Bible Topics
I Corinthians 15
World English in Bold
Lee Delbridge’s Comments in Italics
1 Now I (The Apostle Paul) declare to you, brothers (fellow Christians), the gospel (good news) which I (Paul) preached (proclaimed) to you (Corinthians), which also you received (accepted), in which you also stand (remain), 2 by which (the gospel) also you are saved (have eternal life), if you hold firmly the word (this gospel) which I (Paul) preached (proclaimed) to you--unless you believed in vain (were insincere in your Faith). 3 For I (Paul) delivered (preached, taught) to you (Corinthians) first of all that which I (Paul) also received (from Jesus,I did not make it up): that Christ (Jesus) died for our sins (to pay the penalty for for sins; an atoning sacrifice) according to the Scriptures (Bible), 4 that he (Jesus) was buried (died and was buried), that he (Jesus) was raised (resurrected from the dead) on the third day (The Lord’s Day; the first day of the week) according to the Scriptures (Bible; it had been predicted by Jesus and others), 5 and that he (Jesus) appeared (alive, in a body) to Cephas (Peter), then to the twelve (all the Apostles). 6 Then he (Jesus) appeared (alive) to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now (many of the 500 were still alive at the time Paul wrote this in case anyone wanted to check it out), but some have also fallen asleep (some the 500 had died). 7 Then he (Jesus) appeared (alive) to James (Jesus’ half brother), then to all the apostles (again), 8 and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he (Jesus) appeared to me (the Apostle Paul) also. 9 For I (Paul) am the least of the apostles (chosen representatives of Jesus), who (Paul) is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly (the church) of God. 10 But by the grace (unmerited and unearned favor) of God I (Paul) am what I am. His (God’s) grace which was bestowed on me was not futile (wasted), but I (Paul) worked more than all of them; yet not I (Paul), but the grace (unmerited, unearned and undeserved favor) of God which was with me. 11 Whether then it is I (Paul) or they (the other Apostles), so we preach (proclaim), and so you believed (trusted, accepted).
12 Now if Christ (Jesus) is preached (proclaimed), that he (Jesus) has been raised (resurrected) from the dead (alive again), how do some among you (Corinthians) say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead (Paul list six consequences in verses 13-19 if there is no resurrection of the dead), neither has Christ been raised (resurrected). 14 If Christ (Jesus) has not been raised (resurrected), then our preaching is in vain (useless), and your faith (in Jesus) also is in vain (useless). 15 Yes, we (apostles) are found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up (resurrected) Christ, whom he didn't raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead aren't raised, neither has Christ been raised. 17 If Christ (Jesus) has not been raised (resurrected), your faith (in Jesus) is vain (useless); you are still in your sins (lost, not saved). 18 Then they also who are fallen asleep (died) in Christ (as Christians) have perished (are lost, not saved). 19 If we have only hoped in Christ (Jesus) in this (physical) life, we are of all men most pitiable (to be pitied, to be felt sorry for). 20 But now Christ (Jesus) has been raised from the dead (resurrected). He became the first fruits of those who are asleep (first one to be resurrected from the dead, never to die again). 21 For since death came by man (Adam and his sin), the resurrection of the dead also came by man (Jesus and His atoning sacrifice for sin). 22 For as in Adam (humans; see Hebrews 9:27) all die (physically), so also in Christ (those who are in Christ, who are saved, who have accepted Jesus as their Savior) all will be made alive (resurrected bodily from the dead).
