Christian Foundational Truths The Provisions of God s Grace

Christian Foundational Truths The Provisions of God’s Grace The Bible is our Operator’s Manual Lesson 8

The Manual • The believer’s manual is the Bible – – the Word of God Hebrews 4: 12 For the word of God is alive and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow and is a critic of the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – the mind of Christ 1 Corinthians 2: 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ. – the voice of the Spirit Hebrews 3: 7 Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, "Today if you hear His voice, . 2

The Manual The word “CANONICITY” is derived from the Greek word KANON which originally meant a rod or a ruler. • This is exactly what the Bible is - a norm or standard – THE divine and absolute standard. • Technically, the CANON OF SCRIPTURE is a collection of many books into one Book, our Bible. 3

The Manual UNCIAL MANUSCRIPTS FORGODSOLOVEDTHEWORLDTHATHEGA VEHISONLYBEGOTTENSONTHATWHOSOE VERBELIEVETHINHISSHOULDNOTPERISH BUTHAVEEVERLASTINGLIFE GODISNOWHERE GOD IS NOW HERE 4

The Manual MINUSCULE MANUSCRIPTS theoraclewhichhabakkuktheprophetsawhowlongolo rdwillicallforhelpandyouwillnothearicryouttoyouv Habakkuk 1: 1 -5 iolenceyetyoudonotsavewhydoyoumakemeseeiniquit 1 The oracle which Habakkuk the prophet saw. 2 How long, O LORD, will I call for help, and you will not hear? I yandcausemetolookonwickednessyesdestructionand cry out to you, "Violence!" Yet you do not save. 3 Why do violencearebeforemestrifeexistsandcontentionarisest you make me see iniquity, and cause {me} to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; hereforethelawisignoredandjusticeisneverupheldfor strife exists and contention arises. 4 Therefore the law is thewickedsurroundtherighteousthereforejusticecome ignored and justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore justice comes out soutpervertedlookamongthenationsobservebeastonis perverted. 5 "Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because {I am} doing something in 5 hedwonderbecauseiamdoingsomethinginyourdays your days (NASB)

The Manual • UNCIAL MANUSCRIPTS • MINUSCULE MANUSCRIPTS • LECTIONARIES • PAPYRI 6

The Manual • PAPYRI – Codex Sinaiticus, also known as Codex Aleph, was discovered by Tischendorf in 1844 – Codex Vaticanus, also known as Codex B, was known to be some fifteen years older than Codex Sinaiticus. Vaticanus dated back to 325 or 350 A. D. – Codex Alexandrinus is a Greek language manuscript written about 450 A. D. – The Oxyrhynchos Papyri discovered about 1900 – The Chester Beatty Papryi discovered during the years 1906 to 1908. 7 – The Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in 1947.

The Manual Why the need for the Canon? • So that believers in every generation might have complete revelation from God. The believer needs to understand • A Canon was necessary so that people might - the pre-designed plan of God, have God’s Word in writing. 2: 16 live, 1 Corinthians - the dispensation in which they For who-has known the mind of the Lord, that he their relationship to the angelic conflict, should instruct Him? But we have the mind of • There as well as many other preservation and was a need for the principles of doctrine. Christ. (NAS) circulation of the sacred writings. The believer must have a norm or standard of • That people might know whichto operate in the absolute authority if he is going writings were canonical. devil’s world. 8

OLD TESTAMENT CANONICITY Criteria for old testament canonicity • The question of inspiration. 2 Peter 1: 21 • Theno prophecyof internal evidence. of for principle was ever made by an act human will, but Zechariah 7: 12 Holy Spirit men moved by the Joshua 3: 4 Judges 1: 8 spoke from God. (NAS) • "Andbook of thetheirshall not depart from your Documentation hearts {like} flint out if And they were for testing Israel, to findso that “This they made lawby quotation. they wouldnot hear. John 10: 35 on THE WORDS mouth, but you shallthe law ANDit day the LORD, could obey the commandments of and night, meditate Matthew 22: 29 John 5: 39 WHICHlaw may Scriptures, HAD the you think which called them careful whomaccordingof so that THE ofcommandedsaidbecause word. HIS all • But Jesushadthebe. OFandto toto action. through The you LORD gods, their SENT "If he He answered HOSTS dothem, "You to "You search public officialfathers. BY are SPIRIT writtenthe Scripture you will make your Moses. THROUGHhave FORMERlife; and broken), that came not understandingcannot beit is these God in them that is (NAS)you it; for then PROPHETS; mistaken, (and in THE eternalthe Scriptures, or therefore great and then you will the LORD of waypowerwitness of Me; (NAS) law of cause and the prosperous, wrath came from have success. • that bear of God. (NAS) effect. The hosts. (NAS) • The principle of external evidence. 9

