SCHOOL OF CHURCH LEADERSHIP

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 PRESENTATION

For many years we have been working with the Local Regulations to disciple new
converts and then baptize them. A manual for discipling new converts was implemented
a few years ago and has been in use.

In an analysis done for the National Church, it was noted that some local churches did
not have anything to offer the brothers after they were baptized, so they became
sedentary believers.

Given this need, the General Presbytery approved the “School of Church Leadership”
beginning the study: first with Introduction to Christian Life; second, the study of the
Local Regulations to be able to be baptized; third, the Introduction to Leadership topics;
and fourth, the themes of Effective Leadership divided: into the Theology area,
leadership area and personal area.

Newly converted brothers from now on, if they study with this plan, will be able to
receive a “Leader of Excellence” diploma if they study like this:

1. The Discipleship Manual or Introduction to the Christian Life, for new converts,
lasts 6 weeks, at a rate of 2 classes of 50 minutes per week.
2. The study of the Local Regulations will last at least two and a half months, at a
rate of 2 classes per week.
3. The Introduction to Leadership study lasts 4 months, with 2 classes per week.
4. The Effective Leadership study lasts 10 months, with 2 classes per week.

The Assemblies of God in Guatemala will issue the diploma.

The total study lasts at least 18 months or a year and a half.

Each subject will have to be passed with 60 points, including assignments and exams,
according to the content, whether it is theoretical or practical.

The approval of the subject has the option of recovery.

The new leaders of the church must go through this process and those who are already
in leadership must at least study the last two phases, in order to remain in the positions
they occupy.

New candidates for the ministry must have passed this process.

This study will contribute to the maturity of the believer, in love for the Lord, in service
and in love for the denomination.

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 INDEX
TOPICS PAGE
The Fruit of the Spirit ………………………………………….. 05
Fundamental Doctrines ……………………………………. 08
Christian family ……………………………………………….. 37
Identity with Assemblies of God………………………….. 41
Christian Service……………………………………………… 47
Personal Evangelism……………………………………….. 53
Internal Departments…………………………………….. 62
Introduction to Leadership…………………………………… 79
Divine Healing……………………………………………… 86
The man……………………………………………………… 91
Angeleology…………………………………………………… 101
Eschatology……………………………………………………. 109
Hamarteology…………………………………………………. 121
Soteriology……………………………………………………. 125
Pneumatology…………………………………………………………. 134
Ecclesiology…………………………………………………….. 139
The Bible…………………………………………………………. 143
The Atonement……………………………………………………. 157
God……………………………………………………………… 165
Jesus Christ………………………………………………………. 171
The discipling leader……………………………………………… 176
Homiletics………………………………………………………. 183
Bible Study Methods …………………………………. 191
Hermeneutics………………………………………………….. 196
Organization and Government of Assemblies of God……….. 201
Liturgy………………………………………………………….. 206
The Diaconate …………………………………………………… 211
Conflict resolution……………………………………….. 215
Administration…………………………………………….…… 221
Parliamentary Rules……………………………………………….. 228
Character Formation………………………………………. 235
Leader's Vision………………………………………………… 239
Appeal to the Ministry…………………………………… 245
Qualities of a Good Leader……………………………….. 251
Spiritual Authority………………………………………….. 258
Moral and Spiritual Quality…………………………………… 264
Leader Service……………………………………………….. 272
Human relations ………………………………………… 275

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INTRODUCTION TO LEADERSHIP

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 1. THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (3 classes)

Biblical basis: Galatians 5:22-23

AIM

Understand that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is the essence of the Christian's practical life.

INTRODUCTION

Most Christians strive to obtain the gifts of the Holy Spirit, others admire and even follow
the leaders that God uses with these powers; But the letter of introduction of a true man
of God is not the gifts, but the fruit of the Holy Spirit in him. The gifts say what the leader
does, the fruit says what the leader is.

The fruit is the impregnation of the character of Christ in the life of the leader. Paul
prayed that the Ephesian brothers would be strengthened with power in the inner man
by his Spirit; so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. Christ said, “By their
fruits you will know them.” The fruit of the Holy Spirit can be divided into three groups:
Those that relate to God, those that relate to others, and those that relate to the person
themselves.

THOSE WHO ARE RELATED TO THE LOVE OF GOD

1) Love: Comes from the Greek “agape” 1 Corinthians 13:1:3.

a) It is superior to the gifts of the Spirit.
b) It is superior to good works.
c) It is superior to sacrifices.
d) It is the distinguishing mark of the true Christian, John 13:35.

2) Joy: Comes from the Greek “jara” Happiness, joy, being well. The true joy:
a) It doesn't depend on the circumstances. Example: Jesus “…for the joy set before
him he endured the cross, despising the shame…” Hebrews 12:2.
b) It does not change with trials, 1 Peter 4:12-14.
c) It does not change despite suffering, Acts 16:22-34.
CHARLES ALLEN: He said: “Just as all the water in the world cannot quench the
fire of the Holy Spirit, neither should problems and tragedies quench the joy of the
Holy Spirit in the heart of the Christian.”
“Joy is the flag that flies from the palace staff when the King is present.”

3) Peace: Comes from the Greek “eirene” (Unite) and the Hebrew shalom Rest,
tranquility, security.
a) David said: “…He will make me rest in green pastures” Psalm 23:2.
b) Isaiah said: “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you;
because he has trusted in you” Isaiah 26:3.

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 c) Christ said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you
as the world gives it” John 14:27 . That is the peace that the Holy Spirit made a
reality in the Christian.
d) Charles H. Spurgeon said: “I looked at Christ and the dove of peace flew to me.”

THOSE WHO ARE RELATED TO THE LOVE OF ONE'S NEIGHBOR

1) Patience: It comes from the Greek “makrodsumia” Long-suffering.= Greatness of

soul.
a) It is enduring abuse (for being a leader and faithful to Christ) without anger or
revenge.
b) It is perseverance, the ability to stand firm under the burden of exhaustion,
tension and persecution.
c) It is a virtue that enables the leader to face the misfortunes of life without
blaspheming. Examples:
Joseph, son of Jacob, had to endure being sold by his brothers, was a slave to
Potiphar, imprisoned, but eventually became governor of Egypt, Genesis 37, 39,
and 41:37-57.
Jesus endured being humiliated, beaten, slapped and crucified, and from the
cross he said: “…Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do…” He
also said: “With your patience you will win your souls” Luke 21:19.
Paul wrote, “For this light, momentary affliction is working for us a more and more
excellent weight of glory” 2 Corinthians 4:17.

2) Benignity. It comes from the Greek “khrestóles” kindness, sensitivity.

a) Jesus was tender and kind, even the children approached him, Matthew 19:13-
15. Mark 10:13-16.
b) Paul said that he who serves God (the leader) should not be contentious, but kind
to all, 2 Timothy 2:24.
c) James wrote: “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, kind,
James 3:17.
d) The leader who lacks kindness will be unable to lead people to Jesus Christ.
e) The benign heart cries for the salvation of the evil and unfaithful and for the well-
being of the “good” and “faithful.”

3) Goodness. It comes from the Greek “agadsosune” Good or beneficence.

a) It is love in action, In John 12:3; We read: “Then Mary took a pound of very
precious pure nard ointment, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped them with
her hair…”
b) It is doing good from the heart to please God, without expecting rewards.
c) It is the true and authentic “fruit of the Holy Spirit” and is always accompanied by
patience and kindness.
“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving”

THOSE WHO RELATE TO THE PERSON HIMSELF

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 1) Faith: Comes from the Greek “ pistis” Credibility, conviction, loyalty, fidelity.
a) It is being loyal to the commitment after it loses its shine.
b) It is keeping your word even if complications arise.
c) That is to say no, a thousand times to temptation, if necessary to avoid future
evils.
d) It is refusing to abandon ship even when the waves of adversity are splashing
on the deck of marriage, relationships with children, ministry, and colleagues.
e) It is being faithful to the relationship with Jesus Christ, no matter the cost,
Galatians 2:20.
f) The apostle Paul is an example of faithfulness, he could say: “I have fought
the good fight, I have finished the race and I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy
4:7-9.

2) Meekness: It comes from the Greek “praotes”. Power, strength under control.
a) The perfect example of meekness is JESUS, Isaiah says: “He was distressed
and afflicted, and did not open his mouth; like a lamb he was led to the
slaughter; and like a sheep before its shearers, he was silent and did not open
his mouth” Isaiah 53:7.
b) The meek is like Jesus who was meek and humble, Matthew 11:29.
c) The leader filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit is a power in the hands of God.

3) Temperance. It comes from the Greek “enkrátela” Self-control, the ability to

control thoughts and actions.
a) Temperance enables man to control his sinful impulses and live in holiness.
Alexander the Great was an expert in many sciences and arts. He was known
as the greatest political and military genius of Greece; but unable to control
himself. He died at 33 years of age, drunk and suffering from malaria,
surrounded by women.
b) Temperance has to do with control over alcohol, gluttony, gossip, pride, envy,
illicit sex, dirty jokes, unnecessary expenses, indecent dresses, violence,
selfishness, apathy, anger, disordered passions and others. Peter
recommends: “Add…to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, patience” 2
Peter 1:5,6.

CONCLUSION

Christians need the practice of the fruit of the Spirit, but leaders in dealing with groups
of people in the church must give utmost importance to these spiritual virtues. Without
these qualities, it will be impossible to maintain good relationships with God, with others,
and be satisfied when carrying out the work of the church for the enlargement of the
kingdom of God.

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 2. DOCTRINAL SUMMARY (10 classes)

Compiled by Isabel Gerónimo

BIBLICAL BASIS: Acts 2:42; 1Timothy 4:16

AIM

Know the biblical doctrines that Assemblies of God practices so that believers are solid
in their faith.

INTRODUCTION

This study has been prepared especially for the new convert, in order to help you easily
know and understand the biblical doctrines practiced by the Assemblies of God.

THE HOLY BIBLE

A. What is the Bible

The Bible is the inspired Word of God; the revelation of God to man, the infallible rule
of faith and conduct; superior to conscience, but not contrary to reason. “The Holy
Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. And
prepared for every good work,” 2 Timothy 3:15-17.
The word of God was inspired by the Holy Spirit and revealed to the holy men of
God. “No prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation, for prophecy was never
brought about by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by
the Holy Spirit,” 2 Peter 1:20-21; Exodus 4:10-15; Deuteronomy 4:2; Jeremiah 1:9
The expression, “And God said,” is found more than 2,600 times in the Old
Testament. Phrase that puts the seal of God's authority on his word.
The sixty-six books were written by about forty different authors, over a period of
approximately my six hundred years. It deals with diverse issues and yet maintains a
unity of thought that is explained only by admitting that Scripture was directed by the
mind of God.
Its circulation is extraordinary. It has been translated into hundreds of languages and
is read in most people around the world. It is the oldest book, however, the most
modern. In the face of persecution and opposition from science, its preservation has
been extraordinarily wonderful. In relation to our Lord Jesus Christ, more than three
hundred prophecies were fulfilled.
B. The word of God is for instruction:

1. It is the commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ. “Search the Scriptures;

because it seems to you that in them you have eternal life; and they are the
ones who testify about me”, John 5:39; Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 4:1-2.

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 2. It was written for our instruction. “For the things that were written before were
written for our learning, so that through patience and the comfort of the
Scriptures we might have hope,” Romans 15:4.
3. It leads to the emergence of the new man. “being born again not of corruptible
seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God that lives and abides forever,” 1
Peter 1:23; John 3:5; James 1:18.
4. It is a sharp sword that penetrates to the depths of the being to discern
whether the believer's thoughts and motives are spiritual or not. Hebrews 4:12
says, “For the Word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-
edged sword; and penetrates to the point of dividing the soul and the spirit, the
joints and the marrow, and discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
5. It produces men who are faithful and capable of teaching others as well. 2
Timothy 2:2 says, “Entrust what you have heard from me in the presence of
many witnesses to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
6. The central theme of the Bible is Jesus Christ. “They are the ones who testify
about me,” John 5:39. Without Christ the Bible would be nothing more than an
ordinary book.
7. It contributes to the sanctification of the believer. “Sanctify them by your truth,
your Word is truth,” John 17:17.

The Bible is God's book and has the power to change lives. There you will find
advice, ordinances and promises from God that will bless you for this time and for
eternity.

THE ONLY TRUE GOD

In this doctrine the existence, nature and unity of God will be briefly commented.
A. The existence of God.
The existence of God is presented as an evident fact in the Bible. The sacred
writers never referred to God to prove that he exists, they simply exalted his
works. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” Genesis 1:1.
“You have not known, you have not heard that the eternal God is Jehovah, who
created the ends of the earth,” Isaiah 40:28.
When God commissioned Moses with the great task of freeing the people of
Israel from Egyptian slavery, he did not identify himself as I EXIST. Reading
Exodus 3:13-14, Moses said to God: Behold, I come to the children of Israel and
say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you. If they asked me: What
is your name? And God answered Moses: I AM WHO I AM. And he said, Thus
you shall say to the children of Israel: I AM sent me to you. Therefore it is correct
to declare that:

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 1. God is from eternity. “Before the mountains arose, and you
formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are
God,” Psalm 90:2.
2. His being does not depend on the existence of other beings
because He is by Himself. In his identification “I AM WHO I AM” in
Exodus 3:14 his absolute independence is demonstrated.
3. He is the creator of all things. “In the beginning God created the
heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. “By the word of the Lord the heavens
were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth,” Psalm 33.6
Read all of Psalm 33; John 1.1-3.
4. He has revealed himself to his creatures:

 In creation. Psalm 19:1 Romans 1:20, Genesis 1:1.

 In Jesus Christ, the living word. Hebrews 1:1-2; John 1:1-3; John
1:18; John 14:9-10.

 In the Bible, the written Word. Only the fool (atheist) can say in his
heart, there is no God, according to Psalm 14:1 “The fool said in his
heart there is no God”, Hebrews 11:3; 2 Peter 3:5; Isaiah 55:10-11.

B. The nature and attributes of God.

The finite mind of man is not capable of understanding the infinite of God. Man
needs the illumination of the Holy Spirit. The following statements will help us
understand how and who God is:

1. The nature of God

God is Spirit. John 4:24 says, “God is a Spirit, and those who worship him must
worship him in spirit and truth.” Read 2 Corinthians 3:17. Although there are
many references to God in the Old Testament as having hands, feet, eyes,
heart, and ears, this does not imply that God has a body like humans, because
He is a spirit. In 1 John 4:12 it says, “No one has ever seen God.”
2. The attributes of God

 Omniscient. He has the power to know everything. Psalm 139:1-4; Isaiah

46:9-10; Romans 11:33.

 Omnipotent. Everything you can. Genesis 18:14; Job 42:2; Genesis 17:1.

 Omnipresent. It's everywhere. Jeremiah 23:23-24; Psalm 139:7-10 Acts

17:27-28.

 Eternal. Without beginning or end. Hebrews 1:11-12; Revelation 1:8;

Psalm 90:2.

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  Immutable. Malachi 3:16.

The student can investigate more about the attributes of God, such as holiness,
justice, mercy, goodness and love.

C. The trinity of God.

Biblical foundation of the trinity.

The unity of God and the trinity of God are inseparable truths and establish each
other. The Scriptures demonstrate and teach the Trinity of God. The most used
name of the Deity is, in Hebrew, Elohim and it is a plural name. The name of
Jehovah is singular. The two names used together indicate unity and plurality
(Gen. 1:1; Ex 3:14). Also in the compound name El Shaddai, the first name El is
singular and the second name Shaddai is plural.

Thus we have another combination of singular and plural (Genesis 17:1).

God uses plural pronouns when talking about himself. Genesis 1.26; Genesis
11:7; Isaiah 6:8. The father is mentioned in the Old Testament, Isaiah 63:16;
Psalm 64:18.

1. The Holy Spirit is mentioned from the beginning. Genesis 1:2; Judges
6:34. The Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Old Testament. Genesis 1:2;
Genesis 6:4; Isaiah 42:1.

2. The Father is a creator together with the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1:1; Job 33.4. The son is mentioned in the Old Testament.
Psalm 2:7-12.

3. The New Testament references speak very clearly of the three

persons. Matthew 3.16-17 Matthew 28.19; 2 Corinthians 13:14 John
14:26; Luke 1:35.

4. There is a Father-God Romans 1:7, Son-God Hebrews 1:8, Holy Spirit-

God Acts 5:3-4.

5. The existence of the One true God manifested in the Trinity is well
defined by the Holy Scriptures, which reveal that he subsists in the
three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The church confronts the
following truths:

6. That the deity is one. Deuteronomy 6:4.

7. That the Father is God, that the son is God, and that the Holy Spirit is
God; and yet they are not three Gods, but one Deity. 1 John 5:7.

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 8. These three persons are not three aspects of the Godhead, but a real
and mysterious distinction of the tripersonality of God. In the following
verses of the Old Testament we are given indications that the Deity is
composed of more than one person.

9. In Genesis 1:26 we have the words in plural LET US MAKE man in

OUR likeness, gives hints of the Trinity, Genesis 3:22.

10. In Genesis 11:7, so do the words: LET US GO DOWN AND

CONFUSE... Isaiah 6.8.

11. In Isaiah 6:8, Psalm 2:7 and 12 and Isaiah 63:10, THE FATHER, THE
SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT are mentioned separately.

The Trinity in the New Testament. The New Testament does not give hints, but
clearly teaches the doctrine of the Trinity. Luke 1:35; Acts 10:38.
1. Our Lord Jesus Christ mentions the three persons in John 15:26.

2. He also mentions them in the baptismal formula in Matthew 28.19.

3. In the apostolic blessing the Apostle Paul says: “The grace of the Lord
JESUS CHRIST, the love of GOD, and the fellowship of the HOLY
SPIRIT, be with you all,” 2 Corinthians 13:14 Luke 1:35; Luke 4:18.

4. The baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, the doctrine of the Trinity is
clearly illustrated as follows: THE SON is baptized by John, THE HOLY
SPIRIT descends upon the Son, THE FATHER speaks from heaven.
Matthew 3:16.

The triune God is man's savior. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.
The distinction of the three persons of the Trinity is manifested in the work of
Redemption in which we learn that: THE FATHER loved the world and sent
THE SON; the SON came and worked the Redemption; then he returned to
the bosom of the FATHER; THE FATHER and THE SON sent the HOLY
SPIRIT.
In conclusion: the doctrine of the Trinity teaches us that in God there are
three distinct persons in a single Deity. Not that there are three Gods, but one
Deity. Deity: (Lat. Deitatis) Divine being or divine essence.

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

In this lesson we will learn about Jesus Christ in the following aspects:

A. The humanity of Jesus Christ.

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 1. Christ was born of human kinship.

 His birth was prophesied. According to Genesis 3:15. From the lineage
of Abraham. Genesis 17:7; Genesis 22.18. From the lineage of David.
Psalms 132:11; Jeremiah 23:5. He had to be born of a virgin. Isaiah
7:4.

 Attested by the New Testament writers. Matthew 1:18; Matthew 12:47,

Matthew 13:55; John 1:14; Galatians 4:4.

2 His physical development was just like that of other men.

 His appearance was that of a man. The Samaritan woman took him for a
Jew John 4:9. On some occasions even after the resurrection, the disciples
took him for a common man Luke 24.13-16; John 20:15; John 21:4-5.

 He had a spirit Luke 23:46, a soul Matthew 26:38, and a body John 1:14
Hebrews 10:10. His human nature was truly human; but also absolutely
sinless Hebrews 4:15.

 He was subject to human needs, hunger Matthew 4:2, fatigue John 4:6,
thirst John 19:28.

 He experienced anguish Matthew 4:2, sadness John 11:35, temptation

Hebrews 4:15.

 Some names that describe his humanity: “Son of man” Luke 19:10, “Jesus
of Nazareth” Acts 2:22, “Jesus Christ the man” 1 Timothy 2:5, “Son of
David” Matthew 12:23.

B. THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST .

1. Their divine names.

God John 1:1; Hebrews 1:8. The son of God Matthew 16:16-17; John 5:25;
John 10:36. Lord (in a divine sense) Acts 4:33; Acts 16:31; Matthew 22:43-
45. Alpha and Omega Revelation 22:13; Revelation 1:8. Jesus Matthew 1:21.
2. Christ received worship. John 20:28; Matthew 14:33; Luke 5:8; Luke 24:52;
Hebrews 1:6.

Only God is worthy of worship Matthew 4:10; Revelation 22:8-9. Paul and
Peter worked hard to prevent men from worshiping them. Acts 10:2-26; Acts
14:11,18. Herod was destroyed because he accepted worship Acts 12:21-24.
Jesus himself said “Worship only God” and if He were not God, He would not
have consented to be worshiped in Hebrews 1:6. He accepted worship
because he is God John 20:28; Matthew 28:9.

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 3. The divine qualities of Jesus.

Pre-existence, John 1:1; John 8:58. It exists by itself, John 5:21-26; John
17:5; John 1:4. The fullness of divinity, Colossians 2:9. Creator, John 1:3 and
sustainer of the universe, Colossians 1:17. Forgive sins, Luke 7:48; Mark 2:8-
10. Raise the dead, John 6:39, 40,54; John 11.25. He is Judge of all, John
5:22.

C. THE DIVINE ATTRIBUTES OF JESUS

Omnipotence, Matthew 28.18; Ephesians 1:21. Omniscience, John 16:30;

Hebrews 4:13. Omnipresence, Matthew 18:20; Ephesians 1:23.
Immutability, Hebrews 13:8. Eternity, Revelation 1:18.

His relationship with the Father is demonstrated in the following quotes:

His visit to the temple, Luke 2:48-49. Baptism in water, Matthew 3:13-17. His
own testimony, John 3:13; John 10:30-33.

THE REDEMPTION OF MAN.

A. Its importance.

An indispensable basis of the Christian religion is the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.

This doctrine is the foundation of faith. In Christianity, God manifests his love for
the world by providing redemption for humanity through the death of Jesus. Jesus
came into the world to die, Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:5; Matthew 20:28; Luke
24:25-27,44.
1. Jesus' death.

 It is a Ransom, Matthew 20:28; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 1:18,19. Ransom is

the price paid to free a person or thing. Christ rescued the sinner from the
wrath of God by paying the price with his own life.

 Propitiation, Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2. The mercy seat was the cover of
the ark where the Holy God communicated with the people of Israel Exodus
25:21-22; Hebrews 9:5. Christ is now the propitiation for us, being He the
propitiatory sacrifice and at the same time the means by which man can go to
God and have communion with Him.

 Reconciliation, Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Ephesians 2:16;

Colossians 1:20. The enmity between God and man, caused by sin, is
removed through the sacrifice of the Son.

 Substitution, Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Substitution indicates one given thing in place of another. Christ gave his life

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 for us. He died undeservedly in our place. See the story of the Passover lamb
Exodus Chapter 12, and that of the ram sacrificed in place of Isaac Genesis
chapter 22.

NOTE: In these four aspects of the death of Jesus, we see the reason and
necessity for it, the shed blood of Jesus, provides the only means of
communion between God and sinful man, Ezekiel 18:23; acts 4:12; Hebrews
10:16-22.
2. Its reach. Christ died for all men Isaiah 53:6; 1 Timothy 2:6; 2 Corinthians
5.19; John 3:16. However, it is necessary to accept with faith his redeeming
work to enjoy the benefits of it, John 1:12; John 3:16,36.

B. The resurrection of Christ.

The fact that the body of Christ was not in the tomb after the third day is
fundamental to the Christian faith, 1 Corinthians 15:14, 17,18.

The preaching of the resurrection of Christ is the vital message of the Christian
faith.

Its importance is seen by the preaching of the apostles: The Apostle Peter Acts
2:24,32; Acts 3:15; Acts 4:10, Acts 5:31; Acts 10:40; 1 Peter 1:21. The Apostle
Paul Acts 13:30-34; Acts 17:31; 1 Corinthians chapter 15; Philippians 3:21. The
early church was established on this truth, Acts 4:33.

1. The reality of the resurrection.

o Christ died. The soldiers pierced him with a spear, John 19:33-37.
Pilate and the Centurion were assured that he had died, Mark
15:44-45. Joseph of Arimathea buried him, Matthew 27.57-60.

o Christ resurrected. The empty tomb, Mark 16:6; Luke 24.3. Seen by
his disciples, Luke 24:36-43. Other statements regarding this, 1
Corinthians chapter 15; Revelation 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3-21.

.2. The benefits of the resurrection of Christ.

Ensures justification for the sinner, Romans 4:25. Provides power to live a
victorious life, Romans 6:4; 8:11. The believer is assured of an intercessor,
Romans 8:34. It assures the believer of resurrection and immortality, John
14:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:14. Ensures the day of judgment for the sinner,
Acts 17:31.

C. Exaltation and ascension.

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 Jesus our precursor, Hebrews 6:20. He has prepared a place for us, John
14:2. He is our intercessor, Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1, Romans 8:34.
He constitutes himself head of the church, Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:15,16. The
spirit poured out according to the promises, John 16:7; Acts 1:4,5; Acts 2:1-4,
32,33. Death and Satan were defeated, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57.

THE SALVATION

DEFINITION: Salvation is a spiritual and miraculous transformation effected by the Lord

Jesus Christ in the inner man and affecting the entire being, John 3:3-5.
To understand the fundamental principles of the doctrine of salvation, the participation of
God in whom redeeming grace is born and the participation of man who is the subject or
beneficiary of the gift of salvation must be taken into account.
A. What God has done.

1. Sending his Son Jesus Christ, Savior of humanity, Isaiah 53:4-6; Matthew
1:21; Luke 2:10-11; 1 Peter 1:18-19.

2. Provide saving grace, Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:24. Grace is God's

unmerited favor toward man, hence salvation begins with God, who extends
his mercy to the fallen race.

3. Send your Holy Spirit who:

Convince the world of sin, justice and judgment, John 16.7-8. It does the
work of regeneration in the individual, John 3:3-5. Sanctify the believer, 1
Peter 1:2. Guide the convert to the truth, John 16:13-15.
4. Use the power of His Word, Hebrews 4:12.

Which intervenes in the new birth, 1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18. Which makes a
man wise for salvation, 2 Timothy 3:15-17. Which encourages the Christian to
turn away from sin and evil, Psalm 119:9 and 11; John 6:63.
5. Declare the sinner free of guilt. This is what is known as justification, Romans
5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

6. Produce in the life of the sinner the change known as regeneration, Titus 3:5;
2 Peter 1:3-4; John 3.3, 5,7; 2 Corinthians 5:17.

7. Stimulating him towards a life dedicated, set apart and consecrated to God
which is known as sanctification, 1 Corinthians 1:2.

8. Purify the believer in the “washing of water by the Word,” Ephesians 5:26.

B. What man has done.

1. Recognize that you are a sinner. Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8 and 10.

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 2. Put your faith in the merits of Jesus Christ, receiving Him as your personal
Savior. Acts 16:31; Acts 4:12; John 1:12; John 3:16; Revelation 3:21.

3. Believe the Word. John 5:24; 5:39; Romans 10:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

4. Sincerely repent of your sins. Acts 2:38; 3:19; Matthew 3:2.

5. Confess your sins to God. 1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13.

6. Turn away from sin. Isaiah 55:7; Ezekiel 18:21; 2 Timothy 2:19. See the
example of the “Prodigal Son”, Luke 15.

THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH

A. Baptism in Water.
The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who
repent and believe in Christ as their Savior and Lord must be baptized. By
obeying this command believers declare to the world that they have died with
Christ and have also been raised together with Him to walk in newness of life,
Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:6; Acts 10:47; Rom. 6:4.
1. Considerations of baptism in water.
 It is a type of the death of the old man and the resurrection of the new
man, to walk in newness of life, Romans 6:4-6; Ephesians 4:22-24.
 To be baptized in water it is required: Give a clear and sincere
testimony of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ on the part of the candidate,
Acts 8:26-38; Colossians 2:12. Baptism is to be optional “as a demand
for a clear conscience before God,” 1 Peter 3:21. Fruits worthy of
repentance are required on the part of the candidate, Matthew 3:7-8.

2. The formula of baptism in water

Baptism is to be administered in the name of the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19; 3:13, 16,17.

3. Baptism must be done by immersion:

 The word baptize means in the original Scriptures, immersion or
“dipping” and not merely sprinkling.
 Romans 6:4 also teaches that he must be buried (for a person will not
be buried with just a few handfuls of dirt on his head).
 PC Nelson in his book Biblical Doctrines says talking about baptism by
immersion.
Baptism requires water, Acts 8:36. Baptism requires an abundance of
water, John 3:23. Baptism requires that both the baptizer and the
candidate must descend into the water, Acts 8:34. Baptism requires

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 burial in water, Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12. Baptism requires coming
up from the water, Matthew 3:16; Acts 8.39.
B. The Holy Supper
The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements of bread and the fruit of the vine, is
the symbol that expresses our participation in the nature of our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 Peter 1:4 and also represents a memorial of the suffering and death of the Lord,
I Corinthians 11:26 and at the same time containing a prophecy of His Second
Coming, I Corinthians 1:26. Therefore, the observance of the Lord's Supper is
demanded of all believers “until He comes.”
The Holy Supper of the Lord was instituted by the Lord himself on the night he
was betrayed, and he ordered that it be practiced until his second coming,
Matthew 26:26-30; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
1. The elements of Bread and wine symbolize the Body and Blood of Christ.
 His body was broken on the cross to bear the sins of many, Isaiah 53:3-6;
1 Peter 2:24.
 His blood establishes the new covenant for the remission of sins and the
promise of Eternal Life, Matthew 26:28; 1 Corinthians 11:25.
2. The Lord's Supper is a commemoration of the death of Jesus and the
promises of his second coming, 1 Corinthians 11:26.
3. He who takes the Lord's Supper is enjoying the privilege of partaking of the
divine nature of Christ, John 6:53-56; 2 Peter 1:4.
4. The participant must do a self-examination before participating in this
privilege, to avoid taking it in an unworthy state, 1 Corinthians 11:28-29.
5. The Lord's Supper is a mandatory “Observance”, unlike water baptism, which
is an “optional” observance, the Lord's Supper must be practiced out of
obedience. The Lord said:
“Take and eat” Matthew 26:26. “Do this” 1 Corinthians 11:24. The Holy Supper
is not only a privilege but constitutes a duty. Not making an effort to take it
constitutes disobedience to the commandment “Do this.”

NOTE:
The believer who considers himself unworthy to participate in the Holy
Supper, instead of not taking it, it is better to seek the Lord and thus renew
his consecration to be able to take it with the entire church. In this way the
Holy Supper will be a means to raise and maintain high the spiritual
standard of the church.

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.

DEFINITION: The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience distinct from

conversion, received by converts. The Holy Spirit fills your being and empowers
you to serve.

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A. Prophecies and promises of baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Given by the prophets, Joel 2.28-29. Compared to Acts 2:16-18; and

Isaiah 28:11 with 1 Corinthians 14:21. Given by John the Baptist, Matthew
3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33. Given by Jesus, John 14:16, 17,26;
John 16:7-11; Mark 16:17; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:5-8. Given by the apostles,
Acts 2:38-39.
B. Terms used to describe this experience.

1. Being “baptized” in the Holy Spirit, Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:5.

2. Be “filled” with the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:4; Ephesians 5:18. This last
verse talks about two things; receiving the promise and staying filled
with the Holy Spirit.

3. “The Holy Spirit fell on,” Acts 10:44; 11:15.

4. The Holy Spirit “came upon,” Acts 19:6.

5. The “receiving” of the Holy Spirit, Acts 8:15-17.

6. “The gift of the Holy Spirit”, Acts 2:38.

7. The “pouring out” of the Holy Spirit, Acts 10:45; Acts 2:16 and 18.

8. God “has given the Holy Spirit,” Acts 5:32; Acts 15:8; John 7:39.

9. “The promise of the Father,” Luke 24:49; John 14:14:17,26.

10. An “Anointing of the Holy Spirit,” 1 John 2:20,7.

C. Means to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

1. Repentance, Acts 2:38.

2. A true salvation, Mark 16:16-17.

3. A pure and sincere heart, Acts 8:18-21.

4. Faith in God, Hebrews 11:6; Galatians 3:2.

5. Persistence in prayer, Acts 1:14; 2:1; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 5,14;
Luke 11:13.

D. Evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

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1. Immediate evidence. Speak in other languages. The initial evidence:
Acts 10:46 "because they heard them speaking with a tongue, and
they magnified God."

Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to
speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them to speak.”
Acts 11:15 “And when I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them
also, as on us at the beginning.”
Acts 19:6 “And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy
Spirit came upon them; and they spoke with tongues, and they
prophesied.”
Mark 16:17 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In my
name they will cast out demons; and they will speak new
languages.”
Paul spoke in tongues:
1 Corinthians 14:18 “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than
all of you.”
2. Later evidence. The Holy Spirit imparts various gifts to church
members for the work of ministry, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.

 The gift of the word of wisdom. This gift enables the possessor to
speak words of wisdom in times of need.

 The gift of the word of science. This gift is best explained by saying
“gift of knowledge.” It is very especially the gift of teachers for
teaching the Word of God, this science refers to knowledge about:

The Deity, his work, and his relationship to humanity, Romans

11:33; Ephesians 3:17-19. The Christian faith, Romans 15:14.
 The gift of faith. It must be distinguished from saving faith and that
trust in God without which it is impossible to please Him. The gift of
faith is that peculiar quality of which it may be said that a grain of it
would move mountains, Matthew 17:20. Example of the gift of faith:
Acts 3.4-6; 1 Kings 18:33-35.

 The gifts of healings. Having the gifts of healing indicates the fact of
having extraordinary virtue to heal the sick through the prayer of
faith. Every believer can pray for divine healing and many times
God answers this prayer, but having the gift of healing is a ministry
in itself. It is understood that those for whom one prays will not
always be healed, since the sovereign will of God and the attitude
and spiritual condition of the sick person have to take place.
Examples: Acts 8:6, 13; 28:8,9.

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  The gift of miracles. A miracle is a supernatural event that exceeds
the employer's natural means. What remains outside human power
and satanic power is “God's power” examples: John 14:12; Acts
1:8.

 The gift of prophecy. There are two kinds of manifestations of the

gift of prophecy: Biblical prophecy: the proclamation of a message
received for edification, exhortation, and consolation, 1 Corinthians
14:3. Pronunciations inspired by the Holy Spirit through a revelation
given at the moment.

Prophecy is distinguished from preaching in that preaching is the

product of known revelation, while prophecy is the result of
spontaneous illumination. There may be manifestations of the gift
of prophecy in preaching. The fact that it is allowed to prove or
judge the prophecies of 1 Corinthians 14:29 indicates that these
are not at the level of the Holy Scriptures.
Examples of this gift: Acts 27:10-11; 1 Corinthians 14:3, 24,25.
 The gift of discernment of spirits. The gift of discernment of spirits
enables the possessor to protect the church from error.

 The gift of languages. This is the power to speak supernaturally in a

language that has never been learned, and serves for personal
worship of God. 1 Corinthians 14:2.

 The gift of interpretation. The purpose of this gift is to make known to

the congregation by supernatural power, and a language known to
all, what the Spirit has set forth in an unknown language. The same
Spirit that inspires the one who gives the message in tongues,
inspires the one who gives the interpretation and with the same
inspiration and the same spontaneity. So interpretation, like
pronunciation in tongues, emanates from the Holy Spirit and not from
the human intellect.

Let us note that tongues with their interpretation is equal to the

prophecy of 1 Corinthians 14:5, but tongues alone are a sign to
unbelievers. 1 Corinthians 14:22.

SANCTIFICATION

A. Sanctification means:
 Separation from evil.
 Devotion to God.

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 1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For the will of God is your sanctification; that you depart
from fornication.”
2 Chronicles 29:5,15-18; 2 Timothy 2:21; Exodus 19:20-22. Sanctification is
cleansing oneself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit and at the same time
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

B. Holiness.
God Jehovah is Holy and requires his children to be holy. 1 Peter 1:16-17;
Hebrews 12:14.
The words “Sanctification”, “Holiness”, “Holy”, “Consecration” are synonyms. The
word holy provides the following ideas:
1) Separation . God is holy and separate from everything earthly and human.
When the Holy God wishes to use a person for his service, he separates him
from everything in order to use him, and by virtue of his separation, the person
or object becomes Holy.
2) Dedication. Holiness includes both a separation from something and a
dedication to something. When the believer separates himself to serve God,
he must dedicate himself entirely to his service. This is also involved in
sanctification.
3) Purification. Everything that is separated and dedicated to God must also be
purified. The things dedicated to him must be clean, those who are declared
“sanctified (Hebrews 10:10) are also exhorted to pursue holiness with all.
(Hebrews 12:14). Those who have been cleansed (1 Corinthians 6:11) are
exhorted to cleanse themselves from all uncleanness. (2 Corinthians 7:1).
4) Consecration. After consecration, the believer is obligated to live a holy life
before God. (1 Peter 1:15).
5) Service. Service is the most immediate evidence of holiness. Serving God, in
this “saint” relationship, is equivalent to being a priest Isaiah 6:1-8. After Isaiah
was sanctified, he had the vision to serve and said, “Here am I, send me.” The
apostle Paul perfectly expressed this double aspect when he spoke of himself
in relation to God and said: “whose I am and whom I serve” Acts 27.23.
C. The time of holiness
1. Immediate (at the time of his conversion) 1 Corinthians 6:10-11.
2. Progressive (at all times the believer will strive to perfect his sanctification) 2
Corinthians 7:1-2; Hebrews 12:14.
3. Complete (in the resurrection) 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 John 3:2-3.

D. Means to obtain complete sanctification.

“Sanctify them by your truth: your word is truth” John 17:17. The study of the
Holy Scriptures, accompanied by prayer and attentive listening to the messages

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 of the Word of God preached by anointed servants of the Holy Spirit, is
designed to be a means towards our sanctification. Ephesians 4:11,12 shows
us that the Lord gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to
the church, for the specific purpose of perfecting the saints. In Hebrews 12:14
we are advised to pursue “holiness” without which no one will see the Lord. In
the same chapter we are told that punishment is administered by the loving
Father in order to produce in us “the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (v. 11). In
Romans 6 and 2 Corinthians 6, and in numerous other passages, the believer
is exhorted to separate himself from all evil and to dedicate himself to God and
his work without reservation, thus cooperating with God in his sanctification, in
order to obtain the measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:13

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE LOCAL CHURCH AND ITS MISSION.

Believers in Jesus Christ who live in the same community must come together to form a
local church. Matthew 18:19-20 Acts 8:1 Acts 9:31.
A. Church Goals:

1. Worship and serve God in spirit and truth. John 4:23-24 Acts 13:2 Psalm 117
and Colossians 3:16.
2. Edify and disciple its members. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Ephesians 4:16
3. Communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ to the whole world. Matthew 28:19-
20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8

The local church by fulfilling these three objectives presented by the Word of God
will have a New Testament church.
B. Duties of members

1. Grow in spiritual knowledge. “But grow in grace and the knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 1 Corinthians
15:58.
2. Lead a life of holiness. “Pursue peace with all and holiness, without which no
one will see the Lord,” Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 2 Corinthians 7:1.
3. Do good and avoid evil. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with
good,” Romans 12:21
4. Love God and neighbor. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind; and your neighbor
as yourself,” Luke 10:27; Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18. Love extends
even to enemies. Matthew 5:43-48.
5. Preach the gospel of Jesus Christ “for I am not ashamed of the gospel
because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,”

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 Romans 1:16; Acts 5:42; 1 Corinthians 9:16; Mark 16:15-16 Matthew 28:18-
20.
6. Pray to intercede, confess, ask, meditate, wait, give thanks, worship and
praise God for his greatness. “Jesus also told them a parable about the need
to always pray and not lose heart,” Luke 18:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1
Thessalonians 5:17.
7. Give a good testimony of your new life in Christ. “So if anyone is in Christ, he
is a new creature, old things have passed away; behold, all things have
become new,” 2 Corinthians 5:17; Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:15.
8. Offering and tithing to sustain the worship of God and support national and
global evangelization. “Each person gives as he intends in his heart; not
sadly, nor out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver,” 2 Corinthians 9:7;
Malachi 3:10; Acts 20:35.
9. Lead consecrated lives in the service of the Lord and their brothers. “Let us
not get tired of doing good; for in due time we will reap, if we do not faint.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, and especially to
those of the family of faith,” Galatians 6:9-10; Romans 12:1; Romans 6:19.

Each believer is responsible for reflecting the love of Jesus toward the Father, toward
the brothers of the church, and toward the lost souls of the world.

THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH

A. The purpose of the church ministry

1. The worship of God in everything. John 4:23-24; Colossians 3:17; 3:23.

2. The building up of the body of the saints to perfect them in the image of his
Son Ephesians 4:11-1. Discipline with the word, participating in worship,
identifying the church with work, social work.

3. The evangelization of the world, Mark 16:15-20.

B. Church Goals

Believers in Christ in a community must form a local church or assembly,

Matthew 18:17-20; Acts 8.1; 9:31; 13:1; Revelation 1:4 whose objectives are:
1. Worship God in spirit and truth, John 4:23-24; Psalm 117; Colossians 3:16.

2. Cultivate the blessings that come from fellowship, Psalm 133; 1 John 1:7;
Matthew 18:19-20; Hebrews 10:25.

3. Impart instructions from the Sacred Doctrines of the Bible for the growth of
the Church in:

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  Spiritual knowledge, 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

 Holiness and moral strength, Psalm 119.9-11; 2 Corinthians 7:1.

 Love of God and neighbor, Luke 10:27; John 13:34.

4. Spread the knowledge of the gospel everywhere: Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8.

 Through a testimony of a faithful life. 1Peter 3:1; Matthew 5:16.

 Through the preaching of the word of God. Acts 5:42; Matthew 28:19-
20.

These goals are the highest ideals of man, which can inspire the human soul,
striving to fulfill them, your life will be changed into a true life of noble character,
bringing souls to the feet of Jesus Christ your savior and honor and glory to God.
The summary of these goals is found in Matthew 22:36-40, which says: “You shall
love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your
understanding, and with all your strength, and your neighbor as to yourself." The
Holy Scripture. The disciples were sent by Jesus Christ to indoctrinate and teach
throughout the world, Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15. From the day of Pentecost,
the apostles taught the doctrines of the Gospel to the unconverted and the newly
converted, Acts 2:40-42; 3:2. Paul also taught these doctrines for two years in
Ephesus in the school of Tyrannus, Acts 19:9-10 and in chapter 20:20 of Acts he
says: “he has shied away from announcing and teaching nothing that would be
useful” to others. that they be qualified to teach, 2 Timothy 2:1-2.

DIVINE HEALING

Divine healing is one of the fundamental doctrines with extensive scriptural support.
A. The origin of the disease.

1. The disease had its origin in Eden. After Adam and Eve disobeyed God,
Genesis 3:16; Romans 5:12.

2. Illness has always been a work of Satan. John 10:10; Acts 10:38; Luke
13:11-17; Hebrews 2:14-15.

3. Although sometimes diseases can be due to other natural causes such as:

 Alcoholic beverages destroy the liver, affect the nerves, the stomach,
the brain, and the entire body.

 Tobacco affects the heart, lungs and even causes cancer.

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  Gluttony produces digestive disorders.

 Excessive work without the necessary rest can cause mental and
emotional fatigue.

 Lack of cleanliness and not eating are causes of serious illnesses.

 Refusing vaccination can be a subsequent health risk.

4. Physical illness can be due to lack of spiritual health.

 Heart attacks sometimes follow an attack of anger.

 Ulcers have their cause in the emotional state, anxiety, agitation and
worry of the individual, as well as in the eating disorder.

 Some colic are due to fights and disagreements.

 Some doctors believe that a percentage of diseases have their origin in

emotional problems.

 It is absolutely necessary to have spiritual health to maintain physical

health.

B. HOW DIVINE HEALING IS OBTAINED.

1. By faith in the sacrifice made by our Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:4-5;
Matthew 8:17; James 5:15; 1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 9:29; Hebrews 11:6.

2. By faith in the Word. Psalm 107:20; Exodus 15:26; Mark 16:17-18.

3. For confessing sin before the Lord. James 5:15-16.

4. For intercessory prayer. Luke 10:9; James 5:14-15.

 The Lord Jesus Christ entrusted the ministry of healing first to the
twelve, then to the seventy, later to the entire church and finally to each
individual believer. John 14:12-13.

 The Lord Jesus Christ heals the sick today. Luke 7:21-22.

 The testimony of thousands of people who have been divinely healed

evidences that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever”
Hebrews 13:8.

 The gifts of healing imparted by the Holy Spirit carry the purpose of
ministering healing to the sick.

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THE FUTURE OR THE BLESSED HOPE.

In the light of the sacred scriptures; It is useful to have a general idea of future events.
These are presented based on the expectations of the current era.
The future events in their order of fulfillment are as follows: The rapture or translation of
the church, the great Tribulation; the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage of the
Lamb; the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennium, the Last Judgment, and finally
eternity.
A. The rapture or translation of the church.

1. Signs. Matthew 24:3-8.

 The false prophets. Matthew 24:5-11.

 Wars. Matthew 24:6.

 Rumors of war. Matthew 24:6-7.

 Pests. Matthew 24:7.

 Hungers.

 Earthquakes.

 The gospel preached throughout the world. Matthew 24:14.

 The resurgence of Israel as a nation. Matthew 24:32-35, the figure of

the fig tree refers to Israel, present in the concert of nations since 1948
AD

2. Reality of the rapture. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

 Michael the Archangel will sound the trumpet. 1 Thessalonians 4.16.

 Christ will descend from heaven. 1 Thessalonians 4:16.

 The dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thessalonians 4:16.

 The believers, alive, will be transformed and caught up together with

the resurrected ones to receive the Lord in the air. 1 Corinthians 15:52;
1 Thessalonians 4:17.

3. Form of the rapture.

 It will be personal. John 14:3; Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16.

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  Snapshot. Luke 17:24.

 Unexpected. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3.

4. Purpose of the rapture.

 Take faithful believers with you. Ephesians 5:27.

 Cease the suffering of believers. Revelation 21:4.

 Reward believers. Matthew 25:14-30.

 Raise the dead in Christ. 1 Corinthians 15.53-54; Philippians 3:20-21.

The resurrection of the body is characterized by:

o Revive the body. 1 Corinthians 15:36-37; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44.

o Transform the body so that it is similar to that of the Glory of Christ.

Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2-3.

o Glorify the body. John 20:26.

B. The tribulation.

This period of tribulation will cover a space of seven years that will be
prophetically located between the translation of the church and the Coming of
Christ in Glory.
1. Biblical description of the tribulation.

 Day of Jehovah's wrath. Zephaniah 1:15-18.

 Day of Judgment. Revelation 14:7; 15:4; 16:5-6; 19.2.

 Day of Jehovah's indignation. Isaiah 26:20-21; 34:1-3.

 Time of anguish. Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1.

 Day of darkness Joel 2:1-2; Zephaniah 1:14-18.

 Punishment day. Isaiah 24:20-21.

These passages describe the severity that will come upon the earth in this
period is the time when God's wrath and judgment fall upon the earth. “This
period differs from all tribulations, not only in intensity but also in the type of
tribulation, since it comes not from man, but from God.”
2. Purposes of the tribulation.

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  Prepare the nation of Israel to receive their Messiah. Jeremiah 30:7;
Ezekiel 20:37; Zechariah 13.8-9; Matthew 24.15-26; Revelation 7:4-8.

God's purpose with Israel in the tribulation is to bring conversion to a

multitude of Jews, who will enter into the blessings of the kingdom and
experience the fulfillment of all the covenants of Israel. Malachi 4:5-6;
Romans 11:25-27.
 Pour out judgment on unbelieving men and nations. Revelation 3:10;
mentions “The hour of testing that is to come upon the whole world”
Read Jeremiah 25:32-33; Isaiah 26:21; 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12; God
will judge the nations of the earth according to their wickedness.
Revelation 6:15-17.

C. The judgment seat of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10, 1 Corinthians

3:9-15.

1. The judgment seat of Christ will not be for the unconverted, for they will be
judged at the great White Throne, an event that will take place after the
millennial age. Believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ not to
be condemned, but to be rewarded according to “each one's work.” The
apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:12-13 states that there are two kinds of
building materials that the “workers together with God” can use in
constructing the building on the foundation that is already laid. Gold, silver,
precious stones are indestructible materials. These materials are the work of
God, that man appropriates them and uses them. On the other hand, wood,
hay, and leaf litter are destructible materials. These are the works of men's
works produced by their own efforts. The judgment seat of Christ will reveal
what God did through the believer and that gave glory to God. And it will
reveal those things that the believer did in the name of God for the glory of
man himself.

2. The time of the judgment seat of Christ.

Immediately after the translation of the church from the earthly sphere. The
purpose of the Judgment Seat of Christ is to reward believers. 1 Corinthians
5:10; Revelation 22:12.
 “The righteous actions of the saints” Revelation 19:8, are the basis
of the reward.

 The reward is given to believers between the transfer and the

manifestation of Christ to earth. 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Timothy 4:8;
Revelation 22:12.

3. The place of Christ's judgment seat. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

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  In the celestial sphere. 2 Corinthians 5.1-8.

 In the presence of the Lord.

4. The court judge

 The believer will appear before the presence of the Son of God. 2
Corinthians 5:10.

 Judgment is placed in the hands of the Son. John 5:22.

 Christ will be the judge. He will reward each one according to his work.
Revelation 22:12.

5. Who will sympathize before the judgment seat of Christ from now on: only
believers, 2 Corinthians 5:10. The judgment before the judgment seat of
Christ is not for condemnation, but for reward, Romans 8:1; John 5:24.

6. Results of the judgment seat of Christ.

 Loss of reward, 1 Corinthians 3:13-15. “This loss” from 1 Corinthians

3:15 is not a loss of salvation, it is a loss of reward.

 Rewards awarded:

o Incorruptible crown of glory. 1 Corinthians 9:25.

o Crown of joy for soul winners. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20.

o Crown of life for those who resist the tests. James 1:12.

o Crown of Justice for those who love his coming. 2 Timothy 4:8.

o Crown of glory for the willingness to feed God's flock. 1 Peter 5:4.

D. The wedding of the lamb.

Passages from the New Testament that illustrate the relationship of Christ and
the Church through the figure of husband and wife. John 3:29; Romans 7:4;
Ephesians 5:25-33; Revelation 21.2. “In the translation of the church, Christ
appears as a husband to take his wife to himself, so that the relationship that was
promised may be consummated and the two may become one” JD Pentecost.
1. Wedding time.

 Between the translation of the church and the Second Coming of Christ
in glory. Revelation 19:7-8.

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  These weddings follow the events of the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Revelation 19:8.

2. The wedding venue.

 In heaven. Philippians 3:21.

3. The participants of the weddings.

 Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:25-33. The events described so far
have to do with believers, making it necessary to outline what will
happen to the Church after the Weddings.

E. The coming of Christ in glory. Matthew 24:30; Revelation 19:15-16; Zechariah

14:1; Jude 1:14-15.

1. The coming of Christ will occur at the end of the Marriage of the Lamb and
before the beginning of the millennial era.

2. The coming of Christ in Glory will be literal. Acts 1:11. It will be the bodily
return of Christ to earth.

3. At the coming of Christ in glory the following promises will be fulfilled:

 His feet will be established on that day on the Mount of Olives.

Zechariah 14:4.

 The Lord will come “with power and great glory,” Matthew 24:30.

 Believers who have participated in the sufferings of Christ will rejoice

with great joy in the revelation of his glory. 1 Peter 4:13.

 The church of the Lord will come with Him. 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Jude
1:14 “His holy tens of thousands.”

 “Every eye will see him,” Revelation 1:7.

 The Lord “will sit on his throne of Glory”, Matthew 25.31; Revelation
5:13.

 The Lord “Will destroy the antichrist,” 2 Thessalonians 2:8.

 He will sit in judgment of all nations. Matthew 25:32.

 The Lord will inherit the throne of David. Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1.32-33.

 He will establish his throne on earth. Jeremiah 23:5-6; Luke 1:32-33.

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  All kings and nations will serve Him. Psalm 72:11; Isaiah 49:6-7.

 The kingdoms of this world will become your kingdom. Zechariah 9:10;
Revelation 11:15.

 The people will gather to him. Genesis 49.10.

 To Him every knee will bow. Isaiah 45:23; Philippians 2:10-11.

 They will come from all over to worship the king. Zechariah 14:16.

 His throne will be in Jerusalem. Jeremiah 3:17; Isaiah 33.20-21.

 The apostles will sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of
Israel. Matthew 19:27-28; Luke 22:28-30.

 Satan will be taken captive. Revelation 20.1-2.

4. Exhortations to believers before the glories of the future. The Word of God
calls to:

 Look out. Matthew 24.42-44; Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:32-37.

 Maintain sobriety. 1 Thessalonians 5.2-6; 1 Peter 1:13.

 Remain loyal. Matthew 25:19-21; Luke 19:12-13.

 Confess Christ. Mark 8:38.

 Abandon worldliness. Matthew 16:26-27.

 Have patience. Hebrews 10.36-37; James 5:7-8.

 Practice sincerity. Philippians 1:9-10.

 Loving his Second Coming. 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

THE MILLENIUM.

Millennium characteristics
As soon as Christ returns from the wedding to earth with his Church, the era
called THE MILLENNIUM will begin. Revelation 20:1-6.
A. Christ will be king during that time. Read Isaiah 33.17; Daniel 2:44;
Zechariah 14:16-17; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14;
Revelation 19:16.

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 B. It will be a time of peace. Wars will cease through the unification of the
kingdoms of the world that will be submitted to the dominion of Christ.
Zechariah 9:10; Isaiah 54:13; It will be a time of economic prosperity since
nations will not have the need to dedicate large amounts of money to the
purchase of war material. Isaiah 2:3-4.

C. The millennium will be a time of justice. There will be a perfect administration

of justice for all men. Jeremiah 23.5; Isaiah 42:1-4.

D. During the millennial era, the entire world must unite in worship of the
Messiah. Zephaniah 3:9; Isaiah 66:18 and 23; Revelation 20:1-3.

E. During the millennium Satan will be imprisoned in the abyss. Truly, the
enemy of our souls is defeated. Revelation 20.1-3.

F. Jerusalem will be the capital of the kingdom of the Messiah. Zechariah 14:8
and 9. Other quotes describing the millennium epoch. Isaiah 11:6-9; Amos
9:13; Zechariah 14.9; Luke 1:32-33; Psalms 98:9; Micah 4:1-4; Isaiah 65:19-
25; Revelation 20:1-6; 2 Timothy 2:11-12.

THE FINAL JUDGEMENT.

After the second resurrection, the final judgment will be established. Revelation
20:11-15.
A. They will be judged according to their works. Revelation 20:12.

B. They will be judged by hardness of heart. Romans 2:5.

C. They will be judged for not receiving the love of the truth. 2 Thessalonians
2:10-11.

D. The degree of awareness will be taken into account. Romans 2:15.

E. All hidden things will be judged. Ecclesiastes 12:14 and Romans 2:16.

F. Those who are condemned will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the
second death. Revelation 11:15.

G. In Galatians 5:19-20 he presents us with a list of the people who will be at

the judgment. The same Revelation 21:8.

Immediately that God destroys the armies of Satan in the Battle of Gog and
Magog Revelation 20:7-9 and that the unbelievers are judged in the judgment of
the great white throne Revelation 20:11-15, new heavens and new earth

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 Revelation 21.1- 6; 2 Peter 3:7-13, wait for the righteous. But for unbelievers, an
eternity of pain, separation and anguish awaits. Revelation 20:15; Matthew 25:41.

NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH

“But we look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells according
to his promises” 2 Peter 3:13.
There is a tendency to think that living forever means living far from the earth . The Lord
Jesus ascended from earth to heaven, and is preparing a place for us . In the rapture,
believers will be caught up to heaven and we will be there for 7 years . Then we will
return to earth . Jesus and the believers will rule the earth for 1 . 000 years . Following
the millennium, the great white throne judgment will come and then God will create “new
heavens and a new earth . ” Then the “new Jerusalem will descend from heaven to the
new earth.” Revelation 21:2.

A. Three truths about the new Jerusalem

1. It is a new city prepared by Christ in heaven. The Lord Jesus Christ in John
14:2-3 says:… “I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am, you may
also be.” John describes this city prepared by Christ. “ And I, John, saw the holy city,
the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride
adorned for her husband,” Revelation 21:2.

2. It is a big city. The city is established in a square, and its length is equal to its
width; and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs [2 . 400 km
on each side] the length, height and width of it are equal. Revelation 21:16 . The city
is as tall as it is wide.

3. It is a beautiful city. Revelation 21:12-27 describes this city. The new Jerusalem
will have twelve pearl gates, and on them the names of the twelve tribes of Israel
can be read (v.12, 21). Each of the twelve foundations of the city will be adorned
with precious stones and will bear the name of one of the twelve apostles (v. 13,
19,20). The walls will be more than sixty meters thick and will be made of jasper (v.
17,18). The streets will be gold (v.21). On land we use concrete, bricks, or asphalt to
pave streets. In the new Jerusalem, we will walk on streets of gold. The Lord himself
will be the temple and the light of the city (v. 22-24). It will be a place where there
will always be daylight (v.25). There will be no place for evil (v.27).

B. Five characteristics of life in the new Jerusalem

1. There will be no more suffering. “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
and there will be no more death, nor will there be any more crying, nor clamor, nor
pain; for the first things passed away,” Revelation 21:4 .

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The absence of tears and pain means more to some than others . Those who live in
comfort and happiness may not think much about heaven while they are on earth .
But in John's time many were going through times of poverty and persecution. Some
cried as they died for their faith . Today we cry for our family members, our friends,
the lost and even for ourselves . Tomorrow, joy will replace our tears forever .
2. There will be no more illness. “Then he showed me a clean river of water of life,
clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. In the middle of the
city street, on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which produces twelve
fruits, yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of
the nations. And there will be no more curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb
will be in it, and his servants will serve him,” Revelation 22:1-3 .
This river of life reminds us that God is the source of life. On both sides of this river
is the Tree of Life. The leaves of this tree are for the “healing of the nations.” Since
there will be no sickness there, it is a symbol of the complete health that both the
inhabitants of the nations and the glorified church will enjoy. There will be nothing
that can cause disease, illness or destruction in our incorruptible body. This again
shows divine provision for our life, health, and strength. The curse of sin will have
disappeared (3).
3. There will be no more night. “Its doors will never be closed by day, for there will
be no night there,” Revelation 21:25 .
In the New Jerusalem there will be no lights to illuminate the city nor security lights.
There will be no kerosene smoke, no energy bills because there will be no darkness.
God will replace the sun and the moon, and the glory of God will illuminate it. “The
city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it; for the glory of God illuminates
it, and the Lamb is its light,” Revelation 21:23. “There will be no more night there;
and they have no need of the light of a lamp, nor of the light of the sun, for the Lord
God will enlighten them; and they will reign forever and ever,” Revelation 22:5. “The
nations that have been saved will walk in the light of it; and the kings of the earth will
bring their glory and honor to it,” Revelation 21:24. Therefore, it will never be
necessary to close the city gates.

