Membership Class 2
Kittredge Community Bible Church Sunday School Class on Faith & Doctrine (7-12)
[The following is part of a membership class series that we are currently going through in Sunday School but you don’t have to be a prospective member to benefit. My hope is that even those that have been Christians for years will find the information informative and Christ-centered.]
Membership 1
Membership 2
Membership 3
The Bodily Resurrection of Jesus
[The following quotes are from KCBC’s statement of faith. Items 1-6 can be found in an earlier post.]
7. We believe in the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He was seen of men for a period of forty days, that He ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God, the Father; that He ever lives to make intercession for all who come to God by Him.
What is the fundamental meaning of this statement?
Jesus has a physical body. He’s not a ghost. Neither His death or resurrection was faked and He is alive today.
What does the word "bodily" mean?
The word "bodily" means physical. Our eternal hope is based upon the absolute fact of Jesus' bodily resurrection. Jesus' body didn't stay in the grave.
What are the implications of a bodily resurrection?
First of all, it's not acceptable for a member of KCBC to deny a bodily, physical resurrection. This belief is foundational to being a Christian.
Second, it’s implied that Jesus still has a physical body and after the resurrection we too will still have a physical body.
It’s also implied that there is nothing sinful about the physical. God created everything very good.
For further study: 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:16; Phil 3:20-21; Luke 24:39; Romans 8:21-23; John 5:28-29; Job 19:25-27
The Invisible Church
8. We believe that the true or invisible Church which began on the day of Pentecost is the body of Christ; that each one who receives Jesus Christ as personal Savior for the penalty of sin, is a member of that invisible Church, the body of Christ; that each individual believer or member is in-dwelt by the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.
What is the fundamental meaning?
Everyone who is trusting in Jesus Christ as personal Savior is a part of the body of Christ and possesses the Holy Spirit.
Why is the true church called "invisible"?
The true church, that which is known only to God, is made up of those who are trusting in Christ and have a personal relationship with him. Since mankind is incapable of perfectly judging a person’s heart, the identity of the true church is “invisible” to mankind.
What are the implications of there being an invisible church?
It’s implied that there is also a visible church. The visible church is made up of those who are both saved and lost. The NT commands are given to the visible church and these people will be visibly fellowshipping, encouraging, taking the Lord's Supper with each other as Jesus commands. But not all of the visible church is saved.
It's also implied that the church is bigger than just one denomination.
For further study: Romans 12:5; Ephesians 3:6; Colossians 1:18, 24; Matthew 7:21–27; Matthew 13:24–30; Matthew 24:45–51
The Return of Christ
9. We believe in the blessed hope, the personal, imminent return of Jesus Christ for His bride, the true Church.
What is the fundamental meaning?
The fundamental meaning is that Christ will return on God's timing not ours. He will personally, physically, return. It's not a spiritual return.
What is meant by "imminent"?
Imminent means "at any time." Some might say this isn’t possible because prophecy has to be fulfilled in a certain order. While it’s true that there is an order to prophecy we shouldn't be dogmatic about how prophecy will be fulfilled. God might fulfill prophecy in ways we don’t expect.
What are the implications?
It’s implied (and directly taught) that we should be ready at all times. We should not succumb to spiritual laziness.
For further study: James 5:7-9; 1 Peter 4:7; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 John 2:18
The Enemy
10. We believe the Bible clearly teaches that Satan is a person who is the enemy of God and the enemy of the believer; that God will eternally punish him in the lake of fire along with human beings who have placed their allegiance with the enemy of their souls.
What is the fundamental meaning?
Satan is real and Hell is a real place even worse than the Bible with limited language can describe. Hell is not just a metaphor for describing a state of mind. The consequences for sin are real and severe, because we sin not just against finite human beings but against eternal God.
What are the implications?
Satan is extremely crafty. We must not underestimate him but even more importantly we must not underestimate God's power over him.
For further study: Ephesians 6:11-13; Revelation 20:10
The Bodily Resurrection of the Dead
11. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust; in the state of conscious bliss of the resurrected believer; in the state of conscious eternal separation from God of the unbeliever.
What is the fundamental meaning?
The physical bodies of both the just and the unjust will be resurrected.
What does "conscious" mean?
"Conscious" means fully aware and awake, able to feel.
What are the implications?
God's promises aren’t complete until Christ returns and we are reunited with our physical bodies. God intends to redeem all of you, not just part of you. Our bodies wear out and die because of sin, not because they are physical.
What is meant by "separation from God"?
The fundamental meaning is that without Christ we are separated from God’s love. God is omnipresent and there is nothing worse than when he completely removes his love and grace.
What about "soul sleep" or "annihilation"?
Those that go to hell will be punished eternally in their physical bodies. We don't believe in "soul sleep" the teaching that when we die we are unaware of everything until the resurrection. "Annihilation" is the false teaching that people will not suffer for eternity in hell.
For further study: 2 Corinthians 5:8; Luke 23:42-43; Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:10; Acts 24:15; Matthew 25:46
The World
12. We believe all the believers are called into a life of separation from all worldly and sinful practices. Their obligation is to witness by deed and word to those truths and to proclaim the Gospel to all the world.
What is the fundamental meaning?
Saved Christians will fight against sin in order to better witness Christ in a visible way. We are in the world but not of it. We are to live lives of repentance under Christ's authority.
What is an example of the gospel we should proclaim?
GOD RULES: The Bible tells us that God created everything, and He is in charge of everything (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 103:19; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16-17).
WE SINNED: Since the beginning of time, everyone has chosen to disobey God (Romans 3:23). The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God will not be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God's punishment of death (Romans 6:23).
GOD PROVIDED: John 3:16 tells us that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It's something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us (Ephesians 2:8-9).
JESUS GIVES: Jesus lived a perfect life but chose to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus rose from the dead after three days. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into a right relationship with God and be a part of His family for eternity. This is the best gift ever (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18).
WE RESPOND: It's not enough to just know the Good News! We must respond to the Gospel. In order to spend eternal life with God, a person must admit to God that they are a sinner. Repent and turn away from self and sin to Jesus (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:8-9). Believe in their heart that Jesus alone saves them through what He has already done on the cross (John 3:16; 14:6; Romans 5:8). Confess to others that Jesus is their Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-13).
What are examples of false gospels?
We reject the health/wealth gospel. We do not believe financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for us. We do not believe the Word-Faith teaching that says we can access the power of faith through speech.
We believe that sometimes it is God's will for us to be sick or poor, not as punishment, but as an opportunity for us to draw closer to Christ. We believe difficulty and trials are an expected and normal part of a Christian’s life that God uses for our good and his glory.
For further study: 1 John 2:15-17; 2 Cor 6:14-18; John 15:18-19; John 17:14-19; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Phil 3:20-21; James 4:4; John 17:11; Romans 12:2