By Gary Ray Branscome
While teaching false doctrine is a sin, we must stress the
fact that having the correct doctrine is not what makes us righteous in the
sight of God, and having it does not make us better than anyone else. Since
none of us has a perfect understanding of what the Bible says, we need to be
humble. As teachers of God’s Word we want to handle His Word in a responsible
way, without being indifferent to what is taught or confusing our own opinions
with the Word of God. That requires a precise knowledge of what Bible does or
does not say. And, the only people who have that knowledge are those who
realize that God wants us to teach what He has said, not what we (or others)
think about it.
That being said,
the entire body of doctrine, everything necessary for our salvation, is plainly
stated in Scripture in passages so clear that they need no interpretation. God has not given us His truth in the language of the philosophers and
scholars of this world, but in the language of shepherds, farmers, fishermen,
and tentmakers. And, the doctrine set forth in its passages is the
standard against which every interpretation and every human opinion must be
judged. As it is written, “If they do not speak according to this word, it
is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah
Once I learned the doctrinal truths that are plainly stated
in Scripture, I was able to see that all of those truths center around, and
relate to, seven historical events. Those events are, creation, the fall,
the virgin birth of Christ, Christ’s death, Christ’s resurrection, Christ’s
ascension, and Christ’s return. What sets these events apart is the fact
that they all have a deep spiritual significance for every man woman and child
on earth. All of them have something to do with our relationship to God. And,
that spiritual significance is clearly and explicitly stated in Scripture.
The Biblical record of creation is the foundation
for everything else that the Bible says. It tells us where the universe came
from, where life came from, God’s original intent for man, the origin of
marriage and so forth. The spiritual significance of creation lies in the fact
that we were not created with a sinful nature, and the fact that because God
created us we are accountable to Him. Here are a few of the Bible passages that
clearly tell us what the spiritual significance of creation is.
The words, “God created man in His own image, in the
image of God He created him; male and female He created them,” and “God
saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good,” tell us
that God did not create us with a sinful nature (Genesis 1:27, 31). Furthermore,
because He created us we belong to Him, and He has every right to judge us and
hold us accountable for wrongdoing. As it is written, “Behold, as the clay
is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand,” and “Men will account
for every idle word that they speak, on the day of judgment” (Jeremiah 18:6,
Matthew 12:36).
While the Biblical record of the fall tells us how
sin entered into the world, its spiritual significance lies in the fact that
Adam’s sin brought condemnation on us all. The entire law of God relates to the
fall, because it reveals that condemnation. The flood of Noah also relates to
the fall because it reveals God’s wrath against sin – although it is also a
type of the final judgment. Here are a few of the Bible passages that clearly
tell us what the spiritual significance of the fall is.
Since God created us without sin, the words, “The heart
is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked,” reveal how our
nature has changed as a result of the fall (Jeremiah 17:9). The words, “All
have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” tell us that the effect
of the fall extends to all men (Romans 3:23). And, the words, “Just as sin
entered the world by one man, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men,
because all have sinned,” plainly tell us that sin entered the world as a
result of the fall, and the fact that people die is proof that they are sinners
(Romans 5:12).
While the Biblical record of Christ’s virgin birth
tells us that Christ is different, the spiritual significance of His birth lies
in the fact that He was born the sinless Son of God. Here are a few of the
Bible passages that clearly tell us the spiritual significance of His birth.
The words, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and
shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being
interpreted is, God with us,” tell us that because of Christ’s unique birth
He is God (Matthew 1:23). The words, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son
is given: and the government will be on His shoulders: and His name will be
called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father,” again
tell us that Christ is God (Isaiah 9:6). The words, “He committed no sin,
nor was deceit ever found in His mouth,” // “For God made Him who knew
no sin, to be sin for us; so that we might be made the righteousness of God in
Him,” tell us that Christ was without sin (1Peter 2:22, 2Corinthians 5:21).
And, the words, “He appeared in order to take away our sins; and there is no
sin in Him,” again tell us that Christ was without sin (1John 3:5).
While the Biblical record of Christ’s death on the cross
tells us how He died, the spiritual significance of His death lies in the fact
that He died for our sins. Here are a few of the Bible passages that clearly
tell us what His death means for us.