OLD TESTAMENT CANONICITY Classification of the O. T. canon • The Homologoumena • The Antilegomena – Esther – The Song of Solomon – Ecclesiastes 1 Corinthians 14: 33 for God is not {a God} of – Ezekiel confusion but of peace, as in all – Proverbs the churches of the saints. (NAS) 10

OLD TESTAMENT CANONICITY Classification of the O. T. canon • • • The Homologoumena The Antilegomena The Pseudepigrapha The Apocrypha are books which were written after the Canon was closed around 425 B. C. • The Douay version (the authorized Catholic bible in English) includes some of these books. 11

NEW TESTAMENT CANONICITY History of the New Testament Canon • 70 - 170 A. D. – This was the period of circulation of the separate New Testament writings among the churches and their gradual collection into one book - The New Testament Canon. • 170 - 303 A. D. – This was the time of the early Church Fathers. Hebrews Second Peter Second and Third John and Jude Revelation James 12

NEW TESTAMENT CANONICITY History of the New Testament Canon Apostolicity Reception by the Churches Consistency Inspiration Recognition Internal 13

NEW TESTAMENT CANONICITY History of the New Testament Canon • 303 - 379 A. D. – The Diocletian persecution, during which every attempt was made to destroy the Scriptures. – Emperor Constantine’s order for fifty copies of the Bible for use in the churches of Constantinople. 14

NEW TESTAMENT CANONICITY History of the New Testament Canon • The classification of the N. T. cannon. – Acknowledged Books (Homologoumena) – Disputed Books (Antilegomena) – Spurious Writings (Apocrypha) – Heretical or Absurd Writings (Psuedepigrapha) 15

NEW TESTAMENT CANONICITY History of the New Testament Canon • The Church Councils – The Council of Laodecia (336 A. D. ) – The Council of Damascus (382 A. D. ) – The Council of Carthage (397 A. D. ) – The Council of Hippo (419 A. D. ) at which the book of Revelation was accepted. 16

EXTERNAL BIBLIOLOGY • CONTINUITY • INEXHAUSTIBLE EXTENT OF REVELATION • DISTRIBUTION • UNPREJUDICED AUTHORITY. • ATTACKS ON THE BIBLE • THE INFLUENCE OF INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETY 17

John 17: 17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth. (NAS) 2 Timothy 3: 16 -17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (NAS) 18

Psalm 118: 8 “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. ” 19

Five works of the Spirit Regard to the Word in • Revelation - the means by which God the Holy Spirit revealed His Peter 1: 21 prophets and 2 message to for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human Apostles. will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from 2 Timothy 3: 16 God. (NAS) All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable • for teaching, the work by which the Spirit for Inspiration - for reproof, for correction, controlled and superintended the training in righteousness; (NAS) writers of Scripture so that what they wrote was exactly the message He wanted written. – The very words were the exact words that God the 20 Father wanted to communicate.

Five works of the Spirit Regard to the Word in 1 John 2: 2 1 the 7: 17 John doctrines of inspiration • Preservation - Only. Peter 1: 9 like newborn our sins, He His will, he shall know If we confess babies, to dofor the pure milk of the "If any man is willing long is faithful and preservation can explain the existence of the word, teaching, it you may sins in respect to righteous to forgive us our is of God, or {whether} of the so that by whether itgrow and to cleanse us Bible today. salvation, (NASB) from all unrighteousness. I speak from Myself. (NAS) (NASB) Psalms 119: 152 Psalms 119: 89 1 Peter 1: 25 Of old I have known from Thy settled in heaven. Forever, word of the Lord abides forever. " And But the O LORD, Thy word is testimonies, that • Thou hast foundedcast light preached to you. Illumination - “to them forever. (NAS) on. ” (NAS) is the word which was this 2 Peter 1: 20 – In the this of Corinthianstheno Spirit makes 1 illumination, 2: 14 2 Corinthians Holy (NAS) But know workfirst John 16: 13 4: 4 prophecy of the of all, that in whose case the does this world has He to the But awhen He, the Spiritnot accept applicablewill "Butwrittenis {amangod ofof truth, comes, blinded natural matter} of one's own Scripture Word understandable and the things of individual all for they are foolishness to him the Spirit of the unbelieving, that they might not guide you into believer’s needs. for He will not speak minds God; the truth; interpretation, (NAS) see he light of the gospel them, glory of Christ, andthecannot understand of thebecause they are on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He who is the image ofwill disclose tell the meaning spiritually and He “to (NAS) will speak; appraised. explain orto you what is to • Interpretation - God. (NAS) come. (NAS) 21 of. ”