4. It will be inhabited by the church. “And I, John, saw the holy city, the new
Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for
her husband,” Revelation 21:2 . “Blessed are those who wash their clothes, that they
may have the right to the tree of life, and that they may enter through the gates into
the city,” Revelation 22:14 . “Nothing that is unclean or that commits abomination or
lies will enter into it, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life,”
Revelation 21:27 .
There are twelve gates to the heavenly city . But no one will pass through them
unless he receives Jesus Christ as his only and sufficient Savior and obeys Him!
God will not allow strangers in heaven . To live with Him there, you must know Him
here and now . Otherwise He will say, “I never knew you; depart from me, you
workers of iniquity”, Matthew 7:23.

5. There will be perfect communion. You know a person better after you have
been with them in their home . The new Jerusalem is the home of God, where we
will come to know Him better . We will even see his face, Revelation 22:4! He will be

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 the kindest face we have ever met, and He will extend His arms to every child who
comes to Him . “And I saw no temple in it; for the Lord God Almighty is her temple,
and the Lamb,” Revelation 21:22 . “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them; and they will
be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God,” Revelation 21:3.
“And the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will serve him,
and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads,” Revelation 22:3-
4 . As Paul said… “it is far better” to be with Christ, Philippians 1:23 . It is a place of
perfect communion.

CONCLUSION:
That the expansion of fundamental biblical doctrines serve to better guide new believers
in Christ Jesus, it is our desire that we all grow and develop a fruitful Christian life. And
that as Christians we are well instructed in the word of God (2 Corinthians 4:2).

3. CHRISTIAN FAMILY (3 classes)

Compiled by Juan Tomás Chavajay

Biblical Basis: 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:33; 6:1-4

Objective: Know the ways to interact as family members and fulfill the role that God has assigned
to them.

Introduction: The family is an institution designated by God to bring children into the world, care
for them and educate them for life. It is the fiber that weaves all human institutions, the structure of
both church and society. Each family, being different, in circumstances, individuals and gifts; It
has a unique purpose and meaning in God's plan. This purpose is fulfilled if the role specified for
husbands, fathers and children is assumed.

I. THE ROLE OF HUSBANDS

TO. FROM THE HUSBAND

1. As Head of the household.
a. His leadership. The husband is responsible for giving direction to the family.
He has a commitment to his wife and must sacrifice himself selflessly for her,
with the spirit of a servant. He must possess an active love to care for, value,
and provide for her (Eph. 5:21-25: Phil 2:5-11; Cabbage. 3:19; 1 Peter 3:7).
b. His Authority. His authority is delegated by God (1 Peter 3:7-9). It is the head
of the woman (Eph. 5: 23). The husband exercises authority when he is
subject to the authority of God. It governs the entire body that is the family. As
head, he is a shield for the family, protects, defends and cares. Everything the
husband does in the house must be done as unto the Lord. The husband

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 should not take advantage of his authority to demand and demand anything
that is outside of complete submission to God and that is not in accordance
with the principles established in the Scriptures.
c. His example. The most important factor in family discipline is the example of
parents to their children. The husband, who is the head of the home, must be a
model for his children that they can imitate. The husband prays, reads the
Bible, seeks God and obeys him, the wife and children will only follow his
example. The father's responsibility as an example to his children is twofold:
“do not provoke them” and “bring them up” (Ephesians 6:4).
2. It is the supplier.
a. Meet physical needs. The provision of shelter and food is one of the tasks that
God has assigned to the husband. It is your responsibility to see that all of your
family's physical needs are taken care of. While it is true that the husband can
count on the help of the wife to fulfill this responsibility, the satisfaction of the
physical needs of the family has been entrusted by God to the husband. This
responsibility begins before there are children in the home.
b. Satisfy emotional needs. The husband must fight to resolve the emotional
problems at home. Protection and security needs are basic in life. These
include the provision of food and the guarantee that there will be a means of
support when any setback arises.
3. He is a representative of God.
a. Image and glory of God (Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8: 5-6). His figure with respect
to his wife and children is a representation of God (1 Cor. 16: 13). The man is
responsible for whether joy or sadness, tranquility and happiness abound in
her.
b. Impart love. It depends on the head of the family that his children see in him,
as a representative of Christ in his home, a God of authority and discipline, but
above all full of love.
c. Spiritual guide. The development of faith, the knowledge of God and the
spiritual protection of the family is the responsibility of the husband. He
promotes the spiritual life of his people and guides them to God.

B. OF THE WIFE
1. Husband's helpmeet. The wife has a lot to contribute to the good running of the
home. The wife is called the husband's help and advisor in his multiple responsibilities.
Since she has the Holy Spirit, just like her husband, her opinions and advice must be
heeded. The wife has a voice, but decisions should preferably be made in consensus
with the husband and children. Close cooperation between spouses depends on the
communication between them. Lack of communication causes the failure of many
marriages (Prov. 31: 11-12, 17-18).
2. Subject to the husband. When submitting to your husband you must do so with an
attitude of respect. Submission does NOT mean that the wife is a slave. The wife is
never so free as when she submits to her husband, because she has the freedom to
be everything that God intended for her (Ephesians 5: 22-23).
3. Love and care for the family. The wife and the husband should be the best of
friends, and both should be friends to the children, to fill them with love and care for
them (Prov. 31: 13, 21).

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II. THE ROLE OF PARENTS
A. Love your children.
1. Boy or girl. God gives a couple children as a sacred trust that should not literally be
work. They should wait with joy for the birth of their children, whether boy or girl (Psalm
127:3). A new member in the family should be a source of joy for everyone.
2. No preferences. When parents unconsciously show more love for one child than the
other, it leads to jealousy and other problems. Joseph's brothers (Genesis 37) wanted
to get rid of him, because their parents treated him better than the rest of the children.
B. Provide for your physical needs.
1. It is the responsibility of parents to provide a home for their children. Some parents
have the habit of sending their children to live with grandparents or some relatives. The
love and teaching of parents must be replaced.
C. Educate your children.
1. Teaching and education. The education of the child begins before birth and at birth.
By the age of six, most children have formed habits that will affect them throughout
their lives (Prov. 22:6). The A child's education during the first five years is
decisive for his or her entire life.
2. Teach them good habits. Parents are responsible for teaching their children good
habits: taking care of their body, being clean and neat, bathing often, brushing their
teeth, keeping their clothes clean, their behavior towards other people and in the
temple. Parents should teach by example.
D. Establish standards of conduct.
1. The correction. An essential part of any teaching is correction and this cannot be left
out of the preparation for life and eternity. All children disobey parents from time to time
and must be corrected (Prov. 29: 15). It will be easier for them to respect the laws of
God and country if they have been taught to respect authority in the home.
2. In the spirit of love. A child should be corrected in a spirit of love, never in a spirit of
anger. He needs to know why he is being punished. Care must be taken not to hurt the
child because it provokes anger, disrespect and rejection of parents (Eph. 6:4).
3. The shame of the family. Eli and David, men of God whose families suffered shame,
disgrace and tragedy because they did not train or discipline their children. Eli loved
God, but his sons were evil and brought disgrace to the house of God (1 Samuel 3:13).
Adonijah, the son of King David, tried to usurp his father's kingdom, because he never
received correction, which is why the Bible says, “And his father had never grieved him
in all his days by saying, Why do you do this? (1 Kings 1:6).

III. THE ROLE OF CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY.

A. Honor your parents.
1. God commands to honor father and mother (Exodus 20:12). Giving honor is simply
giving them the respect, place and dignity they deserve, it involves high esteem,
reverence and help. It means being there for them, taking care of them and giving them
high honor and value.
2. It is a commandment with a promise (Eph. 16:1-3). “That it may be well with you,
and that you may live long on the earth” The respect of children, minors or adults,
towards their father and mother (Prov. 1:8; 23: 22-23) is nourished by natural affection

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 (love) born from the bond that unites them. It is ordained by divine precept.
Dishonoring parents brings a curse (Ex. 21:17; Lev. 20:9; Prov. 20.20).
3. Respect must be permanent. When children are older, they should continue to
respect their parents. They must meekly ask for his advice and accept his justified
admonitions. Respect for parents is permanent. This, in fact, has its root in the fear of
God. The same treatment should be given to in-laws. There is the example of Moses
(Ex. 18: 6-8,24).
B. Help parents.
1. At home work. Although parents are expected to provide what is necessary for their
children, they must contribute to the household work.
2. In household expenses. Children who have a job outside the home and earn some
salary must contribute with their parents to household expenses. It will be much easier
for a person to assume responsibilities as an adult if he or she has learned to be
responsible as a member of a family.
C. Take care of your elderly parents.
1. Follow the example of Joseph in Egypt. For eighteen years, Joseph had the
satisfaction of providing his father with everything he needed, without having to
intervene unnecessarily in his personal life (Genesis 47: 11-12). It is a Christian duty
to provide for our own (1 Tim. 5:8).
2. Follow the example of Jesus. Jesus, about to die on the cross, worried about the
care of his mother (John 19: 26-27). When parents can no longer provide for
themselves due to old age or illness, children are responsible for seeing that they
receive adequate care.

CONCLUSION

The family can remain united and in perfect harmony when there is good communication and each
of its members is willing to make an effort to meet the needs of the others. All the needs that we
human beings experience have been given to us by God. He also instituted the family to serve as
an instrument, so that they would help each other seek true moral and spiritual satisfaction.

God has a beautiful plan for family harmony. This plan is revealed in the Bible. The Guide and
Comforter for all families is the Holy Spirit. If you are willing to accept Christian discipline and let
the Lord manifest in your personal life, your home will be a piece of heaven in this land of sin and
pain.

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 4. IDENTITY WITH THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD (2 classes)

Compiled by Samuel Regalado Rivas

Biblical basis Acts 2:46-47; 4:32

AIM

Make known what the Assemblies of God are in Guatemala and the world so that the
believer identifies with it, loves, respects and defends it.

INTRODUCTION

The identity that each person should have with the Assemblies of God is based largely
on knowledge of it. That is to say, as the member gets to know and gets involved in his
church, he will merge with it in such a way that it will be easy for him to remain faithful
and at the same time he will share with others the joy of belonging to The Assemblies of
God.

GENERALITIES

A. WORLD BROTHERHOOD OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD: The Assemblies of

God is a Christian organization of Pentecostal faith that brings together different
evangelical churches from around the world. Each national Church is affiliated
with the World Fellowship of the Assemblies of God. The Assemblies of God are
part of the largest major Pentecostal organizations in the world and place great
emphasis on establishing the Kingdom of God through evangelism and missions.
Currently, the Assemblies of God around the world have sixty-two million
members in two hundred and twelve countries around the world (statistics year
2008). The relationship with other countries is fraternal, there is no type of
interference from one country over another.

B. b. EMPHASIS: The organization places great emphasis on the Baptism in the

Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues according to Acts
2:4. All of his theology is based on the Bible . The doctrinal principles have been
maintained since the beginning of the Assemblies of God in 1914.

C. There is no world headquarters of the Assemblies of God, since the presidency is

by election and falls to one of the National Superintendents of a country; now
(2010) the world president is the Superintendent of the United States.

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HISTORICAL REVIEW.
A. THE BEGINNING

The first efforts to establish themselves in Guatemala were made before 1936 by
Salvadoran missionaries, workers and lay people. In 1936, five groups were already
established: Atescatempa, El Adelanto, Horcones, Tiucal and El Progreso in the
department of Jutiapa. Atescatempa is known as the birthplace of the Assemblies of
God in Guatemala.

B. FOUNDATION

The first couple of missionaries who came to Guatemala, formally, were husbands.
Juan and Elena de Franklin, in March 1937 and they are considered founders of the
Assemblies of God in Guatemala. As an Organization, it emerged in a conference
held in Atescatempa, Jutiapa, from December 31, 1937 to January 2, 1938. The first
National Directors were: Juan Franklin, General Superintendent; Max Argueta,
Secretary General.

It was recognized by the Government of the Republic of Guatemala on June 26,

1958. As the years go by, The Assemblies of God in Guatemala has spread and
organized in all corners of Guatemala. To achieve this, the continuous effort of
missionaries, leaders, pastors, workers, lay people and members of all
congregations has been necessary.

ORGANIZATION

A. ORGANIZATION CHART

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b. DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION

1. The General Assembly is made up of approximately 4,000 people.

2. The General Presbytery is made up of 175 leaders of all hierarchies.
3. The Executive Committee is made up of 7 people.
4. The General Assembly meets ordinarily every two years and every four years
elects the Executive Presbytery, during the month of January. Decisions that
affect the church in general are made here.
5. The General Presbytery is composed of 110 section priests, 29 district priests, 19
regional directors, 6 department presidents, 4 association presidents and 7
National Executives, 175 members in total. It meets every six months and is a
legislative body and at the same time a body that ensures the normal
development of the National Church.
6. The Executive Committee is made up of seven people, the General
Superintendent, the General Vice-Superintendent, the General Secretary, the
General Treasurer and three members who in turn are the directors of Christian
Education, Missionary Department and Sunday School. They are in charge of
administratively directing the National Church and are the representatives before
the Government.
7. The country is divided into 6 regions, 29 districts and 110 sections and in each
instance there is an elected board.
8. Local churches have a pastor and a staff of officers who lead them. Each church
organizes and seeks a way to grow integrally, with the support of the national
church.
9. Internal programs and departments advance in order to achieve growth and
strengthening of the work in general from the local church to national level
instances.
10. There are Bible institutes in all regions of the country to prepare ministers. There
are also schools specializing in internal departmental ministries, as well as many
pastoral and local leadership training programs.

b. STATISTICS, TRAINING AND ADMINISTRATION

The world population of the Assemblies of God in the world and the number of
countries in which they are present has already been mentioned.

In Guatemala (2008) The Assemblies of God:

1. It has 3,454 ministers with credentials.

2. It has 2,287 churches spread throughout the 22 departments.
3. It has 307,837 members throughout the country.
4. It has 9 biblical institutes for the training of its ministers, graduating Masters in
Theology and Professors in Theology
5. It has an international Institute for Ministerial Improvement (ISUM) graduating
Bachelors in Practical Theology that comes to Guatemala every two years.
6. It has a Faculty of Theology that graduates with a Master's Degree in Theology,
also at an international level and every year it operates in Guatemala.

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 7. It is self-sustaining, self-governing and self-propagating. This means that it is
supported by the members, the churches and the pastors of Guatemala; It is
governed by national ministers and spread through the members and pastors of
the churches themselves.

IV. PURPOSES

TO. MISSION

Preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in Guatemala and throughout the world; providing
pastors, leaders, churches and members: knowledge, strategies and methods to
instruct, train, organize, encourage, correct and exhort others to become true disciples
of Jesus Christ; integrating a single body to enforce the great commission, according to
the instructions of the Holy Scriptures.

b. VISION

Transform Guatemala and the world through the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and expand his Kingdom

b. GOALS

1. Promulgate the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by all biblical methods, especially
by the ministry of evangelism, strictly adhering to the articles of faith established
by its doctrine.
2. Provide a doctrinal basis and Christian fraternity among its members and at the
same time coordinate their activities and the affiliated assemblies so that the
purposes of the Organization are carried out.
3. Promote the establishment and development of local assemblies, among the
fellowship and throughout the country, according to the norms and principles
established by the New Testament.
4. Examine candidates for the ministry, license and ordain ministers from among
those who meet the standards established by the Holy Scriptures (1st. Tim. 3:17;
Titus 1:5-9), according to the requirements of the Organization; and at the same
time, he will have the right to supervise the conduct and fulfillment of the ministry
of the approved candidates, as long as they remain subject.
5. Hold public worship; hold Christian culture conferences; publish literature; found
Bible institutes and colleges; exercise and maintain any other activity that you can
legally perform and that you deem appropriate according to your purposes.
6. Manage, through the Executive Presbytery and with instructions from the General
Presbytery, the patrimony of the Organization.
7. Establish and maintain Bible institutes for the purpose of preparing workers for
the spread of the Gospel.

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c. DECLARATION OF FAITH

Summary of the Declaration of Faith of the Assemblies of God affiliated with the World
Fellowship of the Assemblies of God:

1. The Inspiration of the Scriptures : We believe that the Bible is the Word of
God, our only infallible rule of faith and conduct, having been inspired by the Holy
Spirit.
2. The One True God : We believe that there is one true God, who has revealed
himself as the Creator of all things, and who exists eternally. In the essential unity
of God there is distinction of persons: the Father Jehovah , the Son Jesus Christ
and the Holy Spirit . This mystery of one God who eternally subsists in three
persons is called the Trinity .
3. Man, his Fall, Redemption and Hope : We believe that man was created by
God in a state of innocence, but as a result of disobedience he acquired a sinful
nature and was subject to eternal damnation. Your only source of redemption and
hope for eternal life is in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary and
his resurrection from the dead.
4. The Salvation of Man : We believe that salvation is obtained when man repents
of his sins and accepts by faith the forgiveness of God offered through Jesus
Christ. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit gives him internal assurance that he has been
made a child of God. From this moment on, the saved man must live a new,
upright and holy life.
5. The Sanctification of the Believer : We believe that sanctification is a state of
grace that the believer enters by accepting Christ, and involves separating from
worldliness and consecrating oneself to God, seeking to live in a state of moral
purity through the daily help of the Holy Spirit. .
6. Baptism in the Holy Spirit : We believe that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a
spiritual experience different from salvation and subsequent to the new birth in
Christ. The manifestation that it has been received is to speak in other tongues,
not by man's own impulse, but under the direction of the Holy Spirit. It is given to
enable the believer to fulfill the Great Commission.
7. Divine Healing : We believe in divine healing, and it is received by faith based on
the atoning sacrifice of Christ.
8. The Church : We believe that the Church is the mystical body of Christ, it is
composed of each believer born of the Spirit whose name is written in the book of
life and its purpose is to worship God, evangelize the world, edify the faithful and
bring carry out social work. In a broad sense every believer is a minister, called to
serve, witness, intercede and contribute, although a specific calling and service
scripturally ordained by God have also been provided for ministers of the Word.
9. Financial Stewardship : We believe that financial stewardship is the duty and
privilege of all Christians, who as faithful stewards of Christ contribute to the
maintenance and extension of the work with their offerings, firstfruits and tithes.
10. The Rapture of the Church : We believe that the rapture of the Church will occur
when Jesus Christ returns for his people, at this time, those who have died being

44
 saved will be resurrected first and transferred along with those believers who are
alive, to be with the Lord for eternity. This event can occur at any time and will be
before the great tribulation.
11. The Second Coming of Christ and the Millennial Kingdom : We believe that
the second coming of Christ in glory will be when the Lord returns with his saints
to earth to establish his physical and visible reign for a thousand years. This
millennial kingdom will bring universal peace and the fulfillment of the promises
made to Israel in the Old Testament.
12. The Final Judgment of Unbelievers : We believe that the final judgment will be
for all the wicked who refused to accept Jesus Christ. They, along with Satan and
the fallen angels, will be cast into the lake of fire where they will be for eternity.
13. The New Heavens and New Earth : We believe that there will be new heavens
and a new earth, where justice will dwell. All the saints will live there for eternity.
14. Baptism in Water : We believe in baptism in water by immersion, in the name of
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is a sacrament for the Church, a
public testimony of the faith of the believer who has accepted Jesus as his
Savior.
15. The Lord's Supper : We believe that the Lord's Supper is also a sacrament for
the Church, in which members of the congregation who have already been
baptized in water participate, as a symbol of our union with Christ, a reminder of
his suffering and death. and an announcement of his imminent return.
16. The Disapproval of Erroneous Doctrines : Every heretical creed is
disapproved, because of the confusion and division it causes in the Lord's people.
Among which are Jehovah's Witnesses , The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints or Mormons , Christian Science , Adventism , Vision G12 ,
Catholicism, Growing in Grace, etc.
17. Rebuking Demons : We believe we have the authority to rebuke evil spirits in
the name of Jesus, as stated in Mark 16:16,"And these signs will follow those
who believe. In my name they will cast out demons; They will speak new
languages...

SAW. FORMS OF GROWTH

Each church can establish the form of evangelization it wishes, always fulfilling the
mandate of Jesus Christ . There are different growth methods that adapt to the
characteristics and needs of both the church and its environment.

A. Evangelistic Campaigns: They are organized by one or more churches working in

coordination with evangelists approved by the Assemblies of God and musical
ministries that minister worship and praise to God. They are characterized by
miracles , the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the search for spiritual communion.
B. Social medical and evangelism days : These brigades offer health services, food,
clothing in the most vulnerable regions of a specific region.
C. House-to-House Evangelism: Generally practiced by local assemblies.
D. Cellular System: This is the most recent method that the Assemblies of God have
begun to use, as it is very effective. The cellular system is based on meetings in
the homes of members of local assemblies with an approximate number of 15

45
 people per cell. In some churches, cells are also called prayer and growth
groups.
E. Media. Many sections and churches have created their own Internet pages to
make the Gospel known, many use free pages or social networking websites.
Likewise, they use radio, television, newspapers and magazines.

CONCLUSION

The Assemblies of God is a worldwide organization with fraternal relations in each

country. It has millions of followers and is in 212 countries. Its doctrines were
established since its appearance.

In Guatemala it is a strong denomination that spreads, governs and sustains itself. Its
doctrine is based on the Word of God and has been maintained from the beginning.

Its purpose is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to all those who do not know him and
to instruct with the Word of God all those who surrender to Jesus Christ.

It is a blessing to have known Jesus Christ through the Assemblies of God in

Guatemala, we must love it, respect it, defend it if there is need and work for God
through it.

SOURCES.

Walter's Peter, Luisa. Planting and harvesting. Vida Editorial 1990. USA
Wikipedia
www.asambleasdedios.tripod.com/
Statistics central offices.

5. CHRISTIAN SERVICE IN THE STYLE OF JESUS (3 classes)

By Reina Ester Raxon de Morales

BIBLICAL BASIS: Mark 10:45; Jn.13:1-17.

AIM

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  Know the style in which Christ served humanity and imitate his example.
 Know how to serve God in his work effectively.

INTRODUCTION

Service comes from the Greek diakonia, which means: serve or minister, so Christian
service is: the action of serving God, in the church and in everything that is related to the
work of God.

Why in the style of Jesus? Because the attitude of service was the maximum expression
of Jesus' ministry on earth. This is the mark that every born again person must carry
with them, and it is what must characterize the disciples of Christ.

Jesus emphasized that the greatness of every Christian is in service. “If anyone wants to
be great among you, he must have an attitude of service,” Mark 10:43. “And whoever
wants to be first must have the attitude of service,” Mark 10:44. The attitude of service
must be shown from domestic tasks in the temple to preaching a message from the
pulpit.

DEFINITION

Christian service in the style of Jesus is: LOVE, COMMITMENT, WILLINGNESS,

HUMILITY, AUTHORITY, OBEDIENCE AND LOYALTY, these attitudes were reflected
in the ministry of Jesus on earth, therefore Jesus is our greatest example and model of
Christian service in the world. land to follow.

I. LOVE.

Love comes from the Greek “Ágape” and “agapao” which are used in the New
Testament to describe God's attitude toward the human race. John 3:16.

What motivated God the Father to give his Son Jesus for humanity was love, love
is an indispensable factor in service, since without it in our lives it is not possible
to have a correct attitude. John 3:16.

It was love that motivated Jesus to die on the cross, and suffer scorn, pain and
sadness. The love for each one of us.

It was love that moved Jesus to serve the multitudes when he saw them as sheep
without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36.

It was love that made Jesus interested in the different needs of people. Matthew
9:35.

It was love that drove Jesus to go to different cities and walk a lot.

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 It was love that made Jesus fulfill the mission that the Father gave him to carry
out on earth.

That attitude of love was what made Jesus serve people regardless of their
spiritual, social, academic and economic condition.

That attitude of love is what every Christian needs to carry out the service, for
example: opening the temple, cleaning the temple, placing chairs, going to the
white fields, etc. 1st. Pedro. 4:8.

No matter how simple the work may seem, it must be done with love. Love is the
interest and willingness to do something for God and his work.

COMMITMENT.

Commitment is: the dedication, willingness and responsibility to serve.

Every Christian must have a high degree of commitment to God and the Church.

Jesus always kept this in mind, it was commitment that made him accomplish the
great task that God the Father entrusted to him. Luke 4:34. It was his dedication
that made him stand firm at the moment of going to the cross.

Commitment in Christian service has to do with wanting, desiring to do the will of

God, Luke 22:42 and the will of God is that we serve him.

Currently, the lack of commitment is one of the causes for the which the
Christian does not serve the Lord and in the Church.

Not only will involvement in the service of God depend on the degree of
commitment that the Christian has, but also the level of holiness he or she lives.
The Christian's surrender must be complete.

Jesus was always committed to the people he served. The Bible shows us
examples of committed men and women. Samuel was dedicated to God from an
early age. 1 Samuel 1:11-12. The apostle Paul had a life committed to God and
his service. Romans 8:35-39.

Today more than ever the Christian has a great challenge from God, to be not only a
nominal Christian, but a Christian committed to the Lord. God looks for men and women
committed to Him and to the cause of His great work. Commitment to Christian service
requires personal denial, taking up the cross every day, and perseverance, Mr. 8:35.

II. CONSECRATION.

Consecration is separating, turning away from impure or sin to love and serve
God.

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 Today more than ever there is a lot of talk about leadership, about ministerial
titles, but little is said about personal consecration. The consecration of our lives
to the Lord is essential. We cannot expect to serve if there is an absence of
consecration in our lives.

The Lord Jesus offers us a clear and impressive example of consecration. Mark
1:12-13. To serve, the Christian must first consecrate himself to the Lord 1st.
Peter 1:16. Jesus demands holiness from us. There are believers who want to
serve the Lord and do not live their lives separated from sin.

This is one of the great purposes of God expressed in his Word, that every child
of God live consecrated to Him, Ephesians 1:3-4. As the Christian consecrates
himself to the Lord, he will be supported by Him and the Holy Spirit will give him
power to do wonders in service in the Church.

Every Christian who serves God must be a person without blemish, Psalm 101:6.
Every believer who carries out work within the church must do so knowing that if
they have sought God, they will receive from Him the grace and support they
need.

III. PROVISION.

Willingness is the attitude one has to do something voluntarily.

In life, to carry out any work or service you need to be willing, much more so in
Christian service!

Jesus always showed a willing attitude, he was always willing to go where there
was need, Matthew 4:23-25.

The disciples had a ready attitude when Jesus called them. The Bible says they
immediately left their nets and followed him, Matthew 4:20.

Both Jesus and the disciples were willing to serve, regardless of distance,
inclement weather, circumstances, fatigue, hunger. The willingness to serve is an
attitude that is needed in the Christian of this time, the words of Jesus when he
said that; “In truth the harvest is great, but the workers are few” reveals the lack of
disposition of the Christian of all times.

As Christians we should not refuse to serve the Lord, since there are many areas
within the church to serve God. You must be willing to serve in the area assigned
to you. Willing to serve where the Lord calls him, to go where God sends him.
This is the time in which the Lord wants to use your life for the magnification of his
Work. We can all do something in the Work of the Lord, tell the Lord as the
Apostle Paul told him in his conversion to Jesus. Lord, what do you want me to
do? Acts 9:6.

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 Start today to put your talents, skills, virtues, abilities, your knowledge,
experiences and your life itself at the disposal of the Lord.
God wants to do great things through you in this time. Make up your mind!

IV. MODESTY.

Humility is recognizing that what I am and what I do I owe to God.

The Christian who serves God requires an attitude of humility, since he can easily
become proud or boastful of the way in which the
Lord uses you and allows you to do things.

Jesus is our ultimate example of humility and he taught this to his disciples in a
special and practical way when he washed their feet.
John chapter 13.

Humility contributes to the Christian having an attitude of love, commitment,

consecration and willingness to serve the Lord. Today more than ever, the
Christian who serves the Lord in his work must remain humble, as God uses you
or gives you more, stay humble. Currently there are incorrect concepts about
Christian service, because many serve the Lord for: fame, popularity, being
renowned people, boasting, vainglory and pride. The attitude of humility in
Christian service is important to please the Lord.

Even when God allows us to do extraordinary things or things that others do not
dare to do, or be at the peak of success, our attitude must be an attitude of
humility, that was the attitude of Jesus, that was the attitude of Paul, when to say
“by the grace of God I am what I am,” 1 Corinthians 15:10; Acts 20:19. Deway
Leman Mooddy said: “Love works harder, faith accomplishes more, but humility
preserves more.”

V. AUTHORITY.

When talking about authority in Christian service we must think about the way
Jesus exercised authority, John 19:11. He always recognized that He was under
the authority of the Father, and that the authority He had had been given to Him
by the Father.

Authority must be used well, since in some cases it has been misused, abusing or
exceeding established limits. We must know that in Christian service we will have
authority over other people, but that authority is not our own, it has been given by
the Lord, so that we serve others, and not that we make use of others, Mark
10:45. In Christian service we must also learn to be under authority, to submit to
our leaders (Pastor, deacons, president, or leader), Hebrews 13:17. Authority in

50
 Christian service should not be imposed, it should be earned through the same
service to the Lord and people.

In Christian service, authority, as well as the elements already mentioned, such

as love, commitment, consecration, disposition, humility, play an important role
since there will always be a higher authority to which we have to submit. In the
exercise of authority in Christian service the following must be taken into account:
A personal life of prayer, study of the Word of God, a holy life, good human
relations, a balanced character, recognition and an attitude of obedience .

When exercising authority in Christian service it is important to do so with the

correct attitude, not with an attitude of arrogance or abuse or thinking that we
have dominion over the people we serve, 1st. Peter 5:3.

VI. OBEDIENCE .

Obedience is the attitude of subjection or voluntary submission to God and our

pastors, leaders and established authorities. Deuteronomy 30:10; Matthew 8:27;
Hebrews 13:1-7.

Christian service requires obedience to God first, and then to our pastor and
leaders.

CONCLUSION

Christian service is: LOVE, COMMITMENT, WILLINGNESS, HUMILITY, AUTHORITY,

OBEDIENCE AND LOYALTY, these attitudes were reflected in the ministry of Jesus on
earth, therefore Jesus is our greatest example and model of Christian service on earth
to follow. . Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be great among you, he must have an
attitude of service,” Mark 10:43. “And whoever wants to be first must have the attitude of
service,” Mark 10:44.
6. PERSONAL EVANGELISM (4 classes)

Compiled by Juan Everildo Velásquez

Biblical Basis: Mark 16:15, Acts 5:42

Key text of personal evangelism: “Do your best to present yourself approved to
God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

Goals

Understand the reasons why you should do personal evangelism.

Know the plan of salvation.
Understand how to deal with different types of people.

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Definition

Personal evangelism is the direct application of the word of God to the needs of people
with whom we have personal contact.

Introduction.

Personal evangelism is a command of our Lord Jesus Christ; It is the biblical method to
bring the message to every person who has not received Jesus Christ in their heart; It is
the main work of the church and the means of bringing souls to Christ. In this study it will
be emphasized why we should engage in evangelism; advantage of the evangelistic
ministry; requirement for those who do the work of evangelism; how to do evangelism;
the plan of salvation; three kinds of sinners; excuses that sinners present; how to deal
with various kinds of unbelievers; how to help those who accept Christ.

WHY CONCERN US IN PERSONAL EVANGELISM

1. Because the Lord Jesus commanded it (Mark 16:15).

2. Because we have a responsibility and a stewardship over which we will have to
give an account to God (Mt. 25:14-29).
3. Because it is our privilege.
4. Because the world is lost. (1 Jn 5:19-20).
5. Because all believers in the Lord are called to this ministry. (2 Cor 5:17-20).
6. Because there are needy souls everywhere: in prisons (Acts. 16:25-33), trains
hospitals, homes (Acts. 20:20) and in the streets. (Acts. 8:4).

ADVANTAGE OF PERSONAL EVANGELISM WORK

1. It is adaptable to the conditions and needs of the individual that cannot be achieved
with
messages in public. (2 Sam. 12:1-7; 2. R. 5:3-14).
2. It has succeeded where other methods have failed.
3. It is the best method to win souls. What is not accomplished by a sermon is
accomplished by personal contact.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ONE WHO PRACTICES PERSONAL EVANGELISM

1. Have personal salvation experimental. (1 Tim. 1:15; Jn. 3:11).

It is difficult to make others reach the spiritual level that we ourselves have not
reached. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks; So it is only about
what is in the heart that we can speak with certainty.
2. Be an example (2 Tim. 2:19-21). We must remember that life preaches; a life
saint full of the joy of the Lord, is the best sermon we can preach.

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3. Be patient and do not stop working with a soul when it apparently fails on the first
attempt.
4. Have love for souls. (Rom. 5:5,6; Ga. 5:22).
5. Have wisdom.
6. Be constant in prayer. (Salt. 2:8; Mt. 7:7; Eph. 6:18).

HOW TO DO PERSONAL EVANGELISM

1. The preparations.

to. Pray, which is the most important thing to do effective work, because God says that
Let us seek him first, and all things will be added (Mt. 6:33)

b. Prepare what is needed to go out to evangelize, such as purpose tracts, a Bible, a

notebook to write down names and addresses or any problem that those evangelized
present.

c. Trust in the direction of the Holy Spirit, be sure that he is the one who does the work
and gives wisdom and authority to speak and persuade the person.

d. If possible, have the names of the people to whom you are going to evangelize,
because it is very valuable to call people by their names.

and. Study in advance the part of the tract, magazine, or portions of the Bible that will
be used in evangelization.

F. Prepare your personal appearance, dress decently.

2. Contact with the person to evangelize.

a. When knocking on the door, introduce yourself in a friendly and respectful manner
with a smile
like any salesman does.

b. Consider the person: their concerns and the time you spend talking.

c. After greeting the person, present the purpose of your visit.

d. If you are invited into the house, act politely; using simple language and
clearly and naturally and thus present the message. It is always good to call person 2
by their name.

and. When offering a tract or magazine, read along with the person or let him or her
read. Try to get to the point and be brief, do not allow discussion on matters of religion.
Offer the
message of salvation in Jesus Christ.

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F. After the visit, evaluate how the visit was done, what was achieved, what part to
improve.

3. How to direct the conversation.

to . In dealing with a person who has known the gospel for a long time and has
accepted it, it is often better to cultivate his friendship and gain his sympathy before
speaking to him about the salvation of his soul. This especially applies to people who
are

quite related to the church because their relatives are believers. Many times these
people get upset when you want to talk to them about spiritual things, and for this
reason it is necessary to capture their sympathy before talking to them.

b. When you have the opportunity to speak to a person who you probably won't see
again, you need to seize the opportunity. Sometimes the person himself will open the
door by mentioning an event that is a fulfillment of the prophecy, from which the subject
of the second coming of Christ can easily be introduced. One has to be alert to take
advantage of every opportunity. It is much better to enter the discussion in a natural way
than to have to forcefully introduce the topic. As a general rule, people don't like it when
you preach to them. If the opportunity does not present itself, then it is necessary to
start. You can ask, for example: “Have you read the writings of the Holy Apostles?”

NOTE: It is preferable to use the term “The Holy Scriptures” rather than “Bible” when
speaking to fanatical Catholic people, because many times for them the Bible is related
to Protestants. If they say that they have read, you can ask what the concept they have
formed of them is, and refer to a passage that you have chosen in advance. If he says
“No,” then you can read him some verses. It is good to read from Luke, Chapter 1, if the
person is Catholic; making him see that it is an authentic account of the birth of Jesus
from the Virgin Mary. You can then ask if you know that the apostle Paul gave an
instruction to the church in Rome. And read some verses from the Epistle to the
Romans 1:16:10:9-11. Also the words of the apostle Peter may be of interest, using the
epistles of Peter.

4. Suggestions.
to. Try to speak alone with the person when circumstances allow. Many times the
presence of friends or family will serve as an impediment, even when they are believers.

b. Ensure divine direction as to who should speak and the words that should be said.
(Acts. 8:29).

c . Be patient when you do not see the desired success in the first interview. You have
to visit the person again. Sometimes you see the result after months or years.
3
d . Do not allow the conversation to generate a discussion of points that are not useful.
Always bring it back to the consideration of the fundamental truths of the gospel and the

54
personal need of the soul. When a point is introduced that only serves your argument,
respond politely and then return to the main topic, which is Christ.
e . Ensure that each soul reaches a defined decision and prays with it. Don't wait for
another time when you see that a person is ready to make a decision.

THE PLAN OF SALVATION

We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23) but God in his mercy
does not want anyone to perish (2 Pet. 3:9) and has made a plan for the salvation of the
world. It is of utmost importance to understand the plan of salvation to be able to explain
it clearly to the person who seeks God.

1. Christ bore the sin of the world. (Es. 53:6; Ga. 3:13; 2 Cor. 5:21.
3
2. He bought salvation for all. (Mt. 1:21; Lc. 2:11; 19:10; Jn. 3:16; Rom. 10:13)

3. Salvation is received through:

to. Repentance. (Acts. 17:30; Mr. 1.15; Acts. 20:21) True repentance includes:

1) Recognize sin. (1 John. 1:10; Rom. 3:10; Salt. 51:3)

2) Feel sadness for having offended God. (Acts. 2:37-38; 2 Cor. 7:10)
3) Confess sin to God. (Salt. 32:5; 1 Jn. 1:9)
4) Abandon sin. (Es. 55:7)

b. Faith.
1. Faith that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only one who saves the soul. (Acts. 10:4;
Jn. 3:17-18)
Acts. 4:12).
2) Faith in the gospel. (1 Cor. 15:1,4).
3) Faith in the blood of Christ. (Eph. 1:7)
4) Saving faith. (Rom. 5:1) (Jn. 1:12) (Heb. 11:1)
5) Faith that Christ is Lord and King. (Acts. 2:36)

c. Confessing Christ as the Savior. (Rom. 10:9) (Matt. 10:32-33)

THREE KINDS OF SINNERS

.
Generally sinners can be divided into three classes: sincere sinners, indifferent sinners,
and repeat sinners.

sincere sinners

Sincere sinners are those who from the heart want to be saved, to such explain the plan
of salvation emphasizing the verses that show that salvation is for them (Heb. 7:25, Jn.
6:35,37), and that this salvation must be accepted immediately. (2 Cor. 6:2, Isa. 55:6).

55
The indifferent sinners

Indifferent sinners are those who are not interested in anything about the gospel. Most
sinners are found in this class. Important truths for such.

1. That they are sinners. (Es. 53:6; Ro. 3:23)

2. That sin leads to eternal damnation (Rom. 6:23; Ap. 21:8)

3. That God loves them despite their sin. (Jn. 3:16;Rom. 5:8).

4. The greatest sinner is he who rejects Christ. Jn. 3:18,19, and does not surrender his
life to God (Mt. 22:37,38).

5. What happens to those who continue in sin. (Rom. 2:4,5; Stg. 1:15)

repeat sinners

Backsliders are those who stop serving God after having confessed Him as their Savior.
These repeat offenders are divided into two. Those who were never truly born again and
those who truly went back.

1. Those who were never truly born again. 1. Jn. 2:19)

Refer to them the scriptures about repentance, faith in the efficacy of the blood of
Christ, and God's faithfulness in keeping his promises. If they repent and
If you sincerely confess your sins to God, He will surely forgive you. Es. 1:18.

2. Those who truly left the way of God. In order to deal with this kind of
people it is necessary to know the cause of recidivism. Some causes are:

to. Absence of spiritual guide

b. Friendship with unbelievers. (Stg. 4:5; 2. Cor. 6:12-15).
c. Frivolity or lack of depth. (Lk. 8:13).
d. Success in the things of the world, attributing to your own ability and not to
God's blessing. (2 Cor. 26:14-15).
and. Lack of filling of the Holy Spirit. (Lk. 11:24-26).
F. Lack of spiritual discernment. Jn. 6:63-66)
g. Love of the world (1 Jn. 2:15)

NOTE: You can ask the indifferent and backslider what defect he found in God to
abandon Him (Jer. 2:5). In what time did he live happier, when he served God or now
that he has abandoned him (Ps. 1:1). Teach them that God's wrath is against those who
turn back. (1 R. 11.9). The solemn calls of God (Am. 4.11,12), and the fate of those who
turn back (Ez. 18.24). To the backslider who has a desire to return to God, teach him: a.
The path to God (Is. 55:7; 2 Cr. 7:14).

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The great love of God for repeat offenders. (Ez. 18.23,30-32; Es. 43:23-25; 1 Jn. 2:1, 2;
Lc. 15:32).

You can give him an example of how God treated other people in the same state,
demonstrating his mercy and love toward them, just like Manasseh (2 Chron. 33:10-12);
Peter (Mr. 16:7).

EXCUSES SINNERS MAKE

The unbeliever generally tries to apologize for not having accepted Christ, making the
following excuses:

1. I am too sinful. He is told that although he is a sinner, Christ is powerful to save and
forgive the vilest sinner, 1. Timothy 1:15; Matthew 9:12,13; Acts 4:12; Hebrews 7:25;
Isaiah 1:18.

2. I will have to reform myself first. He is asked if one seeks the doctor after healing.
or when he is still sick (Mt. 9:12,13) Which of the two men in (Lk. 18:10-14) was justified,
the one who justified himself or the one who confessed his sin and asked for
forgiveness? In what condition did the prodigal son arrive at his father's house? (Lk.
15:15-22). God receives sinners (Lk. 15:2). It is impossible to change the sinful heart
without the power of God (Jer. 13:23).

3. Christians are fickle. Show them that each of us will give God an account of himself
(Rom. 14:12); and ask them if they would be ready for this terrible moment that could
come at any moment. Lc. 12:20; Ro. 2:1-5).

4.I won't be able to be firm. Let those who present this excuse see that God will keep
them firm, if they sincerely want to serve Him (Phil.1:6; Jude. 24; Ro. 8:37-39).

5. I will not be able to fulfill my duties, nor renounce the things that a Christian must
abandon. He is told to receive Christ into his heart, so he will be a child of God, and will
have a new nature, and new desires (Jn. 1:12; 2 Cor. 5:17,18).

6.Someday not now. He who procrastinates is told that he is in the network, a favorite of
the enemy, and that leaving the salvation of his soul until tomorrow is extremely
dangerous, since we do not know if we will live another day or not (Prov. 27:1; 29:1).
God says “come now” (Isa. 1:18; 20 Cor. 6:2). Try to guide the procrastinator to make a
decision immediately. Never approve of delay in matters concerning salvation. Use the
following verses: Lk. 12:19,20; Heh. 2:2,3; Stg. 4:13,14). These types of people live in
great danger and we must not neglect them, it is necessary to make them see the
danger and that they must come to God (Gal. 6: 7).

7. I have no feelings about my salvation, I will accept when I feel that God is helping me.
calling. This error is very common. We have seen that salvation comes through
repentance and faith. (Acts. 20:21; Ro. 10:10). He is told that repentance consists not

57
only in feeling for having sinned, but in great disgust for sin, contemplating the terrible
destruction it makes in the souls and lives of men. Have him consider the parable of the
man who built his house on the sand, guided only by his wrong ideas, and have him
decide if he wants to do the same, or if he wants to be guided by the word of God (Mt.
7:24-28).

8. I am not a sinner. Teach him what the Bible says about sin and what constitutes a
sinner (Rom. 3:12; 1 Jn. 1:8) If he says, “I am not a great sinner,” show him (Mt. 22:37-
39; Stg. 2:10). Breaking the great commandment of God makes us great sinners.

9. It seems to me that God is unfair and cruel. It is possible that the person who speaks
like this has suffered something very bitter in his life and we must use a lot of patience
and consideration in dealing with him. Have him read Hebrews 12:5-12 aloud. Show him
that pain is in the world as a result of sin and Christ has come to take away sin and heal
the broken heart. (Lk. 4:18; 1 Jn. 3:8).

10. Nobody is interested in my well-being or discomfort. Read (Jn. 3:16, Isa. 53:4-6; Ro.
2:4), to show God's love for them.

11. I do the best I can. For those who say this, show them that by good works it is
impossible to obtain salvation (Rom. 4:3-5; 2 Ti. 1:12; Acts. 16:31; Es. 64:6; Eph. 2:8)

HOW TO DEAL WITH VARIOUS KINDS OF UNBELIEVERS

1. Those disappointed in life. There are people who are so disappointed that they have
no desire to live and would rather die and thus end their suffering. It is necessary to
teach such people that our existence will not end with death (Rev. 21:8; Jn. 3:36; Heh.
10:28,29;9:27).

2. Those who do not believe in the future life. The following references will prove that
there is another existence after this earthly life. (Heb. 9:27; Jn. 5:23,29).

3. Those who do not believe in eternal punishment. The verses already cited are good
for these people, along with the following: (Mt. 25:46; 2. Cor. 5:10). Ask them if they
believe that all evil is justly judged and rewarded in this earthly existence, if they believe
that God would be just if he did not avenge those unjustly mistreated and punished. The
justice of man demands the punishment of the evildoer, how much more so the justice of
the just God. (Rom. 3:5,6; 12:19; Sofa 3::5).

4. To those who believe that there is no hell and that everyone will be saved. Teach
such
following:

to. That God did not make hell for his children, but for the devil and his angels.
(Mt 25:41).
b. That everyone goes to their own place for which they have prepared. (Rom. 6:16;
Acts. 1:25

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 c. That the Bible clearly tells us that they will be in hell:

1) The Devil, the Beast and the false prophet. (App. 20:10).
2) The angels who sinned. (2. Q. 2:4).
3) The wicked. Salt. 9:16).
4) Those who reject Christ and his salvation. (Jn. 8:21-24).
5) Those who do not obey or know God. (2. Ts. 1:8,9).

5. The skeptics. These together with atheists and agnostics can be divided
in two classes.

to. The sincere ones. Those who are sincere in their skepticism generally say, “I wish I
could believe as you do, but I can't, and God certainly won't hold me responsible for
that.” Ask him, Have you repented, left all your sin, everything that you know is bad to do
everything that is good? If not, then repentance is absolutely necessary to believe (Mt.
21:31). It is also necessary to leave the glory of men to seek God. (Jn. 5:44). If he says
the gospel seems foolish to him, teach him (1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Cor. 4:3,4: Rom. 1:18-20;
Salt. 14:1b).

b. The insincere and without moral foundation. Show them that the cause of their
skepticism or insincerity is not mental, but moral, and if they confess their sins and
accept Jesus as their savior, their doubts will be dispelled in a moment (John. 7:17).

HOW TO HELP THOSE WHO ACCEPT CHRIST

It is of utmost importance to know how to deal with people who accept Christ. You
have already heard the word of God, you feel the desire to surrender to Him, but many
times you need help to know how to do it. We must take into account that each person
has different needs from the others and the worker needs the wisdom and help of the
Holy Spirit to know how to help him. It is necessary for the worker to speak and pray for
the person quietly so as not to hinder others.

1.Explain what salvation is.

to. That we have all sinned.

b. That we are saved by Christ.
c. That salvation is received by confessing our sins to Christ. 1 John 1:9.

2. Encourage you to ask God for forgiveness.

to. Confess your sins to God.

b. Pray in your own words.
c. Accept forgiveness by faith.

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8
3. Encourage you to express your faith or lack of faith.

to. This will be achieved by asking questions such as the following: Do you believe
that God
Have you forgiven your sins?
b. The following passages will stimulate faith (1 Jn. 1:8,9; Ro. 10:9,10; Jn. 1:12).

4. Encourage you to give thanks for salvation.

to. Guiding him in prayer.

b. Praise is the voice of faith.

8
5. encourage you to testify of your salvation. This is achieved by allowing in the same
moment other brothers ask him questions about the experience he has achieved.
(Rom.
10:10).

6. Always get the person's name and address.

7. Don't lose interest in new converts. Consider that you have a responsibility before
God for him to help you in your spiritual life.

CONCLUSION

We have studied various aspects of personal evangelism in order to provide each

believer with the necessary help to fulfill the mission entrusted to us and thus enjoy the
joy of sharing with others the new life that Christ has given us and also seeing souls
come to Christ, as a fruit of our work of evangelization. Every believer must be aware
that evangelization is the priority task of the church. All growth and revival has arisen
from the spirit of evangelism.

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 7. THE INTERNAL DEPARTMENTS (2 classes)

INTRODUCTION

This document contains the objectives, origin, development and functions of the
departments and internal affairs of the Assemblies of God church in Guatemala. The
purpose is that all members of the local churches know the origin, development,
objectives and functions of the national work, that they love and identify with The
Assemblies of God and work for their aggrandizement in Guatemala and the world.

FEMALE MISSIONARY COUNCIL (CMF)

BIBLICAL BASE: Proverbs. 31:10-29.

AIM
 Know the history, development and organization of the Women's Missionary
Council and work for its enlargement.

HISTORY

The Women's Missionary Council (CMF) in Guatemala began with small groups of
women who met to celebrate worship services to God. This was at the initiative of
Sister Elena de Franklin, wife of the first Assemblies of God missionary who arrived
in the country in 1937, from the United States. Later, God used Sister Míriam de
Haydus, wife of the North American missionary, Brother Walter Haydus, who came

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 to Guatemala in 1952. Sister Miriam founded and organized the CMF at the national
level, and is also the author of the official choir “El Concilio Misionero Femenil”.

In 1952, she organized the first retreat for pastors' wives in the city of Jutiapa, in the
east of the country. For this date the work was more intense, but the sisters: Elena
de Franklin and Míriam de Haydus, already had the help of another missionary of the
same origin, sister Rubí de Shortes and the missionaries: Lidia Guajardo and
Estéfana Huertas, from the neighboring country from Mexico. The aforementioned
sisters, led by Sister Miriam de Haydus, managed to have the organization
recognized by the National Conference of Pastors in 1954.

The first national board of directors of the Women's Missionary Council was formed
as follows: President, Míriam de Haydus, Vice President Rubí de Shortes,
Secretary Lidia Guajardo, Treasurer Estéfana Huertas. In 1961 the board was
made up of national sisters: President, Isabel Navas de Paredes; Vice President,
Filomena de Túchez; Secretary, Roselia de Carazo, Treasurer Hilda de Muñoz.

Thank God, until reaching the current board, growth has been seen. It has the
support of all leaders at the national level. There are programs that benefit the
sisters in the physical, moral and spiritual areas. Members of the Women's
Missionary Council are women 35 years of age and older, and married women who,
due to their marital status, become members of the organization.
Its colors: White (Purity) and red (The blood of Christ)
Motto: “Consecrated faithful missionary”

GOALS
1. Provide a solid base among the women of the Women's Missionary Council at
the national, regional, district, sectional, local and international levels.
2. Seek to promote a program aimed at the spiritual, intellectual, cultural, moral
and physical development of women in the Assemblies of God.
3. Maintain Christian standards, and motivate each woman in the organization to
dedicate her life to the service of Christ and her neighbor.

MEN'S FRATERNITY
History
In 1953, the General Council of the Assemblies of God of the United States of North
America authorized men to establish themselves as a department,
In Guatemala
At the National Conference in 1960, it was approved to organize the men's department
with the name of Defenders of the Faith, in 1969 it was changed to " Men's Fraternity "
Goals
1. Promote the spiritual, moral and social development of adult men.
2. Motivate its members to maintain an evangelizing and discipling spirit in order to
extend the kingdom of God.
3. Keep high the testimony of the gospel.
4. Practice biblical doctrines.

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Aimed at men
The Men's Fellowship department is made up of honorable and mature men of the
church ages 35 and older.

MISSIONS DEPARTMENT

BIBLICAL BASIS: (Mt. 28:19; Mr. 16:15, Acts 1:8)

History
The missionary movement of the Assemblies of God in Guatemala was born in
the heart of Reverend Juan C. Martínez, General Superintendent (1962-1987) From its
beginning the department was established with the vision of sending missionaries to all
nations. At the beginning of 1980, the first foreign missionaries, Míriam Paredes and
Luís Jiménez, were sent. The support of missionaries was done through the tithes of
Executives and national leaders.
In 1987 there was a missionary awakening in the Assemblies of God, and Reverend
Fredy Cisneros was appointed as National Director. At the end of 1989, the Missionary
Agency was established, whose Director was Pastor Miguel Durante. Pastor Durante
had the collaboration of the brothers: Elder Carrillo, Silma Córdaz, Mario Martínez and
Daniel Santos.
In 1990 the work of the Missionary Agency began, in a location located in zone 2,
of the capital city of Guatemala. For some reasons, it ceased operations at that location
and was moved to the Assemblies of God Headquarters. In 1990, Pastor David Flores
was appointed national promoter, and what is known today as: “DEPARTMENT OF
MISSIONARY EXPANSION OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD (DEMAD)” was created.
With the help of the brothers Rudy Girón, Vilma Bustamante and Silma Córdaz, the
missionary intercession program and motivation and information seminars on the
missionary vision to the national church were established. The first group of
collaborators were the siblings: Roberto Brenes, Marla Adimoolán, Tai Lee, Blanca
Medina and Cristina Salazar.

In 1993 the School of Missions was founded under the direction of Pastor David Flores
and Pablo Weis. In 1995, the General Presbyter elected Reverend Héctor Vásquez as
National Director of the Department, in this way, the department was consolidated.

In May 2007, the National Conference of Ministers elected Pastor Miguel Ángel
Monterroso as National Director. Currently the department is organized in the country
with regional, district, sectional and local directors.
There are missionaries in India, North Africa, China, Senegal, Mozambique, others go to
India and Spain. There are also domestic missionaries in some regions of Guatemala.
The national work expands every day in the fulfillment of the Lord's order (Matthew
28:19-20 and Mark 16:15).

GOALS

GENERAL

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 1. May each Assemblies of God church fulfill the mandate of preaching the gospel in
all nations by sending missionaries supported spiritually, economically and
ministerially by committed local churches.
2. Train potential candidates by providing them with missionary training opportunities
through the School of Missions and seminars at all levels.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Raise awareness among pastors and leaders of the local church about the
importance of getting involved in missions.
2. Establish in each local church the missionary department to work according to the
vision and projects of the National Missionary Department.
3. Send missionaries to the areas most in need of the gospel in Guatemala and the
world.
Vision
Reach Guatemala and the world for Christ, through the message inspired by God
through which he communicates with his people, only the gospel, taking into account
three principles: Only Christ Saves, only the Bible is the word new birth gives us the
privilege of entering the family of God.
Mission
Continue the task of involving more churches, ministries and ministers in the vision, and
action of continuing to advance in the fulfillment of missionary duty, both national and
global.

SPECIFIC DUTIES OF THE LOCAL MISSIONS DIRECTOR

A. From the Director

1. Organize monthly missionary worship.

2. Supervise missionary intercession groups. (already established)

3. Provide materials for intercession groups. (Available in

National Office)

4. Plan and support missionary expeditions scheduled by the

corresponding instances.

B. Assistant Principal Duties

1. Organize the monthly missionary worship when delegated by the director.

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 2. Promote financial aid for missionaries
3. Provide materials for missionary intercession groups.

C. Duties of the Secretary

1. Together with the director, make programs for missionary services.
2. Attend seminars, conferences, workshops and other activities programmed by
the regional, district and sectional directives.
3. Promote students for the School of Missions.

D. Duties of the Treasurer

1. Manage the finances of the Department and send tithes and offerings to
where they belong (The Central Offices)
2. Help promote offerings for missionaries.
3. Suggest ideas so that missionary offerings increase.
SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

BIBLICAL BASIS: ( Deut. 6:6-9, 31:12 Jl. 2:16).

HISTORY

In 1781 Roberto Raikes established the Sunday School in England. When he died in
1811 attendance was 400,000.

In America it developed and grew more rapidly. Esteban Paxson organized 1314
Sunday Schools with 83,405 students and teachers.

In Guatemala, the missionary Pery Daymond promoted Sunday School in the years
(1966-1968), this helped the growth that continues to be seen today.

GOALS
1. Win souls for Christ.
2. Prepare them through teaching.
3. Send them to beat others.

MEMBERSHIP
Members of the Sunday School are all members of the church, from infants to the
elderly, and all unsaved people who attend three or more consecutive times.

I. FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT

A. Coordinate the work of the Sunday School at the national, regional, district,
sectional and local levels.
B. Promote and ensure the proper functioning of all plans that benefit the
department.

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 C. Maintain the good structure of Sunday School at all levels.
D. Prepare managers and teachers through seminars, workshops, congresses,
conventions, conferences and other activities that help in the comprehensive
preparation of the team that works in the Sunday School.
´
II. SPECIFIC ROLES OF SUNDAY SCHOOL LEADERS
A. OF THE PASTOR
1. Manage the Sunday School in unity with its directors.
2. Form an adequate organization to win the greatest number of people. (Prov.
27:23; Jn. 21:15-17; Mt. 28:19).
3. Pastor the Sunday School the same as the other departments of the church.
4. Ensure that the Sunday School is well organized.
5. Promote and ensure the proper functioning of all plans that benefit the
department.
6. Advise the director.

B. OF THE DIRECTOR
1. Manage the Sunday School together with the other directors and advised by
the Pastor.
2. Recruit workers for Sunday School.
3. Train Teachers to have an effective Sunday School.
4. Evaluate teaching work.
5. Know the Sunday School records.
6. Work based on a budget.
7. Ensure the well-being of teachers.
8. Be an example in: Christian virtues: punctuality, love of work, communication,
skill, firm convictions, fidelity to the church and respect for superiors.

C. FROM THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR

1. Collaborate with the director in everything assigned.
2. Occupy the position of director in the absence of the incumbent.
3. Maintain good relationships with leaders and teachers.
4. Greet visitors and new members by indicating which class they should attend.
5. Organize and direct the visitation and monitoring program.
6. Coordinate the social activities of the Sunday School.

D. OF THE SECRETARY
1. Work in coordination with the pastor, officers and teachers for the
advancement of Sunday School.
2. Prepare minutes of Sunday School sessions.

3. Keep the board and teachers and churches in general informed about local
section, district, regional and national plans in relation to Sunday School.

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 4. Keep growth charts, annual records and records for each class up to date.
5. Ensure that each teacher is up to date with their registration.
6. Maintain good relationships with teachers and officials.
7. Be punctual to Sunday School.
8. Be loyal to Sunday School.

E. FROM THE TREASURER

1. Be present and participate in meetings.
2. Receive the Sunday School offerings, and keep the books correctly, so that
there is clarity in income and expenses.
3. Make the corresponding payments.
4. Provide financial reports when requested.
5. Keep accounting books up to date.
6. Take out the tithes from the Sunday School monthly and send them to the
central office.
7. Prepare the monthly budget for the Sunday School together with the board.
8. Provide teaching materials to teachers when required.
9. Do not take money from the cash register, nor lend it.

