The Scriptures Unfolded: A Journey into the Scriptures

By Xolani Maxama

The Scriptures Unfolded, uncovers profound scriptural doctrines such as The Godhead or The Holy Trinity, the origins of men, the purpose of mens creation, what happens to man when he dies, the role of Jesus Christ in the lives of the human family, the purpose of trials and hardships, signs of a true church, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the Final Judgement and many other wonderful scriptural topics. This book in many ways is a summary of the core message of the Bible. The book, The Scripture Unfolded is also a great companion in the study of the scriptures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Africa
• Release date: Mar 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781482877229

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by Xolani Maxama.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

[The Scriptures Unfolded] by [XB Maxama] ©By Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

www.partridgepublishing.com/africa

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Introduction

How Can We Know The Truth?

What Is The Godhead or The Holy Trinity?

Jesus Christ – The God of the Old Testament?

The Pre-Mortal Life (Who Are We? Did We Live Before We Were Born?)

The Fall of Adam And Eve

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

The Purpose of Earth Life

The Covenant of Baptism

Signs of a True Church, Apostasy and the Restoration Of The Church of Jesus Christ

Death: What Happens to Us When We Die?

The Resurrection and Final Judgment

List of Visuals

Glossary

References

About The Author & Book Preview

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book had its beginnings in 2006 during a time I would write outlines on various gospel topics. These outlines were each no more than two pages long. At the time I had no thought of writing, let alone publishing a book. It was all done at my leisure.

Between the years 2007 and 2010, I met and became friends with people who seemed very interested in what my beliefs in God were and what my mission to East Africa was all about. I remember having long discussions with them about different gospel topics. Some of the topics we talked about were, however, never concluded.

And then around 2011, I felt a strong urge, almost like a push to write a book and in it share my thoughts and feelings about God and certain gospel topics with friends. After a while, I began writing. Thoughts and ideas would just pour in. The work got bigger and bigger. It felt like I was a conduit through which the information flowed. It truly was a pleasant experience putting this book together. To my friends and family, this is my response to all of the scriptural discussions we have had in the past but could not really find the time to finish.

Therefore, I’d like to thank God for the inspiration and help, to write and arrange this work the way it is. I also would like to thank everyone who has helped discover, and channel my talents here on earth: From the beginning, my parents, my brother and sisters. All my friends and family! I also would like to thank all of my school teachers my church leaders and gospel teachers from seminary and institute. (Seminary and Institute are classes that the youth and young single adults attend respectively to learn the word of God from the scriptures); my friends with whom I had the gospel discussions. My companions from my mission, I learnt a lot from all of you. (Mission: A mission in my church is a requirement and a duty of young men between the ages of 18 to 25, who are able and worthy according to church requirements, to avail themselves to be sent anywhere in the world for a period of two years to serve God. They serve God by teaching His word and baptizing,they study the scriptures, they train their fellow missionaries and church members, they get involved in various service projects in the communities they are called to serve, they also hold planning meetings, attend church meetings and help reactivate those who no longer go to church. Young adult ladies who are not married, may also serve a mission). I also would like to thank those who have helped review this book the Intellectual Reserve, Inc. for permitting me to use their material in this work. Finally, Partridge Africa for all their help and support in publishing this book.

INTRODUCTION

This book was written because of my undying love for the scriptures and how I enjoy sharing my knowledge of them with friends.

During the writing process I felt somewhat like Philip in Acts 8:30-31, who upon meeting an Ethiopian eunuch who was reading the scriptures, asked: Understandest thou what thou readest?… The eunuch responded: How can I, except some man should guide me? My desire, like Philip’s, is to share my understanding of the scriptures with people everywhere. This experience, however, has also been a teaching adventure and a reminder to me of my duty towards God.

My love of the scriptures sprang from participating in seminary and institute of religious studies in my teens, and my two year (2002-2004) mission to Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, serving as a missionary, teaching the word of God.

The Scriptures Unfolded, uncovers profound scriptural doctrines such as The Godhead or The Holy Trinity, the origins of men, the purpose of men’s creation, what happens to man when he dies, the role of Jesus Christ in the lives of the human family, the purpose of trials and hardships, signs of a true church, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the Final Judgement and many other wonderful scriptural topics. This book in many ways is a summary of the core message of the Bible. The book, The Scriptures Unfolded is also a great companion in the study of the scriptures.

