Principles for the Christian Life

By Robert M. Gullberg

Got a tough question about the Christian life or the belief systems of others? This easy to navigate e-book contains over 75 subjects. PART 1 contains the "nuts and bolts" of Christianity. PART 2 looks at what is going on in the 85% rest of the world of non-Christendom. Most Christians are vaguely familiar regarding where other people are coming from in their particular belief systems.
Subjects in Part 1 include: The Bible, the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, Christian growth, renewing the mind, prayer and its many workings, spiritual gifts, evangelism, eternal security, predestination, judgment, death, the crucifixion, cremation, heaven, the resurrection, angels, the problem of evil, suffering, sickness, Satan, temptation, hell, the church, communion, baptism, church denominations, easy believism, prophecy, end times, and the important topic of Christian ethics (abortion, capital punishment, divorce, homosexuality, war, civil disobedience, and euthanasia). Topics in Part 2 include: 1) cults (Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Christian Scientist, Scientology, Unitarianism, Freemasonry, and Hare Krishna) 2) God-believing world religions- Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Bahai Faith 3) Eastern philosophies, but no God religions- Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, and 4) No God religions- New Age Movement, Atheism and Darwinism.

Why compile a book like this? To educate the Christian with a "bottom line" format. Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed by a lack of knowledge." I feel that the Bible itself contains the answers to all of life's tough questions. I see these difficult questions asked everyday by all of us.

This book should serve as a practical reference for you in your lifetime of discipleship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 11, 2015
• ISBN: 9781483551555

Book preview

Darwinism

Introduction

Principles for the Christian Life

Why compile an E-book like this? Quite simple, really. To educate the Christian with a bottom line format. Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed by a lack of knowledge". In Colossians 1:10, Paul prayed that the Colossians would "live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in knowledge of the Lord, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that they would have great endurance and patience…" These two verses, as examples, tell it like it is! Knowledge is the key ingredient to wisdom. However, knowledge alone is almost a waste. But wisdom results from both knowledge AND experience. The Christian life must be lived and experienced. Then with proper knowledge, we can guide our hearts for transformation. This E-book covers the information that Christians need to know.

The Bible contains the information to lead us to the life that God wants us to live by His Spirit. The sad thing is this. Many of our Bibles are gathering dust on a shelf somewhere in our homes! Little do we know the pearls of truth that lie at our fingertips. Sometimes we are too busy reading some Christian book about the Bible. One of our goals as Christians should be to grow in the knowledge of the Lord, using the Bible as our prime, light-giving source. We have no excuses. For any situation in life, we should be asking, What does the Bible (and therefore, the Lord) say about it?

The Bible itself contains the answers to all of life’s tough questions. I see these sometimes difficult questions asked everyday by all of us. Unfortunately, if we are studying at all, the study tends to be focused on a well-intentioned book about the Bible and not the Bible itself!

PART 1 of this book is to simply implement the verses present in the Scripture to direct us on important Christian subjects. It is more than a concordance, which one can find at the end of most any Bible. What one will find in PART 1 are the steering points of the wisdom from the Bible. The topics in PART 1 are the nuts and bolts of Christianity. My goal was to keep this book to a bottom line level of understanding.

PART 2 looks at what is going on in the rest of the world of non-Christendom. In day to day living, I find that most Christians are at best vaguely familiar regarding where other people are coming from in their particular belief systems. When one really investigates the different gods and philosophies that are being practiced by much of the world’s population (more than 85%), it’s disappointing, is it not? This knowledge should be an impetus for us to not only take a stronger stance on our Christian roots but also be more active in our outreach to the lost. The lost are literally all over the place! They are in India, but also in your neighborhood.

This e-book should serve as a practical reference for you in your lifetime of discipleship. Hopefully, you will not only be enriched by reading it but also by using it as a tool. This book is dedicated to my family. To my Mom and Dad who instilled Christians values in me from a young age. And to my dear wife Janet, and four kids Johnny, Jimmy, Tommy, and Lauryn.

The Bible; in it God reveals absolute truth

Our Bibles should not gather dust

Believe in the inerrancy of the Bible- 1) The Bible was written over a period of 1600 years and has more than 40 authors. 2) The authors wrote it on three different continents in 3 different languages. 3) The authors penned their words with agreement and harmony 4) The Lord spoke is used 560 times in the first 5 books of the Old Testament (Pentateuch), and 3800 times in the entire OT. 5) Isaiah claimed that his message was from God 40 times; Jeremiah- 100 times; and Ezekiel- 60 times. The Bible is a library of 66 unique books of various kinds by many authors in different contexts over 1600 years. But it is only one book: the whole of it forms is a richly textured story of God’s loving purpose in relation to humans and the whole creation.

