What Is The Gospel Of Our Salvation? - Revisited

Today on the Facebook group named "Rapture Discussion: Pretribulation, Posttribulation, or Prewrath?" a lady, Cheryl, who I believe is new in that group posted, "Bill Gray - can you share the Gospel that saves with me please?"

In response, I believe that I gave a good answer to that question in my Facebook Note titled "What Is The Gospel Of Our Salvation" posted on Facebook, the TimesDaily Religion Forum, and then shared via my Friends Ministry eNewsletter on July 8, 2014. 

It is a dialogue with a Roman Catholic Friend, Andrea.  We connected in 2004, when we were both in a discussion group about Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ" which was released in 2004.   She and I have remained Friends and had many positive dialogues since then.

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Posted in July 2014:

In a recent discussion I began on the TimesDaily Religion Forum, in my Facebook Notes, and in my Friends Ministry eNewsletter titled "We Can Have Civil And Constructive Discussions Between Roman Catholics And Protestants" my long time good Friend and Roman Catholic jousting partner (no offense intended, nor meant), Andrea, has raised several good questions.

First, she raises the question of what is included in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Andrea:  "Hi Bill, Ephesians 1:13 is interesting.  Thank you for bringing it to my attention.  Note the words 'Gospel of your salvation.'   Does the Gospel include *all* of Jesus' words?  How is it possible that His words, His teaching, on baptism are not included in the 'Gospel of Salvation'?"

First, let's take another look at Ephesians 1:13, "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the Gospel of your salvation -- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise."

Basically, I see your question to be, "What is the Gospel of Salvation?  Is it the same as saying the Gospel of Jesus Christ?"   And, the answer to that question is, "Yes.  The Gospel of Salvation and the Gospel of Jesus Christ are the same."  The word "gospel" means "good news" - so we are referring to the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

What is the Good News of Jesus Christ?  It is that He came to earth as the Incarnate God to pay our sin debt "in full" - to die in our place and to finish His work of redemption (John 19:30) promised to all who will, by grace through faith in His finished work (Ephesians 2:8-9), believe and receive Him as Lord and Savior (John 1:12).

How do we answer, with authority, a question regarding the fullness of the Gospel of our Salvation?  Well, we go to the highest authority available to us, the Bible.  Can we find the Gospel of our Salvation defined in the Bible?  Yes.  Paul teaches it:

1 Corinthians 15:1-8,  "Now I make known to you, brethren, the Gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, (2) by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.  (3) For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (4) and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (5) and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  (6) After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; (7) then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; (8) and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also."

That, according to Scripture is the Gospel.  Then, Scripture adds clarification to the Gospel so there can be no misunderstanding:

He ascended back into heaven:

Acts 1:9, "And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight."

He is our only Mediator between God and man:

1 Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God, and one Mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

And, His death has "paid in full" the Adamic Sin Debt inherited by all, referred to as Original Sin in the Roman Catholic church.  Not all people are forgiven; but all who, by grace through faith in His finished work on the cross, will believe and receive Him as Lord and Savior - are forgiven and have eternal life in Christ:

Hebrews 9:15, "For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant (Adam), those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance."

Andrea asked, "How is it possible that His words, His teaching, on baptism are not included in the 'Gospel of Salvation'?""

Did Jesus really teach salvation through baptism?  No. 

John 4:1-3, "Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), He left Judea and went away again into Galilee."

Ask yourself this question:  If baptism is necessary for salvation, would not Jesus have been the first to baptize folks?  After all, He suffered extreme humiliation at the hands of the Pharisees and the Romans, then died a cruel death on the cross - just to offer you and me eternal life, i.e., salvation.  Since He went to that extreme - wouldn't He have been eager to do something as simple as baptizing people IF that could save them eternally?  Yet, this Scripture passage tells us, "Jesus Himself was not baptizing."

The Scripture verse most often used to justify "baptismal regeneration," i.e., salvation through physical baptism - is John 3:5, when Jesus tells Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Of course, we know that the Spirit in this verse is the Holy Spirit.  But, what did He mean by "water"?   There are several possibly valid interpretations explaining that "water."  One is the water of our natural birth.  And, that can be supported to some extent by:

John 3:6, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

However, if we follow His discussion with the woman of Samaria in John 4, I believe we can see that "water" is really the Word of God, both Living (Jesus Christ) and Written (Scripture):

John 4:10-11, "Jesus answered and said to her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, "Give Me a drink," you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.'    She said to Him, 'Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water?'"

John 4:13-14, "Jesus answered and said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water (from the well) will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him (the Written Word of God) shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.'"

How can anyone view this Living Water as anything other than Jesus Christ and the Written Word of God?  One cannot have Jesus Christ and the Word of God in his heart and not be saved (1 John 5:12).  Yet, one can be wet from baptismal water, or from birth water - and still be lost eternally.

My Friend's next question:

Andrea:  "Consider another passage:  Acts 22:16, 'And now what are you waiting for?  Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'   Note the phrase 'wash your sins away.'   How is it possible to 'wash your sins away'?  Could it be that sin needs to be 'washed away' for a person to be saved?  Is simple acceptance of the Word able to 'wash sins away'?  Do we just say the Sinner's prayer (Westminster Catechism) and profess a Gospel Creed?  Is that enough to save us?"

First, the Sinner's Prayer is not the Westminster Catechism, nor a Creed.   The Sinner's Prayer is merely the person confessing, in his/her own words, as he/she understands that as a member of mankind we know that we are broken and need a Savior.  We know that Jesus Christ came to earth in a human body as God Incarnate.   We know that He came to take our sins upon Himself and to die in our place to pay the sin death debt we all owe to God.   We know that He rose from the dead to assure that man will be resurrected into immortal life.  We know that He ascended back into heaven to be our only Mediator between God and man.  And we know that Jesus Christ wants us to be adopted into God's family as His brethren (Hebrews 2:17).  

Do the words of the Sinner's Prayer have any magic ability to save us?  No.  Only what is in our hearts, Jesus Christ, can save us (1 John 5:12).  So, we confess to Jesus Christ that we know that we need Him in our hearts, and we know why we need Him.   Then, we invite Him to come into our hearts, into our lives, and be our very best Friend, our Lord and Savior (Revelation 3:20) - giving us eternal life, i.e., eternal salvation.

When we sin, as we all will - we go to God in prayer - seeking His forgiveness and the strength from Him to overcome that sin.  Is God surprised when we confess our sin to Him?  No.  He already knows what we have done.   So, why bother telling Him?   We pray, confess our sin, and ask His forgiveness - to acknowledge that we recognize our sin, that we own our sin, and that we want His help in overcoming that sin.