I hope that those who get an opportunity to read this book will do so with an open heart and a desire to learn. I also would urge them to pray and ask Heavenly Father if what I have written about is the truth (Acts 17:11).

The things contained in this book are expressions of my personal views, conceived during my study of the Bible, and the teachings of prominent Christian leaders. They are not official views of any particular religious organization or church. The production of this book is not aimed at enforcing any of the views expressed in here on anyone, neither is it aimed at belittling nor attacking any person or religious group for their beliefs. There are chapters herein where I relate events in history; this is done only for background, insight and clarity. My desire is to share what I have come to know to be true.

This book is dedicated to my friends and also to my family. I would also like everyone to know that by producing this work I am not in any way trying to set myself up as one without any mistakes or personal faults. I am only sharing my deep convictions. Therefore, come and join me as we take this journey together, unfolding the scriptures.

A%20Man%20Seeking%20To%20Know%20the%20Truth.jpg

Chapter 1: A Man Seeking To Know the Truth.

HOW CAN WE KNOW THE TRUTH?

How can human beings know eternal truth for themselves? Perhaps a good place for us to start is to know what truth is.

What is Truth?

Truth is: knowledge of things as they really were, as they really are and as they really will be. This statement translates to the fact that, absolute truth doesn’t change. It is the same yesterday, today and forever. Paul describes Jesus Christ the same way, he says:

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

He also doesn’t change. All things are present with the Lord, the past, present and the future. Therefore, He knows all things (1 John 3:20). He is also a God of all truth. (Deut. 32:4).

The book of Proverbs, on the other hand, mentions one of the things God hates - a lie, it says:

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight (Proverbs 12:22).

James, in his book attests to God’s reliability, he says: …the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1:17). The scriptures assure us that God is not only trustworthy and full of truth but knows all truth. He cannot lie; therefore we can trust Him and His word completely.

Man’s knowledge on the other hand is limited; his ideas are ever changing and unreliable.

For instance:

Motor Vehicles

I remember being in conversation with a man in his late fifties some years ago, the discussion was about cars. We talked about some advanced technologies incorporated in the manufacturing of cars in our day and how fast they travel. He told me that when he was a young man, the fastest one could travel in a car was about 70-80 km/h. The general idea among the people at the time was, if a car could travel faster than 80 km/h, it would disintegrate. Today we know that what they had imagined back then was merely a result of man’s limited mind. Cars today travel as fast as 300km/h without any defects.

Flat Earth Theory

Many ancient cultures for a long time believed that the earth was flat rather than a sphere [round]. However, fourth century scientists and philosophers realized that the earth was a sphere and not flat. Telescopes, first invented in the 17th century, have further helped prove that the earth is in fact round.

Aircrafts

Many in the past believed that it was impossible for man to fly. Before we could fly in the large size, airbuses we have today, aircraft designers and aviators had to go through a number of trials and errors trying to design aircrafts that could actually fly. Early inventions included kites, hot air balloons, airships, gliders and other forms of aircrafts. It took years for man to finally master the engineering sciences involved in flying aircrafts. This is because man then, did not know what man knows now.

By the way, I believe that every invention that has had a profound, positive impact in the lives of mankind was inspired by God. Some of these inventions are: Transportation in all its modes and forms, Telecommunications, Engineering, Medicine, Sports and Sciences including all good and wholesome discoveries. All of these come from God through man. I really believe that! I think this is what Paul might have had in mind when he wrote this to the Philippians, that every good thing comes from God:

Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).

The Scriptures Help Us Know the Truth

A friend once asked why I always use the scriptures to explain certain ideas about life and the human family. My response was that the scriptures have a beautiful way of answering many of life’s questions, if pondered and used correctly. Moreover, right here we are speaking of men’s quest for truth. Men are the offspring of God. God knows men, He created them. So, what better source can we go to for answers than the Maker of the product? Think about it, would you after buying a new TV set and something goes wrong with it, take it to a plumber?

Of course, you wouldn’t! My guesses is, you would take it to a certified TV technician and have it fixed. I’m sure the technician would use the TV’s user manual or if the problem is more technical use the TV’s circuit diagram to troubleshoot and have the problem fixed. This also applies to human beings. To know who we are, why we are in this world and the truths about God, we need to turn to God, not to what men think. Paul describes men’s limited mind thus: Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3:7).

