The First Principles
The Foundation Series is a study of the "first principles" of the oracles of Christ Hebrews 5:12. The writer of Hebrews seemed to chasten the readers somewhat by saying that they still needed milk of the word and not strong meat. In another place Paul said that they were "ever learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth" 2 Timothy 3:7.
Let it not be said of us that we are hearers of the word and not doers of it. This study booklet is designed to cause the student to fill in blanks after looking up the scripture thereby causing a two-fold attack on the brain.
A student should study to show themselves "approved unto God" and then be able to take what is learned and teach it to the one who asks of the hope that is within you 1 Peter 315. Having this small booklet will allow the student to keep it handy until the principles of God are tattooed on their spirit.
Pray that God will open your mind to His Words and flushit of preconceived notions or ideas or erroneous teachings.
Why is a good foundation important?
(All Scripture taken from King James Version unless otherwise stated)
There are several reasons why it is important to know what we believe.
1. The popular opinion today is.. "If it is right for you then do it, what is right for you might not be right for me though". There are no right, or no wrong to judge actions by, therefore there can be no justice, and without justice we arrive at anarchy. We must have a standard with which we compare our life. That standard, for the Christian, is the Bible.
2. The last days will be characterized by seducing spirits . This is very apparent in our day with the rise of various cults and the infiltration of secular, humanistic philosophies. (1 Tim. 4:1-2) “ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy;...” (2 John. 7) “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an Antichrist.” (Mat. 24:10-13,24) “ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved”. “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
3. Every believer is to teach others to observe the commandments of the Lord. (Mt. 28:19-20) “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”
4. Because we believers should be able to give an answer when questioned concerning the hope that we have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15) “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”.
5. Because what we believe will make us wise unto salvation. (2 Tim. 3:15) “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”.
How is your foundation?
(Luke 6:49) “But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” If your foundation is good, like the root of a tree, then the whole tree (your life) will be good; but, if your foundation is shaky, then your whole life will be too! (Mat 13:21) “Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” (Rom. 11:16) “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.”
Purpose: The purpose of these lessons is to leave the first principles of God and go on to maturity. If these are the first principles, why didn't we learn this early on in our Christian walk? The Church has been negligent. If the church of Jesus Christ does not go on to maturity, the plan of God will be thwarted and the devil will win victory after victory. Paul stated it clearly in (Hebrews 5:12-6:1 NIV) “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.” So, church, let us go on to maturity and do the works of the Lord. The following lessons will be from the Bible which is our standard. If some of the teachings do not seem familiar to you, it's no wonder. Take the teachings home and study them to see if the things that were taught are so. Never take the teachers word for gospel, they are only to stir your thinking; rather, go to the gospel and let the Holy Spirit lead and guide you into all truth. (1 John 2:27) ”But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS
1. Repentance is the first thing Jesus, John the Baptist, and the disciples taught. (Luke 5:32) “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
2. The Lord said, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
3. Without repentance in the life of the believer, he will just be a hearer and not a doer (James 1:22) “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
4. God will open his doors of blessing upon you “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chr. 7:14)
5. God was always angry at rebellious people and brought wrath upon them, but first, He always tried to get them to repent and turn to Him again. (Jer. 18:7-8) “At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;
If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.”
Why is Repentance Necessary?
(Rom 5:17) “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”
(Eph. 2:3 CEV) “Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else.”
1. Because of the sin of Adam, man is born into this life as a sinful man. (1 Cor 15:22) “ For as in Adam all die, even
2. So then death reigned from Adam till Jesus. (Rom 5:14) “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.”
3. We all are born into this world as sinners, and by God's law, the penalty is eternal death in hell. (Rom 6:23) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
4. Jesus freed us from the law of sin and death by His sacrificial death on the cross for us. (Rom 8:2) “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death”
5. If we live after the flesh we will die, but if we stop or kill our evil deeds, we will live. (Rom 8:13) “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
6. A lack of reverent fear of the Lord leads to rebellion against God and ultimate death. (Rom 3:18)
7. “God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all, if we say we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness we are liars and do not tell the truth.” (1 John 1:5-6)
8. So since we are all sinners going to hell, our only redemption is to receive the gift of eternal life by belief in Jesus (John 3:16), and to repent and be baptized. (Acts 2:38).
9. So if we repent we live, and if we don't we die. (Ez. 33:11) ”Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die”.
What are fruits of true repentance?
