TOPICAL SERIES

...he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost...
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body...

Matthew 3:11; 1 Corinthians 12:13

This miniseries explores the concept of spiritual baptism, touching on its relevance to both God's program with Israel and His program with the church, the body of Christ.  The Holy Spirit has a role in the fulfillment of God's purpose for both agencies.  While there are some things that are similar, the vast majority of the characteristics of these baptisms are different and must be kept distinct to properly understand them.  We must be able to rightly divide these issues, understanding the purpose of each, and seeing the apparent contrasts between the two.  This miniseries aims to do just that by utilizing a combination of detailed information and program highlights as we rightly divide spiritual baptisms.

...What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?....

Matthew 22:42

This collection of messages composes a topical series of studies examining the various designations of Christ as "the Son of _______."  Exploration of the scriptures around this phraseological arrangement reveals a number of different perspectives for our understanding and appreciation of who the Christ is as the Son.  These Messianic designations highlight various aspects of who the Christ was to be and what He was chosen to do within the scope of God's master plan for the ages.  Issues of His divinity, humanity, royalty & valiancy are highlighted in the various titles and designations we find assigned to Him.  Delving into these topics and allowing God to teach us about the Son is the primary aim and focus of this series of studies.

...I would not have you ignorant, brethren....

Romans 1:13

The basis for the series is the Apostle Paul's repeatedly used expression "I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren."  On at least six occasions, Paul makes use of this expression to introduce a crucial matter of understanding for all members of the body of Christ.  There are some things that we do not need to be ignorant of, yea, that we cannot afford to be ignorant of.  This study series explores these topics and endeavors to ensure that we do not find ourselves in the category of "Ignorant Brethren" within the body of Christ.

...the prudent man looketh well to his going....

Proverbs 14:15

The basis for the series is a desire to be prudent rather than simple in choosing our way carefully.  No truth has more impact upon the Christian than the reliability of the Bible as God's word, for in its pages alone do we find the authoritative witness to truth.  Is our faith in the Bible valid?  Does trusting it require blind faith?  Or is there valid reason to believe it?  Answering these questions and more is the subject of this introductory message to the series. 

...and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory....

Isaiah 46:13

The vast majority of the biblical record is devoted to God's dealings in, with and through the nation Israel.  Who are these people in the outworking of God's plan?  What is their divine purpose and calling?  Why does God say so much to and about them?  Is the body of Christ their replacement?  What on earth is God doing?  These questions and many others are addressed both directly and indirectly throughout this study as we survey God's program with Israel.  Indeed the LORD intends to be glorified in Israel and this series explores and endeavors to better understand the issues related to this biblical topic.

...be ye followers of me.

1 Corinthians 4:16

Paul the apostle was given a unique and distinct apostleship for the present dispensation of the grace of God.  Everything that prophecy knew concerning Israel's covenants was put on hold with the unexpected appearing of Jesus Christ to Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus Road.  With Paul's apostleship, the economy of God in the world changed.  God's will for today is the formation of the body of Christ and the commandment to follow Paul.  What does this mean?  What do we mean when we promote this?  Study with us as we examine the scriptures to find an answer to these questions.

...rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

In this series, we cover a collection of messages on the importance of "rightly dividing the word of truth." We deal with the fundamental matter of what right division is all about and ask the question of whether or not it is important to God.  We survey 4 concepts and seek to whet the spiritual appetite for this divine design for Bible Study as God has prescribed for His "workmen that nedeeth not to be ashamed."

...the LORD is his name.

Exodus 15:3

He is the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity.  His name is Holy, and His dwelling is in the high and holy place.  He is from everlasting, self-existent, incomparable, unchanging and glorious!  He is holy, holy, holy!  He humbleth Himself to behold the things in heaven, and in the earth!  Nevertheless, though he be high, hath he respect unto the lowly; and the Psalmist said, I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon me.  Such is the case with the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.  Full of grace and truth, He is the express image of the eternal Father, manifestly declared to be one with the same.  In him we find all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and all the treasures of the Father's wisdom and knowledge.  Rightly did the angel command Joseph, Thou shalt call his name JESUS, Jehovah the Savior, for this is absolutely who He is!  In this topical study, we examine the doctrinal significance of the name of the LORD as revealed to us in the word of God.  His name is Jehovah!

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Matthew 1:1

These audio recordings are part of a series of lessons I began in the Gospel of Matthew.  I was unable to finish the full study of the gospel at the time, but I believe the lessons provided are still of value in that they are a good overview of the history of Israel through the Old Testament up until the time of the gospel period.  The book of the generation of Jesus Christ is set forth as the first of Matthew's undeniable proofs that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Christ of God, the King of Israel.

...he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

Hosea 6:3

In this four hour study, the feasts of the LORD as found in Leviticus 23 are explored.  The rudimentary purpose of the feasts and the law itself is briefly explained, along with the symbolic and prophetic representations in the ordinances.  The relationship to the Jehovah-compound names is of particular focus, as well as the fulfillment of the feasts in the two-phased coming of the Messiah.  In this study, most importantly, we see Jesus from start to finish.  The beauty of the Lord is set forth in these legal passages that are written for our learning, and there is much profit in the comprehension of these truths.

...then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.

Leviticus 26:18

Leviticus 26 is one of the most crucial chapters in the Bible when it comes to understanding God's program with Israel.  In the book that is probably least studied by Christians today, in a single chapter tucked away in the middle of the Pentateuch, we have an outline to follow through the rest of the Bible that concerns God's prophetic dealings with His nation.  Listen to the audio recordings included in this series to see how this outline works itself out through the pages of God's word!

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature...

2 Corinthians 5:17

Of great importance to the people of God is an understanding of our identity from God's perspective.  In this study, we learn from Israel the detriment of having a view of ourselves independent from God's word.  The lessons learned from Israel in time past gives us reason to explore the identity that God has given us as the body of Christ.  We find three aspects to the new identity God has given us in Christ, and examining each of these is the major theme of this series.