23 But each in his own order: Christ (Himself) the first fruits, then those who are Christ's (Christians), at his (Jesus’) coming (return). 24 Then the end comes (at the end of the Millennial), when he (Jesus) will deliver up the Kingdom to God, (The Kingdom of God is anywhere and everywhere God is King) even the Father; when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power (Jesus will have become king of kings and lord of lords). 25 For he (Jesus) must reign until he has put all his enemies (including death) under his feet (all are under His control). 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death (Death is an enemy. It is the last enemy that will be destroyed. Until then death is our enemy. Compare Revelation 20:14-15). 27 For, "He put all things in subjection under his feet." But when he says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that he is excepted who (God the Father) subjected all things to him (Jesus). 28 When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him (God the Father) who subjected all things to him (Jesus), that God may be all in all. 29 Or else what will they do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead aren't raised at all, why then are they baptized for the dead? (I have no idea what erase 29 means. The Scripture never talks about being baptized for someone else other than in this verse.) 30 Why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily (I give my life to God every day). 32 If I fought with animals at Ephesus for human purposes, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, then "let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die (if there is no resurrection then why not just eat, drink and be merry for when it is over, it is over)." 33 Don't be deceived! "Evil companionships corrupt good morals (a universal principle - evil people corrupt people with who they associate. This is true of activities and it is true of doctrine. False teachers, if allowed in will corrupt the church)." 34 Wake up righteously, and don't sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame (it is the responsibility of Christians to share the gospel with everyone). 35 But someone will say, "How are the dead raised?" and, "With what kind of body do they come?" 36 You foolish one, that which you yourself sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 That which you sow, you don't sow the body that will be, but a bare grain, maybe of wheat, or of some other kind. 38 But God gives it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own (you sow a seed and it grows into a plant. In a sense it is the same, but more elaborate). 39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds (while there are some similarities, different creatures are difference; this illustrate that evolution is not true). 40 There are also celestial (heavenly) bodies, and terrestrial (earthly) bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption (decaying by its very nature); it is raised in incorruption (incapable of decaying). 43 It is sown in dishonor (dead body, no life); it is raised in glory (alive forever). It is sown in weakness (sickness, no strength); it is raised in power (alive forever). 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body (but still a body). There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body. 45 So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul." The last Adam (Jesus) became a life-giving spirit. 46 However that which is spiritual isn't first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual. 47 The first man (Adam) is of the earth, made of dust. The second man (Jesus) is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also made of dust (all humans); and as is the heavenly (Jesus), such are they also that are heavenly (Christians). 49 As we have borne the image of those made of dust (our earthly bodies), let's{NU, TR read "we will" instead of "let's"} also bear the image of the heavenly (Jesus; we will be like Jesus after the resurrection).
50 Now I say this, brothers (fellow Christians), {The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} that flesh and blood (our human bodies) can't inherit the Kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery (something that is hidden but now revealed, something we cannot figure our for ourselves, it has to be revealed to us). We will not all sleep (die, some will be alive when Jesus returns), but we will all be changed (transformed), 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet (the trumpet that will sound when Jesus returns, see I Thessalonians 4:16-17). For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible (raptured), and we will be changed (will receive a new body). 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: "Death is swallowed up in victory (never to die again)." 55 "Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (Jesus paid the price so we could have a new body and live forever with Him).
58 Therefore (Paul makes application of all that he had written in this chapter), my beloved brothers (fellow Christians), be steadfast (steady), immovable (never changing what you believe), always abounding (doing more than enough) in the Lord's work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (what you do for Jesus is never wasted). (Because the resurrection is true and real you should be firm in your faith in the Lord and abounding in your work for the Lord)
Apologetics: God
Lee Delbridge
January 6, 2019
Proposition: To show that to believe in the existence of God is reasonable.
Word to Learn: Apologetics - Christian Apologetics is the defense of the Christian faith.
Introduction
You should know why you believe what you believe! You should be able to give a reasonable defense of your faith. I Peter 3:15 says: but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
Here are three positions that people take on this issue:
Atheist - There is no god.
Agnostic - I don’t know if there is a God or not and no one can know.
Deist - God Created the world but is not involved in it in any way now
Theist - There is a God
Here are three basis reasons to believe in God.
Every Person Knows Within Himself That There God Exist
Romans 1:19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
Every person, if he or she is honest with himself knows that there is a God
Atheists and agnostics are “without excuse” — they know better
The Creation Itself Is Evidence That God Exist
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Psalms 19:1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Hebrews 3:4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God
A design implies a designer. A house implied a house builder. A table implies a table builder. The creation implies a God To examine the design in the universe and say that it is the result of random accident is ridiculous. Any reasonable person knows that there is a God from the creation itself. The “flaws” we see in creation is the result of the curse of sin (See Genesis 3:17-19)Evolutionists believe that “stuff” is eternal and everything accidentally came from it. Creationists believe God is eternal and He created everything.
