Death was the penalty of sin for disobedience in the Garden of Eden. The nature of this “first death” was twofold and encompasses both a spiritual and physical death. The pronouncement of death was temporary, as Jesus Christ provided a way for the soul to be resurrected unto life and restored to a relationship with God. The power of physical death was also broken by Christ and there will be a physical resurrection of the body at the end of this time-world.

The First Resurrection (Spiritual)

“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power” (Revelation 20:6). The first resurrection is the spiritual resurrection that takes place when a sinner repents of his sin and is made alive through Jesus Christ. Jesus illustrated this in the story of the prodigal son who left home and broke the relationship with his father. When the prodigal son returned, the father rejoiced, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:24). The son was not physically dead but he was spiritually dead. When he left the life of sin, he was alive again. The spiritually dead are made alive though a spiritual resurrection.Read more

Major divisions exist in Christian circles over the doctrine of eternal security. Once a person has accepted Christ, is it possible to lose that
salvation or is salvation eternally secure in spite of committed sin?

Plan of Salvation

The questions about eternal security are many and the answers affect a myriad of theological issues. While the divide is great among theologians and there are scriptures used to support radically different perspectives, the scriptures do not teach opposing doctrines. The Bible in its entirety presents a beautiful plan of a covenant relationship of faith between God and man. God will stand by His Word and be faithful to His children, but for the relationship to be complete, His children must continue in their choice to follow Christ regardless of the cost. A believer continues to have the power of choice to step outside of faith and follow after a life of sin. In so doing, the believer forfeits the work and benefits of salvation by personal decision.Read more

The Scripture lays out many clearly defined principles of financial stewardship that if followed will bring greater peace of mind and stability.

Good Work Ethic

Christians are to be an industrious and hardworking people, not slothful in temporal affairs (Romans 12:11). Proverbs 24:30-34 details the field of the lazy man who does not tend well to his field. Through carelessness and inattention, the field did not yield a good harvest so poverty came. Christian stewards are to have a good work ethic and should work hard,
be on time, and do things at a high standard. A welfare mentality is contrary to Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 states, “If any would not work, neither should he eat.” Paul commanded these people who were not working due to laziness to “work and eat their own bread.” From the fall of Adam, man was given a charge to work and eat bread from the sweat of his brow and the labor of his own hands.Read more

The Call of Christ to the Law of Love

Jesus Christ instituted a doctrine of love whereby God’s children bear injustice without retaliation and render good for evil. War and the shedding of blood practiced under the Old Testament dispensation are no longer acceptable for God’s people in the dispensation of grace.

A New Covenant

While warfare and the doctrine of an “eye for an eye” were foundational practices for historical Israel, a new covenant was prophesied. “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel” (Jeremiah 31:31). The prophet Micah foretold of a time when God’s people would “beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Micah 4:2-3). These prophecies were fulfilled in the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.Read more

“When exercised with a pure heart and a right motive, fasting may provide us with a key to unlock doors where other keys have failed; a window opening up new horizons in the unseen world; spiritual weapons of God’s providing, ‘mighty…to the pulling down of strongholds.’” —Arthur Wallis

Old and New Testament Practice

Fasting from food for spiritual benefit was taught and observed by both Old and New Testament saints. Men and women of spiritual renown throughout history have fasted. This list includes Moses the lawgiver, David the king, Elijah the prophet, Esther the queen, Daniel the seer, Anna the prophetess, Jesus the Son of God, and Paul the apostle. Fasting is an avenue of clearing the mind and spirit in humility before God, and it opens the door to a deeper spiritual connection with the Lord. There is no true spiritual benefit to fasting when it is a mere physical observance. Historically, fasting for many people became nothing more than an outward act of piety. Ascetic practices alone have never drawn mankind into a closer relationship with God. In all areas of spiritual devotion, outward manifestations and observances are only as strong as the inward spirit which seeks to please the Lord in humility and holiness. John Wesley said, “Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason, and others have utterly disregarded it.” There is a biblical practice of fasting that is of great benefit to God’s children still today.Read more