Just as confessing our sin to God shows that we understand and accept our sin - when we pray the Sinner's Prayer, the words cannot save us - but, by acknowledging that we need Jesus Christ as our Savior, and through faith we ask Him to be our Savior - if we are sincere, we do receive that gift of eternal life in Christ.  When we understand the Gospel, when we understand our need for Him as Savior, and when we, through faith, receive Him - we are indwelled and sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).  That is eternal salvation.

So, just to reiterate:  the words of the Sinner's Prayer are not magic.  One person may pray a long elaborate prayer - while another person many just confess, "Jesus, Lord, I want and need You in my life."   If both are sincere, both are equally saved and have eternal life in Christ.

Andrea asks, "Note the phrase 'wash your sins away.'   How is it possible to 'wash your sins away'?  Could it be that sin needs to be 'washed away' for a person to be saved?  Is simple acceptance of the Word able to 'wash sins away'?"

You must ask yourself:  "Are my sins washed away by the water of baptism - or by the precious blood of Jesus Christ?"  And, we know that only the blood of Jesus Christ can wash away our sin.  And, we know that was accomplished when He died on the cross, i.e., "It is finished!" (John 19:30).

After that, it is up to each individual "by grace through faith" in that finished work - to believe and receive His "paid in full" gift of eternal life - purchased by His precious blood.  If we believe and receive the Son, we have life.  If we do not believe and receive the Son, we do not have life (1 John 5:12).  It is His blood which washes away sin, not water.

You refer to Acts 22:16 when Ananias (not Jesus Christ) tells Paul, "Now why do you delay?  Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name."

Let's look deeper into what has happened to Paul (Acts 9) and what is now occurring in Acts 22:

Acts 9:1-6 (nkjv), "Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest (2) and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way (Christian faith), whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  (3) As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.  (4) Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?'  (5) And he said, 'Who are You, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'  (6) So he, trembling and astonished, said, 'Lord, what do You want me to do?'  Then the Lord said to him, 'Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.' " 

Then, we read of the Lord instructing Ananias regarding Paul:

Acts 9:15-17, "But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.  (16) For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.'  (17) And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' "

What do we see in these two passages?  First, we see Christ appearing (a theophany) to Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus.  We see Paul asking Jesus, whom he had just met in a most dramatic way, "Lord, what would You have me to do?" 

What happens when a non-believer meets Jesus for the first time and surrenders to Him?  We ask, "Lord, what would You have me to do?" - just as Paul did in that life changing moment.  Personally, I believe that, at that very moment, Paul had surrendered his life to Christ and had became a believer.

But, let's look deeper.  Christ appears to Ananias and instructs him what to do with the new believer, Saul/Paul.  Christ tells Ananias, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. . ."

And Ananias, laying his hands on Paul told him, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

What has happened here?  Ananias addresses Saul/Paul as "Brother Saul" - showing that Ananias already views Paul as a Christian brother, saved.   Then, he tells Paul, "The Lord Jesus,. . . has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

I read that as Ananias telling Paul that he will receive his "spiritual sight" - i.e., be shown what the Lord would have him do.  And, that Paul would be "filled" with the Holy Spirit.  Paul would be "filled" with the Holy Spirit to empower him to do the work Christ has chosen him to do.  

"Spiritual sight"would be similar to a person being called to the ministry as a pastor, evangelist, teacher, etc.   And, notice that the writer of Acts, Luke the historian, specifically writes "filled" with the Holy Spirit and not indwelled or sealed with the Holy Spirit.   We are indwelled/sealed at the moment of our conversion (Ephesians 1:13), only one time and that is eternal (Ephesians 4:30).  Yet, to empower us to continue to do the will of God, we need to be "filled" with the Holy Spirit daily.  We do that through daily prayer and daily study of God's Word.

Indwelling and sealing are a one-time, eternal event.  Filling with the Holy Spirit is like food, we need it every day to sustain us and to empower us to do God's will for that day.

Then, we read in Acts 9:18, "Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once (his calling into ministry as a new believer); and he arose and was baptized."

Yes, Paul was baptized.  But the baptism was the result of his salvation, not the cause of his salvation.

There is a parallel to this in Acts 2, after the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 disciples waiting in the Upper Room; after He both indwelled them and filled/empowered them - the apostles went outside and preached to the crowd of Jews gathered in the street where more than 3000 received the gift of eternal life, salvation:

Acts 2:37-38, "Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Brethren, what shall we do?'  (38) Peter said to them, 'Repent, and (then) 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 (indwelling/sealing).' "

Notice what happened:  Peter shared the Gospel - the Jews on the street were pierced to the heart (Holy Spirit conviction) -  they surrendered, "What shall we do" (the same thing Paul asked Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus) - They are told, "Repent!. . . (turn from the world and turn to believe and follow Jesus Christ) - THEN, "be baptized." 

The same thing has happened to all believers:  We heard the Gospel; we were convicted; we surrendered to Christ; we repent (turn from the world, and turn to Him) - and then we follow Him in baptism.   When did the baptism occur?   After the conviction, surrender, and repentance, i.e., after salvation has occurred.  After His blood has cleansed us.  Then, in obedience, we follow Him in baptism, our symbolic death to the world, and our symbolic resurrection as a new creature in Christ.

Acts 9:1-6 is the actual story of Paul's conversion.  But, like most good pastors/teachers/evangelists - Paul often told the story of his conversion as part of his sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Personal testimony in narrative is a powerful witnessing tool, i.e., "This is who I was before meeting Christ - and look at the change in me now.  That same change can happen in your life when you receive Christ as your personal Lord and Savior."  Great witness.

So, in Acts 21 and 22, when the angry mob of Jews was about to beat Paul to death for his witness - the commander of the Roman cohort took Paul into custody.  When Paul identified himself as a Jew and a Roman citizen, the commander allowed Paul to speak to the angry mob of Jews.  Paul addressed them in their native language and told them of meeting Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus.

And, in Acts 26, Paul is standing accused before King Agrippa - and once again Paul relates the story of his conversion on the road to Damascus in testimony, this time to King Agrippa.  So persuasive is Paul's testimony before King Agrippa that we read:

Acts 26:28, "Agrippa replied to Paul, 'In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.'   And Paul said, 'I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.' "

While we know that Paul was baptized - he tells us that he was not sent to baptize.  If baptism is a requirement of salvation; why was Paul not sent to baptize?   We read of Paul telling the church fellowship at Corinth:

1 Corinthians 1:17, "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the Gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void."

And, we read of Jesus regarding baptism:

John 4:1-3, "Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), He left Judea and went away again into Galilee."

Now, consider this.  Jesus came and died so that we might be saved.  If baptism is required to be saved - wouldn't Jesus be baptizing people?  And, would Paul tell us that Jesus did not send him to baptize - but, only to preach the Gospel - IF baptism is necessary for salvation and for washing away our sins? 

