An Authorized Bible Study of BCA

We encourage all of our members to start a Bible study any place where the Lord leads them where God opens the door.

Acts 16:6-9  Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,  (7)  After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.  (8)  And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.  (9)  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

We can see that preachers go by the authority given to them by the church who sent them (in this case Antioch), and as they go where their own hearts decide, the Holy Spirit either opens or closes the door.

What we see as a pattern here is:

Sending Authority to go --> Ordained preacher goes anywhere his heart desires 

---> The Holy Spirit opens the door or closes the door ---> God gives conviction to the hearers or allows persecution  ---> God saves people  ---> Church baptizes people thru the ordained sent preacher  ----> they are formed into a church

Another way that God authorized the start of the work is found here:

Acts 11:19-22  Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.  (20)  And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.  (21)  And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.  (22)  Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

Members of the church in good standing are scattered ---> Preachers are scattered together with these members obeying the Great Comission ---> They travelled and preached the word ---> God opened the door and many believed Christ  ---> They reported the matter to their Mother Church  ---> their mother church sent representatives to them to confirm the believers and the work of God.

A soulwinning effort can be done anywhere anytime by any member of the church with or without previous approval of his church.  It is always a standing order from the Lord himself to all believers with the approval of the Holy Spirit that we should live our faith and talk about our faith. At this stage we are waiting for the Lord's will whether people will believe Christ on that place.  Once that happens, it is reported to the church and the church officially recognizes it.

An official regular bible study is a preaching point of the church.  It is an effort of the church where a preacher is sent by the church, he goes, others invite, others welcome the invited into the place, the others who stayed behind support in prayer and finances.  At this stage, we confirm that the Lord has already opened the door to that place and are just waiting for more to be added.

We then organize the Bible study into a mission which is a church in prospect

NIV 2011 Quiboloy's bible

KJB. Romans 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

That is what God's word said.

Interpretations of this word "declared" can be seen in other explanations or paraphrases of the Bible

Romans 1:3  This good news is about his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ! As a human, he was from the family of David. But the Holy Spirit proved that Jesus is the powerful Son of God, because he was raised from death.  (CEV)

(CEB) He was publicly identified as God’s Son with power through his resurrection from the dead, which was based on the Spirit of holiness. This Son is Jesus Christ our Lord.

(CJB)  he was powerfully demonstrated to be Son of God spiritually, set apart by his having been resurrected from the dead; he is Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord.

BUT WHAT DOES THE NIV 2011 say?

"and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord."

That could mean, he was not the Son of God before but because he was raised from the dead, then God appointed him to be the Son of God.

It could also mean others can become APPOINTED SON OF GOD by prevailing over the serpent seed, just like the BLASPHEMY of what False prophet Quiboloy teaches.

Must the word "repentance" be mentioned and must the unsaved say the word, "I repent of my sins" to be saved?

God saves whom He wants to save.


In His time
No matter who is delivering the message

But God uses the gospel, the word of God, to convict the soul.

Repentance is the fruit of the work of Holy Spirit conviction
Whether it was emphasized or not, whether it is noticed as repentance or not, the change of mind, is there, and therefore repentance is there and conversion is effected by God as God saves the soul.

Matthew 18:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

David's heart smote him, has your heart ever smitten you?

THE HEART OF DAVID

INTRODUCTION:
When we say heart, we do not talk about physical blood pump.  Heart means the center of the soul, that which deals with the thoughts and intents.

We were born with a deceitful heart

Only a regenerated heart can please God

An example of a regenerated heart is DAVID

2 Samuel 24:10  And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

DAVID’S HEART.

Another passage  about David’s smitten heart is

1 Samuel 24:5  And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.

A pattern emerges.

1. David’s heart was always smiting him.

2. He knew that it was dirty, and he wants a clean heart

Psalms 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

3. He knew he could not clean his heart, so he appeals to God

Because of this, we see the commendations of God to David

1Ki_3:14, 1Ki_11:33-38, 1Ki_15:5; 2Ch_17:3, 2Ch_28:1; Act_13:22

This is of more value than OLYMPIC crowns, more than all prosperity

Let’s go back to our text:

2 Samuel 24:10  And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people.

But how did God produce that smitten heart inside David?

2 Samuel 24:11-14  - God used a prophet, a preacher, a seer, a messenger to deliver God’s message

1. Regenerated hearts have smitten hearts
2. Regenerated hearts want to be clean
3. God uses men and ministries to smite His people’s hearts

Question:  Who or what does God use to smite your heart today?

If you are one of God’s children, you would have a smitten heart, that wants to be clean, and God will send you his pleasure and displeasure through other people.  God was already talking directly to David and yet God still used a man of God.

I HOPE THAT TODAY, WE GOT A MESSAGE THAT SMOTE OUR HEARTS

IS GOD STILL SPEAKING TO YOUR HEART?

