Commissioned

Q1. What kind of credibility would Jesus' ministry have had if he were not raised from the dead, especially when he predicted it ahead of time? If Jesus was not raised from the dead His entire ministry would have been classified as a fraud. Credibility would have been zero. In what way is the resurrection God's seal of approval on him? The resurrection is God's seal of approval upon Jesus' ministry and what Jesus said about His death, burial and resurrection.

Q4. Which of the various proofs for the resurrection seems the most compelling to you? Why? Of the various proofs for the resurrection the most compelling to me is the fact that Jesus was seen by so many people after His resurrection. If you had a friend who wasn't sure about the resurrection, could you explain why you're sure that Jesus was raised from the dead? Yes. I'd show them that prophecies of the resurrection found in the Old Testament were accounted for and fullfilled in the New Testament.

Q3. How does the disciples' psychological state after the crucifixion provide excellent support for belief in the resurrection? The disciples' absolute belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ gave them the confidence to preach of the resurrected Christ.

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea? There was no motive for either persons to have taken Jesus' body.

Q1. What do you think motivates liberal Christian scholars to explain away the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ? Liberal Scholars are motivated to explain away the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ because they refuse to give recognition to God for his power to resurrect the dead. Why would they claim that it is unhistorical more than some other event in the first century? They would claim that it is unhistorical more than some other event in the first century because they lack an understanding of what took place and are unable to explain just what happened. Other events that happened in the first century may be within their ability to comprehend.

Q5. What is the difference between Jesus' resurrection and his ascension? How do the two fit together? In what sense is the ascension the completion of the resurrection? Jesus' resurrection refers specifically to his victory over death and His ascension to the right hand of the Father refers specifically to his exaltation by his Father to the highest place. The ascension is a completion of Jesus' resurrection from the dead in that He completed the work that His Father sent him to do and the ascension took him back to his rightful place in God's presence.

Q4. What do we know from the Gospels about the properties of Jesus' resurrection body? What was he capable of in this new body? Jesus' body after the resurrection allowed him to do the normal things that a person alive could do, such as eat, walk, talk, he prepared food, also he still possessed the scars from the nails in his hands and feet, the scar in his side. In addition, in this new body he was able to appear and disappear at will.

Q3. (Luke 24:12; John 20:6-8) What about the grave clothes brought Peter and John to faith? What was so peculiar about them? I believe that the grave clothes being found in the form that it was in when wrapped around Jesus and undisturbed, with the head wrapping piece away from the rest was sufficient evidence to bring Peter and John to believing that Jesus had indeed freed himself from the bonds of death.

Q2. What similarities do you find in the resurrection accounts? Based on the agreements between the accounts, what seems to have happened? The similarities are that Jesus died, was buried, he arose, the tomb was visited and found empty, visitors to the tomb was reminded that Jesus said that he would rise from the dead in three days. Jesus visited more than 500 persons after his resurrection.

Q1. What differences do you find between the various resurrection accounts? The differences between the various resurrection accounts are in the number of women who went to the tomb, the reason for the woman or women visit to the tomb, when and to whom Jesus spoke to, whether or not the appearance of Jesus to the women were reported and the type of clothing that Jesus was burried in. How do you account for differences in eyewitness testimony? Eyewitnesses for the most part will relate a story placing emphasis on what they think to be important. However in the account of the resurrection by the Gospel writers, I believe that the differences in their reporting is part of the Spirit's inspired writing. How might these differences add to the credibility of the witnesses? The differences lend authenticity to the reporting, as the possibility of all witnesses reporting to be identical would have been suspecting.

Q4. Why did Jesus' enemies heed his prediction of being raised on the third day even more than his disciples? They wanted to cover up any possible error in judgement. Did his enemies expect him to rise? Did his followers? No, his enemies and his followers did not expect Jesus to rise. Even though the extra guards were put in place, they were put there to prevent the body from being removed by Jesus' followers. The disciples, though Jesus spoke of it often only believed after they were told and proof given.

Q3. (John 11:23-25) What do you think Jesus meant when he said, "I am the resurrection and the life"? When Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life," he was telling us that in Him is life. Apart from Jesus there is no eternal life. If you are to live forever you must believe in Jesus. What role will Jesus play in the resurrection of the dead? Jesus' role in the resurrection of the dead is to see that none that God gave to Him is lost. Jesus will raise all believers and present them to the Father.

Q2. (John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15) According to scripture, both the righteous and unrighteous will experience resurrection. What will be the result of resurrection for the righteous? The righteous who have done good will rise to live and receive the rewards prepared for them.

Q1. How does Job's vision of resurrection (Job 19:25-27) differ from the Jews' former understanding of death as Sheol? The Jew's saw Sheol as a place of gloom and despair, a place where life can no longer be enjoyed, and where the presence of Yahweh himself is withdrawn. But Job saw beyond the grave to the eternal life that awaits him in the presence of God. What is progressive revelation? It is revealing of more truth as time goes on.

Q9. (3:21) How can God receive more glory in your local congregation? Our lives ought to exhibit His love and walk in obedience to His commandments. We ought to be witnesses of Christ wherever we go and we ought to pray more and give Him praise and worship. How can you help this happen? My part in helping this to happen starts with prayer. Praying that we all come to an understanding of the fullness of God and of His love; praying that when Jesus returns we would all be without spot or wrinkle.

Q8. (3:20) How should verse 3:20 of the doxology energize your prayers? Ephesians 3:20 of the doxology should energize our prayers because we pray to a God whose power is limitless. We can be assured that our request to our Powerful God will be answered according to His riches. What happens when we limit God by our own ability to comprehend? When we limit God by our own ability to comprehend we end up living below our means in Christ. This can lead to weaken faith. How can we get past this failing? We can get past this failing by realizing the extent of God's power within us and operating in that knowledge. When we pray, we ought to believe He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him and we will receive the answers to our petitions.