What is necessary for salvation?  To hear and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:13, 2:8-9), allowing His blood to wash us clean of sin (Hebrews 7:26-27, 9:12, 9:14, 9:22, 1 Peter 1:19, Luke 22:20) - as the Holy Spirit indwells and seals us eternally (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30). 

Andrea, I am happy that we can have these dialogues, for I believe we both learn from them and grow in our knowledge of God's Word through our willingness to openly discuss different Scriptural issues. 

And, my Friend, I look forward to you and me continuing these discussion eternally.  Then, we will have the greatest Professor who ever lived and existed eternally, Jesus Christ, teaching us.  Can you imagine, spending an eternity at the feet of Jesus, learning from Him?  There can be no reward greater than that.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

 

Using "OMG" And The "F" Word On Public Forums ~ Revisited, Again, And Again!

In September 2010, I was posting on Facebook Notes, the TimesDaily Religion Forum, the Faith & Family Section of The Conservative Voice eNewspaper, the Bill & Dory Gray Christian Ministries blog site, and in my Friends Ministry eNewsletter.   At that time, I became especially burdened for two reasons: 

First, I saw a Facebook post from a young lady whom I knew grew up in a very strong Christian family casually posting the "F" word as though it was like saying, "Hi, how are you?"  ~ and ~ second, my frustration over folks, even Christian believers, casually using the abbreviation OMG as an exclamation point or to add emphasis to their writing, reached a boiling point.  Many times I have responded to them, "Please, go ahead and finish your prayer - for I am sure that when you start with 'Oh, my God' you must be praying!"

So, in 2010 I posted the blog below on all those venues (and I have posted it several times since) - and I received the expected response on the TimesDaily Religion Forum and on Facebook - for both were populated with many atheists, agnostics, and plain old vanilla-flavored non-believers.  In response, folks on both venues began to compete, each trying to see how many times they could post OMG and frustrate Bill Gray. 

I suppose, in their secular world oriented minds they never even considered that they are offending someone infinitely greater and more important than Bill Gray - they are offending God, God who created them and all the universe.  Just think of that, they are offending the God who was powerful enough to speak the entire universe into being - and they think it is a joke.   That is somewhat like playing with a small electrical spark generator - while standing beside a nuclear bomb.   But, praise God, the young lady whose "F" word posts initiated my writing - never repeated that kind of post again.

Let me share with you my initial 2010 blog:

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In the past few weeks, my heart has been burdened.  I am seeing a proliferation of people, mostly young, but some not so young, who I know to be Christians and who I know come from good Christian families - flagrantly posting two very offensive words/phrases on Facebook.  What are these words and phrases that I find so offensive?  First is the initials "OMG" and the second is the "F" word.

Why are these so offensive to me?  Well, OMG is texting shorthand for "Oh, my God!" - which is taking God's name in vain.  God takes His name and His glory very serious.  That is why He wrote in the Bible, "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, . . ." (Exodus 20:7).  So, just because it is abbreviated; makes it no less offensive - to God and to all Christian believers.

Creating slang versions of His name is the same, i.e., saying "Geez" or "Jeezus" - is just as bad as using, "Oh, Jesus!" or "Jesus Christ!" as exclamations or emphasis.

Most of the people I have seen writing these offenses have relatively good educations - and I am sure that, if those people try just a little, they can find a more appropriate words to use in venting their frustration, to highlight their point, or to make an exclamation.

And, what does surprise me the most - is that 95% of the people I have recently seen using these offensive words on public forums - are female.

When we, especially we Christian believers, post on public forums such as Facebook - we are representing all Christian believers.  And we are representing our Lord.  We are told in 2 Corinthians 5:20, "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

When I read this Scripture verse, I am reminded of a story my good Friend and mentor who led me to the Lord in 1987 and who began my Christian education journey, Pastor Sam Lacanienta, told us many years ago.  When Pastor Sam was a young pastor in the Philippines, one Sunday a relative who was also the Philippine Ambassador to England, came to the worship service.  After the service, Pastor Sam asked him what it meant to be an ambassador for his country.  He told Pastor Sam, "My main job as an ambassador to England - is to not embarrass my nation while doing my job."

As Christian ambassadors for Christ, when we write on public forums and even when in private discussions - we should be very aware of not embarrassing our Lord.

For my young Friends, when you post such words on Facebook and other networking channels - keep in mind that you are representing first, your Lord - then, yourself - and, very important, you are representing YOUR FAMILY - your mom, your dad, your siblings - all your family.

So, please, I know that you do not purposely want to be offensive.  And I know you do not want to embarrass your family or yourself.  Therefore, when you write on Facebook or other networking channels - write your message as though you are writing it to your mother.  Write messages you would not be ashamed to have your mother and father read.  And, write messages which will glorify our Lord.

The following dialogue between me and an atheist Forum Friend is excerpted from my initial 2010 post on the TimesDaily Religion Forum and I have added it here in my initial blog to further explain why these abbreviations are offensive to God and should be to all believers:

She (an atheist Forum Friend) tells me, "Bill, I will not have my speech censored due to your belief.  I am sorry that you took offense to it, but it was in no way directed at you or what you believe in.  I will not use it to be purposely offensive, but if the mood hits me and I feel an 'OMG' is appropriate, then you will see it again.  I am intelligent enough to see the difference in someone being offensive for effect and someone just using a term or phrase for emphasizes.  I would hope you are also."
 
My Friend, I fail to see when the use of a phrase which is considered offensive to many people - is appropriate.  And, I know that most folks, if they give it a wee bit of thought, can find an alternate phrase to use which is just as effective and not offensive to anyone.
 
I am not asking to censor your speech.  I AM asking for mutual respect.  Even though you were not purposely trying to offend me and other Christian believers - taking the name of our God, in whom we do believe, in vain - is offensive to all of us.
 
And, as I said, I KNOW that you are an intelligent person and can find other exclamations to use in lieu of that.
 
You tell me, "I am intelligent enough to see the difference in someone being offensive for effect and someone just using a term or phrase for emphasizes.  I would hope you are also."
 
I realize that you were not purposely trying to be offensive.  And, even among Christian believers, there are many who do not realize that they are offending God when they write OMG in a post, or use it in a conversation.   Many folks, especially young Christians, think they are just using a cute exclamation.
 
To be honest with you, I was not aware of the many ways we had been taking God's name in vain until about 20 years ago when our senior pastor, Pastor Sam Lacanienta, used a Sunday School class to explain it to us.  I had often heard, and probably been guilty of doing it myself, the use of words like "Geez" - which is just a shortened form of Jesus - or "Gosh!"which is just a disguised form of God, i.e., "Oh, my gosh!" - as exclamation points.