Five works of the Spirit Regard to the Word in • For teaching. didaskaliva (didaskalia) 2 Timothy 3: 16 -17 “that which is taught” All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in “doctrine” righteousness, sous the man of God may be – The Bible gives that body of truth - the doctrine thoroughly equippedto base our perspective and make upon which we are for every good work. (NIV) our decisions in life. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable • for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for For reproof. ejlegmov" (elegmos) “to convict of error and to rebuke. ” training in righteousness; so that the man of God – be Holy Spirit uses the Word to show us where we may Theadequate, equipped for every good work. have (NASB) wandered off course. 22

Five works of the Spirit Wordto the. God of Word Regard in • For correction. ejpanovrqwsi" 2 Timothy 2: 1 -2 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that (epanorthosis) is in Christ Jesus. And the things which you have “restoration to an upright or right state. ” heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, – If we are humble before men, who the reproof will these entrust to faithful God, from will be able to teach others also. our attitude, which will result in come a change in (NAS) personal action that sets us on course again. • For training. paideiva (paideia) “instruction and discipline given with the goal of raising a child to maturity. ” – The Bible is a guidebook to lead us from spiritual 23

The Importance of Word of God the Word of God 2 Peter 1: 19 -21 • The Bible have the prophetic word {made} more sure, And {so} we is the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2: 16 to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp For who has place, the of dawns and has shining in a darkknownuntilmindday the Lord, that • God places the highest priority on His wordand the morning star instructyour hearts. But know this first he should above His very name magnified itarises in Him? But we have the mind ofof Christ. (NAS) all, that no prophecy of Scripture is {a matter} of Psalm 138: 2 one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever • Theby an act of 2 Corinthians 3: 18 moved by the Holy I will worshiphuman will, 12: 2 toward thy of men Romans but wisdom, before made Word existed, in the form holy temple and human history. Proverbsfor thy lovingkindness and praise thy name 8: 22 -30 Spirit spoke with unveiled to this But do not from God. Peter 3: 18 world, but in And we all, be conformed face, beholding asbe a 2 (NAS) for the glory of renewing of your of mirrorthy truth: for thou knowledge mind, so but grow in the the Lord, are being thy that transformed bygrace and hast magnifiedour Lord word above all thy human intellectual achievement. transformed into the name. Him {be} is, glory, both and Savior surpasses the will of God theglory to you may prove what allsame image from that which • The Bible Jesus Christ. To (KJV) 1 Corinthians 1: 17 -31 glory, and acceptable and perfect. (NASB) now and to the day the Lord, the Spirit. (NASB) is goodjust as from of eternity. Amen. (NASB) 24 • The Bible is our most important provision for daily life

Five works of the Spirit Wordto the. God of Word Regard in • Our response to God’s Word determines whether we Hebrews 11: 9 -13 Hebrews 10: 35 -36 James 2: 12 -13 James 1: 25 2 John 8 Bywill receivedoas act, as those who are to bewhat Therefore, so an intently might in time. judged Watch yourselves, alien in or cursingperfect law, Sofaith he andlooksthrow away your confidence, But one who. God's blessing theat the not loseas in athe speak lived not that you land of promise, foreign {land}, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, which heirsa great reward. For you having become we have accomplished, For 3: 16 -20 may need a by {the} liberty and abides that you havereceive the {law} oflaw of liberty. but by it, he was {will be} of has of the same promise; for not looking for Ephesians judgment fellow Proverbs 8: 33 -36 Isaiah 53: 10 that He wouldone who has you architectdoer, mercy endurance, hearer but an effectual and builder full reward. grant when shown no the will of merciless tofoundations, according to mercy; this His a forgetful so(NAS)you, whose have doneriches ofis that city which has was pleased to crush Him, putting But the LORD "Heed instruction and be wise and do not neglect glory, to be strengthened withreceivedthrough His God, By faith even Sarah in what he does. (NAS) triumphs may blessed herself power ability (NAS) man shall be receive what was promised. to God. you over judgment. (NAS) {Him} to the inner. He man that Christ may dwell in {it. } "Blessed is thewould render himself {as} ayour grief; if man; so who listens to me, Spirit in even beyond the proper time of life, since she conceive, • Ouroffering, faith; who had waiting at for our will guilt response to God’s Word promised; therefore, and watching Him faithful {and} that the basis my He also, hearts through He my gates, is you, being rooted considered daily at will see {His} offspring, eternal in "For prolong reward oneand him as good as dead atthe doorposts. love, maywho finds comprehend with all there was {His} days man able to me finds life and groundedborn of he be the good pleasure of that, {as many favor from the LORD will prosper in His hand. "But he whoheight obtainsdescendants} as the stars of heaven in number and (NAS) the saints what is the breadth and length and sins innumerable as the know the love of Christ which these against me injures himself; by the seashore. All and depth, and to sand which isall those who hate me died in faith, without receivingyou promises, but having all surpasses knowledge, love death. " (NAS) that the may be filled up to seen them and having welcomed them from a distance and having the fulness of God. Now to Him who is able to do confessed that theyfall based on their attitudeon the earth. • Nations stand or were strangers and exiles toor think, exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask God’s (NAS) Word. 25 according to the power that works within us, (NAS)

