Connecting the Chasm: Bridging the Gap Between Christian Infancy and Spiritual Maturity

By Roche Coleman

Connecting the Chasm seeks to provide assistance with individual spiritual growth and instruction regarding the essential and foundational biblical truths. It covers the fall of mankind into sin through the purpose of the local church. All Christians should know what the Bible states regarding salvation, discipleship, sanctification, and their roles in the church. However, there is a dearth of knowledge of the fundamental teachings of Scripture, which has created a chasm between the believer and the Bible. Therefore, attention is given to biblical and theological issues that will compel the reader to go beyond the surface and build a firm foundation on the Word of God. Each facet is designed to facilitate individual spiritual growth for the new Christian as well as the mature Christian. A workbook is included to provide further interaction with the material so it may be utilized as a course text for basic biblical beliefs, a new member’s orientation course, or a new believer’s course.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 31, 2013
• ISBN: 9781449789152

Roche Coleman

Roche Coleman is the senior pastor of Impact Church of The Woodlands. He served as a pastor of Christian education for twelve years prior to that. Serving in pastoral ministry afforded him the privilege of designing theological courses, teaching an orientation course, and establishing curriculum within local churches. His extensive travel internationally has granted him the opportunity to preach and teach in areas such as Africa, Jamaica, Croatia, and India. Roche possesses a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College, a master of biblical studies from the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and a master of theology from Dallas Theological Seminary.

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Copyright © 2013 Roche Coleman.

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-8914-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8916-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8915-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013905339

WestBow Press rev. date: 04/11/2024

CONTENTS

Introduction

1.  Problem and Penalty of Sin

2.  Provision for Sin

3.  Predestination to Conversion

4.  Assurance: Salvation Solidified

5.  Discipleship

6.  Sanctification

7.  The Holy Spirit

8.  The Church

9.  Church Leadership

10. Spiritual Gifts

INTRODUCTION

I n the summer of 2009, Randy and Beth began searching for a home on the Internet. They could view images of properties, quickly eliminate homes outside of their criteria, save time and money, all without leaving the comfort of their own home. They narrowed their selection down to three prospects and quickly contacted their real estate agent to schedule the tours.

When Beth saw the first property, her favorite, everything appeared flawless from the exterior, and the search seemed to end as quickly as it had begun. This home possessed plenty of curb appeal. The luscious, green, manicured lawn harmonized with the flowers arranged in moss rock. Beautiful pink and white Indian hawthorns with blue point junipers accented the stone on the home and provided a pleasant touch.

They anxiously parked in the driveway and entered the living room. The dark hardwood floors complemented the flat latex paint impeccably. The owner had chosen the perfect touch of Santa Fe as the color for the walls. They noted how the quality fixtures, stainless steel appliances, and custom cabinets in the kitchen, were all well maintained. The trim, blinds, and ceramic tile in each area were unblemished. This home had presence and personality. All the tangible and intangible features were included, and they contemplated extending an offer.

They toured every area except the third bedroom, yet nothing externally caused them the slightest hesitation. When Randy entered the final room, he noticed the real estate agent leaning over and examining the base of the wall. He looked up and said, Come look at this foundation! Randy approached and could not believe what he encountered. The entire rear wall had separated from the foundation of the home. A one- inch chasm appeared at the bottom of the rear wall in the bedroom. Elements from outside were freely blowing through the separation where pests had acquired access as well. Further investigation revealed that the closet door would not close properly, there were pronounced cracks in the wall and the concrete floor sloped. How could a home with such promise, presence, and personality possess such problems? According to the realtor, the soil underneath the foundation had shifted, and faulty design or a drought had created the chasm between the wall and the foundation. Externally the home appeared flawless, but a closer inspection revealed extreme structural damage.

The Word of God is the foundation for Christians, who must employ diligence and dedication to comprehend and interpret the truth of Scripture or their beliefs will crack and become unstable and transitory. This explains why the apostle Paul urged his young disciple Timothy to study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (1 Timothy 2:15 KJV). Furthermore, he encouraged Timothy to

devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching … Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:13, 15–16 NIV)

The concept of rightly dividing the truth in verse 15 pertains to cutting with accuracy and precision. Paul admonished Timothy to utilize correctly the Word of God with meticulousness and to give definite attention to his doctrine. Young Timothy was not able to handle the Word of God in a whimsical and capricious manner. Rather, he was to give the utmost care to Scripture since it is the underpinning for the Christian life. The life he modeled before the congregation must align with God’s precepts to ensure he makes an indelible impact on the culture. Everything our Lord demands is diametrically opposed to the culture’s philosophy and ideology. Therefore, the Scriptures served as a guide to determine Timothy’s adherence and effectiveness for Jesus Christ.

