Membership: What We Believe 201

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. The Bible B. God C. Earth D. Humanity E. Sin F. God’s Written Law (Torah) G. Jesus H. Salvation I. What Repentance Is and Isn’t J. The Holy Spirit K. Gifts of the Holy Spirit L. Sanctification M. Rewards for Believers N. The Believer O. Prayer P. The Church/Synagogue/Congregation Q. The Future R. Jesus’ Return to Earth S. Resurrection of the Dead T. The Kingdom of God U. Judgment Day V. Heaven W. Hell X. The Trinity Y. Healing Z. Tithes and Offerings AA. Baptism BB. Communion CC. Sexual Immorality DD. Ordination

www.HopeHill.com 1 A. THE BIBLE

How was the Bible written?

We believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God, inspired by God, and without error in the original manuscripts. Under the direction of God, men throughout history have written down the things that God directed them to write, down to the very word. This was God’s kind choice to reveal Himself and His important truths to humanity in written format so that it would be objective, unchanging, and accessible to the nations of the world. There are sixty-six books in the Bible.

The Bible teaches us:

“…[N]o prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-21, NKJV)

“Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Messiah who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Messiah and the glories that would follow.” (1 Peter 1:10-11, NKJV)

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16, NKJV)

What does the Bible teach us?

The Bible reveals the will of God to humanity, it tells us how God has interacted with humanity in history past, and it tells us what God will bring about in the future. We also read that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NKJV). There are many important truths that the God of the Universe has revealed to humanity solely within the text of Scriptures, and because of this, it is very important for every believer to be well acquainted with the Bible.

Can we trust the Bible?

Understanding God’s good character will produce a firm trust in God’s ability to protect the accuracy of His Holy Scriptures for truth seekers of all generations. Strong, observable textual, historical, and archaeological evidence exists that leads to the conclusion that the Bible we have is the Bible that was written by the original authors.

Can we trust the New Testament?

Dr. Ravi Zacharias, a visiting professor at Oxford University, comments: "In real terms, the New Testament is easily the best attested ancient writing in terms of the sheer number of documents, the time span between the

www.HopeHill.com 2 events and the documents, and the variety of documents available to sustain or contradict it. There is nothing in ancient manuscript evidence to match such textual availability and integrity." (Can Man Live Without God?, Word Publishing, 1994, p. 162.)

Can we trust the Old Testament?

The Old Testament has also been remarkably well preserved. Our modern translations are confirmed by a huge number of ancient manuscripts in both Hebrew and Greek, including the mid-20th century discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. These scrolls hold the oldest existing fragments of almost all of the Old Testament books, dating from 150 B.C. The similarity of the Dead Sea manuscripts to hand copies made even 1,000 years later is proof of the care the ancient Hebrew scribes took in copying their scriptures.

How is the Bible set up?

First Portion of the Bible: Old Testament

Historical Records from Creation to Approximately Books 1-17, Genesis-Esther History Books 430B.C. Books 18-22, Job-Song of Poetry Books Song Lyrics of Praise, Wise Sayings, and Poetry Solomon Prophetic Messages from God to Man Written Between Books 23-39, Isaiah-Malachi Prophetic Books Approximately 700-400B.C.

Second Portion of the Bible: New Testament

Records of Jesus’ Life and Works on Earth Books 1-4, Matthew-John The Gospels

History of the Early Church Written Approximately Book 5, Acts History Book 60A.D. Letters of the Letters Written by the Apostle Paul that Include Rich Books 6-19, Romans-Hebrews Apostle Paul Explanations of Doctrine Letters of Various General Letters Written by Various Apostles and the Books 20-26, James-Jude Apostles Half-Brothers of Jesus A Prophetic Message About Future Events Book 27, Revelation Prophetic Book

* Please view this chart along with the Table of Contents in the front of your Bible.

Can we trust the Old Testament Historical Records?

Jesus treated the accounts in the Old Testament as historical fact. These historical accounts include Adam and Eve as the first married couple (Matthew 19:3–6; Mark 10:3–9), Abel as the first prophet who was killed (Luke 11:50–51), Noah and the Flood (Matthew 24:38–39), Moses and the serpent in the wilderness (John 3:14), Moses

www.HopeHill.com 3 and the manna from heaven to feed the Israelites in the wilderness (John 6:32–33, 49), the experiences of Lot and his wife (Luke 17:28–32), the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah (Matthew 10:15), the miracles of Elijah (Luke 4:25–27), and Jonah and the big fish (Matthew 12:40– 41). Jesus taught that the historical records of the Old Testament were to be fully trusted.

Can we trust even the individual words of Scripture?

We know that Jesus taught that even the individual words of the Old Testament had been originally inspired by God, preserved through time, and could be fully relied upon as accurate. In Matthew 22:29-32, Jesus reasoned from the Old Testament with those that opposed Him, and the main point of His argument rested on the fact that a single word was in the present tense rather than the past tense.

Can we trust Paul’s Letters?

The Apostle Peter declared that the letters of the Apostle Paul were Scripture, to be followed accurately, and that to twist the meaning these letters would bring destruction. Peter wrote: “…[O]ur beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures” (2 Peter 3:15b-16, NKJV). The Apostle Paul wrote: “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandment of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:37, NKJV). Paul was an apostle of Jesus by the will of God (Acts 9:15; 2 Timothy 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:11-12).

Can we trust the Book of Revelation?

The book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John. John was an eye witness to Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection. John was arguably the closest friend to Jesus while Jesus was on earth. John reported that Jesus said: “[W]hen He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13-14, NKJV). A few decades later, the Holy Spirit of God gave John a vision regarding what would take place in the future on planet earth. This vision was written down, and it became the book of Revelation — the last book of the Bible.

What else confirms the trustworthiness of the Holy Bible?

The following also confirm the trustworthiness of the Holy Bible:

• Extra-Biblical Historical Evidence Confirms the Bible • Science Confirms the Bible • Archeological Evidence Confirms the Bible • The Internal Conceptual Perfection of the Scriptures Confirms the Bible

www.HopeHill.com 4 • The Moral Conscience of Humans Confirms the Bible

Why is the New Testament made up of the 27 books? Why not accept the Apocrypha, the Gospel of Judas, or the Gospel of Thomas, etc.?

There are solid reasons for trusting in today's list of New Testament books. The early church accepted the New Testament books almost as soon as they were written. Their authors were associates of Jesus or His immediate followers, men to whom Jesus had entrusted the leadership of the early church. The Gospel writers Matthew and John were some of Jesus' closest followers. Mark and Luke were companions of the apostles, having access to the apostles' firsthand account of Jesus' life.

The other New Testament authors had immediate access to Jesus as well: James and Jude were half-brothers of Jesus who initially did not believe in Him. Peter was one of the 12 apostles. Paul started out as a hater of followers of Jesus, but he became an apostle after he had a vision of Jesus. He was also in communication with the other apostles.

The content of the New Testament books lined up with what thousands of eyewitnesses had seen for themselves. When other non-biblical books were written hundreds of years later (e.g. the Gospel of Judas, written by the Gnostic sect around 130-170 A.D., long after Judas' death), it wasn't difficult for the church to spot them as forgeries. The Gospel of Thomas, written around 140 A.D., is another example of a counterfeit writing erroneously bearing an apostles' name. These and other Gnostic gospels conflicted with the known teachings of Jesus and the Old Testament, and often contained numerous historical and geographical errors.

In A.D. 367, Athanasius formally listed the 27 New Testament books (the same list that we have today). Soon after, Jerome and Augustine circulated this same list. These lists, however, were not necessary for the majority of believers. By and large the whole community of believers in Jesus had recognized and used the same list of books since the first century after Jesus. As the church grew beyond the Greek-speaking lands and needed to translate the Scriptures, and as splinter sects continued to pop up with their own competing holy books, it became more important to have a definitive list.

B. GOD

Who is God?

God is the creator and ruler of all that exists. There is only One God in the entire Universe and beyond, and He has eternally existed in omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. God has revealed much about Himself through the Bible, and we see that God is a good God with great love for humanity.

(Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Isaiah 43:10; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2, 2; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Job 42:2; Psalm 115:3; Daniel 4:25; Daniel 4:34-35; Ephesians 1:11)

Can we see the existence of God by looking around us?

www.HopeHill.com 5 Yes, the existence of a Creator is observable. The Bible teaches: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so they are without excuse…” (Romans 1:18-20). It is rational to believe in God the Creator because evidence leads to this conclusion.

C. EARTH

How did the earth get here?

The Bible teaches: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). We believe that God created the Universe and everything in it out of nothing, by the Word of His power. The Bible says that when God initially created the world and everything in it, it was all created good (Genesis 1:31).

Will the earth always be here?

No, this earth will not last forever. The Apostle John saw the future in a revelation from God and recorded the following: “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (Revelation 21:1). The Apostle Peter also wrote: “But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men….But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, looks for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:7, 10-13, NKJV).

D. HUMANITY

Who are we and how did we get here?

Although God could have created humanity in any manner He wanted to, we believe that God directly created Adam from the dust of the ground and Eve from Adam’s side. We believe that Adam and Eve were the historical parents of the entire human race; that they were created male and female in the image of God, without sin. (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7)

Was mankind around from the beginning of creation?

www.HopeHill.com 6 Here are a couple of verses that answer this question:

“But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female” (Mark 10:6).

“For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day” (Exodus 20:11).

What is humanity’s purpose?

The primary purpose of human beings is to be in relationship and glorify their Maker, Ruler, Provider, and Friend by trusting His all-sufficient goodness, admiring His infinite beauty, enjoying His personal fellowship, and obeying His all-wise counsel.

E. SIN

What is “sin”?

Sin is any thought or action that goes against the will of God. (Romans 7:7)

How do we know what “sin” is?

Through God’s written Word and through the conscience He gave us. (Romans 2:12)

What is the consequence for sinning?

The consequence for one or more sins is separation from God before death while here on earth, and eternal separation from God after the death of the body. (Genesis 3:19, 3:24; Romans 6:23a; Revelation 20:11-15; James 2:10)

Has everyone sinned?

Yes, everyone has sinned against God. The Bible teaches: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23, NKJV). We also read: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way…” (Isaiah 53:6, NKJV).

F. GOD’S WRITTEN LAW (TORAH)

What is the purpose of God’s written Law?

www.HopeHill.com 7 God had His law written down so that every human would become conscience of the reality that they had failed to live up to His standards. We read: “The Law entered that the offense might abound…” (Romans 5:20a, NKJV). We also read: “Now we know that whatever the Law says, it says to those who are under the Law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God…[F]or by the Law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:19-20, NKJV). Apart from God’s written Law in the Bible we may not know that we had sinned against God; apart from knowing that we had sinned against God we would not know that we needed to obtain forgiveness.

How did God determine which laws would become His biblical commandments?

God’s will was that we sincerely love both Him and other human beings, and His Law shows us the ideal way that this can be done. This love for God and mankind is the guiding principle behind all of God’s commandments listed in the Bible.

The following explains Jesus’ explanation of the principles behind God’s written laws: “Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ Jesus said to him, ‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’” (Matthew 22:35-40, NKJV). Jesus also said: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12, NKJV).

To break one of God’s commandments or its principles will necessarily harm you and damage your relationship with God, and it will also often hurt others. If you look at every one of God’s laws you will find that each one is either meant to preserve love for God and/or love for humanity.

G. JESUS

What did Jesus’ name mean in Hebrew?

”.and this name means “Salvation ,( ַﬠוּשֵׁי ) ”Jesus’ Hebrew name is “Yeshua

What does “Messiah” mean?

means “Anointed One” or “Chosen One.” The Bible reveals that God had ( ַחיִשָׁמ ) ”The Hebrew term “Messiah prophesied He would send a Messiah to save sinners spiritually during His first round of activity by giving His life to take the punishment that sinners deserved (Isaiah 53; Zechariah 12:10). The Bible also makes it very clear that the Messiah’s second mission is to return in glory and power to bring peace and justice to the world and redemption for the nation of Israel, and the Scriptures have promised that Jesus will fulfill these things in the future (Daniel 7:13-14; Isaiah 2:1-5; Isaiah 11; Zechariah 12-14). Believers in Jesus await His return. Jesus made

www.HopeHill.com 8 a clear claim to be the Jewish Messiah whose coming was prophesied in the Old Testament (Matthew 16:13-18; John 4:25-26; Mark 15:2; Matthew 26:63-64; Mark 14:62; Luke 22:70).

Why did Jesus come to earth back in the first century?

Jesus’ primary purpose in the first century was to come to save people from their sins by giving His life on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. The idea was that He in His innocence would bear the guilt and punishment of God in the place of sinful humans so that they wouldn’t have to experience condemnation. This amazing substitution – the innocent dying in the place of the guilty – was prophesied in the Old Testament long before Jesus was even born. Jesus fulfilled prophesy by taking the guilt and punishment we deserved so that we wouldn’t ever have to experience God’s wrath against sin. (Matthew 1:21; Luke 18:31-34; John 3:16; Isaiah 53:10)

Was Jesus a man or was He God?

Jesus was fully man and fully God. Interestingly, the Bible says this about Jesus: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16-17) We are told in the first chapter of John that the Jesus was “the Word,” and “the Word was God,” and “the Word became flesh and walked among us.” Historically speaking, the term “the Word” was a common Jewish phrase used to represent God when He intimately interacted with earth. According to www.jewishencyclopia.com, the term “the Word” (“Memra” in Aramaic) was “a term used especially in the Targum as a substitute for ‘the Lord’ when an anthropomorphic expression is to be avoided.” Although this concept is extraordinary, it is a very biblical concept seen clearly in the both the Old and New Testaments. Jesus was fully God who came to earth to save humanity from the guilt and punishment of their sins — He was the only One who could save us. (John 1:1, 1:14; Colossians 1:16-17; 1 Tim. 2:5) He was born of a virgin, yet was begotten of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:34-35)

Where is Jesus now?

After Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and resurrected from the dead, He ascended into Heaven. He is currently sitting in the highest seat of authority, at the right hand of God’s glorious throne in Heaven. (Mark 16:19; Acts 7:56; Hebrews 1:3, 10:12; Psalm 110:1) He ascended to Heaven approximately 50 days after His death and resurrection. (Acts 1:9-11)

What will Jesus do in the future?

Among other things, He will return to earth to bring justice and peace and redemption for the nation of Israel, just as the Scriptures promised. (Matthew 24:30; Acts 1:11; Zechariah 14:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26; Daniel 7:13-14; Isaiah 2:1-5; Isaiah 11)

www.HopeHill.com 9

H. SALVATION

The word “Salvation” implies a need to be saved from something? What do we need to be saved from?

We must be saved from the guilt of sin and God’s coming judgment of sin-guilt. Sin and the guilt it incurs is what separates human beings relationally from God. It only took Adam and Eve one sin to be separated from God (Genesis 3:23-24). People with sin on their record fail to live up to God’s holy standard. Perfect righteousness is what God demands, and perfect righteousness is the only condition that God accepts. The Bible says, “[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NKJV). People with sin on their record – one sin or many – will be judged as guilty by God and will be separated from His presence forever (Revelation 20:11-15; Romans 6:23a, 3:10-20). Sin and the associated judgment is the problem, and each person must find a way to have his or her record cleansed from sin to be brought back into a right relationship with God. Death seals a person’s faith, and a person’s right standing with God or lack thereof at the time of death cannot be changed once they die.

What is the solution that brings us salvation?

Jesus came to step in and personally take the punishment that we deserved for our sin. He received that punishment in our place so that we wouldn’t have to. Because Jesus took the punishment for our personal sins upon Himself, when we accept His death in our place, the punishment for our sins is considered “paid in full” — and we are accounted as not guilty before God. We deserved the punishment, and Jesus stepped in as a substitute and was punished for our sin-crimes in our place. We must accept Jesus as our Great Substitute.

What is the “Gospel”?

The word “Gospel” means “good news.” The Gospel is the historical narrative of Jesus’ death and resurrection accompanied by the explanation of the sin-atoning purpose of this account.

What does it mean to be “saved”?

To be “saved” is to be in a state where your sins have been forgiven completely, your sin record has been deleted, your relationship with God is fixed because of your sinless state, and you have nothing to fear regarding the upcoming Judgment Day when you stand before God. Those who are saved get to spend eternity with God in Heaven, never to experience judgment. The word “salvation” is related to the word “saved.”

What must someone do to be saved?

www.HopeHill.com 10 To be saved, you must simply believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, believe that He came back to life three days later, and accept that by dying on the cross He was taking the full punishment for your sins upon Himself. If you accept Jesus, you accept the salvation He offers. The Bible says:

“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which you are also saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you – unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Messiah 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” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, NKJV).

Further explanation of what we must believe to be saved can be seen in the following:

“[Jesus] has made [you] alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14, NKJV).

Are there any other ways to be saved outside of Jesus the Savior?

No, there is no other way to be saved outside of Jesus, the Savior God sent. God has made trusting in Jesus to be the only way for a person to have their sins removed from their record and escape judgment for guilt. This is God’s will as expressed clearly in His book, the Bible. The Bible says: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, NKJV). We also read: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6, NKJV). Finally, the following says: “He who believes in [Jesus] is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18, NKJV).

What are we saved for?

Even while we were sinners, God loved us so much that He desired to save us from the consequences of our sins and give us enormous blessing in exchange. He loved us so much that He saved us so that we could be in relationship with Him, as children in relationship with a good Father (Ephesians 1:5). We were saved so that God could give us a wonderful place in Heaven and pour out His blessings on us as an inheritance (Ephesians 1:3-14). We are also saved so that we can co-labor with God in fulfilling His great purposes and shining for Him as we do good works in the world (Ephesians 2:10). Ultimately, we are saved for God’s glory (Romans 15:7).

What about those who have never heard of Jesus?