The words, “I want to remind you of the gospel…
How that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,” tell us
that Christ died for our sins, and that fact is central to the gospel
(1Corinthians 15:1-3). The words, “God commends His love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” tell us that Christ died
for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). The words, “By His own blood…
He entered once for all into the holy place, obtaining eternal redemption for
us,” tell us that His blood was the price of our redemption (Hebrews 9:12).
The words, “We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus
Christ once for all,” tell us that we are “sanctified” through the
sacrifice [offering] of His body (Hebrews 10:10). And, the words, “The blood
of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us of all sin,” tell us that His sacrifice
[blood] cleanses us of all sin (1John 1:7).
While the Biblical record of Christ’s resurrection
from the dead tells us that He rose again the third day, the spiritual
significance of His resurrection lies in the fact that it was the seal of His
victory over death, and in the fact that because He lives we will live also.
Here are a few of the Bible passages that clearly tell us the spiritual
significance of His resurrection
The words, “If we preach that Christ rose from
the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
For if the dead do not rise then Christ did not rise. And if Christ did not
rise, our preaching is a waste of time, and your faith is worthless,” tell
us that Christ’s resurrection is central to the gospel (1Corinthians 15:12-14).
The words, “Jesus… was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for
our justification,” tell us that Christ “was raised again” so that we might
believe, and believing be justified through faith in Him (Romans
While the Biblical record of Christ’s ascension into
heaven describes what took place, the spiritual significance of His ascension
lies in the fact that He 1- sent the Holy Spirit, 2- is our advocate before the
Father, and 3- will return again. Here are a few of the Bible passages that
clearly tell us the spiritual significance of His ascension.
The words, “It is to your advantage for me to go away:
for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I
will send Him to you,” tell us that the outpouring of the Spirit on the day
of Pentecost took place because Christ ascended into heaven (John 16:7). The
words, “Christ who died, yea rather,
who was raised from the dead, is at the right hand of God, and also intercedes
for us,” tell us that having ascended into heaven
Christ makes intercession for us as our mediator and advocate before God
(Romans 8:34). And, the words, “The same Jesus, that has been
taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw Him
go into heaven,” tell us that because Christ ascended into heaven, we can
be assured that He will return (Acts
1:11).
While the physical return of Christ is yet in the future,
its spiritual significance lies in the fact that when He returns all men will
rise from the dead, and all will be judged. For those who trust in Christ there
will be no condemnation, their tears will be wiped away, and they will live
forever with Christ. However, all unbelievers will be condemned. Here are a few
of the Bible passages that clearly tell us the spiritual significance of His
return.
The words, “He commanded us to preach to
the people, and to testify that He is the one whom God has appointed to be the
Judge of the living and dead,” tell us that Christ is the one who shall
judge both the living and the dead (Acts 10:42).The words, “I charge you
therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and
the dead at His appearing,” tell us that Christ will judge the living and
the dead when He returns (2Timothy 4:1). The words, “There is therefore now
no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” for “The blood of
Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us of all sin,” tell us that we who trust in
Christ will not be condemned when we are judged (Romans 8:1, 1John 1:7). The
words, “God will wipe every tear from their eyes; and there will be no more
death, or sorrow, or crying, neither will there be any more pain: for the
former things have passed away,” tell us that after the resurrection those
who trust in Christ will never again experience pain or sorrow (Revelation
21:4). And the words, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world,” tell us what
Christ’s return means for believers (Matthew 25:34). In contrast, the words, “Depart
from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his
angels,” tell us what Christ’s return means for unbelievers (Matthew
25:41).
While I could quote many
more passages, my point is that these seven historical events are central to
the message of salvation in Christ and thus central to the work of world evangelism.
For that reason, anyone who denies, calls into question, or contradicts Bible
history is hindering the work of salvation, and should be avoided by every
believer. As the Apostle said, “Those who know God accept what we say, those
who are not of God will not accept what we say. That is how we can distinguish
the spirit of truth from the spirit of error” (1John 4:6). That being
understood, it is significant that the oldest creed of the Christian church,
the “Apostle’s Creed,” summarizes
these historical events.
THE APOSTLES' CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven
and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His
only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin
Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He
descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended
into heaven and sits on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; From thence
He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy
Ghost; the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of
sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.