find “the” book from God that will instruct him on how to live, worship, etc.

• Two ways to accomplish this goal



• Two ways to accomplish this goal:

1. Read every book ever written…eliminate one by one all books determined not to be “the” book

• Physically impossible• Divinely warned against such a mindset

cp. Eccl 12:11-12



• Two ways to accomplish this goal:

2. Find “the” book that satisfies all demands for Divine authenticity…reject all others

• Very possible…very “do-able”• The Bible claims to be “that book” cp. Jer 1:9 1 Thess 2:13 2 Tim

3:16-17

Thematic Studies In Bible Basics

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