Prof Zebulon No E05

B) The Trinity

As we saw last time, we understand the Trinity by faith. Now you're going to say, what?; we just believe, without really understanding?? Not at all, the Bible is very careful to explain how faith comes into the picture so we can better understand. In Rom 10:17, the Bible says: "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God". Therefore, we read and understand by our INTELLIGENCE, we decide to believe by our WILL (our faith) and our EMOTIONS kick in when we, by love for God, talk to others about Jesus Christ.

We are made in the image of God in these three areas.

C) The Church

In the New Testament, there are seven metaphors used to describe the Church. Three of these are also used in the Old Testament to refer to Israel directly. They are: a vineyard (Isaiah 5 - John 15), a flock (Isaiah 40 - John 10), and a spouse (Isaiah 62 - Revel 19). There are three others that allude to Israel indirectly. They are: a kingdom, a family, and and a building. However, there is one metaphor that is exclusive to the Church in the NT and finds no equivalent in the OT, the concept doesn't even exist. It is that the Church is a body (1 Cor 12:12 -31). We are the body and Jesus Christ is the Head (Eph 5:23. A body, if it is to function properly, must have three characteristics; otherwise it cannot survive. It must have unity (vs 12), it must have diversity (vs 14) and it must have harmony (vs25). We will cover all these in later studies.

K) Christian Virtues

It goes without saying how forgiveness is crucial to the Body of Christ. The Lord forgave us of our sins; who are we not to forgive others? The Apostle Peter himself didn't know how to forgive when he asked Jesus; "Must I forgive seven times, Lord"? "No", said Jesus, "You must forgive 490 times" (Matt 18:21, 22).

Sometimes, forgiveness is liberating. Let me explain. Let's pretend that a person was offended by one of the deacons during a meeting and felt very hurt. Weeks go by and the deacon still hasn't made a move, even though the deacon knows he had done wrong. The offended person, all this time grew bitter and carried a heaviness in his heart. He should go up to the deacon and ask for forgiveness for having had a bitterness toward him. There's the liberating part!! The offended person removes a load off of his or her shoulders and the deacon, Lord willing, will see his or her offence and apologise to the offended person. Romans 12:18: "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men".

How many times must we forgive???....As many times as it takes.

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