Nonbelievers point to the story of Jonah as a fairy tale. However, when Jesus was asked by the Pharisees for a miracle, He pointed to the historical story of Jonah, who was swallowed by a fish, as quoted in Matthew 12:39-41. He predicted that He would be resurrected, just like Jonah. This gives great authenticity to the Bible, as Jesus said it was true! Was Jesus telling a lie? Of course not! Luke the physician was also very interested in historical accuracy of the Bible (Luke 1:1-4; he carefully investigated everything and wrote an orderly account- vs. 3). 2 Timothy 3:16 says All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the person of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Our Christian faith rests on a precisely accurate account that gives authenticity to the Bible.

The Bible is alive and active- Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. It is sharper that any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thought and attitudes of the heart. 2 Peter 1:12-21 tells us the importance of remembering the truth of the Bible. The Bible’s authority is attested to--Peter was an eyewitness- vs. 16-19. Men spoke from God- vs. 20-21. Pay attention to its words and be alert!--vs. 19.

Why was the Bible written the way it is? 1) people learn best from great stories and the Bible is packed full with them. From the combat of David and Goliath to Peter walking on water to Saul’s incredible conversion to Paul…. 2) we usually don’t get it the first time and the Bible repeats the numerous important principles again and again, thank goodness! 3) we like heroes and the Bible has many of them, like Joseph in the book of Genesis, Moses, Joshua, and Daniel! 4) we need to know that the story is important. What can be more important than the absolute truth of the Bible? There is nothing more important in your life than your salvation for eternity.

Know the Bible!- See Nehemiah 8:1-18. After the wall around Jerusalem was built, attention was turned to spiritual needs. Understand the Scriptures- vs. 1-8. Respond to the Scriptures- vs. 9-18, Enjoy the benefits of the Scriptures- vs. 12. In 2 Timothy 3:14, Paul encourages Timothy to continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of…how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. For parents and grandparents out there, make it your heritage to teach key Bible verses to your children and grandchildren! We should know the wisdom of the Bible as well as we know our secular jobs, which required years of study.

Memorize the Scripture- 2 Peter 3:2 Peter wants growing Christians to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. Memorizing key verses should start early in life, and don’t let your aging mind stop you! Age is an excuse sometimes used to be lazy.

Benefits of knowing the Word of God- Psalm 119: 1-4 There are benefits and blessings of studying/meditating on the Scriptures! Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Jeremiah 15:16 When Your words came to me, I ate them; they were my joy and heart’s delight. 2 Peter 1:19 We have the Word of the prophets (the Scripture) made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts. Until Christ returns, we have the Scriptures to guide us in the absolute truth.

The Old Testament was frequently quoted in the New Testament- It is important to note that Jesus and the apostles quoted the Old Testament over 600 times, indicating their approval of the selected texts. It is with utmost confidence, then, that we can accept the Old Testament as God’s divinely inspired Word, and not just the New Testament.

The Words of the Bible are eternal- Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of God stands forever. Our lives are fleeting but the Bible isn’t! The Bible is authentic, authoritative, and absolutely true.

The words of the Bible come from Jesus- Galatians 1:11 says, "What Paul preached was not something that man made up. He did not receive it from any man, he received it by revelation from Jesus Christ."

The Bible teaches us to trust- Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Reading and studying the Scripture will increase our trust in God’s will for our lives.

Be prepared to share the Gospel at anytime- 2 Timothy 4:2 Be prepared to share the Gospel in season and out of season. Often times, we feel ill-prepared to share because we haven’t studied the Scriptures. We should study the Bible like we would a textbook.

References: 1) Life Application Bible, NIV version, 1991 2) The Evidence Bible, Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort, 2003.

The Old Testament (39 books)

Original scroll of the Old Testament

Pentateuch- written by Moses from about 1450-1400 BC, contains the following five books: Genesis- chronicles the beginning of human history (about 4000 BC). Chap.1-11 traces beginning of creation to 2000 BC. Chap. 12-50 follows history of Abraham for about 350 years. Great story of Joseph found here starting in Chap. 37 Exodus- story of the deliverance of God’s chosen Israel from Egypt. Chap. 1-18 declares judgment upon Pharaoh. In Chap. 19-40, God educates His people on the responsibilities of holy living. Ten Commandments are in Exodus 20. Leviticus- outlines priestly duties of Levites, and is a guidebook of holy living for Hebrews. The Levites and priests instructed the people in their worship. Numbers- story of how the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised land, and how they sinned and were punished. Deuteronomy- this book was to remind the Hebrew nation of what God had done for them and encourages them to rededicate their lives to Him. Deuteronomy 7:9 is a key verse: Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands. Remember God! Remember God! Don’t forget!

