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Categorical Doctrine

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You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them and that from childhood, you have known the sacred writings which can give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus . All Scripture [ graphe – that which is written] is inspired by God [ theopneústou – God-breathed] and profitable [advantageous] for teaching [doctrine] , for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.                  2 Timothy 3:14-17 There are 66 books of the Christian Bible recognized by the Christian community as canon, meaning an acknowledgment as inspired by God and, thus, given divine authority. Paul understood the importance of this when he wrote the following in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 to the church: For this reason, we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted [ dechomai
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Truth & Reality

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And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth [ aletheia - a reality that is firm, solid, binding, and hence true] . John testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'" For of His fullness, we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized [ ginomai - came into being] through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him .           John 1:14-18                 The Greek word for truth is aletheia , and Spiros Zodhiates defines it this way: Truth as evidenced in relation to facts; therefore, al¢theia denotes the reality clearly lying before our eyes as opposed to a mere appearance, without reality. Much spiritual warfare is centered o
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The End Times & a Pretribulational Rapture

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The disciples of the apostles would be a good place to start in determining an accurate eschatology (events concerning the end of the world). These early church fathers taught premillennialism that the Church's Rapture would occur before a literal 1,000-year reign of Christ known as the Kingdom Age or Millennium. Christ will reign from the city of Jerusalem, preceded by a seven-year period during which the Antichrist will rule the earth. During these last days, the Jews will rebuild their temple in Jerusalem.   A movement occurred during the third century (200-300 AD) arguing that much of the end times teachings were symbolic, brought on by the Schism of Nepos and causing the whole Church to become amillennial. This period was in the middle of the Church determining the canon of the New Testament, namely which writings would be considered inspired by God. This schism centered on questioning the literal interpretation of the book of Revelation, particularly the 1,000 years of Reve
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Spiritual Character

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  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.             Galatians 5:16-18 Galatians 5 has become a treatise on the spiritual life. Paul identifies the Holy Spirit as the source of spiritual life and character. Jesus said in John 3:6, That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit . He was teaching that no matter how hard the flesh tries to be spiritual, he will always fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). It then becomes necessary for the believer to develop a living relationship with the Holy Spirit to find the quality of life purchased for each believer by Jesus Christ at Calvary. To walk by the Spirit means to live the daily life under His influence. Wit
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The Righteous Man

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  “Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith .”           Habakkuk 2:4 In Habakkuk 1, the prophet asks God to explain why the Lord would use such a wicked nation, Babylon, as His instrument of justice toward His people. This does not compute! Yahweh's answer only came after Habakkuk waited a season. God's answer to the believer often comes after a season of waiting (Isaiah 40:31). He contrasts the utter wickedness of the Babylonians to the man who walks by his faith. A more accurate translation may be, The just man, or the righteous man, shall live by his confidence in God . The Lord would eventually restore the Jewish people to their land. The Bible Knowledge Commentary captures the essence of God’s answer: Yahweh then declared that a righteous person, by stark contrast, will live by his faith (emûnah, "steadfastness or faithfulness"). A righteous Israelite who remained loyal to God's moral prec
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