SEMESTER 5
369 – The Articles of Faith Concerning Righteous and the Wicked
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: ECCLESIOLOGY V LESSON # 69
CHURCH COVENANT AND ARTICLES OF FAITH – CONCERNING THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
Read: 1 Joh. 5 :19
INTRODUCTION:
1. There are, at least, two wrong philosophies in this area.
i. That all men are, in all senses, basically alike.
ii. That where differences exist, they are in human works.
2. The Bible teaches, and we Baptists believe in, a radical difference.
3. Let us study this commonly neglected article of faith.
I. THE BIBLICAL FACT OF A RADICAL AND ESSENTIAL DIFFERENCE
1. This difference is so radical, we can rightly call them opposites.
2. It is like day and night, heaven and hell, good and bad.
3. It is the difference of fearing God or ignoring Him. (Mal. 3:18)
4. It is the difference of God’s mercy or His wrath. (Gen. 18:3)
II. THIS DIFFERENCE IS ULTIMATELY IN GOD’S ESTEEM
1. Some aspects and effects of this men can see. (Jam. 1:18)
2. The basic difference is in God’s esteem, Who looks on the heart.
3. It is righteousness imputed. (Rom. 4:3-8)
4. It is righteousness imparted. (I Joh. 2:29 and 3:7)
5. It is God looking upon a heart He has changed.
III. THE DIFFERENCE IS CAUSED BY GOD, NOT BY MAN
1. We are made righteous by His blood. (Heb. 10:10)
2. We are made righteous by the new birth. (I Joh. 2:29)
3. We are sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 8:1-5)
IV. THE DIFFERENCE EXISTS IN THIS LIFE
1. Some imply you can see no difference until eternity.
III: By “Have you ever trusted?” “Have you ever been saved?”
2. Scripture teaches the difference exists during this life. (Mat. 7:21)
III: By the Policeman who said, “I am a God-fearing Christian.”
3. Outward difference is caused by an inward change. (Acts 10:34-35 and I Joh. 3:7)
V. THIS DIFFERENCE EXISTS ETERNALLY
1. Neither purgatory nor extinction exist. (Mat. 25: 34 and 41)
2. The state of the wicked is eternal suffering. (Luke 16:25)
3. Eternity is an extension of life. (Pro. 11:13 and 14:32)
4. Do not imagine you are among the wicked here, and the righteous hereafter.
5. Which of these two groups do you fall into right now?