Paul’s admonition to Timothy continues for each Christian today. However, the warnings are going unnoticed by many, and the results are daunting and unnerving, to say the least. According to a survey by Barna Research Group, only one of every eight adult believers feels adequately prepared to share effectively his or her faith. Between half to three-quarters of Christians believe that a person can earn access into heaven and that Satan is a symbolic rather than a living entity. Also, only 44 percent of born-again adults are convinced there is absolute moral truth, and 55 percent claim the primary influence on their thinking about moral truth is the Bible or the religious teaching they receive. The others base their beliefs on family, friends, experiences, observations, emotions, and intuition.¹ In essence, the foundation is being destroyed.

I wrote this book because I see the effects of shifting from the firm foundation of the Word of God. I served as an associate pastor of Christian education for over twelve years. While serving in that capacity I taught countless courses in churches. The level of basic Bible knowledge of the students varied; for the majority, an expansive chasm exists between their verbal affirmation of faith and their factual knowledge of the Bible. The students’ dearth of knowledge of the Bible created a chasm between them and God. Numerous Christians are deficient and lacked confidence to articulate the basic truths of the Christian faith. Many embraced the ideology of those interviewed by George Barna.

This book seeks to connect the chasm between God and mankind by introducing the reader to the foundational truths of the Bible. God revealed Himself and His will through the Bible, so without an understanding of the basic truths of the Bible, the existing chasm continues to expand. Chapter 1 begins with the creation, mankind’s rebellion against God, and the consequences of his sin. Chapters 2 and 3 explain God’s gracious provision for humanity through the atoning death of Jesus Christ and the process of salvation from predestination to conversion. Chapters 4 and 5 cover the assurance of salvation and discipleship, while chapters 6 and 7 cover the process of sanctification and the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit of God. We culminate with the church, church leadership, and spiritual gifts in chapters 8, 9, and 10.

Study questions at the end of each chapter are designed to facilitate the learning process by challenging the reader to interact with the Bible and the material. It is my heart’s desire that readers will gain a great level of knowledge of our Lord and Savior that will increase their level of intimacy, obedience, and passion for Him.

ARE YOU GOING TO HEAVEN WHEN YOU DIE?

A city newspaper included a column entitled, Are You Going to Heaven When You Die? Several readers responded in the following manner: I think so, I don’t know, Heaven is not a real place, I am working on it, I am not sure, and No one knows that for certain. The following list contains several means one may choose to acquire entrance into heaven. Certainly, the list is not exhaustive but a representation of the core beliefs embraced by countless individuals. Please circle the answer(s) that best represents how you believe you can enter heaven.

1) Follow the teachings and example of Christ.

2) Be thoroughly knowledgeable of the Bible and its doctrines.

3) Be baptized and/or confirmed.

4) Join a church and regularly attend.

5) Speak in tongues.

6) Live a good life.

7) Love your fellow man.

8) Obey the Ten Commandments.

9) Do good deeds/works.

10) Contribute money to the poor and volunteer time to assist the less fortunate.

N ow that you have circled your answer(s), I must inform you that none of the previous answers is correct. The previous responses represent the futile efforts of mankind to obtain entrance into heaven. The responses given by the participants are the byproducts of a Christian life. Neither will give you eternal life with the Lord. Scriptures provide a singular solution for access into the presence of God—faith in Jesus Christ alone. Mankind incessantly attempts to achieve a connection with God separately from His prescribed means. The remainder of this study will demonstrate how mankind initially connects with God for eternal life and how mankind can maintain a vibrant connection. I pray you will find this study efficacious, enlightening, and encouraging.

CHAPTER 1:

PROBLEM AND PENALTY OF SIN

GENESIS: THE BEGINNING

T he first book of the Bible is Genesis, a title derived from Genesis 2:4a of the Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint (LXX). English translations traditionally define genesis as beginnings or in the beginning. Genesis introduces the reader to the origin of the world and human history. Humanity has its origin within the book of Genesis, but it focuses primarily on the Hebrew people and God’s redemptive plan for all humanity. The entire book may be divided into two sections. The first, Genesis 1:11–26, introduces the created order and the history of humanity. The second, Genesis 11:27–50, focuses on the call and development of the patriarchs. This section of the study will focus on the first three chapters of Genesis due to its presentation of the origin of mankind, his fall into sin, and his need for a redeemer.

From the outset the book explains earth is without form and empty, and the darkness covered the surface (Genesis 1:2). The land is a lifeless mass consisting of chaos and emptiness. God creates order and institutes life out of the barren wasteland by His divine Word (Genesis 1:1, 3ff). This is the first attempt by Moses, the author of Genesis, to affirm God as the Sovereign Creator of creation.² Throughout the first chapter, God, who is the subject of the Bible, is the active agent who aggressively creates and establishes the world and its inhabitants. This is demonstrated grammatically by the author’s use of God’s name. In the first chapter of Genesis, God (Hebrew Elohim) is mentioned thirty-two times. On thirty of these occasions God is the active agent who speaks (ten times), who sees (seven times), who creates (three times), who calls (three times), who makes (three times), who blesses (two times), who separates (once), and who places (once) every part of the created order. Furthermore, everything God created is good according to His holy and righteous standards (1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31).