parativqhmi (paratitheemi) 2 Peter 1: 20 2 Timothy 2: 15 But know” to place on deposit something this first of all, that no prophecy of 2 Timothy 2: 2 Study to things which approved unto from Scriptureshew thyself you have heard. God, ame And the is {a matter} of one's own of great value. ” workman that needeth not to be ashamed, interpretation, (NASB) in the presence of many witnesses, these rightly dividing the word of truth. be able to spoudavzw (spoudazo) entrust to faithful men, who will (KJV) teach others also. (NAS) “to hasten to do a thing, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman. Peter 1: 22 -23 need to be who 1 exertdoes not to oneself, ashamed, have in obedience to the truth purified accurately handling the word of Since you truth. (NASB) to give diligence. ” your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for ojrqotomevw (orthotomeo) Buhata been born again not of seed which is you have ang kutob sa imong mahimo aron malipay ang Dios kanimo, sama sa nangalagad nga perishable but imperishable, {that is, } through “to cut straight, walay angay ikaulawword of God. ginabuhat. the living and abiding sa iyang mga (NAS) Itudlo mo sa husto nga accurately, to divide paagi ang pulong sa Dios nga mao ang kamatuoran. to properly fit together. ” 26

Hermeneutics diermhneuvw (diermeneuo) “to unfold the meaning of what is said, to explain, expound; to translate into one’s native language. ” 27

Hermeneutics 2 Peter 1: 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is {a matter} of one's own interpretation, (NAS) 28

Hermeneutics Approaches • Isagogics – Isagogics is a word that has all but disappeared from English-language dictionaries. – It is from the Greek eis, “into, ” and ago, “to lead. ” – “introductory studies, especially that part of theology which is introductory to exegesis. ” – Isagogics is the study of the historical and cultural background of Biblical passages. 29

Hermeneutics Approaches • Isagogics – Matthew wrote primarily for Jews, 2 Timothy 3: 16 to present Christ as king; All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for – Mark wrote for Romans, teaching, for reproof, for correction, for to present Christ as training in righteousness; (NASB) servant; – Luke wrote for Greeks, to prove the humanity of Christ; – John wrote for the world, to prove the deity of Christ. 30

Hermeneutics Categories • A category is a specific area of Bible doctrine. • For example, what does the Bible teach about divorce? • We will never have a proper interpretation until we take all the passages on a subject and put them together. • That is contextual, categorical study; it is timeconsuming work, but it is absolutely necessary for accuracy in teaching. 31

Hermeneutics Exegesis • “Exegete” is from the Greek ek, meaning “out, ” and hegeomai, “to lead out or go before. ” • Exegesis refers to the grammatical study of the Word of God. • It is important to be able to go back to the original Hebrew and Greek words in Bible study and books are available that make it easy to do. • Probably the most important rule to remember in Bible study is to study in context. 32

• Exegesis and eisegesis are two conflicting approaches in Bible study. • Exegesis is the exposition or explanation of a text based on a careful, objective analysis. • The word exegesis literally means “to lead out of. ” • The interpreter is led to his conclusions by following the text. • The opposite approach to Scripture is eisegesis • The interpretation of a passage based on a subjective, non-analytical reading. • The word eisegesis literally means “to lead into. ” 33

• The interpreter injects his own ideas into the text, making it mean whatever he wants. • Eisegesis is a mishandling of the text and often leads to a misinterpretation. • Exegesis is concerned with • discovering the true meaning of the text, • respecting its grammar, syntax, and setting. • Eisegesis is concerned only with making a point, even at the expense of the meaning of words. 34

2 Timothy 2: 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (NASB) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV) 35

Exegesis allows us to agree with the Bible Eisegesis seeks to force the Bible to agree with us 36

• The process of EXEGESIS involves 1) observation: what does the passage say? 2) interpretation: what does the passage mean? 3) correlation: how does the passage relate to the rest of the Bible? 4) application: 37 how should this passage affect my life?

