TOPICAL BIBLE STUDIES ARCHIVE “U”  


 

TOPICAL BIBLE STUDIES
ARCHIVE U

These outlines are intended as "teaching guides" to the study of any particular topic. The outlines may leave many unanswered questions as to details since those details would be answered in the process of teaching from the scripture references provided. In addition, there may be vocabulary references and subject references that are unfamiliar. Hopefully before too long, all the necessary topics will be available to provide a balanced and complete theology.

Pronunciation guide

GREEK: Verbal Orientation

Hebrew Verbal Orientation


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Index

UNDESERVED SUFFERING: see topic S - Suffering: undeserved

Unity: Peace among Christians

THE UNIVERSE: Its Testimony

UNLIMITED ATONEMENT

The Unpardonable Sin: BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT


PEACE: Unity Peace

1. Must first recognize the 7 different kinds of peace taught in the Bible. See listing above

2. Unity begins at Salvation:

A. Unity through position in Christ: 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:26-28
B. Unity through possession of the 36 positional blessings.

3. There is unity in purpose: All believers remain on earth for the one purpose of representing Jesus Christ to the world. 1 Cor. 10:31; 6:20; 2 Cor. 5:20

4. The local church provides for unity among believers in a common geographical location. 1 Cor. 12:12-27

5. The attack on Christian unity:

A. Doctrine: Titus 1:10-11 (v. 9); 1 Cor. 14:36-38; 2 Tim. 4:3-4
B. Human celebrity-ship: 1 Cor. 1:10-13; 3:4-7
C. Social distinctions: James 2;1-4; Gal. 2:11-14
D. The Sin Nature: James 4:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:1-8

6. Unity peace then is the status of fellowship between believers which is stable and encouraging, based on adherence to divine truth. That is, the acceptance and advancement of the absolute truth standards of God's word. 1 Cor. 1:10; 4:6

7. Since the basis for unity peace is divine truth, truth must be learned and applied. Eph. 4:11-14

8. God's word in the heart produces the character qualities of THE LOVE STRUCTURE . 1 Tim. 1:5

A. The application of love then is the cement of unity. Col. 3:12-15
B. But love does not ignore the issues of bible truth. Col. 3:16

C. Any unity that exists at the expense of divine truth, is a false unity and does not promote the plan of God, but promotes man and the darkness system. 2 Tim. 2:25-26; Is. 8:19-20

D. Accordingly, if the issues of truth are compromised in order to provide a man-made unity, God's plan is violated. Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Thes. 3:6, 14-15; 1 Tim. 4:6; 2 Tim. 2:24-26

9. So then, the preservation of the unity of the Spirit of Ephesians 4:3, is accomplished by the promotion of truth through love with grace humility. Rom. 15:1-2; Gal. 6:1-2; Phil. 1:27; Col. 3:15.

10. The general guideline for doctrinal unity is found in the seven unity doctrines listed at Ephesians 4:4-6.

A. One body: Doctrine of POSITION in Union with Christ.
B. One Spirit: Doctrine of the HOLY SPIRIT: His person and work
C. Called in one confidence of your calling: Doctrine of Salvation and SALVATION SECURITY
D. One Lord: doctrine of Jesus as the Christ (see many under "C")
E. One faith: One system of doctrine. See BIBLE: New Testament Authority
F. One baptism: Ritual identification with Jesus through water (BAPTISMS)
G. One God and Father: Doctrine of God's character. (many under "G")

11. The doctrine of unity is reflected in the ritual of COMMUNION. 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

12. Unity peace is also reflected through Christian welfare, which is the caring and providing for the afflicted and ailing of the church community. See Topic: Christian Welfare.

13. There is a special blessing of joy on the promoters of peace, whether it be the peace of reconciliation with God, or the peace of unity through adherence to divine standards for life and worship. Matthew 5:9

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THE UNIVERSE: Its Testimony

1. The original creation: Genesis 1:1

A. Ps. 33:6, 9 - By the word of Yahweh

B. Proverbs 3:19 - By wisdom

C. Jeremiah 10:12 - power, wisdom and understanding

D. Jeremiah 27:5 - by my great power

E. Psalm 8:3 - the work of his fingers

F. Ps. 89:11-13

G. The Divine logos: John 1:3

H. All created perfect: Deut. 32:4

2. Its original purpose:

A. For Him: Rom. 11:36; Col. 1:16

B. Genesis 1:14 - for signs (ōth) - Ps. 65:8; Jer. 10:2

3. The present testimony of the heavens:

A. Psalm 8:1

B. Psalm 19:1-6

C. Psalm 50:1-6

D. Psalm 148:3-6

E. Romans 1:19-20

F. Psalm 89:33-37 - testimony to Divine faithfulness

4. The present testimony of the earth: Psalm 119:90

A. Gen. 9:9-17

B. Acts 14:17

C. Psalm 65:9-13

D. Psalm 104:1, 5-30

E. Job 36:24-33

5. Jesus Christ is the sustainer of the universe:

A. Col. 1:17 - by Him all things hold together - perfect active indicative-sunistāmi

B. Heb. 1:3 - and He upholds all things - present active participle - pherō

C. This present sustaining of the universe is a witness to the reliability of revealed truth. Mt. 5:18

D. The future renovation of the universe will take place after the revealed plan of God has been accomplished.

6. The future of the universe:

A. Psalm 102:25-27

B. Mt. 24:35

C. 2 Peter 3:10-13

D. Rev. 20:11; 21.1

E. Isaiah 66:22 - Divine faithfulness to Israel

7. The future glory of God:

A. Phil. 1:9-11 - to the glory of God the Father

B. 1 Cor. 15:28 - That God may be all in all (return to status of Jn. 1:1)

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UNLIMITED ATONEMENT

1. Unlimited atonement is a theological term which means that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the entire human race. 2 Cor. 5.14-15