But, since that Sunday, I have been very aware of the different forms of taking God's name in vain.  And, it sincerely does bother me to hear others do it so blatantly, even when it is not done purposely to offend another.

Because, at one time I was not aware of the offense - now, when another person does it, I realize that they, too, may not be aware that what they are saying is offensive to most Christians.  So, as a Christian Friend, I will point it out to that person and let him/her know that I find it offensive.  If that person then continues to do it; I realize they are intentionally trying to offend me.

And, to my non-believing Friends, while you may or may not find these words offensive; keep in mind when you post on any Forum or network channel - that those things are offensive to we Christians.  So, as a courtesy to us, please do try to find other words or phrases to use.  For that, we thank you.

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My Friends, I posted this in 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2017.   And, I will keep posting it as long as the secular world, and some unaware Christian Friends, continue to offend my God by taking His holy name in vain. 

Only God or the Rapture can stop me - and I know He will not.  Please feel free to share this with all your FRANs (Friends, Relatives, Associates, Neighbors) for they may not be aware of the offensive nature of such posts or comments.

Thank you and God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Taking A Look Back At "Why Is Bible Study So Important?"

Not long ago, I was talking with a long-time Christian Friend who lives in another state.  Since I have known him for about thirty years, long before he moved away from California, we have been in many fellowship Bible studies together over the years.  He, like me, is a Caucasian who was married to a Filipina and attended our Filipino-American (Fil-Am) church, Sunday Schools, and Bible studies.

When he moved to another state, he began attending a much larger Calvary Chapel church and we often discussed the differences in our Bible studies.  My Fil-Am church was still having discussion style interactive Bible studies - while his larger church was having a Friday night sermon-style Bible study.  And, the discussion always came around to, "What is the difference?  We are still hearing the Word of God?"  

As I told him, "The answer to your question can be found IN your question.  You say you are HEARING the Word of God - and that is NOT a Bible study.  A Bible study is when a group of people read and discuss the Word of God as a group - with folks being more involved in the discussion.  If you are only hearing the Word - are you always involved?  Or does your mind wander?  It does not matter how loud the leader speaks, or how softly - your mind has a tendency to wander, to think about that task, or that test, you have tomorrow."

Being part of a group discussion, even if you are not actively participating - will keep you on your toes, will help keep you from thinking about tomorrow's task.

Our discussion, plus the fact that he had to look for real Bible studies outside the church he was attending - led me to share a blog I initially wrote in November 2006 titled "Why Don't You Invite Them To Bible Study?" and revisited in May 2017 with:  "Why Is Bible Study So Important?"  

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WHY IS BIBLE STUDY SO IMPORTANT?   Well, I can give you a number of reasons.  But, let me offer an analogy I have often used:  A church it like a three-legged stool.  Those three legs are (1) the Worship service sermon, (2) Sunday School, and (3) Weekly Bible study.  

What is really important in our lives?  First, having a personal eternal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Second, having a strong Christian environment within your family and your home.  Both depend upon the strength of your relationship with Jesus Christ and your knowledge of His Bible.

When we become Christian believers, we should have two goals:  First to grow more mature in our knowledge of His Written Word, the Bible, and the revelations God gives us there.  Second, to take that maturing knowledge outside our church fellowship and be "His witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth"  (Acts 1:8).   Our Jerusalem is our immediate family and friends.  That should be strongly established to enable you to successfully take His Word to your Judea and Samaria, i.e., your community, state, nation, and world.

We might look at our Jerusalem as our close family and friends ~ our Judea as our local community ~ and our Samaria as our city, state, and nation.  The remotest part of the earth is self-explanatory - we are to take His Word to the whole world.   But, how can we take His Word to the world - if we do not have a working knowledge of it ourselves?

This brings us back to our Three-legged Church stool analogy.  Is your church a three-legged church?  Does your church have an interactive Sunday School and discussion style Bible studies to augment what you learn in your Sunday sermon?  "Bill, why do you ask such a silly question?"  

Glad you asked! When you sit on a three-legged stool, it is stable and you can relax knowing it will support you.  But, remove one of those legs - and the stool becomes less stable.  Remove another leg - and that stool becomes a precarious one legged seat where you had better not relax - or you might fall.  If your church is too big to have all three legs - would you be better off in a smaller church fellowship?  Food for thought.

"What is so important about Sunday School and Bible study?  What can you learn there that you cannot learn in a Sunday sermon?"  Good question.  Let me ask you a question.  What do you do during the Sunday sermon?  You sit and listen.    If you are really being honest, at times your mind wanders, sometimes you start to think about other things you have to do, you may even get up and go to the bathroom - just to stay awake. 

I can remember one Sunday in the late 1990s, our church had a guest speaker whom I always enjoyed.  Yet, during his message, I began to write a letter to Bill Gates with whom I had worked before he and Paul Allen started Microsoft.  Did God put that letter on my mind at that specific time?   I felt He did, but to be sure I let the letter, which I had finished during the sermon, sit for two weeks.  By that time I truly felt that God had wanted me to mail it, without me knowing why. 

Fast forward a number of years and I read that Bill Gates' mom had passed away in 1994, the same year my mom went home to be with the Lord - and I knew that Bill Gates was very close to his mom.  Did he need words of comfort at that specific time?   I don't know; but God knew.  Did my letter help Bill in any way?  I don't know.  My task was to write the letter and mail it.  The rest was up to God.

Why have I mentioned this?  To show you that depending upon only sermons (sometimes called devotionals), Sunday or during the week, to give us Biblical growth and maturity - can be a less reliable source than Sunday School and Bible study - for we can be distracted in so many ways, even good ways such as that letter.   A sermon is someone talking AT you.  A Bible study is you being involved in an active discussion, exchanging ideas, weighing new thoughts - all part of the process of learning and growing.

Consider these points:

Bible studies - as I use the term - are groups of people actively engaged in mutual examination of the text of Scripture.  Bible studies differ from sermons, classroom lectures, and informal instruction in that they primarily consist of group discussion.  Bible studies can be terrifying, because you never know what people will say.   There’s always inherent potential for losing control of the discussion.  And for this reason, many people fear them.

But though it’s unscripted, the discussion does not have to be uncontrollable.  Though open-ended, it doesn’t have to be directionless.  Though interrogative, it can still be powerfully declarative.  Bible studies have something going for them that few sermons or personal quiet times can achieve: Interaction.  This is the chief advantage of Bible studies.   ("Why have Bible studies?" March 21, 2014 By Peter Krol - http://www.knowableword.com/2014/03/21/why-have-bible-studies/)

And,

If we receive too much important information for more than about 10 minutes, our brain starts to get fatigued, doesn’t properly process, and some information is lost. Information is more likely to be retained and acted on if (1) we are interested and actively engaged, (2) we receive it via more than one of our senses, (3) we discuss it with others to assist in processing it, (4) we speak it out to reinforce it, and (5) we put it into practice immediately.