If genuine repentance has taken place in a persons heart (this is the only place true repentance takes place), then there will be fruits growing out of a person's life displaying to the world what has taken place. John the Baptist didn't take the Pharisee's word that they had repented, he wanted to see the fruit of their repentance (Mat 3:8).
The following is a partial list of fruits of repentance:
1. A godly sorrow for sin. (2 Cor 7:9-10) “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” Judas sorrowed unto death but Peter sorrowed unto repentance.
2. A confession of sin and a plea for mercy. (1 John 1:9; Luke 15:21; 18:13,14)
3. A turning from, or forsaking, of evil ways (Prov. 28:13; Acts 19:17-20)
4. A loathing of yourself for sin (Ezk. 36:31-33)
5. A turning to God and a turning away from sin (1 Thes. 1:9; Col. 3:1-14)
6. A restoration for the wrongs done, wherever possible (Lev. 6:1-7; Luke 19:8)
Worldly sorrow is simply being sorry for "getting caught", but not being sorry for the actual sin committed. Given the same set of circumstances, this person would probably repeat the same sin. "Turning over a new leaf" is never the answer. The natural man cannot do this without a genuine heart change. The Pharisees were a very religious people but were hypocrites. It is possible to maintain a form of religion but never experience the genuine power of repentance. Conviction of sin will always precede genuine repentance, but not all who are convicted will truly repent.
REVIEW
The first message John the Baptist preached was a message on repentance. (Mt. 3: 1-8) “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
The first message that Jesus taught that was a prerequisite to entering the Kingdom of Heaven, was repentance.
(Mt. 4:17) “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at The message that Jesus commissioned the disciples to carry to the world was a message of repentance. (Mark 6:7-13) “And they went out, and preached that men should repent.”
Peter, on the day of Pentecost, preached that the people could receive the gift of the Holy Spirit if they would repent, and be baptized in the name of the Lord. (Acts 2:38) “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Paul began his preaching career by preaching the message of repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:20-21)
When the people heard Jonah preaching the word of the Lord they repented. So Jesus used them as an example hundreds of years later speaking of others who refused to do so. (Luke 11:32)
The last message in the Bible is for people to repent. (Rev 3:3,19) “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
By now it should be fairly clear that if you believe in the shed blood of Jesus and repent of your ways, then and only then will you be saved. Many have been taught that all you have to do is believe in Jesus and then they go on living as they always have and think they are going to heaven. The devil believes in Jesus but he won't repent. You see, it is in repenting that we show we have received Jesus and hate our old lives. Remember, Jesus always sent the disciples out with a message of repentance!
FAITH TOWARD GOD
A. What does faith toward God mean?
B. Do I have faith and if so when did I get it?
C. What are hindrances to faith?
D. Why is it important to God?
A. What does faith toward God mean: (Heb. 11:1) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
1. God says that faith is a real substance and it is also evidence. We know that a substance has reality. It is something that we can see. We see evidence at a trial, or evidence that someone has been there before you.
2. Although faith has substance, and is evidence, it is not something you can see with your eyes, but, you see the effect of it by someone's actions! The wind is a great example. You see the effect of it but you cannot see the actual wind itself. A person can say they believe something, but until you see corresponding actions, you know they don't really have faith, because “faith without works is dead.” (James. 2:14-19). The devils believe in God, they know that He exists, but they don't acknowledge Him as their Lord. We know a tightrope walker can push a wheel barrow across Niagara Falls, but would we be willing to get into the wheelbarrow? We know a plane can fly, but will it carry you safely, that's different story! We can know that our faith is as real a substance to God as the thing we are believing for is to us when we get it. (Heb. 11:1) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
3. James said that “you can say that you have faith, but I'll show you mine by my works!” (James. 2:14)
4. Faith is NOT actions, but, it is a belief so strong that your actions will demonstrate your faith. You say that you have faith in Jesus for your eternal salvation (over which you have no control after you die), and yet cannot believe Him who said, "by His stripes you were healed", or, "He wishes that you may prosper and be in health"? “For it is by grace you are saved through faith, and not by works lest anyone want the credit for it!” (Eph. 2:8-9)
B. Do I Have Faith, and if so when did I get it? (Rom 12:3)
1. Yes you do! The bible says that every man has a measure of faith. Since God desires that every man be saved, He gave them enough faith for salvation. Faith, like a muscle, must be exercised, if you don't use it, you might lose it. (Mat 25:14-29) People will criticize Peter’s lack of faith, but, he was the only one who walked on the water with Jesus. When asked by the disciples to increase their faith, Jesus told them to use it exactly the way He said to use it. (Luke 17:5-10) “And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”
In the first part of the verses above the Lord compared faith to a mustard seed! Why? Because faith is an absolute. You can’t have more, you can’t have less. You either have faith or you have doubt. The second part of the verses says that we are to do things the way Jesus said to. If He said to say to pray to the Father then we should, but, He said to say to the tree! Yes, I said, speak to the tree. I did the same thing with a fig tree that did not bear for ten years. I took Jesus at His word and told the tree, “If you don’t produce a crop of figs next season I will pull you up by the roots”. The next year there was a bumper crop and has each year since!!!