Joshua- written by Joshua to give the history of Israel’s conquest of the Promised land. Key verses: Joshua 1:7-8 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.

Judges- written by Samuel (the first judge) to show that God’s judgment against sin is certain, and His forgiveness of sin and restoration is just as certain. Key verse- Judges 17:6 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.

Ruth- author unknown. Shows how three people (Ruth, Naomi, Boaz) remained strong in character and true to God even when the society around them was collapsing. Very practical for today. Ruth 1:16 Don’t urge me to leave you or turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

1 and 2 Samuel- (1) talks about the life of Samuel, the life of Israel’s first king who was Saul, and the preparation for King David. (2) tells the history of King David’s reign. (around 930 BC)

1 and 2 Kings- (1) Solomon (David’s son) becomes king (Chap. 1-11) The kingdom becomes divided; Israel to the north, Judah to the south (Chap. 12-22). (2) the rebellion of Israel/Judah, and describes all the of the kings who did evil in the eyes of the Lord. (there were more evil kings than good kings)

1 Chronicles- written by Ezra in 430 BC. Parallels 2nd Samuel. Talks about the Jewish people in Babylonian captivity.

2 Chronicles- written by Ezra in 430 BC. Chronicles Solomon’s reign starting in 970 BC. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, if My people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Ezra- written in 450 BC. Return of the Jews to their homeland from Babylonian captivity.

Nehemiah- written 445 BC. Talks about rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem that had been destroyed. Great verse: Nehemiah 6:8 The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Esther through the last book of the Old Testament Malachi- retraces history that has already been described previously in Old Testament.

Esther- unknown author, maybe Mordecai. Written 480 BC. Setting is Persia. No mention of God in this book. We can learn from Esther’s character.

Job- 2000 BC. Setting-Uz. Unknown author. Answers question: Why do the righteous suffer? Job 1:21 says, Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away: may the name of the Lord be praised.

Psalms- David wrote 73 psalms. Asaph and Korah-21. 51 are anonymous. First poetic book. Key verse: Psalm 46:10 Cease striving and know that I am God. Psalm 118 is the middle chapter of the Bible. The middle verse of the Bible is Psalm 118: 8- It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

Proverbs- phenomenal book of wisdom. Written mostly by Solomon. A few chapters by Agur, and Lemuel. Proverbs 1:7 "The fear (awe) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

Ecclesiastes- 935 BC by Solomon. Key verse 12:13 -- Fear God and keep His commandments… Solomon compromised his values later because of relationships with 100s of pagan women. Ecclesiastes 12:1 says, Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach whey you will say, I find no pleasure in them"-

Song of Songs- written by Solomon. Affirms sanctity of marriage. Pictures God’s love for His people.

Isaiah- written by prophet Isaiah - 690 BC. 66 chapters. Calls Jews back to God; salvation will be through the Messiah. Isaiah 41:10- So do not fear, for I am with you; I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Jeremiah- prophesized for 40 yrs. Young priest. Imprisoned for speaking up for God. Very turbulent times. Key verse: Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart of man is deceitfully wicked; who can know it but God.

Lamentations- written by Jeremiah as a song for a funeral. 586 BC. Key verse: Lamentations 3:22-23 The Lord’s compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

Ezekiel- written in 571 BC by Ezekiel. Tells of God’s judgment on Israel. But there’s hope for God’s restoration!

Daniel- written by the deported Daniel in 535 BC. Message: God is in complete control at all times!

Hosea- by Hosea in 715 BC. Story of the unfaithfulness of wife Gomer and nation Israel. Hosea (Gomer’s husband) and God forgive!

Joel- written by Joel in 800 BC. Theme: God wants us to return to Him with all of our heart.

Amos- farmer, fig-picker. Written in 750 BC. Theme: to pronounce God’s judgment on the northern kingdom.

Obadiah- 850 BC. God brings the proud nation of Edom down in judgment; never heard of again throughout history.

Jonah- written by Jonah in 770 BC. Shows extent of God’s grace and mercy to Ninevites (Assyrians). God tells Jonah in Jonah 4:11, Nineveh has more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?

Micah- written about 700 BC. Warns God’s people that judgment is coming. Key verse: Micah 6:8- He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Nahum- written in 660 BC. Theme: Trust in the Lord and not powerful nations like Assyria or Thebes.

Habakkuk- written about 600 BC. Theme: God is still in control of world in spite of apparent triumph of evil. Believe it; He is in control of all evil too.

