United Pentecostal Church of Benicia

A Brief Bible Study by Rev. Robert Fertado

An In-Depth Study by Rev. David Bernard

AN IN-DEPTH BIBLE STUDY

By Rev. David Bernard
from his book, A Handbook of Basic Doctrines
A Compilation of Scriptural References

"The foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
of the doctrine of baptisms . . . " (Hebrews 6:1-2).

A. Universal Need for Salvation

"We have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Romans 3:9-12).

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

"By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.... By one man's disobedience many were made sinners" (Romans 5:12, 19).

"For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

B. The Atoning Work of Jesus Christ

"He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.... The LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:5-6).

"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28).

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood" (Romans 3:24-25).

"God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement" (Romans 5:8-11).

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all" (I Timothy 2:5-6).

"That he by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9).

C. Salvation is by Grace

"Being justified freely by his grace" (Romans 3:24).

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:8-10).

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11-12).

D. Salvation is through Faith

1. Only Through Faith in Jesus Christ

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

"If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24).

"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name"(John 20:31).

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.... For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:16-17).

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:16).

"For by grace are ye saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8).

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

2. Saving Faith Includes Obedience

"A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith" (Acts 6:7).

"By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name" (Romans 1:5).

"Ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine" (Romans 6:17).

"But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" (Romans 10: 16).

"Made known to all nations for the obedience of faith" (Romans 16:26).

"In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (11 Thessalonians 1:8).

"He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Hebrews 5:9).

3. Examples of Insufficient, Mental Faith

"Many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them.... for he knew what was in man" (John 2:23-25).

"Among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:42-43).

"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble" (James 2:19).

4. Saving Faith Includes the Acts 2:38 Experience

"Repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15).

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).

"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" (John 7:38-39).

"The Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.... God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 11:15, 17).

"Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? ... Unto what then were ye baptized?" (Acts 19:2-3).

"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:14).

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13).

E. Obeying (Applying) the Gospel

1. New Testament Teaching

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than 1, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire" (Matthew 3:11).

"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).

"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).

"How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? ... We are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.... For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 6:2, 4; 8:2).

"But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (I Corinthians 6:11).

"I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:1-4).

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5).

"And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one" (I John 5:8).

2. Old Testament Typology (Blood, Water, Fire or Oil)

"Our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea" (I Corinthians 10:1-2).

F. Repentance

1. Necessity of Repentance

"Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3, 5).

"Repent . . ." (Acts 2:38).

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19).

"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:30).

2. Elements of Repentance

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, 0 God, thou wilt not despise" (Psalm 51:17).

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13).

"Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance" (Luke 3:8).

"To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith.... That they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance" (Acts 26:18, 20).

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death" (11 Corinthians 7:10)

G. Water Baptism

1. Significance and Necessity

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).

" Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).

"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins . . (Acts 2:38).

"And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:48).

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death" (Romans 6:3-4).

"But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (I Corinthians 6:11).

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27).

"In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: buried with him in baptism . . ." (Colossians 2:11-12).

"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us" (I Peter 3:20-21).

2. For Repentant Believers

"Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him ... Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance" (Luke 3:7-8).

"Repent, and be baptized every one of you . . (Acts 2:38).

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized" (Acts 2:41).

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women" (Acts 8:12).

"The eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest" (Acts 8:36-37).

"Many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized" (Acts 18:8).

3. The Baptismal Mode: Immersion in Water

"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water" (Matthew 3:16).

"And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim because there was much water there" (John 3:23).

"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? ... And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip" (Acts 8:36-39).

"We are buried with him by baptism" (Romans 6:4).

"Buried with him in baptism" (Colossians 2:12).

4. The Baptismal Formula: In the Name of Jesus

"Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38).

"They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 8:16).

"And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:48). [Earliest Greek texts say, "in the name of Jesus Christ."]

"And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:3-5).

"Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). [Earliest Greek texts say, "on his name."]

5. The One Name in Matthew 28:19

"All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:18-20).

"In that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one" (Zechariah 14:9).

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS" (Matthew 1:21).

"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47).

"I am come in my Father's name" (John 5:43).

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name. . . " (John 14:26).

"And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads" (Revelation 22:3-4).

H. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost

1. Promise and Command

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit" (Joel 2:28-29).

"He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire" (Matthew 3:11).

"Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (John 20:22).

"And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence" (Acts 1:4-5).

"And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:38-39).

2. An Experience for the Church Founded on Pentecost

"Upon this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18).

"Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he" (Luke 7:28).

"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.... And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:47, 49).

"For the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified" (John 7:39).

"If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you" (John 16:7).

"Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence" (Acts 1:5).

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father" (Galatians 4:4-6).

3. Significance and Necessity

"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter intothe kingdom of God" (John 3:5).

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me" (Acts 1:8).

"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9).

"For the kingdom of God is ... righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17).

"But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (I Corinthians 6:11).

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body" (I Corinthians 12:13).

"Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession" (Ephesians 1:13-14).

"According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5).

"And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us" (I John 3:24).

4. Speaking in Tongues is the Initial Sign

"And these signs shall follow them that believe ... they shall speak with new tongues" (Mark 16:17).

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4).

"And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished ... because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues" (Acts 10:45-46).

"The Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied" (Acts 19:6).