Romans 10:13 promises, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” This speaks of the wonderful character of God and His desire to save all who are willing to come. We see examples in Scripture of those who were seeking God, calling out to Him, yet they had no previous knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus that was available. God saw their hearts and went out of His way to divinely assure that these people were able to hear and

www.HopeHill.com 11 receive that Gospel message. From the evidence that we see in the Scriptures in the cases of Cornelius (Acts 10- 11), the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:29-39), and the vision of the Macedonian man (Acts 16:6-10), it seems that God sees human beings around the world who are searching for truth and seeking Him, and He goes out of His way to assure that the Gospel of Jesus is brought to these sincere people so they can hear the Gospel, believe it, and receive salvation. As finite human beings, we cannot always predict exactly how God will bring someone to the knowledge of the saving Gospel of Jesus, but we know from the Scriptures that He actively pursues those who are seeking truth.

I. WHAT REPENTANCE IS AND ISN’T

Why is there a conflict with the modern use of the word “repent”?

Many people understand the biblical truth that salvation is given freely to people when they place their trust in Jesus as their personal Savior. As the Bible teaches it, salvation is a gift – from beginning to end. Salvation comes by God’s unmerited favor shown to us, and it has nothing to do with how well we perform. Although we have never been and will never been worthy of salvation on our own merits, God gives salvation to those who believe in Jesus as Savior.

Sadly, many truth-seekers seem to get confused as they hear others claim that repentance is a prerequisite for salvation. The claim is that the definition of “repentance” is as follows: to turn away from all of your sin. The conflict arises when people who want to obtain right-standing with God ask: “Is it by simple faith in Jesus that I am saved, or must I also work to purify my behavior through good works and refraining from evil in order to obtain salvation? Must I turn away from all of my sin before God will accept me?” This is a reasonable question to ask, and an honest person would become fearful if this were the case because everyone is sinful in many ways — even religious and devout people. As you can see, by defining repentance as “turning away from sin” and making it a requirement for salvation, a truth-seeker will find a real discrepancy between the idea of salvation-by- faith and salvation-by-self-reformation. With this said, we must be clear on this issue.

Must a person “repent” in order to be saved?

Must a person “repent” in order for Jesus’ sacrificial work on the cross to save them? According to Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19, the answer is: Yes, a person must “repent” in order to be saved. However, many people have an unbiblical understanding of this word, and teach requirements for salvation that the Bible does not teach. There are two primary ways that people define the word “repent” — one way being accurate to the original text of Scripture and the other being dangerously false. We must make sure we have the biblical understand of the word “repent” so that we do not get confused about how to be saved.

What does the word “repent” really mean?

The real Greek word in the original manuscripts of the Bible was the imperative word “Metanoēsate” in the second person plural, and translators interpreted this word as the English word “repent.” The original Greek word

www.HopeHill.com 12 comes from the following two root words: “meta” (meaning “after”) and “noeo” (to perceive with the mind). A correct, biblical understanding of this Greek word is “to change your mind.” Contrary to popular belief, the word “repent” in-and-of-itself does not mean to “turn away from all of your sin.” This latter, incorrect definition – “to turn away from all your sin” – has attached itself to the English word, yet this definition is altogether unfaithful to the original Greek meaning of metanoēsate. Sadly and unacceptably, the incorrect definition has become the far more common understanding of the word today, and this has created great problems in the church’s understanding of the true salvation message as taught in the Scriptures.

Correct Definition of “Repent”: To change your mind.

Incorrect Definition of “Repent”: To turn away from all of your sins.

What is the correct interpretation of the word “repent” found in Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19?

Let’s take a look at an example of two incredibly influential salvation Bible verses, both of which include use of the word “repent.” The apostle Peter was speaking to a group of Jews in Jerusalem on the Jewish holiday of Pentecost (Shavuot), and there he declared:

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38, NKJV)

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out …” (Acts 3:19, NKJV)

In both Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19, Peter is talking to a group of people in Jerusalem that had recently rejected the idea that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah as predicted in the Old Testament prophets. In fact, they were so faithless that they wrongly believed He was a false teacher, and they crucified Him as such only fifty days prior to Peter’s speech. In these verses, Peter uses the true meaning of the word “repent” (metanoēsate), urging the listeners to change their minds. In what way did he want them to change their minds? Peter wanted his listeners to change their minds from a position of unbelief in Jesus the Messiah to one of belief in Him. By “repenting” (changing their minds) from unbelief to belief, they would be saved by their newly-found faith in Jesus and they would receive pardon for their sins. This explains the true meaning and context of the word “repent” in Act 2:38 and Acts 3:19 – two of the most misused and abused Scripture verses in the Bible.

Example of Correct Understanding: “Change your mind (from non-faith in Jesus to faith in Him) therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”

Example of Incorrect Understanding: “Change your behavior (by turning from all of your sin) therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”

So Peter was not saying that a person must turn from all of their sins in order to be saved?

No, Peter was not saying that a person must turn from all of their sins in order to be saved. In fact, it is impossible for a person to turn from all of their sins. Instead, the Bible teaches that a person will be saved if they will simply place their faith fully in Jesus’ sacrificial work on the cross for salvation. By this alone can a person receive pardon from sins. If ceasing from all sin could save a person, then that person would be earning salvation by being good enough – being saved by their works. This, of course, is not God’s way. The Bible says:

www.HopeHill.com 13

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV)

With this correct, biblical understanding of the word “repent” (change of mind), Peter’s sermon transcripts in Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19 line up perfectly with the rest of Scripture. As Peter and the rest of Scripture declare, we are all saved when we change our minds from unbelief in Jesus the Savior to full-blown faith in Him. We cannot trust in our own good works or behavioral reformation to save us, but we must trust exclusively in His sacrificial work on the cross.

J. THE HOLY SPIRIT

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit of God has always been at work in the world, involved in the creation of the world (Genesis 1:2), awakening faith in God’s people (John 3:3-8), performing signs and wonders (Matthew 12:22-32), empowering the preaching and writing of prophets (2 Peter 1:20-21), and inspiring the writing of the Holy Scriptures (2 Peter 1:20-21). Yet, when Jesus had made atonement for sin and ascended to Heaven, He inaugurated a new era of the Holy Spirit by pouring out the promise of the Holy Spirit on people of faith. Today, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer who has put their trust exclusively in Jesus as their Savior (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Romans 8:9b).

What does the Holy Spirit do?

We believe that the newness of this era is marked by the unprecedented mission of the Holy Spirit to glorify the crucified and risen Savior, Jesus (John 16:14). This He does by giving the disciples of Jesus greater power to preach the Gospel of Jesus (Acts 1:8); by opening the hearts of hearers of the Gospel so that they might see Jesus and believe in Him (1 Corinthians 2:14-16); by transforming people of faith by helping them develop righteous attributes (Galatians 5:22); by giving believers spiritual gifts to be used for the strengthening and building up of the church (1 Corinthians 12:8-10); by calling all the nations to come to faith in the Gospel of Jesus (Acts 2).

We believe that in the post-cross era, the Holy Spirit testifies of the truthfulness of the Gospel to the human heart in connection with the presentation of the story of the sin-atoning death, resurrection, and glory of Jesus. The Spirit binds His saving work to the presentation of the Gospel of Jesus, because His aim is to glorify the Savior of the Gospel (Romans 10:14-15). Therefore we do not believe that there is salvation through any means other than through receiving the Gospel of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8).

How does the Holy Spirit help unbelievers?

It is impossible to even know and trust in Jesus apart from the regenerating ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8- 11; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16). It was Jesus, Himself, who said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of

www.HopeHill.com 14 water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5, NKJV). Humans are born through human birth and formed in a water bag, but they must also have this spiritual “birth” by the Holy Spirit upon trusting in Jesus’ sin-atoning work on the cross. It is impossible for a person to become a true believer in Jesus, to understand the Bible and other spiritual truths (John 16:12-15; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16), to pray effectively, to live a holy life, to witness, or do anything for the Lord Jesus apart from the person of the Holy Spirit of God (Acts 1:8; Romans 8:26-27).

How do we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?

We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we put our faith in Jesus, accepting Him as our personal Savior. At this point of saving faith, the Holy Spirit of God comes to dwell so close to us that He lives in us (Ezekiel 36:26- 27; John 14:16-17). The Holy Spirit is not able to be with us while we have any amount of sin on our records; yet when our sins are removed from our records through faith in Jesus’ sin-atoning work on the cross, the Holy Spirit of God is then able to come and live with the forgiven believer. The Bible calls believers “the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 3:16). We see this reality in action as a man named Cornelius received the Holy Spirit after hearing and believing the narrative and purpose of Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection declared to him by Peter (Acts 10:23-48). The Scriptures say that “while Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word” (Acts 10:44, NKJV).

Does every believer in Jesus have the Holy Spirit?

Yes, every believer with true faith in Jesus has the Holy Spirit living inside of them. The Bible teaches: “Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Messiah, he is not His” (Romans 8:9b, NKJV). We also read: “In [Jesus] you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14, NKJV). See also Acts 11:17 and Galatians 3:1-3.

How does the Holy Spirit help believers?

The Holy Spirit came to glorify Jesus the Messiah and to lead believers into all truth. On the eve of His crucifixion while still in the Upper Room, the Lord Jesus said to the disciples, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26, NKJV).