Q7. (3:19) Have you ever prayed for a fellow believer that he or she might be "filled with all the fullness of God"? What would you be praying for with that kind of prayer? Yes, I have. I prayed that they might know God as he is. He is a God who can sustain them in their walk with Him and the God who will provide for their need. How does this prayer relate to Ephesians 5:27 and Colossians 1:28? This is a prayer for the people of God to be made perfect in Christ Jesus as they are filled with the knowledge of Him; so that when Christ returns for His Church he can present to God the Father a Glorious church, without blemish. "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Eph 5:27 "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:" Col. 1:28

Q6. (3:17-19) Why does Paul pray that the believers grasp the fullest extent of Christ's love for them? Paul prayed that the believers grasp the fullest extent of Christ's love for them that they might fully know Christ's loves them to the nth degree and this love that is in us we also can love each other. How does comprehending this love change a person's spiritual life? Comprehending this love causes a person to know that the God they serve loves them beyond measure, regardless of their personality He loves them. Is there any end to Christ's love for a person? No, there is no end to Christ's love for a person. His is the ultimate love. 1 John 4:8 says, "... God is Love." God cannot exist apart from love and demonstrated that love to us. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Q5 (3:16-17) Why does Paul pray for strengthening of the inner man? Paul prays for strengthening of the inner man because the strength of the Believer comes from within. It is fueled by the Holy Spirit indwelling in the inner man. How would we pray this prayer today? That the inner man be strengthened daily and that the Holy Spirit indwelling be manifested to the glory of God. Why does he pray that Christ dwell in the believers' hearts? Isn't this already an established fact? Paul prays that Christ dwell in the Believers' hearts that we may be filled with God's goodness. This is established in the believers' hearts when they accept Christ as Savior. However, Paul is praying so that Christ dwelling becomes permanent and the Believer remains steadfast in the faith, strong in the Holy Spirit.

Q4. (1:18) Why is a revelation of "his incomparably great power for us who believe" essential to a vital faith? "His incomparably great power for us who believe" is essential to a vital faith so that we would operate in the fullness of our capabilities, as empowered by the Holy Spirit. The incomparably great power that lies within or upon us, will lie dormant until this revelation is accepted as a part of our DNA in Christ and then we will do "greater miracles" enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit upon us. How do you develop this faith in yourself? This faith is developed as we believe and allow the manifestation of this great power to flow in our ministry. How do you pray for it for others? That their understanding and knowledge of the working of "his incomparably great power for us who believe" is ours and is available for today.

Q3. (1:18) What is the result in prayer and faith if believers think that God is poverty-stricken? If believers thought that God was poverty-stricken they too would live in a poverty-stricken condition and be satisfied. How does knowledge of a "glorious inheritance" motivate our lives? Our prayers? We are motivated knowing that our inheritance is filled with the presence of Our God. Yet again, He promise never to leave me, never to leave me alone. How can you pray for others to glimpse this inheritance? That the Holy Spirit of God would open their eyes and give them a glimpse of the glorious inheritance that awaits us.

Q2. (1:18) How has your Christian "hope" changed your way of living? The Christian "hope" - Christ imminent return gives me reasons to live my life in expectancy of that moment. Some day I shall be at home with Him. What is the result of Christians with only a meager or minute hope? Christians who have only a meager or minute hope probably live in despair most of the time, they are void of a prayer life and are not Spirit-Led. How would you pray for hope to be borne in others? For these I would pray that their spiritual eyes be enlightened, that their spiritual ears be in tune to the Holy Spirit and that their hearts be pliable to the move of the Holy Spirit of God.

Q1. (1:17-18). What do you learn from Paul's manner of prayer for the Ephesian believers? The Apostle Paul was very concerned for his fellow believers and yearned to see them grow in the faith and in the knowledge of God the Father. We too, ought to have the love and compassion for fellow believers and pray for the in like manner. If Christians stopped praying for people to receive a revelation of God, would people come to know God on their own? God has given to every man a God-conscience that they may seek Him. If Christians stopped praying for people to receive a revelation of God, some people would come to know God on their own, but there are those who God has placed in our path to pray for. Would God work in them at all? God works in anyone who believes in His Son Jesus Christ and avails themself to be used by Him. How important is this kind of prayer? Jesus told us to love each other and as our brother's keeper it is very important that we display this love in prayer for them. We pray for them that they be strenghten in their walk with Christ and that they have an abundant life. Also, this kind of prayer petitions the Holy Spirit to help the person know God better.

Q4. (22:43) Did Jesus get "special treatment" because he was the Son of God to have angels help and strengthen him in his spiritual struggle? Do we get that help, too? No, Jesus did not get "special treatment" because he was the Son of God, there are numerous places in the Bible where angels came and assisted people in desperate situations. We too, receive angelic help in times of need; for God tells us that He will always be there when we need Him.

Q3. (22:42) When Jesus prayed "not my will, but yours be done," was the Father pleased? Yes, the Father was very pleased because He knew and heard what was on Jesus' heart about the matter. Why is the Father not pleased when we are passive and uncaring and dispassionate in our prayers that his will be done? He's not pleased when we do not present our petitions to him, but instead cop-out to "let thy will be done." What is required for us to pray the prayer of submission with authenticity? We are required to present our desires before the Lord and once we have presented it all, we are to state that we are asking if it be the Father's will, let it be done.