MINSTRY BELIEFS AND BIBLE STUDY

STUDY B 
#9-#23

"PREACHING AND TEACHING FROM
THE WORD OF GOD"
Evangelist, Pastor Diana Gray
(Your Sister in Christ)
Copyright © 1999, 2000 All Rights Reserved

13) BEING BORN AGAIN: 
     A spiritual birth takes place upon accepting Jesus as a person’s Lord and Savior.  It’s a new kind of birth and it’s very real.   Sinful carnal self has died to give a person a new spiritual life in Jesus.   A person becomes a new creation in Christ and has the joy of a reward of an eternity in Heaven. 

GAL. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 

2 COR. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

14) BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT STILL REMAINS THE SAME, WITH EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN OTHER TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT GIVES UTTERANCE:
     The presence and power of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is evidenced through the speaking of other tongues (other languages).  This first occurred in Jerusalem and is mentioned in the book of Acts.  It’s a spiritual language that comes through this Spiritual  Baptism. 

ACTS 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the 
Holy Ghost not many days hence. 

ACTS 2:3-4 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat 
upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to 
speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  

ACTS 2:11-18 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the 
wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one 
to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new 
wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, 
Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and 
hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the 
third hour of the day. 
     But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it 
shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all 
flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall 
see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my 
handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

MARK 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they 
cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 

ACTS 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you 
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of 
the Holy Ghost.   For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that 
are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

ACTS 10:46-48 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then 
answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, 
which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?  And he commanded them to be 
baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

ACTS 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on 
them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 

15) SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE  BLESSINGS FROM GOD: 
     There are special gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to different believers.   These gifts help the body of believers.   A Christian believer can have more than one gift at a time.  Building up the church body of believers is the intention of the Holy Spirit.  People must be sensitive to the needs of others and never use these gifts out of vanity and pride.   Ministering to the body of believers for their needs with these special abilities is the unique purpose that the Lord intended for these gifts.

1 COR. 12:4-11 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are
differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  
     For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 

I COR.  12:10-13 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to 
another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the 
interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, 
dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many 
members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also 
is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or 
Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one 
Spirit.

I COR. 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily 
prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, 
governments, diversities of tongues.

16) "FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT," DEMONSTRATE OUR CHRISTIAN WALK: 
     All of these wonderful attributes demonstrate the special sweet nature of Christ.  We should desire and pray for the "Fruit of the Spirit" attributes as we learn the Word of God, the Bible.  We begin to manifest them within ourselves as we grow more Christ like. 
     When we imitate Jesus, looking through his eyes at the people around us, we begin to show the greatest of these attributes and that is loving our fellow man.  A person who has the "Fruit of the Spirit" is walking with the Word deep down within their heart.  They are not simply following the will of the flesh but the will of the Lord in their spiritual life.

GAL. 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

17) ALL SPIRITUAL HEALING COMES FROM THE LORD: 
     The Lord is our healer!  It’s that simple and that powerfully strong.  He loves us and desires us to be well.  Satan brought sin and diseases into the world.  Jesus Christ took all of our diseases, sins and sufferings upon the cross for us and by His stripes we are healed when we have the faith to believe.

ISAIAH 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our 
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are 
healed. 

JAMES 5:14-16  Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 

18) WATER BAPTISM SETS US APART AS CHRISTIANS: 
     Baptism identifies people as Christian believers.  "It is the exterior, or outward sign of submission to the Lord for what is happening on the inside of the person."  It makes evident what is happening in their internal spirit.  It is to be done out of obedience and faith in our Lord Jesus.  When we are baptized, it demonstrates our willingness to follow the Lord and live his Word in us. (Remember this, the thief on the cross next to Jesus was "never baptized" and yet he was "still saved."  We receive and perform baptism out of "obedience to our Lord Jesus," and as a witness to the world that we are set apart from them in faith!)
    Baptisms are done when people are old enough to believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.   Before that they are considered too young and have not reached the age of accountability for Spiritual judgment.  We believe our Lord God to be a merciful Father who would not hold judgment upon a child before the age of accountability should they die.  (Babies and young children are dedicated to the Lord in a Dedication Service and later on when they are old enough to believe are receive baptism.)

MARK 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth 
not shall be damned. 

MATT.28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. 