The Holy Spirit inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Today, as believers read the Bible, He reveals its truth to them. Sometimes we read passages of Scripture that we have read many times before, and suddenly, at the moment we need a particular truth, a certain passage comes alive to us. Why? Because the Holy Spirit makes the Word of God relevant and meaningful when we need it, it is a Book inspired by the Holy Spirit, and only believers who are saved and therefore filled with the Holy Spirit can understand the true and full meaning of God’s Word.

www.HopeHill.com 15 The Holy Spirit also helps those who believe in Jesus to live lives that please God. The Bible teaches us that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22, NKJV).

How do we blaspheme the Holy Spirit?

We blaspheme the Holy Spirit by rejecting the Holy Spirit’s witness to the narrative of the sacrificial work of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus said: “Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:31-32, NKJV). The Holy Spirit’s primary mission at this time is to witness to the hearts of human beings, declaring that the message of Jesus’ saving work on the cross is the truth. Many people reject the message of Jesus when they hear an incomplete message of Jesus or an inaccurate message of Him, yet these people will be forgiven if they eventually accept the witness of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul experienced this type of thing. However, if people hear the Holy Spirit’s witness to the message of Jesus’ saving work on the cross and perpetually reject it their whole lives, they will be damned because they never received the forgiveness of sins through Jesus that the Holy Spirit was declaring to them. They have blasphemed the message of the Holy Spirit spoken clearly to them.

K. GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

What are “Spiritual Gifts” that are given by the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit gives extremely helpful giftings to each believer in the church. Each supernaturally-empowered gifting is to be used to help the community of believers in some way. We read:

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are differences of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Messiah.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-12, NKJV)

As we read on we learn more about a variety of these gifts:

“Now you are the body of Messiah, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:27-28, NKJV).

www.HopeHill.com 16 Ephesians chapter 4 also teaches some very important information on spiritual gifts that are often referred to as the “equipping gifts”:

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Messiah, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Messiah; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – the Messiah – from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effecting working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

Is there any difference between the way that God distributed the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit during the times of the early church and the way He distributes them in our present day?

During the earliest years of the church, shortly after Jesus died, resurrected, and ascended to Heaven, the early believers had a very new and unusual message to spread. God chose to initiate and empower great miracles to testify to the Gospel message of Jesus that the early believers were spreading, proving that it was a trustworthy message (e.g., miracles, healings, tongues, etc.). Today, long after the Gospel message was introduced, God still may at any time sovereignly perform any or all of the miraculous wonders that He did long ago.

What is the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit”?

Though there are many “fillings” of the Holy Spirit that can occur throughout a believer’s lifetime as the Holy Spirit empowers or shows His presence in a significant way, there is only one “baptism of the Holy Spirit,” and that occurs at the time a person places their trust in Jesus.

L. SANCTIFICATION

Does a person earn salvation by becoming a better person through the process of “sanctification”?

We believe that in a free act of righteous grace God justifies the ungodly by faith in what Jesus did on the cross, and this alone apart from works. One does not have to reform their behavior prior to being saved because salvation rests on the finished work that Jesus accomplished on the cross – not on the works of our good behavior and/or the abstinence from bad behavior.

Faith in Jesus’ work on the cross is thus the sole instrument by which we, as sinners, are saved by Jesus, whose perfect righteousness and satisfaction for sins is alone the ground of our acceptance with God. This acceptance happens fully at the first instant of trust in Jesus’ finished work on the cross.

www.HopeHill.com 17 What is the process of “sanctification”?

Sanctification is the process of having our thoughts, habits, attitudes, and behaviors cleaned up so that our lives become more aligned with the way that God desires them to be. This is the right direction for a human being to go, and God desires that every one of His children become more sanctified individuals. A great way to do this is by reading the Bible and finding out how God wants us to live, and then walking that out day-by-day. The Holy Spirit also helps the believer to know the right way to live, and He empowers him or her to live it out.

We believe that the sanctification, which comes by the help of the Holy Spirit, is imperfect and incomplete in this life. Although sinful desires may be progressively weakened by the power of the Holy Spirit, yet there remains a remnant of corruption in every heart that gives rise to irreconcilable war, and the believer must be vigilant in the lifelong fight of faith.

What can a believer expect if they continue to live in destructive sins?

Salvation comes by believing and accepting Jesus’ atoning work on the cross for your personal sins, and by this alone. When a people accept Jesus as the One who redeems them from sin-guilt, they are justified — declared by God to be not-guilty. Because of their legally sinless state, the Holy Spirit is able to come live inside of them and does so at the moment that saving faith appears in them. At this point, these believers are “born again” and are adopted into the family of God. They can be assured of their salvation. God becomes their Heavenly Father when they believe the Gospel. Children of God can expect their kind Heavenly Father to lovingly discipline them when they do wrong so that it produces something good in them. While a believer in Jesus will not lose salvation by making mistakes, they can expect to receive progressively serious correction if they persist. The Bible teaches us about the purpose for God’s kind discipline:

“‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.’ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:5-11, NKJV)

M. REWARDS FOR BELIEVERS

Will there be rewards for believers based on their religious service?

Many of us get confused when we read verses such as: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10, NKJV). If we read the context we see that Paul is talking to believers — people who have already believed in Jesus’ finished work on the cross for the forgiveness of sins – people who have received

www.HopeHill.com 18 “the Spirit as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 5:5). With this said, there clearly must be a different accounting of works that must be given — one that does not have to do with earning salvation through good behavior. What is this “judgment seat” all about?

Salvation is a free gift, yet Jesus will reward believers for their faith, good choices, and good deeds when He returns. Salvation is completely free and is received only due to the work of Jesus on the cross, but some of the rewards will be determined by the faithfulness of each individual believer (Revelation 20:4-6). Paul uses the concept of the Bema Seat to explain the “judgment” of the believers who come back to life at Jesus’ return. The concept of the Bema Seat originates from the name of judge’s seat positioned at the finish line during the ancient Olympic games. The judge who sat upon the Bema Seat would determine the position of runners as they came across the finish line. This was not judgment in the legal sense, but an assessment of the performance of Olympians. In the context of the Bible, the Bema Seat is the place where believers – securely saved by the atoning work of Jesus on the cross – will be given an assessment and subsequent reward for their words, deeds, and faithfulness. We should not think of the Bema Seat as a place where Jesus will be judging sins, but as a place where rewards for obedience are distributed to believers upon Jesus’ return to the earth.

There will be some believers in Jesus who receive forgiveness of sins and get “the Spirit as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 5:5), yet will continue living a life for themselves, not pursuing the good works that God has desired for them, and not removing much of the sinful junk from their lives. These will certainly resurrect upon the return of Jesus the Messiah because they had put their faith in Him, yet these people will not receive the full extent of reward or recognition from Jesus that they could have (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). This Bema Seat assessment, of course, is much different than the Great White Throne judgment referred to in Revelation 20:11-15 which takes place at the very end of human life on this earth. The Great White Throne judgment is the place where unbelievers are judged, condemned, and then delivered off to be punished for their sins. (See also Matthew 25:14-30.)

What are the consequences of disobedience for the saved believer?

These include:

• Loss of feelings of peace in life • Divine discipline from the Lord here on earth • Loss of power and productivity in ministry • Loss of vision for life direction • Loss of desire and motivation to serve God through ministry activity • Broken relationships and disharmony with family, friends, and members of the faith community • Possibility of loss of physical health • Probability of loss of emotional health • Loss of rewards at the Bema Seat of Jesus • Becoming vulnerable to deception in spiritual matters

What are some helpful verses regarding rewards for believers?

www.HopeHill.com 19 “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus the Messiah. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:11-16, NKJV).

“But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Messiah. For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way” (Romans 14:10-13, NKJV).

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12, NKJV).

N. THE BELIEVER

How does someone become a “believer”?

To become a believer – a child of God – we must believe what the Bible says regarding Jesus:

“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which you are also saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you – unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Messiah 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” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, NKJV).

We need to have our sins forgiven, be reconciled to God, be adopted into God’s own family, and receive a place in Heaven. To obtain these absolutely necessary things, simply believe that Jesus died on the cross to be punished in your place for the sins you’ve committed and that He resurrected three days later. If you will believe these things and accept Jesus as your personal Savior, then you are a “believer.” You are saved.

Why do believers call God “Heavenly Father”?

The Bible teaches: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Messiah Jesus” (Galatians 3:26, NKJV). When we believe and are saved, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us. We read:

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Messiah” (Galatians 4:4-5, NKJV).

www.HopeHill.com 20 In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul explains further about how the Holy Spirit helps us: “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:15-16, NKJV). Believers recognize that they are children of God because the Sprit of God – the Holy Spirit – helps them to understand this reality.

O. PRAYER

Can a believer pray to God confidently?

Yes, a believer can come to God in prayer at any time, and do so with absolute peace and confidence, knowing that He hears and cares. The Bible says:

“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:19- 22, NASB)

Our confidence in approaching God comes from the fact that Jesus paid for all of our sins, leaving us with nothing standing as a relational obstacle between God and us. When we come to God in Jesus’ name (through knowledge of all Jesus did for us), we can expect that our Heavenly Father hears every word we speak to Him in prayer.

How should a believer pray?