The Bible Assumes God Exist
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Psalms 14:1a The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
The Bible is one of the most read and accepted book in the world and it assumes that God exist.
Conclusion
You should know why you believe what you believe! (See I Peter 3:15) You should be able to give a reasonable defense of your faith. Review the three top “reasons” in your defense of your faith in God. Believing in God is reasonable and sensible. There is sufficient evidence that God exist. The three basic reasons to believe in God are:
Every Person Knows Within Himself That There God Exist
The Creation Itself Is Evidence That God Exist
The Bible Assumes God Exist
Apologetics: The Bible
By Lee Delbridge
Proposition: To show that the Bible is the Word of God.
Definition: The word inspiration refers to the Bible text — it is the words (not the writers) that are inspired. God guided the writers that even though they used their own words, what they wrote was exactly what He wanted written.
Introduction
We Believe the Bible Is God’s Word. Here’s Why:
IT CLAIMS
It Claims To Be From God Over 2,000 Times.
II Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
II Peter 1:21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Either These Claims Are True or False — If they are true we should believe and obey; if they are false we should never say it is just a good book. If it teaches a lie about what it is over 2000 times, it is not a good book!
ITS UNITY
Written Over a Period of 1,500 Years by About 40 Men from Six Different Countries in Three Languages
Yet the 66 Books Together Make ONE BOOK
The one message throughout the entire Bible is God’s relationship with mankind
There are a few difficult issues, but no major contradictions
ILLUSTRATION: A Band. One Mastermind (the Director) — note the difference when they are warming up and when they are playing under one Director
ITS FULFILLED PROPHECIES
Prophecy is History Written In Advance
Example: Jesus’ Birthplace - Micah 5:2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” WITH Luke 2:4-6 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
Over 300 Prophecies Were Fulfilled By Jesus Himself (The Probability of That Is Outrageous)
There are 38 references to Isaiah 53 and 24 references to Psalms 22 in the New Testament
Jeremiah 31 predicts that Israel would be restored as a nation. It happened in 1948.
ITS LASTABILITY
Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
ILLUSTRATION: Voltaire (1694-1778) Said That in 100 Years from That Time (the time of his life) There Would Not Be A Bible Left.
ITS POWER TO CHANGE LIVES
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Psalms 119:11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
The Bible Has Changed Prostitutes Into Sunday School Teachers and Drunks into Preachers
ILLUSTRATION: Englishman was Touring the South Sea Islands. He Saw a Converted Cannibal Reading a Bible. He Said, “That Book Is Out of Date in Our Country.” The Converted Cannibal Said, “It Is a Good Thing For You Sir, That It Is Not Out of Date in This Country.”
Conclusion
The Bible is the Word of God. We believe that because of:
It’s Claims
It’s Unity
It’s Fulfilled Prophecies
It’s Lastibility
It’s Power to change lives
Because the Bible is the Word of God you should read it, study it, believe it, live by it, and share it. You have a copy of the very Word of God. Don’t neglect it. Treasure it! Use it!
Extra Notes
Jesus used Scripture to Overcome Satan’s temptation - Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus said Scripture would not pass away until all was fulfilled - Matthew 5:18
Peter taught that Paul’s writings were Scripture - II Peter 3:15-16
Peter said that the Holy Spirit spoke through the mouth of David - Acts 1:15-16
Paul claims that his words were the words of God - I Thessalonians 2:13; I Corinthians 14:37
Apologetics: Jesus
By Lee Delbridge
Proposition: To Show that Jesus is God and the Savior of all who come to Him.