IS HE STILL SMITING YOUR HEART?

WHAT IS HE CONVICTING YOU ABOUT?

V. 24 – one conviction of David that not many will think about is this:

Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing

People may be giving away things for you to take, and it is not sin, BUT DAVID’S HEART is so different …

It is not good to serve God without cost

Not everything offered freely should be taken without cost

Eternal Life before Death

ETERNAL LIFE begins when a person is in Christ and Christ is in him.

Joh_3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Joh_5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Joh_6:47  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

The word "HATH" is equivalent to "has" which means present possession.  If it were a promise, the statements should have been;

Joh_3:36  He that believeth on the Son WILL HAVE everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Joh_5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, WILL HAVE everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Joh_6:47  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me WILL HAVE everlasting life.

Another very important affirmation from our Lord is this :

Joh_11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

If we believe this, if we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that means death is no more so fearful because the Second Death has no power over us.  It also means that LIFE with Christ continues after death.  Finally, it means Eternal Life is Christ and the Father.

Joh_17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

The knowledge of the Father and the Son means Eternal Life has begun in that person.

When someone criticizes you, how do you take it?

People react angrily when they are criticized.  Rightly or wrongly, people reject people who confront them with their errors.

But David has a different heart.  When a prophet of God or a righteous person confront him of the error of his way, he says:

Psalms 141:5  Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.

As a king, he has the power to have any criticism stopped, even by the death of those who dare insult the king.  The security of the state relies on the confidence of the people that their leader is doing that which is right.

But David's heart is easily smitten.

When people give you a bad assessment, do you consider that it might be from the Lord, that it might be a blessing that you were criticized instead of praised?

Is it right for the church to ask non-members to help and yet not include them in decision making?

The Family is the basic unit of society.
It is also the basic unit of the New Testament church.

The church is like a family in many aspects.  We say that a family has members, and the church has members too.  We say that a family has a human head and so does the church.  We say that a family has to provide for itself, love all who are within primarily, and each member must be ready to sacrifice for it.

In the family's effort to survive, to thrive, and to prosper, it sometimes seeks the help of people outside who are sympathetic to their cause.  There are neighbors who help, relatives, friends, loved ones, acquaintances, co-workers, and sometimes even the passers by who empathize.

All of these help given, whether solicited or unsolicited, does not empower the giver who is outside the family unit to interfere in their decisions.  As long as the unit is functional, as long as it is standing up as a unit, we dare not impose our own better judgments on their inner circle of trust.  If advice is sought from us, then we gladly help further, but not until.

And so the church itself is best left alone by those who might be willing to help some more with their precious invaluable advice unless it is sought out and welcomed by the members of the church themselves.

Studies on the effectual call

How do wolves change rivers?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q
In this video we find that nature does big things with the indirect small human interference.

God in the salvation of His elect introduced a small unnoticed event which leads a sinner to the foot of Christ.

In each step, it is God at work.  God alone is to be given credit in any man's salvation. Yet God is pleased that in each step He uses natural things, small things, weak things, human things, to bring salvation.  And yet, we can never say that man has to cooperate or God can not save.  God does not wait for any decision of a man before he can save that man.  God does not leave anything to chance, he knows what he is doing perfectly.  God is never defeated but is always succesful, He never fails. God will do as He please and none can stay His hand.

And yet, we find that when a man decides to come to Christ, it was from his heart and it was not forced upon his will.  It is not hypnosis, or suspension of volition, or overpowering of the cognitive functions.  It is totally a human personal decision.  

Can disciplined members just transfer membership and then continue worshiping God faithfully in the new church?

ANSWER IS NO.

Transferring does not solve the offense against brothers whom you ought to love if you are a Christian.

Other churches who accept disciplined members who do not forgive, continue the rebellion against their old church, prove themselves unworthy to be called a church of the Lord.

Those who are in continuous hatred and rebellion forfeit their right to worship

Matthew 5:23-24  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;  (24)  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

If someone is angry with you, you asked forgiveness, and the other side would not want to give it, then you are already right with God, while still seeking reconciliation.  But now the other party bears the sin.

Matthew 6:15  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Little prayers become big prayers

When a person is starting in his walk with God, usually he utters ignorant prayers, foolish prayers, wrong prayers, little prayers, and like a child, sometimes he asks his father for the right things sometimes.

But a good father is always ready to grant things that his power, sense of right, and quest for developing his child would bring forth.

We have a heavenly Father who is delighted with the prayers of the saints like incense smoke ascending from the priest's cup to His throne.

We can start small.
We can think of small things to ask, even ignorant things that we don't know if it is proper to ask for it or not.  Just ask.  He knows your limitations.

