First Principles

Light and Darkness

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Introduction: 1 Peter 2:9-10

  1. Every person is either in the darkness or the light. There is no twilight zone.
  2. Where are you?
  1. Darkness
    1. Isaiah 59:1-2
      1. Sin separates us from God.
      1. For a man to have a relationship with God, the wall must be broken down — sin must be forgiven.
      2. The point in time sin is forgiven is the point in time a person is saved.
    2. Romans 3:23-25
      1. Who has sinned? Everyone!
      1. Who is further away from God, a person who sins a little or a person who sins a lot? All are equal, all are lost. Therefore, a good moral life does not save you. You cannot earn your salvation by your good deeds.
      2. Faith in the blood of Jesus saves you (v. 25).
    2. What is Sin?
      1. Galatians 5:19-21 (sins of commission)
      2. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (sins of commission)
      3. James 4:17 (sins of omission)
      4. What is the eternal consequence of sin? Romans 6:23
  1. Light
    1. John 3:1-7: Born again (v. 3), born of water and Spirit (v. 5), born again (v. 7).
    2. This must be a personal decision as an adult.
    3. What message must one believe to be in the light? To be saved? Acts 2:22-24
      1. Jesus is from God (v. 22).
      2. Jesus raised physically from the dead (v. 24).
      3. Everyone is responsible for the crucifixion of Christ (v. 23). All have sinned (Romans 3:23).
    4. Response of people Acts 2:36-37
      1. Cut to the heart.
      2. What shall we do?
    5. Once the people believed, what did they do? Acts 2:38-42
      1. "Repent" (Greek = to turn)
      2. "Baptized" (Greek = to be immersed)
        1. Sin forgiven. Therefore, this is the point in time a person is saved.
        2. The Holy Spirit was given to each who responded. Therefore, each new disciple received power to live as God commands.
      3. Baptism: Romans 6:1-4
        Baptism is the sharing (a participation) in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. (More than just a symbol.)

DARKNESS LIGHT
Isaiah 59:1-2
Sin separates us from God
Acts 2:38
Sin is Forgiven at Baptism
John 3:5
Born Again Of Water and Spirit
Acts 2:38
Water = Baptism
Spirit = Received at Baptism
Romans 3:25
Faith in the Blood of Jesus Saves Us
Romans 6:3-4
Jesus shed His blood when He died. In baptism, we share by faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Thus, we contact the blood in baptism and are forgiven of our sins and SAVED!
  1. Traditions/False Doctrines — Matthew 15:6-9
    1. Infant Baptism
      1. Personal faith is needed (Colossians 2:12)
      2. Began approximately third century A.D.
      3. Original sin
        1. Ezekiel 18:20
        2. Became "church doctrine" in 549 A.D.
    2. Praying Jesus into your heart
      1. Revelation 3:20: This passage is taken out of context. This verse is addressed to Christians.
      2. Began in the early 1800s in America.
  2. Sinful nature
    Suggest to the individual with whom you are studying that he or she write out and be specific about various sins they have committed during their life. This is so that they might see the gravity and magnitude of their sin. This is confidential and should only be shared with those who are studying with the person.