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Bible Class Questions and Answers, June 19, July 3, and 10, 2005, 9:30 AM Class Spokane Bible Church, Tod Kennedy 1. Distinguish. Give central Scripture a. Spirituality. Spirituality comes from the Greek word pneumatikos, which means pertaining to or relating to the Spirit. By its lexical meaning and in the context of use it refers to one who is at any point in time rightly related to the Holy Spirit. The central passage is Galatians 5, specifically 5:16-6:1, and it means walking by the Holy Spirit. You may have learned it as “filled with the Holy Spirit” from Ephesians 5:18. Only a Christian can be spiritual. A believer is either spiritual or carnal. Many books confuse spirituality with maturity. In some contexts it may have that meaning, but I cannot think of any now. Personal sin takes one out of spirituality and into carnality. Confession of sin (1 John 1) changes one from living by the flesh and puts one into living by the Holy Spirit. We continue on living by the Holy Spirit by faith, or depending on the Holy Spirit. b. Spiritual growth. Spiritual growth refers to the progressive advancement in the biblical faith. This of course depends on the ministry of the Holy Spirit, fellowship, learning God's word, faith, testing, and application. Ephesians 4:12, 14, 15; 2 Peter 3:14-18, 1 Peter 2.2, Hebrews 5:11-6:6, and others refer to this. c. Spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity refers to the various stages or levels of spiritual growth. These levels are not very clear in the Bible, though I think we could demonstrate some. This is different from spirituality in which both immature believers and mature believers can be either spiritual or carnal at any point in time. Ephesians 4:13, Hebrews 5:11-6:6, Colossians 1:28, James 1:4, and others speak of spiritual maturity. d. Sanctification. Sanctification refers to a set apart condition. Believers are set apart for God's priestly service. Romans 12:1-2 present the believer’s side of sanctification. There are three kinds of sanctification. 1. Positional which every believer has (Acts 26.18; 1 Corinthians 1.2, 30; 6.11; Ephesians 1.1; 2 Thessalonians 2.13; Hebrews 10.10; 1 Peter 1.2); experiential which is the day to day sanctification (John 17.17; Romans 6.19, 22; 12.1; 2 Corinthians 7.1; 1 Thessalonians 4.3-7; 5.23; Hebrews 12.10, 14; 1 Peter 1.15); and ultimate, which occurs in heaven (Philippians 3.21; 1 John 3.1-2; Jude 24-25). e. Carnality. Carnality comes from the word for flesh, sarkikos, and by extension often refers to man living apart from God’s power and Word, whether a believer or unbeliever. When one lives by his own power, he is living by his human fallen nature. The believer who lives by his human nature instead of by his divine nature is said to be carnal. The central passage is 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 where believers are living like unbelievers and are called carnal. Galatians 5:16-21 states the conflict between the flesh and the Holy Spirit, and gives some works of the flesh that are sins. Carnality is opposite to spirituality. Confession of sin to God restores the believer to walking in the light, to fellowship (1 John 1), and to walking by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5). f. Fellowship with God. This emphasizes the friendship relationship with God the Father and the Son. Sin breaks the fellowship; confession of sin restores the fellowship. When in fellowship with God, believers partner with God in service and enjoy a close friendship. The central passages are 1 John 1 and John 13. Since one is no longer walking in darkness (sin), the Holy Spirit also leads and controls the believer as Galatians 5 teaches. 2. Distinguish Eternal Security from Assurance of Salvation. Give central Scripture. a. Eternal Security. Eternal security means that when a person believes in Jesus Christ as Savior, he can never lose his eternal life. The Bible clearly teaches that once we believe in Jesus Christ as savior, our eternal destiny is fixed and secure. Security looks at our eternal salvation from God’s viewpoint. i. The believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1.13). ii. The believer is in God’s hand (John 10.28-29). iii. The believer is in the plan of God (Romans 8.28-30). iv. The believer is in the love of God (Romans 8:38-39) v. Salvation is by grace (Ephesians 2.8-9). vi. The believer is a new creation in relationship with Christ (2 Corinthians 5.17). b. Assurance of Salvation. Assurance means that you, a believer in Jesus Christ have confidence that you are in the family of God and therefore have eternal life. Assurance looks at our eternal salvation from man’s viewpoint. The central passage is 1 John 5:13. Each clear verse about eternal salvation, such as John 3:16, stresses the basis for assurance because God keeps his word. 3. List your favorite Bible verses (5) that state mankind’s problem and how one may gain eternal life? John 3:16; John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; and others.
4. Learn and recite the chapter titles for the Gospel of John. (See Bible Doctrine 1 Book)
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