God has always revealed His Eternal truths, in other words His laws and commandments, to us on earth through His chosen servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). These laws do not change. If we choose to obey these laws they will help us learn how to become more like Jesus Christ and eventually see us saved in His Kingdom.

God’s laws were instituted by Him before the world was created. Man has neither the right nor the authority to change these laws. If they are changed, broken or disregarded, they bring turmoil, unhappiness and ultimately destruction in our lives. For God’s laws to be fully understood, He calls a prophet to teach them to His children. Prophets record these teachings in scriptures so that the doctrine is kept pure as in the day it was revealed. Scriptures are given so that we may study them, teach them to our children, preserve them for future generations, to come to the knowledge of God and also for our correction lest we deviate from the right way (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Men Do Not Have the Right to temper with or Change God’s Word

Boyd K. Parker taught that the laws of God cannot be changed by men as they please:

"Natural and spiritual laws which govern life were instituted from before the foundation of the world. They are eternal, as are the consequences for either obeying or disobeying them. They are not based on social or political considerations. They cannot be changed. No pressure, no protest, no legislation can alter them.

Years ago I supervised the Indian seminaries. On a visit to a school at Albuquerque, the principal told me of an incident that happened in a first grade class.

During a lesson, a kitten wandered into the room and distracted the youngsters. It was brought to the front of the room so all could see it.

One youngster asked: Is it a boy kitty or a girl kitty?

The teacher, unprepared for that discussion, said, It doesn’t matter; it’s just a kitten.

But the children persisted, and one little boy said, I know how we can tell if it is a boy kitty or a girl kitty.

The teacher, cornered, said, All right, you tell us how we can tell if it is a boy kitty or a girl kitty.

The boy answered, We can vote on it!

Some things cannot be changed. Doctrine cannot be changed.

Principles which have been revealed, Wilford Woodruff said, for the salvation and exaltation of the children of men… are principles you cannot annihilate [crush]. They are principles that no combination of men [or women] can destroy. They are principles that can never die… They are beyond the reach of man to handle or to destroy… It is not in the power of the whole world put together to destroy those principles… Not one jot or tittle of these principles will ever be destroyed. [1].

The Holy Ghost

One of the missions of The Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit is to confirm truth to us when we hear it. In other words, if one is taught the word of God or wants to know the truth of anything, he can know it for himself by the power of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 12:3). Paul taught the Galatians how the Holy Ghost will reveal to one that something is true or right, he said:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance… (Galatians 5:22-23).

The word fruit as used in the verse just shared means a result of, or in other words, what one will experience when the Holy Spirit is present.

When the Holy Spirit is present, One will feel love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Did you notice how I used the word feel in the previous sentence? This is because more than anything else, you feel the Spirit of God within you, when it is present.

Let me illustrate: After the resurrection of Jesus, two of His disciples were on their way to a village called Emmaus. As they walked, Jesus joined them and they talked about the things that had transpired in Jerusalem that weekend, but they knew Him not. When they reached their destination, they asked Him to join them for supper and sleep over for it was getting late. At supper as they ate, their eyes were opened and saw that it was Jesus who was with them. Now, notice how they say they felt in Jesus’ presence:

…Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? (Luke 24:32).

The Holy Spirit is sometimes likened to a baptism of fire in the scriptures (Luke 3:16). Some will experience a warm, burning sensation in their hearts, when the Holy Spirit is present.

Henry B. Eyring shared the following about how the Holy Ghost speaks to us:

The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Truth. You feel peace, hope, and joy when it speaks to your heart and mind that something is true. Almost always I have also felt a sensation of light. Any feeling I may have had of darkness is dispelled. And the desire to do right grows. [2].

Therefore, the Holy Spirit speaks to us through feelings of peace, joy and goodness that something is true or right.

Dallin H. Oaks said the following about how God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, he said:

God teaches his sons and daughters by the power of his Spirit which enlightens their minds and speaks peace to them concerning the questions they have asked [3].

The following story teaches us more about how the Holy Spirit or even God speaks to us. In the book of 1 Kings 19, in the Old Testament is an account where Elijah’s life is sought by Jezebel. Elijah had ran for his life into the wilderness and later to Mount Horeb where he found shelter in a cave.

While there, God spoke to him and told him to stand upon the mount before the Lord. And behold the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake into pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-13).