Sermons and lectures have almost none of these attributes, and studies show that only a small amount of any sermon is retained and acted on, generally from the first 10 minutes.  (Sermons – Not How We Learn Best?  https://theway21stcentury.wordpress.com/church/sermons-not-how-we-learn-best)

And,

Studies show sermons make congregations feel better, but they neither learn much or change much as a result.  Pastors who want to equip their congregation for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12) instead of keeping them passive and doing most of the ministry themselves - will find ways to make gradual change.   (Sermons – Not How We Learn Best?  https://theway21stcentury.wordpress.com/church/sermons-not-how-we-learn-best)

"Why are Sunday School classes and Bible studies more productive means of maturing in our knowledge of God's Word?"   In a well organized Sunday School and Bible study - we read Scripture AND we discuss what we have just read.   We talk among ourselves about what message, or revelation, we believe that particular Scripture verse or passage was intended to give us. 

We all can offer our thoughts and discuss them among the group.  Will every thought offered be valid?   No, but each one gives us food for thought.  We may even be inspired to go home and do more indepth study on our own to discover God's true message.  What has this accomplished?  It has gotten us deeper into both a corporate and a personal study of His Word.

In the corporate world many companies have "brainstorming" sessions.  What is the purpose?  It is a time when all the people in the meeting can offer ideas, thoughts, and suggestions for a new product.  After a time of "brainstorming" - they begin to discard those ideas which did not seem to fit.  And, they begin to shape and hone others.  And, finally, with all the irrelevant thoughts discarded - the new product begins to take shape.  

Isn't that basically what we do in Bible study?  Everyone offers their thoughts on the meaning of a Scripture verse or passage - and then we begin to discuss, analyze, discard, and focus on what seems to be the true meaning.  That is a productive Bible study.  That level of learning is hard to get in a sermon, Sunday or during the week.

Personally, I never say that I "teach" a Bible study.   I will always say that I "lead" a Bible study - for we are all learning together. 

"But, Bill, if you are not teaching the Bible study - who is teaching it?"  So happy you asked.  The Holy Spirit is teaching it - and the Bible study leader is merely seeing that the discussions do not take the group off into an unrecoverable tangent, i.e., the leader is keeping the study focused and on track - while the Holy Spirit leads us and teaches us.

So, with those thoughts, let me share with you the post I wrote in November 2006 which took me on this thoughtful journey today:

Subject:     WHY DON'T YOU INVITE THEM TO BIBLE STUDY?
Date:     Sat, 25 Nov 2006 14:51:38 -0800   From:  Bill Gray

Maybe I am different, maybe a bit weird - but it seems that God puts ideas and thoughts into my head frequently when I am taking a shower.  It could be because I am relaxed, my mind is not thinking of the hundred and one things I need to do, or maybe the warm water is just so soothing.  But, many times the things I write occur to me in the shower.  Maybe you have your special place where God talks to you.

Yesterday, as I was taking a shower, I began to think about Bible study.  All my Friends know the high value I place upon studying and discussing the Word of God with other brothers and sisters.  Our Christian spirits are fed both by the worship of God and by studying His Word.  Although we should be worshiping God 24/7 (twenty four hours a day/seven days a week), there is one day each week which we set aside, a day when we gather with brothers and sisters, to worship Him in fellowship together.  That is our Sunday Worship Service.

And, there should be another day each week when we gather to study His Word, most often in a private home.  I have always like Friday Evening Bible Study for the work week is over and most of us do not work Saturday - but whatever works for your group.  Bible study is a time when we sit together, read from the Bible, and discuss each Scripture verse or passage.  That is an interactive Bible study dialogue.

Our faith should compel us to do two things: (1) worship Him, and (2) share His Word with the world.  How can we say we worship God - if we do not follow up on that by going out into our world to share the Gospel as Jesus instructed us in His Great Commission?  And what better way is there to prepare for the Great Commission Jesus gave us (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1-8, Mark 16:15) of "Going, Discipling, Baptizing, Teaching.  .  . being His witnesses" - than Bible study?

What God put on my heart on this November day is this:  November and December of each year are special times for all Christians.  This is a time when we give special Thanks to God for all He has given to us during the year.   And it is a time when we give Thanks and Worship for His Son, celebrating His birth, when He was sent to pay the penalty for our sins, to make salvation available to all who will believe. 

Yet, we seem to get so busy during this time of year that we often put Jesus Christ on hold, "Sorry, Lord, but we are so busy this time of the year.  You know, with lots of friends and family visiting, with making plans to celebrate Your birth, with buying gifts for everyone - we just don't have time to do Bible study during these months."

Whoa, hold it, let's back up.  Those reasons for canceling Bible studies - are the very reasons you should be more adamant about having Bible study.   What are our reasons?  First, we are just too busy?  Too busy for God?  Really?  Second, we have so many friends and family visiting, that we don't have time for you, God.  Really? 

I believe He would say, "Why don't you invite those friends and family to your Bible study?  If they come with you, that is wonderful; they will be hearing My Word being discussed among believers - and, if they are not already believers, this might be the time.  If they decline; your faithfulness to Me will be obvious to them, it might give them second thoughts about their own lives.  Think about it."

And, third, we are just too busy shopping and buying gifts?  We just do not have the time to spend one whole evening in a Bible study when there is shopping to be done?  We might miss out on some good bargains?  Think about that.  God gives us seven days in each week - and, we cannot give Him ONE evening to study His Word - because we have to shop?  Really?

Yes, gift giving is a wonderful tradition.  But, it is just that - a tradition.  It does make us feel good when we can share the material blessings God has given us by giving gifts to our friends and loved ones.   But, what is the greatest gift you can give to them?  It is the gift of God's Word.  It is the gift of sharing God's Word with those whom you love.  The greatest gift you can give to any friend or loved one is a deeper understanding of the love letter God has written to us - His Bible. 

All of those other gifts we buy at the shopping malls will rust, wither, and fade away; soon they will exist no more.  But, the Word of God you help plant in the hearts and minds of your loved ones will be eternal.  Is there a greater gift?  You give that gift by gathering as a family, including your extended Christian family - in reading and talking about, discussing, God's Word.  That is why Bible study is so important.

With that in mind; which should we put on hold - shopping or Bible study?

With that in mind; what should we do with visiting friends and family - sit around watching television and talking, or invite them to our Bible study?

I love what a pastor Friend, Pastor Ed Dacio, says when he gives an altar call at the end of a sermon, "Please bow you heads and do not be moving around or otherwise be distracting; for eternal decisions are being made right now." 