• EISEGESIS, on the other hand, involves 1)Imagination: what idea do I want to present? 2) Exploration: what Scripture passage seems to fit with my idea? 3) application: what does my idea mean? • There is no examination of the words of the text or their relationship to each other, • No cross-referencing with related passages, • No real desire to understand the actual meaning. 38

“The Importance of Church Attendance” 2 Chronicles 27: 1 -2 1 Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok. 2 He did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done; however he did not enter the temple of the LORD. 39

2 Chronicles 26: 21 21 King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death; and he lived in a separate house, being a leper, for he was cut off from the house of the LORD. And Jotham his son {was} over the king's house judging the people of the land. (NASB) 40

Leviticus 13: 46 46"He shall remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection; he is unclean. He shall live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp. (NASB) 41

2 Kings 5: 27 27"Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever. " So he went out from his presence a leper {as white} as snow. (NASB) 42

2 Chronicles 16: 12 12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa became diseased in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians. (NASB) 43

Hermeneutics • • CONTEXT, CONTEXT To understand words, study the sentences and the verses that surround them. To understand verses, study them in light of the chapters where they are found. Think about where they fit in the scheme of the entire book. Consider whether they are in 44 the Old or the New Testament.

Matthew 16: 28 "Truly say to you, there are some of those Truly IIsay to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste who are standing here who of Man coming in will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming His kingdom. " (NASB) in His kingdom. Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his Matthew 17: 1 -3 brother, and led them up on a high Six days later Jesus took with Him was mountain by themselves. And He. Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up transfigured before them; and His face was on a high mountain by themselves. And He shone like the sun, and His garments shone transfigured before them; and His face became sun, and His garments became as like the as white as light. And behold, Moses and with and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. (NASB) Him. 45

1 Corinthians 2: 9 but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM. " (NASB) 1 Corinthians 2: 10 For to us God revealed {them} through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. (NASB) 46

Hermeneutics Assumptions • The Bible can be understood. – How would a loving God communicate? In a way that we could understand. – If there is confusion, it is in us and not in the passage. – Study from the center out, explaining difficult or obscure passages by the light of clear passages. – Look for the simple, logical explanation or interpretation of a passage 47

g in fer uf l. S “My God, iri why hast thou tu al forsaken me? ” De at The Blood h of Christ Sp “It is IN FULL” “PAID finished. ” “Tetelestai” Ph ys ica 12 Noon Matthew 27: 45 6 th Hour 9: 00 a. m. Mark 15: 25 The 3 rd hour “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. ” S I N S “Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit. ” 3: 00 p. m. Matthew 27: 45 9 th Hour 2 Corinthians 5: 21 He made Him who knew no sin {to be} sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness 48 of God in Him. (NASB)

Matthew 24: 32 -34 "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; So, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, {right} at the door. "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. (NASB) 49

Hermeneutics Assumptions • The Bible is a book of progressive revelation. – More about Jesus Christ and salvation is revealed in the New Testament than the Old; – Information about the function of the spiritual body of Christ is revealed only in the epistles of Paul and no where else in Scripture; – More about the future of the world in Revelation than anywhere else. 50

Hermeneutics Assumptions • The Bible does not contradict itself. – As God, by nature, cannot contradict himself, neither can his word to man. – To accept this principle means that when we find apparent contradictions we continue to search for answers in the certainty that there is in Scripture a perfect agreement 51

Joel 3: 10 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, "I am a mighty man. " (NASB) Micah 4: 3 And He will judge between many peoples and render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they train for war. (NASB) 52

Matthew 6: 12, 14 -15 "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. (NASB) Ephesians 4: 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (NASB) 53

Hermeneutics When we find Scripture at Stance odds with our ideas or our • We must be born again desires, we must let the 1 Corinthians 2: 14 John 3: 16 John 3: 6 Bible be the authority. the things But a natural man of world, that That God so loved does not accept. He gave His "For which is born thethe flesh is flesh; and of the Spirit born of the Spirit is believes in that begotten God; for whoever Spirit. only which isof. Son, that they are foolishness to him and not perish, but have eternal John 7: 17 • Him shouldhe cannot understand them, life. We must rely on spiritually appraised. (NAS) the Holy Spirit because they are (NAS) "If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know 1 Corinthians 2: 12 -13 of the teaching, whether the spirit of the {whether} Now we have received, not it is of God, or world, I but thefrom Myself. (NAS) so that we may know speak Spirit who is from God, the things freely given to us by God, which things we • also speak, approach in taught by human wisdom, but We must not in words faith in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual 54 {thoughts} with spiritual {words. } (NASB)