Small Group Study: Holy Spirit

In my experience, church people really don't understand who the Holy Spirit is. They either believe he is a quiet librarian that only inspired Scripture and is very silent now, or is a bundle of super ecstatic emotions. As per my custom, I'd rather look at Scripture. See below for a small group study that I wrote a few years back. It is meant to be divided between 4 smaller groups (1-3 people) within a small group. They read the verses, answer the questions and report back to the group. It is very basic, but powerful.

Name 3 things the Holy Spirit does according to Jesus’ words in these passages:

John 14:16-17, John 14:26, John 15:26, John 16:7-8, John 16:13-14

What are the common themes in the following passages? How important are these things that the Spirit provides?

A. 2 Corinthians 1:22 and 2 Corinthians 5:5

B. Romans 8:16, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 2:18

What is the feeling/theme you get from reading these verses? 

Matthew 12:31, Acts 5:1-5, Acts 8:18-23

What are some of the aspects of the Holy Spirit’s ministry in the following verses?

Romans 8:26

1 Corinthians 2:7,10

2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Galatians 5:18

Philippians 3:3

1 Peter 3:18

Word Study of "Dunamis" Power

Dunamis – Power Word Study “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”

Basics: It means ability, power or miracle. It can range from a regular ability to a supernatural power. It can even mean celestial entities like stars and galaxies. It can also mean “the meaning of what someone is saying”.

Points:

1) Having miraculous power is not an indication you are saved.

2) Is meant to inspire repentance. When a people aren’t ready to repent, the Kingdom does not prefer to perform miracles. Some, not all, church members have it as a gift to show to others.

3) You can feel it flowing from you.

4) Is part of a name for God – “Mighty One”.

5) Was given to the disciples by Jesus. You can receive it from heaven.

6) It is clearly seen and understood and displayed, not cryptic or partial or hidden.

7) It gives hope to some.

8) It describes what salvation is to us. It is power to us.

9) Jesus is the dunamis of God.

10) Is better in quality and purpose than human words and stories.

11) It is what our faith rests on.

12) Can be present or absent.

13) God’s power raised Jesus from the dead.

14) Is one of the marks of an apostle.

15) Enables us.

16) Opposes fear.

17) Is absent from the religious. Is better than Levitical blood as a basis for priesthood.

18) Is experiential.

19) Gives us everything we need.

20) If we acknowledge God’s power, it is a form of praise.

Pairings that go with Dunamis:

1) Wisdom + Power = True Understanding of God. Mark 12:24

2) God + Power = Power is often paired with Spirit or God to indicate where it came from. Perhaps this is very meaningful to distinguish it from other dunamis. There is a clear distinction made that there is human dunamis (weak) and heavenly dunamis (supernatural). There was even a cheap magician named the “great dunamis”, and he himself acknowledged this difference. God’s power is also greater than satan’s power. Jesus is seen as the power of God personified.

3) Authority/Dominion + Power = If we think of power as ability, then it is nothing without a form of authority. Jesus demonstrated his ability through his acts of authority.

4) Glory + Power = Often paired when speaking of Jesus’ return.

5) Weakness/suffering + Power = Out of weakness comes strength. The greatest illustration is the death and resurrection of Jesus. (c.f. reference to jars of clay as well).

6) God’s Word + Power = Is how all creation is sustained.

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Verses used in this Study

Matthew 6:13, Matthew 7:22, Matthew 11:20, Matthew 11:21, Matthew 11:23, Matthew 13:54, Matthew 13:58, Matthew 14:2, Matthew 22:29, Matthew 24:29, Matthew 24:30, Matthew 25:15, Matthew 26:64, Mark 5:30, Mark 6:2, Mark 6:5, Mark 6:14, Mark 9:1, Mark 9:39, Mark 12:24, Mark 13:25, Mark 13:26, Mark 14:62, Luke 1:17, Luke 1:35, Luke 4:14, Luke 4:36, Luke 5:17, Luke 6:19, Luke 8:46, Luke 9:1, Luke 10:13, Luke 10:19, Luke 19:37, Luke 21:26, Luke 21:27, Luke 22:69, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:22, Acts 3:12, Acts 4:7, Acts 4:33, Acts 6:8, Acts 8:10, Acts 8:13, Acts 10:38, Acts 19:11, Romans 1:4, Romans 1:16, Romans 1:20, Romans 8:38, Romans 9:17, Romans 15:13, Romans 15:19, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 2:5, 1 Corinthians 4:19, 1 Corinthians 4:20, 1 Corinthians 5:4, 1 Corinthians 6:14, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 1 Corinthians 12:29, 1 Corinthians 14:11, 1 Corinthians 15:24, 1 Corinthians 15:43, 1 Corinthians 15:56, 2 Corinthians 1:8, 2 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 6:7, 2 Corinthians 8:3, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Corinthians 12:12, 2 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 3:5, Ephesians 1:19, Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 3:7, Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 3:20, Philippians 3:10, Colossians 1:11, Colossians 1:29, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Timothy 1:7, 2 Timothy 1:8, 2 Timothy 3:5, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 2:4, Hebrews 6:5, Hebrews 7:16, Hebrews 11:11, Hebrews 11:34, 1 Peter 1:5, 1 Peter 3:22, 2 Peter 1:3, 2 Peter 1:16, 2 Peter 2:11, Revelation 1:16, Revelation 3:8, Revelation 4:11, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 7:12, Revelation 11:17, Revelation 12:10, Revelation 13:2, Revelation 15:8, Revelation 17:13, Revelation 18:3, Revelation 19:1

Ephesians 4 Church Planting

Ephesians 4: 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
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Fivefold ministries are in vogue today, but let's keep reading past the APEPT. These five ministries are meant to do something: prepare God's people for works of service.

