Bible Study

The Gift of Eternal Life Berean Bible Study Course

Part II--The Process Of Reconciliation With God

D. Lesson 10--We Must Be Washed Free Of All Sins

7. READ: MATTHEW 28:18-20

c. What are they to be taught to do?

Answer: After people are baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, becoming disciples of Jesus, they are to be taught to obey everything He has commanded the apostles (verse 20).

MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

• All of the commands and teachings which Jesus gave to the apostles are now written for us in the Scriptures--inspired by the Holy Spirit Who brought all things from God the Father. This is a life-long process of teaching, baptizing and teaching again so that maturity--perfection--in Christ is constantly developing and growing.

Those who were taught, and have become obedient believers, are then to become teachers, and this is God's plan for the spreading of the Gospel. Disciples are to make disciples, who make disciples, etc.

All the while that disciples are making other disciples, they are also continually studying God's Word so that they themselves grow up in the Lord, and help and encourage other Christians to do the same.

• Followers of Christ are to teach others the Good News, baptize those who believe, and teach again so that God's children constantly walk in the Way--are obedient to the commands of Christ until death:

2 Timothy 2:15: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth."

1 Timothy 4:16: "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."

Colossians 3:16-17: "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

• There is an empty learning of the Scriptures--a seeking of knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Christ wants His commands WORKING IN THE LIFE of a Christian.

In John 5:39, Jesus says of such people and their empty study: "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life."

And 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 says, "Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the Gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this Gospel you are saved, IF you hold firmly to the Word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain."