| Author | Message | ||
| Gatororeo7 (Gatororeo7) |
Redeem is a word that most of us are familiar with. It's what we used to do with green stamps. We'd exchange them for a toaster or something else of value at a redemption center. The biblical definition of redeem is bigger than this green stamp illustration. The complete meaning of redeem is to buy back and set free. As we take a closer look at redemption, we will see this is exactly what Jesus Christ has done for you an me through His death on the cross. Galatians 3:13, 14 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. 1. What did Christ redeem us from? The curse of the law. 2. How did He redeem us? By becoming a curse for us. 3. How did Christ become a curse for us? By hanging on a tree (cross). 4. For what reason did Christ redeem us? So that the blessing given to Abraham might be extended to the Gentiles. 5. Who does the blessing given to Abraham come through? Jesus Christ. 6. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, what do we receive? The promise of the Spirit. 7. Could we receive the promised Holy Spirit if Christ had not redeemed us from the law? No! The biblical definition of redemption can best be explained by using the analogy of a slave market. In Jesus' day, the slave market was an integral part of society, a gathering place where slaves were bought and sold. A slave was placed on the auction blocks and could be purchased for a price. Once purchased, the slave became the property of his new owner. Jesus Christ paid a price to purchase us out of the slave market. He purchased us, however, not to make us slaves again, but to set us free from the law of sin and death. Psalm 49:7, 8 No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him- the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough... 1. According to this verse, could we redeem the life of another? No. 2. Could we give to God a ransom for the life of another? Why not? No, because the ransom for a life is costly, expensive. 3. Would any payment we offered to God ever be enough? No. 4. Who, therefore, is the only One who could redeem us? Jesus. 1 Peter 1:18, 19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1. According to this passage, were silver and gold enough to redeem us? No. 2. What price had to be paid? The precious blood of Jesus Christ. 3. How does Peter describe Jesus Christ? A lamb without blemish or defect. 4. How does Peter describe the life we were redeemed from? Empty. 5. Before you knew Christ, how would you describe your life? Empty. 6. Could any other price except the blood of Jesus purchase us? No! John 8:32-34 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 1. How did the Pharisees respond to Jesus' proclamation that the truth would set them free? That they are descendants of Abraham and never have been slaves to anyone. 2. What did Jesus say they were slaves to? Sin. 3. Therefore, what will truth set us free from? Sin. Galatians 3:22, 23 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 1. What is the whole world a prisoner of? Sin. 2. What held us prisoners to sin? The Law. 3. Since it was the law that held us prisoners to our sin, what is it, then, that demands payment for our release from our sin? The penalty for our sin. 4. What payment does the law demand? Death. 5. Has the price been paid to release us from our bondage to sin? Yes. Hebrews 9:12, 15 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.... For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. 1. What did Christ obtain when He entered the Most Holy Place? Eternal redemption. 2. How did He enter the Most Holy Place? Once for all by His own blood. 3. What, then, was the price for our eternal redemption? His own blood. 4. Was the blood of bulls and goats enough? No. 5. What is Christ the mediator of? A new covenant. 6. Under this new covenant, what do those who are called receive? The promised eternal inheritance. 7. How does the writer of Hebrews describe Christ's death on the cross? Christ died as a ransom. 8. What did Christ's ransom set us free from? The sins committed under the first covenant. 9. Could we be under a new covenant and receive the promised eternal inheritance without first being set free from the sins committed under the old covenant? No. 10. How important, then, is it, for us to know we have been redeemed from the law? Extremely important. Romans 8:1, 2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 1. Is there any condemnation for those who are in Christ? No. 2. Why is there no condemnation for those who are in Christ? Because through Christ the law of the Spirit of life set us free from the law of sin and death. 3. What has the Spirit of life set us free from? The law of sin and death. 4. Based on the verses we have looked at in this chapter, what sets us free from the law of sin and death? Christ's blood. Galatians 4:4-7 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. 1. Why did God send His Son? To redeem those under the law. 2. For what reason did God redeem us? That we might receive the full rights as sons. 3. Did God buy us out of the slave market to keep us as slaves or to make us sons? To make us sons. 4. What did God do to assure us we are sons? God sent the Spirit into our hearts. 5. What does the Spirit call out? "Abba, Father". 6. Because we are sons, can we ever be slaves again? No! 7. Because God paid the price through the death of His Son, to whom do we belong? To God. 8. Because we are sons, what else have we become? Heirs. Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 1. Why did Christ set us free from the law of sin and death? For freedom. 2. What is the yoke of slavery that could burden us again? The law. 3. Once we have been purchased by God and set free from the law of sin and death, does God ever want us to go back to the law? No! Ephesians 1:7, 8 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 1. What do we have if we are in Christ? Redemption. 