Faith also comes to us by reading or hearing the Word of God. (Rom 10:17) “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The more we hear the word of God the more we believe. You received the measure of faith when you were born. “To even come to Him you must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him”. (Heb 11:6) When the Bible says "all men do not have faith", it means that they don't put their trust in God. (II Thes. :2). Whether you choose to use that faith toward God or not is your choice. You can choose life or death, blessing or cursing. (Deut. 30:19) “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”
C. What are hindrances to our faith?
1. Walking in the flesh instead of walking in the spirit.
(Gal. 5: 22-23) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
2. Grieving the Holy Spirit of God. (Eph. 4: 30) “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
3. Neglecting the promises of God. (Heb. 2:1) “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”
4. Being disobedient to the faith. (Rom. 1:5) “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
D. Why is faith important to god?
1. God says that without faith, we cannot Him. (Heb. 11:1)
2. We are told by Jesus, "have faith in God (Mark 11:22-24) “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
3. Why? Because, you will be able to say to a mountain "be removed", and you will have whatsoever you say! Also, if you believe that you receive something, you shall have it. Faith is believing in something we can't see (Heb. 11:1) (Rom. 8:24-25). When we do this our faith is accounted to us as righteousness. (Rom. 4:3). When our faith is tried, as by fire, it becomes more precious than gold to the Lord. (1 Pet. 1:7) “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ”
Why doesn't God just come down and show Himself to the world?
1. He says that we must believe that He is. Anyone can see and believe, “but he is blessed who has not seen and yet believes.” (John 20:29)
2. Even if someone came back from the dead, we would not be believe. (Luke 16:31) “And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
Examples of people with faith:
1. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his heir because he believed God. (Gen. 22:6-12)
2. Noah had never seen rain and yet built an ark as God had told him. (Gen. 6:14-17)
3. Naaman dipped seven times a in a dirty river to be healed of leprosy. The prophet told him to do it seven times, and if he had done it six times, it wouldn’t have worked. (2 Kings 5:9-14)
4. “Moses chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:25)
The doctrine of baptisms
Baptisms??? Is there more than one baptism?
There are actually seven baptisms mentioned in the Word, they are the baptisms: a) of repentance (Mark. 1:4), b) with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5), c) of suffering (Mat. 20:22), d) into Jesus (1 Cor 12:13), e) into His death (Rom. 6:3), f) of fire (Luke 3:16), g) into Moses in the cloud and the sea (1 Cor 10:2). Of these, we will cover only three.
1. The baptism into Christ: I thought the Bible taught "One Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Eph. 4:5). True, the only baptism that is mandatory is the baptism by the Holy Spirit into body of Jesus (the church). (1 Cor. 12:13) “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” This is salvation, without which no man come to the Father (John 14:6). “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
2. The baptism with water: This is the most familiar baptism taught in churches. The word in Greek for baptize is baptizo, bap-tid'-zo; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N.T.) of ceremonial ablution,:--baptist, baptize, wash. The baptism by submersion is the truest form of baptism. We are commanded to be baptized. (Acts 2:38) “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
3. The baptism in the Holy Spirit: It is mentioned by John the Baptist and fulfilled out of the mouth of Jesus when He said, "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1:4-5,8). This is a baptism of power to live the Christ-like life and overcome the world. The disciples received the Holy Spirit exousia on the day of the resurrection in John 20:22 “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:”. Jesus is giving them the authority to become a son of God Joh 1:12, Rom 8:19. Now Jesus tells them to wait for power Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power dunamis, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” The disciples received this in Luk 9:1 but it was only temporary for Jesus had not been raised from the dead.
Why should I be baptized in water?