As time goes by, small things become big.  The habit of praying for everything becomes a delight to do and it is always your attitude and your mouth is filled with praise.

Big prayers will surely come but we need to take that small step one at a time.

Struggle?

You will always struggle

But you will prevail

Sinful Nature does not want it

Little sins become big sins

I saw friend post a song. It was a good song. But it was a youtube video with lots of pictures of what is supposed to be "christ"

I told him in private:

"usually, i stay away from promoting films, powerpoint presentations, with pictures, portraying Christ"

He asked: "So what's wrong with it!"

I said: "I think it could lead to a slide into using it more often, until it is often used, and become normally displayed.  I remember, may dvbs class sa dati kong church, at yong mga bata, inuwi yong mga drawings,  illustrations ng mga teacher, tapos nilagay sa ALTAR nila tinirikan ng kandila"

My point in this BLOG is, little non-sins, become little sins, and then little sins become big sins.

Even little things like a look, a comment, become a flirt, and then a flirt becomes a date, and a date becomes a tryst, and a tryst becomes an illicit relationship.

DO YOU HAVE REGULAR CHECK UP?

REGULAR CHECK UP

Doctors advice that even those who think they are healthy must seek regular health check up. Dentists advice the same. Auto mechanics and Tax professionals say the same thing. Electricians must also inspect regularly to prevent fire.

What about your spiritual health?

Who do you go to to have a regular check up?

For sure it is a fool who does the regular physical check up himself because he is not qualified, he is not trained, and he does not have the tools.

The Lord has equipped the church by giving spiritual gifts to some in the church to do these check ups. Go and have your SPIRITUAL CHECK UP soon

FAITH AND SALVATION

Man has no part in bringing forth his salvation.

Everything is from God and for God's glory.

The new birth is from God
faith is from God
repentance is from God
conversion is from God
justification is an act of God atonement is by Christ to satisfy the justice of the Father

FAITH is a gift, it is the grace of faith before regeneration no man can believe, after regeneration he has power to believe,
depravity is defeated once a man is able to believe, when the gospel is preached he believes the gospel, obeys the gospel, and comes to Christ, calls upon the name of the Lord, God justifies, gives him righteousness of Christ, forgives him of all sins past, present and future all of these are received by FAITH, and not by sight we trust, that all of these are acquired by Christ, in spite of our sins, while we were yet sinners

exchange about SOLA FIDE

Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Ano ang relationship ng dalawang verses na ito, EPH 2:8-9 AT ROM 4:16.

I think the two verses have very close affinity. It is of faith, that it might be by grace

by grace are ye saved through faith  ----  The common Jewish understanding is, the promise will come through the law

Their faith was on the law, on following the law, on their own works
But here it is clarified, salvation is not by the works of the law, you can not work enough to get saved

Salvation is given freely by grace, and even that grace does not come to man through any law that should first be followed, but it comes invisibly, by faith alone, without any mixture of works, rituals, ceremonies, obedience to rules.

Just like Abraham. When he believed God, he just knew in his heart, that what God was saying will come true. Because God placed the belief there in Abraham's heart, and righteousness was reckoned by God as part of Abraham's person, based on the merits of the work of Christ who will die in the future.

 WHICH CAME FIRST, JUSTIFICATION OR FAITH?

 Rom_4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Ano daw ang nauna, belief or counting unto righteousness (justification)?

Rom_5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Ano daw ang ibig sabihin nang salitang BY,

Let us give an example: the accused was proven innocent by the testimony of a witness

The olympian justified his travel to Sochi by winning the gold

Was Abraham UNJUST prior to Gen 15v6?

Of course I believe that Abraham started believing God from the very beginning of God's revelation to Abraham in Gen. 12. And that Gen. 15:6 and Rom 4:3 refers to God's act of bringing alien, imputed, righteousness to a man. But still, we must maintain that the scriptures teach a sequence of events.

God reveals himself, God gives the faith to Abraham, then Abraham believes God, then God imputes the righteousness of Christ to Abraham.

 So we are justified by faith, and faith alone, SOLA FIDE SOLA FIDE is correct, because the BIBLE teaches it. SOLA FIDE is wrong when men misinterpret the bible's teaching about FAITH alone.

The difficulty of being saved

1 Peter 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Not all who we think are good people will be saved
Not all who say they are Christians will be saved
Not all who are worshiping regularly in a group will be saved

Not all who are members of a church will be saved

Not all who are members in a strict and true church will be saved

Therefore judge

Judgment must begin at the house of God

You must get the new birth right and faith on the Lord right or be damned

But no one can get it right by his own will power and effort

Only God can produce that rightness of faith

But the basis of salvation is not man's rightness of faith or his own personal righteousness, but the faith which is of Christ and the righteousness imputed to the sinner which is alien to the sinner