Soul Rejoice

  THE BAPTISM AND GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Pneumatology - Lesson 16 Having studied the person and works of the Holy Spirit, we need to take some time to consider the gifts that the Spirit gives to the church. This topic is crucial. There is much controversy surrounding the nature of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the church. We would do well to internalize the Scripture’s teaching so that we will not be fooled by false arguments. First, we must consider what the Scripture teaches about a believer being baptized by the Spirit. Second, we will consider the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Finally, we will consider what it is to be filled with the Spirit.  

  THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Pneumatology - Lesson 15 Systematic Theology draws together all of the pertinent information about the subjects that are addressed in the Bible. Having studied what the Bible has to say about itself (Bibliology), the existence and works of God (Theology Proper), and the person and works Jesus (Christology); we now turn our attention to the study of the person and works of the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology). The neglect of this study always leads to the detriment of the church. On the other hand, a proper attention to a study of the Holy Spirit—as He has revealed Himself in the Scriptures—has always yielded abundant blessing.

  THE WORKS OF CHRIST IN HEAVEN Christology - Lesson 14   Luke 24:50-51 – And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.   Having accomplished the work of redemption, Christ ascended to Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. Because He completed the work of redemption (Heb 10:12-13; 12:2), Jesus ascended from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9-11) into the glory of heaven (1 Tim 3:16) to take His seat at the right hand of His Father (Matt 26:64; Acts 5:31; Eph 1:19-20) on the throne of His Father (Rev 3:21). This is in fulfillment of Psalm 110:1.   Though He is removed from earth, He continues His work in heaven. [1] “It would be a mistake to infer from the fact that the Bible speaks of Christ’s ‘sitting’ at the right hand of God, that the life to which the risen Lord ascended is a life of rest. It is and continues to be a life of constant a...

  THE WORKS OF CHRIST ON EARTH Christology - Lesson 13 This lesson will highlight some of the works of Jesus Christ during His life on earth. Due to the nature of this overview, we will not be able to examine every text possible about the works of Christ. We must keep in mind what John ended His gospel with: There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written (John 21:25).   This lesson on the works of Jesus Christ during His life on earth will essentially be an exposition of Philippians 2:5-8.

THE NAMES AND NATURES OF JESUS CHRIST Christology - Lesson 12 Our definition of Systematic Theology is that it is the study of the being and works of God by gathering together the biblical information on different topics and arranging them together in a logical fashion.   We come to our third topic: Christology. This is the study of the biblical data about our Lord. As always, our purpose is to give a general overview of systematic theology; an introductory glance at each of the doctrines. For this reason, we cannot gather together every text; but we will attempt to give a good representation of biblical texts for each subject discussed.   I once heard Sinclair Ferguson say that if you asked the average Evangelical Christian to tell you all they know about Jesus, they wouldn’t even take up five minutes before their knowledge of the subject was exhausted. This is not to shame anyone. This has served as a challenge to myself. I hope it will serve as a challenge to you also...

THE DECREE OF GOD Theology Proper - Lesson 11 The Bible has presented us with the God who is perfect in every way, without beginning or end, infinite in nature, incomparable in every way. We have been humbled as we have learned that God is not just a bigger and better version of us. He is who He is; and we are merely His creations, weak and finite, dependent and needy. Everything we have comes from His hand. Whatever we are, it is because He knit us together in our mother’s womb (Psa 139:13); and even there He knew us and had plans for us (cf. Jer 1:5).   We need to consider that in a much deeper way. Therefore, before we leave the topic of Theology Proper, we need to consider the scope of God’s sovereign DECREE concerning all things. [1]

  THE TRINITY Theology Proper - Lesson 10 We have discussed how God is perfectly incomprehensible, far beyond our capability to fully know and understand. We are the creature, and He is the creator. How could the pot ever comprehend the potter? How can the finite understand the infinite?   Thus, in theology, we must learn to be content with answers that make the questions harder and more of a problem. This is true in every aspect of theology, but it is certainly true when we talk about the essence of God. I hope that we have underscored the greatness of God in such a way as to highlight the mystery of God’s being and the awe and fear that is due Him by all creatures. Theology teaches us about God as He has revealed Himself in the Bible, but it also exposes the limits of our understanding. Theology does not attempt to solve the deep mysteries of God. Rather, it is like we stand at the shore of the ocean and marvel at its vastness and mystery. Yet it is our joy to plumb the ...