F. OF THE VOWELS
1. Attend department business sessions when called by the president.
2. Vote in business sessions.
3. Occupy a higher-ranking position in the absence or resignation of a senior
executive.
4. Occupy the position of teachers when required, in the absence of a teacher.
5. Collaborate in everything the director asks of them.
6. Attend sessions scheduled by Sunday School leaders.

MINISTRY OF INTEGRAL EVANGELISM

History

The Ministry of Integral Evangelism of the Assemblies of God (MEIDAD) began in 1996.
When analyzing the little growth of the national church, it was discovered that
evangelism has not been given importance as God establishes it in the Holy Scriptures.
For this reason, it was decided to create a ministry that is dedicated to the promotion of
comprehensive evangelism at the national level and the development of useful materials
to achieve the objectives.

Development

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In the year 2000, the development of the Ministry of Integral Evangelism began. First,
the top leaders of the work throughout the country were summoned to a training
seminar; Second, seminars were given at the sectional level. Representatives from the
local church attended, who also brought seminars to local churches. In the following
years, seminars were held in all regions with the purpose of increasing the vision of the
ministry of evangelism, and preparing studies to train churches for the work of
evangelism and fruit preservation.

Functioning

The ministry of integral evangelism has a national promoter, advised by the Executive
Committee; Each Superintendent is the promoter in his region and each priest in his
section with the support of the district priest. At the local level, each pastor is the
promoter, the deacons and department presidents are members. The ministry has a
national office where you can receive guidance regarding the ministry, and acquire
material for the work of evangelism.

Advance

The ministry of integral evangelism has its own evangelism material: Tracts, studies for
cells, how to motivate the church to get involved in evangelism, how to keep new
converts. The ministry operates throughout the country. Churches are growing, as proof
of this many churches are expanding their temples and new works have been founded.
Ministry involves the church at large.

Recent results

In 2007, the first massive evangelistic impact was carried out and the goal was ten
thousand converts, twelve thousand were reached. In 2008, growth was achieved over
2007 in terms of: evangelized, 501,396; accepted 7,665; reconciled 8,892; discipled
48,282; new works 11; baptized in water 3,429; baptized in the Holy Spirit 36,654.

THE AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST IN GUATEMALA.

ORIGIN

Embajadores de Cristo began in 1956, El Progreso, municipality of the Department of

Jutiapa, at the initiative of Reverend Juan C. Martinez. The first youth convention was
held in the village of El Ovejero, El Progreso, Jutiapa; 30 young people were baptized in
water and a good number of them were baptized with the Holy Spirit. In 1959 the
national department was formed. The first president was Pastor Fermín Carazo, the
advisor was the missionary Quentin Shortes. In 1960, the first national convention was
held, attended by 1,300 young people.

ESTABLISHMENT

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From its foundation and approval by the general presbytery, ambassadors of Christ
were established in each local Assembly, which in turn joined the higher levels. A
national board and a national office were established for the department, the support of
the national president comes from the tithes of the youth services of all the Assemblies
of God in the country.

MOTTO

“For a United youth that evangelizes, grows and seeks the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit”

YO. GOALS

TO. General.
Promote youth ministry with a pastoral approach and work in unity and service
focusing on evangelism, discipleship, missions, praise and prayer.
b. Specific
1. Promote prayer and the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit among
young men and women.
2. Organize youth to do evangelism.
3. Carry out individual and small group discipleship.
4. Promote the involvement of youth in missionary work.
5. Promote the ministry of Praise and Worship.
6. Permanently train leaders for youth ministry.
7. Promote Christian music, talent development, healthy sports, fundamental
principles and values, healthy friendships and personal testimony.

II. WORK BY AGE

It is proposed that local churches focus youth ministry according to their ages
because each age has different needs, concerns, goals, and occupations. That
is, adolescents or pre-juveniles, young people, and young adults. Also taking into
account young married couples, who must have special attention, because they
are the living example of other single young men and women.
Each age group must have a group leader who may be a member of the
local board and an appointed assistant from the related group, or as the
pastor directs. Young couples with good testimonies can be taken as
leaders.
If the church has an assistant pastor, he can work with the board as
support so that the youth ministry develops in a growing way.
Proposed groups:
TO. Adolescents or pre-juveniles. 13 to 17 years old.
b. Youths. From 18 to 24 years old.
c. Young adults. From 25 to 35 years.
d. Young marriages

RESULTS

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Ambassadors of Christ is organized in each local Assembly and has
approximately one hundred thousand young people throughout the country. It
carries out local, sectional, district and national activities, as well as
evangelization, missions, social service and education programs at all levels. It is
young people who respond to the call to pastor and lead both youth and children's
ministries. They study in Bible colleges and specialized schools for missions,
evangelism, children's evangelism, Youth Academy, Sunday School Teacher
Training School, and others.

DEPARTMENT OF THE KING'S EXPLORERS

In the early 1960s, Assemblies of God leadership in Guatemala, concerned about the
number of young people leaving the church; He asked that a program be developed to
disciple young people. As a result of that calling, Johnnie Barnes founded the National
Department of King's Scouts in October 1962.

The Missionaries: Jorge David and Juan Romero, motivated the establishment of the
King's Explorers. The first National Commander was the Rev. José Domingo Túchez,
the Second the Rev. Luís Felipe Batres, who with a group of pastors, established
seminars and camps in an empirical way. In 1988, with the help of missionary Roger
González, training courses for leaders were held for the first time. Under the
administration of the Rev. Luís Felipe Batres, the department obtained significant
progress.

With the resignation of the Rev. Luís Felipe Batres, the General Presbytery elected the
Rev. Oscar Armando Robles, as National Commander, the Rev. Robles strove to
develop the department, the number of training courses for leaders was expanded and
contact was made with leaders from other countries. The current Commander, the Rev.
Israel Roca Vásquez has been in office for six years and has had the support of God.
Currently, Explorers of the King has 300 Leaders nationwide and a Registered
Population of 4,500 Boys with their respective Detachments in the 6 Regions of the
country. Glory to God for it!

Our Mission: “To reach boys for Jesus Christ, to instruct them in the doctrines of the
Bible, in the principles of moral conduct, and to keep them active in the local church.”

YO. Our values

The profile of the upright boy for the Lord Jesus Christ:
TO. Christian masculinity
b. The church and its mission
c. Servant Leadership
d. Faithful church membership
AND. Citizenship
F. Prayer
g. Biblical doctrine

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 H. physical well-being

II. Our Methods

The means to instill the values and achieve the mission:

TO. Activities
b. patrol system
c. Promotions
d. Service and Ministry Projects
AND. Teaching
F. Friendship
g. Uniforms

III. THE PROGRAM IS AIMED AT:

Initially it focused on children and young people from 9 to 17 years old. Currently the
program covers ages 5 to 17 years. Today the ministry actively functions on every
continent, in nations around the world. The King's Scouts have earned a reputation as
one of the leading soul-winning and discipleship ministries of the church.

IV. DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS OF THE KING'S EXPLORERS

TO. MAJOR COMMANDER a good supply of provisions for the explorers.

1. Develop regulations and procedures for the local detachment consistent with
church regulations and procedures
2. Provide materials distributed by the national office
3. Meet the basic requirements of a commander.
4. Have at least general knowledge of the complete Explorers program.
5. Have completed the requirements for the Leader Training Course.
6. Be able to cooperate with other leaders.
6. Be willing to invest time in ministry
7. Be willing to acquire additional training.

b. DETACHMENT COUNCIL

They support the commanders who minister to the youth weekly at detachment
meetings. The pastor and senior commander also serve as members of the
detachment council. Some responsibilities of the council:
1. Are you familiar with the King's Scout program?
2. Recruit, interview and supervise candidates to fill positions in the detachment
3. Obtain the appropriate location for detachment meetings.
4. Maintain program funding
5. Publish and promote King's Rangers
6. Provide and maintain camping equipment.
7. Assist group commanders with activities.
8. Plan and execute ascent courses.
9. Attend business meetings.

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 C. THE CHAPLAIN (IS THE PASTOR)
1. He is the spiritual advisor of the detachment.
2. He teaches, trains, earns, disciples and encourages boys to become all they
can in Christ.
3. Exercises spiritual influence from the King's Scouts.

D. COMMANDER
1. Take charge of weekly meetings and additional activities for certain groups of
boys.
2. Each group has its own commander.

E. SECOND COMMANDER
1. Take responsibility for coordinating one or more parts of the meeting.
2. Advise the boys.
3. Help maintain discipline in meetings.
4. Sign the requirements for promotions.
5. Help maintain files for promotions.
6. Take the place of the commander in his absence.
7. Be at least 18 years old.

MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT

At the beginning of April 1960, the Missionary program in Guatemala was born. The
Assemblies of God Women's Missionary Council led by Sister Miriam de Haydus prayed
for the Missionary Department that God would raise up leaders who had vision, love and
interest to work with the missionary program.
God answered Sister Miriam's prayer and raised up leaders with that vision who have
been supported by the Holy Spirit.

This missionary program is prepared according to the mental capacity of the girls,
adolescents and young ladies of our country. It started at the Central Assembly of God.
Over time it was organized into groups of Missionaries throughout the country. The
Missionaries in Guatemala are an auxiliary branch of the Women's Missionary Council.
So far, God has blessed the National Department. There is gratitude to God for his
support.

YO. OBJECTIVES OF THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT

A. That the missionary program is divided into four groups according to their age:
(Daisies from 5 to 6 years old, Roses from 7 to 8 years old, Stars from 9 to 11
years old and Stars of Honor from 12 to 17 years old)
B. To encourage, instruct, and inspire Daisies, Roses, Stars, and Stars of Honor in
biblical doctrine, Christian service, basic church beliefs, missionary work, and
Christian conduct.

II. FUNCTION AS LOCAL DEPARTMENT

A. Reach non-Christian girls to know Christ as their personal Savior

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 B. Teach them to love and serve God from their childhood.
C. Organize them according to their age so that they receive teachings, advice, and
guidance according to their individual needs.
D. Prepare future servants of God, missionaries, pastors, leaders, and Bible
teachers.
E. Instruct them so that they know God in their life, integrally.

III. FUNCTION OF THE LOCAL DIRECTORY

TO. PRESIDENT OF THE (CMF).

1. Be president of Misioneritas
2. Ensure that the missionary board is organized
3. Reflect love and support for missionary leaders and groups
4. Ensure unity and harmony within the board
5. Accompany the missionaries in their activities
6. Celebrate National Missionary Day.
7. Help financially in any way possible.

b. COORDINATOR

1. Lead all planning meetings

2. Be an example in love, unity, good relationships with everyone, responsible,
consecrated, punctual and motivating
3. Supervise the work of board members and advisors
4. Help them with: guidance, words of encouragement and encouragement
5. Attend missionary meetings
6. Carry out the work plan at the national level
7. Celebrate the national day of the Women's Missionary Council.
8. Keep the pastor and official body informed of the annual work plan for study
and approval
9. Keep the pastor informed of missionary plans.
10.Listen to the missionaries about the study memory work and additional
requirements

c. SECRETARY

1. Be present at board meetings.

2. Have the books: Up-to-date minutes, inventory of materials or objects that
belong to the missionaries
3. Give a report to the Church of your activities.
4. Register new missionaries
5. Orient the incoming secretary.

d. TREASURER

1. Have control of finances and support all expenses with receipts or invoices.

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 2. Be a faithful steward of the Lord's funds
3. Work in harmony with your coordinator
4. Collaborate with management
5. Attend scheduled activities
6. Keep track of the missionaries' savings.
7. Orient the incoming treasurer

AND. COUNSELORS OR TEACHERS

1. Be punctual in arriving at the time of giving your class.

2. Be an example in consecration to God, inspire confidence in each of the
missionaries, visit them and pray for them.
3. Have interest in the growth of the group in number, spiritually and in the
knowledge of the word of God.
4. Listen to the missionaries.
5. Teach them to develop their talents.
6. Teach them to evangelize and the need to do so
7. Take care of your students in any activity.
8. Be present at the sessions requested.

F. ASSISTANT OR AUXILIARY

1. Help the counselor in the group that corresponds to her.

2. Collaborate in doing the group's manual work.
3. Assume the position of the advisor in her absence.
4. Love your group deeply.
5. Ensure order and discipline in the class.
6. Be the counselor's strong arm
7. Attend the sessions that are communicated to you.
8. Attend all scheduled activities.

GENERAL FUNCTIONS OF LOCAL DIRECTIVES

A. Of the presidents or directors

1. Carry out your position with responsibility, selflessness and love.
2. Support activities scheduled by the section, district, region and national
3. Attend sessions when called by the section directorate.
4. Prepare work plans with your board, under the advice of the counselor, and
submit them to the pastor for consideration.
5. Collaborate with the pastor and support the work plans of the church.
6. Hold a monthly session with the rest of the board and the Counselor to
evaluate the work already done. When necessary, make new plans.

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 7. Support and promote established activities, such as: National Missionary Day,
Pastor's Day, Ambassador's Day, Bible Day and others.
8. Advise the people or groups in your charge.
9. Accept suggestions and provisions from the pastor
10.Comply with approved financial plans.

b. From the Vice-President or the Deputy Director

1. Take responsibility for the president in his/her absence.
2. Work in harmony with the president and the rest of the board.
3. Faithfully comply with the commissions assigned to you.
4. Be faithful in fulfilling your duties in the church.

c. From the Secretary

1. Keep all your competition books in good condition.
2. Prepare minutes of what was agreed in the ordinary and extraordinary
sessions.
3. Take roll call of people at meetings when requested.
4. Keep statistics on the number of members of your organization.
5. Receive or send department correspondence.

d. From the treasurer

1. Save and take care of funds that belong to the department.
2. Keep a book of entries and exits of the organization's fund movement.
3. Manage funds according to what was agreed by the board.
4. Work in harmony with the president and the rest of the board.
5. Comply with the commissions and work assigned to you.
6. Provide financial reporting when requested.
7. Take the tithes from the entrances and send them to the Central Offices.

CONCLUSION
The departments of the national work have carried out very important work since the
founding of each one of them, the essential mission is: To worship God in spirit and in
truth, to cultivate the blessings that come from communion, to preach the gospel to the
lost and edifying the body of Christ with the pure teaching of the word of God, including
men, women and children of all ages, races, peoples and nations.

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 8. INTRODUCTION TO LEADERSHIP 3 (classes)

Compiled by Israel Roca

BIBLICAL BASIS: Joshua 1:1-17

AIM

 Identify the characteristics of a good leader.

 Understand the importance of church leadership.

INTRODUCTION

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By studying the topic of leadership we discover what elements, requirements and
qualities those who lead the church of God must have. In its etymology we find the
Greek “Kubernesis” which means: “person who guides a ship”, “administrator”. He is a
person enabled by God to lead others to achieve their objectives. It is a person who
stands out among others, due to some quality, knowledge or experience to lead others.
It is the guide, the one who directs, the promoter, the indicator of social behavior, the
leader, the boss with the voluntary acceptance of his followers.

I. ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF LEADERSHIP.

A. Loyalty
Loyalty is essential to leadership.
A loyal person is trustworthy, truthful and faithful, in dealings or in the
performance of his office or position. from the Hebrew Emuna = firmness,
security, fidelity, honesty. The heart of the leader must be in his people and the
people must be in the heart of the leader. Extracted from the book “The
Leadership Book” by John MacArthur.
Leadership cultivates loyalty by being loyal, to God, to the truth and to his
superiors, and to those he leads. As an example:
 Joseph the son of Jacob and Rachel, Genesis 39:9.
 Daniel, Daniel 1:8.
 Timothy, 1 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15.
 Titus, Titus 1:4-5.

B. Fidelity
The leader must be an example and motivate people to be faithful to Christ, to
the family, obedient to their pastors and loyal to their church.

1. To Christ. He is the reason for our life and happiness in this world. This
does not indicate that the Christian is perfect or that he does not make
mistakes; But, you must strive to be faithful to the Lord. With all this,
there is forgiveness for those who have already failed, as long as they
confess it and turn away from sin Proverbs 28:13; and 1 John 1:7-9.

2. To the family. The fidelity of spouses, parents and children is of great

value for the family and a good example for society. If the leader is faithful
within the family framework, he will have the ability to guide others toward
that goal.

3. To the shepherds. Obedience to shepherds is recommended by the word

of God Heb. 13:17; The shepherd is a human being, but he is different
from others, because he is God's anointed 1 Samuel 24:6; 1 Chronicles
16;22; and 10; Psalm 105:15. The leader must set an example of fidelity
and obedience to his pastors.

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 4. To church. the a group of people washed with the blood of Christ, who
have turned away from sin and now live to honor and serve God and their
fellow men. It is necessary for the leader to be faithful to the church to
which God called him

II. LEADERSHIP REQUIREMENTS, 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

The two biblical passages from Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus provide us
with a profile to test the level of maturity in Christ, (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-
9) in order to engage in leadership.

A. Irreprehensible, that is, having a good reputation.

B. Husband of one wife, that is, living in moral purity
C. Sober, he maintains the balance between his word and his action.
D. Prudent, he is sober and humble Fil. 2:8;
E. Decorous, from the Greek Cosmos, a good example in personal grooming,
dressing decorously.
F. Hospitable, he is generous in service.
G. Able to teach, he communicates God's truth in a sensitive and
comprehensive way.
H. Not given to wine, he is not addicted to any drug or foreign substance.
I. Not arrogant, not dominant or self-centered.
J. Not wrathful, does not give rise to sinful anger.
K. Not quarrelsome, not prone to quarrels.
L. Affable, he is gentle in his dealings with others.
M. Gentle, he is sensitive, affectionate and gentle.
N. Not greedy for dishonest gains, he is not materialistic.
O. May he govern his house well, he is a good husband and father.
P. May he have a good testimony before unbelievers.
Q. Lover of good, pursues holy activities.
R. Fair, he is wise, discerning, without prejudice, loyal.
S. Holy, devout, consecrated.
T. Not a neophyte, he is mature in the faith.

III. LEADERSHIP QUALITIES.

A. Courage
Leadership is an exciting mission but it entails risks that must be assumed
with courage and fortitude by the leader. The example of value of a leader
who is committed to his role and mission is essential for the group to achieve
success in the work begun.

B. Conviction
The leader must be firmly convinced of the importance of the organization and
its action in the group that will carry it out.

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D. Emotional balance
Effective leadership is based on a great emotional balance that allows the
leader to face adverse situations, control their emotions, and have the mental
clarity to solve the problems that arise.

E. Preparation level
A leader must be able to withstand the task assigned to him with height and
be a worthy example for his colleagues. This is achieved with training and
education appropriate to his position or ministry.

F. Comprehension
Understanding is a luxury of the human spirit and leaders worth their salt must
have it generously developed to understand and help their colleagues.

G. Decision
Making correct, immediate, timely decisions is a quality requirement for a
leader.

H. Communication
Decision making must reach the group through adequate and easy
communication that involves the way in which the message will be
transmitted, the content of the message and the structure of the message for
its rapid capture by the members of your team.

I. Forecast
Foresight requires good experience, knowledge of the subject matter and
some intuition and the ability to accept challenges.

J. victorious
This does not mean that man cannot make mistakes, but that he must be
firmly convinced that he will always try to win. You should never give up, much
less announce defeat.

K. Self-confident
The leader needs to have great confidence in God and in himself, and he
must also be able to transmit it.

L. Tact in what he speaks.

The art of the exact word or action at the required moment with the
corresponding accent has to do with touch. Lack of tact, at best, inhibits the
subordinate and at worst, creates strong resentment.

M. Credibility
The honesty and ability of a leader make them trustworthy and give them that
blank check that is the credibility of their group mates.

N. Proper use of power

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 The leader will not use his position in the group for personal benefits but for
the good of all.

O. Tenacity
It is the ability not to give up in extreme situations, to actively resist, even
when there is very little chance of achieving the goal.

P. Respect and recognition

Good leaders recognize the merits of their colleagues and display them so
that they serve as an example to the entire community. This attitude exalts the
leader and multiplies the respect and affection that the group shows him.

Q. moral strength
Leaders must possess great moral strength to overcome personal
misfortunes, the discouragement caused by defeats, and the bitter criticism of
their enemies.

R. Learning capacity
The leader must always be open to new learning to expand his knowledge
and be able to respond with height to the tasks he faces.

S. Discipline
Discipline in private life and at work is a highly desirable quality in every
leader. Discipline understood as acceptance and respect for the rules
formulated for and by the group is essential for its functioning.

T. Simplicity
A leader must be distinguished from others by his simplicity, naturalness and
humility.
U. Respect for differences
A leader must act with wisdom and flexibility in the face of the diversity of
opinions and angles that a problem poses to the group. You must be
respectful with all members of the group even if you have differences of ideas
with some

V. Team spirit
It is working together with your work team including the ideas and suggestions
of others even when you are the head.

W. Task Clarity
The leader must be able to convey a clear idea of what is expected of them,
with love and respect.

X. The value of experience

The most experienced members must heed the instructions of the superior,
resolve in the field unprecedented situations that could not be foreseen by the
leader or themselves, and communicate them to their colleagues.

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 Y. The path of victory
Victory rarely appears as a result of chance: it is built with skill, intelligence,
will, sweat, courage, and knowledge of its leaders and all the members of the
group.

CONCLUSIONS

 Leadership can only be carried out when moral and spiritual principles are taken
into account.
 Leadership must keep in mind that to achieve objectives, integrity with God,
family, superiors and those under their care is necessary.
 Leadership benefits the church and glorifies God.

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EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

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 AREA OF THEOLOGY

1. DIVINE HEALING (3 Classes)

Compiled by Juan Everildo Velásquez.

BIBLICAL BASIS

1. “I am the Lord your healer” Exodus 15:26.

2. “He who heals all your ailments; He who rescues your life from the pit” Psalm
103:3,4
3. “By his coming we were healed” Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24
4. “They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” Mark 16:18
5. “And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up” James
5:15

GOALS

 Know the biblical principles of divine healing.

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  Understand the purpose of Christ's sacrifice.
 Analyze the reasons and conjectures regarding divine healing.
 Make others aware of the blessing of being able to be healed.
 Thank God for his saving and healing work.

INTRODUCTION

The healing of the body is a blessing from God, as an additional privilege to salvation.
The purpose of Christ's atoning work is for believers to be saved and healed. God has
provided everything, it only remains for us to have faith in Him to receive healing. Here
the biblical basis is studied, what healing is, the purpose, reasons, and controversy
regarding divine healing.

I. WHAT IS DIVINE HEALING

“Healing” comes from the Greek language iáma 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28,30. The verb
“heal” comes from “iáomai” and is used in the sense of being cured of a physical ailment
Matthew 8:8. Being healed of spiritual illness Matthew 13:15; John 12:40; Acts 28:27. as
spiritual restoration Hebrews 12:13. In addition to “iáma” and “iáomai” in the New
Testament, the words “therapeía” are used, which means healing , and “therapeúo”
which means to cure, to heal.

.
II. PURPOSE OF DIVINE HEALING

Since the first couple sinned, illness arose. Satan not only separated man from
communion with God, he also caused him to suffer all kinds of evils. God's desire is to
restore man to communion with Him, and enjoy spiritual and physical health; For this,
Jesus Christ gave his life to destroy the work of Satan. “ For this purpose the Son of
God appeared, to destroy the works of the devil” 1 John 3:8. In this way, the prophecy of
the prophet Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: “He certainly bore our illnesses and suffered
our pain; and we considered him stricken, wounded by God and humbled. But he was
wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our sins; The chastisement of our peace
was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed” Isaiah 53:4,5.
The ministry of divine healing is prominent in the Scriptures. Christ began his ministry by
declaring that one of the purposes for which he had been anointed by the Holy Spirit
was to “heal the brokenhearted” (which includes the sick in body), “give sight to the
blind,” and “ set free the oppressed” Luke 4:18.The word “oppressed” refers directly to
the sick in the body, as seen in Acts 10:38: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with
the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing people.”
all the oppressed of the devil.”

III. EXAMPLES OF DIVINE HEALING

TO. In the ministry of Jesus.

Christ's ministry began by performing a series of miraculous healings:

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 “When the night came, after the sun had set, they brought to him all those who had
diseases, and those who were demon-possessed” Mark 1:32-34. According to the
gospel of Luke 6:17, immediately after the election of the Twelve, a large crowd of
people came to Jesus to hear him and “to be healed of their infirmities.” In verse 19 it
says: “And all the people sought to touch him, because power came out of him and he
healed everyone.
When Jesus sent the Twelve, “he gave them power and authority over all demons, and
to heal diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick”
Luke 9:1,2. In verse 6 it says: He passed through all the villages, preaching the gospel
and healing everywhere.
The healing of the sick was part of the great commission: “ They will lay hands on the
sick, and they will recover” Mark 16:18. This ministry was exercised by the early church.
Example: Healing of a lame man, Acts 3:1-10; 14:8; healing of a paralytic, Acts 8:7;
9:33; a dysentery patient healed, Acts 28:8.

b. In the ministry of Peter.

In the ministry of the apostle Peter, God worked healing: “So much so that they took the
sick out into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, so that as Peter passed
by, at least his shadow would fall on some of them. And even from the neighboring cities
many came to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and tormented by unclean spirits; and
they were all healed”, Acts 5:15,16.

C. In Paul's ministry.
In the same way the ministry of the apostle Paul was saturated with miracles and
healings. “And God performed extraordinary miracles by the hand of Paul, so that even
their cloths or aprons were brought to the sick, and the evil spirits came out,” Acts
19:11,12.

d. In the ministry of the early church.

When Philip, a deacon of the Church in Jerusalem, arrived in Samaria, God worked
signs and wonders through him. “And the people, with one accord, listened attentively to
the things that Philip said, hearing and seeing the signs that he did. For from many who
had unclean spirits, they came out with loud voices; and many paralytics and lame
people were healed” Acts 8:6,7.

IV. REASONS TO BELIEVE THAT GOD HEALS IN THE CURRENT TIME

A. First reason, healing is found in the Bible, and the Bible, which is inspired by the
Holy Spirit, is for us today. The same Jesus Christ revealed in Scripture as the
Healer is the same Lord we serve today. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,
and today, and forever” Hebrews 13:8.

B. Second reason, divine healing is found within the atoning work of Christ. The
biblical teaching on healing parallels its teaching on salvation. Salvation includes
the healing of our lives in all its aspects, and all of it flows from the atonement. All
good and perfect gifts from above are a consequence of the atoning work of
Christ, as recorded in Isaiah 53.

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 C. Third reason, divine healing is found in the convergence between the Bible's
teachings on salvation and the nature of humanity. Just as a human being is not
a disjointed association of body, soul and spirit, and is a very real unity, salvation
must have application to all facets of human existence. The whole gospel is for
the whole person.
D. Fourth reason is the belief that salvation must ultimately be understood as a
restoration of the fallen world. God is opposed to human suffering, because
suffering is not a consequence of his will, but of the fall.
Redemption must be understood as God's plan to restore all creation, and especially
humanity.

V. CONTROVERSY REGARDING DIVINE HEALING.

A. Why don't everyone heal?

1. Because some are sick because of the effects of sin. In 1 Corinthians 11:29-
30 it says: “For he who eats and drinks unworthily, without discerning the body
of the Lord, eats and drinks judgment for himself. Therefore there are many
sick and weak among you, and many are sleeping.”

2. Because God is trying to teach us something, like he did with Paul. “ So that
the greatness of the revelations would not exalt me above measure, a thorn in
my flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, so that I would
not be exalted above measure” 2 Corinthians 12:7. In these cases, we need to
seek that the Lord gives us the ability to understand.

3. Many do not receive healing immediately, because God has time to act. In this
case we must remember the words of the Lord that we should always pray,
without fainting Luke 18:1. The believer should not abandon hope, because
God has a moment for the healing of his children.

4. Lack of faith can also be an impediment to receiving healing. In 1 John 5:4 it

says, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the
victory that has overcome the world, our faith.” The apostle James adds: “And
the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up” James
5:15. After we have examined our hearts, and there seems to be no indication
of a reason for not being healed, we must rest in the promises of God.

B. Why were all believers healed in Jesus' time, but not all believers today?

1. Some passages in the gospels say that Jesus healed all the sick, but in other
passages it suggests that not all were healed. In the gospel of John 5:3.5,13,
it says that there were many sick people, but only one was healed.

2. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; and Galatians 4:13, we read that Paul struggled with
some type of illness, and through it, he came to preach the gospel to the
Galatians. God used an illness to take his servant to a specific place, to a
specific town, and for the specific purpose of announcing the gospel.

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 3. Paul recommends Timothy drink some wine because he has a stomach
problem. “Drink no more water, but use a little wine because of your stomach
and your frequent illnesses” 1 Timothy 5:23. This is what we could call a
historical account that serves as an illustration. That is, this text functions as a
historical precedent to justify the use of medicines during times of illness,
when we have not experienced divine healing.

C. Divine healing should be considered more as an exception than as a rule.

Some today speak of divine healing as something exceptional and unexpected.
On the other hand, the early Church did not believe that divine healing was a
totally unexpected act of God. On the contrary, they prayed for the sick, hoping
that they would recover. In James 5:14 and 15, there is no doubt about this. In
this passage it is stated that “the prayer of faith will save the sick.” The normative
will of God is to heal the sick based on the work of Christ, and through the
believer's faith in Him.

CONCLUSION

The doctrine of divine healing is not a secondary doctrine but, on the contrary, an
integral part of the message of the entire Bible. When human well-being and health are
damaged, God is actively involved in the work of restoration, and Christians have the
responsibility to share in this ministry. The Lord Jesus Christ has called us to preach the
whole gospel to the whole person, until He returns again. This includes the supernatural
healing of the body, as well as that of the soul.

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 2. THE MAN (3 classes)
Compiled by Adelso del Cid

BIBLICAL BASIS. Genesis 1.26-28. 2:7.

GOALS

1. Understand the origin and nature of man.

2. Understand the nature of man after his fall, to deal with his role in the church, with
gratitude for the redemptive action of Christ.

INTRODUCTION

This study is based on what the Bible teaches about man. It will be analyzed in two
different states: First in the original state, as God created it and then in a state of sin,
that is, it will be studied as a creature of God without sin and as a sinner.

YO. THE ORIGIN OF THE MAN.

A. Your special creation.

The Holy Scriptures teach that God made each creature “according to its kind,”
creating diversities and then allowing them to develop and progress according to
the laws of their species or being.
There is a distinction with man, the Bible emphatically declares that God created
him in his image (Gen. 1:26-27). The difference is the image of God in it.

B. The theory of evolution.

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 Evolution teaches that all forms of life were born in one way and that higher
species developed from lower ones.
Example, The snail became a fish, the fish became a reptile, the reptile became
a bird, until the monkey became a human being. Evolutionists seek to link man
with the creation of brutes, but the Lord Jesus Christ came to this world in order
to link man with God.
Christ took upon himself our nature in order to glorify it for a heavenly destiny
(John 1:12). Those who share the divine life of Christ become children of God.
This came through the descent of the divine into the human, and not through the
evolution of the human into the divine (2 Pet. 1:4. 1 Jn. 3:2).

II. THE NATURE OF MAN.

A. The trinity of man.

The Holy Scriptures teach (Gen. 2:7) that man is composed of two substances:
1. The material substance, called your body.
2. The immaterial substance, or its soul.

The soul provides life to the body, and when the soul is taken away the body
dies. But in 1 Thessalonians. 5:23 and Hebrews. 4:12, it is seen that man is
composed of three parts: Spirit, Soul and Body. Some biblical Exegetes define
this as trichotomy, compared to the dichotomy (material and immaterial
substance) mentioned above. Both views are correct when properly understood.
The spirit and the soul represent two parts of man's non-physical substance, or
to put it another way, the spirit and the soul represent two modes in which the
spiritual nature operates.

Although the spirit and the soul are not separable, they saturate and permeate
each other, by virtue of the fact that they are closely related, the words “spirit”
and “soul” are frequently used interchangeably (Ecc. 12:7. Ap. 6:9). Sometimes
the spiritual substance of man is described as the soul (Mt. 10:28), other times as
a spirit (James. 2:26). Although frequently interchanged in usage, the terms spirit
and soul have different meanings. The “soul” is man seen in relation to his
present life (Rev. 6:9-10. 20:4) and “spirit” is the word used to describe those
who have passed on to the next life (Acts. 23:9. Heh. 12:23. Lc. 23:46. 1 P.
3:19), or when a person is temporarily caught out of the body (2 Cor. 12:2).
Scofield says: because man is “spirit” he is capable of being conscious of God
and having communion with God; because it is “soul” it is aware of itself;
Because it is a “body” it has, through its senses, awareness of the world around
it.

B. The human spirit.

A spirit given by God, individually, lives in every human being (Numbers 16:22;
27:16). This spirit was formed by the Creator in the inner part of man's nature,
and is capable of renewal and development (Ps. 51:10).

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 The human spirit is the center and source of man's life. The soul is the owner of
this life, it uses it and expresses itself through the body. In the beginning God
breathed the spirit of life into the inanimate body and man became a living soul.

The soul is a spirit that inhabits a body or a human spirit that operates through
the body and the combination of both constitutes man in “soul”. The soul
survives death because it is vitalized by the spirit, and yet both soul and spirit are
inseparable because the spirit is woven into the very fabric of the soul. They are
fused, amalgamated. The human spirit is what distinguishes man from all known
created things.
Man contains human life and intelligence (Prov. 20:27; Job 32:8). In contradiction
to animal life, animals have souls (Gen. 1:20), but not spirit. Animals cannot
know the things of God (1 Cor. 32:11; 14:2; Eph. 1:17; 4:23). Animals cannot
enter into responsible personal relationships with God (John. 4:24). The spirit of
man, when indwelled by the Spirit of God (Rom.8:16), becomes the center of
worship (Jn. 4:24), of prayer, songs of blessing (1 Cor. 14:15) and service (Rom.
1.9. Phil. 1.27).
The human spirit represents the highest nature of man and is related to the
quality of his character. What gains mastery of your spirit becomes an attribute of
your character. For example, if pride dominates him, he has a haughty spirit
(Prov. 16:18). He may have a perverse spirit (Isa. 19:14), a provocative, irritable
spirit (Ps. 106.33), a hasty spirit (Prov. 14:29), an agitated spirit (Gen. 41:8), a
contrite and humbled spirit (Isa. 57:15. Mt. 5:3), a spirit of bondage (Rom. 8:15),
a spirit of jealousy (Num. 5:1). When a person repents his spirit is renewed (Ez.
18:31; 11:19). When evil passions dominate a man and he manifests a perverse
spirit, this means that the natural life or the soul has dethroned the spirit. The
spirit has fought and lost the battle.
Man has become a prisoner of his natural senses and appetites, he has become
“carnal.” The spirit no longer has control of the situation, its lack of power is
described as a state of death. Hence a new spirit is necessary (Ez. 18:31. Salt.
51:10), because his spiritual life has died, only God can give new life to the
sinner (Jn. 3:8; 20:22; Cabbage. 3:10). This renewed man constantly needs the
help of the Holy Spirit to once again take control of his being and become a
spiritual man.

C. THE HUMAN SOUL

1. The nature of the soul.
It is the life-giving principle that animates the human body, using the bodily
senses as its agents in the exploration of material things and bodily organs for
self-expression and communication with the outside world. It can be described
as spiritual and living since it comes from God.
It is described as natural, because it operates through the body, the soul is the
one that sins, but it is recognized as a gift and work of God (Zech. 12:1).

There are four distinctions of the soul: 1) The soul distinguishes the life of
man and beast from inanimate things and from the unconscious life of plants. 2)
The soul distinguishes man from animals. Animals have a soul but it is earthly

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 that perishes when the body dies (Eccl. 3:21). The soul of man is quickened by
the human spirit. The intelligence that animals possess is that of instinct and not
reason. The animals have never progressed in their constructions.
Man occupies a high scale in life that distinguishes him from animals and plants.
There are four degrees of life: First: vegetative life that needs material organs to
assimilate food. Second: the sensitive life that uses the organs to perceive and
establish contacts with the material. Third: the intellectual life that perceives the
meaning of things through logical thoughts and not merely through the senses.
Fourth: the moral life that concerns law and conduct. Animals have vegetative
and sensitive life; Man has a vegetative, sensitive, intellectual and moral life. 3)
The soul distinguishes one man from another and thus forms the basis of
individuality. The word “soul” is frequently used in the sense of that person (Ex.
1:5). Every soul means every person (Rom. 13:1). 4) The soul distinguishes
man not only from the lower orders but also from the higher orders of life.
Angels do not have souls because they do not have human bodies.

2. The origin of the soul

The first soul existed as a result of the breath of God, which transmitted to man
a breath of life. More how have they been formed since then?
Bible scholars are divided into two groups:
a. One group affirms that the individual soul is not received from the
parents, but rather is an immediate divine creation and cites the
following verses (Is. 57:16; Eq. 12:7; Heh. 12:9; Zc. 12:1).
b. The other group points out that it is transmitted by parents. According to
the following quotes (Jn. 1:13; 3:6; Ro. 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:22; Eph. 23; Heh.
7:10). The origin of the soul can be explained through the cooperation of
the Creator and the parents.

Man begets man in cooperation with the Father of spirits. The power of God
controls and saturates the world (Acts. 17:28; Heh. 1:3), so that all beings are
born according to the laws that he has ordained.

3. The soul and the body.

The relationship between them can be illustrated like this:
a. The soul is the holder or carrier of life. It appears in everything that
pertains to the sustenance, risk and loss of life. It is for this reason that in
many cases the word “soul” has been translated life (Gen. 9:5; 1 R. 19:3;
2:23; Pr. 7:23; Ex. 21:23;. Acts. 15:26). Life is the saturation of the body
with the soul. When the soul has disappeared, the body does not exist
either; all that remains is a group of rapidly decomposing material particles.
b. The soul saturates and inhabits every part of the body and more or less
directly affects all its parts. They explain why the Holy Scriptures attribute
feelings to the heart, the kidneys (Ps. 73:21; Job 16:13; Lm. 3:13; Pr.
23:16; Salt. 16:7; Jer. 4:19; Lm. 1:20; 2:11; in CCnt. 5:4; Es. 16:11); feeling
in the belly (Hab. 3:16; Job 20:23; Jn. 7:38); On other occasions the soul is
seen performing bodily acts (Prov. 23:4; Es. 32:6; No. 21:4; Jer. 6:16; Gen.
44:30; Ez. 23:18; 22,28). The phrase “my interior” is also found to describe

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 the interior organs saturated by the soul (Is. 16:11; Salt. 51:6; Zc. 12:1; 1
King. 3:26). These verses describe all the internal parts as the center of
feelings, spiritual experience and wisdom. It is not the material tissue that
thinks and feels, but the soul that operates through the tissues. Strictly
speaking, it is not a heart of flesh, but the soul feels through the heart.

c. Through the body the soul receives its impressions from the outside world.
Impressions are received by the senses: sight, hate, taste, smell and touch
and are transmitted by the brain through the nervous system. Through the
brain, the soul works on these impressions through the processes of
intellect, reason, memory and imagination.

d. The soul establishes contact with the world through the body, which is the
instrument of the soul. Sensitive, intellectual, volitional and other acts are
the activities of the soul or of the being itself. It is “I” who sees and not
merely the eyes; It is “I” that thinks and not merely the intellect, it is “I” that
throws the ball and not merely the arm, it is “I” that sins and not merely the
tongue or the limbs. When an organ is damaged the soul cannot function
as it should through it.

4. The soul and sin.

The soul lives its natural life through instincts. Instincts are the driving force of
the personality with which the Creator has endowed man in order to qualify
him for his earthly existence. He has also endowed him with spiritual faculties
to qualify him for heavenly existence. They are called instincts because they
are natural stimuli implanted within the creature to enable it to do instinctively
what is necessary for the origin and preservation of natural life.
The five instincts are: a) Conservation instinct , this warns us of danger
and enables us to take care of and protect ourselves. b) The acquisition
instinct , this leads us to acquire those that are necessary for subsistence. c)
The instinct of hunger and thirst , this stimulates us to look for food and
satisfy natural hunger. d) The reproductive or sexual instinct , by which the
human race is perpetuated. e) The instinct of domination , which leads to
displaying that spirit of initiative and affirmation necessary to fulfill one's
vocation and responsibility.

Sin arose when these instincts crossed their limits, this is found in the first
chapters of Genesis. The instinct of self-preservation was the one that
crossed its limits when he ate the forbidden fruit because God had said that if
they ate the fruit they would die. The instinct of acquisition is evident when
Adam receives the Garden of Eden from God.
The instinct of hunger and thirst is exposed when God gives man the plants
and trees that bear fruit for his food. The instinct of reproduction is seen in the
following statements from God who told him that they would be fruitful and
multiply. The instinct of dominion is implied in God's words when he
commanded Adam to fill the earth and subdue it and lord it over or rule.

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Man was also honored with free will and reason, so that he could discipline
himself and become the arbiter of his own destiny. As a guide to regulate
man's faculties, God imposed a law. Man's understanding of this law
produced conscience. When man heard the law, he had an instructed
conscience, when he disobeys he has a conscience that accuses him (Gen.
3) It is found how man surrendered to the lust of the eyes, of the flesh and the
arrogance or pride of life (1 Jn. 2:16).

Sadly the soul used the body to sin against God. Since then the desire of the
soul is to incline to sin and is known as the “intention of the flesh” (Rom. 6:6;
8:7; Gen. 15:24). Because man sinned with the body, he will be judged
according to the “deeds” through the body (2 Cor. 5:10); This speaks of the
resurrection of the body (Jn. 5:28-29).

The body will be condemned by the sinful soul that is in it, only the Holy Spirit
can destroy the sinful impulses that are in the soul (Col. 3:5; Ro. 8:13).

The “flesh” is defined as the sum of all the instincts of man after they were
twisted and made abnormal by sin, not as God created them pure and holy.

Human nature in its fallen condition has been weakened and disorganized by
the racial inheritance derived from Adam, weakened and perverted by known
acts of sin.

The perversion of the instincts and faculties with which God endowed man
constitutes the basis of sin. For example, selfishness, sensitivity, envy, and
anger are corruptions of the instinct of self-preservation. Theft and greed are
corruptions of the instincts of acquisition. Gluttony is the denaturation of the
instinct to seek food and therefore is a sin. Impurity is perversion of the
reproductive instinct. Tyranny, injustice and a contentious spirit contribute to
the abuse of the instinct of domination. Therefore sin is fundamentally the
denatured abuse of the forces with which God has endowed us.

Consequences of the corruption of instincts. First. We have a guilty

consequence that tells man that he has dishonored his Creator and warns him
of terrible punishment. Second. The denaturation of the instincts reacts
against the soul, weakening the will, initiating and strengthening bad habits
and creating evils of character (Gal. 5:19-21). Third. Under the guilt and
power of sin, the soul dies in crimes and sins (Eph. 2:1). Located between the
body and the spirit, between the higher and the lower, between the earthly
and the spiritual, she has chosen incorrectly. His choice has produced no
benefit, but eternal destruction (Mt. 16:26; Heh. 12:16).

There is a remedy for healing the guilt and power of sin. Sin is an offense
against God, atonement is needed to remove the guilt and cleanse the
consequence. For this God provided us with the gospel and the blood of

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 Christ. Sin caused illness of the soul and disorder in the being of man, so a
healing and corrective force is needed.
That power is provided through the internal operation of the Holy Spirit who
corrects the perversity of nature, and sets in motion, within us, force in the
corresponding direction (Gal. 5:22-23). Only the Holy Spirit can make man
right before God, again.

5. The soul and the heart

The Holy Scriptures teach us that the heart is the center of man's entire being
(Mt. 12:40; Dt. 4:11; Ex. 15:8; Salt. 46:2). The “Heart” of man is therefore the
very center of personality. There is a physique and the heart as the center of
man's being.
a. The physical heart is the center of physical life. “According to medical
science, it is the first thing that lives, the first movement is a sure sign of
life, its arrest a sure sign of death.”
b. The heart, as the center of man's being, is the place of convergence of
all the currents of life, both spiritual and soul because it is the deepest
part of our being, from it come the impulses that determine personality,
character. and the conduct of man.
c. The heart is the center of life, desires, will and judgment. Love, hate,
determination, good will, joy (Ps. 105:3). The heart knows, understands
(1 Kings. 3:9), deliberate, evaluate, calculate. The heart can be directed
towards something or pay attention to something. He leans towards
something. The heart is the repository of everything that is heard or
experienced (Lk. 2:51). In the heart thoughts and purposes are formed,
whether good or bad (Ps. 14.1. Mt. 9:4. 1Co 7:37. 1 King. 8:17).
d. The heart is the center of the life of emotions. Joy and pleasure are
attributed to him (Is. 65:14). Pain, from discontent and sadness (Prov.
25:20; Jn. 14:1); anguish (Ps. 109:22; Acts. 21:13); disgust and anger
(Prov. 23:17). The desire for revenge (Deut. 19:6); the whole order of
fear, from reverential fear (Jer. 32:40), even blind terror (Deut. 28:28)
and is consumed by its sacred fire (Jer. 20:9).
e. The heart is the center of the moral life. There is love for God or
blasphemous pride produced (Ps. 73:26; Ez. 28:2-5). It is the workshop
of everything that is good or bad in thoughts, words and deeds (Mt.
15:19). The heart is the place where the law of God was originally
written and where the same law is renewed by the operation of the Holy
Spirit (Rom. 2.15; Heh. 8:10) and in the heart resides conscience (Heb.
10:22). All the witnesses of conscience are assigned to him (1 Jn. 3:19-
21). With the heart man created (Rom. 10:10), or I did not believe (Heb.
3:12). It is the ground where the word of God is sown (Mt. 13:19).
Depending on the decisions he makes, he allows himself to be inspired
by God (2 Cor. 8:16) or Satan (Jn. 13:2). The heart is the habitation of
Christ (Eph. 3:17) and the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22). Enjoy the Peace of
God (Col. 3:15). It is there where the love of God is received (Rom. 5:5).
It is where the light of the gospel is born (2 Cor. 4:6). It is the heart that
can have secret communion with God (Eph. 5:19). Only God can fathom

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 it (Jer. 17:9). That is why the Holy Scriptures say: Above all things
guarded, guard your heart because from it flows life (Prov. 4:23).

6. The Soul and the Blood.

Holy Scripture tells us that the life “is of the flesh in the blood” (Lev. 17:11). In
both man and beast, blood is the source and sustenance of physical life (Lev.
3:17; Dt. 12:23; Lm. 2:12; Gen. 4:10; Heh. 12:24; Job 24:12; Ap. 6:9-10; Jer.
2:34; Pr. 28:17). According to medical science, blood is the first to live and the
first to die and is the main seat of the soul. The blood lives and is nourished
by itself and by no other part of the body (Acts. 17:26; Jn 1:13).

Blood is presented as the original material from which the human organism
comes. It uses the heart as a pump and the blood as a carrier of life, sending
vitality and nourishment to all parts of the body. The blood of man is of greater
value than that of animals because it carries within it the image of God (Gen.
9:6). That is why God views with greater esteem the blood of the innocent and
the martyrs (Gen. 4:10; Mt. 23:35; The most valuable blood is that of Christ (1
Pet. 1:19. Heh. 9:12). The blood of Christ is united to the Deity. By the mercy
of God the blood became a means of atonement, when it was sprinkled on the
altar of God (Lev. 17:11), but later it was the precious blood of Christ that
atoned for our sins (Mt. 9:14).

7. The human body.

The human body is known by the following names:

1. Earthly house or building (2 Cor. 5:1). It is an earthly house in which the

pilgrim soul of man dwells during the journey from here to eternity. With
death, that earthly house or tabernacle is dismantled and the soul then
departs or leaves (Is. 38:12; 2 P. 1:13).
2. Sheath or sheath. Dn. 7:15. The body is the sheath or sheath of the
spirit. Death is equivalent to removing the sword from its sheath.
3. Temple (Jn. 2:21). A temple is a place consecrated by the presence of
God, it is a place where the omnipotent God is located (1 Kings. 8:27).
The body of Christ was a temple (Jn. 2:21). Because God was in him (2
Cor. 5:19). When God enters into relationship with a person, his body
becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19).
God gave the Israelites laws that have to do with the care and
cleanliness of the body. The body must be kept strong and clean. It is
true that the body is earthly (1 Cor. 15:47), and is subject to humiliation
(Phil. 3:21), to sickness and death (1 Cor. 15:53). Our body groans for a
heavenly body. (2 Cor. 5:2), but the coming of Christ is our glorious
hope in the redemption of our body (Rom. 8:11).

III. THE IMAGE OF GOD IN MAN ( Gen. 1:26; 5:1.9:6; Eq. 7:29; Acts. 17:26-29; 1 Cor.
11:7; 2Co. 3:18; 4:4; Eph. 4:24; Cabbage. 3:10; Stg. 3:9).

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 Man was created in the image of God; He was made in the likeness of God in
character and personality (Lev. 12:2; Mt. 5:45-48. Eph. 5:1).

A. Kinship with God.

Man has a nature capable of knowing, loving and serving God. The
relationship of living creatures with God consists of blind obedience to the
instincts implanted in them by the Creator; but the life which inspired man was
a true result of the personality of God. Man has a body that was made from the
dust of the ground (Gen. 2:7). In this way he endowed him with a nature
capable of knowing, loving and serving God. By his divine image all men are,
by creation, children of God; but since the image has been tarnished by sin,
man must be re-created or born again (Eph. 4:24), to actually be a child of
God. Man is a being who prays and in the fiercest moments of life, he cries out
to some Higher Power for help. Man does not understand the greatness of his
position and often acts like a beast (Ps. 49:20).

B. Moral character.
Man knows good and evil. An animal cannot distinguish between good and
bad, nor do they have a religious or moral nature.

C. Reason.
Man is superior to nature. Man is capable of reflecting and reasoning with
respect to the causes of things. Man has invented many things: the clock, cars,
airplanes, the computer and more.

D. Ability to be immortal.
The tree of life planted in the garden of Eden indicates that man would never
have died if he had not disobeyed God. Christ came to rescue man and restore
his immortality.

E. Dominion over the land.

Man was destined to have dominion over the earth. God gave him dominion
over all creation (Gen. 1:28), including people. Man was going to be a visible
representative of God in relation to the creatures around him but because of
sin he lost that position. Despite having lost his relationship with God, he
retains the ability to dominate creation, which is why science has increased,
villages, towns, countries, continents have emerged, as a way for man to
dominate the earth. It is also worth noting that this has led to disorder in the
management of resources, which today are in crisis.

CONCLUSION.

From the Scriptures we understand that man owes his existence to a special creation,
God created them in his image and likeness. The theory of evolution is completely
discarded, God created man capable of knowing, loving and serving God. The fall of
man resulted in the loss or damage to the divine image. Man lost his original innocence

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and moral intelligence through his disobedience. Hence man is incapable of saving
himself and has no hope outside of divine grace that can restore the image of God in
him. Man was created different from all other living beings, because he not only has
material elements, but he also has immaterial elements.

3. ANGELEOLOGY (3 classes)
Compiled by Adelso del Cid

BIBLICAL BASIS: Psalm 91:11; 103:20; Mark 13:32; 8:32.

GOALS

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Let leaders understand the nature, classification, character and work of angels on behalf
of believers; as well as that they know Satan, his evil work against believers and the
power that emanates from Christ.

INTRODUCTION

The spiritual world is much more populated, powerful and has greater resources than
the world of human beings.

There are good and bad spirits among us, their speed is unlimited, similar to the speed
of light, they do not make the slightest noise, they go from one place to another and their
habitation is the space that surrounds us and the presence of God. Some of them are
interested in the well-being of human beings and others seek to harm them.

The Holy Scriptures teach what is related to this invisible world in order for Christians to
be encouraged and warned of deception.

I. HIS, HER NATURE.

A. They are Creatures or Created Beings

They were made from nothing by the extraordinary power of God, possibly
before the creation of man, even before the rebellion of the Angels at the
command of Satan.

This rebellion left as a consequence two kinds of Angels, good angels and
bad angels.

Angels, being creatures, do not accept worship Ap. 19:9-10. 22:8-9. And men
have been ordered not to worship them Col. 2:18.

B. They are Spirits

Angels are not limited by natural or physical conditions, they appear and
disappear at will, they travel quickly without the use of natural means.
Although they are spirits, they have the ability to assume human form in order
to make their presence visible to man (Gen. 19:1-3).

C. They are immortal

Angels are not subject to death like human beings (Lk. 20:34-36).

D. They are numerous

The number of angels is very high, thousands of thousands or “millions of

millions” (Dan. 7:10). Jesus mentioned twelve legions (a Roman legion at first
had 3,000 soldiers; from 100 BC. C. had from 5,000 to 6,200 soldiers) of

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 angels (Mt. 26:53). When Jesus was born Luke says that multitudes of
heavenly armies announced it (2:13; Heb.12:22). And God is known as
Jehovah of hosts.

E. They are sexless.

Angels are described as if they were male, but they are asexual, they do not
propagate (Lk. 20:34-36).

II. ITS CLASSIFICATION ( 1 P. 3:22. Cabbage. 1:16. Eph. 1:20-21).

A. The Angel of the Lord

The way it is mentioned distinguishes it from any angel. The angel of the Lord
has power to forgive sins or retain transgressions. This is an attribute that
belongs to him and the name of God is in him (Ex. 32:34. 33:14).

The Holy Scriptures teach two important things about this angel:

1. First. That the character of Jehovah is revealed in Him.

2. Second. That the face of Jehovah can be seen in Him (Is. 63:9).
Therefore He can save or retain transgression (Gen. 32:30; 48:16).
This leads us to the conclusion that this mysterious angel is not another
angel, but is the Son of God, the Messiah, the liberator of Israel and the
future Savior of the world, therefore he is an uncreated being.

B. The Archangel

Michael is mentioned as the archangel or chief angel of Judah (Rev. 12:7; 1

Thes. 4:16). Here he appears as the guardian angel of the Israelite nation
(Dn.12.1).

The angel Gabriel is also mentioned as occupying a very high position in the
presence of God (Luke 1:19). Messages of the highest order or of great
importance related to the kingdom of God are delivered to him (Dan. 8:16.
9:21).

C. The Chosen Angels

They are believed to be the angels who remained faithful to God during the
satanic rebellion (1 Tim. 5:21; Mt. 25:41; 2 P. 2:4-5; Jude 6).

D. The Angels of the Nations

It is believed that each nation has its guardian angel who ensures the national
well-being.

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 When the Jews were returning from the Babylonian captivity, Daniel prayed
and fasted for their return (Dan. 10:1-2). Three weeks later an angel (Gabriel)
came to explain the cause of the delay in the answer to prayer. The prince of
the kingdom of Persia (opposition) and one of the main princes is mentioned
Michael (Dan. 10:13), the prince of Greece (Dn. 10: 13, 20-21).

The word prince that appears in the New Testament, perhaps referring to
these angelic princes of the nations, is used to refer to both good and bad
angels (Eph. 3:10; Cabbage. 2:15; Eph. 6:12).

E. The Cherubs

They are angels of high position and are related to the retributive and
redemptive purposes of God with respect to man (Gen. 3:24; Ex. 25:22). They
are described as the face of a lion, a man, an ox and an eagle, this suggests
that it represents the perfection of the creatures. The vigor of a Lion, human
intelligence, the speed of an eagle and the service of an ox Ro. 8:21.

F. The Seraphim.

This is only mentioned in chapter Six of Isaiah. In Hebrew this word means
“Those who Burn” probably referring to their ardent devotion to God. His
distinctive characteristic is his ardent love for God.

III. HER CARACTERISTICS

A. They are Obedient.

He fulfills his commission without arguing or hesitation (Mt. 6:10; Salt. 103:20).
Those who did not obey were put on trial (Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4).

B. They are Reverent

His highest activity in the worship of God (Neh. 9:6; Philp. 2:9-11; Heh. 1:6).

C. They are wise

The intelligence of angels exceeds that of men in this life, but it is necessarily
finite. Angels cannot discern our thoughts and their knowledge of the
mysteries of grace is limited (1R. 8:39; 1 P. 1:12).

D. They are humble

They never harbor personal resentments, nor do they denounce or treat

anyone or their opponents with contempt (2 Pet. 2:11; Jud. 9).

E. They are powerful

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 They are mighty in strength (Ps. 103:20; 2 P. 2:11; Es. 37:36; 2 Thes. 1:7).

F. They are Saints

Separated by God and for him they are holy “Angels” (Rev. 14:10).

IV. HIS WORK

A. Agents of God

They are mentioned as executors of God's Judgment decrees (Gen. 3:24; No.
22:22-27; Mt. 13:39,49; 16:27-28; Mr. 13:27; Gen. 19:2; 2 S. 24:16; 2 Kings19:35;
Acts. 12:23).

B. Messengers of God.

The word angel literally means “Messengers.” God has used angels to send
messages to man, annunciations (Lk.1:11-20; Mt.1:20-21); Warnings (Mt. 2:13;
Heh. 2:2); Instructions (Mt. 28:2-6; Acts. 10:3; Dn. 4:13-17). They have also
encouraged many (Acts. 7:53; Ga. 3:19; Heh. 2:2; Dan.9:21-27; Ap. 1:1).

C. Lambs of God.

They are servants of God and perform services on our behalf (Heb. 1:14). Many
times they have been sent to support or comfort (Mt. 4:11; Lc. 22:43; 1 R. 19:5).
Other times they have been sent to preserve people (Gen. 16:7-15; 24:7; Ex.
23:20; Ap. 7.1). They have also been sent to deliver from dangers (Num. 20:16;
Salt. 34.7; 91:11; Es. 63:9; Dn. 6:22; Gen. 48:16; Mt. 26:53). Other times they
have been sent to intercede on behalf of believers (Zech. 1:123. Rev.8:3-4).
Other times they have exercised their ministry in favor of the righteous after death
(Lk. 16.22). Some have formulated the doctrine of guardian angels according to
this doctrine, each believer has a special angel destined to guard him (Mt. 18:10;
Acts. 12:15).

V. SATAN.

The Scriptures present Satan as the greatest enemy of God and man. It also
speaks of the existence of an evil personality, so you should learn everything you
can about it.

A. Its origin .

1. According to the Holy Scriptures, Satan was originally Lucifer, which

literally means “torch bearer,” and was the most glorious of the created
angels. But he was filled with pride and aspired to be like the Almighty. For
this reason God judged him and he became a devil (1Ti 3:6; Is. 14:12-15;
Ez. 28.12-19). Satan in his evil tried to infect all of God's creation and the

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 first parents of the human race with that spirit of rebellion and pride (Gen.
3:5; Es. 14:14). This same rebellion, pride, and frustrated ambition
consume him to this day, so that he still desires to be worshiped as the
god of this century (Mt. 4:9; 2 Cor.4:4).
His ambition will be temporarily satisfied when he is incarnated in the
antichrist (Rev. 13:4). As punishment for his evil, Satan was thrown from
heaven, along with him a group of angels who joined his rebellion (Mt.
25:41; Ap. 12:7; Eph. 2:2; Mt. 12:24). Satan tried to make Eve an ally but
God foiled the plot and said “and I will put enmity between you and the
woman…” (Gen. 3:15).

