Inquirer’s Class Introduction: Welcome! New Covenant Presbyterian Church Inquirer’s Class

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Course Outline What is the Bible? Who is God? What is Man? Who is Christ? Who is the Holy Spirit? How Do I Live as a Christian? What is the Church? How do I Grow? The Pilgrim’s Progress Course Outline

Membership Procedures Finish the course Fill out the Membership Application Meet with the elders Personal testimony Sufficient understanding of the Gospel Understanding of the Membership Vows A public reception during a worship service. Membership Procedures

“Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.” “Again, it is certain that man never achieves a clear knowledge of himself unless he has first looked upon God’s face, and then descends from contemplating him to scrutinize himself.” John Calvin We start with the Bible

The Old Testament written over a period of 1,500+ years, utilizing many different, human authors in the form of history, prophecy, poetry, and wisdom literature; The New Testament written over a period of 50-60 years utilizing 8-10 different, human authors in the form of gospel, history, instruction, prophecy

What do we find in the Bible? Historical record of creation and of God’s people What do we find in the Bible?

What do we find in the Bible? Poetry, Wisdom Literature What do we find in the Bible?

What do we find in the Bible? Gospels and Prophecy What do we find in the Bible?

What do we find in the Bible? Instruction & Teaching What do we find in the Bible?

“This is what the Lord says …” Over 2,000 times, it says: “This is what the Lord says …” The Scriptures are about: One divine author (the Holy Spirit) One divine revelation (message) One divine purpose (story)

 Gen. 1:1 Rev. 22:21 It all points to Christ

 Gen. 1:1 Rev. 22:21 It’s all about Christ! It all leads to Christ

God’s Word is: Inspired Inerrant Infallible Complete All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

We stay with the Bible The History of Man’s Regard for the Bible 325 – 1400s AD – Roman Catholic Church “Church tradition is equal to Scripture” October 31, 1517 – Martin Luther Sola Scriptura 1700s – The Age of Reason “Man’s reason is over Scripture” 1800s – Literary criticism & the rise of evolutionary theory 20th c. – the rise of “Liberalism” 21st c. – Relativism, Feminism & Gnosticism We stay with the Bible

We live according to the Bible. God reveals Himself in His Word. God reveals Himself in His Works. God reveals Himself in His Purpose. “We cannot know God fully But we can know God truthfully.” James Boice We live according to the Bible.

Read Chapters 1-3 Of The Westminster Confession of Faith Homework:

New Covenant Presbyterian Church Preaching God’s Sovereign Grace to a World of Need 128 St. Mary’s Church Rd., Abingdon, MD 21009 410-569-0289 www.ncpres.org www.ephesians515.com