Read the above verses, and maybe this explanation is good:

When we are serving, the body of Christ will be built up - read "edified" or "encouraged". We will be encouraged while these leaders are leading us to service until we reach a point of actual unity (gasp) in the faith and in the knowledge of the living Jesus Christ (as opposed to straight head knowledge and pet beliefs). After being built on a foundation of this loving service that binds us together and we reach an awesome union through a strong connection to Jesus, we'll reach maturity -- attaining to the lofty fullness of Christ. Woah!

How do we prevent our churches from being tossed back and forth by trends, silver-tongued men, trials, troubles, budget cuts? It starts with equipping our people, loving on them, leading by example in serving, serving, loving service. The body that is invested in with love... that body is not disloyal (hopefully). The body that bleeds and battles together (service is bloody sometimes) ... that body is not disloyal.

How do we keep the church from being darkened in their understanding? Turn on the light! Knowledge of Jesus Christ - boom. This isn't knowing some principles, it's the actually tasting and seeing that Jesus is so so so good. It's drinking from the well that won't leave you thirsty. I mean, it's the constant encounter with Jesus Christ - the "knowing" of Jesus Christ. If He is our head, we'll quickly spot the puffed-up, haven't-suffered-for-anything, false teachers and run the other way (or convert them, ha!).

How do we keep ourselves from separating from the life of God through ignorance? Same! "Knowing" Christ. Being grown into the Head, that gives us life. It's also hard to harden a heart that has been *loved* or *served* (there's that word again).

How do we keep ourselves from being insensitve, given to sensuality, impure, lustful? The whole body has been served, it's now attaining spiritual maturity and knowing Christ, and it is building *itself* up in love. When you have that kind of awesome glory of God, the obvious fruit of the Spirit falling off the tree and hitting you all in the head - who cares about what this world has to offer? You will be insensitive to the worldly crap. You will reject sensuality, impurity, lust - because you have something way way more filling. You have Jesus and you have his holy body that has just been filled and is overflowing with love upon love upon love for one another. Hallelujah.

Of course, none of this is a question of how do "we" keep from doing such-and-such. God Himself has made peace for us, and He alone saves us. May we depend deeply on Him; only by Him saving us day-in and day-out will we resist and even... be successful.

Rough Study: The New in New Testament

Jesus is seen bringing and being the "new" fulfillment of much of the old covenant. He is the one who fulfilled Israel's mission and went way beyond:

Bringing a New Creation

We see John begin his gospel as if it were the beginning of a new creation story:

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Ephesians 2:15

by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,

The New Adam

Jesus is also described as the man who is wholly unlike Adam, who brings the reversal of what Adam brought. Death came through one man, Adam, but life and salvation through one man, Christ.

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned — 13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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1 Cor 15:44b If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam,  a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

50 I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

The New Flood and the New Noah

Jesus is also the cleansing flood that cleans the earth of its evil. And in Himself He saves men from their sins.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.  He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.  In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand —with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Jesus: Symbol of The New Israel

Hosea 11:1

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”

Matthew 2:15

..where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Just as Israel passed through the Red Sea, Jesus passed on through baptism. Just as directly after the Red Sea, Israel went into the desert for 40 years, Jesus passed into the desert for 40 days. Israel failed when it was tempted; Jesus did not.

The New Moses

Deuteronomy 18:15

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.

Acts 3:22

For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.

Acts 7:37

This is that Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will send you a prophet like me from your own people.’

Just as Moses was a deliverer and prophet to the people of Israel, Jesus was the savior and prophet to Israel and yet his salvation went to the whole world. He is better than Moses in this regard; more powerful.

There are a New set of Twelve Tribes

(the 12 tribes will be judged by the 12 apostles)

Matthew 19:28

 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Those who came to Christ through the teaching of the apostles can also be called adopted tribes of Israel.

(How can we be Israel?)

Romans 2:29

No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.

Romans 11:

11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all!  Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!

13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

New High Priest

Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

New Law and Covenant

Paul juxtaposes the old law with the new law:

Romans 8:2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

New Covenant is shown here in the words of Jeremiah and Jesus:

Jeremiah 31:31

 “The time is coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah….”

Luke 22:20

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you….”

c.f.

2 Corinthians 3:6
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

The Full Revelation of God the Father

If you want to know what the Father is like, look to the Son.

John 14:9

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

John 10:30

I and the Father are one.