B. His character I.

The character of Satan is indicated by the names and titles by which he is known:

1. Satan. It literally means adversary and presents his pernicious and

malicious attempts to hinder God's purposes.
Satan tried to destroy the genealogical line from which the messiah would
come, Cain, the first son of Eve, “was of the evil one” and killed his brother
Abel (1 Jn. 3:12). God gave another son to Eve who was called Seth and
he became the seed from which the liberator of the earth would be born.
Sadly, as the years went by, the line of Seth gave in to the cunning of
Satan and deteriorated. , as a consequence later brought the universal
flood. But God's plan was not hindered, there was at least one righteous
person, "Noah" through whose family the new race was established, his
son Shem was chosen so that Abraham would come from his
descendants, from whom the genealogical line continued where the Savior
of the world would be born. world. Satan's efforts continued with this family
to hinder God's purposes. Ishmael was born who opposed Isaac, then
Esau wanted to kill Jacob, Pharaoh wanted to destroy the Israelites in
Egypt, this continued until he apparently killed the son of God and today he
wants to destroy the Church, introducing false teachings and also uses
persecution to prevent the Church from fulfilling its duty (1 Tim. 4:1; Ap.
2:10).

2. Devil, its meaning is slanderous

Satan slanders God with man Gen. 3:2-5. And slanders man with God
(Rev. 12:10; Job 1:9; Zac. 3:1-2).

3. Destroyer of the Greek Apollyon and the Hebrew Abaddon (Rev. 9:11).

This means that he is full of hatred against the Creator and his work, the
devil would like to establish himself as a destroying god.

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 4. Snake Or the Ancient Serpent 2

This serpent is called the devil (Rev. 12:10).

5. Tempter , means to test (Mt. 4:3).

This same term is used in God's dealings with his children, but God tests
man for his good, to form his character and purify and develop it. Satan
tempts with evil to destroy man (Gen. 22:1).

6. Prince and god of this world (Jn. 12:31; 2 Cor. 4:4).

These titles suggest his influence on society organized apart from God in
the world (1 Jn. 5:19. 2:16).
According to the Holy Scriptures, the activities of this world are based on a
triune god: honor, pleasures and profits.

7. Your activities

By its nature it opposes the work of God by hindering the gospel (1 Thes.
2:18; Mt. 3:19; 2 Cor. 4:4). It takes possession of the wicked, blinds them,
deceives them and causes them to fall into a trap (Lk. 22:3; 2 Cor. 4:4; Ap.
20:7-8; 1 Ti. 3:7); afflicts them (Job 1:12); tempts the saints (1 Thes. 3:5).
He is described from the beginning as daring (Mt. 4:4-5), proud, powerful,
evil, cunning, deceitful, fierce and cruel (1 Tim. 3:6; Eph. 2.2; Job 2:4; Gen.
3:1. 2; Cor. 11:3; Eph. 6:11; 1 P. 5:8).

8. Its sphere of operations III.

He acts in the highest circles as an angel of light (2Co. 11:14). He attends

religious meetings, this is indicated by his presence at the angelic
convention (Job 1), by terms such as doctrine of demon (1Ti. 4:1) and
Synagogues of Satan (Rev. 2:9). He frequently poses as an angel of light,
his goal is to destroy the Church.

9. Your reason

He hates the image of God reflected in the believer, he hates human

nature because it was assumed by the Son of God. He hates the external
glory of God in which we were created to achieve endless happiness, he
hates us for a thousand reasons.

D. Its limitations.

For those who believe in Christ, he is already a defeated enemy (Jn. 12:31).
He appears strong, only with those who surrender to him. Every believer must

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 resist him and he will flee (James. 4:7). It has power but it is a limited power, it
cannot tempt us, afflict us, kill us, or touch us, without God's permission (Mt.
4:1; Job 1:12; 2:16; Heh. 2:14).

C. Your Final Destination

God decreed his fall (Gen.3:15). His humiliation and degradation through
Christ has been very noticeable, his career has only been downward. He was
thrown out of heaven from the beginning. During the tribulation he will be cast
from heaven definitively to earth (Rev. 12.9). At the beginning of the
millennium he will be cast into the abyss for a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-2).
Then he will be thrown into the lake of fire forever (Rev.20:109).

VI. EVIL SPIRITS. IV

A. Fallen angels.

The angels were created perfect and blameless and like man they were
endowed with the power to choose. Therefore, under the direction of Satan,
many of them determined to sin and were cast out of heaven (2 Pet. 2:4; Jud.
6). His sin, like Satan's, was pride.

B. The current room of the bad angels

According to the Holy Scriptures, some are in Tartars or hell (2 p. 2:4; Jude. 6;
Ap. 9:1-5). Others are in the space or in the air that surrounds us (Jn. 12:31;
14:30; 2 Cor. 4:4; Ap. 12:4,7-9). When it traps man in the bonds of sin it
acquires great power over him (2 Cor. 4:3-4; Eph. 2:2; 6:11-12).

Only the redemption of Christ can destroy that power (Rev. 5:9; 7:13-14; but
the fallen angels will never be reached by the promise of redemption (1 Pet.
1:12). Hell was prepared for them where they will suffer eternal punishment
(Mt. 25:41).

C. Demons.

The Holy Scriptures do not describe the origin of demons.

It seems to be part of the mystery surrounding the origin of evil, but the Bible
speaks clearly of its existence and activities (Mt. 12:26-27). The gospels
present them as disembodied spirits that enter man, and in some cases more
than one demon can enter and take up residence in the same person (Mr.
16:9; Lc. 8:2). Its manifestations in a man's life are: madness, epilepsy and
other diseases, especially the mental mind and nerves (Mt. 9:33; 12:22; Mr.
5:9-15). A person under demonic possession is not master of himself. The evil
spirit speaks through its mouth or leaves it mute and takes it wherever it wants

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 and often gives it supernatural power. Thanks to the power of Christ people
can be free (Mr. 16:17). Every believer must be filled with the power of the
Holy Spirit, in order to command them to leave people. No believer with a
good relationship with God can suffer demonic possession.

CONCLUSION

It is recognized by the Scriptures that angels are beings created by God and are
spiritual beings that do not have a body like human beings, they are immortal but
they do not propagate because they are sexless. They are holy beings who are at
the service of God and are sent by him to serve those who will be heirs of
salvation.

Satan is also the greatest enemy of God and man. He is a fierce adversary who
hinders the purposes of Two. He hates the image of God in man. Only the
redemption of Christ can free man from his malicious plans

4. ESCATOLOGY (3 classes)

Biblical Base Revelation 1:19

Goals

Understand the state of humans between death and resurrection.

Know God's plan for the future time.
Understand God's purpose for humanity.

Introduction

The word eschatology is derived from two Greek words: ”éscatos”, which means “last” or
“last events”, and “lógos”, which in this case is interpreted as knowledge. It also means
“Treaty of Last Things.” Eschatology is the doctrine of last things, it is part of the
theology that studies the final destiny of man and the universe.

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Eschatology is divided into two parts, the individual and the general. Individual
eschatology deals with teachings concerning the character of life after death,
considering the nature and place of the soul's existence between death and the final
resurrection. General eschatology describes the ultimate events that will occur at the
end of human history. The topics covered in general eschatology are: “the day of the
Lord”, “the second coming of Christ”, “the millennial kingdom”, “the final judgment” and
“the eternal state”.

DEATH.

Its meaning. Death is the separation of the soul and spirit from the body. It is the
separation of the soul and spirit from the physical world to the spirit.

Various kinds of death.

Spiritual death. Spiritual death is the separation from communion with God caused by
sin Isaiah 52:2; Ephesians 2:1; 1 Corinthians 15:22. That death occurred when Adam
and Eve sinned Genesis 2:17. That death was inherited to all humans Romans 5:12
Imputative death (it means that Christ died not for himself but for sin). Christ died for all
2 Corinthians 5:14,15, and we died to sin.
Personal death. Which is the death of the “ego” or “I” Romans 6:2; 1 Peter 2:24.
Physical death. As a fulfillment of the word of God Hebrews 9:27.

Origin of death.

Various words used in Hebrew and Greek regarding death

In Hebrew “Muth”
In Greek “Tanatós”
In Hebrew “gava” means to breathe out, to breathe your last Genesis 6:17.

In Hebrew “Maveth” means separation Genesis 25:11.

In Greek “Teleuthé” means end or end of everything Matthew 2:15.
In Greek “Anairesis” means elevation, lifting up Acts 8:1.

Summary. Death means an expiration, giving the last breath, an end and end of
everything in this life; a separation between soul and body, an elevation or lifting up to
another level of life Psalm 89:48; Numbers 16:30; Acts 2:27-32; Genesis 37:35; Luke
16:19-24; 24:43.

Misconception regarding death.

Materialism. Materialism says that since man is a purely material organism, everything
ends for him with death. God exists only in the brains of men. For materialism, its God is
reasoning. The Bible says the opposite Romans 1:18; Acts 17:25,28.

Existentialism. Existentialism teaches that existence is totally impossible. Death is an

annihilation. Death is the revelation of the absurdity of all waiting. Man is thrown into

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existence towards total shipwreck and it is called tragic existence Isaiah 59:1,2; 1
Timothy 2:5; 2 Corinthians 5:11.

Reincarnationism. Reincarnationism believes that the same soul can successively

animate or give life to different bodies. It applies the “law of opposites” according to
which, just as death comes from life, so also life comes from death. It also supports the
“law of memory”, claiming that the learning process is only remembering the knowledge
and experiences from a previous life. The human being cannot escape the crimes he
commits, he will atone for them in successive reincarnations until he has purified himself
and thus returns to the universal divine principle from which he came. The Bible says
that it is established that man dies once and then comes judgment and that Christ died
to purify sins Hebrews 1:3.

Correct concept of death.

The root of death is sin Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:22,56,57. Its destruction was
through the death and resurrection of Christ Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians
15:17,22,56,57; 2 Timothy 1:10; Romans 6:6; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Hebrews 2:14,15.
For the Christian, death is under his dominion and is a blessing instead of a curse (1
Corinthians 3:22). In Christ the death of the Christian becomes: Dear, Psalm 116:15;
blessed, Revelation 14:13; much better, Philippians 1:23

Characteristic of physical death.

It is the threshold of eternal judgment; has no contemplations; no respecter of persons

(rich and poor, great and small, wise and ignorant); It does not ask permission, it arrives
no matter how the person is; Death is like a black camel thrown at everyone's door;
marks the dividing line between time and eternity and fixes the eternal destiny of the
person, Luke 16:26.

2
Description of death. Death in the Old Testament is Job being cut off.
14:2; descend into silence Psalm 115:17; return to dust Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes
12:7; surrender the soul Luke 12:20; go the way he does not turn Job 16:22; Joshua
23:14.

In the New Testament, death is the demolition of our tent 2

Corinthians 5:1; depart and be with Christ Philippians 1:23; being absent from the body
2 Corinthians 5:8; sleep John 11:11,13.

Spiritual death.

At the moment Adam sinned, spiritual death occurred and physical death was
established Genesis 2:17. The person who dies without Christ dies in his sin and is
consequently insured for the second death John 8:24; Revelation 20:6; 21:8. Spiritual
death originates in the person from conception. “I was born a sinner, Yes, I have been
from the moment my mother conceived me Psalm 51:5 (Bíblia al Día). “The wicked have

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been wicked from the womb; They have wandered from the womb onward” Psalm 58:3.
Spiritual death becomes practical in the person the moment he practices sin. Sin is
considered spiritual death, because it is a damage that the sinner does to himself;
because it is a terrible offense that is committed against God himself; because it is not in
itself. The prodigal son while away from home was unaware of his sinful state, but came
to his senses and sought his father and home Luke 15:13,17.

The annulment of spiritual death. “For God took Christ, who was without sin, and cast
our sins on Him. And then to top it all off, he declared us righteous, he justified us” 2
Corinthians 5:21 (Bible for the Day). God put Jesus in a state of spiritual death in our
place so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (Christ).

What death is for the just and the unjust.

For the righteous, physical death is a brief tunnel that occurs between two lives. For the
unjust, life is a short space between two deaths. For the just, death is a rest, and for the
unjust it is a shipwreck, without knowing what awaits them or what the place where they
belong is like.

THE SOUL.

What is soul.

In the Hebrew language soul is “nefesh” and means “to be”; "life"; "person"; "heart";
"desire"; "emotion"; "passion". In the Greek language alma is “psyche” and denotes
breath, the breath of life.

Definition.
The spirit is the vital principle given to man by God, and the soul is the resulting life
constituted in the individual, and is the link between matter and spirit, the body being the
material organism animated by the soul and the spirit.
3
The soul is the seat of personality Luke 9:24,25; It is the seat of the sensitive element in
man, that through which he perceives, reflects, feels, desires Matthew 11:29; Luke 1:46;
It is the seat of will and purpose Matthew 22:37; It is the seat of appetites Revelation
18:14.

The condition of the soul after death.

* Separation from the body at death.

“Receive my spirit” Acts 7:59; “to be loosed and be with Christ” Philippians 1:21,23;
“Today you will be with me in paradise” Luke 23:42,43; “You have come…to the
congregation of spirits” Hebrews 12:22,23; “Judas go to his own place” Acts 1:25; “God
will redeem his soul from going to the grave, and his life will be seen in light” Job

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33:28; “The beggar died and was carried away by the angels” Luke 16:22; “The wicked
will go down alive to hell” Psalm 55:15; “I saw under the altar the souls of those who had
been killed for the word of God” Revelation 6:9.

* Conscious.

Unconscious as to his relationship with this world Ecclesiastes 9:5,6; Psalm 6:5; 30:9;
115:17; 146:4; Isaiah 38:18,19; aware of the spiritual world Isaiah 14:9-11; Ezekiel
32:21; Luke 16:19,24; Genesis 37:35.
the conscious righteous. They think, they cry, they ask, they rest Revelation 6:9; they
hear, speak, feel, discern, remember, understand Luke 16:23-30; the conscious unjust.
They come, they cry out, they beg, they feel the suffering, they intercede, they insist
Luke 16:23-30.

The intermediate state of the dead.

* In the Old Testament.

All those who died were aware that they were going to “Sheol” the place of the dead. A
place that is below Proverbs 15:24; It is found deep in the earth Ezekiel 32:18. It is a
cruel and hard place Song of Solomon 6:5; It is a place of pain Psalm 18:5; it is a place
of the souls of the righteous and unrighteous deceased Genesis 37:35; Proverbs 9:18; It
is also literally described as the place of silence Psalm 31:17; 115:17; place where God
is praised Psalm 6:5; Isaiah 38:18; the place of sorrows and pains Psalm 22:6; 18:5;
116:3; place of inactivity Ecclesiastes 9:10; the good ones went to
earthly paradise Luke 16:22; 23;43; Genesis 37:35; Psalm 89:48; Numbers 16:30;
Proverbs 5:3.5; Acts 2:27-32; the unjust of all times go to torment Luke 16:23.

* In the New Testament.

Since the resurrection of Christ the way to heavenly paradise was opened. Christ took
the captives who were in the earthly paradise and transferred them to the heavenly
paradise Ephesians 4:8-10; 1 Peter 3:19. After the resurrection of Christ, each saint who
died thought and hoped to be in the presence of God, in the heavenly paradise 2
Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; Revelation 6:9. The souls of the saints who are in
heavenly paradise are awaiting the coming of Christ for the resurrection of their bodies.
4
Hope: Blessed Titus 2:13; live 1 Peter 1:3; firm Hebrews 6:16; Joyful Romans 12:12;
Purifying 1 John 3:3; of glory Colossians 1:17; for health 1 Thessalonians 5:8; victorious
1 Thessalonians 4:13.

THE RESURRECTION

The idea of the resurrection in the Old Testament.

Job had an idea of the resurrection Job 19:25,26. Isaiah speaks of the resurrection but
more than anything it deals with the restoration of Israel according to Ezekiel 37, and

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only has a glimpse of resurrection, Isaiah 26:19; and it is made clear in 2 Timothy 1:10.
Hosea talks about what Ezekiel talks about in chapter 37; Hosea 6:2,3, and chapter
13:14 is combined with 1 Corinthians 15:55. Daniel takes the resurrection for granted
Daniel 12:2,13.

The idea of the resurrection in the New Testament.

Jesus speaks affirmatively of the resurrection Matthew 22:29; 27:52; Luke 14:14; John
5:29; 6:39; the apostles testify to the resurrection Acts 4:2,32; Paul emphasizes the
resurrection Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26,35; Philippians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians
4:14,16. John the theologian speaks of the first and second resurrection Revelation
20:4-6.

Testimony of the church fathers.

Clement, 100 AD “Let us consider how the Lord shows us the future resurrection.” Justin
Martyr, “The body is the abode of the soul, and the soul is the abode of the spirit.”
Gregory, 4th century, “Just as (the substance that forms the human body), when
beginning without form, it takes shape and grows until it forms the body, so also the
matter that is in the tomb will be formed when the resurrection occurs.” Tertullian says:
“Only what has fallen can be resurrected… so what falls is what rises again.” Augustine
in the 5th century. “The Christian must not doubt in any way that he will resurrect the
flesh of all men who have been born and will be born, and of all those who have died
and will die.” Thomas Aquinas. “What does not prevent numerical unity in man while he
lives, clearly cannot prevent him from being resurrected.”

The order of the resurrections.

There will be two resurrections, the first resurrection is “the resurrection from the dead,”
Acts 4:2; the second resurrection is only for unbelievers who rejected Christ Revelation
20:12,15; John 5:28,29.

* The first resurrection takes place in different phases 1 Corinthians15:23.24.

The first phase was fulfilled in the resurrection of Christ “the first fruit.” The second
phase will be fulfilled when the rapture of the church is 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17. The
third phase will take place at the end of the great tribulation, the saints of the Old
Testament and the great tribulation will participate in that resurrection Job 19:25-27;
Daniel 12:1,2,13; Isaiah 26:19-21. The fourth phase is the resurrection of the saints who
will die during the millennium and will be resurrected at the end of it.
5
Note: Some believe that during the millennium there will be no death, but in Isaiah
65:20, it says that “there will no longer be a child who dies within a few days, nor an old
man who does not fulfill his days; for the child will die at a hundred years old, and the
sinner at a hundred years old will be cursed.” This statement indicates that life in the
millennium will be long, that at the age of one hundred a person will still be young. In the
millennium, believers who are advanced in age will complete their years, indicating that

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they will reach a very old age. To the hundred-year-old sinner, death will come as
judgment. So at the end of the millennium, as fire comes down from heaven, the living
saints will be taken from the earth without dying and will actually undergo a
transformation and the righteous dead will be resurrected.

* The second resurrection, Revelation 20:11-15; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28,29.

This resurrection will take place after fire comes down from heaven, according to
Revelation 20:9, and will be only for those who rejected and died without Christ, and is
called the resurrection of condemnation, John 5:29; Revelation 20:12,15. In the book of
Daniel we read “that others will awaken to shame and perpetual contempt” Daniel 12:2.
This is the final resurrection before the creation of the new heavens and new earth. This
resurrection is always related to the judgment of the great white throne and will take
place after fire comes down from heaven. The resurrection of damnation will be a
terrible spectacle. Men will receive bodies that will last forever, but sinful bodies subject
to pain and suffering.

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

Many question the second coming of Christ in 2 Peter 3:3,4, but the Holy Scriptures
affirm that it is a reality in 2 Peter 3:8-10.

The reality of the second coming.

Confirmed by the Scriptures. Of every 30 verses in the Bible, one talks about
second coming For once the first coming is mentioned, 8 times it is
mention the second. In 216 chapters the second coming is mentioned 318 times.
Entire books, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and entire chapters, Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke
21; They talk about the second coming. The second coming is expressed by Christ
Himself, John 14:3; Matthew 24 and 25; Mark 13; Luke 21; John 21:22. Confirmed by
angels, Acts 1:11. Witnessed by the apostles, Acts 3:19,20; 1 Thessalonians 4:16,18;
Hebrews 9:28; Jude 14,15; 1 John 2.28.

Phase of the second coming.

“Parousia.” Parousia is a Greek word that means “presence or coming.” This word is
frequently used when referring to the second coming of Christ specifically related to the
coming of his saints or the rapture, 1
Thessalonians 4:15,16; 1 Corinthians 15:50,52; Philippians 3:20,21. This will happen
before the seven years of tribulation.

"Epiphany". The word epiphany means “revelation” and is applied to the second coming
of Christ with his saints, that is, his coming in glory, Matthew 25:31; 1 Thessalonians
3:13. This will be fulfilled at the end of the great tribulation when the sign of the son will
appear
5

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 of Man in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn when they see the Son
of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory Matthew 24:29,30.

Purpose of the second coming.

In relation to the church, first resurrect the righteous dead and transform the righteous
alive and all together they will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and thus always
be with him, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:50,52; Philippians 3:20,21; 1
John 3:2.

In relation to the nations, at the end of the great tribulation the judgment of the sheep
nations and goat nations will take place, Matthew 25:31.-33. The sheep nations are
those who support the people of Israel, and the goat nations are those who treat Israel
badly.

In relation to the Jews, they will convert to Christ as a nation and will be great
missionaries Zechariah 8:20-23; they will no longer be driven out of their land, Amos
9:15; Ezekiel 34:28.

In relation to the antichrist, he will be captured and thrown into the lake of fire along with
the false prophet, Revelation 19:20; 2 Thessalonians 2:8. The army that will be in the
valley of Armageddon will be destroyed with the sword from the mouth of Christ,
Revelation 19:21. Satan will be bound, cast, and shut up in the abyss for a thousand
years, Revelation 20:1-3, and after the millennium he will be cast into the lake of fire and
sulfur, Revelation 20:10. In relation to the millennium, at the end of the great tribulation,
Christ will establish his millennial kingdom, Revelation 20:4, and his kingdom of peace
will be established Isaiah 11:1-10. The resurrected martyrs of the great tribulation will
reign with Christ, Revelation 20:4. The sheep nations will be under the government of
Christ, Matthew 25:34; and the Jewish people who will pass through the great
tribulation, Isaiah 58:11,12.

Time of the second coming.

Epoch. No one knows the day of the second coming of Christ, it is a cult of
understanding
human Matthew 24;36-42; Mark 13:32,33; Acts 1:7; we only know that the second
coming is near, Revelation 22:20; 2 Peter 3:8,9,10. What is convenient for us is to be
waiting for the second coming Luke 12:35,36,40.

Sign of the second coming

Signs of the second coming. Jerusalem destroyed and Jews expatriated in 70 AD Luke
21:24. The fulfillment of the great commission, Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Matthew
24:14. The rise of apostasy, Luke 12:45; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5. The rise of
sodomy, Matthew 24:37-39; Luke 17:28,29; Romans 1:24-32. The return of the Jews to
their land in 1948 AD, Ezekiel 37:13,21,22. The attempt to form the ten kings in the
European community. The attempt began on August 25, 1958 in Rome, and the number

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of ten nations was completed on January 1, 1981, when Greece was added to the
European community. When these ten nations are confederated and commanded by the
antichrist, Christ will appear with great power and glory, with the sword of his mouth he
will destroy those nations along with their commander, Revelation 19:20,21.
7
THE DAY OF THE LORD (The Great Tribulation)

The Holy Scriptures describe several Days: “The day that the Lord made,” Psalm
118:24. This day is about the dispensation of grace, which began in the death and
resurrection of Christ and ends in the rapture of the church. The apostle Paul calls it the
day of salvation, 2 Corinthians 6:2. “The day of Jesus Christ,” Philippians 1:6. This day
is related to the coming of Christ to rapture his church.

“The day of the Lord”, 1 Thessalonians 5:2,3. The day of the Lord has to do with the
great tribulation, which the prophet Zephaniah calls it: a great day, of wrath, of anguish
and trouble, of uproar and desolation, of darkness and darkness, of cloudiness and
darkness, of trumpet, day of the Lord's wrath, Zephaniah 1:14-16,18; It will be a time of
trouble, Daniel 12:1; time of trouble for Jacob, Jeremiah 30:7; day of God's vengeance,
Isaiah 61:2; 66:14; day of the Lord, great and manifest, Acts 2:20.

On that day the seven seals, the seven trumpets and the seven vials of the wrath of God
will be fulfilled. That day will last three and a half years, which is called the Great
Tribulation, and will culminate in the war of Armageddon. During the time of the day of
the Lord, the people Israel will suffer great persecution and there will be a great harvest
of souls that will convert to Christ and be persecuted. In the fifth seal John saw the
martyrs who had been killed for the word of God and for the testimony they had,
Revelation 6:9, and in chapter 7:9,14, he saw a great multitude that had come out. of the
great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the
Lamb.

The purpose of the day of the Lord is the great tribulation. First, to prepare in the nation
of Israel a faithful remnant, Zephaniah 3:13; second, to bring judgment against the
Gentile nations who have refused to believe in the Gospel of the Kingdom and have
treated Israel badly, Isaiah 24:1; Jeremiah 25:32,33; 2 Thessalonians 2:11,12;
Revelation 3:10 Third, make known to the inhabitants of the earth what it is like to be
directed by satanic power, because at that time it will be the antichrist (personification of
Satan) who will have dominion; Fourth, show the mercy of God through judgments and
awaken hearts numbed by sin and recognize Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

The day of the Lord, that is, the great tribulation, will culminate with the coming of Christ
in glory, Matthew 16:27; 24:30, with his holy thousands of angels, Jude 14,15;
Revelation 19:11,13,14. With the sword of his mouth he will crush his enemies gathered
in the valley of Armageddon. The antichrist and the false prophet will be thrown into the
lake of fire, and the army will die with the sword that comes out of the mouth of Christ,
and Satan will be bound and thrown into the abyss for a thousand years, Revelation
19:15,19-21; 20:1-2.

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THE MILLENIUM

1. What is the millennium.

Millennium is a word that comes from the Latin “mille” thousand, and “annues” years. It
means a period of a thousand years, Revelation 20:2-7. It will be a time of blessings,
since Satan will be bound, therefore, the gospel will be preached freely. The Lord Jesus
will reign without opposition, ruling the nations “with a rod of iron” Psalm 2:9; 110:2,5.
8
2. Three types of opinions regarding the millennium.

Amillennialism. Amillennialism teaches that the earthly kingdom is to apply to the

church and the blessings the gospel provides to those who receive the Lord Jesus
Christ during the time from the day of Pentecost to the end of the ages.
Satan was bound from the moment Christ triumphed over him on the cross. The martyrs
mentioned in Revelation 20:4 are the saints who died during the present Church age.
The second coming of Christ is a single moment, at the end of the present age, when all
the dead, both righteous and wicked, will come to life at the same time, to be judged
before the Great White Throne, and to be destined one to life. eternal and others to
eternal punishment, Matthew 25:46.

Postmillennialism. Postmillennialism teaches that the Second Coming of Christ will

take place after the millennium. In the present age, the preaching of the Gospel will
progressively effect an increase in peace, spiritual blessings , and material prosperity,
until “ the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the
sea,” Isaiah 11:9. This will prepare the ground for the literal millennium.

Premillennialism. Premillennialism teaches that the millennium is a literal period of one

thousand years, during which the Lord Jesus Christ and saints will reign over the earth
in complete peace and prosperity. At the end of the millennium, Satan will be unleashed
for a short time and multitudes of people will be seduced by him to come to war against
“the saints and the beloved city,” Revelation 20:11. By this time the first resurrection will
have taken effect, that is, that of the righteous. The judgment of the wicked will take
place after the millennium when the second resurrection occurs Revelation 20:11.

Three groups of premillennialists.

The pretribulationists. They believe that the Church will be raptured before the Great
Tribulation begins. This is the position of the majority of premillennialists, and it is the
one that best fits with the passages, both of prophecy in general and of Revelation.

The midtribulationists. Midtribulationists believe that the Church will be raptured in the
middle of the seven years of tribulation, that is, before the three and a half years of the
Great Tribulation. They take Revelation 7:14 as a basis, but this passage does not refer
to the Church.

The post-tribulationists. Posttribulationists claim that the Church will be raptured at the
end of the Great Tribulation. They take as a basis: John 16:33, and Matthew 24:40,41.

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Neither passage relates to the Church. In the first, Jesus speaks of affliction simply,
while the Great Tribulation will be a singular event, Matthew 24:21.
9
3. The millennial kingdom of Christ Revelation 20:4.

After Christ has been thrown the antichrist and the false into the lake of fire, and has
crushed the army in the valley of Armageddon, and bound Satan in the abyss, he will
establish his millennial kingdom. He will sit on his throne of glory to judge the sheep
nations who will be ruled with a rod of iron during the millennium; and the goat nations
will go to eternal punishment, Daniel 7:9; Matthew 25:31-33,46. Thrones will be
established and the saints of the most high (the people of Israel) will reign, Daniel
7:9,22,27; Revelation 20:4.
The center of Christ's government will be in the city of Jerusalem, Isaiah 2:3; Ezequiel
48:35. It will be a government of justice and faithfulness, Isaiah 11:5.

Life in the millennium will be long. The man of one hundred years will be considered as
a child, Isaiah 65:20. Ferocity will disappear among animals, Isaiah 11:6-9. Regarding
the spiritual life, Israel will know God again, Jeremiah 31:31-34. The whole earth will be
filled with the knowledge of God, Isaiah 11:9. Prayers will be answered immediately,
Isaiah 65:24,25. As for the animals, they will no longer be ferocious, for a child will
shepherd them and they will not harm him, Isaiah 11:6-9. The earth will be filled with the
knowledge of God, Isaiah 11:9.

The millennial kingdom of Christ will close with the resurrection of Satan for a short time
and will deceive many, and they will surround the camp of the saints and the beloved
city (Jerusalem), but fire will come down from heaven and consume everyone,
Revelation 20:7 -9. Satan will be cast into the lake of fire and will be tormented forever
and ever, Revelation 20:10.

THE ETERNAL STATE

The preparation of the eternal state.

God's judgment on all who will be deceived by Satan when he appears at the end of the
millennium and will be destroyed by fire that will come down from heaven Revelation
20:9. God will remove all unbelief from the millennial kingdom to prepare for the eternal
kingdom.
The purification of creation. At the end of the millennium, fire will come down from
heaven to purify creation and usher in the new heaven and new earth 2 Peter 3:7,10.

The judgment of sinners who will take part in the second resurrection. The judgment will
take place at the Great White Throne Revelation 20:10, and they will be cast into the
lake of fire Revelation 20:15.

The creation of the new heaven and new earth.

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After the purification of the current creation, God will create a new heaven and a new
earth
Isaiah 65:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1. The creation of the new heaven and new
earth is the final preparatory act for the eternal kingdom of God. It will be a kingdom in
which righteousness will dwell 2 Peter 3:13.

Life in eternity.

The new Jerusalem will descend from heaven like a bride adorned for her husband
10
Revelation 21:2.

Life in the new Jerusalem will be one of communion with God 1 Corinthians 13:12; 1
John 3:2; John 14:3; Revelation 22:4; a life of rest Revelation 14:13; a life of full
knowledge 1 Corinthians 13:12; of holiness Revelation 21:17; for joy Revelation 21:4; of
service Revelation 22:3; of abundance Revelation 21:6; of glory 2 Corinthians 4:17;
Colossians 3:4; of worship Revelation 19:1; 7:9-12.

Life in eternity will not be inclined to the joy and glory that we will enjoy, but will focus on
God himself 1 John 3:2; Revelation 1:5,6; 5:12,13; 7:12.

CONCLUSION

In the study of eschatology we have analyzed death, the soul, the intermediate state, the
resurrection, the second coming of Christ, the day of the Lord, the millennium and the
eternal state. May the knowledge acquired from this study be for the construction of
Christian life and to be able to share with others the blessing obtained from this study.

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 5. HAMARTEOLOGY (3 classes)
Compiled by Jorge López
BIBLICAL BASIS: Rom. 3:23

AIM:

Know the nature of sin and its consequences.

INTRODUCTION

Sin is the worst evil that has affected all of humanity in its entire history, its horrible and
vast effects are evident throughout the world. The Bible is the only divinely inspired
source that explains how sin originated, its effects in the present and in eternity. Below
are some of the main biblical truths about sin.

I. ORIGIN AND NATURE OF SIN

A. The origin
The origin of sin is clearly explained in the third chapter of Genesis, it has to
do with the fall of human beings in the Garden of Eden. The following terms:
temptation, sin, guilt, punishment and redemption clarify the idea of the origin
of sin in human beings.

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1. Temptation. In the biblical narrative, the possibility of temptation was a
reality that tested the obedience of human beings, their free will to do good
or bad, obey God or disobey him. The two trees in the story represent a
clear message: “If you follow good and reject evil, you will have life.”

2. A question asked by many has been: Why was the forbidden tree planted
in the orchard, the residence of the first couple? In order to provide a test
by which man could freely choose to serve God. Without free will, the
human being would have only been a machine programmed to obey.

3. It is evident that the source of the temptation was Satan using as an agent
the serpent, who had already been cast out of heaven (Ez.28:13-17; Is.
14:12-15. In Revelation 12:9 he is described as “the ancient serpent, called
the Devil and Satan.” Satan works through agents, and in the Garden of
Eden he employed a creature whom Eve did not distrust.

4. When comparing Genesis. 3:1 and 2:16, the subtlety of the temptation is
reflected by the triple doubt that the serpent sows in the woman: a) doubt
regarding the goodness of God. It says in other words: “God is denying
you some blessings”, b) doubt regarding the justice of God. “You will not
die.” In other words, he implies that God means something different than
what he says, c) he doubts his holiness. In verse 5 the serpent says in
effect: “God has forbidden you to eat from the tree because he is envious
of you, he does not want you to become as wise as him, so he keeps you
in ignorance, the idea is not to prevent you from dying.” , but to prevent
you from being like him.”

5. Guilt is evident in his conscience. The text says: “And the eyes of both of
them were opened, and they knew that they were naked.” The words of the
serpent in verse 5 were fulfilled, they knew evil but in their own experience,
not like the doctor, when he comes to know the cancer in the patient but
not in his own body. Physical or bodily nudity is a symbol of a guilty
conscience.

6. The biblical text adds that, “Then they baked fig leaves and made
themselves aprons.” In this way, just as physical nakedness was a
representation and sign of a guilty conscience, so the attempt to cover
one's nakedness is a picture of man's attempt to hide his guilt under the
cloak of forgetfulness or excuses. But according to verse 21 only the
garment made by God can cover sin. Upon hearing the voice of God
walking through the garden, the guilty man tried to hide from God, to flee
from him, just as happens today.

7. The punishment for sin falls on the serpent, the woman and the man. As
for the punishment for the snake, by the grace of God, man can crush the
head of the snake, in other words, he can defeat evil. Compare (Luc.
10:18; Ro. 16:20; Ap. 12:9; 20: 1-3, 10). The man had already been

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 assigned the work (Gen. 2:15); but the punishment would consist of the
arduousness of the work, and the disappointments that it entails. If man
had not sinned, he would have lived indefinitely in innocence eating from
the tree of Life.

8. In Genesis 3:15, the promise of redemption appears. Through the

representative of the man, the seed of the woman, (Christ) will bruise your
head.” Christ came into the world to crush the power of the devil. (Mt. 1:23,
25; Lc. 1:31-35, 76: Is.7:14; Ro. 16:20; Cabbage. 2:15; Heb. 2:14; Jn. 3:8;
5:5; Rev.12:7, 8, 11,20:1-3, 10).

B. The nature of sin. In the Old Testament, the term used to describe the
meaning of sin is, among others, “ missing the mark.” Like an erratic archer
who shoots the arrow but misses. How to miss the path for a walker. Another
word used is twist, which is often translated perversity.

1. In the New Testament it means the same idea of “missing the mark.” It
also means debt according to Matthew 6:12. It also means debauchery,
according to (Mt.6:12) it also means disobedience, that is, listening
without lack of attention (Heb.2:2 and Lk.8:18). Based on (Rom. 4:15)
means transgression, that is, exceeding the limits.

2. Other terms used are “fall”, or lack, or falling by the wayside according to
the Greek language (Eph.1:7) “Defeat” which is the meaning of the word
“lack” in (Rom. 11:12). Another word used is “ungodliness” that is, “without
worship or reverence” (Rom. 1:18 and 2nd Tim. 2:16) And finally “error”
according to Heb.9:7)

3. As Bruce R. Marino as co-author of Systematic Theology : A Pentecostal

Perspective, “Perhaps the best definition of sin is the one that appears in 1
John 3:4 where it says: “Sin is transgression of the law.”

II. CONSEQUENCES OF SIN.

A. Sin by nature is destructive . The study of the consequences of sin takes

into account guilt and punishment.
1. Punishment or penalty is the just consequence of sin, inflicted by an
authority on sinners, and based on guilt.
2. Natural punishment refers to natural evil (coming indirectly from God)
that befalls a person due to his or her sinful acts (such as venereal disease
caused by sexual sin, and physical and mental deterioration caused by
sexual abuse). drugs).
3. Positive punishment is something inflicted directly by God supernaturally,
the sinner falls dead, others.

b. The sinner's restitution

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 Retribution or revenge belongs only to God (Ps. 94:1; Ro. 12:19). The
atonement produces restoration in the guilty person (This was already done
for us in the atonement by Christ). The trial makes the guilty person feel willing
to restore what was taken or
destroyed, which can be a testimony of the work of God in a life
(Ex. 22:1; Luc. 19:8). The reparation influences the guilty person to
may he not sin in the future. This is an expression of the love of God
(Salt. 94:12: Heb. 12:5-17).

Deterrence uses punishment of the guilty person to convince

others so that they do not act in a similar way, which can be seen
frequently in divine warnings (Ps. 95:8-11; 1 Cor. 10:11).

B. Sin offends God. The Scriptures testify that God hates sin (Ps. 11:5; Ro.
1:18), has patience with sinners (Ex. 34:6; 2 Peter 3:9), seek lost humanity
(Isa. 1:18;1 John 4:9-10, 19), is grieved by sin (Hosea 11:8), mourns for the
lost (Mt. 23:37; Luc. 13:34) and has sacrificed himself for the salvation of
humanity (Rom.5:8; 1 John 4:14; Revelation 13:8).

.All interactions of a once pure human society have been perverted by sin.
The Scriptures continually cry out against the injustices committed by sinners
against the “innocent” (Prov. 4:16) social (St. 2:9), economic (James. 5:1-4),
Physical (Ps. 11:5, etc)

C. Sin envelops the sinner. It is a demanding dependence (Jn. 8:34:Rom.6:12-

23; 2 Peter 2:12-19) becoming an internal evil law (Rom. 7:23,25; 8:2). And
from Adam to the Antichrist, sin is characterized by rebellion.

1. For the same reason, sin produces separation from God (Gen. 2:17;
3:22-24; Salt. 78:58-60; Mt. 7:21-23:25:31-46; Eph.2:12-19; 4:18) And
this can provoke not only the wrath of God, but also his silence (Ps.
66:18; Prov.1:28; Micah 3:4-7; Jn.9:31).

2. Unsaved people live spiritually dead (Jn.6:50-53: Ro.7:11; Eph.2:1-6;

5:14; Col. 2:13; 1 Tim.5:6; St. 5:20 etc.). Believers even experience a
partial separation from God (Ps. 66:18), but He is always ready to
forgive (Ps.32:1-6; Sat. 5:16; 1 Jn. 1:8-9).

3. The only way to confront sin is to love God first, and then become a
channel of his love to others. Knowledge of sin should engender
holiness in a person's life, and an insistence on holiness within the
preaching and teaching of the Church.

CONCLUSION

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  Sin is destructive, first for those who commit it, then it affects other people such
as the family and society in general. Sin also offends God, when beings created
in his image do not live according to his justice.

 The best way to oppose sin is to love God above all things. When we love God
we do everything possible to please Him. Even believers can sin against God,
and therefore they must promptly seek God's forgiveness to avoid ruin.

6. SOTERIOLOGY
Compiled by Juan Everildo Velásquez

BIBLICAL BASIS: Psalm 37:39; 62:2; Isaiah 12:2; 1 Timothy 4:10; Acts 4:12; 16:31.

GOALS

 Understand what salvation from sin is to instruct new believers.

 Know the means provided by God for the salvation of man.
 Recognize the need for salvation for every person.

INTRODUCTION

Salvation is a plan provided by God through the atoning work of Christ to rescue human
beings from eternal damnation. The sinner becomes a creditor of this grace by
recognizing his sinful state and receiving Christ as Lord and Savior of his life. Salvation
has two aspects, the divine side and the human side. In the development of the theme
of salvation these aspects will be seen.

DEFINITION

Etymology of the word “salvation”. In Hebrew: “Yasa”, in Greek “Sotería” means:

Protection from harm, unfolding without hindrance, liberation or passing safely.

Salvation, “It is the process by which man is freed from everything that interferes with
the enjoyment of God's blessings. It is the enjoyment of the highest heavenly blessings.”

I. The dimension of salvation.

A. In the Old Testament. Salvation has a collective character as it refers to a

people as a whole and applies to a deliverance from the tribulation of every kind
of enemy (Is 33:2; Jer 14:8; 1 Sam. 4:3; 7:8).

B. In the New Testament. Salvation generally means freedom from sin to enter a
new life through faith in Jesus Christ, it is individual.

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C. What constitutes salvation

The salvation of the soul is a work clearly of God, but it has two sides: The divine
side and the human side. God demands from humans their part to be a creditor of
salvation.

I. The human side of salvation.

A. Faith
Jesus said, “Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mr. 1.15). The apostle Paul
said to the Jailer. “ Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”
(Acts. 16:31; Jn. 3:36). “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb
11:6). In the case of people who wanted to obtain forgiveness of sins in the
time of Jesus, they had to have faith. Jesus said to the paralytic: “ Trust , son,
your sins are forgiven” (Mt. 9:2).

Faith is the basis of all action related to God, both in the Old Testament and
the New Testament. God always required faith for all action. So to be saved,
the most important step that the penitent must take is to have faith in God.

Faith has its origin in the person through hearing the Word of God (Rom.
10:17). On the day of Pentecost three thousand surrendered to Christ upon
hearing the message that Peter preached (Acts. 2:37,41). Paul believed in
Christ when he heard his voice (Acts. 9:4-6). Cornelius surrendered to Christ
and was filled with the Holy Spirit by hearing the Word of God (Acts. 10:44). In
Samaria many people were converted when they heard the message that
Philip preached to them (Acts 8:12). The eunuch believed the word that Philip
explained to him (Acts. 8:35,37). Jesus said: ... “He who hears my word and
believes him who sent me has eternal life... (Jn. 5:24).

Every person, even if they live an impeccable life in the community and even if
they say they believe in God, but if they have not heard the Word, the faith
they practice is a natural or human faith implanted by their parents or by the
religion they profess, but it is not the true faith, because it is only produced by
hearing the Word of God.

B. Repentance.

Repentance is the act of the will with which the sinner who has awakened
from his lethargy and feels sincere pain because of his sin, resolves with the
help of God to completely and unconditionally abandon all transgression, not
only now, but throughout his entire life. life.

Repentance means a return, a change of mind, a repudiation of sin to return

to God, it is a change of attitude in life.

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 Repentance has its elements: Appeal to the intellect, change of mind
regarding sin. Example of the prodigal son: “coming to his senses”, he had a
change of thought. It appeals to the emotion, pain caused by sin; The publican
beat his chest, indicating the sadness of his heart; Those who heard the
message on the day of Pentecost were pricked at heart (Lk. 18:13; Acts 2:37).
It appeals to the will, by abandoning sin. The prodigal son said: “I will rise…
and he rose” (Lk. 15:18,20); Not only did he reconsider what he had done and
feel sadness about it, but he turned his steps in the direction of his house.
Repentance in the Old Testament was demonstrated as a symbol of
renunciation of sin. The repentant would tear off his clothes, fast, put on
sackcloth, or sit in ashes (Jon. 3:6-10; Job 42:2-6). Repentance in the New
Testament demanded more emphasis on interior cleansing, that is, of the
heart (Lk. 14:33; 5:13; Mt. 18:3);.

II. The divine side of salvation

A. The justification

1. The nature of justification

Origin. The grace of God (Rom. 3:24).

Meaning. Acquit or declare just. Justification, state of acceptance by faith
on which the believer rests (Rom. 1:17; 3:21,22; 5:2). Justified, it is the
ruling given by God and is undeniable (Rom. 8:34).

Definition

Justification is a divine act of God's free grace, by which He forgives sins

and accepts man as righteous in His presence, solely by virtue of the
righteousness of Christ, attributed to us and received by faith alone. .

Saved and absolved by Christ, account erased, now as if there had never
been a sin. Sin removed and righteousness attributed.

2. The need for justification

The condition of man demands justification. The Jew took the law and
tradition as a means of justification, rejecting Christ (Gal. 2:16). The law did
not save anyone, it only served as a means to bring people to Christ.
Therefore, the Jew needs to be justified in Christ (Gal. 3:19,20).

The Gentile could have known God through nature (Rom. 1:19,20); but
because of his hardness he was inclined to idolatry and perversities (Rom.
1:22,23). Therefore, the law did not justify the Jew, nor does idolatry justify
the Gentile. What really makes a change in a person's heart is faith in
Christ (Gal. 3:19,20). Justification originates in the person when he is born
again.

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3. The source of justification

The grace of God, outside of human merits. It is the manifestation of the

infinite goodness of God. It is expressed in the atoning work of Christ
(Rom. 3:24; Eph. 2:7). It is revealed in the atonement that justifies the
repentant sinner. It is independent of human work or justice.

The aspects of grace. It is prevenient, that is, it is what precedes salvation.

It is the effect of divine favor in bringing man to Him (Jn. 6:44). It is current,
because it enables man to live with justice, resist temptation, and fulfill his
duty. It is common, because it produces fruit in daily life (Gal. 5:22,23).

On the basis of divine grace, justification is: Justice attributed to God,

divine reconciliation, cancellation of all sins, freed from the law, divine
regeneration, being acceptable to God, always being of God.

4. The basis of justification

Justification is based on the justice of Christ. God attributes justice to the

repentant sinner because the Lord Jesus Christ has earned it for the
sinner, paying a price for his redemption (Rom. 3:24; 5:9,19; 10:4; 1 Cor.
1:30; 6:11; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9).

Man needs clothing to be dressed before his fellow men, in the same way
he must appear before God, clothed in the mantle of justice
(righteousness) (Rev. 3:4; 7:13,14; 19:8). That garment is obtained by the
death of Christ (Is. 53:5,11; 2 Cor. 5:21; Ro. 4:6; 5:18,19). Just as the sin
of Adam was laid upon his descendants, so the righteousness of Christ
was laid upon the believer (Rom. 5:19). His death became our death, his
justice is our justice, his obedience is our obedience.

True salvation demands a life of practical holiness. Those who put on the
righteousness of Christ will be careful to purify themselves, just as he is
pure (1 Jn. 3:3).

5. The means of justification.

Faith (Gal. 2:16; Ro. 3:16; Acts. 13:39). Faith is the means to appropriate
the justice of God (Rom. 3:22; 9:30). Example: Noah by faith was heir of
righteousness (Heb 11:7), Paul, by faith obtained righteousness (Phil. 3:9).

Through faith changes occur in the person. Change in relationship to God

which is justification and is called external change, because it comes from
God. Change in relation to the interior, spiritual, and is called regeneration,
operated by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:3-5).

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 Justification is by faith. Since God wants to justify man and he has no
means to obtain it, the Holy Spirit himself causes man to have faith through
the Word and, through faith, to appropriate justification. Only by faith is the
soul united to Christ, and thus obtains power for a life of righteousness.

The fruit of faith. Faith produces works (James. 2:26), is proven by works
(James. 2:18), is perfected in works (James. 2:22. Therefore, works are:
product, proof or consummation of faith (James 2:22).

B. The Regeneration

Etymology. “Generatus” comes from the Latin meaning “made again” or “born
again.” “Palingenesis” is a Greek term that is equivalent to regeneration, or
“new birth,” “to be born again” (Ti. 3:5; Eph. 2:1.5; Stg. 1:18; 1 Pd. 1:23).

Meaning. Regeneration literally means “to be again” and involves replacing

the old individual with a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17); It also indicates the
reestablishment of a relationship of obedience and devotion to God.

Definition.

Regeneration is the divine act that imparts to the penitent a new and higher
life in union with Christ.

Regeneration is the spiritual change that occurs in the heart of man by the
work and grace of the Holy Spirit, and by which the sinful nature is
transformed and can respond by faith and live according to the will of God (Jn.
3:3; You. 3:5).

Regeneration is the great change that the Holy Spirit carries out in man, due
to which he breaks and destroys the dominion that sin had over him in his
natural state.

Regeneration is the renewal of nature that gives dominion over sin, helps to
serve God, moved by love and not merely by fear.

Concept.

Regeneration is the transition from the old life of sin to the new life of
obedience to Jesus Christ (Col. 3:10).

1. The nature of regeneration

It is new birth. New birth means being begotten of God (1 Jn. 5:1), born by
the work of the Spirit (John. 3:8) ; It is a birth from above or from God (Jn.
3:7).

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It's cleanliness. In regeneration, the soul is completely cleansed and made
to live a new life; regeneration is represented by water baptism (Acts.
22:16).

It is revival. Renewed by the Holy Spirit (Ti. 3:5; Cabbage. 3:10; Ro. 12:2;
Eph. 4:23; Salt. 51:10). Regeneration is a life imparted by the Father,
through Jesus Christ and the operation of the Holy Spirit.

It is a creation. God creates by the operation of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 5:17;
Eph. 2:10; 4:24; Ga. 2:5); results: radical change in the nature of the
believer in terms of character, ideas and purpose.

It is a Resurrection (Ro 3:1; 3:1; 6:4,5; Eph. 2:5,6). The born again has
passed from death to life (Jn. 50:24); Regeneration is the change that God
operates in the soul when the person surrenders to Christ.

2. The need for regeneration.

The case of Nicodemus. He recognized Christ as a teacher but not as a

savior (Jn. 3:1,2).

Jesus' response. It is necessary to be born again (Jn.3:7). Nicodemus's

religiosity did not earn him regeneration.

The reason for the need for regeneration. Meat is still meat, and everything
it does changes no one. Regeneration can only be possible through the
work of the Holy Spirit.

3. The means of regeneration.

The divine side. The Father as creator, in his will man is regenerated
(James. 1:18); the Son gives life and by his atoning work man is
regenerated (Gal. 3:13,14; 1 Cor. 15:45); The Holy Spirit regenerates and
sanctifies (Jn. 3:5).

The human side. Faith in the redemptive work of Christ, repentance and
conversion.
4. The effects of regeneration.

Adoption. He who is regenerated becomes an adopted son of God with all

the rights of a son at the moment the person accepts Christ (Gal. 4:4-7; Jn.
1:12,13; 1 Jn. 3:1; Ro. 8:15,16).

Union. The person who accepts Christ enters into communion with God
through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:17; 1 Jn. 3:24; Ga. 2:20); This union
results in: New life Rom. 6:4); new heart (Ez. 36:26); new spirit (Ez.
11:19); new man (Eph. 4:24); new nature (2 Pd. 1:4).

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 Practical life. Demonstrate hatred of sin (1 Jn. 3:9; 5:4,5); do righteous
works (1 Jn. 2:29); Practice brotherly love (1 Jn. 4:7; 5:7); victory over sin
(1 Jn. 5:4).

In regeneration what Ezekiel said is fulfilled: “ I will give you a new heart ,
and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take away the heart of stone
from your flesh, and give you a heart of flesh ” (Ez. 36:26).

5. The benefit of regeneration.

Being a child of God (Jn. 1:12; Ga. 3:26; Ro. 8:16,17); be a new creature 2
Cor. 5:17; Ga. 6:15; Eph. 2:10); participate in the divine nature (2 Pd. 1:4);
participate in Christ's victory over sin (Jn. 3:9; 5:4,18); dressed in the new
man created according to God (Eph. 4:24).

The divine agent that effects regeneration is the Holy Spirit. Transform that
life internally into conformity with the new relationship as a son, heir of
God, and joint heir with Christ (Rom. 8:16,17).

C. Sanctification

1. Which means sanctification.

The word sanctification is a term translated from the Hebrew word “

qadosh ” and means holiness or sanctification. In the Old Testament the
idea of separation from the profane and impure predominates, to dedicate
oneself to God. In the Greek of the New Testament, sanctification is “
jagiasmos ”, meaning: “Separation to God” (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Thes. 2:13; 1
Pd. 1:2).

Theologically, sanctification “means to make clean or holy in the ethical

sense, although the idea of consecration is not absent.” Sanctification is
the total act or process by which internal renewal is effected in the justified.
It can be said that justification is “Christ for us with the Father”;
Sanctification is “Christ in us by the Spirit.”

Sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is worked instantly by faith

and is preceded by consecration.

Sanctification is the state predetermined by God for believers, to which in

grace he calls, and in which they begin and persist in their Christian
course.

Sanctification is that relationship with God into which men enter through
faith in Christ (Acts. 26:18; 1 Cor. 6:11), and is God's will for believers (1
Thes 4:3).

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The Holy Spirit is the agent in sanctification (Rom. 15:16; 2 Thes. 2:13; 1
Pd. 1:2; 1 Cor. 6:11). It is a divine act that precedes the acceptance of the
gospel by the individual.

Sanctification is not an achievement, but a state to which God in grace

calls men. However, believers are called to sanctify themselves (2 Tim.
1:9; 1 Pd. 1:15; 2 Ps. 3:11).

2. The time of sanctification.

"Snapshot". The moment a person believes in Christ, he is separated from

sin and dedicated to God (1 Cor. 6:11; Heb. 10:10,14).

“Progressive”. As one gets to know God in prayer, reading his Word and
dedicating oneself to his service, the person moves further away from bad
things every day.

“Complete.” When Christ takes his church in the rapture, complete

sanctification takes place; because the believer will be exempt from all
weakness, discouragement and carelessness (Heb. 10:14; 1 Thes. 3:13,
5:23, 1 Jn. 3:2; Phil. 3:12-14).

3. Divine instrument of sanctification.

Jesus said, “Sanctify them by your truth; Your word is truth” (Jn.
17:17,19b). Only through the truth can man be sanctified. Therefore, only
the Word of God can sanctify every person who gives himself to Christ.

4. Means of sanctification.

The divine side. God the Father through his Word (Jn. 17:17; 1 Thes.
5:23,24); Jesus Christ the Son (Heb. 120:10; Eph. 5:25,27; 1 Cor. 1:30;
Heh. 2:11; 9:14;13:12); The Holy Spirit (1 Pd. 1:2; 2 Thes. 2:13; Ro.
15:16).

The human side. Faith in the redemptive work of Christ (1 Cor. 1:30; Acts.
26:18); the study of the Holy Scriptures and obedience to them Jn. 17:17;
Eph. 5:26; Jn. 15:3). Other agents are: Follow holiness carefully (Heb.
12:14); suffering or discipline from God Heb. 12:10,11; Ro. 6:19-22; 2 Cor.
6:17; 7:1).

5. How sanctification is carried out.

Through our union with Christ (1 Cor. 1:2,30); by the Word of God (Jn.
17:17; 1 Ti. 4:5); by the blood of Christ (Heb. 9:13; 13:12); for the body of
Christ (Heb. 10:10; by the Holy Spirit (1 Pet. 1:2); by our own choice (Heb.

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 12:14; Ro. 12:1; 2 Cor. 6:17; 7:1; Ga. 5:16; 2 Thes. 2:21,22); by faith (Acts.
26:18).

Conclusion

Faith is related to the reaction when hearing the word of God.

Repentance is related to returning to God, abandoning sin.
Regeneration is related to our nature in Christ.
Justification is related to our spiritual state.
Sanctification refers to our character and conduct linked to Christ.
In justification man is declared righteous so that in sanctification he becomes holy.
Justification is what God does for man and places him in right relationship with Him.
Sanctification is what God does in man and that relationship produces fruit.

7. PNEUMATOLOGY (3 classes)
Compiled by Miguel Ángel Monterroso

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BIBLICAL BASIS: John 14:16-17;

GOALS:

1. Know the nature, symbols and work of the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures.
2. Enjoy the power of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life and apply it in the ministry
of preaching the gospel.

INTRODUCTION

Pneumatology is a term that refers to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit person and occupies
an important place in the Scriptures. With the exception of the second and third epistles
of John, all the books of the New Testament contain references to the work of the Holy
Spirit. Despite this, formalism and fanaticism have caused it to be neglected in the life of
the believer. It has to do with: His nature, his work in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit
in Christ and in the life of man, his gifts and the Holy Spirit in the church.

I. THE NATURE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

A. ,Names of the Holy Spirit.

1. God's spirit . It is the executive power of the Deity, through the Holy Spirit,
God Created and preserves the Universe, the Holy Spirit is “the finger of God”
(Luke. 11:20). God operates in the spiritual realm, converting sinners and
sanctifying believers.
2. Spirit of Christ. He is so called, because he is sent to him in the name of
Christ, John 14:26; imparts to us the life of Christ, John 1:12,13; 4:10; 7:38;
and because their special mission is to glorify Christ, John 16:14;
Furthermore, the Holy Spirit makes the omnipresence of Christ in the world
possible and real Matthew 18:20.
3. The Comforter ( John 14:17). The word Comforter means one called to the
side of another to help him in any way. He is called the Comforter because he
was to be the invisible Comforter of the disciples, in the same way that Christ
was to them when he was on earth.
4. Holy Spirit. It is called that, because its main work is sanctification, the Holy
Spirit lives in us transmitting the life of Christ to the believer (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
5. The Holy Spirit of promise. It is so called, because the reception of his
power and grace constitutes one of the outstanding promises of the Old
Testament, Ezekiel 36:27; Joel 2:28; It is the highest prerogative of Christ
when he said: “Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you” Luke
24:49; Galatians 3:14.
6. Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit is the interpreter of Jesus Christ, just as the
Son did not speak of himself except what he had received from the Father,
nor does the Holy Spirit speak of himself except what he hears from the
Trinity.
7. Spirit of grace . For it gives man grace to repent Hebrews 10:29; Zechariah
12:10.