1. When Jesus was baptized, He said it was to fulfill all righteousness (Mat. 3:13-15). “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.”
2. We were commanded by Jesus and the apostles to make disciples, teach them, and baptize them. (Mat. 28:19-20), (Acts 3:38).
3. We validate our faith by our obedience to the Word of God. (James. 2:17-18). “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.”
Water baptism is an essential part of obedience; it is not optional. To refuse water baptism is to live in disobedience to the revealed Word of God. (1 John. 2:4) “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
Cutting covenant with God
1. Anytime someone made or cut covenant with someone else, they would sign it with a token or memorial of some kind:
A. Exchanging weapon belts.
B. A pile of stones.
C. Cutting of the skin and mingling blood.
2. God made covenant with Abraham and signed it with a token: (Gen. 17:9-11) “And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.”
The meaning of Water Baptism
1. The burial of the old man. According to Ephesians 2:5, man, because of his sinful nature, is "dead" in sin. If he repents of his sin and accepts Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, he is then "quickened" or given a new life just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father. Water baptism becomes an affirmation and reference point of this reality for the believer. (Rom. 6:4) “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
2. The token or sign of the covenant. When a covenant was cut between two people, there was always a sign or token to signify that a covenant had taken place. The Jews were given a commandment to circumcise themselves as a sign of the covenant they cut with God. Circumcision was used, for God always required the shedding of blood. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Heb. 9:22 . If someone refused to be circumcised God would reject him. Today we spiritual Jews (Gal. 3:7) are to have a token or sign that we have cut covenant with God, that sign is our spiritual circumcision or baptism. (Col. 2:11-13) “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”
3. The answer God requires. The answer of a good conscience toward God. The water of Noah's day saved him from the corruption of the evil men by washing them away, just as baptism washes away the evil "old man" today and saves from compulsory sin. (1 Pet. 3:20-21) “ Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”
Synopsis
1. Water Baptism is a command of God for all believers after their initial conversion. It symbolizes the transformation of the heart of the believer by being dead and buried with Christ and risen again with Him.
2. Baptism comes from the Greek word baptizo, bap-tid'-zo; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N.T.)--Baptist, baptize, wash. (Strong's Concordance) This is complete immersion.
3. Baptism means MORE than just a sign of conversion, it is also a sign of the covenant we cut with Christ.
Original covenant God made with Abraham:
1. Abraham believed God and so He received the sign of the covenant which was baptism. (Rom 4:11) “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:”
2. Abraham was circumcised as a physical display or token to man, not to God, that he had cut covenant with God.
3. God commanded obedience and righteousness as Abraham’s part in fulfillment of his covenant with Him. This explains Peter’s statement in 1 Peter. 3:21, “the answer of a good conscience toward God.” Jesus called it “fulfilling all righteousness” (Mat. 3:15).
Who are the Jews today?
(Gal 3:29 KJV) “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Therefore we are Jews and heirs of the covenant made with Abraham.
Natural Jew versus Spiritual Jew
(Rom 2:28-29 AMP) “For he is not a Jew, who is only one outwardly and publicly; nor is true circumcision external and physical: v.29 But he is a Jew, who is one inwardly; and true circumcision is of the heart, a Spiritual and not a literal matter.”
Spiritual Circumcision:
(Col. 2:11-12 AMP) “In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but in a Spiritual circumcision performed by Christ by stripping off the body of the flesh the whole corrupt, carnal nature with its passions and lusts. Thus you were circumcised when you were buried with Him in your baptism, in which you were also raised with Him to a new life through your faith in the working of God as displayed when He raised Him up from the dead.”
Water saved Noah from being corrupted by washing away were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” The water didn’t actually save them, it was the ark (a type of Jesus) but the water washed the evil away. Not the actual putting away of the filth of the flesh but as a token or sign of the covenant you made or cut with God.
When we were baptized into Christ, He circumcised us by His cutting away of our flesh. (Rom 6:3-5) “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” Circumcision was a cutting of the flesh. He speaks of circumcised ears, lips and hearts. This means that they are no longer flesh, but Spirit controlled.
Conclusion:
Acts 2:41 says, “then they that gladly received the word were baptized”. Anyone who has made covenant with God by the blood and has been baptized, through obedience and in righteousness, has signed it If a person hasn’t, he refuses to sign the covenant just as a Jew who refused circumcision. Pray about your situation concerning baptism and with circumcised heart and lips make sure you answer to God with a pure conscience.