INTRODUCTION
Jesus was a historical figure – He really lived in Israel about 2,000 years ago. The Bible writers made some amazing claims about Jesus. Jesus Himself made some amazing claims about Himself. Today, we will talk about those claim. Here are some claims made about Jesus
PETER SAID THAT JESUS WAS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD AND THE ONLY WAY OF SALVATION
Matthew 16:13-16
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Acts 4:12
And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (See verses 5-11 also)
PAUL CLAIMED THAT ETERNAL LIFE WAS IN JESUS CHRIST
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
JOHN CLAIMED THAT JESUS WAS GOD AND THE CREATOR OF EVERYTHING
John 1:1-3
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
JESUS CLAIMED THAT HE WAS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD
John 14:1-6
1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
4 And you know the way where I am going.”
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
JESUS CLAIMED TO BE ONE WITH THE FATHER (GOD)
John 14:9
Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
JESUS CLAIMED TO BE GOD
Exodus 3:13-14
Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “ I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
John 8:58
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”
JESUS CLAIMED TO HAVE ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH
Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Possible Positions to Take About Jesus’ Claims
A. Jesus Was A Liar – He Knew The Claims Were False.
B. Jesus Was A Lunatic – He Thought The Claims Were True But They Were False
C. Jesus Was And Is Lord – He Is Who He Claimed To Be.
Conclusion
The Bible make some amazing claims about Jesus. Just based on the claims Jesus Himself made about Himself, He was either a liar, a lunatic or He is Lord. It will not always be true, but as of right now you can choose to accept him as Lord or not. Will you make Jesus Lord of your life today?
Apologetics: Eternal Salvation Is A Conditional Free Gift
Introduction
Eternal Life (Salvation) is a conditional free gift. Most evangelical Bible believing Protestants church would agree with the following four points.
You Are A Sinner
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Your Sin Separate You From God
Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.
God Loves You and Jesus Died For You
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
In Order To Be Saved You Must Accept Jesus As Your Savior
John 1:12
But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
Different churches give different answers about HOW you accept Jesus as your Savior.
Many churches teach you are saved by faith alone when you pray and ask Jesus to come into your heart.
(There is not one example in the Bible of someone praying and inviting Jesus into their heart! Don’t get mad at me saying that. Find one example in the Bible in the Christian Dispensation of a person praying and inviting Jesus into their heart and show it to me.)
Many churches teach you are saved by repentance and faith.
Some churches teach you are saved if you do more good deeds than bad deeds or that you somehow “pay” for your sins by doing extra good things. (Genesis 3; Galatians 3:10 and James 2:10 teach that is incorrect because one sin condemns you.)
What did Jesus Say?
Jesus Said You Must Believe
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Jesus Said You Must Repent
Luke 13:3
I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Jesus Said You Must Confess Him
Matthew 10:32
Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.
Jesus Said You Must Believe and Be Baptized
Mark 16:15-16
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
Jesus Said You Must Remain Faithful Until Death
Matthew 24:13
But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
What Does Other Bible Writers Say?
Peter Said You Must Repent and Be Baptized
Acts 2:38
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Paul Said You Must Believe in Jesus and Confess Him as Lord
Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
Paul Taught You Are Baptized Into Jesus (and Salvation is in Jesus)
Romans 6:3-5
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,
A Biblical Example
Acts 8:35-39
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him.
36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
37 And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.
39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.
Conclusion
Eternal Life (Salvation) is a conditional free gift. Jesus paid for it in full. It is offered to whosoever will. It is a free gift but a conditional gift. The conditions are conditions of receiving not conditions of achieving. There is no value or merit in meeting the conditions. They are conditions of receiving. Since God is giving the gift, He has a right to set the conditions. We believe those conditions are given by God in the Bible. They are:
Believe in Jesus
Repent of your sins
Confess Jesus publicly
Be Baptized into Jesus
Remain Faithful to Jesus until death
QUALITIES OF CHRISTIAN MATURITY NEEDED FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Compiled by Lee Delbridge
Christian leadership is the more spiritually mature persons leading
the less spiritually mature persons to spiritual maturity.
The Bible lists the qualities of spiritual maturity as it lists the
qualifications of elders and deacons.
Lee Strobel's Testimony
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