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 8. Spirit of life. It is so called because its special function is the creation and
preservation of natural and spiritual life, Romans 8;2; Revelation 11:11.
9. Spirit of adoption. When a person converts to Christ, he receives within his
soul the consciousness that he is a partaker of the nature of God, Romans
8:15.
B. Symbols of the Holy Spirit . God wanted to illustrate with symbols what we
could never have known. The following symbols are used to describe the
operations of the Holy Spirit.
1. Fire . The Holy Spirit is compared to fire because fire warms, illuminates,
purifies and spreads, Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16.
2. Wind . It symbolizes the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit and indicates the
mysterious, independent, penetrating, purifying and life-giving operations (Ez.
37:7-10; Jn. 3:8; Hec. 2:2).
3. Water. The Holy Spirit is the source of living water, the purest, the best,
because it is the true river of life whose impetuous current floods our souls,
cleansing them from sin, Exodus 17:6; Ezekiel 37:25-27; 47:1; John 3:5; 4:14;
7:38-39. Furthermore, water purifies, refreshes, quenches thirst and turns
barren fields into fertile land.
4. Seal . Symbol of ownership, believers are owned by God, and are owned by
the Holy Spirit who indwells the believer, 2 Timothy 2:19; Ephesians 1:13;
Christians have been sealed, but care must be taken not to break that seal,
Ephesians 4:30.
5. Oil. The oil represented utility, fruitfulness, beauty, life and transformation.
Likewise, in the spiritual order the Holy Spirit strengthens, illuminates,
liberates, heals and soothes the soul.
6. Pigeon. This symbol tells us about sweetness, tenderness, kindness,
innocence, softness, peace, purity and patience.

II. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Holy Spirit is revealed in the Old Testament in three ways:

A. Creative Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity by whose power
the Universe was created. In the beginning it moved on the face of the waters
(Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; Psalm 33:6; 104:30); The Holy Spirit created man and
sustains him (Gen.2:7; Job 33:4; Daniel 5:23; Acts. 17:28).
B. Dynamic spirit . In the dynamic operation the Holy Spirit created two classes of
ministers: First: workers of God, that is, men of action, organizers; second:
spokespersons for God, prophets and teachers.
C. Regenerative spirit. As a regenerating Spirit he was associated with the
transformation of human nature, Isaiah 63:10-11; Psalm 143:10; and exerted
influence on the character of man, Psalms 51:11. In the Old Testament, the
outpouring only occurred on people who exercised a special ministry, that is, on
prophets, priests, judges and kings. Its general outpouring would be a future
blessing Joel 2:28.

III. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CHRIST

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 A. At his birth . The Holy Spirit is the agent of the miraculous conception of Jesus,
Matthew 1:20: Luke 1:35; The Holy Spirit came upon the virgin Mary, for which
the Holy Being was called, Son of the Most High.
B. At his baptism. The same Spirit that descended on Mary at conception
descended on the Son at the moment of his baptism, anointing him to be
Prophet, Priest and King. The first operation sanctified his humanity, the second
consecrated his official life.
C. In his ministry . After Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted by Satan, there he defeated the prince of this world, and carried out his
ministry with full awareness of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Luke 11:20; Luke 4:18.
D. At his crucifixion . The Holy Spirit gave him strength to consummate his
ministry on the cross, where, through the eternal Spirit, he offered himself
blameless to God, Hebrews 9:14.
E. In his resurrection . The Holy Spirit was the life-giving agent in the
resurrection of Christ, Romans 1:4; 8:11.
F. On the ascension. The Holy Spirit came to indwell Christ not only for his needs,
but that he might impart it to all believers, John 1:33; After the ascension, Jesus
exercised the great prerogative as Messiah: The pouring out of the Holy Spirit on
others, Acts 2:33.

IV. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIFE OF MAN

A. Give conviction, John 16:7-11. That is to say, it convinces the sinner of: sin,
justice and judgment. Convince the world of the sin of unbelief by which they do
not accept Christ; He also convinces them of the justice manifested in the death
of Christ, and convinces them of the fact that Satan, (the prince of this world) was
defeated on the cross, and is now a defeated enemy, John 12:31-32; tried and
sentenced to the lake of fire.
B. Regenerate. It is evident that the Scriptures make references to the great
change experienced by people who become Christians. This change is called: “
regeneration” when the sinner has been convinced and comes to God in
repentance and accepts Christ by faith, then regeneration takes place. This
regeneration is a miraculous work operated by the Holy Spirit using the gospel as
a means and applying the benefits of Christ's sacrifice in favor of the sinner.
C. It dwells in the heart of man. Through faith and repentance, man turns to God
and is regenerated. This regeneration by the Spirit contains union with God and
Christ, 1 Corinthians 6:17; this is known as a dwelling place, 1 Corinthians 6:19;
the possession of the Spirit by man constitutes the distinctive feature of the
Christian, Romans 8:9;
D. Sanctification. When man is regenerated, the Spirit makes his home in him,
John 14:17; Romans 8:9; 2 Timothy 1:14; 1 John 3:24; The purpose of this
dwelling is the sanctification of the believer. The Holy Spirit remains in the
believer helping him to live “in newness of life” giving him desire for good and
holy things and hatred for sin.

v. GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE FRUIT

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 A. The gifts of the Holy Spirit. They can be classified in three ways:
1. Those who impart power to know: Word of wisdom, word of knowledge and
discernment of spirit.
2. Those that impart power to act: Faith, operations of miracles and gifts of
healing.
3. Those who impart power to speak: Prophecy, genres of tongues and
interpretation of tongues.
B. The fruit of the Holy Spirit. These are classified in three ways:
1. Those who relate to God: Love, joy and peace.
2. Those who relate to others: patience, kindness and goodness.
3. And those that relate to the person himself: Faith, meekness and temperance.

SAW. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CHURCH

The advent of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came into the world at an appointed time
for a defined mission and will leave this world when its mission has been accomplished.

A. The birth of the church . The one hundred and twenty gathered in the upper
room were the first fruits of the Christian church, offered to the Lord by the Holy
Spirit fifty days after the resurrection of Christ. It was the first-born church of the
thousands that have been established since then until today. The Holy Spirit was
the supernatural telegram, announcing the arrival of Christ at the right hand of the
Father, Acts 2:33.
B. The anointing of the church. The baptism in the Holy Spirit in the church is to be
an act of preparation for worldwide ministry, which can only be fulfilled by the
power of the Spirit of God.
C. The ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the representative of Christ who
has been entrusted with the administration of the church until Jesus comes. The
Holy Spirit descended to begin the work of building the body of Christ and
perfecting it, it is the final purpose of the Comforter.
1. The great missionary movements of the early church were ordained and
approved by the Holy Spirit Acts 8:29; 10:19 and 44; 13:2,4.
2. The Spirit guided the church in its organization Acts 6:3; 20:28.
3. In the preaching of the church the Holy Spirit must be present as it was in
the early church in 1 Thessalonians 1:5, we read: “For our gospel did not
come to you in words only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and in
complete certainty.”
4. In the sentence. Before leaving for heaven Jesus spoke of praying “in my
name” John 16:23; Prayer should be an attitude of approaching God
spiritually united with Christ through the Holy Spirit. In this way we pray as
if we were together with Jesus in the presence of Heavenly Father. True
Christians pray in the Holy Spirit Jude 20; Paul talks about praying at all
times Ephesians 6:18;
5. The ascension of the Holy Spirit to heaven. When he has accomplished
his mission, the Holy Spirit will return to heaven, after having taken people
for Christ, Acts 15:14; and “The fullness of the Gentiles” is fulfilled Romans
11:25;

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CONCLUSIONS

1. The Holy Spirit, like the Father and the Son, is God and therefore his work is
demonstrated before the foundation of the world.
2. The work of the Holy Spirit is printed in the Holy Scriptures, in the creation of the
Universe, the creation of man and he was guiding the patriarchs, the prophets,
the apostles, in the life of Christ and is currently the Vicar of Christ.

8. ECCLESIOLOGY (3 classes)
Compiled by Miguel Ángel Monterroso

BIBLICAL BASIS: Matthew 16:18

GOALS

1. Know the nature, its foundation, duties of the members, the ordinances, and the
organization of the church at the national level.
2. Feel gratitude to God for being part of the church founded by Christ and serving
Him with all your heart.

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INTRODUCTION

The term Ecclesiology comes from the Greek word: “ekkesia” and designates a group of
people, called to a public meeting, an assembly. In this way when New Testament
Christians gathered to worship God, they were called a church. Little by little the term
was used in a purely religious sense and is currently considered that way. The church
is a company of people called and set apart from the world, who profess and
pledge allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ. The church is defined by its nature, its
foundation, its members, its work, its ordinances and its organization.

YO. THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH

TO. Words that describe the church.

1. To the body of Christians of a local congregation, 1 Corinthians 14;19,35.
2. To the body of Christians in a city, Acts 11:22; 13:1.
3. To the body of Christians of an entire country, Acts 9:31.
4. To the body of Christians throughout the earth, Ephesians 5:32.
b. Words that describe believers
1. Siblings. The church is a brotherhood, a group of people who have the same
spiritual Father, (God).
2. Believers. The church is a group of people who believe in Christ and his
teachings.
3. Saints. The church is a group of people who have separated themselves from
the world and dedicated themselves to God.
4. Chosen. The church is a group of people chosen for an important ministry and
to enjoy a glorious future.
5. Disciples. The church is a group of people who live in constant spiritual
preparation under the direction of Christian teachers.
6. Christians. The church is a group of people who follow the teachings and
example of Christ.
7. Those on the road. The church, at first the believers were called “Those of the
way” Acts22:4; for their way of life.

c. Church illustrations.
1. The church is the body of Christ. Just as Christ lived on this earth in an
individual human body, so Christ lives now in the church that is his body, He is
the head, Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; 2:10 and 19.
2. The church is the temple of God. In the same way that God dwelt in the
tabernacle and in the temple, Exodus 25:8; 1 Kings 8:27; now He lives by His
Spirit in the church Ephesians 2:21-22; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.
3. The church is the bride of Christ. It is a way of representing the union and
communion of Christ with his church, 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25.27;
Revelation 19:7; 22:17; 21:2.

II. THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH.

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 A. The church of Jehovah was the nation of Israel, in the Old Testament, God called
Israel to be a special people more than all the peoples that were on the earth
Deuteronomy 7:6-8.
B. The church was prophesied by Christ during his ministry, Matthew 16:18; and was
born by the power of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

III. THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH

A. Conditions for membership in the church:

1. Repentance and believing in the gospel, Mark 1:15.
2. Baptism in water as a public testimony of your faith in Christ, Romans 10:9-
10.
3. Bear good fruit Matthew 3:8; 7:15-20; John 15:7-8; and 16;
B. Two types of church:
1. The invisible church is made up of all those people who are enrolled in
heaven.
2. The visible church, whose names are enrolled in the local church roll.

IV. THE WORK OF THE CHURCH.

A. Preach salvation. Present the plan of salvation as taught in the Holy Scriptures,
Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19,20.
B. Provide the means of worship (Jn. 4:23-24), the church is to provide a house of
worship where God is honored in worship, prayer, and testimony.
C. Christian communion. The church provides fellowship based on the fatherhood of
God.
D. Maintain the moral level. The church is “the light of the world” destined to dispel
the darkness of moral ignorance; It is the salt of the earth and must preserve
people from moral corruption, Matthew 5.13-16.

v. CHURCH ORDINANCES

The church celebrates two sacraments. The word sacrament means “sacred
thing” or “consecrated oaths.”

A. Baptism in water. It is the means of entry to membership of the

church.
1. The mode. The baptismal formula literally means immersion or the act of
immersing.
2. The formula. It is the formula is in the name of the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19.
3. The candidate. All persons who give the following Manifestations: Profession
of faith, Acts 8:37; Prayer, acts 22:16; * Consecration 1 Peter 3:21.
4. The effectiveness. Baptism in water has no saving power, people are
baptized not to be saved, but because they are saved. Water baptism is a
means of taking possession of church membership.

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 5. The meaning. It is the symbol of death to sin, burial of the old man and
resurrection to a new life in union with Christ.

B. The Holy Supper. The Holy Supper was instituted by Christ on the eve of his
atoning death. Characteristics of the Lord's Supper:
1. Commemoration. It is a time to remember in a special way the atoning death
of Christ that freed us from our sins.
2. Instruction. The Lord's Supper is an object lesson and expresses two
important truths: The bread symbolizes the broken body of Jesus to heal our
physical bodies and the wine symbolizes the blood shed to cleanse our sins.
3. Inspiration. The elements remind us that we can participate in the nature of
Christ and assure us that by faith, we can receive his Spirit and reflect his
character.

SAW. WORSHIP IN THE CHURCH

A. Worship is a tribute paid to God for who he is and what he does.

B. The worship of God must include: Prayer, instruction in the Word of God, Songs
and testimony.

VII. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH

A. Ministerially. Currently (2010) The Assemblies of God in Guatemala are

organized into six Regions:
1. Eastern Region.
2. North Region
3. Upper Verapaz Region
4. Central Region
5. Western Region
6. Intermediate Region
b. Internal organizations
1. Women's Missionary Council (CMF)
2. Fraternity of Men (F of V)
3. Ambassadors of Christ
4. King's Scouts
5. Missionaries
6. Ministry of Integral Evangelism of Assemblies of God (MEIDAD)
8. Department of Missionary Expansion
9. Sunday School
10. Children's Church

CONCLUSION

The Church is a living cell, it is founded on Christ, in such virtue, it is a privilege to

belong to it, and in addition to loving it, one must work for its aggrandizement. It is fair to
accept their ordinances with all respect and obey them without discussion

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 9. THE BIBLE (3 classes)
Compiled by Byron Mazariegos.

BIBLICAL BASIS: 2 Timothy 3:16

GOALS:

1. Understand the biblical and theological bases that support the Bible as the Word
of God.
2. Appreciate the Bible as the Word of God through God communicates with man.
3. Study the Bible and apply its principles to your overall life.
INTRODUCTION.
The decisive importance of the Bible for the conservative evangelical faith lies in the fact
that it is the foundation of the faith and the very life of believers. Every doctrinal or
theological statement must be reviewed in the light of the Scriptures, since it is the
fundamental source of all doctrinal truth. The Bible questions every human statement
regarding it; while now, some question the Bible and cast doubt on it. “The nature of the

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Bible is to be the Word of God.” This can be seen in three parts: The revelational nature
of the Bible; The inspirational nature and the canonical nature.
I. THE REVELATIONAL NATURE OF THE BIBLE.

A. What is the Bible?

1. The word Bible is derived from the Greek term biblos. They originally designated
papyrus or its bark. 1 Apart from designating papyrus, it generally designates any
material suitable for writing: clay tablets (mud), leather, or parchment. It also
designates what is written about it . Finally, it designates: the scroll, the book, the
writing, the letter, the decree... 2

2. The term Bible used today is derived from the Greek plural: tá biblia ; In Latin it is:
Bible. In non-biblical Greek, these words came to designate with increasing
frequency: the venerable book, the sacred book. The Jewish historian, Josephus
and the Jewish philosopher Philo, applied this meaning of these terms to the
Pentateuch or Torah or to the entire Old Testament.

3. In the Greek version of the Old Testament, the terms biblos and biblion designate
any writing, such as: the chronicle of a war (Ex. 17:14; No. 21:14), the book of the
law (Deut. 17:18; Ex. 24:7), a private letter (2 Sam. 11:14), the letter of
repudiation (Deut. 24:13), a cadastral record (Josh. 18:9), various chronicles of
the kings (1 Kings. 15:31). But, biblion in the Greek version of the Old Testament,
will be a solemn expression to refer to the book of the law (Deut. 28:58; Josh.
1:8). Our use of the term Bible in the Christian Church is based on this root of the
word byblos and its meaning as a sacred book .

4. In the New Testament, the word biblíon occurs 34 times, while biblos appears
only 10 times. The term biblio is frequent in Revelation 23 times. In any case, its
meaning continues to be: sacred book .

5. In short, the Bible is the sacred book in the absolute sense; Although there are 66
books, it cannot be said that it is a library, but rather an integrated whole that by
its very nature maintains its unity amidst the diversity of authors, dates, historical
times, events, theological approaches...

B. Is the Bible: revealed word of God and contains revelation or is it a testimony of

revelation?

1. It is necessary first to define what revelation is. The term revelation is derived
from the Greek verb apocalýpto and the noun apokálypsis. The verbal base
kalýpto means: cover, hide, hide. With the Greek preposition: apó, it has the
sense of: discovering things until then hidden. The noun apokálypsis translates
as: discovery or revelation. In the Greek version of the Old Testament,
apcalypsis is found only in 1 Samuel 20:30, and whose Hebrew root is , rh ,
meaning: to lay bare, discover, reveal . The verb apokalýpto , which appears
about 80 times, almost always replaces the Hebrew root galah , and which
should be translated as: lay bare, discover or reveal.

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 2. In some Old Testament contexts, the idea of revelation has a profane meaning,
such as human communication (Joshua 2:20; 1 Sam. 20:2,13; 22:8,17); the
revelation of human plans. Even Balaan's prophetic experience in Numbers
22:31; 24:4,16, is presented to us as an action of God, in which he opens the
prophet's inner eye and grants him the true vision of reality. God grants him the
knowledge of the Most High, so he perceives his word and pronounces it.
Another example is God's revelation to Samuel of his word and his will (1
Samuel 3:17).

3. So God's revelation is presented as self-revelation. It can be preliminarily

concluded that God's revelation has to do with:
“The
Show his mercy and Express your saving will
grace, whose purpose and demand a life in
is the salvation of accordance with your
human beings divine nature.

knowledge of God provided by Himself and that manifests His designs and
secrets; an extremely inexhaustible knowledge; which is not accessed by rational
means as a human initiative; but, all revelation of God is only possible because
He decides to reveal Himself.”

4. Revealing is therefore: removing the veil to reveal what was hidden. Another
example to understand the meaning of revelation is: photographic film, which as
long as it is not subjected to the developing process, what it contains remains
hidden, with a feeling of mystery. The act of “revealing” reveals the hidden
silhouettes of the people photographed. Now, the decision to reveal oneself
requires consideration that goes beyond any comparative example that can be
used to present the meaning of revelation.

5. The character of God's self-revelation contains a double function:

6. When we affirm that the Bible is a special revelation of God, we refer to the fact
that, if the revelation of God is taken from the point of view of subjective
experience, every religious experience of the divine would fit into this concept,
which can be found in all religions and even in the experiences of the demonic.
Another approach is to transfer the concept of revelation as unique, to Jesus
Christ, as the Eternal Word of God the Father, who although he was always in the
world, has been definitively revealed in the process of incarnation. From this point

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 of view, Scripture is reduced to the category of “testimony” of the authentic
revelation of God; with the serious situation that being a testimony, may have
errors, both historical and formal.
7. Briefly, it can be stated that the Bible shares the category of revelation.
Testimonial Prepositional Both dimensions are scripturally true: on the one hand,
the Scripture itself affirms that they bear witness to Jesus Christ as the way to
salvation (John 5:39) and at the same time, they affirm that God has spoken and
that his speaking has been assured. for “…the most sure word of prophecy, to
which you do well to pay attention as to a light of light…” (2 Peter 1:19).

“Propositional: Refers to the fact that God has not only revealed himself in a personal
way, but that his deeds and words have been recorded in written propositions as the
appropriate way to ensure that the revelation remains coherent, firm, truthful and
consistent. permanent results.”

C. Modes of God's revelation.

According to what the Bible reflects theologically, there have been many ways in
which God has revealed himself, but those particular ways are grouped into two
large modalities: general revelation and special revelation.
1. General revelation is understood as all those manifestations of God through
creation or nature and that which appears in human consciousness. Therefore,
general revelation is that which is accessible to human reason through created
things and that moral knowledge located in conscience. Natural or philosophical
theology works on the knowledge of God based on and reduced to general
revelation. Special revelation in its double expression is not its concern: the
written word and the incarnate word (that is, Jesus Christ) .
The Bible refers to both dimensions of general revelation. For example, Psalm
19:1 – 6, refers to the way God's glory is displayed through the sun, stars and
heavens, in silent language. Verses 7 – 14 refer to the revelation of God through
his words, his laws, his commands. Paul, in Romans 1:18 – 32, talks about how
the Gentiles have no excuse before God, since his revelation has been given to
them from what was created; which has been distorted, falling into moral
degradation by ignoring its revelation and confusing it with created things. In
Romans 2:12 – 15, Paul alludes to the knowledge that human beings have in
their conscience about the moral law that marks every human being, regardless
of their religious, cultural, social, or educational situation.
General revelation is provisional, not definitive. This means that the knowledge of
God acquired through the observation of created things and the conscious reason
of the human being are not sufficient for the redemptive knowledge of God. The
purpose of general revelation is to point towards God, but it is not enough for
human beings to have the correct knowledge of God through it, which leads them
to faith to be saved. Without the knowledge provided by the Scriptures and above
all, the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ, which requires faith and repentance in
the face of awareness of sin and personal impossibility of being saved, no human

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 being can be saved. This leads to the need for a special revelation that is
sufficient for the salvation of humanity.
2. The special revelation comes in two modalities. The first has to do with the
Scriptures. The Bible is a special revelation of God because in it those facts and
words have been collected that communicate his saving will for those who
encountered that revelation at the time and for all times, otherwise it would not be
the Word of God, if He did not speak nor is he still speaking. Paul refers to this
when he writes to the believers in Corinth and tells them about the history of
Israel: “All this happened to them as an example, and was written for our warning,
because the end of time has come to us.” time". (1 Cor. 10:11a).
The concept of word in the Old Testament, which is the term: dadar, means word
and thing at the same time; that is: fact – word. That is, the ancient conception of
the word implied that speaking implies carrying out or carrying out what is
pronounced. Fact – Word are closely linked, the pronunciation of the thing is at
the same time its realization. The word was not used only to indicate or designate
objects, but above all to do what it designates. The word is a creative word. The
concept of “Word of Yahweh” is found 241 times in the OT. In Jeremiah: 52 times,
in Ezekiel: 60 times, for example. 93% point to a prophetic word from God, so the
use of words is presented as a technical term in the service of oral revelation.
About this says B. Klappert:
“… dar was used to refer to the divine command and will manifested to
Israel, together with the election and the alliance (Ex. 34:28: the ten
words [commandments], and also serves in the time of exile and in the
times after it to transcribe the effective and creative action of God in
relation to creation (Gen 1) and with nature (Ps. 29; 33). The prophetic
word of promise, shaping history, the illuminating word of the covenant,
which takes hold of man, and the creative word of God, which
determines nature and its order, together integrate the revelation of God
in the OT. . (b. Klappert. Logos. In Theological Dictionary of the New
Testament, vol. II. Sígueme Editions: Salamanca, fourth edition 1999.
P. 255).

It is impossible to separate the prophetic word from revelation. Some have

raised a difference between the Word of God and Scripture, considering the word
of God only revealed in Jesus Christ and the Scripture as a testimony to it. The
content of revelation is not only the incarnate word, but also the propositionally
given prophetic word Hebrews 1:1 – 3; 2 Peter 1:19 – 21. If the Scripture were
the highest, most reliable and secure testimony of the revelation of the Word:
Jesus Christ, how can it be a reliable testimony and at the same time have errors
because it is written by human beings? If the written Word points towards the
definitive Word of God, which is Jesus Christ, it must be so faithful that it is not
falsified by time or history, but is essentially faithful: historically and
propositionally.
Certainly, the Word of God is the Eternal Word, which has been trinitarianly with
the Father (John. 1:1 – 2), he is the perfect communication of God; In it, the
revelation of God is complete, definitive. But, without the equally revealing
testimony of Scripture as the “witnessed Word,” the “happened Word,” which is

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 the very person of Jesus Christ, would remain in the shadow of history. Carlo M.
Martini considers four levels in which the Word of God is given: first, the Word of
God prior to its historical manifestation; second, the Word incarnate and identified
as Jesus Christ: “the Word who was made flesh and who dwelt among us” (Jn.
1:14); third, the oral word or spoken by the prophets and apostles and fourth, the
written Word that: “…in connection with prophetic and apostolic activity, they
have written by divine inspiration. They are the prophets, the writers, the
apostles, the evangelists, the wise men, the chroniclers, the legislators, the
poets... The Bible preserves for us the words of the apostles, the prophets...,
written down under the inspiration of God, to show us his plan of salvation in
Christ” (Valerio Manucci. The Bible as the Word of God. Desclee de Brouwer:
Bilbao, 7ª. Edition, 1997. Pages 165,166). The function of the Bible as the Word
of God is to be the extremely faithful witness of the eternal Word incarnated in
time; She points to the Savior and by the force of divine inspiration that endows
her, challenges her, confronts her, provokes her to faith, makes those who
believe wise for salvation (Jn. 5:39; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Timothy 3:15).
John 5:39 says, “Search the Scriptures; because it seems to you that in them
you have eternal life; and they are the ones who bear witness to me” (RV, 1960) ;
The NIV (New International Version) better translates the verb search based on a
closer observation of the context, like this: “You study the Scriptures diligently
because you think that in them you find eternal life. And they are the ones who
bear witness to me to have that life! The Greek verb eraunáte, expressed in the
second person plural, in the present tense, can be expressed in the imperative
mood (as an order) or in the indicative mood (as the enunciation of a fact); If it is
translated as an order, the meaning of the text changes completely and it would
be understood that Jesus is giving an order and therefore, he would be seeing
the Scriptures as the bearers of salvation; But if the verb is translated as the
enunciation of a fact, which is how the NIV does and correctly considering the
context; What Jesus is saying is rather a reproach to the Jews for seeing the
Scriptures as an end in themselves and not as the means they indicated to the
end that is Christ himself. The Scriptures, then, turn out to be the divine, prior and
documentary means that ensures the certainty of the revelation of God that is
definitively confirmed and realized in the incarnated Son of God, as the
culmination of God's plan. Now, in order for the special revelation in the Son and
in the Scriptures to remain secure and reliable over time, it is necessary to
consider the doctrine of inspiration.

II. THE INSPIRATIONAL NATURE OF THE BIBLE.

A. What is inspiration?
The word inspiration has its roots in Greek and also Hebrew terms. The Greek verb
pnéo , from which the noun pneuma is formed, which translates as spirit, expresses
a movement of air charged with energy.
Pnéo means: blow, insufflate, puff, puff, breath;
The verbal form empénéo means: to inhale, to exhale, to be alive, to blow into
something or on something, to breathe in, or the sense of breathing in something . It

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 is understood then what inspiration is: the breath, the divine breathing on the biblical
authors.
A theological approach to the idea of inspiration defines it like this:
Inspiration is: the action of the Spirit of God that guides human authors to
prophetically record all the facts and words that communicate the saving will
of the triune God, assisting them so that they do not make any mistakes when
putting in writing everything that he I encourage you to register

B. The primary role of the Holy Spirit in the inspiration of the Bible.

1. The Spirit of God in the Old Testament manifested itself in a sovereign but
mysterious way. The believers of the OT lived it and expressed themselves about
it in relation to God, comparing it with known things to account for its action. In
fact, the term ruáh in Hebrew, which is translated as Spirit, also means wind, air,
and denotes that which is: dynamic, strong, impulsive, powerful . From Genesis
1:2, through the patriarchs, Moses and the entire history of Israel, especially the
prophets; the Spirit of God acted in them, prompting them to do things that
shaped salvation history; and to speak in an unusual way, so that what they
spoke has no comparison with the natural inspirations of all other literature.
For example, it is the Spirit who ordered Moses and the Elders the mission of
“bearing the responsibility of the people” in the march of the Exodus (Num. 11:17
– 25; Es. 63:11 – 13); He dwelt in Joshua for the conquest of the promised land
(Numbers 27:18); prompted Gideon to lead Israel (Judges 6:34); to Jephthah
(Judg. 11:29); to Samson (Jud. 14:6 – 19; 15:14); This same Spirit qualified Saul
for the kingdom and who, after abandoning him for his continued rebellion,
“descended upon” David enabling him to lead Israel with a royal anointing (1 Sam
16:13) and would in the future descend upon the promised Messiah. (Isaiah
11:1ff.; 42:1ff.; 61:1ff.).
It is the Spirit who not only made the mediators appointed by God act, but also
made the Word of God speak that reveals divine intentions. David at the end of
his days expressed: “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; He put his words
on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke, the rock of Israel told me..." (2 Sam.
23:2,3ª). It is repeatedly said in Scripture that the Spirit rested on the prophets
and made them speak (Ez. 11:5; Es. 48:16; 59:21; Micah 3:8; Hosea 9:7;
Nehemiah 9:30; Zechariah 7:12; Joel 3:1,2). Peter alludes to the inspirational
work of the Spirit when he states: “The prophets, who announced the grace
reserved for you, studied and observed this salvation. They wanted to discover to
what time and to what circumstances the Spirit of Christ who was in them was
referring when he testified beforehand about the sufferings of Christ and the glory
that would come after them. It was revealed to them that they were not serving
themselves, but they were serving you. They spoke of the things that have now
been announced to them by those who preached the gospel through the Holy
Spirit sent from heaven…” (1 Peter 1:10 – 12).

2. It is in the New Testament, where the Holy Spirit is specifically called “Holy Spirit”,
and is considered more explicitly “personal”; It is here where his work in guiding

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 the biblical authors to put in writing the will of God and his saving plan is clearly
noted.
In the New Testament it is the Holy Spirit who also directs the new pastors and
prophets who are the apostles, of the New People of God. He speaks through
Peter: “Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, answered them…” (Acts 4:8). He guided
Philip's missionary action (Acts. 8:26 – 29); of Peter (Acts. 10:19ff; 11:12) of Paul
(Acts. 13:2 – 4; 16:6ff.); He has appointed shepherds to care for the Church of
God (Acts. 21:28); According to Jesus' promise, He is the one who gives his
apostles the appropriate words for their defense (Mt 10:19; Acts. 2:4; 4:8). He is
the one who imparts spiritual gifts to the Church (1 Cor 12:4 – 11).

3. The two famous passages on the inspiration of the Scriptures.

These texts are (2 Peter 1:19 – 21; 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17). The text of 2 Peter affirms
that no prophecy has arisen by the particular initiative or by the prophet's own
subjectivity, of his own will, but that they spoke on behalf of God , but impelled by
the Holy Spirit . A translation as literal as possible of this phrase from v. 21 says: “…
but the Holy Spirit moved/impelled men to speak about God.” The verb “move or
drive” is a translation of the present participle in the passive voice ferómenoi, from
the Greek verb fero: to carry, drive, drive, blow, burst in, guide. In Acts 2:2, the same
verb is used in the sense of breaking in , regarding the mighty wind, as a symbol of
the presence of the Spirit.
The context of the passage under consideration begins in v. 16, where Peter
reinforces the testimony on which the faith of believers is based; This news of the
“…coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in all his power…” (v.16), is not about subtle
stories or fables, but is a first-hand testimony, because: “We heard that voice that
came from the heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain” (v.18); This
is where Peter affirms that the fact of the revelation of Jesus Christ has come to
“…confirm for us the word of the prophets…” (v.19a); Ultimately, the infallibility of
the prophetic message consists of the assistance, guidance and impulse of the
Holy Spirit on the men of God, so that both the message and the messengers
were inspired by the Spirit.
The text of 2 Timothy 3:16,17 is fundamental. Paul has been telling Timothy that
in the last days, there will be perverse men whose lives will be far from the will of
God; On the other hand, he praises Timothy for persevering in the apostle's
teachings and imitating his way of life and his faith; He encourages his disciple to
“…remain firm in what he has learned,” and reminds him that the Scriptures have
played a fundamental role in his life since his childhood; and tells him that these
can give him “…the wisdom necessary for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus”
(v.15).
It is in this context that Paul declares: “All Scripture is inspired by God…” (v.16a).
Of course, the immediate reference of Scripture has to do with that of the Old
Testament; However, the books of the New Testament came to be considered
Scripture, due to the fact that they were the testimony of the immediate witnesses
of the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The Greek adjective zeópneustos , which translates as “inspired by God,” is the
union of two terms: the name God ( zeós ) and the verb to blow ( pnéo ). The idea
is that God is the one who inspired the Scriptures. Although the expression “All

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 Scripture” does not have the definite article “the” in Greek, there is no doubt that
Paul is referring to “all Scripture” in an absolute sense, since when speaking of
the function of Scripture, he definitely does not refer to to any writing, but to that
which has been produced by God; and because it contrasts it with the impious
conduct of men in recent times; apart from that, in v. 15 tells Timothy that he has
known the Holy Scriptures ( hiera grámmata ) since his childhood, so “all
scripture” in v. 16, cannot refer to other scripture, nor to fragments of Scripture;
but to the entirety of Scripture.
In any case, the emphasis of the expression is that Scripture is the product of the
exclusive action of God, who breathed it on human authors, filling them with the
special inspiration to record in writing what he communicated, as well as those
elements already writings that would be relevant and appropriate for their
revelation to human beings.

C. Inappropriate views on inspiration.

There are some views regarding the inspiration of Scripture that do not meet the
true meaning of the Scriptures themselves. H. S. Miller in his book: General Biblical
Introduction, gives us a summary of the most pronounced theories in the 20th
century.

1. Genius or natural inspiration. This theory is that the Bible was written by good
men of faith, whose words they spoke were inspired by the Holy Spirit, but in the
sense that the inspiration with which they wrote was due to their genius or moral
condition. According to this theory, the greatest poet is inspired; and each
person who brings a message of help to humanity is like a prophet of God, like
the writers of the Bible. Milton, Shakespeare, Bunyan, and the great preachers
and writers were inspired by the Spirit of God as were Isaiah, Paul, and others,
though, perhaps, to a lesser degree.
This theory has the following bad points:
 It eliminates the supernatural and reduces the biblical writings to the
level of the secular, making them mere human productions; They are
criticized and mutilated regarding the future;
 If both biblical and secular scriptures are of similar inspiration; or if
your inspiration is different only in degree, not in kind; then we are not
assured that the beliefs of the Scriptures are exposed to the same kind
of misunderstandings in fact, doctrine, and prophecy that the facts of
the secular scriptures are;
 A denial of supernatural inspiration opens the door to similar denials in
other areas, similar to miracles or prophecies.

2. Degrees of inspiration. Some modern theologians believe in what they call:

degrees of inspiration. The first, or most important, degree covers those parts of
Scripture that were revealed to the writers. The second, or lesser, degree
insures writers against any errors in recorded facts and doctrines already known
to them. The third, or least, degree grants divine authority to the remaining parts
of the Bible, which were originally composed without divine inspiration.

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 This theory is more reasonable and respectable than some of the others; Even
so, it falls short of the content of biblical teaching, since who should decide the
content of the inspired parts and the degree of inspiration of each one? “These
are degrees of importance, but not of inspiration. Each part that is in connection
with the rest is in fact the complete truth, it has it integrally, not by degrees.”

3. Illumination or Universal Christian Inspiration. This theory teaches that the

writers of the Bible were inspired in some sense in which Christians of all
centuries were inspired; Moses or Paul to some biblical writer. It is true that
every Christian can have the illumination of the Holy Spirit to understand the
Bible; and they may have religious zeal, fervor or “enthusiasm”, but these are far
from the inspiration mentioned in the Bible as a requirement for writing it. Let's
compare the writings of the New Testament (50 – 100 AD. C.), with those of the
oldest Fathers of the Church; The difference is that in the first (of the NT) there
is inspiration; in the seconds (of the Fathers) there is illumination. This theory
offers no security to writings against many serious errors.

4. Conceptual inspiration. Proponents of this popular theory assume that it

generally means or is inspired thoughts, ideas, or concepts. God gave the
writers the thoughts, and then allowed them, later, in some cases, to express
those thoughts in their own words, as they could remember them.
This theory makes the infallible God entrust his infallible truth to fallible men,
allowing them to write as they see fit. Like the theory of Natural Inspiration, this
more or less allows for error, even in the original manuscripts; although some of
its defenders do not attribute serious errors to the writers. In this way, the
infallible God would be the author of a wandering book. This theory is the
preferred one for many critics, who like to expose the inaccuracies,
discrepancies and contradictions they believe they have found in the Bible. They
declare their appreciation for the very word of God; They maintain that both
Moses and David... retain their own concepts. This theory is misleading, as it
does not explain how the writers were able to write their concepts accurately.
This is not inspiration! There is no biblical authority for this theory. The teaching
of the Bible extends beyond thoughts, to the very words (at least) of the original
writings.

5. Partial Inspiration. This theory teaches that the Bible is inspired in parts; parts of
it are inspired and others are not. The favorite expression of its defenders is:
“The Bible contains the Word of God.” Those who teach this theory do not agree
on which parts are inspired and which are not. Some believe that fundamental
truths are inspired, while arguments, explanations, dates, numbers, historical
facts, are of human origin, and therefore, uninspired. But is there any infallible
person who can decide which parts are inspired and which are not? How can
each decide which parts are inspired?
Others agree that those parts of the Bible that express moral clarity are inspired,
but the rest is not. This explanation deprives the Bible of authority by requiring
that a person know how to define what is morally good before he or she can use

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 the Bible as the Word of God. Others limit inspiration to the prophetic parts;
while others extend it only to the doctrinal parts, but not to the historical parts.
This theory is in clear conflict with 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is inspired by
God…”. For the general teaching on the inspirational content of the Scriptures is
concentrated in this text.

6. Occasional inspiration. This is a variant of the previous one and teaches that the
biblical writers were occasionally inspired; that when they wrote they did not
always do so under the power of the Spirit; so they were often abandoned or left
to their own ideas or reasoning. As far as this theory is concerned, if human
reason with its errors and the divine intermingle, then it is difficult to know what
is the Word of God and what is not.

7. Verbal dictation. This theory teaches that every word of Scripture, in the original
language, was dictated by God to the writers, just as a businessman or
professional would dictate to his or her stenographer. It is also called:
“Mechanical inspiration”. This is often confused with verbal inspiration; Even
some who believe in verbal inspiration are confused. This theory fails, as it turns
writers into mere secretaries who are not involved in what they write, so that
they themselves are not inspired, but only what they write would be inspired.

D. The correct theory about the inspiration of the Bible.

Assemblies of God has evaluated the different theories and with theological maturity
has come to the conclusion that the theory that best adheres to the spirit of the
Scriptures themselves is: verbal – plenary. It is worth clarifying each point that this
theory comprises.

1. The word “plenary” means: full, complete, entire, extended to each part. Plenary
inspiration teaches that each part of the Bible is inspired in the same way. The
bases of this doctrine are found in 2 Tim. 3:16 and other passages. Many Bible
scholars and experts hold this view. Attacks on this doctrine are directed toward
the view that every part of the Bible was directly revealed by God.
The basic point of plenary is that: “Inspiration extends to all parts of the Bible,
including: history, poetry, prophecy, doctrine, law, and everything revealed,
whether known or recorded. ; In any case, the writers wrote what God wanted,
to do it accurately.”

2. By verbal we mean what is related to words. Verbal inspiration consists of the

fact that the word of God was given by the Holy Spirit to the men whom he
directed in choosing the materials and writing exactly what God wanted. God
gave his word and the word of the men who spoke and wrote is, at the same
time, the word of God. This doctrine does not annul the personality of the biblical
writers, nor does it leave it free, but the Holy Spirit directs it, supervising that the
words and records taken from other scriptures express the revelation of God.
This doctrine does not contradict biblical criticism either, since the inerrancy of
the Scriptures applies to the original writings; But the infallibility of its full

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 message is maintained even when there are errors in the transmission of the
text through copies, copies, copies, copies... that were made throughout the
history of the text for its preservation. Even there you can see the guiding hand
of the Holy Spirit.

3. There are abundant testimonies in Scripture itself that confirm the verbal –
plenary doctrine. For example, (Ex. 4:12,15; Deut. 18:18 – 20; Jer. 1:9; Ez.
2:7;3:4,10; Isaiah 1:10; 2 Sam 23:1,2; Dan. 10:9 – 11; Hosea 1:1; Joel 1:1; John
17:8; 1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21), and many other texts.
4. It can be said, as George Ladd states: “The Bible is the Word of God given in
the words of men.” Our reading of the text must encompass two approaches that
must go hand in hand:
Because it originated in God, the Bible must be respected as the ultimate divine authority
for life in all its dimensions. It must be honored, believed, lived.
OUR BIBLE
READING SHOULD Because it is given in language, culture and human history, the Bible requires, for its
CONSIDER YOUR study, that the distance be respected: historical, language and cultural and that it be
attended to, to respect its message and understand it.
DUAL PARENTHOOD

III. THE CANONICAL NATURE OF THE BIBLE.

The last element that concerns us has to do with the way in which the Scripture was
formed in its final form, the Church must keep alive the faith and its certainty in the face
of threats and to ensure the faith of future generations. In this regard, it is worth
considering the following points.
A. What is the canon?

1. The Greek word kanón means: rule, measure, standard . It comes from the
Semitic languages, where it meant reed (that is, aromatic calomus, stem of
cereals). Since the philosopher Homer, kanón means: “Everything to which
something can be adjusted to tension, roll or measure.” Since the 5th century
BC, the concept of “measuring” was imposed; above all: rope or rod to make
measurements, arm of the scale; firm rule, norm. In mathematics, astronomy
and history, kanón means list or table ; In philosophy it designates “the criterion
for judging.” (J. Guhrt and H.-G. Link, in Theological Dictionary of the New
Testament, vol. II. Sígueme Editions: Salamanca, fourth edition, 1999. P. 177).

2. The term is found in the New Testament on a few occasions; only Paul uses it
in the sense of norm, measure . He refers to it in the sense of a norm for the
personal life of the Christian, as for judging others (Gal. 6:16). The death of
Jesus Christ on the cross and his resurrection becomes the canon or norm of
life, which opens a new relationship with God and a new foundation for life.
The kanon specifies what must be done, rejected or accepted; establishes a
new scale of values. It is a norm that is applied to moral life, to form a new

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 humanity (Gal. 6:15). Paul uses kanon in the sense of the standard that God
himself has assigned to him as a measure for his apostolic office.

3. The later Church used the concept of canon to group the list of writings
recognized by it as the documents that contain divine revelation. Judaism
defined the Old Testament canon at the synod of Yamnia (about 100 AD); that
of the New Testament took shape after a development that went from the
middle of the second century to the fourth century after Christ. It was not until
the fourth century that the concept of Canon as a norm became decisive, and
the books inspired under the guidance of the Holy Spirit became known as
“canonical books.” (Valerio Mannucci. The Bible as the Word of God. P. 184).

B. The principles of the canonicity of books.

1. Regarding the Hebrew canon. The formation of the Hebrew canon had a
long period (its history escapes the limited space in this study); Some books
had difficulty being admitted or accepted among the recognized books,
among them: Esther, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs. The group of
authorized books was completed around 90 AD shortly before the synod of
Yabneh or Yamnia. The Hebrews did not use the term canon, nor apocrypha
(obscure), nor deuterocanonical (second canon), or pseudepigrapha (false
names), but to distinguish between authentic religious books and those that
were not. They called the canonical books that were considered sacred:
“books that contaminate the hands”, because because they are so holy, they
communicate their holiness, they infect it. The books that were not
considered sacred or canonical were called: genuzim, derived from ganaz :
keep, hide; saved, hidden or stored; They were not books for general
reading, much less for the synagogue. And the properly apocryphal ones
were called “books from outside” (external, strange). Non-canonical writings
abounded.
The main criteria that the rabbis adopted to declare a book sacred are the
following: 1) Be written in Hebrew or Aramaic; 2) Having been written in the
period between Moses and Ezra, an exclusive period of prophetic
inspiration, according to the rabbinic concept; 3) Be associated with some
notable character in Jewish history (Moses, Solomon, David, as well as the
prophets); 4) The main requirement was to have been generally accepted as
having divine authority. The closing of the canon of Yamnia or Yabneh, the
number of sacred books was fixed forever.

2. Apart from the Hebrew canon, it was formed around 150 BC the Greek
canon, called the Septuagint, since it is presumed that 72 elders, in 72 days,
worked separately, and produced a unanimous version; It is also known as
the “seventies version (LXX). This version included some books that were
not considered sacred, but that were of historical, traditional and national
interest to the Jews and were read with that distinction; Later, in the fifth
century after Christ, Jerome translated from Hebrew and Greek into Latin,
what was called: “Latin Vulgate”, which included those books of the

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 Septuagint, which were not recognized as sacred; The feeling of Jerome
and the ancient Church was to maintain as canonical the books already
recognized in the Jewish tradition; Not so, the other books, considered
apocryphal.

3. The New Testament canon had three stages in its formation. Gonzalo Baez
Camargo proposes: The apostolic stage, The pre-canonical stage and the
canonical stage. The first is that of its formation, a stage during which the
texts of the New Testament had not yet finished being written. The second
stage consists of the struggle that believers had to define which books bore
the divine seal; During that time, the Churches read other literature that was
later considered apocryphal. The third stage was the final recognition that
the Church gave to the 27 books of the New Testament. (Gonzalo Baez
Camargo. Brief History of the Biblical Canon. United Bible Societies: Mexico,
1983. P. 56 – 76).
The principles for canonization are practically the same as those
implemented by Judaism for the canonization of the New Testament. A
quote from Baez Camargo would help understand this point:
“The main determining factor in the formation of the canon was
the consensus of the Churches manifested in the opinion and
practice of the most authoritative Christian writers, and above
all in the use of some books and the exclusion of others in
worship, catechesis. and apologetics. The controversies with
the Jews, pagan philosophers and heretics also had a great
influence, since the defense of Christianity that was considered
genuine had to be based on documents considered to have
authority emanating, ultimately, from God himself. (Baez
Camargo, page 69).

CONCLUSION.
By observing the proposed points, we come to the conclusion that it is essential that
leaders, teachers, pastors, preachers, evangelists and members in general have basic
knowledge about the divine, but also human, value of the Scriptures, both from the
Ancient as of the New Testament, seeing it as a whole as: The written Word of God.
This knowledge should develop in each one a deep appreciation for the Bible, a
stronger interest in reading it and studying its truths; a life commitment to its teachings,
so that at the Church level we experience the constant changes that the Word of God
produces in men and women of faith.

10. THE ATONEMENT (3 classes)

Compiled by Byron Mazariegos.

BIBLICAL BASIS: Isaiah 53:3-5¨. Romans 6:6-8

GOALS.

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1. Understand the biblical and theological bases of the doctrine of the atonement.
2. Appreciate the value of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our salvation.
3. Teach this truth to all groups of people in the Church and in all possible ways to
teach.
INTRODUCTION.
The death of Jesus has had diverse interpretations; most of which consider some
phase of truth of it, for example, its political - social, or religious meaning; but they leave
aside the central element of said death, that is: its expiatory meaning. The decisive
importance of this theme lies in the fact that: “The death of Jesus in its atoning meaning
constitutes the central foundation of salvation and the formation of the Church as the
New People of God.” Without this truth, which is linked to that of the resurrection, the
Church simply would not be real. But it is this double truth that is the reason for the
Church's existence, its mission, its transformed life and its challenging message for
every human being.
I. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE TOPIC.
A. Theology or Christology or the doctrine of sin?
The biblical-theological doctrine has a logical relationship of development, so that
one topic necessarily leads to another; some come before others, so a topic cannot
be treated in isolation from the previous or subsequent ones. The doctrine of the
atonement must be put in relation to the themes that serve as its foundation.
In this case, we must relate the doctrine of God with the doctrine of man or
anthropology; God as creator and sustainer of everything, as sovereign and King of
the Universe and the human being in his condition of greatness and misery.
Greatness because he bears the image of God and that makes him worthy; and
misery because sin came to separate him from God and put him in conflict with his
fellow men.
Some scholars see the doctrine of the atonement as a consequence of the need for
redemption that human beings have due to sin . But, if sin is placed as the
presupposition of atonement, the consequence is that we attribute to God that he
acts out of necessity, which contradicts his character of absolute freedom; because
God acts freely. On the other hand, one cannot jump from the doctrine of man and
sin to the doctrine of salvation, without first explaining the doctrine of the person of
Christ. The doctrine of Christology is the true presupposition for the human being's
problem with sin and salvation; because he is the mediator between God and
human beings.

B. The integrated character of the doctrine.

This leads us to declare that the doctrine must be correctly integrated so that there
is no contradiction in the approaches. That is why we insist that the doctrine of the
atonement must be woven with Christology (the doctrine that refers to the person of
Jesus Christ as God – Man and his function as Redeemer); treating it in isolation for
study reasons must warn of the responsibility we have not to isolate it definitively;
because it creates confusion. The following diagram illustrates how the doctrine
should be woven together.
“Because all have
sinned, they fall
short of the glory of 152
God” (Rom. 3:23)
 His Person: Divine
or human? Totally
JESUS divine and totally
GOD His function:
human?
Social
CHRIST liberating prophet or
Savior and Lord of
every human being?
SIN = SIN
In this scheme, the God-Man relationship is affected by sin; Christology is the answer to
the problem of the human being under the dominion of sin and with the risk of
damnation. Christology does not arise circumstantially due to a human need; rather, it
obeys God's anticipated plan, which indicates that the divine decision, although it is true,
depends on the human problem; It is, however, a decision free of his love and grace.
Peter refers to God's Plan when in his first letter he states: “The price of his ransom was
not paid with perishable things, such as gold or silver, but with the precious blood of
Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without blemish.” flaw. Christ, whom God chose
before the creation of the world, has appeared in these last times for your benefit” (1
Peter 1:18b – 21).
So it is convenient that the doctrine of the atonement should not be treated as a
logical necessity because of the problem of sin; It is Christology that must
encompass the doctrine of the atonement as an integral part of the Lord's plan,
which is broad. The foundation of the person of Christ as God in humanity must
precede the doctrine of the atonement. If the one who dies for us is not God in his
total reality, nor human in his total reality, we cannot affirm anything about the
doctrine of the atonement. That is why it is a methodological error to jump from the
doctrine of sin to the doctrine of atonement, leaving Christology for later.

II. THE CONCEPT OF ATONEMENT.

.
A. The profane meaning of atonement. (profane: that does not show the respect due to
sacred things).

1. The Greek term hileos in profane Greek.

This adjective and its form in Attic Greek hílaos or híleos or the parallel form hilarós
(in Latin hilaris ) originally meant : smiling, happy; later it meant: friendly, favorable,
propitious. The verb hiláskomai , like the verb exiláskomai , which has been used
since the writer Herodotus, has a causative meaning: to obtain someone's favor, to
appease; In the passive form of the verb in the past, translated in the active sense, it

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 means: to show favor, to take pity . In this sense, the subject is a man and the object
a divinity; The idea is that through an action of worship, it is possible to ensure that a
divinity becomes propitious, favorable. The noun hilasmós, derived from hiláskomai,
indicates the action by which a divinity becomes propitious, favorable.
The basic thought of hilasmós in the profane environment is: “The human effort to
make oneself propitious to the disturbing power that often brings calamities of the
dead, demons and gods, strengthening one's own work with the use of
superhuman forces.” . (Link, page 482). Human beings have to make efforts to
stop the menace of envy, punishment, anger and baseless hatred of the almighty
gods; Becoming propitious to the divinities is achieved in the actions of worship,
in which human or animal victims are sacrificed, purification rites, prayers, dances
and games.

2. Due to the humanization that took place, human victims were replaced by
symbolic actions. When the age of rational philosophers entered Greece, the
gods lost something of their terribleness; The importance of expiatory actions
decreased. With Stoic philosophy, instead of cultic rites, the moral person came
into operation, responding to the will of the gods with his ethical actions. So, the
sense of atonement is changed by the ethical relationship of the human being
with the gods.

B. The contextual biblical meaning of atonement.

1. In the Greek version of the Old Testament (seventy version or LXX). Only the
formulas híleos einai = or be propitious appear; or, geneszai = to be merciful or to
show propitiousness, to appease. These formulas translate the Hebrew sàlah =
forgive (appears 15 times) and niham = have mercy, repent. The adjective hileos
appears in the LXX only as an attribute of God. The verb hiláskomai appears in
the LXX 12 times, in the passive and middle voice with the sense of pity, most of
the time it translates the verb saláh, whose meaning is to forgive.
The phrasal verb exiláskomai and its Hebrew equivalent that appears 80 times,
kipper = cover, atone. First of all, it means atoning in the active sense and
designates the priest's performance in the cult. It also means to purify (Heb. hitté )
objects (Ezekiel 43:20,22,26), or placate or calm a person (Heb. hillàh ) (Ezek.
7:2;8:22) in the LXX, kipper (to atone) is translated hilasmós about 100 times; by
exilasis , 2 times; by exilasmós , about 15 times; that designate the phenomenon
of atonement (the expiatory victims of the cult (Lev. 23:27; 25:9).

2. Does the Old Testament reflect the sense of appeasing God's wrath through
sacrifices, in the style of neighboring religions? It seems that before the
Babylonian exile the idea was common that the victim had to appease the wrath
of the gods (Gen. 8:20; 1 Sam. 26:19; 2 Sam. 24:17, 25). Over time, a general
reinterpretation of the ancient idea of atonement, which was common in Israel,
took place. So, from the conception that human sacrifices sought a favorable
change in divinity, we move to the specifically Israelite conception of atonement
as that which is produced by Yahweh, as his work to achieve the purification and

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 reconciliation of his town. From that account, God is the subject who executes,
works the atonement, not the object that must be appeased.
The atonement is considered theologically in the Old Testament against the
background of the idea of sin; sin as unrighteousness, as transgression of the
law, or through ignorance (1 Sam. 14:24 – 35), is directed against Jehovah's
covenant and then becomes an objective guilt, because it goes against that which
is outside the human being: God, fellow human beings, the earth or creation. Sin
brings with it a disgrace, the destructive effects of which necessarily fall as
punishment on the offender and his community (the case of Korah, Dathan and
Abiram, (Num. 16); or that of Achan, (Joshua 7).
Only Jehovah can destroy the connection between sin and misfortune, burdening
an animal with the evil effects of the act committed by the offender and his
community; the animal dies on a substitute or vicarious basis; The clearest
example is Leviticus 16:20ff. The subject who acts in the atoning act, the one who
produces the atonement, is Jehovah. Priests act in worship only as their
authorized appointees (Ex. 28:38;Num. 18:22); The people or the individual
offender are the recipients of the atonement and the blood, as the bearer of life,
serves as an expiatory means (Lev. 17:11). The transfer of sins to the animal is
possible because it is the property of the offender and in this case, represents a
part of the personal sphere of the human being, or of the human community. It is
Jehovah who has given victims to his people, “to remove the guilt of the human
community.” In conclusion, the atonement was not a punishment, but a saving
event (Gerhard von Rad. Old Testament Theology, vol. YO. p. 342).

3. The word hilastèrion in the Greek version of the OT (the LXX) translates the
Hebrew term kapporet (Ex. 25:17 – 22), consisted of the gold plate, which was
placed on the ark of the covenant or alliance in the most holy place of the temple,
without forming part of the ark. The two cherubs cover the plate with their wings;
It is from above that plate, in the middle of the cherubim, that Jehovah is present
and revealed (Ex. 25:22); It is from and on that plate called the mercy seat that
once a year is sprinkled with the blood of the expiatory victim in front and above
to make the atonement (Lev. 16:14); so hylastérion , which is translated as mercy
seat, is understood as: expiatory means or instrument.

4. Etymology:
 Hyleos appears in Matthew 16:22 in a negative sense, when Peter wants
to dissuade Jesus from going to the cross: God save you, Lord! And
Hebrews 8:12, quotes what God says in Jer. 31:34: “When I forgive” (i.e.,
“I will be merciful.”

 Hiláskomai expresses in Luke 18:13 the cry for help of the sinner, who
asks God for mercy: “My God! Have compassion on this sinner.” The
reason for the ritual of the day of reconciliation is mentioned in Hebrews
2:17 (Lev. 16:14 – 16); and Jesus is described as the faithful High Priest (2
Sam. 2:35) who atones for the sins of the people; He is at the service of
God. Jesus is presented as the one who has been determined and

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 legitimized by God, to achieve what the sacrifices of the OT only
preliminarily achieved.
In Hebrews the atonement is compared, taken from the cult to exemplify the
radical surrender of Jesus' life for the sins of others (Heb. 7:27; 9:12,26;10:12);
The result of Jesus' atonement is the overcoming of guilt or sin and the offering of
forgiveness to the new people of God. The meaning of hiláskomai is not the
action of appeasing divinity through human actions, but the action of God through
of its High Priest: Jesus Christ.

In the first letter of John the word hilasmós is the expression of ancient cult
traditions. In 1 John 2:2 and 4:10 together with 2:1 and 4:9, which seem not to
belong to the language of John, but in any case, the relationship of the
expressions in which the term hilasmos is used, does not seem outside of the
context and therefore, it is difficult to consider this language as foreign to Juan. In
any case, hilasmós does not refer to the isolated fact of death, but to the totality
of the mission and person of Jesus; to whose mission the theme of death
belongs. Atonement is not understood here as a human offering to God, but as
proof of God's love for men.

III. THE EXPIATORY CHARACTER OF THE DEATH OF JESUS.

A. Did Jesus consider his death a sacrificial death?

1. Do the gospels say anything clear about Jesus' death as a sacrificial death?
Some New Testament scholars believe that there is no clear evidence in the
synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) on the subject of Jesus giving his
own death an atoning meaning; The texts that speak clearly about it, consider
them as additions after death and as interpretations of the early Christians; so
that all allusion in the synoptic gospels to an atoning sense of the death of Jesus
turns out to be interpretative additions of the early Church.
In the synoptic gospels, the concept of redemption appears very little in some
contexts. Luke in 1:68 and 2:38 uses this term in two scenes that have to do with
the hope of the pious of Israel, who hoped that the coming of the Messiah would
fulfill the redemption of Israel. The concept is interpreted in the sense of Israel's
political hope; What is significant is that the expectations about the Messiah are
that he is coming to rescue Israel. In the OT, the concept of ransom implied, on
the one hand, the replacement of the rescued individual with a sacrificial animal
or another form of payment (Ex. 21:30:12; Lev. 19:20,21; No. 18:15; 35:31,32); It
also speaks of the close relative who had the duty to rescue a family member
who was in danger of losing everything (Lev. 25:24 – 25, 51,52). Redemption as
an activity of God himself, who has freed his people from Egypt, through his love
and faithfulness is found in (Deut. 7:8; 9:26).
Now, the basic text of Mark 10:45 has been interpreted by some as an
interpretation coming from Hellenistic Christianity; but authors such as Joachim
Jeremías and Eduard Lohse observe that the language of the verse is semi-
semitic, so there is no doubt that it dates back to Jesus himself, thus constituting
Jesus' own interpretation of his death in an atoning sense; The use of “many”

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 instead of “all” is a very clear Semitism; Furthermore, the sense of Son of Man is
a Semitic, not Hellenistic, concept and the idea of rescue responds more to a
reference to redemption in the OT.
Another important element to support the death of Jesus as a sacrificial death,
from Jesus himself, is the interpretation that Jesus gives to his death; Although
there are no direct allusions that it is with an expiatory meaning, it is implicit in the
fact that he sees it as "It is necessary that they kill him...". In all contexts where
the construction of the verb déo appears, it implies obligation, resolution of
purpose, something deliberate based on a plan; implies awareness of a mission;
The “it is necessary” also points to the fact that it was written prophetically, so that
it had to be fulfilled as planned. The death of Jesus is more than a political crime,
it is the deliberation of God's plan, this is how the first Christians understood it, in
the light of the resurrection.
It is curious that the announcement of Jesus' death is linked to that of his
resurrection (Mr. 8:31; 10:32; Mt. 16:21; 20:19; Lc. 9:22; 18:33). What purpose
would there be in placing the two events together: death and resurrection, if the
resurrection does not represent the guarantee of the expiatory value of his death?
From the beginning, death and resurrection circulated together. Without the
resurrection, the death of Jesus remains in the shadows, he remains in the
condition of a martyr for the truth, he remains on the level of yet another prophet;
but by resurrecting he guarantees the salvation of those who believe.
The other significant text to affirm the atoning meaning of Jesus' death, from
Jesus himself, is the institution of the Lord's Supper. In the basic text of Mark
14:22 – 25, Jesus places the meaning of his blood (in this case, “blood” has a
metaphorical meaning, in the figure of a metonymy, which designates one thing
with the name of another, to refer to to his own life given over to death) is in favor
and instead of “many ” “this is my blood of the new covenant that is shed for
many…” .
Marcos uses the preposition perì = in favor of (used here in the sense of
relationship); Matthew maintains the same preposition; Only Lucas uses the
preposition hýper = in favor of, instead of; and applies it both to the consecration
of the body and the blood. Joachim Jeremías affirms that this is one of the safest
texts to belong to the original language of Jesus, as is maintained by a good
number of New Testament specialists; Therefore we conclude that Jesus did
interpret his death as a sacrificial death.

