Jean @ Rosehill

We are reconciled to God by the shedding of Jesus' blood on the cross. We have been declared innocent and without accusation as we have asked forgiveness of our sins and allowed the Holy Spirit to create in us a clean heart at our new birth. Also, we are continually being cleansed as we continue to strive to live in the light of God's truth. God sees us as righteous if we have the righteousness of Jesus covering us (if we are walking in the light and allowing the Holy Spirit to continue working in our hearts through faith and obedience) Before reconciliation, we lived as enemies of the cross (God's salvation) and were slaves to our our own sinful state and way of thinking, living, and acting.

Q4. (Colossians 1:18) How should the assertion that Jesus is the "head of the body, the church" affect the way we conceive of the church? The church is under the lordship of Jesus. We should realize that we are serving Him, and not man. We should strive to be in unity with his teachings and with one another, provided we are not falling into error. Is he talking about the universal church or a local congregation, or both? This passage is talking about the universal church. If we believe that Jesus is the head of the church, how should that affect the way we conduct our life and ministry as the church? We should conduct our life and ministry as an example of Jesus to the world. In what ways does the visible church represent the "head"? The church represents (Jesus) visibly by showing love to the world, by standing against sin, by reaching out to the poor and needy, and be evangelizing the world with the Good News. How well do we as the body follow his leadership? We fall short, but we should keep striving to attain perfection.

What does "firstborn of all creation/every creature" mean? Jesus created all things, and they were created to serve Him. This includes spiritual beings also. Is Jesus a created being? If not, what does "firstborn" mean here? Jesus was not created. In this culture, firstborn can suggest "birth order" and the special status accorded the firstborn son. It is used here to show the preiminence Jesus has over all created beings. What do verses 16-17 teach about Jesus' pre-existence? They teach us that Jesus existed before anything else was created and that Jesus is God. What does verse 16b teach about the purpose of creation? That everything was created FOR God. According to verse 17, what is Jesus' past role in creation? Jesus created everything and they exist to serve Him. He set the world in motion. What is his present role in creation? Jesus hold all things together and keeps creation continuing.

This was hard for me to answer. I have been helped by reading another's reply.

a. The two qualities mentioned here are: redemption and forgiveness b. Redemption here meant release from bondage or a captive condition. c. Jesus has redeemed us from bondage to sin by shedding His innoncent blood as payment for our sin. d. Because our sins are forgiven, we completely free of guilt and punishment. We have been pardoned, and the debt of our sin has been cancelled by Jesus' death on the cross!

a. The action verbs regarding salvation in these verses are: qualified, rescued, brought, redeemed, and forgiven. b. God is the one Who does all of this for us. c. These actions are performed on those who respond to the Holy Spirit and accept the gift of salvation through Jesus' blood. d. We are only qualified for Salvation through God drawing us to Himself by the Holy Spirit, and then we are forgiven by accepting what Jesus did for us by paying the price for our sins. By accepting His gift, we are qualified to come before God. e. We are rescued from the power of Darkness, which is Satan's power and grasp. We are rescued from being bound by our sins and lusts. We can have victory over them all through the power of Jesus Name.

a. Paul uses the terms darkness and light to show the dramatic difference between where they were and where they are now. They had stepped over into a totally different realm of existence with their acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Messiah. The two realms are in complete opposition. The darkness is evil, malignant, and controlling. It is full of bondage. The light of Jesus is filled with hope, love, redemption, and forgiveness. b. Paul reminds the Colossians of where they came from because he wants them to somehow grasp the fact that they are in a spiritual struggle yet against darkness. The war is not over until we get to heaven. Perhaps he wants to remind them of the bondage of their past so that they will not want to accept any teaching that wouild drag them back to that place. c. I think the inheritance is the salvation of our souls, both now and continuing through eternity. d. Darkness is described as a dominion, and Light is described as a Kingdom. Darkness has to do with being controlled or ruled in a sphere of power; Light has to do with the Kingdom of God where God reigns with royal power as our King.

a. The elements of Paul's prayer are : to know God. to bear fruit, to be strengthened b. Specifically Paul prays that the believers will: increase in their knowledge of God (personal relationship), gain spiritual wisdom and understanding (through the Holy Spirit), live a life worthy of Jesus (not sloppy or sinful), bear fruit by doing good works (the evidence of faith), know God's will, and develop endurance, patience, thankfulness, and joy. c. I think they are all important. Perhaps we can say that "increasing in the knowledge of God" would be most important, because I think that developing a closer personal relationship with Jesus is what is necessary in developing the other results in a believer's life. It is the basis of our growing in the Lord. d. If some elements are missing, then something is wrong. We need to examine ourselves in the light of Scripture on a regular basis to allow the Holy Spirit to continue His work in our lives. If not, then we will fall into deep sin. The Scriptures are necessary on a daily basis to keep us where God wants us to be.

I just want to give a welcome to all the Newbies! My status says "Newbie" also, but I've been around off and on for about 3 years....just haven't posted much. I would hate for anyone to stop posting because they don't feel anyone is responding...so, just wanted to let you know that it's good to see everyone here.

Hello everyone that has joined!! I didn't really give a proper introduction. My name is Jeani, and I have been a pastor's wife for 19 years and married for 28. I am so happy to read everyone's introductions and look forward to getting to know everyone better. Have you started your first lesson? I printed mine off because I don't like to read long articles sitting at the computer. I would rather print them off and get somewhere comfortable. I guess after this I will see you over at the Question #1 subforum...

Me again! I am so excited about this lesson now. I saw the section on "rules for holy living" and that is just what the Holy Spirit has been speaking to me about over the past several weeks or more. It's great to know I am in God's will for this Bible study at this time in my life

Good morning, everyone. I am ready to start this new lesson. I love these Bible studies.

We have to be aware of our spiritual poverty in order to realize that within ourselves there is no good thing. We must become totally reliant on the grace of God. We must mourn our own sin and lack of righteousness so that we will hunger and thirst after God's righteousness which can only be attained by faith in the Blood of Jesus. Believers grieve over the wickedness in the world. They will be comforted at the return of Jesus.

I can't tell you how much what you have written has blessed me. God has been speaking so much of this to me, even before this study, through mental trials, etc. It is wonderful to know that I am in the center of God's will in doing this study!

oops...i goofed...

I want to say that I am looking forward so much to this study! a. The first part of each beatitude is tells us who will be blessed, and the second part tells how they will be blessed. b. I think Jesus taught this way maybe to get their attention and to show them that things were radically different in the spiritual realm than they are in the spiritual realm. c. Galatains 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. " Here we see true righteousness, which is what Jesus is trying to teach in the parables. It goes beyond the OT laws and man-made traditions. It can only be accomplished by a rebirth of the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ. Within ourselves we are nothing, but "His grace is sufficient, for His strength is made perfect in weakness."

Hello...Am I the only one studying this topic at this time? I would really like to see the forum activated. But at this time I cannot post replies to Part 2. I hope someone can help. I also cannot get emails sent to the forum help person.....