A believer should express whatever is in his or her heart to God, as speaking to a friend and good Father. He is near all those who call on Him (Psalm 145:18). If you haven’t prayed before, you can simply use your common language to talk with God about the following:

• Worship Him for the good attributes you learn that He possesses • Thank Him for His many blessings • Thank Him for sending Jesus to provide a way to salvation • Tell Him about your worries, anxieties, fears, and problems • Tell Him about your personal needs, and ask Him for help • Pray for your friends, family, enemies, and government officials • Confess your sins to God, and ask Him for help • And much more

Ultimately, God is a personal God, and He wants you to express your heart to Him, be in relationships with Him, and rely on Him.

(1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 6:9-13; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Luke 6:12; Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 4:3; James 5:16; 1 Timothy 2:1-2)

www.HopeHill.com 21

P. THE CHURCH/SYNAGOGUE/FAITH COMMUNITY

What is the biblical definition of the church?

The word “ekklesia” is the Greek word that simply meant “assembly” or “gathering of people” in the first century when the Bible was written. Ekklesia is the word that English translators have translated as “church.” “Ekklesia” is the Greek version of the Hebrew word “kehillah,” which means “assembly” or “congregation of people.” In the Old Testament, the word “kehillah” would often refer to the gathering of the people of Israel before God; in the New Testament, the word “ekklesia” (the Greek equivalent of “kehillah”) would often refer to the meeting of believers in Jesus as they gather together before God in a formal assembly. Today, believers in Jesus around the world continue to gather together in formal assemblies, and these assemblies take on many names, including: “church” (common for Gentile believers in Jesus); “messianic synagogue” or “congregation” (common among Jewish believers in Jesus); “faith community” (sometimes used for believers of all types); and many other variations. What we call this assembly of believers is not as important as what happens when we gather, so flexibility should be allowed for the modern terms we use for the “ekklesia”/”kehillah.”

We believe in the one universal family of God, composed of all those, in every time and place, who have believed and accepted the sin-atoning death of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and believe in His resurrection. Jesus Himself is the all-supplying, all-sustaining, all-supreme, and all-authoritative head of the church. We believe that the ultimate purpose of the church/synagogue/congregation/faith community is to glorify God.

What is the mission of the church?

We believe it is God‘s will that the universal family of God find expression in local congregations in which believers agree together to hear the Word of God proclaimed, to engage in corporate worship, to build each other‘s faith through the loving expression of spiritual giftings each believer possesses, to hold each other accountable in the obedience of faith through Biblical discipline, and to engage in local and world evangelization. The church is a faith family in which each member should find a suitable ministry for His gifts; it is the household of God in which God’s Spirit dwells; it is the pillar and bulwark of God‘s truth in a truth-denying world; and it is a city set on a hill so that men may see the light of its good deeds – especially to the poor – and give glory to the Father in heaven.

(1 Corinthians 16:19; Ephesians 4:11-12; 2 Timothy 4:1-2; Colossians 3:15-16; Matthew 28:18-10; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 14:26; Romans 12:6-8; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20; 1 Corinthians 5:7, 11-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; 3 John 7-8; 1 Corinthians 12:13-18; Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Timothy 3:15; Romans 15:26; Luke 14:13-14; Mathew 5:14-16; 5:18-20)

Who are members of the church?

People become part of the true church when they trust in and exclusively accept the sin-atoning death of Jesus for the payment for their personal sins. When people accept the Savior, their sins are forgiven, they are reconciled to

www.HopeHill.com 22 God, they receive the Holy Spirit, and this makes them a full-fledged part of the true church. God does not allow people to trust in anything other than Jesus for their right standing with God. (1 Corinthians 1-4; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 2:13; Acts 13:38-39; Acts 10:34-45; Acts 16:31; Romans 1:16; Galatians 3:26)

What is the certain attribute of someone who is a member of the church?

The Holy Spirit lives inside of each true member or God’s assembly. The Holy Spirit cannot be seen with human eyes, yet the unseen indwelling of the Holy Spirit living within a person is a fact for every true believer. We read: “Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Messiah, he is not His” (Romans 8:9b, NKJV). We see an excellent case study in Acts chapter 10 regarding how the Holy Spirit of God comes to dwell with a person the moment they accept Jesus as their Savior. Cornelius, a good man, had not previous heard of the good news of salvation through Jesus. Upon hearing about Jesus’ death and resurrection, and receiving an explanation of the atonement that was bought for us through Jesus’ work on the cross, Cornelius was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit – a clear sign that his sins had be forgiven because he had put his faith in Jesus for his salvation (Acts 10:34-45).

Q. THE FUTURE

What does the Bible Teach us will happen in the future?

God has kindly revealed history from the beginning of time to the end of world history — and beyond. His plans and promises can be clearly seen in the Bible for those who will read it. Some of the things that God has promised in the Bible through prophecy include the following:

World Tribulation: The Bible describes a great time of judgment and distress that will take place on earth — a time worse that anything the world has ever seen. This world tribulation will take place along with a host of pre- ordained events described in the biblical books of Revelation, Ezekiel, Daniel, and other places in the Scriptures. These events are available for anyone to read about. This difficult time will come upon the earth as a result of humanity turning coldly away from God and committing extreme sins against their Creator and their fellow human beings. (Matthew 24:21-22; Ezekiel 38-39; Zechariah 14; Daniel 8-12; Revelation 7-21)

The Return of Jesus: At the end of this time of unprecedented world judgment and tribulation, Jesus will return, and the living and dead believers will get new, immortal bodies. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51- 53; Matthew 24:30-31; Colossians 3:4; 1 Corinthians 4:5)

The Thousand-Year Reign of the Messiah on Earth: When Jesus returns to earth as He promised, He will reign on earth in Jerusalem for one thousand years, and all believers throughout history will be invited by Jesus to co- reign with delegated authority on this planet (Revelation 20:4-6; Zechariah 14; Isaiah 2:2-4; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11; Daniel 7:13-14; ). Satan will be divinely inhibited during this thousand-year reign of Jesus so that he cannot tempt nor deceive the nations of the world (Revelation 20:1-3).

Satan’s Final Stand: Around the time Jesus is finished reigning on earth for one thousand years, God allows Satan to be released for a short time. During this period Satan will attempt to deceive the descendants of the

www.HopeHill.com 23 population of people who never received new, immortal bodies at Jesus’ second coming. Satan leads the ones he successfully deceives into a battle to fight against Jesus and all those who belong to Him (Revelation 20:7-8).

Satan and his followers are defeated by God’s fiery wrath, and Satan is thrown into the Lake of Fire forever. (Revelation 20:9-10)

Judgment Day: The final Judgment Day will take place — the time when all unbelievers will be judged for the guilt of their personal sins. Because their names are not found in Jesus’ Book of Life (the official list of those who have trusted Jesus as Savior), they are justly found guilty of sin against God and man, they are condemned for their sin, and they are thrown into the Lake of Fire with Satan. The Bible says that this judgment and separation from God will be final and eternal. (Revelation 20:11-15)

The Old Cosmos and Earth Destroyed: This old cosmos and planet earth are destroyed by fire. (Revelation 21:1; 2 Peter 3:4-15)

Eternity in Heaven (The New Jerusalem): Believers will not have to face Judgment Day in any way. Having all punishment for their sins completely paid for through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, there is no guilt remaining — and no judgment needed. All believers in Jesus will inherit entrance into the New Jerusalem — what many people refer to as “Heaven” — where they will live eternally with God. (Revelation 21-22)

R. JESUS’ RETURN TO EARTH

Will Jesus return to earth?

Yes, Jesus will return to earth for a second time. The first coming was to die on the cross for the sins of mankind; the second coming will be in glory to rule and reign as King on earth. 1 Peter 1:10-11 explains: “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Messiah who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Messiah and the glories that would follow.” Jesus suffered during His first coming, just as the prophets foretold (see Isaiah 53); at His second coming, He will reign in glory, just as the prophets also foretold. (Acts 1:9-11; Matthew 19:28-30; Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 20:4-6; Daniel 7:13-14; Zechariah 12; Zechariah 14; Isaiah 11)

Will the world end at Jesus’ second coming?

No, the world will not end at Jesus’ second coming. According to the Scriptures, the world will continue on for at least one thousand years after Jesus’ promised second coming. (See Revelation 19:11-21:4.)

Why do some people call the period of time directly before Jesus’ return the “end times”?

www.HopeHill.com 24 Some use the term “end times” due to an inaccurate perception that the world will end at Jesus’ second coming. Others use the term “end times” to refer to the idea that times as they currently are will greatly change when Jesus returns, so the time period directly before His return would be the “end” of times as we currently know them.

What will Jesus do when He returns?

According to the Scriptures, Jesus will return and give immortal bodies to the dead and living believers from all of human history, and Jesus will then reign on earth from Jerusalem for one thousand years. (Revelation 20:4-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53) Jesus will also fulfill many of the promises made through the Old Testament prophets concerning the nation of Israel. (Isaiah 2:2-4, 11:1-16; Jeremiah 30:1-11, 31:31-37; Ezekiel 37:15-28, 39:21-29; Hosea 3:4-5; Micah 4:1-7; Zechariah 12; Zechariah 14)

S. RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

Will believers in Jesus resurrect from the dead?