ACTS 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
 
19) WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE PRAYING TO AND PRAISING THE LORD GOD: 
     We should cast all of our worries and cares upon the Lord.  We should give Him all of our worries and frustrations too.  The Bible says that worry is from Satan, not from God.  The rule here is, " If we have a worry, then we have to pray to the Lord." Give it to God in prayer!

PHIL. 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

20)  JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONY TRUE INTERCESSOR TO THE FATHER: 
     Jesus is our one and only intercessor to God on our behalf.  No where in the Bible does it say to pray through anyone else but through Him.  Prayer through any other than Jesus Christ is contrived by man and not of God’s Word the Bible.  We pray to God through no other name but Jesus Christ.

JOHN 14:6-7 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man 
cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my 
Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 

21)  IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOOSE ONE’S SALVATION BY COMITTING THE 
UNPARDONABLE SIN:
     This sin is the one sin that believers can loose their salvation and end up in hell for all eternity.  The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is the unpardonable sin!  What does this mean?  Denying that the Holy Ghost convicts us of sin.   
     A person can only be saved through the work of the Holy Spirit.   If a person refuses to repent or even to acknowledge their sin is to turn away from God’s forgiveness.  A person like this will never ask for forgiveness because of sinful pride.   They refuse to acknowledge the spiritual prompting or convicting power of the Holy Spirit thus they loose forever their rights to salvation.  This denial of the Holy Ghost’s convicting presence is the unpardonable sin and no matter what, a person can never be redeemed back from the torment of Hell.   
     If a believer is in torment and is worrying that they have committed this terrible sin….beloved, they most likely haven’t.  The sheer torment alone is a good indication that they still have their salvation.  The Holy Ghost’s convicting power can be powerful.  
     When a person truly has committed this sin, they know it beyond a shadow of a doubt and no longer care about things of God.   They have totally walked away forever from the Lord by turning their back to Him, and have no remorse.  The other kind of believer is under powerful conviction and needs to repent.  (If you still love the Lord but feel He won’t forgive you, most likely you’re under conviction of sin, and repentance is in order.   It helps to talk to the Pastor if there is any question.)

MATTHEW12:31-32 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy 
shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be 
forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall 
be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be 
forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. 

HEBREWS 6:4-8 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have 
tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have 
tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall 
away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the 
Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.  For the earth which drinketh in 
the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it 
is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is 
rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 

22) JESUS IS COMING BACK SOON FOR HIS BRIDE, THE CHURCH: 
     Because we believers have the assurance of eternal life with Jesus, we should all take comfort and encourage one another.  He is coming back for "all Christians believers," (past and present.)  Jesus proved that his Word was true when he arose from the grave and when he said He would come back for His bride the church.  We can have the assurance that He will. 

I THESS.4:16,17  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

 23) WE SHALL ALL STAND BEFORE THE FINAL JUDGMENT OF CHRIST: 
     All must eventually stand before the judgment seat of God and give an account of the way we have lived our earthly lives.  The more we let Jesus be Lord of our lives and live to do "His" will, the greater the rewards.   We will stand before the Lord for a final judgment to be reviewed and evaluated.  Believers and unbelievers as well  come under this final judgment.  The way we live our lives now on earth will determine our just rewards for all eternity.  
     We must all evaluate our lives here with proper eternal perspectives and values.   Believer’s salvation destiny is set for us as an eternal reward but the way we used our opportunities and spiritual gifts will determine our spiritual rewards and Heavenly jobs.  The way we handled our spiritual responsibilities will determine what ours Heavenly responsibilities will be. 
     The righteous believers will receive a wonderful Heavenly reward.  The wicked will realize the truth and all that they have lost.   In their great sadness they will be condemned to an eternity being separated from God for all eternity in the pit of Hell.  All judgment is the Lords and we need to evaluate our own lives before He does.  If we feel conviction about some sin, now is the time to repent and ask for forgiveness before we face the final judgment of the Lord.
     
2 COR. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 

MATTHEW 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his 
angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 

COR. I 3:10-20 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as 
a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But 
let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no 
man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 
     Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.  
     Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.  Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.  And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 

Bible Ref. KJV

    May the good Lord Bless you richly. I also pray that when you leave this forum that you have felt an anointing touch of sincere love from Jesus, and that you feel welcomed to come back often.

May the Good Lord Bless you, 
Evangelist, Pastor Diana Gray (Your Sister in Christ)