Eternal decisions also are often made in Bible studies.  I was saved in a Bible study.  And, I recall a Bible study about five or six years ago, when Pastor Ed gave an altar call at the end of our Bible study.  Eight people stood to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.  Three of those were from one family, a mother and her two young sons.

Bill Gray Update 2017:  That Bible study was circa 2000.  The oldest son is now in seminary and is an associate pastor in a local Fil-Am church.

The next week the father came to our Bible study, which he had always avoided - and received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Later, he told me that it was because his young sons came home from Bible study and witnessed to him.  Soon, the father's brother and his family came to our church where they received Jesus Christ.  Then, their mother, Connie, came to our church and was saved.   About two years later, Connie went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Think what might have happened, several years before, if the Holy Spirit had not prompted Pastor Ed to give that altar call in our Bible study.  Think what might have happened if that Bible study had been canceled - because we were too busy.  Yes, we never know when an eternal decision is ready to be made.  Do we really want to be somewhere else - when that eternal decision could have happened in our worship service or Bible study?

God has put this on my heart - and I believe it.  I pray that you do, too, and that you will share this message with all your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors - all your FRANs.  Invite them to Bible study.

I pray you found this enlightening.   If so, please feel free to share it.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

 

 

 

IN THE BEGINNING ~ Adam & Eve? - 6000 Years? - Worldwide Flood?

Recently I received a note from a gentleman who I believe lives in my hometown area of northwest Alabama, the Shoals.  This gentleman was, until recently, a Friend of a Facebook Friend, so that when he sent me a Facebook Message it was put into a separate folder by Facebook and I did not discover his post until several weeks ago.  I am blessed that he is now my Facebook Friend.

In July, he sent me these very insightful and sincere questions via Message and because I initially missed his post, I want to assure him that I was not ignoring his questions:

Bill, were there humans on earth before Adam and Eve?   There are a lot of sites that tell us some Indians lived back around 20,000 to 50,000 BC.   And that the flood of Noah's time was not all of the world, just the Middle East.  Thank you, B.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thank you for your Message questions.  We can break your post down to three very good questions:  (1) Were Adam and Eve the first humans? ~ (2) Could the earth be more than 6000 years old? ~ and (3) Was Noah's flood local or worldwide?

(1)  Were Adam and Eve the first humans?

In Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, as God was creating our heavens and earth and all life forms, including man - at each step He declared, "It is good."    Then in Genesis 1:31 we read, "Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was VERY GOOD.  So the evening and the morning were the sixth day."   If disobedience, sin, and death had been in His original creation - would He have declared it to be VERY good?  No, His creation would have contained corruption - and that corruption is sin and death - not good, and especially not VERY good.

Genesis 2:4-8, "This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown.  For the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground.  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.  The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed."

Just as God created the earth, stars, planets, etc., ex nihilo, out of nothing -  He did basically the same with man.  He took the earth and minerals He had created ex nihilo, formed them into a human body - and then breathed His holy breath into man to give him life.  He created material, i.e., earth, out of nothing - and then He took a part of that created earth and created life in man out of nothing other than His own holy breath.

That is much more believable than science's teaching that a simple lifeless amoeba cell floating in a primordial swamp billions of years, suddenly poofed into life.  And a second thought - where did that simple lifeless cell and the primordial swamp come from - who or what created them?

If there was life on earth - human, animal, etc. - before Adam and Eve, what happened to it?  In Genesis 1 we are told that God created Adam - and from him, Eve.  That, and Genesis 2:4-8, tells me there were no other life forms existing on earth until then:

On day five of the Creation, God created the sea creatures and birds of the air - "And God saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:20-23).

On day six He created land animals and man - and declared His Creation to be very good (Genesis 1:24-31).

If when Adam was created, there had already been humans living before he was created - they must have died or been killed.  If that were true - then death existed before Adam committed the sin of disobedience.

Yet, we are told in Romans 5:12-21, "Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.  .  .  Therefore, as through one man's (Adam) offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's (Jesus Christ) righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.  For as by one man's disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners, so also by one Man's (Jesus Christ) obedience many will be made righteous.  .  . "

That raises another important question:  "Was death, physical and spiritual, part of God’s original plan?"

Yes and No! 

Yes, since He is God, His plan for all His creation is perfect - complete - all things taken into consideration, nothing comes as a surprise to God.  So, did He originally plan to send anyone to hell, even Lucifer?  No, but in His eternal omniscience, He knew it would happen - just as He knew that man, Adam, whom He had given the gift of "free will" would fall into the sin of disobedience, bringing death (physical and spiritual) to all mankind.

Since God is timeless, knowing all things from eternity to eternity, i.e, Omniscient (all knowing) - He knows your first heart beat and He knows you eternally.  There is nothing you can ever do that will surprise God, for He knows you into eternity.

No, God originally created hell as a dwelling place for Lucifer/Satan and his fallen demonic angels.   We read in Matthew 25:41, "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels."

But as we read of the Sheep and Goat Judgment found in Matthew 25:31-46, God does send those people (unbelieving survivors of the Tribulation, i.e., Goats) who continue to reject Jesus Christ - into the hell He had prepared for Satan and his demonic angels.  Hell is a real place, the eternal abode for all people (Old Testament, New Testament, Tribulation, Millennium) who die while still rejecting Jesus Christ.

So, in summary of question 1:  "Were Adam and Eve the first humans?"  ~  According to the Bible, YES, they were the first humans.   

(2) Could the earth be more than 6000 years old?

Let me open this section by declaring that we cannot adamantly say that the Creation happened in 4004 BC. That date was published in 1650 in the book  “Annals Of The World”  written by Archbishop James Ussher (Church of Ireland, Archbishop of Armagh, and Primate of All Ireland between 1625 and 1656. Wikipedia):

The Creation date of 4004 BC was set by James Ussher (1581-1656), Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, in his book “Annals Of The World.”   One of his principle claims to fame was that he calculated the date of creation to be 4004 BC by tracing the lineages in the King James Bible. 

In the seventeenth century, Irish Archbishop James Ussher, after extensive research, put the date of the Creation in the year 4004 BC.  Time calculations based upon genealogies found in Genesis 5 and 10 were used to establish the date of the creation.  Yet, there are problems with dating using this method. These genealogies in Scripture are not complete. There are gaps in them.   ("Secularists And Old-Earth Creation Christians" -  https://www.facebook.com/bill.gray.5/posts/10155178182974097)

Related dates which align with Ussher's Creation date, are the End Times prophecies from the book of Daniel, published in a book titled:  "The Coming Prince" by Sir Robert Anderson.  He did extensive research on Biblical dates and genealogical data for the Old Testament dates:

Sir Robert Anderson was the Assistant Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police, from 1888 to 1901.  He was also an intelligence officer, theologian, and writer - known for his Christian books on prophecy.   Anderson's best known works include "The Coming Prince"  (1894) and "The Silence of God" (1897).  He helped establish the fact that 69 of Daniel's 70 weeks have now transpired, and the tribulation will be the 70th week.  His book "The Coming Prince," has become a foundational resource for all dispensationalists.  (Wikipedia)

I believe, based upon the Genesis account, that we can say with confidence that the Creation happened thousands of years ago, maybe 4000 years, maybe 6, 10, 20, 30 thousand years ago.  But, not millions or billions of years ago.  Genesis teaches us thousands of years - but evolutionary science, especially Darwinian Evolution based science, needs billions of years to account for their Big Bang theory of the creation of the universe - and for their version of how life evolved from non-living cells. 