Yes, upon Jesus’ promised second coming every dead believer in Jesus will certainly resurrect from the dead and receive immortal bodies. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Corinthians 15:23; John 5:25-29; John 6:44; Colossians 3:4; Matthew 24:30-31)

When will believers resurrect from the dead?

Deceased believers will resurrect from the dead at Jesus’ promised second coming and will receive immortal bodies. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Corinthians 15:23; John 5:25-29; John 6:44; Colossians 3:4; Matthew 24:30-31)

Will unbelievers resurrect from the dead?

Yes, the Bible says that all unbelieves will eventually resurrect from the dead to face judgment for their sin on Judgment Day. (John 5:25-29)

When will unbelievers resurrect from the dead?

Unbelievers will resurrect from the dead only after Jesus returns and reigns on earth in Jerusalem for one thousand years. Only then will it be time for them to resurrect. This “second resurrection” (following the resurrection of believers) will specifically be for the purpose of receiving God’s judgment, condemnation, and punishment for their sins. Because they would not accept Jesus – the Savior God sent to save them – they have no atonement for their sins. Without atonement (the removal of guilt associated with God’s forgiveness), they must take the punishment themselves. (See Revelation 20.)

www.HopeHill.com 25

T. THE KINGDOM OF GOD

What does the Bible say about the Kingdom of God?

The Kingdom was promised long before Jesus came, and it began with the faithful believers in God in ancient Israel as described in the Old Testament. The Kingdom of God was eventually widely opened to the nations of the world shortly after the resurrection of Jesus at His first coming. In Acts chapter 2, on the Jewish holiday of Shavuot (Pentecost), the Holy Spirit was sent to dwell with believers in Jesus; at this time, God sent a sign to the world, showing mankind that His Kingdom was now open to every culture and language (Acts 2:1-40). People began being added to that Kingdom by believing and accepting Jesus’ sin-atoning work on the cross, having their sins forgiven, and having the Holy Spirit living in them (Acts 2:41-47). The Kingdom of God started in Israel, yet it began to grow significantly even throughout the first century (Acts 8:4, 9:32, 14:21-25, 16:6-10, 17:1-4, 17:16- 17, 18:8, 19:10). Now it has grown to include believers in virtually every country in the world. People of the nations of the world have been joining this Kingdom over the last twenty centuries, and many have believed and died without ever seeing their spiritual King in person. Jesus is the prophesied and promised King of Israel, King of the world, and King of kings that God declared would be established over a never-ending kingdom (Daniel 7:13-14).

What does the Kingdom of God look like today?

Today, the Kingdom of God is made up of hundreds of thousands of congregations around the world, from thousands of languages, and from hundreds of thousands of different cultures and subcultures. Each member of the Kingdom of God has gained access to this kingdom through Jesus, the Savior and King.

What will the fullness of the Kingdom of God on earth look like in the future?

Knowing that He was going to die, resurrect, and then ascend to Heaven, said the following to His disciples:

“‘With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’” (Luke 22:15-18, NKJV)

Jesus knew that He would return to rule and reign on earth at His second coming, and said that He would not celebrate the Passover meal until He returned. (Revelation 20:4-6; Daniel 7:13-14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11; Jeremiah 33:15-17; Jeremiah 23:5-6, 30:9; Hosea 3:4-5; Zechariah 14:5, 9, 16) Upon His second coming, Jesus will resurrect every member of the Kingdom of God – those saved through faith in Him – and they will reign with Him on earth for one thousand years. (Revelation 20:4-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53) Finally, when the world’s purpose is complete and it eventually ends in accordance with God’s plan and promise, God and His Messiah/Savior will dwell with all believers throughout time in what many

www.HopeHill.com 26 know as “Heaven,” and this will be the eternal, ultimate fullness and fulfillment of the Kingdom of God. (Revelation 21-22; 2 Peter 3:4-15)

U. JUDGMENT DAY

Will human beings be judged for their sins?

Yes, every human being who has rejected the Savior will have to stand before the judgment seat of God. The Bible says: “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27, NKJV).

Who will judge human beings?

Jesus will judge human beings (Romans 2:16; John 5:20-30). We read the words of Jesus: “Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man” (John 5:25-27, NKJV).

Will some people be judged as guilty?

The final Judgment Day will take place, and every unbeliever will be judged guilty for their sins. Every unbeliever’s sins are recorded for Judgment Day. Because they have not accepted the Savior God sent, their names are not found in Jesus’ Book of Life. They will be condemned for their sin on Judgment Day and thrown into what the Bible calls “the Lake of Fire.” This will be their final and eternal place, and it is where Satan and his fallen angels will also be judged. (Revelation 20:11-15; John 5:25-29; John 3:18, 3:36)

Will some people make it through the judgment of God?

All believers in Jesus, having all punishment for their sins completely paid for through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, will be judged “innocent” of all charges of sin. Why? Because Jesus already paid their penalties in full, having taken the punishment they deserved upon Himself. Sins do not need to be punished twice, and because of Jesus, there is no longer a penalty to pay. There is no condemnation for those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior. God considers the punishment for their sins already paid in full because of what Jesus did on the cross. Believers have their name listed in Jesus’ “Book of Life.” (Revelation 21-22; John 3:36; 3:18; Romans 5:9, 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:26-28, 10:10)

V. HEAVEN

What is “Heaven/Paradise”?

www.HopeHill.com 27 Heaven is the place that Jesus referred to as “Paradise” while He was being crucified. Jesus told the believing criminal that he would be with Jesus in Paradise that very day (Luke 23:42-43). Heaven/Paradise is the place where the Heavenly Father and Jesus dwell now along with the souls of deceased believers. This is the place where the souls of believers wait until the believers’ resurrection at Jesus’ second coming to earth where He will reign over the earth for one thousand years (Zechariah 14:5-16; Revelation 20:4-6; 1 Corinthians 15:22-23, 51- 53). God knows those who belong to Him and assigns them their place accordingly after they die (Luke 23:42- 43).

What is the “New Jerusalem”?

The New Jerusalem is the biblical name of the dwelling place prepared by God as the final and eternal home for the saints of all ages, and it is there that they will live with their Heavenly Father and Jesus forever. This eternal home for the believers is described with some detail in Revelation chapters 21 and 22.

This is the place that Jesus was referring to when He said: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3, NKJV)

What will it be like in the New Jerusalem?

The Bible clearly states that the cosmos and the earth will not forever remain the same as they are now. One day the current earth and the cosmos will pass away. The Bible tells us:

“Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’ For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering to ward us, not wiling that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will met with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:3-13, NKJV)

The New Jerusalem will be a place in the “new heavens and a new earth” (2 Peter 3:13) where believers experience the beginning of a never-ending, ever-increasing happiness as God displays more and more of His

www.HopeHill.com 28 infinite and inexhaustible greatness and glory for the enjoyment of His people (Revelation 21-22). The Bible describes the New Jerusalem, saying:

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’” (Revelation 21:1-4, NKJV)

In summary, we see that there will be a new cosmos, a new earth, and a new dwelling place called “the New Jerusalem.”

Who will be in the “New Jerusalem”?

Believers will be counted not guilty on Judgment Day because they accepted the atonement of Jesus’ work on the cross, and they will gain access to the New Jerusalem after the Judgment Day. All people who put their trust in Jesus for forgiveness of sins will live in the New Jerusalem with their Heavenly Father and Jesus for all eternity.

W. HELL

What is “Hell”?

The Bible teaches about two places where unbelievers will go after they die, one being an immediate but temporary place (often referred to as “Hell”), and one being an eternal place (referred to as “the Lake of Fire”). Prior to the final, official Judgment Day where every unbeliever will be judged for their sins, unbelievers go to a place that the Bible calls “Hell” (Greek: “Hades”). Hades is a place of waiting before official sentencing (Revelation 20:11-15).

What is the “Lake of Fire”?

The Lake of Fire is the final place of punishment for those unbelievers who have been judged and sentenced for their sin. When Judgment Day arrives, all unbelievers will be transferred from Hell where they have been waiting for sentencing, and they will be brought to the Judgment Seat of Jesus the Messiah. There they will be judged for their sins as well as judged for their unbelief in Jesus the Savior. They will be justly condemned for the sins they have committed, and they will be eternally sentenced into a place the Bible calls “the Lake of Fire” (Greek: “Gehenna”). Note: The Bible’s original language makes clear distinctions between the names and the purposes of Hell (Hades) and the Lake of Fire (Gehenna).

www.HopeHill.com 29 Who is in Hell?

All deceased people who have committed one or more sins in life and rejected the salvation offered by Jesus are in Hell today, awaiting formal judgment for their sin-guilt on Judgment Day (Revelation 20:11-15).

Who will be in the Lake of Fire?

Satan, his demons, and every unbelieving human whose name is not found in Jesus’ Book of Life will eventually face God’s judgment and wrath and be sentenced to the Lake of Fire. (See Revelation 20:10; Revelation 20:11- 15.)

Why will people be punished in the Lake of Fire?