2. Under what criteria did the New Testament Church understand the death of Jesus
as an atoning death?
 The interpretation that the early Church makes, both Palestinian and
Hellenistic, responds to its understanding of the life and death of Jesus, in the
light of the resurrection. The idea that it was the Hellenistic community (those
founded by Paul and others) that interpreted the death of Jesus in a
redemptive sense is prejudiced, and does not do justice to what is implicit in
the gospels regarding Jesus himself seeing his death in an expiatory sense,
because if his messianic consciousness was not that of a political Messiah,
but rather a suffering Messiah, then his death could not have any other
meaning less valuable than this. It was the resurrection that made this

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 understanding clear to the disciples. Proof of this is given to us by Luke,
therefore, the Peter who confesses Christ and then opposes his death is the
same as at Pentecost and other occasions, his interpretation of the death of
Jesus acquires another meaning, in the light of the resurrection (Acts 2:22 –
40; 3:11 – 26); Luke also refers to this same fact of post-resurrection
understanding, to the two travelers to Emmaus. There is no doubt that this
incident (Luke 24:13 - 35), as well as the other (Luke 24:36 - 49) shows that
the interpretation of Jesus' death as atoning death does not arise from them,
but from their encounter with the resurrected Christ.

 When Paul interprets the death of Jesus, he does so based on what he

received from the first Christians (1 Cor. 15:3,4), but in Galatians (1:11,12) he
also states that the gospel he preaches was received by direct revelation
from the Lord. In any case, Paul does not apply Gnostic myths, nor those of
the Hellenistic mystery religions, to preach the gospel.
On the other hand, he uses the term hilasmós = atonement, propitiation , very
little. He uses it in Romans 3:25: “God offered it as a sacrifice of
atonement…”. Instead, he abundantly uses the preposition hyper to refer to
the representative and substitutive character of Jesus in his death and for our
benefit (Rom. 5:6 – 8; 8:32; 1 Cor. 1:13; 2 Cor. 5:21) and many others. Paul
treats the atoning death of Jesus Christ from the analogy of Adam – Christ.
With this example, the redemptive and atoning role of Jesus stands out, in
opposition to the first Adam.

 John uses the verb hilasmos to mean that he is “the propitiation or sacrifice
for our sins” (1 John 2:2; 4:10). Peter speaks of ransom (1 Peter 1:18 – 21).
The letter to the Hebrews is much more specific in linking the function of both
the sacrifices and the priest and high priest in Israel, with the substitutionary
and representative function of Jesus in his death.

3. Is Jesus' atoning death limited or inclusive?

 Those who interpret salvation as directed to a specific group of those chosen
by God in advance are forced to interpret the scope of Jesus' death as limited
only to the chosen ones.

 The reading of some texts, for example, John 3:16, is quite challenging;
because they consider that God certainly loved everyone, but only the chosen
ones are saved, which in this case, are "those who believe." This reading is
flawed and has no exegetical support. The other text is that of the Lord's
Supper, when the text says that his blood is shed for many, they understand
the “many” to mean the group of the elect.

 Many interpreters agree that the adjective “many” ( polloi ) is a Semitism that
refers to “all,” so there is no room for a limited interpretation. On the other
hand, the “for us” that appears in Luke should not be interpreted as applied to
the chosen ones exclusively; Reading the meaning of Jesus' death in this way

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 distorts the redemptive purpose of God, which is universal. Rather, it should
be stated that: “Salvation has a universal scope, but only those who trust in
Christ appropriate it.”

CONCLUSION
The doctrine of the atonement must be integrated so as not to fall into the error of
theological partiality. It must also be ordered in such a way that there is no contradiction
in the approaches. The expiatory meaning of Jesus' death is based on his Old
Testament theological background, but above all, on Jesus himself, his message and
his messianic vocation. The death of Jesus is the foundation of the expression of God's
grace and love; This death has the character of substitution and representation and the
faith of the Church rests on this interpretation.

11. GOD (3 classes)

Compiled by Luís Felipe Batres Orozco

BIBLICAL BASIS: Gen. 1:1. Heh. 1:1-13. Dt. 3:24. Isaiah 44:8, 45:22.

AIM

Understand that the existence of the true God is real, and based on this, live a secure
life full of faith in the living and true God.

INTRODUCTION

Nowhere do the Holy Scriptures try to demonstrate the existence of God through
methodical or conventional proofs. It is assumed as evident proof, as a natural belief for
man.

Nowhere do the Holy Scriptures state a series of proofs of its existence as a preliminary
condition for faith. They declare the fact and ask the man to embark on an adventure of

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faith. For that reason, “it is necessary that he who draws near to God must believe that
there is Him.” It constitutes the starting point of the Holy Scriptures regarding man's
dealings with God. It never occurred to any of the writers of the Old or New Testament
to try to prove or argue for the existence of God. It is a fact that is always and
everywhere taken for granted in the Holy Scriptures.

DEFINITION OF THE NAME OF GOD.

Heb: E lohim, El, Elyon, Shadday, Yahweh; Gr: Theos . The Bible does not contain a
formal definition of the word God; however, the Being and attributes of God appear on
every page. The best definition of the word in the history of Christianity, that is, in the
culture in which the Bible has been a prevailing influence, is that found in the
Westminster Shorter Catechism (Q4): “ God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal and immutable, in
his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.”

I. THE NATURE OF GOD

God is a personal, non-material being, self-aware and self-determining. It is everywhere;

everything is immediately in his presence. He knows eternally what he has known in the
past and what he will know in the future. His omnipotence is the ability to do with power
everything he wants. Holiness is the central ethical attribute of God. Basic ethical
principles are revealed by the will of God and derived from his character. It has all the
logic and rationality. The axioms of logic and mathematics are not laws apart from God
to which God must submit.

God is eternal, without temporal beginning or end. In a figurative sense, “eternal” can
designate a quality of being suitable for eternity. Immutable, in biblical language, points
to the perfect self-constancy of God's character throughout all eternity and in his
relationships with his creatures. It is not contradictory that God carries out the events of
his redemptive program in time.

God is supremely known through his Son, Hebrews 1:1-2. “For his invisible things, his
eternal power and deity, have been clearly seen from creation…” Romans 1:20.

“The heavens declare the glory of God…” Psalm 19:1; Romans 10:18. It is common to
make a distinction between natural revelation, everything that God has created, and
special revelation, the Bible. God is known by faith, beyond the cognitive sense, in
communion with his people. Moses was assured, leading his people through the desert:
“ My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” “And Moses answered: “If your
presence does not go with me, do not take us out from here” Exodus 33:14-15.

II. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

A. Attributes of the Being of God

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 Attributes of God are understood as “those characteristics that pertain to God,
derived from his essence, and that can be known and formulated clearly
according to the rules of analogy.”

In the contemporary analogy, this notion is related to that of "God's free ways
of acting," meaning those properties of God's being that are manifested in the
history of salvation.

An incipient (initial) doctrine of the attributes of God can already be found in

patristic theology (The fathers of the church of the first centuries), especially
through negative concepts (uncreated, inspatial, incomprehensible,
impassible...) , not only to reject some false representations of God, but also
to positively affirm his transcendence, (scope) his fullness and his infinite
being (which has no end) with scholasticism (School of the 11th to 14th
centuries AD) and Thomas Aquinas, the exposition of the attributes of God
achieves great metaphysical precision. Of the affirmation of God as a pure Act
of Being, holy,
Thomas Aquinas proceeds to the deduction of the divine attributes, referring
to the divine essence and the actions of God. Among the attributes of God
are: simplicity, perfection, goodness, infinity, omnipresence, immutability,
science, life, love, justice, mercy...

This doctrine, leaving safe the transcendence and incomprehensibility of the

mystery of God, was affirmed by the 1V Lateran Council (1215) and collected
by Vatican I (1870): «We firmly believe and openly confess that One is the
true God, eternal and immense, omnipotent, immutable, incomprehensible
and ineffable.
B. Constitutive attributes of God.

“Neither is he honored by the hands of men, as if he needed anything, for he

is the one who gives to everyone life and breath and all things” Acts 17:25.
God is self-existent, in the sense that he does not look to any other source for
his own meaning, nor for his being. His very name, Yahweh , is a declaration
that “He is and will continue to be.” God does not depend on anyone to advise
or teach him. Who taught him the path of judgment, or taught him science, or
showed him the path of prudence? Isaiah 40:14. The Lord has not needed
any other being to assist him in creation or providence, Isaiah 44:24. God
wants to impart life to his people, and he appears apart from everyone and
independent of them. “The Father has life in himself” John 5:26. No created
being can affirm this of itself, so what we creatures have to do is declare in
our worship: “Lord, you are worthy of receiving glory and honor and power; for
you created all things, and by your will they exist and were created,
Revelation 4:11.

1. Spirit.
The Bible does not give a definition of the word “spirit” but it does offer
descriptions. God, as Spirit, is immortal, invisible and eternal, worthy of our

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 honor and glory forever, 1 Timothy 1:17. As a Spirit, He lives in a light that
cannot be seen with humans: “Whom no man has seen or can see” 1Timothy
6:16. It is difficult to understand His spiritual nature because we have not yet
seen Him as He is, and without faith, it is impossible to understand what we
have not yet experienced. Our sense perception offers no help in discerning
the spiritual nature of God. He is not chained by the bonds of physical matter.
One who is very different from the human being is worshiped, although He
longs to put His Holy Spirit within man, so that he may rejoice in advance of
that day in which we will see Him as He is 1John 3:2. Then we can draw near
to the light, for we will have cast off mortality to take upon ourselves a glorified
immortality, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54.

2. Knowable.

“No one has ever seen God” John 1:18. Mankind cannot fully understand the
Almighty God, Job 11:7, and yet He has shown Himself at different times and
in various ways, indicating that it is His will for us to know Him and maintain a
right relationship with Him, John 1:18; 5:20; 17:3; Acts 14:17; Romans 1:18-
20. However, this does not mean that we can fully and exhaustively perceive
the entire personality and nature of God, Romans 1:18-20; 2:14,15. God, at
the same time that he reveals, hides: “Truly you are God who conceals
yourself, God of Israel, who saves” Isaiah 45:15. Rather than constituting a
detraction from His attributes, this self-covering is a confession that declares
our limitation and the infinity of God. Since God decided to speak through his
Son, Hebrews 1:2, and make his fullness dwell within his Son, Colossians
1:19, we can expect that we will find in Jesus the most centered manifestation
of all regarding the personality of God. . Jesus not only limits himself to
making the Father known, but also reveals the meaning and importance of the
Father. During numerous invitations, God expresses that his will is for us to
know him: “Be still, and know that I am God, Psalm 46:10.

3. Eternal.

We measure our existence based on time: past, present and future. God is
not limited by time; However, he wanted to reveal himself within the frame of
reference, so that we can see him active in front of and behind us. Bible
translators into modern languages frequently use the expressions “eternal,”
“everlasting,” and “forever” in order to capture the Hebrew and Greek phrases
that bring God into our perspective. He existed before creation: “Before the
mountains arose and you formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to
everlasting, you are God” Psalm 90:2. Therefore, quite apart from our trying to
understand the relationship between time and eternity, we can confess:
“Therefore, to the King of ages, immortal, invisible, to the only wise God, be
honor and glory forever and ever.” the ages. Amen” Numbers 23:19. Psalm
33:11; 102:27. Isaiah 57:15. 1 Timothy 1:17.

4. Omnipotent.

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 An ancient philosophical dilemma asks whether God will be able to create a
rock so big that he cannot move it later. If he cannot move it, then he is not
all-powerful. If he can't create such a big rock, then that also shows that he is
not all-powerful. This logical fallacy is a simple play on words that ignores the
fact that God's power is intertwined with his purposes. In the context of his
purposes, God demonstrates that he is indeed capable of accomplishing
whatever he wants: “For the Lord of hosts has determined it, and who can
prevent it? And his outstretched hand, who will do it
back? Isaiah 14:27.

Human beings cannot resist, thwart, or impede the unlimited power and might
of the one true God, 2 Chronicles 20:6. Psalm 147:5. Isaiah 43:13. Daniel
4:35. God has shown that His primary interest is not in the size and weight of
rocks (although He can cause them to yield water, Exodus 17:6 or to praise
Him, Luke 19:40) but in the work of calling, shaping and transform a town for
himself. We see this when He draws breath and life from the womb of Sarah
in her advanced age, just as He Himself said: “Is there anything difficult for
God? Genesis 18:14. Jeremiah 32:17, and also from the womb of Mary, a
young virgin, Matthew 1:20-25.

We find the most sublime purpose of God when he brings life from a tomb
near Jerusalem as a Demonstration of “the surpassing greatness of his power
toward us who believe, “according to the working of the power of his might,
which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his
right hand in the heavenly places” Ephesians 1:19,20.

5. Omnipresent.

The nations surrounding Israel in ancient times served regional or national

gods who were limited in their influence by locality and ritual. For the most
part, devotees of these regional divinities considered them powerful only
within the realm of the people who presented offerings to them.

Although, certainly, the Lord presented himself to Israel as the one who could
center his presence in the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle and the temple.
That was a concession to the limitations of human understanding. Solomon
recognized this by saying, “But is it true that God will dwell on the earth?
Behold, the heavens, the heavens of heavens, cannot contain you; How much
less this house that I have built?” 1 Kings 8:27.

At present, humans are limited to an existence within the physical dimensions

of this universe. There is absolutely no place we can go that is not in the
presence of God: “Where can I go from your Spirit? And where will I flee from
your presence? If I ascend to heaven, there you are; and if I make my
footstool in Sheol, behold, there you are. If I take the wings of the dawn and
dwell at the end of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, and your right

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 hand will hold me fast” Psalm 139:7-10. Jeremiah 23:23,24. The spiritual
nature of God allows Him to be omnipresent, and at the same time, very close
to us, Acts 17:27,28.

6. Omniscient.

“And there is no created thing that is not manifest in his presence; but all
things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we must give an
account,” Hebrews 4:13. God has the ability to know our thoughts and our
intentions, Psalm 1:39:1-4. And he is not tired or exhausted in his activity of
discerning them, Isaiah 40:28. God's knowledge is not limited by our
understanding of future time, since He can know the end of something from its
very beginning, Isaiah 46:10.

The knowledge and wisdom of God are beyond our ability to penetrate,
Romans 11:33. Therefore, it is difficult for us to fully understand how God has
prior knowledge of events that are conditioned by our free will.

7. Sage.

In the ancient world, the concept of wisdom tended to be found within the
realm of theory and debate. However, the Bible presents wisdom in the realm
of the practical, and once again, our model for this kind of wisdom is God.
“Wisdom” (Heb. Hokma ) is the union of knowledge of the truth with
experience in life. Knowledge alone can fill your head with data without an
understanding of its importance or application. Wisdom gives direction and
meaning. The wisdom of God gives him a deep knowledge of everything that
is and everything that can be.

In view of the fact that God has existence in himself, he has experience
beyond our imagination, and his understanding is unlimited, Psalm 147:5. He
applies his knowledge wisely. All the works of His hands are done in His great
wisdom, Psalm 104:24, enabling Him to put monarchs in office, or change
times and seasons as He sees fit in His wisdom, Daniel 2:21 . God wants us
to share in His wisdom and understanding, so that we can know the plans He
has for His children, and live in the center of His will, Colossians 2:2,3.

CONCLUSIONS.

1. God is inexplicable in his essence, but He gives us means or ways so that we can
know Him in part. Only after we leave this world and are with Him will we see Him
face to face, and see Him as He is.
2. God has attributes that tell us what He is like and the ways He uses to
communicate and make Himself known to His creatures.
3. God is the essence of faithfulness, truthfulness, goodness, patience, love, grace
and mercy, and holiness in all its aspects.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. NIV Bible, 2002 edition. Miami Florida: Vida Publishing,
Springfield Missouri.
2. Pentecostal study Bible, Reina Valera, 1960. Miami Florida:
Vida Editorial.
3. Evans. William, The Great Doctrines of the Bible. Los
Angeles California: Moody Publishing, 1989.
4. Horton. Stanley M, Systematic Theology. Miami Florida:
Editorial Vida, 1996.
5. Cave. Francisco, The person and work of Jesus Christ.
Miami Florida: Clie Books, 1987.
6. The doctrine of God. Miami Florida: Editorial Vida, 1988.
7. Pearlman. Myer, Biblical and systematic theology. Miami
Florida: Editorial Vida, 1978.

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 12. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (3 classes)

Compiled by Luis Felipe Batres

BIBLICAL BASIS: John 1:1-17; 3:16,17. 1John 1:7,9.

AIM

Understand the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ in favor of humanity.

INTRODUCTION

The Lord Jesus Christ is the central figure of all Christian reality; Therefore, truths about
Him are central to Christianity. No theology that downplays Christ to put humanity at the
center will be able to fully reveal to us the fullness of what the Bible teaches. Jesus
means the fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies, and is the author of the New
Testament teachings. Christians consider him the Lamb slain from the foundation of the
world, and also the King to come (Revelation 13:8; 19:11-16.

DEFINITION OF THE NAME.

Jesus ( Heb). Jeshua, Jehoshua, Joshua, (gr). Iesous. The name means: “Jehovah is
salvation.”

Christ ( Heb). mashiah, ( gr). Christos. Meaning of the name: “The anointed one.”

Jesus Christ . “Anointed Savior.”

I. PROPHECIES OF THE COMING OF CHRIST

A. Prophecies of his first coming.

Jesus' various sayings , I am, affirm his absolute existence (John 8:58). Scripture
affirms his preexistence in terms of fellowship with the Father ( John 1:1), glory
(John 17:5), and appointment in advance as the Savior of the world (1 Peter
1:20). All things came into being through him (John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6;
Hebrews 1:2) and in him continue to have their cohesive beginning (Colossians

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 1:17). The manifestations of God in the Old Testament are clearly associated with
the pre-incarnate Christ. When Isaiah glimpsed the glory of God he was seeing
Christ (John 12:41). Moses and the prophets spoke of him (Luke 24:27, 44; John
5:46), with special reference to his sufferings and the glories that would follow (1
Peter 1:11). The Old Testament abounds with predictions about Jesus (Genesis
3:15; Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; Psalm 2; 15; 22; 110; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6, 7; 42:1-4;
52: 13—53:12; 61:1, 2; Jeremiah 23:5, 6; As if in anticipation of the incarnation,
the Son of God sometimes showed himself to the faithful in visible form as the
Angel of the Lord or the Angel of the covenant (Genesis 18:1—19:1; Judges 13).
He came in the incarnation to reveal God (John 1:14, 18), to redeem people from
their sins (Mark 10:45), and to relate sympathetically to their needs (Hebrews
2:17, 18). Today the God-man is in heaven, representing the saints before the
throne of God (Hebrews 7:25. 1John 2:1). By the triumphant consummation of his
work on earth, he is exalted and is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15)
and through the Spirit directs the life and service of his saints on earth (Matthew
28:20 ).

B. Prophecies of his Second Coming.

A purpose of the incarnation is reserved for his second coming. His royal
government will then be introduced after his work as a judge (Matthew 25:31-34).
This coming is one of the greatest truths set forth in the epistles (Philippians 3:20,
21; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10) and is the main theme of Revelation.

After the millennial kingdom, Christ will enter with his people into the blessedness
of the eternal state that will be preserved intact from the irruptions of sin or death.

II. LIFE AND EARTHLY MINISTRY OF JESUS.

A. Your birth
The long-announced Christ came in the fullness of time (Galatians 4:4). God
providentially provided the proper background for his appearance and mission.
The Savior's birth was natural, but his conception was supernatural by the power
of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18. Luke 1:35). Augustus was one of God's
instruments when he ordered a universal census for the imposition of taxes,
making possible the birth of Jesus in the place indicated by the prophetic
announcement (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:1-7). The shepherds, for their alacrity in
searching for the baby in the manger and for their joy in seeing him, became
prototypes of the humble souls in Judea who, in the days to come, would
recognize Jesus as their Savior. An indication of the Gentile desire to participate
in the Christ can be seen in the coming of the wise men from the East. In the
scribes we see the leaders of a nation who refused to receive him when he came
to their own.

Christ was not simply a messenger of God, like the ancient prophets, but the
eternal Son of God now clothed in human nature, but free from any stain of sin.
He had a divine and human nature united in one person.

B. His growth (Luke 2:52)

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The child Jesus grew in body and advanced in knowledge and wisdom that
allowed him to make proper use of what he knew.

The scriptural accounts emphasize his progress in understanding the Old

Testament and affirm his awareness of a special relationship with his Father in
heaven (Luke 2:49). At his baptism, Jesus received divine confirmation for his
mission and the anointing of the Holy Spirit for its fulfillment.
C. His baptism

Through baptism he was fulfilling all righteousness (Matthew 3:15) in the sense
that he was identifying himself with those whom he came to redeem.

Closely related to baptism is temptation, because it also includes this

representative character. The first Adam failed when he was tested; the last
Adam triumphed, although weakened by hunger and harassed by the desolation
of the desert. Jesus overcame the temptations of Satan, refusing to be moved
from a place of trusting dependence on the Almighty (Matthew 4:7, 10).

D. His public ministry

Jesus' public ministry was brief. Judging by the number of Passovers (John 2:23;
5:1; 6:4; 13:1), the period was a little more than two years and possibly more than
three. The Synoptics place special importance on Galilee, along with visits to Tire
and Sidon (Matthew 15:21-28), Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13), the Decapolis
(Mark 7:31; Mark 5:1-20), Samaria (Luke 9:51-56; 17:11) and Perea (Mark 10:1).
However, John emphasizes Judea.

During his mission in Galilee, Jesus chose the city of Capernaum as his center of
operations, making trips to distant towns (Mark 1:38; 6:6; Luke 8:1).

His healings and deliverances were signs of divine compassion and signs that the
Promised One had come (Matthew 11:2-6; Luke 4:16-19). Jesus' message was
the kingdom of God, the government of God in human life and in history. The
kingdom was both future (Matthew 25:31 ff.) and present (Luke 11:20). This last
reference relates the kingdom to Jesus' activity in casting out demons. To the
extent that Jesus invades Satan's kingdom in this way, the kingdom of God has
already come. Doing the will of God was the main focus of Jesus' ministry
(Matthew 6:10; 12:50; Mark 14:36; John 4:34). Entry into the present aspect of
the Kingdom comes through faith in the Son of God (John 3:3, 5, 15, 16).

Much of our Lord's teaching was given through parables, generally comparisons
taken from various phases of nature or human life: The kingdom of God is like...
This method of teaching maintained the interest of the listeners, until the spiritual
application could be made.

The Savior's ministry was mostly directed to the multitudes during its first phase
(Matthew 4:17), but much of the last year was dedicated to the instruction of the
12 disciples, whom he had chosen (Matthew 16:21).

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 They came to understand that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God
(Matthew 16:16), but they were not prepared to receive his teaching about the
suffering and death that comprised their earthly life (Matthew 16:21, 23).

In contrast to the 12, in their attitude towards Jesus are the scribes and
Pharisees. They were scandalized that he declared the forgiveness of men's sins
and that he claimed a special and unique relationship with God as Son.

E. His death, resurrection and ascension

For his enemies, tradition meant more than truth; They stumbled in their
understanding of the Christ of God. Finally, they conspired with their opponents,
the Sadducees, to get rid of Jesus. Even though Christ was dedicated to teaching
his disciples from the days of the Transfiguration onward, he was always
advancing toward Jerusalem to fulfill his journey on the cross (Luke 9:51). In
those last days some moving events unfolded: the triumphal entry into Jerusalem,
the cleansing of the temple, the institution of the Lord's Supper, the conflict of his
soul in the garden of Gethsemane, the arrest, the trial, the crucifixion, the
resurrection, apparitions and ascension to heaven. On the cross, “the day of man”
erupted in violence and blasphemy. In the resurrection, “the day of God” began at
dawn. It was his response to the world and the powers of darkness. In it Christ
was justified and his demands were clarified.

III. NAMES, TITLES AND OFFICES.

A. Names
Jesus is used mostly in the Gospel narratives and rarely appears in direct speech.
It means Savior (Matthew 1:21), and is linguistically related to the Hebrew name
Joshua. Christ, which means anointed, is the equivalent Gr. from the Hebrew
word Messiah; the Lord refers to himself by this title in Luke 24:46. Christ was also
used as a personal name (Mark 1:1; John 17:3). The prohibition (Matthew 6:20;
Luke 4:41) on making Jesus known as the Christ during the days of his ministry
was intended to prevent the people from expecting him as a political Messiah who
would achieve national freedom for them.

Only once does the name Emmanuel (God with us) appear in reference to Jesus
(Matthew 1:23). Jesus was often called the Nazarene because of the years he
spent in Nazareth (Luke 24:19).

B. Titles
When Jesus referred to himself, he most frequently used the title Son of Man,
occasionally emphasizing his humanity but mainly pointing to his transcendence
as a heavenly figure (Daniel 7:13; Luke 22:69, 70).

By using this title publicly rather than Messiah, Jesus was able to avoid the
suggestion that his mission was political and instead put his own content into the
title.

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 One of the most familiar designations for Jesus is Son of God. Only in the Gospel
of John does he use it of himself (John 5:25; 10:36; 11:4); in all others he uses
his equivalent, the Son (Matthew 11:27). Very often in the course of their ministry
they addressed Jesus as Son of David (Matthew 21:9; Luke 18:38), a distinctive
messianic title that pointed to him as the only one who fulfilled the Davidic
covenant.

A few passages openly proclaim that Jesus is God (John 1:1, 18; 20:28; Romans
9:5; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8). No term is more expressive of the early believers'
faith in Jesus than Lord (Acts 2:36; 10:36; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 12:3;
Philippians 2:11). It denotes the sovereignty of Christ and his primacy over the
believer, the church as a body and over all things.

Some titles concern the mission of Christ more than his person. One of these is
the Word (John 1:1, 14; 1 John 1:1), the revealer of God, who makes known the
nature and purposes of the Almighty. Christ is also the Servant (Philippians 2:7;
Matthew 12:17-21; Mark 10:45), the Savior (Luke 2:11; John 4:42), Lamb of God
(John 1:29,36; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 5:6).

C. Trades
The High Priest ( Hebrews 9:11, 12), the Mediator between God and men (1
Timothy 2:5), and the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45; Romans 5:12-21).

This list of names and titles of Christ is not exhaustive. The most satisfactory
analysis of Christ's ministry divides it into the offices he fulfills: prophet, priest and
king.

IV. HER CHARACTER.

Certain ingredients of character deserve special mention, but it cannot be said that he
was more recognized for some things over others, because this would imply a
disproportion that would detract from the perfection of his being.
He had integrity, courage, compassion, humility and holiness (Mt. 11:29).

V. HIS INFLUENCE.

A life so brief, so confined to its geographical orbit, so little known to the world in its own
time, has nevertheless become the most potent force for good in all of human history.
When he comes to someone's heart by faith, he creates a new point of reference and a
new set of values. Sinners feel the touch of Christ and are never the same afterward.

In a more general sense, Christ has powerfully affected society in its organized state. He
has taught the world the dignity of human life, the value of the soul and the high esteem
of personality. Under Christian influence, the position of women has steadily improved,
slavery has been abolished, children are recognized as a primary responsibility for love
and care, and governments and scientific groups have been encouraged into social
service. The arts owe their most sublime achievements to the desire to honor the Son of

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God. Moralists and philosophers, even though they lack faith in it for the salvation of the
soul, often recognize it as the only great hope for humanity.

CONCLUSIONS.

1. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies that

referred to the coming of a Messiah, who would save his people from their sins.
2. Jesus Christ is the center of human history, his person has caused a
great impact on the world through the generations that have lived in the New
Testament era, and modern times.
3. Jesus Christ came into this world to give hope to men and women who
were mired in the ruin of sin, disease, and eternal death. He is the only hope for
the world today.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

8. NIV Bible, 2002 edition. Miami Florida: Vida Publishing,

Springfield Missouri.
9. Pentecostal study Bible, Reina Valera, 1960. Miami Florida:
Vida Editorial.
10. Evans. William, The Great Doctrines of the Bible. Los
Angeles California: Moody Publishing, 1989.
11. Horton. Stanley M, Systematic Theology. Miami Florida:
Editorial Vida, 1996.
12. Cave. Francisco, The person and work of Jesus Christ.
Miami Florida: Clie Books, 1987.
13. The doctrine of God. Miami Florida: Editorial Vida, 1988.

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LEADERSHIP AREA

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 13 . THE DISCIPLE LEADER (2 classes)

THE PERSONAL LIFE OF THE LEADER

INTRODUCTION

One of the fundamental pillars in the growth of any work is the quality of leaders who
function in the church. In this sense, the pastor must be very careful when selecting the
leaders who work alongside him to direct. the good and healthy growth of the church
(2a. Timothy 2:2).

Leaders are the people who are in charge of everything they are given to do in the
church, and they are responsible for doing the work as if they were the pastors
themselves. That is why the leaders must be people of impeccable testimony; their
fidelity to God and the integrity of their life are essential for the development of the work,
since the eyes of believers and non-believers will be on them.

The pastor as the general leader of the church will place all his trust in his leaders and
these leaders must respond to the trust that both the pastor and the church will place in
them.

What is expected of a good leader?

1. You must be a person of prayer: Prayer is really basic for effective leadership. All
those leaders who triumphed and have won in the spiritual life have been people
who have been close to God, men like Noah, Moses, Joshua, David, Daniel, John
the Baptist, Paul, Jesus himself, etc., they were victorious, for who learned to
depend on God in all things. The apostle Paul urges us to pray incessantly. The
leader of today's church will have to face a series of circumstances while
developing his ministry in favor of the Lord's church, which only if he prays enough
will he be able to overcome them.
2. He must have an exemplary home: when the leader is married he must have a
home that also reflects Christ, this also plays a very important role in the
effectiveness of his leadership, first as a couple, both must share spiritual
aspirations and strive to fulfill those aspirations. Many talented leaders have been
lost and are ineffective because an incomprehensible wife or husband does not
cooperate in the vision one has. Having an integrated and believing family will be
an important basis for the influence you will exert on others. The life of a leader
speaks louder than his words.
3. He must have a good testimony: The leader must enjoy the trust of the people
around him, whether Christian or non-Christian, his good testimony must be in all
areas of his daily life, in his work, his social life, his neighborhood, your creditors or
debtors, etc.
4. In general, the leader must have a good character, since one of the keys to the
transfer of teaching is that a leader spends a good time with the person he is
discipling. The maturity of the leader in his relationship with his disciples will be
very important to reproduce in him the victorious Christian life.

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CONCLUSION

We quote the passages that mention in all their dimension, what the ideal Christian
character should be, so that it can help another. Titus 1:5-9, 1a. Timothy 31:7, 1a. Peter
5:1-3.

LESSON II

LEADER RESPONSIBILITY

INTRODUCTION

The leader who carries out a task of discipling others, has to comply with certain
responsibilities that are specific to the ministry he is carrying out, and that are essential
for the proper development of his discipleship work.
1. He must be responsible in fully carrying out his work, since the success of the
training of the younger brother who will be under his coverage will depend largely
on the trust and example that he sees in his older brother.
2. You must govern all the sessions you do with your younger brother, with the
material provided by the evangelism committee of the local church.
3. You must take care of your younger brother: attend church services, receive the
corresponding Doctrine, and attend Sunday school faithfully.
4. The discipling leader must receive the respective training to be able to work with
a younger brother.
5. He must faithfully report to the board of Integral Evangelism the progress of his
work with the younger brother.
6. You must work in harmony with your leadership colleagues, and fit well with the
vision of the discipleship and conservation program.
7. He must be constant in his work as an elder brother, because if he does not take
this ministry formally, the desired objective in the formation of good Christians will
not be achieved.

CONCLUSION

The discipling leader must be responsible in all spheres where the local church is
involved.
performs, because no one can teach what they do not practice, nor is anyone qualified
to form a Christian character in others, if the one who is formed does not have it.

LESSON III

LOYALTY AND FAITHFULNESS OF THE DISCIPLE LEADER WITH HIS CHURCH

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INTRODUCTION

Leaders who are responsible for training others have to show by example how to be
faithful and loyal to the church to which they belong. An undeniable principle in all areas
where others are educated is that: “You teach more by what you do than by what you
say.”
1. The leader must be faithful and loyal to his church in relation to his attendance.
2. The leader must show fidelity to his duties in relation to the maintenance of the
work.
3. The leader must know the entire work system of his church and be involved and
committed to its vision.
4. The leader must have deep conviction of the doctrinal principles of the Assemblies
of God (Salvation, The Trinity, Divine Healing, Baptism in the Holy Spirit, The
Second Coming of Christ, The Last Judgment, The Church, Financial Support and
Ceremonies , Holiness, Prayer, The Sacraments).
5. The leader must be respectful and loyal to his pastor and other church leaders, and
work in harmony and with the advice of his superiors.
6. The leader must have a good character and sufficient spiritual and emotional
maturity to be a useful element in the integral development of the local church.
7. A leader who loves his church will never do anything that causes confusion or
division in the congregation; he will be a person who always contributes to the good
development and harmony of his church.

CONCLUSION

All those churches that have achieved success and growth are due in large part to the
fact that they have faithful, loyal leaders who look after the well-being of the
congregation to which they belong and strive to move it forward, and do not spare efforts
and resources to see the souls converted and consolidated in a faith that lasts a lifetime.

LESSON IV

THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE LEADER WITH HIS DISCIPLE

INTRODUCTION

Leaders who work in discipleship are people who, in addition to their personal qualities,
carry on their shoulders the responsibility of forming the character of others. This
responsibility must be motivated by the example that the leader must project to those he
directs.
1. The leader and the relationship with his disciple. It is basic and important that the
leader establishes a good relationship with the younger brother, because in this way
he will be able to know more in depth. The problems, confusing situations or
concerns that the younger brother is experiencing.
2. The leader and his responsibility. Coordinate with your younger brother, day, time
and place to receive instructions. You should not use more than 45 minutes in your

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 talk. You must be punctual to start and end the session at the agreed time. Do not
miss the commitment agreed upon with your younger brother.
3. The leader must avoid doctrinal discussions. Doctrinal matters must be dealt with
exclusively by the pastor of the congregation, and also, all those things related to
ways of dressing, a type of business or unpleasant job that the new convert has.
4. The leader should not make negative comments about the work in front of his
younger brother. In the work there are difficult moments, and situations that are very
pleasant to us, however it is counterproductive for a recent convert to feed on the
negative during his stage of growth.
5. The leader, as a spiritual father, must be careful with his younger brother not to “ask
for favors.” Remember that the spiritual father is there to serve and not to be
served.
6. The leader should avoid taking his younger brother to meetings or activities outside
of his church because this will give him a distorted growth of his duties and
responsibilities towards his church.
7. The responsibility of a leader is to hand over his younger brother, as a mature
Christian and capable of taking on the responsibility of being a discipler.

CONCLUSION

The spiritual father of the younger brother must be aware that the success of his
discipleship work will depend in large part on the trust he manages to establish with his
disciple.

LESSON V

THE DISCIPLESHIP LEADER AND THE INTEGRAL EVANGELISM PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION

The discipleship leader, who is going to be fully integrated into the work of the local
church in this vision of growth and consolidation, must know in depth the complete
programming and the form that will be used in this work.

To give this lesson you must have on hand the brochure where all the aspects
mentioned below are expanded. This brochure is available in the Evangelismo Integral
office.

1. You must know the rationale.

2. You must know the objectives
3. You must know the goals.
4. You must know the work phases.
5. You must know the different activities that will be carried out.
6. You must know the resources available for the work.
7. You must know the organization to achieve objectives
8. You will need to know the work schedule.
9. You should know how finances work in this ministry.

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10. You have to know the control system that will be carried out, to be able to evaluate
the objectives and goals that are being achieved.

CONCLUSION

The reason that every leader must know these aspects is because we must all be aware
that this is serious work, and that it is the vision of an entire organization and not just
one person.

Furthermore, the leader, as part of a great evangelism movement, must know what path
we are traveling and where we want to go.

14. HOMILETICS (3 classes)

Prepared by Juan C. Martinez

Expanded by Cristóbal Montejo

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BIBLICAL BASIS: 2. Timothy 2:15

INTRODUCTION

The leader in the church must be prepared for everything they are put to do. Many times
you must preach and you must know how to do it. Homiletics facilitates the preaching of
the Word of God by giving the correct guidelines.

DEFINITIONS

Homiletics deals with the composition and preparation of sermons or preaching.

A sermon is a speech or exposition based on the Word of God for the purpose of
teaching divine truths.

An outline is the written exposition of the salient parts of a sermon.

YO. GENERAL PARTS OF A SERMON

Every sermon or message generally consists of three parts: introduction, body, and
conclusion.

A. INTRODUCTION

1. It is the first part of the sermon that is presented after announcing the topic.
2. It is the preparation for the exposition of the body of the sermon.
3. It helps the listeners focus their attention on the topic.
4. Arouse the interest of listeners for the exhibition.
5. It should be closely related to the topic.
6. It shouldn't be very long, it should be about 5 minutes.

B. BODY

1. It is the main part of the message.

2. It presents the topic, that is, it explains it broadly.
3. He illustrates it, gives some examples or some anecdotes so that the listeners
understand well what is meant.
4. He applies it to the needs of the listeners. Each part of the message must be
applied to the listeners, if the Word of God is not applied to the listeners we do
not achieve much.

C. CONCLUSION

1. It is the finishing touch with which the message ends.

2. It should last about 5 minutes.

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 3. You should appeal directly to your listeners to pressure them to make a
decision. It is the final application of the Word of God, which must conclude
with an altar call for believers to make new decisions with the Lord or for
unsaved people to receive the Lord into their hearts.

II. SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE SERMON

A. OBJECTIVES OF A SERMON

Among the objectives of a sermon or preaching are: to convince the unbeliever,

strengthen the weak, correct the deviated or encourage the believer in his
practices.

The leader or worker must decide what the objective of his preaching is before
choosing his topic. You must know whether you are going to address unbelievers,
weak believers to strengthen them, correct believers who are going astray or
encourage believers to Christian practices.

B. SERMON TOPIC

When preaching, the first thing that is announced is the topic, then the biblical
passage on which the exposition is based. Next comes the introduction.

1. It is the main topic of the sermon.

2. A sermon should present a single topic, not two or more.
3. Examples of topics: God's love for the sinner, How God judges the sinner, The
Christian soldier.

C. THE TEXT.

Every message needs the support of one or more Bible verses.

This will be the basis for the message you will preach.
Select the most appropriate text or text that relates to your message.

1. Qualities of a good text

 It must be appropriate to the topic you want to present.

 Of sufficient importance and in harmony with the time and purpose of the
meeting.
 Not very difficult to interpret for either the preacher or the congregation.
 It should be interesting. The preacher must feel interest in the text and
enthusiasm to explain it to the congregation.

2. As a general rule, the texts are:

 That inspire us in spiritual life

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  The favorites
 The texts that we like to learn by heart are also good texts for a message.
For example: John 14:6.

D. DIVISIONS

1. The sermon can be divided into sections. They can be from three to five.
These sections present the main aspects of the topic.
2. It is very important to draw your divisions well.
3. It is achieved by dividing the important words or phrases in the text and
arranging them in the proper order.
4. An exposition should be given of each division of the sermon.
5. Sometimes the parts or phrases of the text become the divisions of the body
of the message
6. Example John 14:6: “ Jesus said to him: I am the way , the truth and the life ;
“No one comes to the Father except through me.” This text is divided into 4
parts:
a) I am the path
b) The truth
c) And life
d) No one comes to the Father except through me

WHEN FIXING THIS MESSAGE IT LOOKS LIKE THIS:

 TOPIC: WHAT JESUS IS

 INTRODUCTION: does not exist in the text
 FIRST DIVISION: I. Jesus, the way
 SECOND DIVISION: II. Jesus, the truth
 FOURTH DIVISION III. Jesus, life
 CONCLUSION: No one comes to the Father except through me

These verses make it easy to separate the divisions they contain: Ps. 23:1; Jer.
33:3; Lc. 2:25; John 1:12; 3:16; 14:6; Romans 12:1; 14:8; 1 Cor. 15:58; Gal. 2:20;
6:7; Philp. 1:21; 1 Ti. 4:12; 2 Ti. 2:15; You. 2:12; 1a. John 1:12.

E. SUBDIVISIONS

You cannot preach a message with divisions alone.

It would be like giving bones without meat to a person who is hungry.
You have to put meat on the bones.
You have to put some thoughts into the divisions and they are called
subdivisions.
In the first division JESUS THE WAY the following can be included:

I. JESUS IS THE WAY

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 TO. A road serves to lead the traveler to his destination. We are travelers
in life and we want to reach:
1. The happiness
2. To the heavenly Father
3. To heaven
B. There are false paths
1. Good works
2. false religions
3. False mediators
C. Christ is the true way:
1. It leads us to happiness
2. Gives us access to the Father
3. Gives us access to eternal life

In the same way, subdivisions can be placed for the second and third division.
The teacher can complete these divisions in class or students can complete
them at home.
The sermon that is developed in this way is called a TEXTUAL SERMON.
The verbatim sermon is based on one verse and takes its divisions from there.

F. PROGRESS OF THE DIVISIONS

1. They must follow a natural process (chronological and logical) to focus on the
topic
a. Chronological progress. If the message is about the life of Christ, it should
begin with his birth, ministry, crucifixion and conclude with his resurrection.
b. Logical progress. First the topic is explained or proven, then it is applied or
exhorted to the listeners. From the most important to the least important,
from the lowest to the highest, from the largest to the smallest. The need
for salvation is explained, then they are exhorted to accept.
2. In the progress of the divisions it sometimes becomes necessary not to follow
the phraseological order of the text. Example: Hebrews 2:3 says: “How can
we escape if we think so little of so great a salvation? It is preferable to
change the order of the sentences as follows:

YO. Salvation so great

II. The inexcusable depreciation (if we had little)
III. The inevitable danger (how will we escape?)

G. SYMMETRY OF THE DIVISIONS

It is the appropriate proportion of the parts of a whole with each other and with
the whole itself.
It is the harmony that exists between the divisions, in their relationship with each
other and with the subject
This harmony manifests itself in uniformity of thought and phrase.

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 1. EXAMPLE OF LACK OF SYMMETRY

TOPIC: WHY JESUS WILL COME

Jesus will come to earth to:
YO. Fulfill the prophecies
II. Purify the earth
III. His coming will be visible
IV. Free the saints
v. Judge the bad

Division III speaks of the way, not what it will come for.

Symmetry requires that the headings have uniformity in terms of the words
used, they must be of the same class (nouns, verbs, adjectives and others).

Like John 14:6: WAY, TRUTH AND LIFE

Children should be: obedient, kind, respectful

2. LET'S SEE THE PREVIOUS EXAMPLE

YO. Fulfill the prophecies

II. Purify the earth
III. Free the saints
IV. Judge the bad

It would still be better if you changed the first word of the first division because
it ends in “go.”

This consonance is not essential, but if possible, it should be taken into

account in the main divisions, because it adds interest to the sketch.

III. THE TOPICAL OR THEMATIC SERMON

It is one whose divisions are based on the topic and drawn from the mind of the
preacher.
Develop the topic, not the text.
Let's look at the example of Hebrews 2:3

A SALVATION SO GREAT
 YO. This salvation is PROPHESIZED (Eden, types, prophets).
 II. This salvation is PURCHASED (By Christ)
 III. This salvation is EXPERIENCED (By the Spirit in the man who believes)
 IV. This salvation is PROCLAIMED (Task that remains for us)
 v. This salvation is FINISHED (At the coming of Christ

Texts that could be used for thematic sermons: Hebrews 13:1; Rom 14:1; James
4:1; 1 John 4:1

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Each division must be developed with subdivisions and details like the textual
sermon seen.

There must be progress and symmetry in the development of divisions, the same as
was said in the verbatim sermon

v. THE DOCTRINAL TOPICAL SERMON

It is a way of presenting a doctrinal message

Some topics may be:
1. Repentance
2. The Regeneration
3. The Inspiration of the Scriptures
4. Baptism in the Holy Spirit
5. The Second Coming of Christ
6. The Punishment of the Wicked and others

The following questions can be asked and the answers are material for a division.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
WHAT IS IT?
HOW IS?
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?
You can add the following questions: How, what, where, when, why, for what.

Not all materials resulting from the questions will necessarily be used.
Let's look at an example:

REPENTANCE

YO. What is repentance?

TO. Negative side
1. It is not penance
2. It is not sadness for having sinned
b. bright side
1. It means “a change of mind or mind.”
2. It is a change of direction of moral and spiritual life
II. Why is repentance necessary?
TO. Because the natural man walks the wrong path
b. Because that path leads to death.
c. Because God commands men to repent
d. Surrender to Christ, may he change your heart and keep you
III. How do you regret it?
IV. What should be done?

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 Many thoughts arose that now must be organized and discarded all the materials
that do not contribute to the divisions of the sermon.

The divisions must be well condensed, e.g.

YO. Repentance defined
II. The Repentance Demanded
III. The repentance achieved
A IV division can be the conclusion

SAW. EXPOSITORY SERMON

This sermon is concerned with the exposition of an entire passage of Scripture rather
than a single verse.

The divisions of the truths in the passage are extracted, biblical analysis requires certain
experience

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PREACHER

1. Prepare your messages in advance.

2. Prepare the heart through prayer. Without the Holy Spirit, nothing can be done.
3. Put yourself in God's hands.
4. Hold the Bible in your hands and do not rest it on your arms.
5. Preach 20 or 30 minutes. It's easy to tell when they're no longer paying attention
to you. They are no longer seeing it. They look at their watch or look away.
6. Start preaching calmly.
7. Make sure your listeners are interested in what you are saying.
8. Make sure your message has a single topic.
9. Don't stray from the topic when you preach.
10. Pay close attention in preparing the subdivisions.
11. Add illustration by division.
12. Don't present too many illustrations.
13. Do not make either the introduction or the conclusion too long.
14. I arrived at the service looking well presentable: clothes, face and hair.
15. Keep yourself pure before God and men.
16. Don't force your voice or shout to preach.
17. Vary the tone of your voice so you don't fall asleep.
18. Speak clearly so that they understand you, pronounce the words well.
19. Do not imitate other preachers in their gestures or what they say.
20. Don't lean on the pulpit.
21. Don't put your hands in your pants pockets.
22. Do not tap your feet or make noise with your feet.
23. Do not spit on the ground.
24. Do not play with anything in your hands while preaching.
25. Don't repeat words to fill in spaces.
26. Do not reveal your struggles, problems or feelings to the congregation
27. Do not be afraid to imitate, to make something known or because of nerves.

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 28. Do not express yourself maliciously or with double meanings.
29. Don't tell things that make you laugh, don't tell jokes, be a clown.
30. Don't praise yourself.
31. Speak with authority without a dictatorial spirit.
32. Fix your eyes on the listeners not on the floor or ceiling.
33. Don't fix your eyes on just one listener.
34. Don't appear rigid like a statue.
35. Don't make unpleasant gestures
36. Do not walk on all fours or take giant steps
37. Don't keep your hands at your sides
38. Don't start every sentence with a cough
39. Don't say "I'll finish now" or "I'm going to finish"

CONCLUSION

The leader must be a preacher of the Word of God in the church and must know how to
do it through knowledge of Homiletics.

15. BIBLE STUDY METHODS (3 classes)

Compiled by Juan Everildo Velásquez

BIBLICAL BASIS, 2 TIMOTHY 3:15; JOHN 5:39

AIM.

Learn ways to study the Bible for your personal application.

INTRODUCTION

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 The study of the Bible contains three serious dangers.
The first consists of the effort to know its content, supported only by intelligence, and
depending on one's own effort.

A second danger lies in studying the Bible out of a sense of religious duty. There are
those who study it believing they accumulate merits, and in that way please God. Others
do so motivated by the belief that it is their duty to distill all the possible information
contained in its pages. The author of Ecclesiastes wrote, "Much study is a fatigue to the
flesh," ( Ecclesiastes 12:12 ), and Paul added, "The letter kills...." ( 2 Corinthians 3:6 ).
The Bible should not be studied as an end in itself, but as a means to an end. It is not a
book that simply has to be read and learned, but rather, one that has to be lived. Bible
study methods aim to teach the leader how to delve into Scripture, with the purpose of
learning to live it and not just recite it.

And the third serious danger consists of studying the Bible forgetting that it was written
with a certain primary purpose of revealing Jesus Christ to us as the savior of man. The
apostle Paul declares that the gospel of God is "About his son" ( Romans 1:1 , 3 ), and
especially the ministry of the Holy Spirit is focused on this same end.

Christ declared: "He will glorify me; for he will take what is mine, and will make it
known to you" ( John 16:14 ).

I.THE BIOGRAPHICAL STUDY.

Biography: it is the story of a person's life narrated from birth to death, recording their
achievements and failures, as well as everything significant that may be of interest to
them.
This can be a highly profitable and inspiring study. It has been estimated that the
Bible mentions nearly three thousand different characters, each of them with their
specific characteristics.

One of the reasons why this system is so fruitful is due to the variety of biblical
characters. They talk about men as well as women and children; There are brave and
cowardly, wicked and holy; some achieved great renown, others remained in
obscurity; Extensive and interesting biographies are narrated about some, while
others are practically lost in anonymity. But theirs is narrated, which constitutes a rich
source of knowledge regarding God's plan for humanity.

1. The name, the first thing that interests us is the name.

2. Physical features, we should not hope to find much information in this regard.

3. Ancestors and descendants, in this section the search has to do with the
characteristics of the character's ancestors and descendants.

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 4. His childhood and youth, here the life of the individual is studied directly, looking
for events or influences that in one way or another shaped his character and
decisively influenced the subsequent trajectory of his life.

5. His occupation Let us now study his work. We will find that it contains a good
number of different facets; For example. The places where I work.

6. Character. What matters most about a man is not what he does, but what he is;
therefore, their character is a key aspect of the study.

7. Your spiritual life. In large part we choose a character to study for the lessons that
their spiritual life can offer us.

8. Influence on your life. Here we will spend time considering all those influences
exerted on our character's life by individuals, circumstances and forces that
shaped his life and ultimately played a definitive role in his decisions.

9. His influence on others. Men are not only passive recipients of the effects of
circumstances, forces or people, but voluntarily or involuntarily also a definite
influence on those around them.

10. Sin in your life. Part of the individual's spiritual experience is, of course, his
struggles with sin.
11. Conclusions. By studying the previous points, we will have accumulated
considerable information about the character under study.

II. THE HISTORICAL STUDY.

The Bible has become an infallible history book for these scholars. It was not written
for that purpose, but its narratives have been verified throughout the centuries,
always finding them true.
For progress in the application of this method, a procedure similar to that suggested
for the synthetic is recommended; That is, start with the general, and gradually move
towards the detailed and thorough, in this case, the first area of study will be the
entire Bible. By this we mean that we must first situate ourselves historically in
relation to the entire biblical period, before concentrating our attention on the passage
that specifically interests us.
Once we have the general historical picture, we can carry out a more detailed study.
This can be done in three main ways.
1. Devoting ourselves to the study of a specific period of biblical history. For
example, the time of the judges here it is possible to delve into the details and
circumstances of this period of Israel's history. Solomon's reign would be another
era rich in teachings.
2. The way is to study the historical perspective of a single book. The exact
understanding of some of them largely depends on the background we have about
the events narrated there.

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 3. A single chapter can be subjected to historical analysis. How many exciting
discoveries await us when studying in this way, for example, chapter 6 of the
prophecy of Isaiah. We will come to understand why the prophet begins the
chapter by clarifying: "In the year that King Uzziah died..."

III. THE PROPHETIC STUDY.

For many Christians, talking about prophecy means wasting time. It is important and
even urgent that we devote ourselves to a serious study of biblical prophecy.
Furthermore, no less than a third of the Bible is dedicated to prophetic matters, so
that if we are truly interested in getting to know the Word of God, we will inevitably be
forced to dedicate a good part of our time to them.

Prophecy is the proclamation of God's will for men, and sometimes includes the
announcement of some future event as part of the fulfillment of that will. Prophecy is
not God's crystal ball given to men to satisfy their curiosity. It is the proclamation of
God's will for men, and sometimes includes the elder of some future event as part of
the fulfillment of that will. It is the proclamation of his sovereign and loving will for all
creation, and his call to a covenant of fidelity with the people who are called by his
name, and who are ready to follow him are the foreknowledge of where he is leading.
The hope that is seen is not hope. Romans 8:24 . Today the church needs prophecy
more than ever, not to condemn the pagans, nor to satisfy foolish curiosity, but to
awaken a feeling of dissatisfaction with our own situation, and to kindle lukewarm
hearts with a vital hope in the future. glorious future world of God, which will be made
known at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ
Studying the Bible following this method means repeatedly reading the desired book
or portion. Even though at first reading it may seem like a confusing labyrinth of ideas,
characters, places and others, for this study it is important to take the following
aspects into account.
1. It is important to place ourselves in the environment of the prophet.
2. Find the main themes of the passage.
3. The description of the personality and characteristics of the messenger
4. Note the chronology of the prophetic passage.
5. Focus attention on the individuals to whom God's message was addressed
through the prophet's mouth.
6. Look for the purposes that God had for sending his messenger.
7. Work exclusively on prophetic messages.
8. Compare each message with similar or parallel passages elsewhere in Scripture.
9. Classify the content of the different segments of the portion under study.
a. The prophetic and didactic passages.
b. Messages that have already been fulfilled, or those that are yet to be fulfilled.
10 . Once a criterion has been formed about the message of prophecy, all that
remains is to draw conclusions and personal applications.

IV. THE THEOLOGICAL STUDY

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 Theology is nothing more than the study of the teachings contained in the Bible. It is
also frequently called the science that studies God.
Theology is called science because it consists of facts or truths related to God and
divine things, presented in a logical and orderly manner. The word religion is derived
from a Latin word that means to bind; In other words, religion represents those
activities that bind man to God in a certain relationship. Religion is a practice, while
theology is knowledge. Religion and theology must go hand in hand in well-balanced
experience; However, in practice they are sometimes separated, so that one cannot
be a theologian without being truly religious, and on the other hand, one can be truly
religious without possessing a systematic knowledge of doctrinal truths.

The material with which theology works is Scripture. The Bible is the quarry from
which the glorious truths used in the construction of the edifice of Christian doctrine
emerge.

If, as we have said before, the Bible is the basis of the doctrine of Christianity, it is
essential that the Christian, in addition to other methods, practice theological
methods, seeking to properly cement his faith, and in order to present a solid
foundation for his beliefs. Especially the pastor, the preacher, the teacher or the
missionary, must become familiar with this form of study, since the solidity of his
preaching and teaching will largely depend on it. To study the Bible according to this
system, four defined steps are put into practice. Each of them, while being
progressive, aims to take the student to the doctrinal core of the chosen portion.

1. The discovery. It is not unusual for us to read a passage many times

biblical without realizing that it contains profound doctrinal teachings.
2. The comparison. The list of doctrinal teachings that we have compiled in the
previous process will serve to begin the work of confrontation between the
different statements of the text.
3. The organization. Once all the doctrinal teachings of a biblical segment have been
gathered, the next step will consist of its organization.
4. Interpretation. The last step in the theological method will consist of finding the
meaning of the words of the writing.
The way to get the meaning of the words in the passage is through context.

V. THE DEVOTIONAL STUDY.

This method is known as "devotional" because it emphasizes study in order to

produce the edification of the Christian's spiritual life, leading him to a more real
experience of his knowledge of God and his personal dedication to him.
We can practice this type of study in at least four different ways:

1. Progressive. For a large number of Christians, studying the Bible only means
reading it progressively from Genesis to Revelation.
2. Practical. A second way of carrying out devotional study consists of analyzing
passages that are appropriate to our interest or our spiritual need.

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 3. Pastoral. The Christian life is not a momentary emotion; It is a process that lasts
a lifetime.
4. Staff. The Scriptures will be sweet as honey to our hearts, only to the extent that
we manage to locate among their pages Jesus Christ, the much loved Son of the
Father, in whom he has his contentment.
Once we have chosen the portion we wish to study, which may be a book, a chapter,
a paragraph or a verse, we proceed to first establish the similarity between the
circumstances in which the characters of the passage lived and those of the times of
Christ.

Reina Valera Seminar

www.seminarioabierto.com

16. HERMENEUTICS (3 classes)

Compiled by Julio César Ramírez

BIBLICAL BASIS: 1 Peter 3:15.

AIM.

Know the rules, methods and principles for the correct interpretation of the Holy
Scriptures for their correct exposition.

INTRODUCTION

For the profitable study of the Scriptures, at least the prudence of knowing how to start
reading from the simple to the difficult is needed. When Jesus' disciples did not
understand his words, they asked him the meaning of them. He also explained to
them, Matthew 24:3, "He opened their understanding so that they could understand the
Scriptures" Luke 24:45, the study should never be undertaken without having asked the
Master to open the understanding and clarify his Word. The source of all light and
wisdom is God, and the promise says: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God…
James 1:5.