The baptism with the holy spirit
When do you receive the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit comes to live within the believer at the "new birth". He is compared to living waters. (John. 7:38-39) “He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”
If you do not have the Holy Spirit you are none of His. (Rom. 8:9) “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” The Holy Spirit could not come while Jesus was in the flesh . Jesus first had to go away. (John 16:7) “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
The disciples received the Holy Spirit (not at Pentecost as some teach) on the day of the resurrection. (John 20:22). “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:” The word pneuma, in the Greek for breath is the same word for spirit.
When do you receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Jesus told these "born again" believers to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:4-5,8) “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Believers may received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at their conversion to Christianity or afterwards.
1. At their conversion to Christianity:
Cornelius' friends and family, (Acts 11:15-16) “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.”
2. Believers also received it after their conversion:
The 120 received it 50 days later at Pentecost (Acts 2:4), “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Phillip made converts in Samaria who received it when Peter and John prayed for them. (Acts 8:12-17) “Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)”
Paul received it in the house on Straight Street, not on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:17), “And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.”
Paul asked the disciples at Ephesus "have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?” (Acts 19:1-6).
Prophecies on Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Joel prophesied of it. (Joel 2:28-29) "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."
Ezekiel foresaw the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
(Ezk. 36:26-27) "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."
What is the sign of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
1. There are five instances of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in the new testament (they are on the previous page). In three of these instances it is clearly stated in the Word that the people spoke in other tongues.
2. In the case of the Samaritans and Phillip, Simon the sorcerer saw something that made him want to buy the gift of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. What was it that he saw?
3. In the case of Paul the Apostle, we know that Ananias laid hands on him for him to receive the Holy Ghost, and later in 1 Cor. 14:18 Paul stated that he spoke in tongues more than they all.
CONCLUSION: Since the Word of God is our only source of doctrine, we must conclude that speaking in tongues is the evidence of a person being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Some have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and not spoken in tongues through ignorance, fear, preconceived ideas or pride. Let the Lord have his way with your whole body, mind, and spirit.
Why tongues?
1. Tongues was a sign given to unbelievers (1 Cor 14:22) “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:
2. Tongues are a way to pray to God beyond your human abilities. (1 Cor. 14:2) “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God:”
3. Tongues build up your spirit. (1 Cor. 14:4) “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;”
4. Tongues are a rest and a refreshing for the spirit. (Isa. 28:9-13)(1 Cor. 14:21)
5. Tongues build up your faith. (Jude 20) “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost”.
6. Since the Spirit of God knows what God wants (1 Cor. 2:11) “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God”, and, since it is the Spirit that gives us the words to speak (Acts 2:4) “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance”, with tongues you are able to speak to God exactly what He wants to hear. Hallelujah!
How does one receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
First, purify your heart by asking God to reveal any hidden and/or past unconfessed sin in your life. Occult involvement (fortune telling, astrology, Ouija board, etc.) are major hindrances for they are all sin (2 Kings 21:1-6)
1. All gifts of God, like salvation, are received by faith. (Rom 10:17)
2. Prepare the heart through obedience. (Acts 2:38) 3. You must ask for it. (Luke 11:13) “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
4. You must have a hunger and thirsting for the fullness of the Spirit. (Mat. 5:6) “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
5. Speak in tongues to exercise your gift. (1 Cor. 14:15) “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”
6. By exercising the gifts and callings of God, we strengthen them in our lives that we may not be barren or unfruitful waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
One receives the infilling of the Holy Spirit at his conversion (1 Cor. 12:13). This is when The Holy Spirit baptizes you into the body of Christ and you become a Christian. This however is not the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is when Jesus baptizes you into the Holy Spirit (Matt 3:11). One may receive both at conversion as Corneilius and family and friends did, but it does not always happen that way. You may receive it when you ask for it (Luke 11:13), and/or when you obey (Acts 5:32).
Laying on of hands
The scriptural foundation of the "laying on of hands " denotes a spiritual transference or impartation between two parties. When someone lays his hands on another, he must believe that the power of God in his own life is sufficient to overcome anything that is besetting the other person. There is nothing magical about the scriptural doctrine of laying on of hands, rather, there must be an understanding of the principle of delegated authority. The only authority a believer has is that which God gives. The priests in the old testament laid their hands on the sacrificial animal to transfer the sins of the people to the innocent animal (representative of the sins laid on Jesus) (Lev. 1:4; 3:2; 4:15; 16:21).