If the evolutionary supposition of the origin of life were true, that life evolved from a lifeless single cell amoeba floating in an primordial swam - then billions of years would be required.  However, since we know from Genesis that God created the heavens, the earth, and living man in six days - we do not need those billions of years.

As a side-note, science bases their millions and billions of years time-lines of archeological finds on Carbon-14 dating.  And, it is a known fact, acknowledged by science, that Carbon-14 dating is only accurate to, at most, maybe 60,000 years - and definitely not millions or billions of years.  Anything beyond 60,000 years is merely educated guesswork, speculation, or myth development. 

In that area, science works on the philosophy that, "If you keep repeating the same fallacy long enough and often enough" - many people will begin to believe it, thus giving validity, though false, of the truth of their supposition or theory.  Fact:  Genesis is true and there is no need for millions or billions of years to accomplish the creation.

Secular Side Note:  The Big Lie is a propaganda technique (used effectively by many politicians).  The expression was coined by Adolf Hitler, when he dictated his 1925 book "Mein Kampf" about the use of a lie so "colossal" that no one would believe that someone "could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously."   (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_lie)

Then Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler's Propaganda Minister in Nazi Germany, took that concept and ran with it.  According to Goebbels:  “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”   (Joseph Goebbels: On the "Big Lie" - http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/joseph-goebbels-on-the-quot-big-lie-quot)

"Bill, according to you, God could have created all things instantaneously.  So, why did He take six days?"  Good question!   God is a great example provider.  It is my belief that He did that to give us His example of working six days and then resting for one day, for us and for our domestic animals, to sustain us in good health. 

He also did this for the earth He created - telling His people in Exodus 23:10-11, "Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat.  In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove."  His instructions to those who had land - let your land rest every seventh year to replenish itself and to provide sustenance for those who did not have a wealth of land.

Shmita: The sabbath year (shmita, Hebrew, literally "release") also called the sabbatical year, literally "seventh") is the seventh year of the seven-year agricultural cycle mandated by the Torah for the Land of Israel, and still observed in contemporary Judaism - (Wikipedia).

Six years you shall sow your land: The principle of the Sabbath applied to more than the workweek.  There were also Sabbath years, where the land was to rest and lie fallow one year out of seven - (Commentary on Exodus 23, Pastor David Guzik). 

Notice that God did not tell them to let their land lay fallow for millions of years.  No, He told them to work the land six years - and then give it a one year rest.   God is pretty smart.

The Bible opens with, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"  (Genesis 1:1).   "In the beginning" means just that - before there was a physical universe, before there was an earth or man, before there was time as we know it - there was God.  Before the beginning, there was only the eternally preexisting God -  no heavens, no earth, no universe - only God.   One might ask, "Then where did God live if there was no universe?"   Great question. 

Did God exist in our universe before the Creation?  Think about that for a moment.  How could He live in it - if He had not yet created it?

Enzo Ferrari created that beautiful automobile, the Ferrari.  Did Enzo Ferrari exist inside the Ferrari car before he made it?  No, he could not exist in the car and create the car at the same time.  He lived outside that car - just as God lived outside our universe as He created it.  Then, where did God live?

The Bible tells us God lives in the Third Heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2).  Consider this: The First Heaven is our earth atmosphere which extends up about 50 miles.  Past that is a seemingly endless space, our universe, the Second Heaven.  And, outside, or beyond that, exists God's throne room, the Third Heaven.

God is known to be both Transcendent and Immanent.   I know, big theological words.  But very meaningful words - for they explain what God did and how He is still very active in our lives.  Being transcendent means that He has eternally existed outside our universe.  Thus residing outside our universe, He could create it.  And being immanent means that once the Transcendent God had created the heavens and the earth - He is Immanently, i.e., actively, involved in running His universe:

We are told in Matthew 10:29 that He cherishes and is involved in the care of even the birds of the air, "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will."

And, we are told in Luke 12:7 that God loves us so much that He even know the hairs on our head, or for some, the hairs that used to be on our head, "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." 

Yes, the Transcendent God who, from outside our universe, created the heavens and the earth - is also the Immanent God who is intimately involved in all aspects, large and small, of our lives.

In Genesis 1:1 and subsequent Scripture verses, the Hebrew word for "create" is bara' and means to create from nothing, ex nihilo.  We all know from physics class that matter cannot be created nor destroyed.  Matter can change form (solid, liquid, gas, etc.), but it cannot be destroyed.

Did Enzo Ferrari create the Ferrari ex nihilo, out of nothing?  No, he used existing materials.

Yet, in Genesis 1:1 we are told that God created (bara') the heavens and the earth.  He created them ex nihilo, out of nothing.  Because He is God, He could create matter out of nothing.  A subset of His Creation is all the sciences, including physics, and all the laws governing those sciences.

The Conservation of Mass-Energy - is a scientific law called the Law of Conservation of Mass discovered by Antoine Lavoisier in 1785.  Basically it states: matter is neither created nor destroyed.  (https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/textbooks/boundless-chemistry-textbook/atoms-molecules-and-ions-2/history-of-atomic-structure-32/the-law-of-conservation-of-mass-194-3698/)

In Genesis 1:7 we read, "Thus God made (`asah) the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so."                       

So, what is the difference between "God created (bara') the heavens and the earth" -  and - "God made (`asah) the firmament" ?

As we saw earlier,bara' means to create from nothing, ex nihilo.  While `asah basically means to "make room."   You move your furniture around to make room for a new chair.  God moved the waters below (subterranean waters) from the waters above (earth's atmosphere, i.e., it was thought that a protective mist surrounded the newly created earth to protect it from harmful rays) - to make room for the firmament, our atmosphere.  Science tells us that our atmosphere extends about 50 miles above earth - and then space begins.

In the past several centuries, some theologians and church leaders, in their desire to make the Bible and science stand side-by-side in authority - and to accommodate their secular science associates - have devised non-Biblical theories and suppositions in an attempt to adapt the Bible so that it agrees with secular science. 