I. HERMENEUTICS

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 A.Hermeneutics is the science and art of biblical or secular interpretation.
The term is derived from the Greek: Hermeneuo, which means: “to explain,
translate, interpret”
The other term used is “ Hermeneia ” which means “Interpretation.”
The root ”Herme” has been related to Hermes, the herald mythologist
messenger of the Greek gods, to whom the invention of the
most basic means of communication, in particular, language and
writing.
B.Hermeneutics establishes the principles, methods and rules that are necessary to
reveal the meaning of what is written.
C.Hermeneutics has to do with the meaning of written words, it is important because
meaning has to do with the center of human thinking.

II. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HERMENEUTICAL STUDY.

A. Hermeneutics is considered as:

1. A science. Because it has rules and these can be classified into an
ordered system.
2. An art. Because communication is flexible (It does not capriciously cling
to one thing).
Art has to do with the internal, with the spirit, from the religious point of
view, man, being the image and likeness of God, has creative capacity,
from this capacity implicit in him, he is capable of feeling sensations
with the works or acts carried out by other human beings who have
sensitivity greater than that of ordinary men. This greater capacity for
sensitivity can be called aptitude towards a certain action that the
individual performs. Examples: If the individual prepares food extremely
well, he is a culinary artist. If a person takes a little clay and tries to
transform it into something and achieves it in a way that touches the
senses of whoever looks at it, it is because there is art in it.
Science interprets, art indicates how to apply those rules.

B. Why is hermeneutical study important?

1. Because Scripture is the foundation of the church.
2. Because the understanding of Scripture exhibits the health or illness of
the church.
3. Because correct biblical interpretation provides true messages and
teachings.
4. Because the Bible was written in three languages unknown to us
(Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek) and it is necessary to know its translation
into the Spanish language.
5. Because the Bible was written in another time, separate from ours.
6. Because the Bible has customs, idioms, proverbs, local circumstances
typical of those people.
7. Because there are many doctrinal and dogmatic beliefs and it is
necessary to discover what is true from what is false.

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 8. Because the main weapon of the Christian soldier is the Scripture, and
he must know it to use it effectively.
9. Because the Bible is the book most persecuted by the enemies of the
gospel.

C. Hermeneutics is part of exegetical theology.

1. It is the theology that deals with the right and intelligent interpretation of
the biblical Scriptures.
2. The synonym of Hermeneutics is “Exegesis”, from the Greek
“Exegiomai”, which means: explain, expose, interpret.
3. Hermeneutics determines the principles and rules that should govern
Exegesis.

III. THE SPIRIT AND CORRECT METHODS FOR INTERPRETATION.

A. The right spirit

1. Follow the personal presence of the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:9; 1
Corinthians 2:2; John 14:17; 20:22; 1st John 2:20,27.
2. Manifest humility before others, since they may have a mind gifted by
the Holy Spirit. Example: “Paul went to the apostles” Galatians, 1:11,12;
2:2.
3. A spirit of humility before the Lord and a mind ready to receive the
teachings of the Lord. It is necessary to respect the author of the
Scriptures.
4. Never think of yourself as infallible.
5. Be reverent before the Divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures.
6. Maintain the spirit of obedience to God when reading the Scriptures,
be willing to put Bible study into practice and
apply the truths to your own life, Romans 15:4.
7. Have faith in God and persevere in prayer.
 God is the author, and he has the interpretation, (Heb. 4:2; Luc.
10:39)
 Sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary, Luke 10:39;

B. Wrong methods
1. Rationalist method: It consists of subjecting all Scripture to human
judgment to know whether its statements are valid or not.
 It presupposes that the supernatural does not exist and that every
text can be understood through human reason.
 They draw self-satisfying conclusions that are contrary to what
Scripture clearly teaches.
 This method had its peak in the 19th century, and is still in use.
 They say that the supernatural events in the Bible were actually
natural events, which can be explained by the natural laws we now
understand.
 Example:

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  The feeding of 5,000 “That the generosity of the boy stimulated
others to share their food with others” That there was a miracle
of a moral nature, because the people were spontaneous.

 When Jesus walked on the waters of the Sea of Galilee. “That

the disciples rowed all night, reached the shore and believed that
Jesus walked on the water, but in reality he walked on the sand
on the shore.”
 That much of the Bible is full of Jewish and Greek myths and forms.
2. Allegorical – mystical method. “That the entire Bible was written as a
series of allegories, it is not the natural meaning that gives importance
to the Bible but the mystical meaning” (occult or spiritual).
 This method was invented by the ancient Greeks, they used it to
explain their myths and legends to themselves.
 It was adopted by some Christians in Alexandria unable to explain
certain biblical difficulties.
 It was used especially in the Middle Ages, some doctrines of this
method are supported by the Catholic Church and there are beliefs
among evangelicals about this method.
 Its purpose is: “To help dispel everything that they believe to be
scientific contradictions.”
 Examples:
 Daniel in the lions' den. Daniel was never in the lions' den, he was
imprisoned by temptations and human weaknesses." “That his
enemies fell into temptations and Daniel came out unscathed.” In
conclusion “only he who trusts in God should be free from
temptations.”
 That the sin of Adam and Eve “was sexual relations”
3. dogmatic method. It consists of teachings produced by the
agreement of a group of people.
Writing
“The doctrine as recorded”
The Dogma
“The personal interpretation that the group gives to apply it to others”
 The Catholic Church uses this method.
 Example:
 Peter was the first pope Matthew 16:18,19;
 Transubstantiation Matthew 26:26-29, say that in the mass the
bread and wine become the literal flesh and blood of Christ.

C. CORRECT “Grammar – Historical” METHOD

1. Let the individual interpret according to the characteristics of the
language in which the Bible was written and into which it was
translated.
2. That the Bible was written as reliable history.
3. It is the oldest of all, it was used before the 2nd century. A.C.

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 4. It was promoted by Martin Luther and John Calvin.

IV. THE CONTEXT.

A. It means: “The words that precede and follow the text”
Two kinds of context.
 Immediate: “Contiguous, which is close”
 Remote: “Far away from the truth”

B. Cultural context: “In relation to the cultural customs of the people to whom
the book or epistle was written.

C. Geographic context: “ In relation to the place, circumstances of the people

to whom it was written”

D. Literary context: “The one that is related to what was written about the
circumstances of the people and the doctrines that were believed”

E. Doctrinal literary context: “The doctrines that were written for the teaching of
the people of God, sometimes for the purpose of discarding false doctrines”
Examples: Romans 10:9,10; Luke 19:10; Acts 16:30,31.

F. Indifferent matters are not of moral but cultural inherence. Cabbage.

2:14-16

G. A text without context is a good excuse

There are Bible teachers and church leaders who establish doctrines only with
a text or a part of a text, which in reality have nothing to do with what they are
trying to teach.

H. We must be careful not to establish doctrines that are not really

doctrines, because the Lord gives us a warning in Revelation 22:18,19.
What will happen to those who add to the word of God? And what will God do
with those who take away the word of God?

CONCLUSION

It is evident that hermeneutics is not a shortcut that saves work and effort for the lazy
student. Quite the contrary, it is only useful for the diligent soul who is willing to work his
farm not in a casual and disorderly manner, but with the skill and efficiency of someone
who knows how to handle his tools well. In our confused times, when the pace of life is
dangerously accelerated, even within the sphere of the Christian profession, the great
need of the church is for men and women to emerge equipped for every good work
through knowledge and divine wisdom that they have learned by listening to the voice of
God in the sanctuary. Christians – and men in general – are hungry for the spiritual

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delicacies that such servants of God could bring them in wise counsel, in the edification
of the saints and in the full proclamation of the gospel.

17. ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT OF ASSEMBLIES

OF GOD (2 classes)

Compiled by Héctor Barillas

BIBLICAL BASE, Mt. 16:18

GOALS

1. Know and become familiar with the structure of the Assemblies of God.
2. Define the terms used in the Government of the Assemblies of God.
3. Take advantage of the solidity of our structure to grow comprehensively.

INTRODUCTION

Since its birth in the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, California in 1901, the
Assemblies of God have sought to be an orderly, organized and legislated evangelical
movement.

In April, 1914, a meeting of the ministers who were the fruit of the revival in California
was called and was held in Hot Springs, Arkansas. More than three hundred people
responded to the invitation. The need for a cooperative fellowship was recognized to
consolidate aspects such as doctrine, recognition of ministers and missions.

After three councils the name of the General Council of the Assemblies of God was
born, with the form of a voluntary and cooperative Confraternity. The autonomy of the
local churches would be respected and the agreements reached by the council that
would affect the congregations would be transmitted in the form of recommendations for

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all of them. The method of voluntary cooperative fellowship brought love, humility,
discipline, respect and unity as its fruit.

By the end of 1920 the first missionary efforts began and by the beginning of 1925 a
team of missionaries set their eyes on Central America, arriving in El Salvador and ten
years later they reached Guatemala and the Assemblies of God began in Guatemala.

I. THE BEGINNING

After some missionary efforts in the east of the country and establishing some
small congregations, the Assemblies of God in Guatemala held their first
Conference at the end of December 1937 and the first days of January 1938, led
by the missionaries Juan and Elena Franklin and In this way the work is
established.

II. INITIAL STRUCTURE

At the beginning of 1938, the first national directors were appointed, with the
missionary Juan Franklin as Superintendent and Pastor Max Argueta as national
secretary.

By the end of 1938, the work had ten pastors who had to travel to Santa Ana, El
Salvador for their preparation at the Bible Institute. In 1944 when the missionaries
Tomás Hollingsworth and Juan Franklin inaugurated the first Bible institute of the
Assemblies of God in Jutiapa.

In 1942 the Assemblies of God in Guatemala adopted the Biblical model of

biblical organization and government suggested by the United States conference,
that the church be led by nationals.

The Superintendent appoints a General Priest, this being Pastor Juan Martínez.
The structure grew as the number of congregations increased in the east and
center of the capital city. New presbyters were established, who were dedicated
to supervising the churches.

By 1969, the administrative leadership of the mission admitted the appointment of

the first national superintendent, Juan C Martínez, at the same time that the
different parts of the country were reached, new Bible institutes were established
and the organizational structure was undergoing positive changes in its
administration.

When the Assemblies of God expand throughout Guatemala, the conference

decides that the work should be administered by districts and zones, and then
change it to sections, districts and regions.

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III. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

The basis of the government that currently governs the Assemblies of God is
based on the data provided by the book of Acts and the Pastoral Epistles, so we
can say that we practice a biblical model of ecclesiastical government. There is
no perfect form of government even in ecclesiastical circles.

IV. ECCLESIASTICAL GOVERNMENTS

A. Centralized government: Also called episcopal, guided by bishops, who are

the maximum authority and have the final word.
B. Totalitarian Government: Practiced by the Catholic, Anglican, Methodist,
Orthodox and most independent churches. A small group has control and the
last word.
C. Decentralized or congregational Government. Reject any authority outside the
local. Local autonomy is emphasized. The Baptist Church is a good example.
D. Presbyterian Government: It is exercised by elders or presbyters, they
exercise their authority with delegates who communicate the decisions of the
elders to the churches.
E. The system of no Government. Typical of churches carried away by new
strategies or doctrines.

V. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD GUATEMALA

A. It is a combination (hybrid) of Presbyterian and Congregational government.

B. Presbyterianism is exercised when the presbytery makes agreements that
influence all congregations.
C. Congregational when the local church makes decisions on matters of
construction, land, election of pastor and officers.

VI. GOVERNMENT OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

A. At the national level. The General Assembly elects the Executive Presbytery.
The General Superintendent directs the sessions of the Executive Presbytery
and General Presbytery. The Legal General Presbytery for the National
Church.
B. At regional level. The delegates of the churches and pastors elect the regional
directors and they are in charge of supervision and various pastoral training.
C. At the district level. The pastors elect their district leadership. Their
responsibility is to look after the sections, sectional priests and make known
the regional and national agreements.
D. At the sectional level. The pastors meet to elect their sectional board, which
has the responsibility of watching over each congregation and also putting into
action all the plans drawn up by the section, district, region, presbytery or
national conference.

E. Locally

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 1. The main unit is the local church, under the direction of the pastor and a
body of deacons who make up the Official Body. They manage the local
church
2. The local church has several departments with a board, each working for
the enlargement of the members.

VII. ORGANIZATION CHART

VIII. DEPARTMENTS, ASSOCIATIONS AND NATIONAL PROGRAMS

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The Assemblies of God organize national departments and associations as a method
of formation and growth, as well as establish evangelization and discipleship programs
at all levels of the national church.

A. DEPARTMENTS

1. Women's Missionary Council (CMF).

2. Ambassadors of Christ (ECAD).
3. Men's Fraternity (F of V).
4. King's Scouts
5. Missionaries
6. Sunday School (AGE).
7. Christian Education Service (SECAD).
8. Department of Missionary Expansion (DEMAD).

B. ASSOCIATIONS

1. Association of Ministers' Wives (ADEMAD).

2. Association of children of Ministers (AHMAD).
3. Association of alumni of Bible institutes.
4. Association of Evangelists.

C. NATIONAL PROGRAMS

5. Ministry of Integral Evangelism (MEIDAD).

6. Children's Church.

CONCLUSIONS:

1. The Assemblies of God is a Church with a solid structure and a congregational

and Presbyterian government.
2. The Assemblies of God throughout the world have had the same Government
model since their birth, which has stood the test of time.
3. The basis of the government that governs the Assemblies of God is based on the
data provided by the book of Acts and the Pastoral Epistles.
4. It must be remembered that there is no perfect form of government even in
ecclesiastical circles.

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 18. LITURGY (2 classes)

Compiled by Alfonso Gaitán.

BIBLICAL BASIS : Psalm 95:6,7; 1 Corinthians 14:40; Ecclesiastes 5:1,2.

GOALS:

1. Know the objectives of the worship of God.

2. Distinguish the main elements of the worship of God.
3. Have adequate preparation in the worship of God.

INTRODUCTION

The cults that are celebrated in different places must achieve their mission. Attendees
must be motivated to attend or must achieve what they want. Therefore there must be
coordination or order in the meetings. We must reject any existing confusion that could
lead us or divert us to possible carnal emotions that could make the cults cold meetings
without any purpose. When celebrating services, it must be done with correct objectives,
with order, with fervor, dynamism, and fervor of the Holy Spirit.

DEFINITION
1. LITURGY: Order and form in which worship ceremonies are carried out.
2. CULT: Set of acts and ceremonies and objects that express the religious
feelings of an individual or community.
3. RITUAL: Set of rules established for religious cults and ceremonies.
4. WORSHIP: Reverence, pay divine homage, prostrating (Matthew 2:2-11; 4:10;
John. 4: 24).
5. PRAISE: The word “hallelujah” is the combination of two Hebrew words
“Hallel” and “Jah” which means: “praise.” “Jah” is an abbreviation for Jehovah

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 or Yahweh. The word “Hallel” means: to boast or rejoice, it means that our
praise consists of “bragging” about God and rejoicing in his greatness.

I. OBJECTIVES OF THE WORSHIP OF GOD.

The believers in Christ of a community when forming a church or local assembly
(Matthew 18:17-20; Acts 8:1; 9:31; 13:1; Revelation 1:4), to:
A. Worship God in Spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24; Psalm 117; Colossians
3:16). Jesus said that true worship of the Father must be in Spirit and in
truth. It must be understood that worshiping in spirit is the feeling of every
human being who worships, no matter what he or she worships. but in
truth, it is being attached to biblical principles and that God requires this
type of worship.
B. Cultivate the blessings that come from communion.
 God sends blessing and eternal life… Psalm 133.
 The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, (1 John 1:7).
 God gives us authority, answers our prayers and is with us,
Matthew 18:19-20.
 We motivate each other to stand firm in Christ and in the apostolic
faith of the new covenant, Hebrews 10:25.
C. Provide instructions from the sacred doctrines of the Bible to:
 Spiritual Knowledge. (2 Peter 3:18; 2 Timothy 3:14-17).
 Holiness and moral force. (Psalm 119:9-11; 2 Cor. 7:1).
 Love of God and neighbor. (Luke 10:27; John 13:34).
D. Spread the knowledge of the Gospel everywhere (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8).
 Through a testimony of faithful living (1 Peter 3:1; Matthew 5:16).
 Through the preaching of the word of God (Acts 5:42; Mt. 28:19-
20).
II. MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE WORSHIP OF GOD.
That all worship must have order (Cor. 14:40); there must be the Word of
God, praises (Col. 3:16), offering and a move of the Holy Spirit (Acts. 2:4). In
the worship of God, the main elements used to give expression to both divine
revelation and human response are the following:
A. Prayer.
1. God's plan in this era of grace is to use humans converted to Him to
fulfill His purposes; but it is not possible to understand them if we do not
communicate with Him; The means of communication provided is prayer. If
those participating in the worship program pray, it is certain that they will
have the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the worship will truly be clothed
with the power of God.
2. Lack of prayer results in improvisation, lack of motivation and faith in
what is done and one enters into routine and ritualism, that is, doing things
as they are always done without a specific objective. Jesus said that apart
from Him, we can do nothing and only through prayer can we be linked to
Him, receiving His instructions.

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 3. You must be aware that what moves everything in order and blessing is
prayer; It allows us to feel God, brings to mind his greatness, his
goodness, and as a result, thanksgiving and adoration.
B. Word.
1. God blesses the preaching of the Word because the Word is spirit, and
when it is preached, it speaks to the spirit of the person. Jesus said: “It is
the spirit that gives life; the meat is useless; The Words that I have spoken
to you are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63).
2. God gave his Word to help those who go through problems during life,
but especially to feed our spirit. Faith when we hear the Word. “So faith
comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
3. God is supernatural. When His supernatural Word is preached, the
result is that supernatural events occur. Biblical preaching produces the
life of Jesus Christ in a church. It is safe to say that if the Word is taken out
of the church, the life of the church will also go with it.
C. Songs.
1. In public worship there should be the widest possible congregational
participation, especially in singing.
2. The number of hymns that should be sung will depend on the purpose
you have in mind for the service.
3. There should be a good selection of hymns to guide the congregation in
expressing their deepest feelings toward God.
4. The number of each hymn to be sung must be clearly announced. The
congregation needs to be educated in the use of their hymnal.
5. Hymns should always be with music that awakens the devout feelings of
the majority of those present.
6. the congregation must actively participate in praise to glorify God.
D. Offering
1. The children of God express their love and gratitude to the Lord through
the material offerings with which they contribute to the extension of the
Kingdom of God on earth.
2. This offering is an act of worship. It truly constitutes a heartfelt and
intelligent response that the redeemed soul gives to the revelation that the
Father makes in the son through the Holy Spirit.
3. For the congregation to view the offering as an act of worship, it is
necessary that they be helped to give the offering with all the dignity that
the offering deserves, says the apostle Paul, which is a sweet aroma, an
acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18).
4. It is necessary to help brothers in Christ in the following way:
o Make the brothers aware that the offering must be part of the
worship of God.
o Place the offering in the worship program.
o Instruct the people in charge of raising the offering so that they
know how to do it with the dignity of an act of worship.
o Play appropriate music during the event. If not, ensure that the
congregation maintains an attitude of reverent silence.

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 o Finally dedicate the offering in prayer to God.
E. Move of the Holy Spirit.
1. It is necessary that in each of the services a movement of the Holy Spirit
be experienced.
2. To do this, it is necessary to take into account the following:
o There must be predisposition of those who attend the cult
o The interest of those who attend worship must be aroused.
o That in everything done in worship, there must be order (Cor.
14:40); there must be the Word of God, praises (Col. 3:16), and a
move of the Holy Spirit (Acts. 2:4).
o If the move of the Holy Spirit interrupts the order of worship, which
should not be interfered with, freedom should be given.
o There should always be an exclusive time to enjoy a move of the
Holy Spirit.

III. PREPARATION OF THE WORSHIP OF GOD.

All worship has the purpose of exalting the name of God. Therefore, careful preparation
is needed for everything done in worship, from the beginning to the end.
A. Participants must appear well groomed in their physique and
clothing.
B. Have everything prepared before starting the service.
1. Develop a good program.
2. Personnel participating in the program, aware of what is going to be
done.
3. Instruments located and tuned.
4. Sound equipment installed and synchronized.
5. Hymnal and Bible in hand.
6. Hymns and choruses selected according to the occasion.
C. The role of participating personnel.
1. Present yourself with encouragement and thus motivate attendees.
2. Agree to speak the same thing.
3. Everyone must have the same spirit.
4. Elevate the feelings of the people to the presence of God.
D. The participation of the congregation.
In the worship of God the congregation must do so with dynamism, with
enthusiasm, with dignity, with understanding, with reverence, with joy and
in truth.
1. To praise God.
2. To prepare to receive the message.
3. To experience the wonders of God.
4. So that the Holy Spirit acts freely.
5. So that the listeners feel that God is there, and are moved to make a
personal decision.
E. Final recommendations.
1. Do not have excessively long services (1 Cor. 14:26).
2. Don't spend too much time just on the songs.

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 3. The sermon should not be excessively long.
4. Worship services must begin punctually.
5. Order must be maintained in worship (1 Cor. 14:40).
6. Avoid making too many advertisements.
7. Have good audio control.
8. At the time of ministering, music has to be solemn, without
exaggeration.

CONCLUSION

When celebrating its cults to God, the Church must take into account the objectives, the
main elements, the preparation to render the best worship to Him. Hearts should
overflow with gratitude for the mercy of the Lord, for having the opportunity to delight in
His abundant blessings.

The services should be enjoyed in all their magnitude by the leaders and the attending
congregation. This allows those who come to the services to be invited to continue
attending because of what they receive and because of the manifested presence of
God.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
o Manual of Doctrine and Regulations Assemblies of God
o The Good Shepherd, Volume 1 Editorial Life
o The Effective Sermon, James D. Crane
o Study Brochures, Juan Everildo Velásquez

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 19. THE DIACONATE (Official document, 2 classes)

A large part of the responsibility for the work of the Lord falls directly on the deacons.
From the beginning, when the Church of Jesus Christ was established during the first
outpouring of the Holy Spirit, growth came, some problems began to arise in the
distribution of food, so the Apostles and the Church saw the need to look for SUITABLE
MEN, to do the work of ensuring that those secondary problems do not divert the
attention of the Servants of God. Of course they considered, inspired by the Holy Spirit,
that those men had to have all the qualities and qualities to be an active part of that
great movement of God, which was beginning.

All those requirements established in the Holy Scriptures to approve these men remain
in force to this day. In order to maintain these high standards for this great service, the
need arises to create a document that truly includes the highest principles required of
these servers.

There is a peculiarity within the Assemblies of God, and that is that the deacons are not
only exercising the Office that the Holy Scriptures officially grants them, they also
exercise a strong influence within the government and discipline of the same. This leads
us to create this study that includes the requirements that deacons must have, to truly
fulfill the edifying function of the Church of the Lord.

The main objective is to achieve a better situation for the diaconate, and this results in a
total benefit for the work of the Lord.

For the reasons already noted, that deacons are an important and key part of the
integral development of the Church, we hope that this study will be edifying, but that it
will especially fulfill its objective and that is to form and give character to the office of
men. that God is using in the diaconate for the development of his blessed work.

REQUIREMENTS TO BE A DEACON

The requirements to be a deacon, established in the sacred scriptures, are:

According to Acts 6:3

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 1. Have a good testimony
2. Be filled with the Holy Spirit
3. Have wisdom

According to 1st. Timothy 3:8-10,12

1. Honest
2. No bend
3. Not given to much wine
4. Not greedy for dishonest gains
5. May he keep the ministry of faith with a clear conscience
6. Let it be tested first
7. Irreprehensible
8. Husband of one wife (not remarried)
9. May he govern his children and his house well.

Titus 1:6; 2:2 adds the following:

1. May he have his believing children who are not accused of dissolution or
rebellion.
2. sober
3. serious
4. Prudent
5. Healthy in faith, in love, in patience

Deaconesses
1. Honest (1 Tim. 3:11)
2. Not slanderers
3. Sober
4. Faithful in everything
5. Reverent in their bearing (Titus 2:3-5)
6. Not slaves to wine
7. teachers of good
8. Let them teach young women to love their husbands and their children, to be
prudent, chaste, careful of their homes, good, and subject to their husbands, so
that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

According to Matthew 20:26-28

1. Slave of love and service

REQUIREMENTS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH EXPERIENCE

1. Have been a member of the Church for two years.
2. Be familiar with the activities and development of the Church.
3. Demonstrate desire to work in this delicate position.
4. Preferably married.
5. May he love God and his Church.
6. That he has knowledge of the government of the Church.
7. Let him be an example in everything.
8. Have experience in counseling.

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 9. May he know how to practice justice.
10. May you have the capacity for forgiveness.
11. You should not interfere in political affairs. May you have maturity in everything.
12. Who has received the Seminar for deacons.

PRIVILEGES OF DEACONS
1. He may be elected to the office of deacon.
2. He will enjoy the esteem that his position deserves, 1st. Tim. 5:12-13.
3. Be part of the body that ensures the well-being of the Church.
4. Have a voice and vote in all business sessions of the Church.
5. Be appointed as a delegate to represent your Church at the National and
Regional Conference.
6. Approve candidates for local Church leaders, for water baptisms, and Bible
Institute students.
7. Represent your pastor in pastoral sessions, when delegated by him.
8. Administer Holy Communion together with your pastor.
9. You will be able to develop your leadership.

DUTIES OF DEACONS

FOR THE CHURCH

a. Be a leader in the spiritual area of the Church.
b. Represent the Church in the absence of the Pastor, as long as the Pastor's
wife is not in a position to assume responsibility.
c. Be a preacher of sound doctrine.
d. Help guide new converts.
e. Be an example in:
i. Your attendance at services punctually and regularly.
ii. Be faithful in your tithes and offerings.
iii. Obedience to your Shepherd.
iv. Be a defender of the interests of the Church in General.
f. Ensure the total well-being of the Church.
g. Seek for the numerical growth of the Church.
h. You must apply regulations and agreements when necessary.
i. Seek the establishment of cults in white fields.
j. Ensure the good administration of Church funds.
k. Study courses related to your position. (Must be documented)
l. Be part of the disciplinary committee.
m. Be part of the visiting committee.
n. Maintain harmony between Pastor and other Deacons.
o. Seek immediate solutions to the problems of the Church.
p. Agree with the work plans of the Assemblies of God at all levels.

FOR THE SHEPHERD

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 1. Take an interest in the well-being of the shepherd family. (House, economic
support, electricity, water, physical and spiritual health, morale, stimuli and means
of transportation).
2. Be interested in the Church fulfilling its responsibilities (tithes, offerings, first fruits
and others).
3. Visit the pastoral family and pray for them.
4. Help the Pastor solve all the problems of the Church.
5. Ensure that the Pastor does not have to manage the Church's funds.
6. Help the Pastor disseminate and execute the regulations of The Assemblies of
God.
7. Assist the Pastor in counseling.
8. Collaborate with the Pastor in the visitation.
9. Raise awareness in the Church so that the Pastor has his rest periods.
10. Support the Pastor in the projects he undertakes.
11. Work as a team and harmony with the pastor.
12. Recognize the authority of the Pastor.
13. Help the Pastor in the material activities of the Church, so that he can take care
of his spiritual activities.
14. Support the Pastor's vision.
15. Be a linking point for the Pastor's plans with the Church.
16. Support the Pastor to expand his ministry in teaching, and positions in the
organization.
17. Support your Pastor when he needs to be a candidate in another Church, without
causing any problems, waiting for the will of God.

SANCTIONS FOR THE DIATIONS

1. If a deacon is unfaithful in his tithes, he will be reprimanded in session to fulfill his
duty; if after the reprimand his infidelity continues, he will be removed from his
position.
2. If the deacon has problems and does not control his family harmony, he will be
called into session to be reprimanded to fix his problem; if he cannot fix it, he will
be removed from his position.
3. If a deacon rebels against his pastors twice in a row, the first time he will be
reprimanded, and the second time he will be removed from his position and will
never again be a candidate for deacon of the Church.
4. If a deacon does not attend services and does so deliberately, he will be
suspended from his position, after being called to the attention of the Official
Body.
5. If it is found that a deacon in his visits to homes results in denigrating the pastor,
his family or another person in the Church, his attention will be called; If he
reoffends, he will be immediately removed from his position.

FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS
1. When the Church is in formation and there are no people who meet the
requirements to be deacons, an order committee will be appointed to help the
pastor in the administrative aspect of the congregation.

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 2. Let this pamphlet be studied, as a unit of the Ministerial Theology course, in Bible
institutes.

20. CONFLICT RESOLUTION (2 classes)

Compiled by Joel Recinos

BIBLICAL BASIS: Acts 15:1-35

GOALS:

1. Identify some causes that produce conflicts

2. Develop some conflict resolution skills

INTRODUCTION:

Conflicts always have an origin and the church leader is the first to feel them. It is part
of the leader's job to mediate between the parties involved without falling into favoritism
and it must be done from a biblical perspective and with the wisdom and grace of God.
The leader will be there to seek solutions in any type of conflict that occurs within the
church, in the family or in the community.

I. THE ORIGIN

A. Different points of view.

They can be superficial as well as doctrinal. The early church had a doctrinal
conflict, salvation (vr.1 and 5), the law of circumcision (Gen. 17:14 and
Ex.12:48-49)

B. People's attitudes (5)

1. The Judaizers (1 and 5; Gal. 2:12)
2. Paul and Barnabas (2-4)
 Paul and Barnabas confronted the Judaizers and had “no small
discussion and strife with them.”

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  There are times when, even though it is difficult, you must confront a
brother or sister or another person, but with wisdom.

C. Other Causes

Lack of communication. Communication is one of the ways in which people

interact with each other, establishing bonds of unity; There are many forms of
communication (verbal, gestural, through movements).

Lack of opening. Every leader must be open in giving participation to other

people even if they do not agree with his proposals.

Changes in organizational structure

Distrust between people.

Disrespect. Respect is the recognition that something or someone has value.

It can be defined as the basis for the support of morality and ethics. Respect in
interpersonal relationships begins with the individual, in the recognition of him
or her as a unique entity. that needs the other to be understood. It consists of
knowing how to value the interests and needs of another individual in a
meeting.
Lack of clear objectives. Being clear and precise with your objectives facilitates
your success long before the plan or project begins. If you are going to address
a conflict or problem that has been encountered in the church or leadership it
must be communicated clearly and openly.

Family problems. Love and family is the basis of society, it is the reason that
fuels people's future, it is the engine that drives the goals and dreams of each
person.

Financial aspects. Money is an instrument to be used, not a god to be served.

Motivations, customs or culture when acquiring and using money are the
determining factors.

D. Character problems

Moral. Christian Morals refer to the way followers of Christ behave. Being a
Christian is following Christ, living his same lifestyle. imitate Christ, live the same
values that Jesus taught in the gospels.

What is the difference between the concepts of Morals and Ethics? Morality
refers to the set of principles, norms, laws, behaviors, customs and ideas of a
given society and at a given time. This determines the way a person behaves.
Ethics refers to reflection on the moral behaviors of people. And like all reflection,
what is good and what is bad is considered.

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 Abuse of power. Abuse of power is that situation that exists whenever someone
who has POWER over others (that is, the ability to impose their will) due to their
superior mental skill, social position, strength, knowledge, technology, wealth, or
trust they have in him or her, uses that power unjustifiably to EXPLOIT or HARMF
those others, or through his or her inaction ALLOWS those others to be exploited
or harmed.

Bad human relations. Human Relations constitute the “set of rules and
techniques whose application facilitates the interrelation and understanding of
human beings where they develop their physical, work and emotional lives.”
Everyone needs others.

Aggressive character. They talk about problems on the basis that they are right
and they only work if they join together with people who are open to dialogue or
aggressive like them. There are usually regular fights, but they know how to find
the solution no matter if they affect others.

Conflict originates because you work with people, their jobs, their sons and daughters,
their pride, self-concept, ego, and their sense of purpose and mission.

II. THE PROCESS OF RECONCILIATION (Acts 15:6-21)

A. Items

Maintain a correct attitude. Paul and Barnabas, even in the midst of conflict,
maintained a positive attitude and approach. They continued to talk about what
God was doing at work (3-4).

Maturity. Paul, Barnabas and the early church turned to mature people who could
solve the problem; the apostles and the elders (4-6).

Wisdom. Peter's speech is the work of God among the Gentiles (6-11). Peter
remembers the experience he had with Cornelius and how God had changed his
heart toward the Gentiles (Acts 10). God had confirmed the work in Cornelius and
those of his household by giving them the Holy Spirit; there was no distinction
between the Jews and the Gentiles. Once again Barnabas and Paul shared what
God was currently doing among the Gentiles. James asks not to worry Gentile
believers, only to establish norms that would help them respect their Jewish
brothers.
b. Biblical Support. James, half-brother of Jesus and leader in the Jerusalem
church, spoke to confirm that all of this had been prophesied in the Old
Testament. God had said in Amos 9:11-12 that he was going to take a people
from among the Gentiles for his name. This was not a surprise to God, rather it
was part of his plan.

C. General keys for conflict mediation

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Orient yourself to the ways in which both groups or people have been harmed. The
leader must thoroughly investigate the causes of the problem before forming his
judgment.
Mediation plays an important role in the expected results, therefore the leader must
act wisely.

Plan and have a concrete strategy. Be clear about what is important to you and why
it is important to others.

Know your best alternative in negotiation. The peaceful and participatory solution to
conflicts represents an option for non-violence. We can all transform violent and
destructive situations into constructive experiences. Among the most commonly
used alternative forms of conflict resolution are: Negotiation and conciliation.

People must be separated from the problem. An elementary fact in any conflict is
that you are dealing with people. And people have different stories, emotions, deep
values, backgrounds and points of view.

The human aspect of conflicts is usually overlooked, and to a large extent many of
the mistakes that are made are due to this lack of consideration of the person of the
other.

The process to reach an agreement requires a level of psychological commitment

with the other, which can resolve not only the present negotiation, but also
consolidate the relationship in the future, creating an environment of respect,
understanding and friendship with the other party, and making future negotiations
easier and more efficient.

You should focus on interest, not positions, and consider the other party's situation.

An efficient method to increase the level of personal well-being is to work for the
well-being of others.

The suffering, struggles and frustrations of the people in the problem must be
understood.

We must remember when we have experienced a similar emotion and put ourselves
in the person's place with our heart and not from our mental schemas.

Different options must be created in which there is mutual gain. One of the
characteristics of negotiation is that it is cooperative , to the extent that it promotes a
solution in which both parties involved win and obtain benefits.

Use listening skills, rephrase, ask questions, and then ask more questions.
Understanding is a very powerful balm. If you want others to feel comfortable and
understood, simply listen to them without judging.

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 Although inevitable, conflict can be minimized, rechanneled and/or resolved.

III. CONFLICT RESOLUTION Acts 15:22-35

TO. Make proposal. Jacobo proposes a solution (19-22). The apostles, elders and
the church agreed with James' proposal.

b. Execution plan. They decided to choose men from among them to accompany
Barnabas and Paul back to Antioch (this would give a personal touch to the
plan). They chose Judas and Silas to go on their behalf and send a letter as
part of the plan (23-29) explaining what they had decided so that exactly what
was agreed would be announced.

c. Result (30-35). The letter was read. Judas and Silas confirmed the content of
the letter and encouraged them “with an abundance of words.” They spent
some time there with them and when they left they left in peace. This is the
result that they were seeking for the peace of God with their brothers in
Antioch. This was possible because the conflict was resolved

d. Appropriate procedures

1. Clarify to the disputing parties how the conflict affects others.

God has called peace and as a child of God you must give a good testimony
to others. Conflicts can affect the spiritual and numerical growth of the church.

2. Set a meeting to resolve the conflict.

A session must be planned with the necessary time to dedicate the time that
such a situation warrants, looking for a place where there will be no distraction
or intervention from other people.
3. Set the rules of the procedure. The participation or intervention of the parties
must be respected, maintaining an order in moderating said meeting to be
able to listen carefully to the parties involved.
4. Each party must present its point of view objectively, without attacking the
other person.

5. Ask each person to provide possible solutions.

The leader must promote things to return to normal.
6. Ask everyone involved to commit to solving the problem.

E. To resolve conflicts, the leader must keep in mind the following steps:

1. That collective interest must prevail over personal and individual interest
2. That every Peacemaker must seek to glorify God instead of focusing on
his own desires and interests.

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 3. That the Christian must be characterized by a merciful and forgiving
attitude towards his neighbor, and submissive to the will of God.
4. That the believer has the call to Remove the beam from his own Eye
first (Matthew 7:5), taking responsibility for what happened instead of
blaming others for the conflict and resisting correction. This step requires a
humble attitude and a sincere desire to repair the harm caused.
5. That the Peacemaker goes and shows his brother his fault . Instead of
pretending that "nothing happened" or whispering behind his back. The
Christian has the option of overlooking any small offense (1 Pet 4:8) or
going personally and talking to him in order to restore him (Matthew
18:15). When a conflict cannot be resolved, the help of other brothers
must be sought (18:16); if this is not resolved, the conflict must finally be
brought before the entire church (18:17).
6. Pacification is reconciliation itself. The Word shows the need not to leave
things pending, to go and be reconciled with one's brother as soon as
possible (Matthew 5:24). Others must be forgiven, just as God forgave
offenses.

CONCLUSION

In conflicts there are always main causes that affect people or organizations in some
way.
There are keys to mediating a conflict that must be in the hands of the mediator.
The way to proceed in a meeting to resolve a conflict is in the hands of the leader who is
in charge of the group.
There are some steps that the leader must take into account to resolve conflicts
appropriately.

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 21. ADMINISTRATION (3 classes)

Compiled by Cristóbal Montejo Alvarado

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2.

AIM:

Train local leadership so that they learn to correctly manage what God has given them
to do in the church, thus achieving its growth, through all their actions and the intense
involvement of all members.

INTRODUCTION

Jesus did not do the work alone, he used the twelve (Mt. 10:5-15); at seventy (Lk. 10:1-
12); He also organized when he fed the five thousand (Mr. 6:40). Nehemiah distributed
the work (2:12 and chap. 3). Moses delegated responsibilities (Ex. 18:17-27) to lead a
large people. The Bible is the most complete administration treatise for the church.

Stewardship is basically about acquiring God's vision for the church and the pastor and
embodying it in a plan that includes all leaders and members. They must be organized
so that everyone is part of the entire action of the church. They must be directed and
trained to do what they really have to do so that no one remains an observer but
everyone acts. Finally, complete control must be maintained of everything that is being
done to achieve the objectives and goals of the church.

The main idea is that all leaders stop holding purposeless meetings and become people
who allow each member of the church to be trained and involved in winning souls,
discipling new ones and leading the church effectively. .

DEFINITIONS

What an administrator is not

1. He is not a one-man band, that is, one who does everything himself.
2. It is not a heroic task that does the work of many people.
3. He's not a signer behind a desk.

What is an administrator

1. The true administrator is a people manager.

2. It is getting things done through other people with will and enthusiasm.
3. Administration can be defined as a science, an art, a technique, a policy.

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 4. It is the set of knowledge and actions aimed at controlling certain factors to
achieve a specific objective.
5. It is to ensure the achievement of pre-established goals, through the continuous
and conscious direction of human work, in accordance with action plans
specifically designed for this purpose. (Guillermo Luna).
6. To manage is to foresee, organize, command, coordinate and control (Henry
Fayol).
7. Most define administration as getting work done through others. This is a popular
concept and is very attractive to sin-inclined human nature, since with it, it grants
managers the right to manage and exploit those under their command. The
biblical approach to stewardship is to serve .
8. Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant , and whoever
wants to be first among you will be your servant ; as the Son of Man did not
come to be served , but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:26-28 (Myron Rush).
9. Christian administration is the process by which the church, as a body, achieves
its objectives, through its members; through appreciation, planning and
organization, with coordinated and effective execution and with an administrator
as a servant (Wilfredo Calderón).
10. When we talk about an administrator, we think of a despotic ruler, who for some
reason occupies a high position in the organization. It is worrying to admit it but
many administrators in the Church behave this way today.
11. It is true that there is government, authority and greatness in administration, but
this comes through service, subordination and coordination.
12. Etymologically “administer” comes from a compound Latin word ad which means
to and ministrare which means to serve . The root of the word ministrare and
minister is minus which means less. So an administrator is one who serves others
and in his capacity as a servant becomes the key person in an organization.
13. The essence of the term administration is found in the compound word oikonomia
of oikos, house that not only includes the building , but also property and family
and nomia which means care , management , attention . Joseph, in his own
words speaks of the absolute responsibility he had: “There is no one greater than
I in this house” (Genesis 39:9).

PRINCIPLES OF ADMINISTRATION

1. Division of labour. Each church leader must be assigned what to do and trained
so that they are knowledgeable and productive. The division of labor allows us to
do more and better, with less effort but all at the same time.
2. Authority and Responsibility. It is the right to give instructions and the power to
see that they are carried out.
3. Discipline. It is obeying the instructions received according to the Word of God
and the rules of the church, however the discipline existing in any social body
depends essentially on the value of the leaders.
4. Command unit. Each person must have only one person to direct them; A shared
command is a constant cause of conflict and this type is very widespread, both in
companies, as well as in the army, the family, the state and the church. It is

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 ridiculous when the pastor is in charge, the pastor is in charge, the deacons,
other directors or older people are in charge. Orders should be received from one
person, not several.
5. Steering unit. In the church everyone must work, everyone must have a person to
direct them, everyone must have the same objective and a single program.
6. Subordination of individual interest to the general interest. The objectives of the
church have priority over those of other brothers, regardless of their position or
economic status.
7. Incentive or remuneration. The efforts of leaders in favor of the church and the
cause of Christ must be recognized, through encouragement consistent with what
they do, not just by getting by. If there is a need to hire full-time leaders, paid with
church funds, it should be done. Only in this way can the church grow.
8. Degree of decentralization. Some functions in the church should be decentralized
such as counseling, problem solving, running departments and others. There
must be training for leaders to be able to trust them and delegate work to them in
accordance with their preparation and experience. The pastor or leader should
not distrust the leaders who help him, he should not believe himself indispensable
or think that his leaders are incapable or lack quality.
9. Hierarchy. Hierarchy is necessary and each person must respect his superior, his
immediate authority should not be exceeded, unless there is really a need
(danger to the church, a family or the pastor).
10. Order. Both material and moral, it means a place for each person and each
person in their place. This requires exact knowledge of the company's social
needs and resources and a constant balance between needs and resources. You
should not do more than you can do and not waste resources. An effective leader
can only be in one position.
11. Equity. It is complete justice by the will and requires great experience. It is
balance or equality in every aspect.
12. Leader stability. For a church to perform at its best, it requires time for leaders to
satisfactorily fulfill their role. Instability is a disease of the organization. It is
neither convenient nor healthy for organizations to continually change their
leaders.
13. Eliminate the incapable. When a leader does not work, mechanisms must be
sought to replace him because it will harm the development of the church.
14. Initiative. It consists of conceiving a plan and ensuring its success, it constitutes
"one of the most vivid satisfactions of the intelligent man" and a powerful stimulus
that every company must encourage.
15. Union of staff. There is strength in unity and the leader obtains it by practicing
unity of command, avoiding dividing his staff and avoiding the abuse of written
communications.
16. Fullness of the Holy Spirit and sufficient prayer. It is impossible to expect good
results or optimal results if when doing God's work we do not consult with Him or
depend on His Holy Spirit, which is one of the principles of the Christian. (Acts
1:8; Matthew 7-11; 18:19-20; 21:22; la. Corinthians 4:1,2; 12:28; Titus 1:7; Peter
4:10,11). All of the above is null or very difficult if prayer and the presence of the
Holy Spirit are not continually practiced.

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TYPES OF ADMINISTRATION

1. By controls or means . It is one in which the leaders or brothers are not taken
into account when developing the goals or objectives of the church.
2. For objectives or purposes . It is one where all the people involved participate
without reservation in the communication of objectives and goals.
3. For motivation . Maintains constant motivation for involved church leaders and
members to interest them in projects on an ongoing basis.

ELEMENTS OF ADMINISTRATION

Administration consists of four basic elements: Planning. Organization, direction and

control.

Planning

It is the process of predetermining an action, within a certain and specific time. True
planning can only occur if there is a willingness for new projects in the church. This
process requires reflection, dialogue and prior interaction. All activities have something
in common and that is planning. Planning makes things happen instead of waiting for
them to happen. A simple plan consists of the following parts:

1. Pray, seeking God's wisdom. God is the administrator par excellence.

2. To diagnose. It consists of looking for the needs or problems of the church to
solve them.
3. Set objectives and goals. What do you want to achieve in the church.
4. List of activities to achieve goals. What are the activities we will do.
5. Place activities on the calendar. Specify dates for start, execution and conclusion.
6. Prepare budget. Specify in advance everything we are going to spend.
7. Evaluate from beginning to end. There must be an evaluation of progress from
the beginning, execution and at the end.

Organization

It is the process of placing men and women within a structure, to achieve the objectives
expressed in the plan. The church must be organized in order to increase its individual
and collective potential. The organization can be by departments, family groups, sectors,
cells and others. Groups must have a delegation of responsibilities according to a plan
that emanates from the heart of God and not only from the mind of the pastor.

1. It must be organized from the plan:

a. Positions must come before people.

b. Have a list of available staff with distinctive skills and weak areas of each person
as you know them.
c. Preferably, you should delegate one position for each person and not several.

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2. Job Description:

a. What are the specific responsibilities of the worker?

b. What kind of authority does he have?
c. Who should you look for as a superior?
d. Who does he direct?
e. Subordinates must participate in the preparation of the job description.

3. Delegation of responsibilities:

a. It consists of the transfer of responsibilities to other people according to time,

work and responsibility expressed.
b. It is additional responsibility and authority to subordinates.
c. For delegation, communication and observation of senior leaders matters a lot.

Address

It is the manager's job to ensure that people have effective action to achieve objectives.
When you have already planned and structured people in an organizational scheme,
you must lead everyone to act. The administrator is the one who is directing only.
According to a group of administration and anthropology scholars, some specific
characteristics of administrators are the following, although they are only mentioned
here because they are widely described in Qualities of the Leader:

1. Self-esteem
2. Responsibility
3. Optimism
4. Goal orientation
5. Imagination
6. alert attitude
7. Creativity
8. communicative activity
9. Growth orientation
10. Positive response to pressure
11. Trust
12. Joy
13. Willingness to take risks
14. Readiness
15. direction
16. Persuasiveness
17. Deep personal convictions
18. A rigorous personal agenda
19. Be willing to say “no”
20. Be willing to make firm decisions
21. A sense of mission and destiny
22. Prayer person
23. Totally dependent on the Holy Spirit

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 24. Reader and student of the Word of God

Supervision or control

It is the administrative action that ensures that the activities comply with the plan. When
the human machinery starts, it does so with force, seeing the objective with great
enthusiasm. As time passes, this is lost and falls into routine, that is where
administrative control begins.

It helps maintain the organization's functioning and continued initial enthusiasm, as well
as the achievement of goals and objectives. Here you can see how the plan progresses,
jumping over obstacles, solving difficult problems, untangling knots and more.

Work on final and intermediate goals and objectives. Good administration contains:
Normal actions, evaluation of results, staff development and corrections.

Normal action : It is what allows work to be carried out in harmony between the
administrator and workers, governed by the plan. Making sure everything goes as
planned.

Evaluation of results :
1. Determine the critical or jugular areas of each issue.
2. Determine the frequency with which each area will be evaluated.
3. Method for requesting information (Pablo used personal visit and letters):
a. Numerical information or statistical summary
b. Descriptive report
c. personal observation

Personal development:
1. Interview every 6 months.
2. See the atmosphere of communication between leaders, subordinates and
members.
3. Find what to do to maximize worker performance.
4. Provide advice, advice, guidance and information for the development of all those
you manage.

Make corrections
1. The evaluation may change sub-objectives, schedule or procedures.
2. Identify the problem. In order to make corrections, the problem must be identified.
3. Establish a basic criterion to resolve problems that may arise:
a. Consider alternatives.
b. Choose an alternative
c. Put the alternative into practice
d. Evaluate decisions made and applied

CONCLUSION

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Administration is a vital tool for developing the ministry of the local church. A good
administrator takes leaders into account in his planning. The principles of administration
contribute to the achievement of the biblical objectives of the church. All phases of
administration are vital for the church to grow qualitatively and quantitatively and you
must work with them. If the growth of the church is desired, the brothers of the church
must be used wisely and in an organized manner, so that no one is just out to feed
themselves but rather they must produce.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Calderon, Wilfredo. Administration in the Christian church . USA: Life, 1989.

2. Fayol, Henri. Industrial and general administration, Principles of scientific
administration . Argentina: El Ateneo, 1991.
3. Luna, Guillermo. Towards effective administration . S/P: Bethany, 1985.
4. Rush, Mirón. Administration, a biblical approach . Miami: Unilit, 1992.
5. Reyes Ponce, Agustín. Staff Administration . Mexico: Limusa, 1994

22. PARLIAMENTARY RULES (3 classes)

Compiled by Everildo Velásquez

BIBLICAL BASIS: Acts 15:6-7

AIM

That church leaders know and use parliamentary rules so that their group meetings are
more orderly, effective and with the participation and approval of all.

INTRODUCTION

The rules by which a meeting or assembly is governed or governed are called

Parliamentary Rules. This may be a general church meeting, a meeting of the deacons,
a meeting of a department or a group of people. To apply the Parliamentary Rules to an

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 assembly or meeting, it must be constituted and organized for the agreements to have
value. There must be a president, a secretary and a certain group of members who
make up the group. If it is a meeting of the Official Body, all the deacons and the pastor
must be present, if it is a church meeting, all members on church property must be
present, and if it is a department, all members of that department must be present. .

I. PRESIDENT
A. Requirements to be president.
1. Possess quick perception
2. Be completely impartial
3. Be meekly assertive when necessary
4. Be a man of tact
5. Be a man alert and firm in his decisions

B. Duties of the president.

1. Start the meeting at the designated time
2. Announce the agenda before the assembly or meeting in the order in which
they will be discussed.
3. Receive and correctly present all motions and propositions presented by
members.
4. Put to the vote all the propositions on which motions have been made and
announce the results of the vote.
5. Direct the debate or discussion according to the order that must be followed.
6. Maintain order, be courteous to all members and protect members in their
rights, without becoming irritated, maintaining self-control.

C. Rights and privileges of the president.

1. You must not restrict the rights of any member.
2. During the debate, you should not be part of any of the sections. If you have to
defend some point, you should let someone else preside while you defend
that issue.
3. Avoid excessive participation in the assembly debate.
4. You can vote and when there is a tie, your vote is worth double to break the
tie.
5. Give the floor to the one who in your opinion has priority: To the one who has
spoken the least, to the one who is furthest away, to the one who has to do
with the proposed motion or to the one who has the opposite opinion.

II. THE SECRETARY. Requirements, duties and rights.

1. Know the Parliamentary Rules
2. Have a quick mind to capture the motions that arise.
3. Take clear notes so that others can read what you write.
4. Record in the minutes the agreements made by the majority vote.

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 5. Be helpful and attentive to everyone.
6. Have a list of people who will attend the meeting.
7. Read any document that is required.
8. Call list of all those present.
9. Certify any document with your signature.
10. You can take part in the debate without leaving your seat.
11. It deserves the protection of the president or the members of the assembly.

III. THE MOTIONS

A motion is the main issue that is put up for discussion for approval or disapproval.
For a motion to be approved or disapproved, it is necessary to go through a discussion
process, giving the majority the opportunity to express their point of view. After
discussion, the vote proceeds. There are several reasons why a motion is debated.

1. Because some members do not sympathize with the content of the motion.
2. Because some are opposed to the whole issue that is being discussed.
3. Others want their solution to be postponed.
4. Some want it approved.
5. Others that it is modified in something.
The rules provide the means to achieve those desires in various forms of motions.

A main motion must contain a single proposition or a single issue; if it contains more
than one issue, the motion must be divided at the request of a member.

While a main motion is under discussion, it may be interrupted by the following motions:

A. Subsidiary motions. These motions are:

1. Objection or objection to consideration. It is intended to suppress a motion
before it begins to be discussed.
2. Return to the table. It is intended to postpone consideration of the main
motion.
3. Postpone for a fixed date. Postpone consideration of such motion to the
session of a certain date
4. Previous question. Its purpose is to stop the discussion and proceed to vote
on the issue that is being discussed, because it has already been discussed a
lot.
5. Postpone indefinitely. Dealing with the matter is postponed, only a date is not
set.
6. Go to commission. Its purpose is to pass the matter to a small group of people
to discuss the matter and present it later.
7. Amend. Its purpose is to modify the content of the main motion partially or
totally. Also when you want to modify a part of a paragraph, a paragraph, a
regulation or a minute.

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B. Incidental motions.
They are those that claim:
1. Point of order . That is, when a member understands that the president is
not following the rules or a member is violating them, he or she can present a
point of order.
2. Appeal . It occurs when a member is dissatisfied with the president's decision.
3. Reading documents . This motion arises from the desire to have more
information by reading a related document, before voting.
4. Withdraw a motion. Through this motion, if a member wishes to do so, he
can withdraw a motion presented by him.
5. Suspend a rule. When the parliamentary rules become a great impediment to
the solution of an urgent matter, a motion to temporarily suspend it is possible.
6. Split a motion. When a motion contains more than one proposition, a
member has the right to make an incidental motion to have it divided in order
to deal with the proposed matters separately.
C. Privilege motions.
These are the ones presented for:

1. Set the time to continue the session, when for some reason it must be
suspended.
2. Adjourn the session. This is used to end the meeting when the agenda is
finished or because the set time has already been reached.
3. Suspend the session or take an intermission. Suspends the session for a
limited time.
4. Question of privilege. Suspend the session so that everyone can leave for a
justified reason.
5. Order of the day. Set the start times, breaks, feeding times and the end of the
session.

D. Motions for reconsideration.

They are those that have the purpose of nullifying a motion. This is done after the
motion has been approved; possibly it does not satisfy the assembly or any
member. In this case, it may be reconsidered through a reconsideration motion,
as long as it has been proposed, seconded and approved by the assembly.

E. Rules for obtaining the floor to present a motion.

1. Stand up and say: “Mr. President, I ask to speak.”
2. Take the floor when the president has granted it to you.
3. Remain standing and keep speaking. Because he who takes a seat and gives
way will not have the right to claim it.
4. He cannot be stripped of the right to speak as long as he observes
parliamentary rules.
5. It may be interrupted by a point of order or questions from the president.

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 6. If you voluntarily leave the floor, you lose the right to take it up again until a
new opportunity.
7. Respect the officers, directing all expressions to the president and not to the
assembly or a specific member. Submit to a point of order and respectfully
appeal the issue without becoming irritated or using a spirit of resistance and
annoyance.
8. Respect the assembly.
9. Respect each member. Any individual attack is out of order. If these rules are
not observed, the president has the right to call to order for violation of the
rules of order.
10. You can speak one to three times, depending on the nature of the motion and
agreements of the assembly.

F. The presentation of a motion.

1. It will be done using the words: “I propose” or “I wish to make a motion.”
2. The motions presented must be seconded, except for some.
3. The person seconding the motion does not need to stand up, ask to speak, or
be authorized by the president.
4. The purpose of presenting a motion is to ensure the vote of an assembly,
whether a decision is favorable or unfavorable to it.

IV. HOW TO TAKE A VOTE. This can be due to:

A. Vote out loud:

When the chairperson says: Those in favor of the motion will say “yes” all those in
favor will respond loudly. Then the president will say: Those who are against say
“no” out loud. If the voice is not clear enough then it is better to vote again using
another method.

B. Voting by raising your hand.

The president will say: Those in favor raise your hands. After counting the votes
in favor, he will say: Those who are against, raise your hands and the votes
against will be counted.

C. Voting by standing up.

Instead of raising their hands, the president asks those in favor to stand up and
be counted, and then those who are against to stand up and be counted.

D. Voting by list.

This method requires that everyone be called out loud by name and they will
express their vote for or against. When the names are read, each one will
respond with a “yes” or a “no”.

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 E. Voting by ballot. (Cedulas)
This is a secret ballot plan. Slips of paper are distributed to all members and they
are told when to vote, then the slips of paper are collected and counted.

V. WAY TO DEFINE A MOTION, AGREEMENT OR AN ELECTION

All agreements must be made by majority vote. When they are matters of importance, it
should be done by two thirds. In the case of elections, if there is a regulation that
stipulates how the candidates must win, it must be done this way.

The different modalities stipulated by some statutes or constitutions are:

A. Unanimity. Everyone present must be in favor. This is a very strict rule and is
almost never enforced.
B. Absolute majority. Half plus one of the members that make up the body must vote
in favor, whether they are present or not.
C. Majority of those present. It is half plus one of those present. It means that if an
assembly has 200 members, and 150 are in session, 76 votes are required to
achieve a majority of those present.
D. Two thirds (2/3) parts. It is the most used. That is to say that if an assembly has 75
members, 2/3 parts would be 50. When the divisions are not exact, one more is
increased.
E. Majority of votes. When it is said that simply majority vote, it is determined by half
plus one of the voters for or against. Example: there are 200 members registered in
an assembly, 150 are present in the vote, 80 vote in favor and 70 against, total
votes: 150, the vote in favor has a majority.
F. When there are several candidates and none obtains the majority established by the
statutes, then the candidates who obtain the smallest number will be eliminated
, always leaving twice as many candidates as there are positions.
G. If there is a tie and the vote is repeated and the tie continues, the president will
cast his vote in favor of one of the candidates. If the president voted before, and
there was a tie, then a procedure used is the drawing of lots between both
candidates.

MOTIONS CLASSIFICATION CHART

ARGUABL
PREVILEGE MOTIONS SECONDED AMENDED N PRES:
E
Set the time to continue the
1. YEAH YEAH NO YEAH
session
2. adjourn YEAH NO NO YEAH
Suspend the session or take
3. YEAH YEAH NO YEAH
an intermission
4. question of privilege NO NO NO NO
5. Special order of the day NO NO NO NO
SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS
1. Objection or objection NO NO NO NO
2. Return to the table YEAH NO NO YEAH

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3. Postpone to fixed date YEAH YEAH NO YEAH
4. Previous question NO NO NO YEAH
5. Postpone indefinitely YEAH YEAH NO YEAH
.6. Go to commission YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH
.7. Partial amendment YEAH YEAH YEAH NO
8. Total amendment YEAH YEAH YEAH NO
NCIDENTAL MOTIONS
1. Point of order NO NO NO NO
2. Appeal NO NO YEAH NO
3. Document reading YEAH NO NO NO
4. Withdraw the motion YEAH NO NO NO
5. Suspend parliamentary rules YEAH NO NO YEAH
6. Motion division YEAH NO NO NO
7. Consideration methods YEAH YEAH NO YEAH
MOC. RECONSIDERATION YEAH NO YEAH NO
MAIN MOTION YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH

PERSONAL AREA

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 23. CHARACTER TRAINING (2 classes)

Compiled by Lisandro Cámbara

TEXT : “1st. PETER 1:3-11. MATTHEW 11:28-29.