The significance of hands in the Bible
God many times uses physical things to teach spiritual truths (Rom. 1:20). Hands in the Bible are seen to be connected with spiritual power and strength.
1. The right hand of the Lord is seen as a source of Power (Exo. 15:6) “Thy right hand, Oh LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, Oh LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy”; (Psa. 20:6) “Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.”
2. The hand of man is seen as a source of might or strong aid. (Psa. 76:5) “The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.”
Throughout the Bible we see God using the hands of man in special ways and accomplishing various things. The anointed hands become a channel, the vehicle, the bridge by which something is transferred, or transmitted, from one person to another. Three key words that are often associated with this concept are:
1. Identification: Through the laying on of hands one party identifies, or associates, himself with the other. In the Old Testament, when the people laid their hands on the sacrificial lamb they were identifying with the animal in it's death. When the people of Israel laid hands on their leaders they were identifying with them as God's choice for them (Num. 8:10) “And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites.”
2. Impartation: Through the laying on of hands one party imparts, of transmits, something to another. When the priest laid his hands on the scapegoat, the sins of the nation of Israel were imparted to the animal (Lev. 16:21-22) “And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.”
Paul told Timothy that he had imparted to him certain gifts through the laying on of hands (1 Tim. 4:14 compare with Rom. 1:11). “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established.”
3. Confirmation: Through the laying on of hands one party confirms, or renders, the other party more strong. The priests would bless the people, lifting their hands toward them (Lev. 9:22). “And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.” New Testament believers were confirmed, or rendered more firm, by the laying on of the hands of the leadership (Acts 14:22) “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
Laying on of hands in the Church today
1. Healing: (Mark. 16:18) “..... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
2. Infilling of the Holy Spirit: ....(Acts 8:18) “ And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money.”
3. Impartation of Spiritual gifts:..... (2 Tim 1:6 KJV) Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
4. Ordination of ministers:..... (Acts 6:6) “Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.”
5. Sending out of ministries: ..... (Acts 13:2) “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. v.3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
Cautions are associated with the laying on of hands
1. This is not something to be taken lightly or done suddenly. It is more than a mere outward symbol, and there is, in fact, an impartation to and identification with the candidate. So we must be very cautious in our use of this ministry. (1 Tim. 5:22) “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.”
2. Don't show partiality to persons when you minister the laying on of hands. (1 Tim. 5:21) “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.”
Resurrection of the dead
“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31 KJV)
The purpose of this lesson is to illustrate what is meant by the resurrection of the dead and what are the final judgements. The Jews in Jesus' day knew that there would be a resurrection some day but they failed to tie it to a man, namely the man Jesus Christ. Thus they didn't understand when Jesus said, (John 11:25 ) “ ...... I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”
Every believer upon receiving Jesus Christ as their Lord and saviour receive the resurrected life. Belief in the resurrection of Jesus is essential to salvation. (Rom 10:9) “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” The old testament believers knew of the resurrection of the dead. Job stated such in (Job 19:25-26) “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:”
The age old question of life after death still rages on today. People debate as to whether there is life after death, but to the Christian there is no debate for we know that we shall surely live on after our body dies. (1 Cor 15:13-14) “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”
Let's explore what happens at death:
1. When Stephen was stoned to death, he looked up to heaven and said, (Acts 7:59) "....Lord Jesus, receive my spirit".
2. Paul understood what happened after the death of the body, (Phil. 1:21-23 KJV) “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I know not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”
3. We shall immediately be with the Lord, (2 Cor 5:6) “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (v.8) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
4. We can confidently say of our departed Christian loved ones, (1 Thes. 4:13-14) “ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”
5. Paul saw our bodies as a tent that we will fold up at death, (2 Cor 5:1) “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
6. Peter saw the same revelation of the resurrection, (2 Pet 1:13-14) “ Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.”
Our final hope:
(1 Thes. 4:16-17) “For 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: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Shedding our "space suit" at death
When man went to the moon, he had to wear a special suit so that he could survive in a hostile atmosphere. We too have been given a space suit to sustain us while we are on the earth, we call it a body, but the body is not the person, the person is inside the body. Therefore, you can kill the body, but only the Lord has control over the soul and spirit of a man. (Mat 10:28) “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Will all people be resurrected?
