O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
— I Corinthians 15:55-57
Bro. Sam DiLiberto
By the grace of God, we have been given the understanding of truth in the one true gospel. During our 5 classes we will talk about how to be better prepared to discuss the truth to a friend, a neighbor, or a member of our family interested in learning about truth of gospel. We will also talk about being "ready always to give an answer to every man (or woman) that asketh (us) you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."
In preparation for these classes we will walk through a practical approach in teaching someone the truth. Are the words of Jesus in Mark 16:15 applicable to us today?..... and if so, are we prepared to talk about things concerning the gospel of the Kingdom of God to anyone that asks us about our faith or asks us what the Christadelphians believe and teach?
If asked by a neighbor or a friend at work about what the Christadelphians believe, where would we begin, where do we start? Lord willing, by the end of the week, you will have a practical outline to use to discuss with someone the plan of the Creator; to one day fill the earth with His glory. As a believer "in Christ", we should be able to talk about our faith, namely the things concerning the name of Jesus Christ and the coming Kingdom upon this earth.
We all should be prepared to talk about the "hope of Israel" and not be "ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek"
The first two classes will center on our belief, our baptism, and our walk in the truth.. the next three classes we will discuss some practical talking points when talking to someone about our life "in Christ".
In the 5 classes we will also take a logical approach in looking at some of the first principles in teaching God's truth. We will show how all the pieces of the truth perfectly fit into place like a puzzle and how all so many of the first principles build upon another first principle truth. We will discuss the Covenants of Promise, Baptism, Resurrection, and the Kingdom of God on the earth....all first principles that separate us from mainstream Christian theology. The goal will be to prepare us in talking about "reason for the hope that is with us"..... and show that we truly believe in a religion that makes sense.
Bro. Don Davies
The "Lord shall save" is both a statement of God's intent and desire for man as well as the name of one of the greatest prophets in the Bible. Isaiah is referred to more frequently in the New Testament than any other Old Testament book. If the word gospel means good news "concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" then Isaiah is the gospel of the Old Testament. It was written at a critical time in the history of the Jews, when Israel was carried off captive by the Assyrians and Judah threatened with the same fate. While it contains dire warnings for the nation to repent, it also abounds with hope for the future. It lays out God's complaint against His people and provides many references to the coming of a redeemer, who would save them from all their sins and establish a righteous reign.
It is said, in part, that we are the product of our family upbringing. What we observe in the daily living and behaviours of our parents has an effect on who we are. It is undoubtedly to the scroll of Isaiah that our Lord turned for knowledge about his commission and for an understanding of the spirit and character of his Father. "The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me each morning; He awakens My ear to listen like those being instructed." Isaiah 50:4 (HCSB) In proclaiming his mission as Messiah, it was the scroll of Isaiah that Jesus quoted from when he visited the synagogue in Nazareth. "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed,... Luke 4:18 (HCSB)
When reading the Old Testament, one can get the impression that God is harsh, uncaring, critical and unloving. Then one turns to the New Testament and encounters the loving, caring, compassionate and gentle son of God, Jesus, who proclaims that "he who has seen me has seen the Father" There seems to be a disconnect. Nothing could be further from the truth. On Mount Sinai God proclaimed His character to Moses in words. However, in the scroll of Isaiah, the thoughts and plans of the heart of our Heavenly Father are laid bare for all to observe through His actions.
A study of Isaiah in one week would be a monumental task, therefore this class will focus primarily on the last twenty-six chapters, "Comfort my people."
Bro. Brad Ricks
Written at the close of the 1st Century, John addresses a divided and declining community with the goal of clearly distinguishing true brethren from false, while pushing those on the fringe, firmly back into the way of true fellowship. John uses bold spiritual contrasts of life and death, light and darkness, love and hate, and truth and lies, for the reader to understand how the Father sees his or her spiritual standing. Although this epistle can cause many to feel uncomfortably distant from the high standards required in it, John writes to encourage, inspire, and push the reader away from the negative attributes and towards those which allow us to honor and glorify our heavenly Father in the manner established by His son, Jesus Christ. As we study John's first epistle together, our goal is to likewise challenge and encourage each of us to remain firmly and confidently in the way of life, light, love, and truth, that our joy may be full.
Bro. Ben Bowen
The Cherubim are largely misunderstood by mainstream Christendom. Through a series of five classes of careful Bible reading and detailed study, we will draw back the veil to reveal their true nature. Taken literally, the name Cherubim means 'something which is ridden', yet the places and context in which we find them, along with the symbolism and principles involved clearly place their true meaning on a much higher spiritual plane.
We see the Cherubim all throughout God's word - they are a golden thread wound right from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation. They appear in four main sections of Scripture: the Garden of Eden in Genesis, the Law, prophetic visions in Ezekiel, and as symbol in the Book of Revelation. We will examine each appearance and the symbols wound up in all of them to put together both an overall view of the Cherubim as well as a picture of what they represent in these different Epochs.
Bro. Don Dice
2 Cor. 5:17-19
We will examine God's reconciling work through Christ.
1st: His work in and for Christ.
2nd: His work through Christ for us.
We will briefly examine "The 4 Living Creatures", God's reconciling process for us. Then, we will study "The 4 Names of the Branch", God's reconciling process for his son and the examples and lessons for us.
Bro. Jim Millay
The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. It is interesting that the word "trump" means quavering or "shaking" and there are a number of intriguing Bible links between resurrection and the shaking of the earth.
Will the resurrection occur during a major earthquake? We are living in "perilous times" and there are an increasing number of signs, literal and symbolic, including numerous record breaking weather happenings; these are shaking the earth as final warnings! When we see these things come to pass we are encouraged to look up and lift up our heads for our redemption draweth nigh.
Many of our beloved brothers and sisters are sleeping in Jesus, waiting for the "last trump" when the dead will be raised! Our fervent hope for them and us has been in the coming resurrection "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" These words from the Bible School Theme climax the 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians which presents the most powerful New Testament exposition of the resurrection of Christ and our own hope for victory over death through him.
"For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts" (Hag 2:6-7). Are we ready for the shaking of the earth and the judgments of God that will most certainly be associated with the resurrection? More importantly, what can we do to be among those things which cannot be shaken?
We hope that this class will be interesting, informative and motivational as we all look earnestly forward in the hope of the resurrection, God's mercy in judgment, and a dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.