Col 1:15

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Col 1:19

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

Col 2:9

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

The Apostle Peter on Salvation

Salvation verses as recorded in Peter’s words and works in Acts 1-15 and 1&2 Peter.

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The basis for our salvation

Acts 5:31

God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.

1 Peter 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you…

1 Peter 1:18-19

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Peter 2:24

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

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Faith/Belief

Acts 4:4

But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

Acts 5:14

Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

Acts 15:8-9

God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.

1 Peter 1:5

…who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:8-9

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

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Grace

Acts 15:11

No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.

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Affirmation that Jesus is King/Calling on the Lord’s name

Acts 2:21 a.k.a Joel 2:32

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Acts 6:7

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

1 Peter 1:22-23

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

2 Peter 1:5-11

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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Endurance? Maturity?

1 Peter 2:2-3

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

2 Peter 2:20-21

If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.

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Repentance

Acts 3:19-20

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.

Acts 8:20-22

Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.

Author’s note: Interestingly enough, Peter is telling Simon to repent even after just having “believed and been baptized” earlier in the text.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

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Reception of the Holy Spirit, baptism, repentance, acceptance

Acts 2:38-41

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

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Is this about baptism, pledging, or Jesus’ resurrection?

1 Peter 3:20b-22

…God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

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I don’t know what to do with this one, but it’s the time when it was revealed that Gentiles could be saved as well

Acts 10:44-48, 11:14-15

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Author’s note: later on this is said of the Gentiles who Peter was with that day:

Acts 15:8-9

God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.

…and Acts 15:11

No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.

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Information about salvation

Acts 2:47b …And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 4:12

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

Acts 11:18 (Peter is part of the “they” in this passage)

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

1 Peter 1:10-11

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.

2 Peter 3:15

Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

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Calling others to salvation

1 Peter 3:1-2

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

1 Peter 4:6

For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

James...err...Jacob's Salvation Verses

These are the verses on salvation found in James, traditionally thought to be the half-brother of Jesus.  Ironically, there is no James in the Bible. Seriously, it’s “Jacob” in the Greek manuscripts.

Asking why I’m choosing James as the second post? Honestly, it’s a short book, and I don’t really wanna spend my whole day doing this. :)

So, enjoy the salvation verses from the epistle of Jacob. Again, just trying to figure out what scripture says.

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Jesus’ (the Word) Own Work: Basis of Salvation

James 1:17-18

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

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Uncategorized

James 4:8

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

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Acceptance. Jesus is inviting you inside of him.

James 1:21

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

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Affirming that Jesus is King

James 2:14-18, 21-22

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

James 2:24

You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

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Faith/Belief/Knowing/Trusting

James 2:5

Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

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Repentance

James 5:19-20

My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

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Endurance

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Red Letter Salvation: Jesus' words about salvation

I don’t want to follow men. When they teach us to believe in the Bible alone, maybe we should go look in Scripture for what we believe and how we believe. Know that I chose the format and categories, so that is my human doing. But honestly, I just want to learn and make sure I’m following Jesus in my beliefs, because of passages like these:

Matthew 15:3
Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?”

John 5:39-40
You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
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Jesus’ Own Work: Basis of Salvation

Matthew 26:28
This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

John 12:32
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.
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Acceptance. Jesus inviting Himself inside of you:

John 4:14
but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Revelation 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
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Uncategorized, or Faith, or Jesus Personally Just Choosing

Matthew 9:2
Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”


Luke 19:5-10
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”


Luke 23:42-43
Then he [the thief on the cross] said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

And of course:
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
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Baptism + Belief

Mark 16:16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
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Acceptance. Jesus is inviting you inside of him.

John 6:56
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.

John 10:9
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

John 14:23
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

John 15:4
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

John 15:6
If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

John 15:10
If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
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Affirming that Jesus is King

Matthew 19:16-30
Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

“Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”

Matthew 25:31-46
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

Luke 16:9
I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

John 8:51
Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.

John 14:21
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.
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Faith/Belief/Knowing/Trusting

Luke 7:48-50
Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

John 3:16-18
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

John 5:24
Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

John 6:40
For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

John 6:47
Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.

John 17:3
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
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Asking for Forgiveness/Forgiving Others

Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

Luke 11:4
Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.
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Giving up Your Life

Matthew 16:25
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

Matthew 19:29
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
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Endurance

Matthew 10:22
You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Matthew 24:13
but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

From author of the post: The word “saved” in the above passages might have more to do with escaping physical death than with eternal salvation. If you read the context, Jesus is speaking of earthly destruction and physical persecution. However, let the Holy Spirit lead you in the interpretation, not me.

Luke 8:11-13
This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

From author of the post: Note – later on in the NT it speaks of the Spirit sealing and guaranteeing salvation. I’m not covering that here, because I’m only printing Jesus’ words. This is one of the unique things about following Jesus – there is a guarantee of salvation, a promise.
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How to NOT be saved:

Matthew 3:10
The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

Matthew 7:19
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Mark 9:47
And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,

Luke 13:22-30
Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”

He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’

“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’

“But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’

There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”

John 8:24
I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.

John 15:6
If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

Revelation 21:6-8
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Revelation 22:12-16
Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.