The answer is yes, some will be resurrected to life eternal, and some will be resurrected to eternal damnation. (John 5:28 -29) “ Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
(Dan 12:2) “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
The two resurrections:
1. The resurrection of the believer at the last trumpet called the resurrection of the just or the Judgement Seat of Christ, and the resurrection of the damned called The Great White Throne of God, will be discussed in the next lesson "The Eternal Judgement".
By now it should be fairly clear that if you believe in the shed blood of Jesus and repent of your ways, then and only then will you be saved. Many have been taught that all you have to do is believe in Jesus and then they go on living as they always have and think they are going to heaven. The devil believes in Jesus but he won't repent. You see, it is in repenting that we show we have received Jesus and hate our old lives. Remember, Jesus always sent the disciples out with a message of repentance!
Eternal Judgement
The believer is judged righteous at the cross, (John 5:24) “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life”, so therefore there remains only two judgements.
The Great White Throne of Judgement
This Judgement occurs after the 1000 year reign of Christ. This is the final Judgement for all who have rejected the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins. This is where all who rejected Jesus in this life will face Him in righteous judgement, and all they have done to deny him will be brought up before God and they will know then that they are worthy of eternal separation from God (eternal damnation). (Rev. 20:11-15) “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
You see, those who died without Christ prior to His return, will go to hell (Hades or the place (state) of departed souls: - grave, Hell.). Jesus said in the parable of the rich man and Lazareth, that the rich man was in flames of hell. However, Hell is not forever, it is only a temporary holding area until the Great White Throne of Judgement. Then all the unbelievers and even Hell itself will be thrown into the lake of fire (ghehenna, gheh'-en-nah; of Heb. or [H1516 and H2011]; valley of Hinnom; ghehenna [or Ge-Hinnom], a valley of Jerus., used [fig.] as a name for the place [or state] of everlasting punishment:) which burns with fire and brimstone forever and ever.
Punishment is forever:
(Matt. 24:46) “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
(Rev. 14:10-11) “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
The Devil and his Angels will go into the lake of fire.
(Matt. 25:41) “Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Ghehenna was never prepared for human beings, it was prepared for the Devil and his Angels. The only reason people go there is because they repeatedly refused to accept the shed blood of Jesus and would not obey and follow his commands. Thank God He left us a way out! His name is Jesus!
The Judgement Seat of Christ
The Judgement Seat of Christ is described in (Rom. 14:10-12), (1 Cor. 3:11-15), (2 Cor. 5:10). This is a judgement of the Christian’s works and is not a judgement of his sins. It is not to determine if a Christian goes to heaven, but, to judge his motives and actions. When you received the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, he took the penalty for your sins and absolved you of all your sin. As it states in (Rom 8:1) “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
The above scripture states that there is no "condemnation for the believer. The Greek makeup of the word "condemnation" is "kata" meaning after, and "krima" meaning judgement. There is no "after judgement" or condemnation for the believer. The believer is judged righteous at the acceptance of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. (Rom 5:19) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Our works for Christ will be tried as by fire to see if they were done with good motives and pure hearts. (1 Cor 3:10-15) “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
The rewards for the righteous:
A. The Crown of Life
This is often called the "Martyr's Crown" and will be a reward for faithfulness to Christ even if it is to the death. (Rev 2:10) ....be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (James 1:12) “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
B. The Crown of Glory
This crown is given to the men and women who minister to God's flock. (1 Pet 5:2-4) “ Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
C. The Crown of Righteousness
This crown is given as a reward for purity of life while longing for the loving return of the Lord. (2 Tim. 4:7-8) “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
D. The Crown of Rejoicing
Sometimes referred to as the "Soulwinner's Crown". It is a reward to those who have won others to Christ. The inference here is that the soulwinner will have rejoicing in Heaven when he sees those he has won to the Lord. (1 Thes. 2:19) “ For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?”
The Incorruptible Crown
This crown is a reward for the disciplined life in Christ. (1 Cor 9:25) “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”
These crowns are gifts that Jesus desires to give us at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Since they are of value to Him, they are of highest value to us. As the twenty four elders cast their crowns before him, so should we strive for something of value to Him to cast before Him. (Rev.4:10-11) The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Conclusion:
There WILL be a resurrection of our bodies. Will it be a resurrection to life, or resurrection to death? God who is merciful, has made a way of escape for everyone who will call upon His name. He provided the ONLY way of escape in His son Jesus. If you have not made a public profession of your belief in Jesus, please don't hesitate one more minute, come to the teacher and tell them so. It is not too late to escape the Lake of Fire that burns forever!