In other words, to appease their secular associates, they are willing to compromise the revelation given to us by God in His Bible.  To accomplish that, these theologians and church leaders have created a theological concept called:  The Gap Theory.

History of the Gap Theory:  Before getting into the Scriptural aspect of this discussion, one needs to first understand the background and history of the gap theory. Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847), a notable Scottish theologian and first moderator of the Free Church of Scotland, is credited with being the first proponent of the gap theory.  His proposal of the theory was first recorded in 1814 in one of his lectures at Edinburgh University.  Until 1814, no theologian had put forth the idea of a gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.  Chalmer’s teaching to a great extent reflected what was happening in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

What is the Gap Theory?  The gap theory comes wrapped in many different shapes and forms.  There are as many variations of this theory as there are theologians to support it.  Simply stated, the gap theory is the idea that a long period of time existed between God’s initial creation in Genesis 1:1 when "God created the heaven and the earth" - and Genesis 1:2 when the earth was "without form and void."

Most gap theorists believe that prior to Genesis 1:2 the "first" earth was inhabited by angelic creatures, such as Lucifer, as well as the mysterious dinosaurs.  A pre-Adam race of men is also thought to have populated the earth at this time.  Many gap theorists teach that the world existed in this manner for millions of years, if not billions. 

The gap’s end is believed to have occurred when God, finding iniquity in Satan’s heart, was compelled to destroy the earth with a flood and make it "without form, and void" (Genesis 1:2).  God then proceeded to "re-create" the earth in six literal days as described in Genesis 1:3-31.  The gap theory, also known as the "ruin-restoration" theory,.  .  .  . ("The Gap Theory" by Kent Hovind - http://www.beaconmbc.com/articles/thegaptheory.htm)

So, to answer your question 2:  "Could the earth be more than 6000 years old?"    Short answer:  Give or take a few thousand years, NO. 

God's plan is always perfect.  He chose to create the heavens and the earth for His own purpose, in His own time.  He did not need, nor according to the Bible, did He use millions or billions of years.  Those are man-made constraints - and God is not bound by such limits. 

(3) Was Noah's flood local or worldwide?

Let me give you a thought to consider.   If you wanted to flood an area of a field with ten foot of water - and you start pumping water into that part of the field - will the water stay there until it reaches ten foot depth?  Or will the water distribute over the full field so that you have only inches of water spread across the entire field?   We both know the answer.  Without constraining walls to hold in the water - it will flood the entire area of the field and beyond.

Now apply that to the Middle East during the flood.   Scripture tells us the water was so deep it covered the mountains.   What could have constrained that much water to just the Middle East?

Genesis 7:17-20, "Now the flood was on the earth forty days. The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth.  The waters prevailed and greatly increased on the earth, and the ark moved about on the surface of the waters.  And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered.  The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered."

I offer the excerpt below from an Institute for Creation Research (ICR) article - and ask you to consider the relatively recent Katrina flood - and the current Harvey flood.  Then give thought to the statement in the ICR article excerpt below:  "God promised never to send another flood like Noah's Flood (Genesis 9:11, 15), but there have been many local floods, even regional floods, since Noah's Flood."

Did Noah's Flood Cover the Whole Earth?
Acts & Facts magazine,
Institute for Creation Research,
by John D. Morris, Ph.D.
http://www.icr.org/articles/view/1063/307

In fact, I have counted over 100 times when the (Scripture) wording implies a global flood.  Consider these few quotes of the many: "the face of the earth (i.e., planet)" (Genesis 6:1) ~ "end of all flesh . . .the earth is filled with violence . . .I will destroy them with the earth" (Genesis 6:13) ~ "destroy all flesh wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven, and everything that is in the earth shall die" (Genesis 6:17); etc., etc.

Furthermore, God promised never to send another flood like Noah's Flood (Genesis 9:11, 15), but there have been many local floods, even regional floods, since Noah's Flood.  If Noah's Flood was only a local flood, then God lied to us.  Likewise, there was no need for Noah to build an ark for his survival for he had many years' warning (Genesis 6:3). 

Bill Gray Note:  If the flood was to be local to only one area of the world, Noah had 100 years to leave that area and go to where there would be no flood.  But, obviously Noah was both faithful to God - and Noah knew that once God brought the flood it would be worldwide and the only safe place was on the ark - just as Jesus Christ is the only "safe place" or way - for people to be saved.  

Perhaps more convincing is the fact that Jesus Christ based His teaching of coming judgment on all mankind, on the fact that Noah's Flood judged all mankind (Matthew 24:36-39, Luke 17:26, 27).   A local flood implies a partial judgment.

"But, Bill, how could there have been enough rain water to flood the entire earth?"    That is a good question.

Genesis 7:10-12, "And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.  In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.  And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights."

There were two large sources of water upon the earth, then and now.  We know from the current Harvey storms that great floods of water can be released upon earth from the heavens.   And, science has proven that there are massive amounts of subterranean water (subsurface water, underground water) located in rocks in the upper portion of the earth's crust in a liquid, solid, or gaseous state.

Earth May Have Massive Subterranean Water Reservoir,
Bigger Than All Our Oceans
Danielle Wiener-Bronner, Mar 12, 2014,
The Atlantic Magazine
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/03/massive-subterannean-reservoir/359108/

There could be a large body of water buried deep beneath the Earth's surface containing as much water as in every ocean combined, according to new scientific research. .  .  . according to research leader Graham Pearson, he and his team discovered a rare mineral that suggests a reservoir may exist 250-375 miles beneath the Earth's surface, below the crust.

Does anyone doubt that God could open the floodgates of heaven, pouring down massive amounts of rain?  The people of Texas most certainly know that - and, NO, I am not, in any way, suggesting that God has brought this current catastrophe upon the good people of Texas.  I am only using Katrina and Harvey to show the power that God could have unleashed upon the sinful world in Noah's day.

And, with massive amounts of water beneath the surface of the earth - would not great geological upheavals, i.e., worldwide earthquakes, break open the subterranean water reservoirs - adding to the rain induced flooding already underway?

Finally, keep in mind that water, from above or below, does not stand in a massive column - but instead distributes widely, i.e., worldwide.

So, in final summary of these three very important questions which affect our Christian witness:

Question 1:  "Were Adam and Eve the first humans?"  ~  According to the Bible, YES, they were the first humans.  

Question 2:  "Could the earth be more than 6000 years old?"    Short answer:  Give or take a few thousand years, NO.  
 
Question 3:   "Was Noah's flood local or worldwide?"     Common sense and science show us it had to have been a worldwide flood of massive proportions.

To my new Facebook Friend who posed these questions, thank you very much.  Responding to posts of this nature is rather like being in a good interactive conversational Bible study - where one person may be leading - but we ALL are learning.  Thank you for this opportunity to learn more from God's Word.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill