Apologetics 1 – The Origin of Death

The aim of this devotional study is to consider the process of creation without “the help” of evolution.

Scripture

Romans 5:6-21

6  For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7  For one will scarcely die for a righteous person–though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die– 8  but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9  Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11  More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

12  Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned– 13  for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.  14  Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the One who was to come.

15  But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.  16  And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.  17  For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.  18  Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19  For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20  Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21  so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Observation and reflection

1. This marvelous Text from Paul’s letter to the Romans contain some difficult thoughts requiring a bit of contemplation about the age of sin without the Law between Adam and Moses. Get the outline of the argument by summarizing Paul’s thoughts in the following sections:
   1. Verses 6-11
   2. Verses 12-14
   3. Verses 15-21
2. About the origins of sin and grace
   1. How – and through whom – did sin enter the world? (v17)
   2. How did death enter the world? (v12)
   3. Through which act lead were “many made sinners” leading “to the condemnation of all men”? (v18)
   4. How – and through Whom – did grace enter the world? (v17)
   5. Which act lead to “many made righteous” and “to justification and life of all men”? (v18)
   6. In which way does Paul compare Adam and Jesus? (v14) And why? / what does that mean?
3. According to Paul’s understanding of salvation:
   1. Was Jesus a real person?
   2. Was His crucifixion a real event?
   3. Was Adam a real person?
   4. Was the fall of sin a real event?
   5. In Paul’s thoughts, how does these two events relate to one another?

Personal reflection and prayer

“12  Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin”

1. Why did Jesus become man and die on a cross?
2. Considering verse 12 (quoted above).  If I believe “death [came] through sin” why would that be impossible to accept that “God made use of the evolutionary process to create the world and all in it”? [hint: what does Darwinian evolution require?]
3. Thank God again for His free gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus His Son, and bring your views of creation and the world in prayer to God. Ask Him to lead you in all truth, and to rid you of all confusion.

Holy Spirit 6

The aim of this devotional study is to appreciate the work of the Holy Spirit on earth.

Scripture

John 16:7-14

7  Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

8  And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9  concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10  concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11  concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

12  “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13  When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

14  He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Observations and reflection

Note: This is part of the last conversation that Jesus had with his disciples on the evening of his arrest, and referred to the sending of the Spirit as teacher and helper in order to comfort his disciples.

1. What names are attributed to the Holy Spirit in this teaching of Jesus?
2. Jesus said it is better for his disciples that he leaves so that the Spirit would come to them. What is the advantage that the Spirit has over Jesus (for his disciples)? (v7)
3. What activities/ helps are attributed to the Spirit in v8-11?
   1. Who gets “convicted of sin” – and how? (v8-9)
   2. Who gets convicted “righteousness” – and how? (v8, 10) [think and look carefully oat these verses…]
   3. Who gets convicted of pending judgment? (v8,11)
4. What activities/ helps are attributed to the Spirit in v12-14?
5. How does the Spirit relate to us? What can we expect as normative? (

Application and Prayer

Consider “The Spirit will convict [the believer] of righteousness”

• What “righteousness” did Jesus refer to?
• Have you experienced the Holy Spirit convicting you of righteousness before? How and where?
• Thank God for the Spirit’s leading into Truth and leading into understanding of our righteousness in Christ.  Read through the list of your identity in Christ, and see what the Holy Spirit leads you to focus on, and mediate on that.

[With whom can your share this truth to encourage them today?]

Creation 3

The Aim of this study is to reflect on the effect of sin on creation, God’s redemption in Christ Jesus, and consider your beliefs of the creation account.

Scripture

Romans 5:12-21

12  Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned– 13  for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14  Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

15  But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.  16  And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.

17  For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.  18  Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19  For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

20  Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21  so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Observations

1. This Scripture can be confusing to some, so let’s break it up and summarize each sub-section with a short sentence: v12-14, v15-16, v17-19, v20-21.
2. Considering the Text above, connect the words on the left with the words fitting best on the right:

Adam                                    resulted in justification

Christ                                    reign in death

Moses                                  reign through righteousness

Judgment                            resulted in condemnation

Free gift                               many made righteous

Sin                                          brought redemption

Grace                                    many made sinners

Disobedience                    brought sin

Obedience                          brought the Law

3. God created everything very good. How did death enter the world?
4. What is the analogy between Adam and Christ in the section above?

Application

1. In this section it is clear that Paul took Genesis 1-3 as literal history. What is your view of Genesis 1-3 (Creation and Fall).  Write your view down.
2. This section states that that through the one act of obedience of Christ, the bondage of sin and death over creation brought about by Adam’s initial act of sin is nullified (for those who believe). How does that conflict with the Evolutionary view of creation with millions of years of “survival of the fittest”.  (hint: focus on the origin of death)
3. When Christ comes to fulfill His saving work and bring his reign of eternal life when he “make(s) all things new” (Revelation 21:5) – how long will it take? What does that suggest of the first creation?

Prayer

Spend some time and praise God for his creative work, including yourself, with David’s Psalm 139.

Psalms 139:1-24

1  O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 2  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3  You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4  Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

5  You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. 7  Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8  If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 9  If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10  even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 11  If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” 12  even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

13  For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15  My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16  Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

17  How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18  If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

19  Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! 20  They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain. 21  Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? 22  I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.

23  Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!