Zephaniah- 630 BC. Theme: to shake the people of Judah out of their complacency. Key verse: Zeph 2:3

Haggai- written 520 BC. Theme: to call the Israelites back to rebuilding the temple. Key verse: Haggai 1:4

Zechariah- written in 500 BC. Minor prophet. Very prophetic of the coming Messiah. Key verse: Zech 9:9-10

Malachi- 430 BC. 47 of 55 verses are spoken by God. Malachi confronts sin in people’s lives and lack of commitment.

Reference: Life Application Bible, NIV version

New Testament (27 books)

The life of Jesus Christ is presented in the Four Gospels

Matthew- written in 60-65 AD. Purpose of the Gospel was to prove to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. Emphasizes fulfillment of prophecy. Key verse- Matthew 5:17- Do not think that I (Jesus) have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Mark- probably first gospel written in 55-65 AD. The other Gospels quote all but 53 verses of Mark. Focuses on the person and work of Jesus. Written by John Mark, not one of the disciples.

Luke- written by Luke the physician in about 60 AD. (He also wrote the book of Acts) Luke did not personally meet Jesus. The Chapters Luke 9 to Luke 18 are not found in any other Gospel.

John- written in 85 AD. Reveals the deity of Jesus. 92% of this Gospel is unique. John 21:25 says that Jesus did so many other things not recorded in the Gospels that the whole world would not have room for the books that could be written! And that’s only in three years of ministry.

Acts- written by Luke to Theophilus in 63-70 AD. Purpose was to relate the birth and development of the Christian church. Key verse- Acts 1:8-But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Evangelism starts with your neighbor.

Romans- written by Paul from Corinth in 57 AD. Penned by Tertius- see Romans 16:22. Key verse- Romans 5:1- therefore, we have been justified by faith ….

1 Corinthians- written in 55 AD by Paul. Purpose of this book was to identify problems in the Corinthian church, to offer solutions, and to teach the believers how to live for Christ in a corrupt society.

2 Corinthians- written in 56 AD, from Macedonia, 1 year after 1 Corinthians. There were 4 letters written by Paul to the Corinthians, and 2 are lost- the first letter and the third letter. The second letter is 1 Corinthians and the fourth letter is 2 Corinthians. Autobiographical sketch of Paul and his commitment.

Galatians- Paul wrote this letter in 49 AD from Antioch. He wrote it to the churches in southern Galatia, which was a Roman province in present day Turkey. Focuses on relationship of new believers, particularly Gentiles, to the Jewish laws. This book talks about the freedom we have as Christians. Galatians 2:20-21- I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I don’t set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

Ephesians- Paul wrote this letter from prison in 60 AD, from Rome. The purpose was to strengthen the believers in Ephesus in their Christian faith by explaining the nature and purpose of the church. Paul describes the believer’s incredible wealth in Christ. The doctrinal truths of chapters 1-3 are followed by practical applications of those truth in chapters 4-6.

Philippians- Paul wrote this book to all the Christians at Philippi in about 61 AD, from Rome during Paul’s imprisonment there. Philippians is Paul’s JOY letter. Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Christ! Philippians 4:4- Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!

Colossians- written by Paul in about 60 AD, during his imprisonment in Rome. Christ is Lord of all and gives complete salvation, and Jesus is sufficient for every need. Colossians 3:23-24- Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.

1 Thessalonians- written by Paul in about 51 AD from Corinth; prosperous, and thoroughly pagan, the seaport city of Thessalonica. Christians were being persecuted, and he urges them to persevere, though the suffering was difficult. He corrects some misunderstanding about the resurrection and the return of Christ.

2 Thessalonians- written by Paul a few months after 1 Thessalonians, from Corinth in about 51 AD. Its purpose was to clear up the confusion about the second coming of Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy- written by Paul in about 64 AD to Timothy. Timothy, a young disciple discovered by Paul on his 2nd missionary journey (Acts 16:1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy live, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek.), enjoyed a unique relationship with Paul. He pastured the church at Ephesus. This letter resembles a manual for building church leadership.

2 Timothy- last book written by Paul, right before he was executed by Emperor Nero. Written in 67 AD, from a prison in Rome. Paul’s priorities are 1) sound doctrine 2) faith that doesn’t give up and 3) confident endurance

Titus- Titus lived among a people who had one of the worst reputations in the world. He was organizing and shepherding the new believers on the island of Crete. Titus is known for its summaries of Christian doctrine and its emphasis on holy living. It was written in 64 AD by Paul from Macedonia.

Philemon- written by Paul in 60 AD. This short postcard letter provides a glimpse of Paul’s affectionate heart and reminds us of our forgiveness in Christ.

Hebrews- written by an unknown writer in about 70 AD. It is written to Jews who were evaluating Jesus or struggling with their new faith. The message of Hebrews is that Jesus is better, Christianity is superior, Christ