A. We take these at its face value:
1. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt.5:48
a. With 1 Cor.2:10-11 in mind we search God's word revealed to us in the Bible!
God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him?
jIn the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 1 Cor.2:10-11
Then we figure out how we may fulfill this specific instruction!
b. We found Jn.17:21--> That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.
May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
c. We need to find God's way to become in the Father.
d. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ. Gal.3:26-27
e. After we are baptized for forgiveness of our sins. Acts 2:38
The Lord put us into the church. Acts 2:47 Church of Christ! Ro.16:16
f. The church is the body of Christ! Col.1:18
g. When we are in the body of Christ, we are in Christ!
h. When we are in Christ, we are in the Father!
i. When we are in the Father, we are as perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect!
2. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who believes not will be condemned. M:16:16
a. Yes, we take this instruction at its face value!
b. First we settle the second part that says: He who believes not will be condemned! Mk.16:16b
c. We found John 8:24 says, one does not believe Jesus is the Christ will die in sin!
So, he who believes not is enough to be condemned!
d. Yes, he who believes and is baptized will be saved! Mk.16:16a
e. All we need is read Mark 16:15 to know this instruction is for un-believers in the world!
He said to them: Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Mk.16:15
3. Yes, we take Ro.10:9 at its face value!
a. That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised
him from the dead, you will be saved.
b. By the grace of God, we found Ro.1:7!
To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God
our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Ro.1:7
c. This instruction is to the already baptized, saved saints in the church.
d. By the grace of God, we also found Acts chapter 15:1-30 and Ro.10:4.
e. Ro.10:9 was intended to prevent saved people from being confused by heretic teaching!
There no conflict between Mk.16:16 and Ro.10:9. They only addressed to different people!
B. We do not take these at its face value:
1. I am the vine; you are the branches…. John 15:5
a. We are human with body, soul and spirit. 1 Thes.5:23
b. We are not big or small woods!
c. This is about we must be in Christ to grow in our salvation! 1 Peter 2:1-2.
d. By the grace of God, we found sometimes Jesus used figurative speech! John 16:28-30
e. Sometimes Jesus were speaking clearly and without figurative speech! John 16:29
2. We do not take this at its face value! He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—
not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Cor.3:6
a. If you are in the church of Christ, the Spirit guide you read on to verse 9.
b. Then you will know letter mean the Law of Moses. Spirit means the New Testament Bible!
3. About the key and the chain in Rev.20:1 and the 1000 years reign with Christ in Rev.20:6.
a. We take these as figurative speech. The key and the chain is truth and the church of Christ!
b. The 1000 years means the period of New Testament time!
C. Conclusion: If the speaker is not a member of the church of Christ, his knowing can’t be right!