Mankind
Mankind was created by God from the dust of the ground1, made in the image of God and given dominion over the earth, to dress and take care of it2. God formed in man a spirit that sets him apart from the animals and allows him to make choices and have the opportunity to develop a relationship with God3. When the first man and woman made the choice to disobey God, they denied that opportunity and brought death into the world4. When a human dies they return to the dust from which they were formed5, and there is no thought or action after death6. There, they await resurrection7. The main purpose of mankind is to overcome sin and the devil8 through faith9, repentance10, baptism11, laying on of hands12 and the reception of the Holy Spirit13. This allows mankind to become glorified sons in the family of God, ruling with Jesus the Son in the Kingdom of God the Father14.
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1Genesis 2:7; Psalm 100:3
2 Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:15
3Zechariah 12:1; 1 Corinthians 2:11-14
4Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:1-18
5Genesis 3:19
6Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; Job 14:12; Psalm 6:5; Isaiah 38:18-19
7John 6:40; Acts 26:8; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4
8Romans 12:21; 1 John 2:13-14
91 John 5:4-5
10Matthew 9:13; Luke 15:7; Luke 24:47; Acts 11:18; 2 Peter 3:9
11Acts 19:4; Romans 6:4; 1 Peter 3:21
12Acts 8:18; 1 Timothy 4:14
13Ephesians 1:13; John 16:13
14Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:29; James 2:5; Revelation 21:7
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God
"The gospel" literally means "the good news". The good news is that the Kingdom of God1 will be set up on this earth at the return of Jesus Christ2. This is the message that Jesus Christ preached during his physical life3. This gospel was known to Noah, Abraham, and all the faithful servants of God4. It is the focus of the commission that He gave to the disciples before ascending into heaven5, and will be preached until the end of the age6. It is a message of hope for all mankind7, of a time of everlasting peace and prosperity under the rulership of Christ and the Father8. The Kingdom of God is everlasting9 and will be brought to this earth10 when Jesus Christ returns to take over all kingdoms and nations11, establishing the rulership of He and His Father forever12 . Those who overcome in this physical life will inherit the Kingdom along with Christ and rule with Him over the nations13. God will create a new heaven and new earth, and reside at the world capitol in the new city of Jerusalem14 . The people of the nations will come to give glory to Him15 and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles there each year16. It will change the world into a place of peace and prosperity for all17, where no one will fight or learn war18 and even the predatory animals will be changed19. The Kingdom is the ultimate gift of God and one He desires all people to receive20.
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1Matthew 13:43; Matthew 26:29; Luke 12:32
2Isaiah 2:1-4; Daniel 2:35, 44; Isaiah 11:9; Zechariah 14:8-9; Revelation 11:15
3Matthew 4:23; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:43-44; Luke 8:1
4Hebrews 3:17-Hebrews 4:2; Hebrews 11:13-16; Galatians 3:8
5Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8-9
6Matthew 24:14
7Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:23; 2 Timothy 1:10
8Psalm 72:11; Daniel 7:14; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 12:10; Revelation 21:1-5
92 Peter 1:11
10Isaiah 2:1-4; Daniel 2:34-35, 44; Daniel 7:27
111 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:15; Jude 1:14; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15
12Revelation 2:26-27
13Matthew 5:19; 13:41-43; 25:31-46; Romans 8:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; James 2:5
14Isaiah 66:22-23; Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21:1-8
15Revelation 21:24-27
16Zechariah 14:16
17Micah 4:4; Romans 14:17
18Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3
19Isaiah 11:6-9
20Ezekiel 18:32; Ezekiel 33:11; Luke 12:32
Salvation
Salvation is a blessing by which God delivers His people. God alone judges those worthy of His salvation1. Salvation is either physical or spiritual. Some examples of physical salvation are the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians at the shore of the Red Sea2, of the 3 men from the fiery furnace of Nebuchadnezzar3 and of Paul several times during his life4. There are countless other examples of God saving His people from physical death. Spiritual salvation is the giving of eternal life at the return of Jesus Christ5 and is available through His name only6. Salvation is given by grace but depends on faith and obedience to God the Father and Jesus the Son7. A person must love the truth to be saved8. Salvation is a process and no one is saved until they endure to the end of a physical life or until Christ returns, whichever comes first9. Salvation (eternal life) is the reward that Jesus Christ is bringing with Him10.