It is interesting to note that God wasn’t in any of the above mentioned elements which are dramatic in nature. He wasn’t in the great strong wind that broke the rocks off the mountain, the earthquake nor the fire. The Lord wasn’t in any of these, but spoke in a still, small voice. This, of course, doesn’t suggest that God has a quiet tone of voice but that to be able to hear Him speak, you have to be in tune with Him. To be able to hear God speak to us, we need to shut the noise of the world out of our lives. In other words reverence is implied.

Richard L. Evans said regarding reverence: Certainly there are many times and places when high minded humor and lighthearted talk and heartily informal fellowship are a permissible and important part of life. But there are also sacred places, sacred hours, sacred subjects that should be reverently respected-and he who is insensitive to them is sometimes suspected of lacking some essential qualities of character. We commend these words from the seventeenth century: ‘Let thy speeches be seriously reverent when thou speakest of God or His attributes; for to jest or utter thyself lightly in matters divine is an unhappy impiety, provoking Heaven to justice, and urging all men to suspect thy belief.’ ‘Always and in everything let there be reverence.’ [4].

Usually, it is in quiet, peaceful moments when our hearts are ready to listen, that we hear God speak to us. However, if we are righteous and highly sensitive to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, we can feel and hear God however loud the noise around us. Jesus Christ was like that. He was so sensitive to the things of righteousness that even when distracted He would discern between righteousness and evil.

Let us take a look at the book of Luke for an example of His high spiritual sensitivity: Jarius a ruler of the synagogue begged Jesus to come to his house to heal his dying twelve year old daughter. Jesus with compassion went to the man’s house. On their way to Jarius’ house, the crowd made up of His disciples, people who wanted to be healed, those who perhaps wanted to see Jarius’ daughter being healed and those who only wanted to lay their eyes on this great prophet come among them, thronged Jesus. A throng is a crowd, a great number of people. Therefore, the crowd thronged and pressed Him as He walked. A certain woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years, who could not be healed by all the doctors she had been to, came behind Jesus, touched His clothing and was immediately healed.

Upon this happening Jesus said, while the crowd pushed against Him, Who touched me?… Peter and they that were with him said, Master the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me… (Luke 8:41-46).

Jesus’ spiritual sensitivity was so high that He was aware of things happening around Him that others were blind to. When we are dead to the things of righteousness, the term past feeling is used to describe us (Ephesians 4:19). Basically, this means we no longer can feel when God or the Holy Ghost speaks to us.

We also can be blessed with the same gift that Jesus had, and feel and discern as He did if we would eliminate the noise of this world from our lives and live our lives so that the Spirit of God has a place in our hearts.

The Holy Ghost - A Source of Revelation

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of revelation. Revelation is communication from God to men. Revelation often times comes when sought after. The Lord taught: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you (Matthew 7:7). As we search for answers from the Lord, and our hearts are ready, He will reveal them to us. There is a formula however, to receiving revelation. I will attempt to explain it in simple terms.

Let us assume that we are asking the Lord to direct us on a decision we want to make. These are the steps we may take:

1. We need to live righteously and keep our thoughts and actions pure. When we do, it is easier to recognize the messages God will send us through the Holy Spirit.

2. The Lord has given each of us a brain to use to make decisions. Therefore, we need to study the subject matter out in our minds.

3. Make our own best decision about the matter according to what we know is right.

4. Take it to the Lord in prayer and ask Him if our decision is right.

5. If it is right, the Lord will speak peace to our minds and hearts about the matter (Galatians 5: 22-23).

6. If it is wrong we won’t feel right about our decision, we will doubt whether we should do it or not. But eventually, the Lord may even give us physical signs to warn us not to go ahead, if we really need extra help.

If I may just add a thought here… Sometimes, for us to receive answers to our prayers God needs us to be anxiously engaged in doing something about what we had asked and not be passively waiting on Him to answer.

Let me explain: In Exodus 14 is recorded a story of the Israelites when they had just been freed from bondage in Egypt. On their journey to the Promised Land they were met by the Red Sea and seemed stuck for a time on the sea shore. While camping on the shores of the Red Sea, Pharaoh and his army pursued them. And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out… [and] said unto Moses… hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore [why] has thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness (Exodus 14:10-12).

Imagine the fear that