Unbelievers will be justly punished because they have broken God’s commandments as well as rejected God’s gift of salvation through the Savior He sent for them. (John 3:18; John 3:36; Romans 6:23)

X. THE TRINITY

"Trinity" is a term sometimes used to denote the doctrine that God exists and interacts with the world as a unity of three distinct parts in one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A good introductory example of this is seen in the following:

“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” (Matthew 3:16-17, NKJV)

In the previous passage of Scripture we can see God the Father in heaven, Jesus the Son on earth, and the Holy Spirit of God descending. Each is divine, yet there are not three gods, but one God — a triunity. Included in the doctrine of the Trinity is a strict monotheism which is the teaching that there exists only one Being (known as “God”) in the entire Universe who is self-existent and unchangeable (Isaiah 43:10; Isaiah 44:6-8; Deuteronomy 6:4). We see that Jesus taught monotheism, as we read: “Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, ‘Which is the first commandment of all?’ Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: “Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.”’” (Mark 12:28-29, NKJV)

In God there are not three entities, nor three beings. God is numerically one. Yet, within the single divine essence are three individual subsistences that some call “persons.” God is a trinity consisting of one substance and one essence. Details that we observe about God through reading the Scriptures:

• Each of the three persons of the Trinity is completely divine in nature though each is not the totality of the Godhead. Each of the three persons is not the other two persons.

www.HopeHill.com 30 • Each of the three persons is related to the other two, but is distinct from them. • Each of the three persons of the Trinity possesses His own personal characteristics.

A simple example of a glimpse of the Trinity is found in Genesis 18:1 where it says: “The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.” A face-to-face conversation ensued between God and Abraham. Some explain this as an angel appearing to the Abraham, but the text of Scripture does not say that — it says the “LORD” appeared to Abraham. The natural question arises: “Who is out there running the Universe if God is standing before Abraham?” Of course there is more to God than what appeared to Abraham in this passage, yet what Abraham saw was God and so was the God who was still running the Universe. This is just one of the many examples in the Bible that suggest that God is more than meets the eye. Understanding an infinite God certainly gets complicated for a finite human mind.

Why isn’t the word “Trinity” found in the Bible?

The word "trinity" is not found in the Bible. But this does not mean that the concept is not taught there. The word "Bible" is not found in the Bible either, but we use it anyway. Likewise, the words "omniscience" (which means "all knowing”), "omnipotence" (which means "all powerful"), and "omnipresence" (which means "present everywhere") are not found in the Bible either, but we use these words to describe the attributes of God as described in the Bible. To say that the concept of the Trinity is not true because the word does not appear in the Bible is an invalid argument.

Why is the biblical teaching of the Trinity difficult to understand?

The Bible is the self-revelation of an infinite God. Because God is infinite, we are bound to encounter characteristics that are difficult to understand — especially when dealing with an incomprehensible God who exists in all places at all times. When we view descriptions and attributes of God manifested in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we discover that a completely comprehensible and understandable explanation of God's essence and nature is not possible to master with our simple minds. What we have done, however, is derive from the Scriptures the truths that we can grasp and combine them into the doctrine we call the Trinity. The Trinity is, to a large extent, a mystery. After all, we are dealing with God Himself, and what can we possibly find on earth that has similarities to the infinite God of the Universe? It is not surprising that we – as finite human beings – are not able to fully comprehend the nuances of our omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent God.

The following verses are often used to demonstrate that the doctrine of the Trinity is indeed a biblical concept:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19)

www.HopeHill.com 31 “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)

“The grace of the Lord Jesus the Messiah, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14)

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Messiah’s gift.” (Ephesians 4:4-7)

“…according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus the Messiah and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure.” (1 Peter 1:2)

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus the Messiah to eternal life.” (Jude 20-21)

“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and His Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God’” (Isaiah 44:6, NKJV). Isaiah 44:6 is to be read with Revelation 1:17-18 where John tells us that Jesus declares of Himself the same things that we found in Isaiah 44:6: “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.’” (Revelation 1:17-18, NKJV)

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26, NKJV)

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17, NKJV)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made…. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-2, 1:14, NKJV)

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26, NKJV)

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Messiah Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8, NKJV)

“For in [Jesus] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily…” (Colossians 2:9, NKJV)

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.

www.HopeHill.com 32 All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:15-17, NKJV)

“And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35, NKJV)

“When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.’” (Luke 3:21-22, NKJV)

Y. HEALING

What kind of healings did Jesus do when He walked this earth?

Healings of all sorts were done both in small, one-of-one healing events as well as in large-group healing events. Jesus healed lepers, paralytics, a man with a withered hand, a woman with blood (hemorrhaging), blind people, deaf people, paralytics, crippled people, people with extreme fever, epileptics, a man with dropsy, and even a person with a sword wound. He even resurrected the dead. Many people were oppressed by demons, hearing tormenting voices and being demonically inspired to cut, drown, burn, and ultimately kill themselves, and Jesus miraculously healed them.

Does healing happen today?

God can do anything that He wants to do, so He can absolutely heal people today. We’ve read of Him creating a Universe, parting massive seas, feeding thousands with a few loaves of bread, closing lions’ mouths, protecting the faithful through literal flames, raising the dead, walking on water, calming the storms, silencing the devil, and resurrecting. Yes, God can do anything that He wants to do.

In the Bible, Jesus did many miracles and healed many people of all types of sicknesses. Often these miracles were done in such a way that they brought great credibility to the life and mission of Jesus. But it was not only Jesus that performed miracles of healing. The apostles and believers in the early church prayed for the sick in Jesus’ name and many were healed; yet, of course, it was God who was actually doing the healing through them. Again, in the records of the early church it seems that many of the miracles of healing brought great credibility to Gospel of Jesus that was being widely preached.

Should we pray for healing today?

We should bring all of our requests and needs to God, knowing that He cares for us. He is sovereign, and He will do as He pleases. God often moves His hand to intervene into our lives and do miraculous things based upon the our requests. The Bible teaches us:

www.HopeHill.com 33 “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:13-16, NKJV)

Ultimately we should make our requests known to God, and then we can leave the results in His hands.

Z. TITHES AND OFFERINGS

What are “Tithes” and “Offerings”?

Simply put, the word “tithe” means “tenth.” In the days of the biblical Temple, every follower of the God of the Bible was to bring a tithe (tenth) of everything that they earned to the Temple to give to the Lord’s house and His work. We read: “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s. It is holy to the LORD” (Leviticus 27:30, NKJV).

An “offering” is anything given to the Lord that goes above and beyond the tithe (tenth).

What are the tithes and offerings used for?

The tithes and offerings are used for a variety of important things in the church — God’s house. They go to missions, purchasing Bibles, evangelism, helping the poor and those in need, supporting various outreaches, the cost of acquiring a meeting space, upkeep on the worship facility, reimbursing missionaries and pastors for the long hours they put into the work of the ministry (hours that cannot be put into working for provisions elsewhere), and much more. Overall, the tithes and offerings play a wonderful part in advancing God’s will on earth and in broadcasting the good news of Jesus the Savior around the globe.

What attitude should a believer have when they give tithes and offerings?

Paul encourages: “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NKJV). We are to give with an attitude that is excited to see God’s work accomplished on the earth. What an awesome thing to be involved with: bringing truth to the world! Jesus taught us, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33, NKJV). When we give our tithe to the church, we should rejoice with expectation as the money is used to bring about God’s will on the earth and to help bring the Gospel of Jesus spread to more people. In a way, we are making God’s cause into our cause when we give tithes and offerings.

Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21, NKJV). If we truly seek to see God’s will done on earth first and foremost, we are told that we are storing up treasures in

www.HopeHill.com 34 Heaven. It is fantastic to be involved in God’s cause here on earth, but it is also a great blessing to know that everything that we sacrifice here on earth to build up God’s kingdom will be remembered when God distributes His rewards at Jesus’ return.

Does it please the Lord when we give?

God certainly notices when we give, and every sacrifice made is highly valued by the Lord. We read:

“Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.’” (Mark 12:41-44, NKJV)

Even though the widow gave a small amount of money to the biblical Temple, Jesus noticed that it was a large percentage of the woman’s income because she had so little. It seems that God notices when we give to His house and His work, and He definitely notices the level of sacrifice that it takes.

Does God promise to take care of our finances under all circumstances?

Under certain circumstances, God promises to give His help in taking care of our finances. However, God will never contradict His written Word, so we must look to Proverbs to understand His teaching on financial wisdom. God teaches us about the importance of hard work and the poverty that comes with laziness: “Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread” (Proverbs 20:13, NKJV). God also teaches us that sin will contribute to poverty: “For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags” (Proverbs 23:21, NKJV). God teaches us to study and seek counsel regarding our finances: “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22, NKJV). God teaches us that we must be frugal and that we will be poor if we don’t have financial discipline: “He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich” (Proverbs 21:17, NKJV). God teaches us that consistent, hard work will bring blessing, but get rich quick schemes will not bring blessing: “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 28:20, NKJV).

It is not wise to expect God to bless our finances if we refuse to follow His wise counsel. There is a practical path to managing finances that God wants us to follow, and if we first follow His guidance we may then have much more confidence when asking for His blessing.