Although everything is sufficiently created, the second chapter reveals God’s displeasure with the solitude of the secondary subject of the Bible. God proclaims, It is not good for the man to be alone (2:18). Man, the crown prince of God’s creation, is the only created thing in the image and likeness of God (cf. 1:26). Man being made in God’s image and likeness should be explained as his having dominion over God’s creation as vice-regent.³ One author explains, God’s image obviously does not consist in man’s body which was formed from earthly matter, but in his spiritual, intellectual, moral likeness to God from whom his animating breath came.⁴

The psalmist affirms this previous position and provides some commentary:

Thou hast made him a little lower than God, and dost crown him with glory and majesty! Thou dost make him to rule over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, The birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. (Psalm 8:5–8)

Like God, but diminished in every aspect, man is crowned with glory and majesty. Man must rule and subjugate just as God ruled and subjugated. Adam and the woman God eventually provided for him were to mirror God in their dominion over creation, in their harmonious and unified relationship with one another, and in their spiritual and moral conduct.

First, God provides a solution to man’s solitary state by creating the woman from the man. Afterward, He confirmed everything He created is very good (cf. 1:31; 2:21–25). The woman, Eve, is a helper suitable for him (2:18). Just as the animals have mates to assist them and provide social interaction, man required a like companion. Adam is incomplete without his complementary helper. Often the Hebrew verb help or helper indicates general assistance among humans or military assistance, and it designates divine aid, particularly in Psalms, where it includes both material and spiritual assistance (Joshua 1:14; 10:4; 2 Samuel 8:5; 18:3; Isaiah 41:6; Ezra 10:15; cf. Psalm 121:1, 2).⁵ The noun form is utilized in Genesis 2:18 and 2:20 when referencing the wife assisting her husband in the marriage relationship. Gordon Wenham makes an insightful comment regarding the helper: To help someone does not imply that the helper is stronger than the helped; simply that the latter’s strength is inadequate by itself (e.g., Joshua 1:14; 10:4, 6; 1 Chronicles 12:17, 19, 21, 22).⁶ Adam required someone to reciprocate to him physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. This could not be achieved in a solitary state, and the Creator resolved the situation.

THE FALL

Until this juncture, each portion of God’s perfect creation obeyed Him implicitly. The psalmist explains, For He [God] spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast (Psalm 33:9). The animals, mountains, the sea, and all the world’s inhabitants remained confined to the boundaries established by God. Only one aspect of the creation, mankind, would dare to defy the boundaries of God.

Genesis 3 stands as one of the most fundamental passages of Scripture relating to the doctrine of sin. This passage reveals the introduction of sin into human existence. God placed Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden to subjugate, manage, and cultivate it as stewards of His creation. God instructed Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply by creating with their reproductive organs (cf. Genesis 1:28). This would occur without guilt or shame because the author informs us, they are naked and unashamed (Genesis 2:25). The Hebrew word for shame does not carry the overtones of personal guilt the English word shame includes. Rather, they were unabashed or not disconcerted.⁷ This is equivalent to the lack of inhibitions babies demonstrate.

Their time in this state of purity and innocence did not last long. The third chapter of Genesis reveals Adam and Eve’s fall from innocence due to their desire to subvert the authority of God. The first phase of this dreadful narrative begins with the calculating Serpent engaging Eve in a causal dialogue regarding the Word of God: Indeed, has God said … ? (3:1). Murphy suggests, The tempter addresses the woman as the more susceptible and unguarded of the two creatures he would betray. He ventures upon a half-questioning, half-insinuating remark.⁸ Furthermore, the Serpent interjects in the mind of Eve a new perception of God. Eve contemplates several possibilities about her Creator her mind never entertained prior to this conversation, and her reasoning compels her to ponder the integrity and character of God. The following questions obviously invaded her mind because the Serpent attacked these areas:

1) God’s word is inconsistent and questionable.

2) God is unjust.

3) God is domineering and prohibitive.

4) God is an authoritarian.

5) God is a liar.

How intriguing; the Serpent’s first attempt to discredit God is surrounding His Word! How the Serpent knew what God had said is a mystery, but now the crafty nature of the Serpent is evident (3:1). The Serpent questioned what God said to create doubt and speculative thoughts in Eve’s mind. A recipient of a question is compelled to address the issue in some capacity. Neutrality is not an option for Eve, and her response is not favorable. Note the difference between what God said and Eve’s attempt to recount what God said after the Serpent questioned her:

Eve incorrectly restated God’s word. The infractions seem