A. One died: aorist active indicative - apothnāskō. The specific point of time when Jesus carried the sins of the whole world on the cross. (1 Pet.2.24)

B. for: huper - preposition of substitution - in the place of

C. all: reference to all of mankind in distinction from the ones who live through faith acceptance of his sacrifice on their behalf. v. 15

D. Thus, we must recognize this as a universal sin sacrifice.

2. The word atonement means covering and refers to the old testament animal sacrifices which provided a judicial covering for sin, but never provided absolute removal of the sins. Heb. 10.4

A. Salvation has always been through making a free will decision to trust God's promise concerning the person and work of the Messiah savior.

B. Salvation was taught and ceremonially demonstrated through the sacrificial system, but the sacrifices did not provide salvation.

C. However, the ritual sacrifices were necessary as the teaching aid looking forward to Christ. Heb. 9:11-14, 22

D. For the nation of Israel, the Day of Atonement provided a judicial covering of the nation's sins and therefore, acceptance of the nation by God under a theocratic system (God as king).

E. The ritual sacrifices also provided functional forgiveness because they anticipated the real sacrifice of the savior who would actually carry the sins of the world. Jn. 1:29

F. To make atonement was to provide a judicial covering for sins and the basis for functional forgiveness as the believer applied Pr. 28:13 in association with the sacrifice.

G. The word atonement is never used in the NT with reference to Christ's sacrifice for sin.

H. His sacrifice does not provide a universal "covering" for sin, but a universal payment for sin.

I. Therefore, the term "unlimited atonement" is a theological device which actually communicates a universal salvation provision available to all people on the same terms of trust in Christ. (whosoever believes ---)

J. A much better term incorporates the fact that a ransom or price for sins was indeed paid by the spiritual sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

3. Christ died for all - there are no exceptions.

A. Titus 2.11-God's grace provides salvation to all men (universal provision)
B. Heb. 2.9 - Jesus tasted death for everyone (universal identification)
C. 2 Pet. 2.1 - He even bought the ones who deny him. (universal payment)
D. 1 Tim. 4.10 - He is the savior of all men (universal sacrifice) especially of believers (limited application based on faith).
E. 1 Tim. 2:6 - who gave Himself as a ransom for all.

4. A univresal ransom means that Jesus Christ satisfied the character of the Godhead by paying the price demanded by Divine justice. Ie, propitiation.

A. 1 John 2.2 - He is the propitiation (satisfaction - hilasmos) for the sins of the whole world. (universal satisfaction)

B. Romans 3.25 - God displayed Christ publicly as a propitiation-hilastārion - place of satisfaction (mercy seat)

5. Since the sins of the whole world are paid for, and God's justice is satisfied, there results a universal offer of salvation to the entire human race. John 12:32; 3:16; Acts 17:30

A. But this does not mean that every person is automatically saved.
B. One must accept Christ's work on his behalf by personal trust. Acts 16.31; 1 Tim. 4.10
C. So the issue in salvation is not sins (plural) but one sin. John 16.8-9 with 8.21-24 and 9.41.

The sin of unbelief is the only thing standing between God and each member of the human race. When that is "reversed" by trusting in Christ, all other sins are forgiven.

D. And the only "WORK" that is involved is the "work of God, that you believe
on Him whom He sent." John 6:29.

E. Isaiah 53:6 - "the iniquity of us all" = a universal ransom.
Isaiah 53:11 - "justify the many" = a limited justification based on faith, Romans 5:1

6. Furthermore, since Christ paid for the sins of the whole world, it is God's responsibility to make the information about this salvation available. This is called the "drawing" of God by which He convicts through the Holy Spirit that man needs to trust in Christ.

7. At the last judgment, the issue will be faith in Christ, not sins. Rv. 20:13-15

A. The book of works is opened in order to demonstrate man's need for salvation by showing both specific deeds of sin as well as deeds of human good.

B. The deeds of sin demonstrate the person's violation of God's standards.
C. The deeds of human good demonstrate the inadequacy of man's righteousness to meet up to the standard of God's perfect righteousness.

D. If someone has failed to trust in Christ during his lifetime on earth, his name is blotted out of the book of life and he will spend eternity separated from the Godhead in the lake of fire. Heb. 9:27 - judgment.

Return to VOLITIONAL THEOLOGY

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©Ron Wallace, http://www.biblefragrances.com. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it,
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