Under what Circumstances does God promise to bless us and take care of our finances?

www.HopeHill.com 35 Assuming that we are following the financial principles of good stewardship as laid out in the Bible, we are promised by God that we will receive a blessing when we bring our tithes and offerings to His house and work. He declares:

“‘Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, “In what way have we robbed You?” In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,’ says the LORD of hosts; ‘And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 3:8-12, NKJV)

God cannot bless us when we behave foolishly and disobedient with our finances — it would be a huge contradiction if He did. However, if we follow His wise financial principles as described in the book of Proverbs and are obedient to bring our tithes and offerings to the Lord, He will then be obliged and happy to follow through with His promise to bless us.

AA. BAPTISM

What is the origin of baptism?

The “mikvah” was a ritual bath that Jews instituted before Jesus’ time. In both ancient and modern Jewish culture, when a Gentile (non-Jewish person) wanted to convert to the religion of the Bible they would formally complete the conversion process by immersion in a ritual bath called a “mikvah.” It symbolized ritual purity from the godless and sinful ways of their past. Archaeologists still find Jewish mikvahs in Israel that were built both before and after Jesus' time.

What was the first reference to the Mikvah/Baptism in the New Testament?

John the Baptist was a Jewish man born into the priestly family, and his story was the first reference to a mikvah/baptism in the New Testament. John was doing something very strange in his cultural context: He was baptizing Jews into the religion of the Bible. To understand this correctly, we should know that Jews believed that they were right with God simply by being born Jewish. Most did not feel that they needed to convert in their hearts to God — they were just born into it. Usually only Gentiles were converted into Judaism, but John the Baptist said: “[A]nd do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” (Matthew 3:9, NKJV) John, also Jewish, wanted the people of Israel to go further than just being born Jewish: he wanted them to also have a conversion of the heart toward the God of Israel. This is why he baptized Jews.

So what is the New Testament perspective on baptism?

www.HopeHill.com 36 Jesus said: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:18-19, NKJV) Jesus continued the ancient tradition of the mikvah/baptism for His followers, and for two thousand years this has been the way that believers in Jesus – Jewish or Gentile – can formally stand up and say: “Yes, I have believed in and have accepted Jesus as my Savior. I believe He is the Messiah. I am proud to formally let the world know this!” Both Jews and Gentiles are to be baptized, making this public declaration when they believe. According to Matthew 28:18-19, believers should be baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” — the one God of Israel in all of His fullness.

What does baptism represent?

Baptism makes sense after a person has made the choice to trust in Jesus as Savior, and it is a sign of belonging to the people of God. It is symbolic of the death of our old life of guilt and unbelief (going under the water) as well as the new life of forgiveness and salvation that we have received through faith in the Savior (coming up from the water). It is wonderful and joyful symbolism of what happens in the event of salvation when the old godless person you used to be passes away and the new self comes alive. It is also an excellent visual imagery of the resurrection that believers in Jesus will someday experience after they die — a truth clearly promised in the Scriptures.

Must I be baptized in order to be saved?

No, you do not need to be baptized in order to have your sins forgiven and be saved. However, if you want to be saved you do have to have the true inward conversion to Jesus take place within you — the inward conversion that the outward act of baptism ultimately represents. The criminal hanging on the cross with Jesus only believed after he had been nailed up on a cross, and this criminal never had the chance to be baptized. Nevertheless, Jesus said to him while he was hanging there: “Assuredly, I say you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43, NKJV). Salvation comes from having your sins cleansed by believing and accepting Jesus’ sacrificial work on the cross. We are not saved through baptism, but we are able to make a public identification with Jesus through baptism, saying: “Yes, I am proud to believe in Jesus. Yes, he is my Savior!” Baptism is an outward ceremony that formally acknowledges that this salvation and conversation has taken place in the believer’s heart through faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross. (See also 1 Corinthians 1:14-17)

What are some good Bible verses on Baptism?

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Messiah Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Messiah have put on Messiah.” (Galatians 3:26-27, NKJV)

“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13, NKJV)

www.HopeHill.com 37 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19, NKJV)

BB. COMMUNION

What is the origin of communion?

The first communion was a Passover Meal on the annual Jewish holiday of Passover. In Jewish culture – the culture of Jesus and His disciples – this meal was called the Passover “Seder” meal. When Jesus ate the Passover Seder meal with His disciples it was already a tradition that was approximately 1500 years old. Passover was an annual holiday that was instituted by God during the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. Of this annual holiday God commanded the Jews: “You shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance.” (Exodus 12:17b, NKJV)

What did Jesus mean when He said, “Do this in remembrance of Me?”

Jesus was speaking to Jews over an annual Passover meal, and we read: “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you’” (Luke 22:19-20, NKJV). Each year on the 14th day of the first month of their year, Jews would observe the Passover holiday by eating unleavened bread, drinking from the cup of the juice of grapes, and eating a lamb that was killed for the occasion. Jesus knew that He was going to give His life as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind, similar to the sacrificial lambs that were slain on Passover. Jesus was a sinless sacrifice, symbolized by the lack of leaven in the bread (leaven symbolized sin and hypocrisy). Finally, Jesus’ blood was given for us so that the punishment that He took on would be considered full punishment for the sins that we have committed. This blood is symbolized by the cup of red juice. Jesus told His Jewish disciples that when they celebrated the Passover meal each year moving forward, they were to eat the unleavened bread and drink the cups of wine and think about how He gave His body unto death and shed His blood for them on the cross.

What does communion look like today?

Through the centuries, the tradition of communion has changed, and today it does not look much like the original Passover Seder meal. Most churches today do not observe the annual Passover Seder, but choose to eat bread and juice during their services throughout the year to remember what Jesus did for them on the cross. The bread continues to symbolize His body that was damaged and killed on the cross, and the juice continues to symbolize the blood that He shed while He was enduring the punishment for their sins on the cross.

While it is most accurate to the Scriptures to celebrate “communion” on the annual Jewish holiday of Passover, there is nothing wrong with remembering what Jesus did on other days of the year as well. Whenever a congregation chooses to celebrate this occasion, believers should follow the scriptural description of what should take place at this meal. The Apostle Paul declared the following:

www.HopeHill.com 38 “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26, NKJV).

CC. SEXUAL IMMORALITY

What is God’s will regarding sexual activity outside of the context of a lifelong marriage?

We believe that sexual intercourse and all other sexual activity of any kind was designed by God to be engaged in only in the context of life-long marriage between a man and a woman. Any sexual activity of any kind outside of the context of lifelong marriage is against God’s will. Science has revealed that the human body produces chemicals during sexual activity that bond two sexual partners together emotionally — a reality that shows God’s interest in sexual activity remaining in the context of a committed, lifelong relationship that will not end in separation. We also recognize the great emotional pain involved in the separation of couples that have engaged in sexual activity together — another reality that reveals God’s plan for sexual activity to be engaged in only in the context of lifelong marriage. For these reasons, we believe that sexual activity of any kind outside of the context of a lifelong marriage must not be affirmed, approved, endorsed, or engaged in.

What is God’s will regarding same-gender marriage and sexual activity?

The male and female reproductive systems each encompass one component of a two-component system — a system that was clearly designed for both the male and female systems to be united. By natural law and by the clear teachings in the Word of God, people born of the same gender are absolutely forbidden to engage in any form of sexual activity. For these reasons, we believe that same gender marriage and sexual activity must not be affirmed, approved, endorsed, or engaged in. Sexual activity of any kind between two people of the same gender is against God’s will.

What is God’s will regarding marriage?

God designed marriage to be between a man and a woman, and sexual activity was designed to be engaged in only in the context of a lifelong marriage commitment. The male and female sexual reproduction systems work together to create one complete system with the capacity to reproduce. God created the woman for the man, and marriage ought only to and can only take place between a man and a woman. Marriage between people born to different genders is the only marriage God authorizes. Furthermore, it is God’s will that a man and woman who marry will stay together in a committed relationship and in sexual fidelity for their entire lives — for better or for worse. God does not permit divorce under any circumstances except perhaps the case of adultery. (See Mark 10:2-12; Matthew 5:31-32; Matthew 19:3-12; Malachi 2:10-16)

www.HopeHill.com 39

Does God love people who commit acts of sexual immorality?

Absolutely — God loves people who commit acts of sexual immorality very much. God loves sinners of all sorts so much that He emptied His pockets to save them by coming to earth to take the punishment for their sins. The Bible says: “But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Messiah died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NKJV)

DD. ORDINATION

How does the church ordain ministers?

When the church senses that God has led a person into pastoral or rabbinic ministry, it is common practice to have the senior pastor and a council (usually of pastors) review his testimony of salvation, his personal positions on important theological stances, his pastoral calling from the Lord, and his qualifications (including theological preparation and scriptural qualifications according to 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:7-9) for pastoral or rabbinic ministry. Based on that interview the church would typically decide whether or not ordination would be appropriate.

What if a believer feels called into ministry?

If you are a believer and sense the Lord may be leading you into ministry, you may want to speak to the pastor and ask his assistance.

Statement of Beliefs, Version 6, 12-04-15

www.HopeHill.com 40 QUESTIONS

Directions: As you read through the statement of beliefs, please use this page to record any questions you may have. This will help you to remember the questions so you can search for answers or ask a pastor about them.

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

www.HopeHill.com 41