2. Once again, how was our redemption obtained? Through His blood. 3. What is our redemption in Christ in accordance with? The riches of God's grace. You and I were born into this world as slaves to sin. We were held captive to our sinfulness by the law. For us to be set free, a price had to be paid. The price the law demanded was the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Nothing else would do. At the right time, God sent Jesus Christ into the world to pay the price the law demanded. He redeemed us from the law of sin and death. He did so not to keep us as slaves, but to set us free, to make us His sons, and to give us the full rights of heirs. This is our redemption. The Bible tells us to stand firm, therefore, in the freedom that we have as sons of God. It just doesn't make sense to go back to the law, back to what kept us in slavery. | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Another great study, Joel! | ||
| Gatororeo7 (Gatororeo7) |
Just a question. Does this tudy at all seem too harsh against the Law? On another message board, this study is being ripped apart because basically, they dont believe the Bible emans what it says. And this is a general Christian board! There is one SDA who just doesnt get it, but then again, unless guided by the Spirit, would you really expect him to? I'm under the belief from my Bible that if the LAw cant do anything for me other than point out sin and lead me to Christ, then thats what it does. Why ascribe more to it than what it was intended to do. Yes, its holy and good, but its holy and good at doing those two things only. Beyond that, it cant do crap for me.But <sigh> apparently people love their law too much to accept anything the Bible says, so we'll sweep it under the rug and pretend its not in the Bible. Anyway, I'm just venting. | ||
| Another_Carol (Another_Carol) |
Joel, What are we going to do about it if it is too harsh? Change it? Ah maybe that's the issue. You didn't say these words, I didn't say these words, the Pope didn't say these words, My minister didn't say these words, the devil didn't say these words, Ellen White certainly didn't say these words. From where do these words come? If I must look to some other form of interpretation to make the Bible fit what I say it is saying then I must tell you I would be shaking in my boots. Rev. 22:18I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. Take the scripture as it presents instead of chopping it up to manipulate it to say what you want. That is what we are accused of, I quess because they think we don't want to do anything for God and want the easy way out. There is a saying nothing is free but in this case it must be thrown to the wind because in Christ it does not apply. We are not of this world and we should not think of this world. We are children of God with an inheritence that cannot be denied. I would say to anyone who does not understand Just accept it like a child accepts the love and protection from their parent and rest in it. Thus you will have the Holy Spirit quiding you so that all of God's children will live in harmony. Praying that the Bible will be taken as it presents instead of improved upon or in acutuality destroyed, Carol By the way wonderful study, Joel. | ||
| Denisegilmore (Denisegilmore) |
Joel, You have given an excellent study and my thanks goes to you. As to your statement: "But <sigh> apparently people love their law too much to accept anything the Bible says, so we'll sweep it under the rug and pretend its not in the Bible." That's what I'm seeing too, and I'm sighing just as loudly as you are about it, let's pray for them. May God continue to Bless you! Denise Gilmore | ||
| Pheeki (Pheeki) |
Help. Does anyone have any insight on the Clear Word Bible and if it originally came out and was promoted as a Bible? A friend of mine says it was never inteneded to be a Bible but a paraphrased devotional book. | ||
| Jerry (Jerry) |
Ummm. Sorry, friend of Pheeki, the title on the first printing was CLEAR WORD BIBLE. (Never intended as a Bible . . . Right! And, as former President Clinton would say, ìDefine the word ënever.í Define the word ëintended.í Define the word ëas.í Define the word ëa.í Define the word ëBible.íî) | ||
| Pheeki (Pheeki) |
I bought one about 4 years ago, in my endless quest for perfection, from the ABC. In all fairness to them, I cannot remember if the display around it had marketed it as a Bible or not but...clearly if one opens it, no matter what is on the front or written in the disclaimer inside (that most people don't read) it has the look and format of a Bible. It is divided up exactly as the Bible is with the Genesis-Revelation. What are you supposed to make of that? I bought it thinking it was for all intensive purposes, a Bible. I carried it to church and did my Bible study out of it. I have to say however, I never felt at ease with it...something didn't feel right. I sent my friend proof that EGW doctrine has been inserted into it and she got a little angry because she thought Ratzlaff and Strifling had an axe to grind at SDA's. She also was under the assumption that it was not being used for doctrine or read from the pulpit. Just 2 weeks ago I pointed out to her that it was in our own church. She is pretty open minded and I think we came to an understanding. Maybe it was intended as a Bible at first ( but now it isn't?) but why haven't they changed the inside format to really dispel the confusion?! OH, also in a recent Adventist Review (in the Adventist humor section) it had a joke about a Bible boy who was supposed to pretend to carry a bible at a wedding rehearsal, his grand father said, "Just pretend you have an invisible bible" and one of the groomsmen said "Kind of like the Clear Word." So clearly the SDA understand what it really is. You can't judge a book by it's cover. | ||