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1 Psalm 3:8; Psalm 35:9; Isaiah 12:2; Philippians 1:28
2 Exodus 14:13
3 Daniel 3:20-27
4 2 Corinthians 11:23
5 2 Timothy 2:10; Hebrews 9:28
6 Matthew 1:21; John 3:16; Acts 4:12; 1 John 5:11:12
7 Ephesians 2:8; 2 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 5:9; 1 Peter 1:5, 9
8 2 Thessalonians 2:10
9 Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:13; 1 Corinthians 10:12; 2 Peter 3:15-17
10 Genesis 15:1; Isaiah 62:11; Matthew 16:27; Colossians 3:24; Revelation 11:8; Revelation 22:12
Baptism
Baptism, along with repentance and faith, is necessary for salvation, forgiveness of sin and for receiving thee Holy Spirit.1 Jesus was baptized by John to fulfill righteousness and to give an example for true believers to follow.2 True baptism is the complete immersion into water3 and symbolizes our partaking of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.4 There is only one valid baptism because there is only one true body of Christ.5 Anyone who is baptized must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ6 and must lead a new life that emulates the life Christ lived.7
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1Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21
2 Matthew 3:15-16; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21
3John 3:23; Acts 8:36-39
4Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12
51 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:4-5
6Acts 2:38; Acts 4:12; Acts 8:16
72 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 3:27
Conversion
Conversion means to turn from one thing to another. Biblically speaking, it follows repentance1 and is a change from a selfish heart to one that seeks to serve God.2 Conversion happens at a specific point, not over a period of time.3 At conversion, the heart desires to obey God.4 From the point of conversion the mind seeks to learn how to overcome sin,5 and it is this task that takes place over a period of time. Conversion is absolutely necessary for one to enter the kingdom of God.6
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1Acts 3:19; Acts 26:20
2Psalm 51:10-13; Luke 1:16; Acts 9:35
3Luke 22:32; Acts 11:21
4Acts 26:18; 1 Peter 2:25
5Psalm 19:7; Mark 4:12; Acts 14:15
6Matthew 18:3; James 5:19-20
The Sabbath
The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week1, set apart and made holy at creation2, and this day is still observed by the true disciples of God the Father and Jesus His Son.3 The seventh day was established before the nations were divided into separate ethnic groups, therefore it was made for the whole of mankind, not just one group.4 It is the Sabbath of the Lord, not just of the Jews.5 The Sabbath is a gift and those who observe it are promised blessings and prosperity.6 Jesus Christ kept the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week,7 as did all the apostles including Paul.8 Paul never taught the Gentiles to keep the first day of the week as holy. 9 The establishment of Sunday as the day of worship is a Catholic doctrine, not a biblical one. Jesus Christ said that to receive eternal life one has to keep the commandments,10 and the fourth is "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy".11
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1Exodus 16:23-29; Leviticus 23:3
2 Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 31:14-16
3 Matthew 12:8; Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56; John 14:15, 21; 1 John 2:3-4
4 Deuteronomy 5:14; Isaiah 56:2-7; Mark 2:27-28
5 Exodus 20:10; Leviticus 23:3
6 Isaiah 58:13; Luke 6:6-10; John 15:10; 1 John 3:22-24; 1 John 5:2-3; Revelation 22:14
7 Mark 1:21; Mark 6:2; Luke 4:16, 31; Luke 13:10
8 Acts 13:13-14; Acts 17:2
9 Acts 13:42-44; Acts 16:13; Acts 18:4; 1 Corinthians 7:19
10 Matthew 19:17; Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 18:18-20
11 Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 12:12-15
Laying on of Hands
Laying hands on a person is used for four functions: 1) to receive the Holy Spirit after baptism, 1 to set a person apart for a specific job2, 3) for healing3 and, 4) for blessing small children.4 This should only be done by true representatives of God, i.e. elders, apostles, etc.5
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1Acts 8:17; Acts 19:6; 2 Timothy 1:6
2Numbers 27:18-20; Acts 6:1-6; Acts 13:2-3
3Matthew 9:18; Mark 6:5; Mark 16:18; Luke 4:40; Acts 9:10-17; Acts 28:8
4Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:16
5Acts 6:6; Acts 8:18; 1 Timothy 4:14
Sin
Scripture states very plainly that sin is the transgression (or violation) of the law1and that all unrighteousness is sin2. It is sin to know what is good and not do it3, just as it is sin to know what is bad and do it4. Those who commit sin on a regular basis are servants to those sins5, and are like the devil because sin originated with satan6. Any person that willfully and knowingly commits sin after understanding the truth of God cannot have those sins forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ.7 We cannot hide our sins from God8, but when a person acknowledges his/her sins and repents, He is quick to forgive9. All people have sinned10, excluding Jesus Christ11, and come under the penalty of sin, which is death12. But Jesus Christ came to be the propitiation for sin13 so that all who repent and believe may have eternal life in the Father's kingdom14.