| Doug222 (Doug222) |
Of course it was also written by Jack Blanco as private project and therefore was not officially endorsed by the SDA Church--never mind that it aggreeively marketed and sold in all the ABC's. More SDA doublespeak. Doug | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
In addition, it was printed by the Review and Herald Publishing Company--as as private, outside job, or course. So, it was written by the then-head of the theology department of Southern Adventist University, it was printed by the Reivew and Herald, it's still marketed by the ABC's, and Adventists use it as a paraphrase of the Bible and quote it when they want to clarify Biblical passages. When I drive home from women's Bible study on Monday nights, I sometimes hear a snatch of Lonnie Meleshanko's Voice of Prophecy talk. Several months ago I heard him quote from the Clear Word to clarify a point he was making. This broadcast, by the way, is being aired over a regional Christian station that's NOT SDA. Yes, they intended it to be a Bible, but would hasten to say it wasn't official. Colleen | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
By the way, Joel, would you consider sending us your studies as word files? We'd like to post them in our "studies" section on the website. You can send them to formeradventist@aol.com Thanks! Colleen | ||
| Gatororeo7 (Gatororeo7) |
Colleen, All these studies are written on paper before I at all transfer them to the board. The first time I type them out is when I go to post it on the board. I could certainly send them to the site, but all I'd probably do is copy and paste the studies, save them to Word and wmail them to you. You could probably do that yourself, but I certainly wouldnt mind to save you some labor. There also about another 6 parts or so before I'm done. | ||
| Freeatlast (Freeatlast) |
"Perhaps our SDA friends will say this is an 'unofficial' translation, but note these credentials: Blanco is Chair of the Religion Department of Southern College (an institution of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church) near Chatanooga, Tennessee. The dustjacket includes testimonials from Robert S. Folkenberg, president, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and from Malcolm D. Gordon, president, Southern Union of Seventh-day Adventists." - from "Field Guide to the World of Religion" Also: *Official SDA periodicals and publications carry advertisements for the CWB. *SDA radio and television broadcasts occasionally quote from the CWB when providing Scripture references. *SDA ministers occasionally quote CWB from the pulpit. This practice is well-known by SDA executive authorities, however, no efforts are made to keep their ministers from using this "unofficial" "Bible" Virtually any other orthodox Christian denomination would have immediately defrocked executives who endorsed a non-orthodox Bible! *SDA publishing houses produce the CWB, and profits from its sale ultimately end up in SDA coffers. "SILENCE IMPLIES CONSENT" Why does this "unofficial" publication have the hearty endorsement of so many SDA officials and seems to keep finding its way into so many "official" SDA avenues of ministry if it's not "official". If it walks like an official duck, swims like an official duck, and quacks like an official duck, it's an official duck! Our hearts should literally ache for the at-large SDA membership. The SDA leadership has a well-established track records of being less than forthright with the facts and dancing around evidence, yet they are trusted blindly and implicitly by millions of sincere, Christ-seeking believers. Pray that God will reveal Jesus to them! | ||
| Jerry (Jerry) |
Let's see, now. Seventh-day Adventism: 1. Has a "prophet" who denies "the title of prophet." 2. Has a "Bible" that is not a Bible, but is used LIKE a Bible. 3. Has a "creed" that claims not to be a creed. 4. Claims to be the "only true Christians," but do not think that Christ did all that much. 5. Claims to know more than anyone about the second coming, but got it wrong so many times in the past. Hmm. I think I see a pattern here. Did Ellen White believe what she said? Probably, most of the time. Did she do and say some good things. Sure. Do I hope she is in heaven, now? Absolutely. Does that mean I will cut her some slack as regards doctrine? Not in my lifetime!!! | ||
| Doug222 (Doug222) |
Jerry, How about if we change #4 to "Claims to be the only true Christians, but denies the completed work of Christ at the cross." Yeah, I see a trend. As someone said on another thread, its mazing what you can see when you look at things from a distance. "That's no tree trunk I'm seeing. Its an elephant's leg!" In His Grace | ||
| Jerry (Jerry) |
Sure, that is a more accurate statement. To me, believing that Christ did not complete atonement for sin at the Cross is a HUGE distance from believing He did. But, that is just my take on it. | ||
| Doug222 (Doug222) |
I don't know why all the deception should surprise us. The wisest man that ever lived said that there is nothing new under the sun. I came across something in my studying this week that I am not sure if I had seen before. I always thought the Pharisees (SDA's) were just a bunch of misinformed religious zealots. However, that is not true. I noticed discussion in Matthew 28:
The Pharisees engaged in blatant deception. More and more I am convinced that leadership within the SDA church does the same thing. I think the masses within the church are misinformed, but there are those who full well know what they are doing, but they justify it by saying, "the ends justifies the means." |