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11 John 3:4
21 John 5:17
3James 4:17
4Romans 14:23
5John 8:34
61 John 3:8
7Hebrews 10:26-29
8Numbers 32:23
9Psalm 32:5; 1 John 1:9
10Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10
11 Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5
12Romans 6:23; James 1:15
13 Galatians 1:4; Hebrews 9:26; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 3:5
14Matthew 25:46; John 3:14-16; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25
Law of God
The laws of God1, the Ten Commandments2, have been in effect from the beginning of the Creation, starting with the creation of the angels3. Had the law not been in effect at this time, satan could not have sinned, for sin is the transgression of the law4. It was still in effect when Cain murdered Abel5, when the mob murdered Stephen6, and continues to be binding on all people to this present time7. Christ said He did not come to destroy the law8 but to magnify it and make it spiritually and physically binding9. Paul was inspired to write that the law is established by faith in God10 and that love is the fulfillment of the law11. John, also inspired, wrote that those who love God keep His commandments and those who claim to know Him without doing so are liars12. James calls it a perfect law of liberty13. David also describes it as perfect14, righteousness15 and truth16. The Ten Commandments will be kept in God's Kingdom17, for the law will go out of Zion18 and anyone who does not keep it will be cast out of the Kingdom19. God's law is not grievous20, but liberating, because by keeping it we can be freed from the deception of the devil21, and become an overcomer with Christ22
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1Matthew 22:35-40
2 Exodus 20:1-17; Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 4:4
31 John 3:8
4 1 John 3:4
5 Genesis 4:1-12; 1 John 3:11-12
6 Acts 7:57-60
7 Psalm 119:44; Ecclesiastes 12:13
8 Matthew 5:17-19
9 Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28
10 Romans 3:30-31
11 Romans 13:8-10
12 1 John 2:3-4
13 James 1:25
14 Psalm 19:7
15 Psalm 119:172
16 Psalm 119:142
17 Matthew 19:16-21
18 Isaiah 2:1-3
19 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Revelation 21:8
1 John 5:3
21 Matthew 4:10; Acts 5:3; Revelation 12:9
22 Romans 12:21; 1 John 2:14; Revelation 17:14
Repentance
There are three different levels of repentance: Sorrow, sorrow with change, and finally sorrow with change towards God and His way. This last level of repentance is a change of mind and purpose, a redirection of one's life from self-will and sin toward service to God.1 A life without this repentance leads to death,2 but with it comes life and salvation.3 A person must have repentance before baptism in order to be converted and forgiven of sins,4 and these only come through Jesus Christ.5 All people (except Jesus Christ) have sinned6 and He came to call sinners to repentance7 so they may have access to the kingdom of God.8
1Ezekiel 18:30; Acts 20:21; Acts 26:20
2 Luke 13:1-5; 2 Peter 3:9
3 Ezekiel 18:21; Ezekiel 33:19; 2 Corinthians 7:10
4 Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19
5 Luke 24:47; Acts 5:31
6 Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; 1 John 1:8
7 Matthew 9:13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:32; Acts 17:30
8 Matthew 4:17; Matthew 21:31-32; Mark 1:15
Grace
The biblical, and therefore true, meaning of the word "grace" is simply "favor". It is not a time period to overcome sin, neither is it unmerited pardon, because the grace of God was upon Jesus Christ1 and He needed neither of these things. It is the favor that the Father and the Son bestow on all those who obey the commandments2; people like Noah3, Moses4, the apostles5, and the believers at Antioch6 to name just a few. It is given to those who serve God with humility7 and is made apparent by our actions8. Through righteous actions our grace can actually increase9 and be a great help in time of need10. We also receive the grace of God because we have faith in His Son11, and this faith is how we obtain the grace (favor) that leads us to salvation12.
1Luke 2:40; John 1:14
2 Psalm 84:11; Proverbs 3:1-4; Romans 1:4-5
3 Genesis 6:8
4 Exodus 33:12-17
5 Acts 4:33
6 Acts 11:22-23
7 Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5
8 Proverbs 12:2; Acts 7:9-10; Acts 11:23; Galatians 2:9
9 2 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 3:18
10 Hebrews 4:16
11 Romans 5:1-2
12 Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11
Eternal Judgment
Eternal judgment is the final determination for each and every individual that has ever lived. There are 3 ways a person can spend eternity: 1) as a spirit being in God's family1; 2) as a physical human being with the right to eat from the tree of life and live forever2; and 3) destroyed forever in the lake of fire and brimstone3. Only those who walk in the ways of Jesus Christ and overcome sin and the devil will attain eternal life as a spirit being4. Those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit (the unpardonable sin)5 or those who have the rebellious attitude of the devil will be thrown into the lake of fire and destroyed forever6. Everyone else will be physical human beings forever in God's kingdom7. Our works in this life will determine in which of these three places we will spend eternity8.
11 Corinthians 15:50-54; Philippians 3:20-21; Revelation 3:21
2 Revelation 2:7, 22:2; Genesis 3:22
3 Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:15, 21:8
4 Matthew 19:17; John 14:15; 1 John 2:1-6
5 Matthew 12:31; Mark 3:29
6 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10
7 Revelation 22:14-15
8 Matthew 16:27; Revelation 20:12-13