AIM

Building character is fundamental in the life of a leader

INTRODUCTION

From the earliest age, character is formed, from crying in the crib and the quick or late
attention of the mother, games, interaction, failures, triumphs, loves and heartbreaks,
they shape our lives. Through experiences, each one lives them differently, hence each
of us is predictable or not, all of us are similar, no one is the same as anyone. We take
things from the people around us or we once knew. Character is modifiable: educational
action modifies the incidence of character factors on people's behaviors. For some
authors, a person's character is always the product of an education (formal or not), a
reflection of the society in which they live.

I. CHARACTER
Character is a set of qualities or circumstances typical of a thing, a person, or a
community. Than the others because of their way of being or acting. It is a set of
personal characteristics established through learning.

Character comes from a Greek word that means: "mark"; seal, I create a mark in
life that defines the subjects who possess it. Despite misrepresentations of the
term, "a person of character" means one who has:

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 1) Fidelity to oneself; 2) firmness in that fidelity; 3) only one direction in life. It
indicates that every human action bears the mark of the individual who performs
it. Christ said by their fruit you will know them. Matthew 7:16.

The character is: Control, will, Education. It is an aspect of an individual's total

personality. It covers all those features that present a greater or lesser degree of
statehood and have social and moral significance.

II. TYPES OF CHARACTER ( MATTHEW 10:16, 11:28-29. ROM 12:1-2. HEB

10:22).

TO. The nervous one :

He continually changes interests and occupations. He is enthusiastic about the new,
but only looks for what is practical; he lacks order , discipline and perseverance in
things. He is weak-willed, unstable, sociable, affectionate and outgoing.
Regarding his intelligence , he has difficulty understanding, memorizing and logically
reasoning things. He is lazy, distracted. He works only when the task coincides with
his momentary interests.
b. The sentimental:
He is very sensitive, shy, pessimistic. He seeks isolation and solitude. He is spiteful,
difficult to reconcile. He becomes demoralized quickly. Is insecure. At work he is
slow and indecisive.
Regarding his intelligence: he is reflective, he focuses on objects, he is very abstract
(aloof). You like to do things well, but you quickly become discouraged when faced
with difficulties. Has trouble adapting to new things.
c. The choleric:
He is always busy with things. He is daring to do new things. Due to his outbursts, he
improvises, rushes, wastes energy and falls into dispersion. Give up things when
danger appears. He is an extrovert.
Regarding his intelligence: he likes concrete, immediate, and technical things . He
understands quickly and is good at improvising. It is easily stressed.
He doesn't like to synthesize things. Has a poor capacity to acquire new knowledge.
He is not very disciplined in his work. He likes individual teamwork . He changes
activities frequently and does not finish what he started.
d. The passionate one:
He has a great memory and imagination. He has a great work capacity. Always live
busy. He is fond of studying and likes all kinds of tasks. He prefers to work alone.
Study in an orderly and methodical manner. He excels in reading , history , writing ,
and mathematics . He is interested in the social, religious and political.
AND. The sanguine:

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 It is very insensitive. He is only motivated by short-term results. He has a tendency to
lie to get what he wants. It's cerebral. Think everything coldly. He is optimistic, social
and outgoing. It's curious. He likes to touch everything. It adapts well to any
environment. Although he is a worker, he allows himself to be carried away by
superficiality and sloppiness.
F. The phlegmatic:
It is restful and calm. He is thoughtful and quiet. He is very organized. He likes to
work alone. He is punctual and cares about the accuracy of all things. The
intelligence of the phlegmatic is slow, but profound. He has a good aptitude for
understanding the essentials of things. He is docile and methodical.

g. The amorphous:
It's lazy. His life is sleeping and eating. It is not very original, it is carried away by the
environment. He is wasteful, unpunctual and lacks enthusiasm. He is social and
outgoing. He reasons very slowly and analyzes things superficially. Run away from
any effort. He usually procrastinates. It's clumsy and messy.
H. The apathetic:
It is closed in itself. It's melancholic. He is unrecognizable and stubborn. It's lazy.
Routine. Passive and indifferent. It lacks stimulation and activity. He is poor of ideas.
He is apathetic and uninterested in activities.

All of these characterological traits are reference points. We cannot label people's
personalities , as if each of them did not evolve over time or had anything of their
own.

You cannot confuse the psychological with the moral by classifying people into
"good" and "bad." With wisdom we can help them grow positively in their personal
characteristics.
.
III. CHARACTER BUILDING

Character is modeled as a whole from genetic dispositions and through the basic
experiences that human beings go through throughout their lives.

Through learning and environmental influences. That is to say, social rules and
cultural traditions play a fundamental role, to the extent that character is marked
by habits that conform to the traditions of the society in which it has developed.

It is formed due to the internalization of social norms, as well as the adjustment of

behavior to them that the individual makes voluntarily.

IV. THE CHARACTER OF THE CHRISTIAN LEADER .

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 In the process towards Christian maturity, although not everything depends on
man, neither does everything depend on God (In 2 Pd. 1:3-4), God tells us about
his work in us through Jesus Christ. Next, starting from verse 5, "he tells us,
putting all diligence into this, add virtue to your faith." There, the Word of God
orders us the part that corresponds to us.

One of the bases for the formation of the Christian character is the word of God.
Here are some recommendations. Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall never
depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you
may observe and do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make
your way prosperous, and everything will turn out well for you.
Saint John 5:39. teaches us to search the word. 2nd. Timothy 3:14-15. If
character is formed through learning, what better than the word.

Following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 11:28.29. learn from
me. I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for your soul. It is
important to walk with Christ since this is how it develops, renewing our mind
every day and being ductile or sensitive,

V. LEADER REQUIREMENTS

A. Self-control, we can talk about a strong or weak character, it all depends on

the level of self-control that the person has, this is important, because self-
control is the ability by which desires are not allowed to dominate in our life.

B. The guidance of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ said, “When the spirit of truth
comes, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13; Gal 5:5:22-23). This
implies dedication, consecration, effort and denial of oneself. As explained (2
Peter 1:5), although without the help of the Holy Spirit all this would be
impossible. Our lives must reflect the fruit of the Holy Spirit. “If we live by the
Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” The fruit of the Spirit produces a
character controlled by Him.

CONCLUSION

Character is something that shows who the leader is. It can confirm or destroy the
influence of any leader. The leader must be aware that the best example of the image of
Christ is himself.

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 24. VISION OF THE LEADER (2 classes)

Compiled by Joel Recinos

BIBLICAL BASIS: Luke 19:10

GOALS

1. Develop God's vision in local leadership to have a passion for the lost.
2. Identify that a leader without vision is synonymous with failure.
3. Imitate Jesus as a visionary model in service and in the search for the lost.

INTRODUCTION.

If church leaders want to function in effective servant leadership, they must

embrace Jesus' vision to “find and save5 that which was lost.”

I. THE VISION OF JESUS ON EARTH (LUKE 4:16-21;V:40-41)

A. He proclaimed it clearly and did it effectively (Mt 4:23). And Jesus went
throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel
of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and disease among the people.
B. Jesus lived repeating his vision and his purpose (Lk 4:42-44). It is necessary
that he also announce the gospel of the kingdom of God to other cities;
because for this I have been sent.
C. Jesus never deviated from what he proclaimed and understood why he
came (Lk. 4:43).

1. Win souls for his kingdom (Mt. 4:19-20). And he said to them, Come
after me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left
their nets, and followed him.
2. Form disciples (Mt. 4:18-22) that meant changing their lifestyle. The
visionary leader must be concerned that others be discipled to carry out
the great commission (Mt. 28:19 Mr. 16:15)

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II. THE VISIONARY LEADER MUST FULFILL THE VISION WITHOUT
DEVIATION
A. Preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of heaven to every person (Mt. 5:1-12).
Companies, Organizations and Companies are for a specific mission and
purpose, the church must serve God and the people, preaching the Gospel
of the Kingdom.
 Serving God is preaching the gospel.
 Serving people is for them to receive the vision of the Gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ

B. Win souls for Christ. This can be done through holistic growth groups,
personalized evangelism, or other evangelistic activities that the church
should organize in order to reach the lost.

C. Leadership with efficient vision foresees an ideal future and that brings
clear direction to the church it leads (1Chr. 14:8), This implies that when
the leader does not have a clear vision of what they want, the people will
not understand where they want to go, the leader must work with specific
short, medium and long-term goals of the people he wants. reach for the
Lord Jesus Christ. For example:
1. Comprehensive growth groups.
2. In normal services
3. Campaigns or mass evangelism.
How many people do you intend to reach either per month, per quarter,
semester or per year. Each person who converts must get involved in the
work and not just attend services.

III. JESUS TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES CLEARLY THE VISION

A. He commissioned them (Matthew 28:18-20)
Initially the Great Commission began in the person of Jesus when he first
preached in Israel. Jesus then sent out the twelve, then the seventy, and then
everyone. The preaching of the gospel had meaning not only for Israel and the
Jews, but for the entire world. In the last days Jesus commissions the Great
Commission not only to his disciples, but to all those who follow them. The
Great Commission is, therefore, a master plan of God in which his church
must work with great effort and love.
B. Have followers (Mt. 4:19, Luke. 5:10, Mr. 1:16-17, 8:34-38) Conversion is the
first step in following Jesus and becoming his disciple. Therefore, the following
that Jesus asked of his disciples is radical, they have to leave everything, live
like him and share his destiny (Lk. 14,26-27.33).
C. Leaders with world vision (Mr.16:15,Jn 20:2123). Jesus also taught his
disciples to be leaders who would change attitudes and traditions (Mt. 23:1-3,
V 4, 36, Mr. 7:7-13) Traditions or customs do not allow the leader's vision to
expand in the direction that the Holy Spirit wishes to take his group. In addition
to what we have traditionally learned, which is to preach the gospel to every
creature, we can carry out evangelism by planning social activities in order to

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 preach the gospel to every person. Example: medical sessions, literacy
programs, health talks with specific topics and others, which affect the reality of
our communities.
IV. THE VISIONARY LEADER HAS A COMMITMENT TO THE PERSONAL QUALITY
OF LIFE OF THE DISCIPLE
TO. Disciples with values
1. Love for people (Mr. 12:31, Lk. 6:27)
Love must characterize people who tell others about the gospel of Jesus
Christ.
2. Understood in the unity of the Spirit (Jn. 17:11).
No Christian should live for himself, and it would be failed the attempt to do so.
When you are born again, you are not born in an orphanage, but within a family,
you are given purity and cleanliness of heart with the specific condition of
walking in that light, and of having fellowship with all the other members of the
family of God. .

3 Excellent in Service (Matthew 20:25-28)

 When we are excellent people, beautiful and beautiful things come out of us;
and before God's excellence the world will not be able to look elsewhere, and
will see God himself reigning and manifesting himself in His Church.
4. Giving (Lk. 21:1-4)

 The regular exercise of generosity helps to uproot greed and selfishness from
our lives. (Mt 25:40)

A blessing to fellow human beings. True children of God bless everyone they
come into contact with.

In 1 Timothy 6:18 and 19 it says “Let them do good, be rich in good works,
giving, generous; “treasuring up for themselves a good foundation for the
future, that they may take hold of eternal life.”

Stewardship encompasses service to God and others and implies our

willingness to share everything that God has given us in his mercy, which can
benefit others.

5. Bold in Faith. (Mt. 15:28,Mr. 11:22)

 For the believer, difficult moments represent opportunities to renew faith...

because in the test faith is perfected, it is not that God puts us into quagmires
by experiment as some believe or that the Christian loves suffering. Trusting
in God is basic for a Christian... let us not forget that God encourages us to put
all things and cares in his hands.

6. People of joy (Jn. 17:13)

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 7. People of Prayer (Mt. 9:37-38, Luke 11:1-13,18:1-

8. Able to be witnesses (Mt. 10:32-32, Mr. 6:7-13)

b. Disciples with firm character.
1. Humility (Mt. 5:1-7,11:29, Mr. 10:13-15)
2. Internal Force (Lc. 11:33-36)
3. Permanent Relationship with Christ Jn. 15:1-8
4. We must embrace Jesus' servant leadership style.

v. EMBRACING THE VISION IN THE STYLE OF JESUS (Jn. 13:14-16)

A. Jesus taught servant leadership to his disciples both in his teachings and in his
actions.
B. Jesus' servant leadership was unique.
C. Provided servant leadership when:
1. When he healed a leper (Matthew 8:1-3) (he took care of and met a
need)
2. When he drove away the sellers and emptied the temple (John 2:13-17)
(He confronted an established institution in his day)
3. By talking to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-14), he broke
down communication barriers.
4. When he visited the house of Zacchaeus (Lk. 19:1-10), opened the
doors for dialogue.
5. He manifested servant leadership when he saved the woman from being
stoned (Jn 8:1-11), he demonstrated courage to defend difficult cases.
6 When he washed the disciples' feet (Jn 13:1-17), he taught with him;
example.
7 When he was hung on the cross, he sacrificed his life for reconciliation
between God and man, (Acts. 5:30).
SAW. REASONS TO BE LEADERS WITH THE VISION OF GOD
A. Because Jesus was a soul winner. (1 Tim. 1:15)
1. Jesus came to save the lost. That was the main mission of Christ, to rescue
the lost, the first group of people that Jesus chose to follow him received that
same challenge. (Mt. 4:19, Mt. 28:19,20).
2. He went where the people were, he went to all the places where there were
people, in the markets, in the streets, on the hills, on the beaches, in homes,
etc. (Lk. 14:23); After his ascension, Jesus' followers acted exactly like HIM.
They were kept very busy witnessing in the markets, in the streets, in homes,
around public fountains, reasoning, testifying, persuading, preaching, winning
souls, admonishing sinners to believe the gospel exactly as Jesus did ( Acts.
5:42)
B. Because the harvest is so great. (Mt. 9:36-37)
1. Jesus sent workers to the fields.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he saw them scattered like sheep without a
shepherd, first he called twelve, and since the harvest was so great, he

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 commissioned another 70 workers. (Luc. 10: 19). By going, soul winning is
done out there, where people live, work and play. It is urgent to emphasize
this basic principle in the task of winning souls (Luke. 14:23). If the fruits are
not picked quickly, the entire harvest could be lost in the field, storms may
come, the fruit may ripen quickly and rot (1st. Co. 7:29). If you really want to
harvest the mature sowing of our generation, the secret is to rediscover the
urgency, passion and zeal of the early church.
2. Mobilizing to evangelize. As church leaders, it is our duty to begin the process
of praying, mobilizing, and planning how to win lost souls. The order in Jesus'
ministry was as follows.
 See . Jesus saw the harvest (the multitudes of souls) and was moved
with compassion.
 Pray . Then he prayed, as the means to solve the problem of workers
for the harvest (Lk. 6:12
 Choose . After praying, He chose the workers, first 12 and then 70,
whom He trained and sent to the field to gather the harvest. Now Jesus
wants the leader to see (Jn. 4:35), pray for the Holy Spirit for His power
and guidance in this work. (Lk. 10:2) and to choose people who are
filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts. 6:3). Mobilizing and training soul
winners to go out to the lost is the only solution to reaching them. It is
necessary to return to the principles embraced by the Apostle Paul,
and in this way I endeavored to preach the gospel (Rom. 15:20). Paul
was always willing to preach the gospel further (2 Cor. 10:16).

C. Due to the large commission. (Mr. 16:15

Every believer is commissioned and called. Who saved us and called us with a
holy calling… (2 Tim. 1:9). It is a responsibility to announce, testify and extend
the kingdom of heaven not only in the place where you live but throughout the
world. For every believer it must be a great privilege, Christ left no greater
privilege than that of announcing the gospel to every creature. This is what the
early Christians did day and night. They healed the sick, cast out demons,
preached the gospel from house to house in the markets, at village fountains, in
the streets, in services, in prisons and everywhere they went.
Every believer has been commissioned, no special calling is needed to be a soul
winner. Jesus' instructions are clear: “Let your light shine before men…. Go along
the paths and through the hedges, and force them to enter, so that my house
may be filled (Mt. 5:16; Lc. 14:23). The church is involved in doing many good
things. The most important of all the instructions given by Jesus, Go and preach
the gospel to every creature, has been neglected.
D. Because we will give an account to God
God specifically admonishes his servants to carry the message he has given
them to the people to whom they have been sent, knowing that they will be
called to account for their success or failure in that responsibility (Ez. 3:17-18;
Ez. 33:6-8).
The Apostle Paul recognized his obligation.

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 In Acts 20:26 the Apostle Paul says, “Therefore I testify to you this day that
I am clean from the blood of all.” Why is Paul so sure that his hands were
clean or without any stain of blood? the blood of men? His innocence was
based on his obedience to the great commission. (Acts 20:18-21; Acts.
26:19)

CONCLUSION

 The leader must understand the times we are living in, the Word of God says that
the times are bad therefore we must be aware of the responsibility as children of
God and preach the gospel to every creature.

 The example must be taken of the Lord Jesus Christ in his service, love and
compassion for lost souls.

 It is important that the pastor and leadership of the church unite to fulfill the
mandate of bringing the good news to every creature and in this way fulfill the
great commission given by the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Leaders should not have a short vision, they should think and act seeing the lost
souls and the new brothers of the church as an important part of their work.

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 25. CALL TO THE MINISTRY (2 classes)

Compiled by Roel Vela

BIBLICAL BASIS: Matthew 4:18-22; 1Co. 9: 16.

AIM

Guide leaders who feel the call to go to ministry, about the need, origin, evidence and
the process to achieve it.

INTRODUCTION:

From the moment God took man out of darkness to transfer him to his admirable light,
he did so with a purpose and that is to serve him, which is why every Christian must
engage in the service of God's work in some of the areas in the local church. But some
have been called in a very special way to the full-time preaching ministry. For your
better guidance, this study analyzes: the need, the origin, evidence and the process to
go to the ministry.

I. THE NEED FOR WORKERS

Definition: Need is the state of tension or dissatisfaction of an individual or

community, which impels them to action towards a goal that they believe will satisfy
the impulse of their need. According to the Theological Dictionary, no need is as
pressing in the human being as the to meet his Savior. It is demand, urgency,
requirement, and indispensable.

A. The call to ministry is a necessity.

1. In the heart of the person who is called. Paul said: “Necessity is imposed on
me and woe to me if I do not preach the gospel” (1Co.9:16).
2. For the spiritual condition of those who need the gospel. …Jesus saw “The
crowds helpless and scattered like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt.9:36).
3. Due to the shortage of workers. “In truth the harvest is great, but the workers
are few. Pray, therefore, to the Lord of the harvest, to send workers into his
harvest" (Mt. 9:37,38).
4. Due to the pressing condition of time. “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields,
for they are already white for harvest,” (Jn.4:35).

B. The Lord is looking for workers to do the work of his vineyard.

1. Why are you idle all day? You also go to my vineyard, (Mt. 20:6,7).
2. The call that God makes to the ministry has no meaning; whether it is sex,
age, profession or job. There is room for everyone.
3. The priority of the calling demands that any obstacle must be avoided in
order to fulfill the call of God, (Lk. 10:4-9).

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 C. Jesus is a clear example of what the worker must do in the ministry.
1. Reflect on the extent of the work, (Mt. 9:37).
2. See and feel the need for workers, (Mt: 9: 37).
3. Have compassion on those who are lost (Mt. 9: 36).
4. Preach the gospel to every creature, (Mt.9: 35; Mr. 16: 15).
5. Heal all sickness and disease, (Mt. 9: 35).
6. Pray to God to send more workers, (Mt. 9: 38).

II. ORIGIN OF THE CALL. (Jer. 1: 5).

A. The calling is of a divine nature, it was born in the heart of God and is transmitted
to the people he loves. “Before you were formed in the womb I knew you, and
before you were born I sanctified you, I made you a prophet to the nations.

B. The call is irrevocable, it cannot be ignored, postponed or delegated to another

person, (Jon. 1:2-4,17; 2: 10; 3:1-4).

C. The call to ministry is; personal, clear, direct and unmistakable, he knows the
identity of each person. God: I call Moses, Samuel, and Saul, (Ex. 3:4;
1Sam.3:4; Acts 9:4).

D. The person who is called will only be happy in the ministry. Regardless of the
conditions; geographical, physical or economic. God is in charge of meeting all
the needs of the one who calls, (Phil.4:19).

E. Example of men who heard and obeyed the call of God.

1. Abraham (Gen. 12: 1 – 4).
2. Moses (Ex. 3: 4 – 12).
3. Samuel (1Sam. 3: 4, 6, 8, 1).
4. Isaiah. 6: 8.
5. Jeremiah 1:5.
6. The disciples of the Lord. (Mr. 1: 16 – 20).
7. Paul (1Co. 9:16).
F. All these servants were called by the Lord, in different times and places and they
did not object before they obeyed faithfully and God supported them in a special
way.

III. EVIDENCE OF THE CALL.

A. A person of prayer, Luke 18:1.

-“Jesus also told them a parable about the need to always pray,
and not faint..."

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 1. Paul after his conversion was found by Ananias praying, and always the
calling is related to a spirit of prayer, God's way or method of dealing with
the worker he wants to call to the ministry (Acts. 9:11).
2. The spirit of prayer in a person predisposes him to hear and feel the call
that God makes him. “As these ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy
Spirit said: “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I
have called them” (Acts 13:2).
3. God communicates with his servants when they pray.
 “I was in the spirit on the day of the Lord, and I heard behind me a great
voice like a trumpet, saying: I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and
the last (Rev. 1. 10, 11).
 And I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him in prayer and
supplication, in fasting, sackcloth and ashes; I was still speaking in prayer,
when the man Gabriel came to me at the time of the evening sacrifice.
(Acts. 9 : 3, 21).
 Peter went up to the roof to pray, and while Peter was thinking about the
vision, the Spirit said to him: “Behold, three men are seeking you (Acts. 10:
9,19).

4. Prayer not only prepares the worker to hear and feel the call, but also
enables him to do the work efficiently (John. 14:13,14).

B. Feel passion for souls . (Rom. 10:1). “Brothers, certainly the desire of my
heart, and my prayer to God for Israel, is for salvation.”
Passion: It is vehemence, enthusiasm, ardor, rapture, excitement,
effervescence, infatuation, fervor, madness, love, affection, preference,
desire, enthusiasm, euphoria, fiery and outburst.

1. The passion for the lost produces pain in the life of the Christian worker
that causes one to exclaim… “Woe to me if I do not announce the
gospel! “(1Cor.9:16).

2. Love for the lost fascinates the preacher and makes him not spare time,
sacrifice or money in order to achieve the desired objective. (Acts.
20:20).

3. The worker who has a genuine calling will carry the gospel to the
places where God needs it, regardless of any personal sacrifice
(Rom.15:19, 20).

“Those who sow with tears will reap with joy, wrath
Walking and crying is the one who carries the precious seed; but he will
come again with joy, bringing his sheaves (Ps. 126: 5, 6).

C. Feel like preaching the gospel . (1Cor. 9:16-18).

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 1. The person called to the ministry is optimistic, willing and collaborative in
the service of God's work.
 It is lent and even offered to be taken into account in preaching every
day and as many times as necessary.
 He does not spare sacrifice to go to the fields or to the Sunday
school branch, it is a pleasure for him to serve and to be taken into
account.
 He frequently dreams that he is preaching, those who are close hear
him and it is true, he does not even sleep while he rests, he preaches
in his sleep.
 He blindly dedicates himself to service without expecting reward for
the work he does.
 Many times this concern is accompanied by visions, and prophetic
words from servants who, without knowing what is happening to the
person, indicate that they are called by God to the ministry.

2. The love of the calling produces stimuli in the worker that give him:
 Remain faithful to God and the church (Rom. 8: 37-39).
 Persevere in biblical doctrine (Acts. 2: 42).
 Overcome spiritual discouragements (Rom. 8:26).
 Endure all the temptations of crimson (Gen. 39:7-9).
 Strive to fulfill your purpose of going to the ministry (Mr.1:16-20).

D. Collaborator with his pastor (Phil. 2:25). But I found it necessary to send you
Epaphroditus, my brother and collaborator and fellow soldier, your messenger,
and minister of my needs.”

1. Work in the ministry is closely related to the work done in the church,
collaborating with the pastor and the work programs of the church.
2. People who do not support their pastor and the programs of the work would
hardly be called by the Lord to the ministry of preaching.
3. Brothers who are good collaborators in the church and with their pastors,
when they go to ministry, are a blessing to the work of God.
4. Example of people who were called by God and collaborators with his
servants:
 Joshua was Moses' servant (Joshua 1:1,2).
 Elisha was Elijah's assistant (2 Kings 2:1-9).
 Samuel was very close to Eli (2 Sam.3:1-10).
 The disciples learned very well from Jesus (Mt. 10:5-15 Mr.16:14-
20).
 Timothy was a good helper of Paul (2 Tim. 2: 2).

5. Epaphroditus ministered to Paul's needs (Phil. 2:25).

6. The minister is not a replica of the pastor who won him to Christ, and
helped him in his Christian formation. But if you want to be blessed and a

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 blessing to others, you must now be obedient to your pastor and imitate his
faith (Heb. 13:7).
7. The new worker should not think about being a substitute for his pastor,
since each one will go to the place that God indicates, but yes, it is vitally
important that the worker maintain good relations with his pastor before
leaving for the ministry.

E. Disposition of obedience to go to the place where God needs you.

Hebrews 11:8. “By faith Abraham, being called, obeyed to go out to the place
which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he left without knowing where
he was going.”
1. The disposition of obedience prepares the worker to go to the place where
God wants to use him, without demanding any conditions.
2. Results of responding to God's call, without any objection.
 You have the support of God, at all times (Mt. 28:20; Mr. 16: 20).
 .Conversion of sinners (Cor. 9:2).
 Building the church, the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12-16)
 Provision of their material and spiritual needs (Lk. 10:47; Phil. 4:19)
 Satisfaction for being part of God's team (Luke 10: 17-20).

IV. THE PROCESS TO GO TO THE MINISTRY .

A. Be a member in good standing of an Assembly of God, not less than two

years.

B. Contact your pastor and church leaders to help you in prayer and guide you in
the best way possible.

C. Attend short courses.

D. Attend one of the Assemblies of God Bible Institutes in Guatemala.

E. Ask your pastor and deacons for support to begin building a work and, in the
shortest possible time, begin your studies at the Bible Institute.

F. Urgently seek the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts. 1: 8).

CONCLUSION

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God continues to call workers, the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. God
needs you, the results of the call are positive, enter the process. God is calling you.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Essential qualities of a good leader, Editorial Bethania John C. Maxwell 3 edition

Effective Administration by Eduardo Luna, 3rd edition

26. QUALITIES OF A GOOD LEADER (2 classes)

Compiled by Roel Vela Castañeda

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BIBLICAL BASIS: 1Tm. 3:1-5.

AIM

Point out the essential qualities in the leader's life for appreciation and encouragement.

INTRODUCTION

Leadership in the church is a gift that is desired by many, and those who desire it desire
a good work (1Tm. 3: 1). But because of the elevated position; It is necessary that you
have good qualities for the development of your leadership and the efficiency of your
ministry.

I. DEFINITION OF LEADER

 A driver, one who steers a ship to a safe destination.

 The one who makes a group of people follow him voluntarily.
 He who has overcome his own initiative to not do alone the things that others
must do.
 He is the one who can motivate each person who is under his direction.
 He is the one who is always willing to listen carefully to the complaints of his
Collaborators.
 He is the one who listens to recommendations, suggestions and perceives ideas
from other leaders or their assistants.
 He is the one who maintains an exact and fulfilled schedule in his activities.
 He is the one who maintains serenity in stormy times, knowing that he is not
alone, because he has God's help.
 He is the one who is with others when they need him.

II. LEADER QUALITIES

A. Honesty (1Tm. 3:4)
1. Honesty is composure, decency and moderation in the life of the leader, it is
purity, truth and righteousness.
2. Honesty is an indispensable quality in people's lives and conduct.
3. To live honestly is to become aware before God that we are his children.

B. Discipline ( 1Co. 9:25)

1. It is the set of regulations that govern bodies, institutions, or professions.
2. Discipline is rule, order, norm, method, obedience, subordination, and
submission.
3. This definition demands that every leader must have discipline, to be
successful in the spiritual life and in the work of the church.

C. Sincerity ( Eph. 4:25).

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 1. Sincerity is a way of expressing oneself without any pretense; It is frankness,
naturalness, truthfulness, simplicity, purity, honesty, clarity, confidence,
rectitude, truth.
2. Sincerity produces transparency in the leader's life; This makes him credible,
accepted and loved by the people.
3. Sincerity is demanded by the Lord when he says: Putting aside lies, speak the
truth each of you with your neighbor; for we are members one of another
(Eph. 4:25).

D. Justice ( Gen. 18: 19)

1. Justice is the order of human coexistence.
2. It is rectitude, right, accuracy, impartiality, it is being loyal to everyone around
us.
3. We cannot be moral or spiritual if we are unfair and disloyal to the people we
live with.

E. Courage ( Jos.1:7, 9, 18)

1. Courage is effort, vigor, deed or feat, heroic, valor, courage, daring, intrepidity,
manliness, gallantry, daring and determination.
2. Courage was required by God when he appointed Joshua to replace Moses
(Josh. 1: 2, 7, 9).
3. Good leaders are defiant and fearless, no matter the nature of the battles that
arise (Jos. 14: 7-12).
4. Every leader needs courage to accept the challenges of his leadership.

F. Sensitive ( 1Co. 14: 18).

1. It is the ability to feel God easily.
2. It is being perceptible, sensitive, affective, susceptible and impressionable.
3. It is feeling the need and pain of the people who follow him.
4. Leaders who are not sensitive have great difficulty feeling the presence of
God in their lives.

G. Obedience. (1Sam. 15: 22).

1. Obedience, in both the Old and New Testaments, is a translation of the verb
hear, so obedience in the Bible means an active response to what is heard.

2. Abraham is the best example of obedience:

 When God asks him to leave the Chaldeans (Gen.1: 1, 4, 5).
 When he asks for his son as a sacrifice (Gen. 22: 1-13).
 Obedience implies: Sacrifice, effort, dedication, pain, self-denial and
submission to someone's will.
 Obedience is the indispensable condition for God to bless leadership.

H. Responsibility ( Col. 3:17; .Ec. 5: 4, 5).

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 1. Responsibility is the ability and obligation to respond to one's own actions and
sometimes to those of others. It is an obligation, duty, commitment, necessity,
solidarity, contract, agreement and seriousness.
2. Responsibility is to attend all church meetings punctually.
3. Responsibility is fulfilling Christian stewardship.
4. The work in the fields of the church and branches of Sunday School,
diaconate and others, must be done with great responsibility.
5. Complying with the entire national program, executing all required activities, is
the responsibility.
6. See that you fulfill the ministry that you received in the Lord. Cabbage. 3: 17.

I. Positive Attitude (Stg.. 1: 6).

1. Positive attitude is a disposition of mind manifested externally without
Uncertainty.
2. This quality makes the leader believe things until they receive them.
Remember, “God calls things that are not as if they were.”
3. The positive attitude makes the leader work by faith. The things you see are
temporary, the things you don't see are eternal.
4. Positive attitude: It is faith, trust and absence of all uncertainty.

J. Patience (Stg. 5: 7,8).

1. The word patience comes from the Latin patentía and means calm waiting.
2. It is a virtue that consists of suffering all the misfortunes of life without
disturbing your spirit. It is endurance, calm conformity, meekness,
perseverance, tenacity, calmness, perseverance, resignation, serenity,
persistence, will and firmness.
3. Patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5: 22).
4. Leaders who have patience persist in following the objective and do not rest
until they achieve it.

K. Communication ( 1Sam. 20:18-22, 35-39. Hec. 2: 7, 8).

1. Communication is treatment or correspondence between two or more people.
It is communicating and declaring what you feel or want to share.
2. Communication comes from the Latin Communis which means to put
something in common or agree.
3. The lack of adequate communication detracts from the value of a leader within
the group he presides over.
4. Communication is a dynamic process that must flow within the leader and
those who follow him, to achieve objectives.
5. Communication is also a two-way street, where the leader not only speaks,
but also listens to his followers.

L. Initiative (2King. 6: 1-4)

1. Initiative is the beginning of something, an idea that serves to start a project or
the beginning of something. It is decision, impulse, spirit, enthusiasm, fiber
and daring.

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 2. In a group of people someone must have the initiative, someone must start,
that is the leader. He must be an example, guide and head of the group.
3. He who has initiative, looks for opportunities to serve, does not wait for them
to come to him.
4. The sons of the prophets had the initiative, they saw that the place was
narrow, they said let's go and take a beam (2King. 6: 1, 2).
5. The evidence of leadership is initiative.

M. Charisma .
1. It is a set of qualities that give a person a special attractiveness; It is
personality, grace, distinction, character, originality and people skills.
2. This quality makes the leader follow him, voluntarily.
3. It is a virtue that makes the leader different from other people.
4. Charisma is attention and careful care for everyone around you.

N. Self-esteem .
1. Self-esteem is the basis or foundation of high-performance behavior.
2. It is also seeing yourself as a person of great value, worthy, capable and
important.
3. It represents what is good, positive and can accomplish anything you set out
to do.
4. He thinks he deserves success, because of the decisions and actions he
takes.
5. What you undertake is on the right track, it deserves to be well rewarded, you
always look for the good and the challenging, you know that you are capable
of modifying and controlling the conditions that help you succeed.

O. Optimism.
1. This helps the person to reach optimal levels, they know that things will be
better tomorrow, it also helps them greatly for personal growth.
2. Optimism chooses what should be done, and realizing that it is competent
and worthy, discovers reasons in favor of hoping that its future will be bright,
prosperous, productive and satisfying. Every decision you make, every action
you initiate, is driven by your knowledge and supported by your experience
resulting in the achievement of goals you have always wanted to achieve.

P. Goal orientation.
1. Many people set goals but do not always achieve them. The good leader will
set goals that are somehow achievable. The difference is the way in which
these goals are incorporated and used.
2. The high-performance leader harmonizes his personal goals with the goals
established by groups, entities and organizations to which he belongs.

Q. Imagination.
1. The leader must focus his imagination on the positive, creating constructive
images towards which he must direct himself. He knows that he is capable of
any achievement he sets his mind to, with the work of his mind he can

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 experience new and fruitful situations for himself and for the organization
before see them happen.
2. People also have tendencies to go towards what is common to them, for this
reason the leader trusts his imagination, he thinks about all the good things
he wants for himself, for his peers, for his collaborators and for his
organization, he thinks about new skills for work, new techniques in a more
radiant, happier, more jovial character, think about health, the understanding,
tolerance and flexibility that is necessary to have, think about family harmony,
love, great achievements, great rewards, great satisfaction and great projects
of benefit to the church and the community.

R. Orientation towards growth.

1. Every human being knows that they should not become stagnant or
immobilized in a world that constantly changes. The leader who is interested
in growth repudiates the thought of stagnation; first investigate diligently,
looking for better and faster ways of growth and development. You like to be
perceived and ready for the future, you expect growth, you welcome
progressive changes that make you highly fruitful.

S. Positive response to pressure.

1. The leader learns to use pressure, uses it to initiate constructive responses. It
prepares itself to rise to the top in docile moments, rather than crumble when
conditions around it become hostile.
2. The leader recognizes that difficulties are an opportunity to expand his talent,
skills and creativity.

T. Trust.
1. In every area of his life, the good leader must feel an atmosphere of trust, at
home, at work and in his social life, trusting that all members of his team act
with a sense of responsibility.
2. The sense of trust produces a climate of sincerity, of frankness, of openness,
which sets the tone for true cooperation in all your relationships.

U. Joy.
1. He who is a leader enjoys and enjoys everything he does. He feels pleased
when he is at work, when he interacts with other people, when he
communicates, when he achieves, enjoys his activities and the people who
work with him. His energy is influential, he is a radiant person, he radiates joy,
and improves the environment around him.

V. Willingness to take risks.

1. The leader learns that life is not made of guarantees, recognizes that all
activity involves a high degree of probabilities, for and against, and is ready
and willing to take the necessary risk.
2. When you start a new project, when you launch a new product, when you
start a new program or diversify your activities; Think about the probable
benefits or probable problems of making that decision and act.

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W. Readiness.
1. The high-performance leader perceives a high energetic sense of promptness
and urgency with which things must be done. Make decisions today, start
your actions right now, not because you have to, but because you want to do
it, you enjoy it, it gives you enthusiasm and you breathe an air of intensity and
urgency. It reflects a sense of ability, strength of movement, achievement and
influential enthusiasm.

X. Sense of direction.
1. The leader, in addition to having precise objectives in his mind, has a sense
of movement, orientation, and a dynamic that drives him to achieve these
objectives and asks himself: What do I want, where am I going?
2. The answer to these two questions is the direction in which each leader is
moving or what they want to achieve.

Y. Persuasion capacity.
1. The leader must have the ability to convince others to accompany him to that
objective or the goals that he has set. The capacity for persuasion and the
sense of direction are what determine the effectiveness of the leader. His
goal orientation and ability to motivate other people makes him persuasive.
2. You cannot be a leader or administrator if there are no people to lead, without
people to work with.

Z. Deep personal convictions.

People who only have beliefs are not the people who are going to transform the
world in which they live. It is necessary that he be convinced of the work of the
church and what God wants to be done. There are two elements that help the
leader deepen his convictions: The first is; allow God to correct the course of life.
Example: Saul of Tarsus changed his convictions when he had an encounter
with the Lord. Second: Dedicate time for prayer; This is work, it is not an
alternative, it is a necessity in the life of the leader, you cannot be a leader if you
are not a person of prayer.

AA. A rigorous personal agenda.

1. The good leader must learn to manage his time efficiently. If the excesses of
eating and drinking are judged, we have to have control of our own time.
2. The leader must study himself, must know himself, the most difficult
achievement is that of oneself.
3. The leader must know his limitations in terms of time and must learn to say,
no, when he knows he cannot. It is not convenient to take on many positions
in the church and have scheduling problems.

BB. Be willing to make firm decisions.

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 1. Every leader must have a dynamic and robust will that when presented with
situations in which he must make crucial decisions, he does so quickly,
without postponement or any hesitation.
2. You must properly identify the moment after you have obtained all the
necessary information. Recognize that for the good of the work and of others
it is in your best interest to act firmly after having heard all the parties
involved. Our Lord Jesus Christ knew how to make the decision of the cross
with gallantry and firmness. His instructions to his disciples were direct and
not hesitant.

CC. Sense of direction and destiny.

1. This is seen in all human activities. Nobody follows a person who feels
insecure, who doesn't know where they are going, who doesn't know what
their goals in life are. It is important that the leader knows the positive
projection of his actions in the world around him. This will give your goals and
actions a sense of direction.
2. You must have a clear vision of the church and the world around you,
shaping or modifying it through the actions you take.

CONCLUSION:

The leader is a person capable of working with the brothers of the church and has
qualities that make him different from others in his work. It also recognizes the lordship
of Christ and the pleasure of serving Him.

27. SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY (2 classes)

Compiled by Cristóbal Montejo

TEXT: Romans 13:1

INTRODUCTION

There is a principle of authority that emanates from God himself. Everything in the
universe develops under this principle. The other principle that exists is the principle of
rebellion, originating from Satan, based on vainglory and self-exaltation.

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I. THE PRINCIPLE OF AUTHORITY (Rom. 13:1-7; Heh. 1:3; Mt. 6:13; 26: 62-64).
God's acts come from his throne and this is based on his authority. God's authority
represents God himself, while his power represents his deeds. Sin against his power
is easily forgiven, but sin against his authority is a sin against God himself. God is
authority over all things, the authorities of the earth are instituted by Him. In the
Universe authority is of unparalleled importance; There can be nothing that
surpasses it. So it is important that those who wish to serve God know his authority.

A. Obedience to authority
Paul, upon having his personal encounter with Christ, recognizes the principle of
authority and from then on submits completely to the authority of God. The
problem for many is that they cannot make the difference between authority and
the man who possesses it and that is the reason why they sometimes rebel
against man, without realizing that they are really rebelling against the authority
placed by God. . No matter who the man is, he must obey the authority he
possesses. Sometimes it takes just once in a lifetime to have an encounter with
God's authority for us to be broken into submission and begin to learn obedience
to authority. Before a man can submit to God's delegated authority, he must know
God's inherent authority.

B. Signs of obedient people

1. A person who has known authority will seek to find authority wherever he
goes.
2. A person who has had an encounter with the authority of God is meek and
tender.
3. A person who has truly had an encounter with authority never wants to be
in authority.
4. A person who has had contact with authority keeps his mouth shut.
5. A person who has been in contact with authority is sensitive to every act of
anarchy and rebellion that surrounds him.

C. The Bible demands obedience to God.

God's greatest demand for man is not that he bear the cross, serve, give offerings
or deny himself; God's greatest demand is that you obey. God gave precise
orders to Saul (1 Samuel 15) to destroy the Amalekites, however he disobeyed
and that cost him the kingdom. At that moment God tells Saul “Surely to obey is
better than sacrifices, and to pay attention than the fat of rams” (2 Samuel 15:22)

For authority to manifest, there must be submission. If there is submission, it is

necessary to exclude the self; according to the self, submission is not possible.
Submission is only possible when the person lives in the Spirit. Life in the Spirit is
the supreme expression of the will of God.

When Christ prays in Gethsemane he says: “Father, if you are willing, take this
cup from me; But not my will, but yours be done” (Lk. 22:42). In this way he is

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 expressing his absolute obedience to the authority of the Father. The Lord's
death on the cross is the maximum expression of obedience to authority. How
can man submit to the will of God if he does not pray or have the courage to
know the will of God and submit to it?

In serving God, we are not called to choose self-denial or sacrifice, but rather to
fulfill God's purpose. The principle is to obey the will of God, not sacrifice or self-
denial.

If the work or service done in the church includes vainglory, personal exaltation or
rebellion, then glory is being given to Satan.

In the trial to which Christ was subjected (Mt. 26 and 27) it is recorded that when
Pilate questioned him he did not answer because he was not under his political
jurisdiction, but when the high priest adjured him by the living God, he then
answered (26:63-64), in recognition of the authority religious. That is obedience
to authority. In Acts 23, when Paul was being judged, he readily submitted when
he discovered that Ananias was the high priest (1-5).

Those who work in the church must come face to face with authority, otherwise
the work will be based on the rebellious principle of Satan and will be worked
without feeling the need to know the will of God.

In Matthew 7:21-23, the disapproval of those who prophesied and cast out
demons in the name of Jesus is recorded, because the starting point is
themselves. It is activity of the flesh. They are workers of evil and not workers of
the Lord. Believers are not there to look for work to do, but rather for God to send
them to work.

D. Authority requires trust and obedience

To understand authority requires two important things: trust in God's salvation
and obedience to his authority, that is, trust and obedience.

Violation of the law is disobedience to the authority of God and this is sin. The
current era is characterized by transgression of the law. Sin abounds and
anarchy will increase further.

We must remember that there are two principles in the universe: the principle of
God's authority and the principle of satanic rebellion. Satan laughs when a
rebellious person preaches the Word. The principle of service must be authority.

II. THE BEGINNING OF SATAN'S REBELLION

A. The Rebellion. The cherub became Satan when he surpassed God's authority,
competing with God and becoming his adversary in a way. Rebellion was the
cause of Satan's fall.

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 Isaiah 14:12-14 tells us how the cherub infringed the authority of God. Ezekiel
28:13-17 tells us about the transgression of God's holiness.

Offending God's authority is much more serious than offending his holiness. The
sin that man commits is in the sphere of conduct, it is more easily forgiven, but
not rebellion.

Satan's attempt to place his throne on the same level as God's was what violated
God's authority and that principle was what condemned him to suffer his fall.

The throne of God is founded on authority and this is a divine principle.

Satan's principle is rebellion which includes vainglory or self-exaltation.
You cannot preach Christ according to Satan's principle. You can be with Christ
in doctrine and at the same time act with the principles of Satan. Satan hates the
man who is under the principle of authority of Christ.

To God belong the kingdom, the power and the glory forever (Mt. 6:13). The
entire universe is under the dominion of God, so man must submit to his
authority. No one should steal God's glory.

B. Demonstrations of rebellion
1. Eve added to the word of God, “nor shall you touch him” (Gen. 3:3), when
the message was clear “You may eat from every tree in the garden; You
shall not eat more of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16-
17).
2. Ham saw his father's nakedness and told his brothers Shem and Japheth
(Gen. 9:22). He who is insubordinate at heart always waits for authority to fall
and takes advantage of any opportunity to denigrate his superiors. Many
brothers are in apparent submission, but looking for any opportunity to affect
their authorities. Cam had no love or submission.
3. Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses and mixed family matters with the
delegation of authority that God had given to Moses (Num. 12). These two
rebelled against the authority delegated by God and against God himself (2).
Although the words are apparently soft, if they carry a spirit of rebellion and
not of love and submission, they will be seen by God as a failure to authority.
4. In chapter 16 of Numbers, Korah and 250 leaders gathered against Moses.
They attacked him with words and said everything that their hearts felt. It was
a difficult situation that what Moses did was prostrate himself on the ground
(4).

All cases of rebellion have a consequence, some are forgiven and recovered,
others are definitely eliminated.

There are two things that cause Christians to lose their authority: sin and
speaking ill of authority.

III. DELEGATED AUTHORITY.

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There are institutions, requirements, credentials and errors of the legacy authority.

A. Institutions with delegated authority.

1. In the world (Rom. 13:1; 1st Pd. 2:13.14). God is the origin of all authorities in
the universe. All governing authorities have been instituted by Him,
commissioned by Him and represent His authority. Those who have been
established by God as authority must exercise authority as His
representatives and must be obeyed. Every person must submit to God's
delegated authority as well as his direct authority, because there is no
authority except from God. Paul exhorts that everyone must submit to the
authorities, whether positive or negative. If you resist authority you resist God.
After the flood, Noah was given authority to rule (Gen. 9:6). After Israel left
Egypt, ordinances were given and Moses was the ruler and whoever resisted
him, resisted God (Ex. 22:28). The Lord submitted to the political and religious
authorities of his time (Mt. 22:21). Paul teaches that all those in authority are
servants of Him and we must submit to them (Rom. 13:1). The four signs of
subjection to earthly authority are: tributes, to whom tributes are owed; taxes,
to which taxes; respect, whom I respect; honor, to him who honors. There
should be no concern about the unfair attitudes of authority. They will give an
account to God of their authority. Those in authority, neither, have permission
to act with the liver or with the heart, they must be fair and temperate in their
decisions.
2. In the Family (Eph. 5:22-24; 6:1-3; Cabbage. 3:18, 20, 22). God has placed
the husband as the delegated authority of Christ, with the wife as the
representative of the church. Recognition of that delegated authority will
prevent anarchy in the home. God has delegated authority to parents before
their children (Eph. 6:1-3; Cabbage. 3:20). To be subject to parents it is
necessary to see the authority of God. Servants are also commanded to
respect the authority of their earthly masters (Eph. 6:5-7; 1st Ti. 6:1; You. 2: 9-
10).
3. In the Church (1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1st Ti. 5:17; 1st Cor. 16:15-16). In the
church there are different degrees of delegated authority: pastors, deacons,
presidents and department directors. Delegated authority over the local
church and pastors is the Section leadership, district leadership, regional
leadership, the Executive Presbytery, the General Presbytery, and the
General Assembly or Conference. In relation to authority the scripture says:
“And all of you submissive to one another, clothe yourselves with humility” (1st
Pd. 5:5). It would be very shameful for a person to be consciously flaunting his
position and authority.

The question is, what happens if the authority is wrong or something goes wrong?
The fault will not be in the person who obeyed but in the authorities, because He
says: “Let every person submit to the higher authorities” (Rom. 13:1).

In Numbers 30 the woman's vow or promise is narrated, indicating that if she was
young under the authority of her father, the father approved or disapproved of the

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vow. If the woman was married, her vote had to be approved or disapproved by
her husband if she had a husband. In both cases the delegated authority had the
last word.

An instance of disobedience to delegated authority is found in Acts 5:29. Peter

answered, “It is necessary to obey God rather than men.” In this case because
the delegated authority had clearly violated God's commandment, it had also
sinned against the person of Christ. This is a special case, otherwise you have to
obey.

Only the relationship between Christ and the church can give full expression to
authority and obedience.

B. Requirements for delegated authority

1. You must know that all authority comes from God. Every person called to
be an authority must remember that “there is no authority except from God
and those that exist have been established by God” (Rom. 13:1). She
herself is not the authority nor can anyone become an authority. Your
opinions, ideas and thoughts are not better than those of others. Only what
comes from God constitutes authority and commands man's obedience. A
delegated authority has to represent the authority of God; You should
never presume that you also have authority.
2. He must deny himself. As long as the will of God is not known, one must
remain silent. Authority should not be exercised carelessly. People who
have many ideas, opinions and subjective thoughts should be feared.
Some want to be advisors in everything and take advantage of every
opportunity to impose their ideas.
3. You must remain in constant communion with the Lord. People who have
delegated authority must remain in close communion with God. Those who
are close to God have a pious fear; They know how polluting it is to
carelessly express their own opinions. He who has delegated authority
realizes that apart from God, he knows us and is nothing. Nowadays many
brothers are found to be too daring, or too strict or too arrogant.

C. Credentials of the delegated authority

1. They ignore degrading words. Aaron and Miriam denigrated Moses
because of his wife and also claimed that God could speak through them
(Num. 12. 1-15). However, the story says that Jehovah heard it and that
that man Moses was very meek, more than all the men that were on the
earth (1-3).
2. They don't defend themselves. The vindication, defense or any other
reaction that there may be, must come from God not from man. He who
vindicates himself does not know God. No one could have been more
authoritarian than Christ, yet he never defended himself. Authority and
self-defense are incompatible.
3. They are tame. Verse 2 of Numbers 12 says that God heard the insult; in
verse 4, God took action; but in verse 3 it says “and that man Moses was

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 very meek, more than all the men that were on the earth.” Moses did not
dispute because he knew he had not erred.
4. God reveals himself to them. God will reveal Himself to those to whom He
has delegated authority and who maintain a special relationship with Him.
God was the one who spoke to Miriam and Aaron and told them clearly
that with Moses there was a special relationship and revelation, not like the
one He had with them (12:6-8). (Taken and adapted from Spiritual
Authority by Watchman Nee; Vida, Miami, 1979) .

D. Delegated authority is not unquestionable

In the book of Acts in chapter 15 we find those who had a weak authority
facing a difficult problem and with great wisdom and with the opinion of the
Holy Spirit they made a decision (28). It should be a clear example of how
problems should be resolved in the church. Let us remember that in the
church there are several levels of delegated authority and God can at times
use another of the leaders or the entire group as a whole. When Jethro
advises Moses (Ex. 18:13-27) and when Paul calls Peter's attention (Gal.
2:11,14), there was a need and both accepted the intervention.

Let us remember the case of Peter when he disobeyed the authority

delegated in Acts 5:29. So authority can make mistakes and both those under
authority and those in authority must know this. Authority on the human side
does not know everything, it can receive help from others.

When you love the Lord and his work, problems will be resolved with the help
of the Lord and with the love and sincerity of the brothers, not with arrogance
because you have authority. The interests of the Lord's church are more
important than the interests of a single person. Problems in the church should
not be personalized, the difference should be made between the personal and
the church.

CONCLUSION

The principle of God's authority is what must prevail in the members and leaders of the
church to avoid many problems. Great care must be taken with Satan's principle of
rebellion, because it will always appear in the church when people seek their pride or
self-exaltation.

Church leaders who have authority delegated by God must be exemplary people who do
not lend themselves to rebellions in the church, but rather try, with God's help, to resolve
all problems that arise.

Leaders who know authority have certain characteristics that help direct church
members where God wants them to go and cause the least problems.

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The fact that a person has delegated authority does not mean that they are infallible or
that they do not face problems; When he fails and they face it, he recognizes his
mistakes and that gives him more credibility with his brothers.

28. MORAL AND SPIRITUAL QUALITY (2 classes)

Compiled by Cristóbal Montejo

BIBLICAL BASIS : 1st Timothy 4:12; 1 Corinthians 11:1;

AIM

Raise the moral and spiritual quality of the leaders of the local church, so that the pastor
and the church have elements to whom to delegate responsibilities with complete
confidence.

INTRODUCTION

Those who aspire to leadership in the church must meet a certain quality of conduct
before God, before the people and members of the church, and before themselves.

I. MORAL QUALITY

Moral. They are the rules or norms by which the behavior of a human being is
governed in relation to society and with himself. This term has a positive meaning
compared to "immoral" (against morality) and "amoral" (without morality). The

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 existence of actions and activities susceptible to moral assessment is based on the
human being as a subject of voluntary acts. Therefore, morality is related to the
study of freedom and encompasses the action of man in all its manifestations.
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral

The moral quality of the leader is needed in all his actions and gives credibility to the
members of the church and the community. Moral quality allows us to teach by
example and avoids gossip or discredit.

The moral quality of leaders is a requirement of God from the beginning. In

appointing the leaders of the local church, we find the demand for moral
requirements that encompass both the internal and external aspects of the church.
Among the most important are:
A. Good testimony (Acts. 6:3). The leaders who were in charge of the feeding
program had to have a good testimony and be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.
Jobs that require responsibility and dealing with people need leaders with these
qualities. A good testimony is required to lead the church. 1 When leaders have a
good testimony from those inside and outside, the direction of the church
becomes easier, many problems are avoided, there is greater support from the
members of the church and the proposed results are achieved.
B. Leaders must be honest (1 Tim. 3: 8, 11). This requirement clearly covers men
and women. Honesty is the human quality that allows a leader to behave and
express himself with consistency and sincerity, and in accordance with the values
of truth and justice. Honesty also implies the relationship between the subject and
others, and the subject with himself.
C. Without duplicity in his speech (1st Tim. 3: 8). He is not a two-faced person,
someone who says one thing to one person and another thing to another, to gain
the favor of both. Church leaders must be of one word, regardless of whether it
comes at a cost.
D. Not given to wine (1st. You. 3:8). The church has taken a stand against alcohol
and drunkenness. It is not permitted.
E. Not greedy for dishonest gain (1st Tim. 3:8). A person greedy for dishonest
gains is one who loves money and obtaining profits no matter how they are
obtained. A person like that cannot be a church leader. Leaders are needed
whose behavior does not lend itself to ill-gotten money or who exaggerate their
earnings.
F. Let them keep the mystery of faith with a clear conscience (1 Tim. 3: 9). They
must keep the great truths of faith, they must adhere to the revealed truth in
which we believe. It is a crucial requirement if we take into account the
persistence of heresies that arise in the modern church.
G. Blameless (1st Tim. 3: 10). That does not give rise to being reprimanded. It does
not mean sinless; rather it means “without reproach.” Literally the word means
“that nothing can be attributed to him”; that is, there is nothing in your life that the
enemy can use to hinder the work or ruin the testimony. There may be a warning

1Barton, Dr. Bruce B., Editore, Diario Vivir Bible , (Nashville, TN: Editorial Caribe) 2000, c1996.

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 against using church funds for personal gain. Leaders must be of clear
conscience, living what they profess.
H. Husband of one wife (1st Tim. 3:12). Since moral debauchery was a serious
problem in those days, the leader was required to have only one wife; That is,
there would be no questioning regarding their norms in marriage. The current
requirement is the same, the leader must not have entanglements in his
marriage, he must be a faithful husband. 2
I. May they govern their children and their house well (1st Tim. 3:12). The
leader must be the head of his family and must have his children under control.
This is not to say that children of leaders are not allowed to be children! What it
means is that they must respect the Lord and their parents, and grow up being an
example, as all Christians should be. 3 Sometimes Christian leaders make the
mistake of thinking that their work is so important that they are justified in ignoring
their families. Spiritual leadership must begin at home. If a man is not willing to
care for, discipline, and teach his children, he is not qualified to lead the church.
You should not allow volunteer activity in the church to distract you from your
family responsibilities.4

J. For women leaders there are also moral requirements:

1. Honest (1st Tim. 3: 11). This quality is set out in number 2 for the leader.
2. Not slanderers (1st Tim. 3: 11). Slander consists of falsely accusing a
person of the commission of an act that the law classifies as a crime. t or,
knowing that it does not exist or that the accused is not the one who
committed it. A person who has this moral deficiency should not hold office in
the church, because he will do great harm. Women leaders should not lend
themselves to this because it affects the Lord's church.
3. Sober (1st Ti. 3: 11). Indicates seriousness of purpose and self-control. It
applies to the person who controls himself and is moderate in his way of
acting; when eating and drinking; that it is simple and unadorned; who has not
drunk or is not under the influence of alcohol.
4. Faithful in everything (1st Tim. 3: 11). In Greek, the words related to the
topic are translated as “believe,” “be faithful.” In Matthew 25:21; 1st Cor 1.9, is
translated as “faithful”, “trustworthy”, “trustworthy”. Other words, not as
common as in Hebrews 3:14, are translated “steadfast,” “sure”; in 1 Peter 5:9,
it is translated as “solid.” In the opposite sense in Matthew 17:17, it is
translated as “unfaithful,” “untrustworthy.”5 You must have the necessary trust
in the leader because he is faithful, firm and secure in everything.

II. SPIRITUAL QUALITY

2Wiersbe, Warren W., Expository Outlines of the Bible , OT and NT , (Nashville, TN: Editorial Caribe Inc.) 2000, c1995.
3Wiersbe, Warren W., Expository Outlines of the Bible , OT and NT , (Nashville, TN: Editorial Caribe Inc.) 2000, c1995.
4Barton, Dr. Bruce B., Editore, Diario Vivir Bible , (Nashville, TN: Editorial Caribe) 2000, c1996.
5Nelson, Wilton M., New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Editorial Caribe) 2000, c1998.

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There are brothers in the church who are very honorable, faithful, with an exemplary
family, their behavior is the best, but they do not always have the spiritual quality to
be leaders and when these people are designated as leaders they do not have
enough spiritual strength to lead. to the brothers.

It takes a very deep experience with Christ, an abiding communion with God through
prayer, a felt need for the nourishment of God's Word, and an abiding anointing of
the Holy Spirit, for the leader to see the unsaved and the brothers of the church, as
God sees them from his throne, with his eyes of mercy.
What gives spiritual quality to the leader in the church?
The ingredients that give spiritual quality to the leader are:

A. Personal experience with Christ (Eph. 3:14-19).

Every leader begins with a special experience with Christ in his life. The Christian
life begins with a somewhat blurry Christ, who is not very clear, who is difficult to
perceive. As that relationship strengthens, Christ becomes the center of the
person's life. It becomes something that is perceived, felt, enjoyed in church, at
home, at work or anywhere or in any circumstance.

Through prayer, the Word, the relationship with the brothers of the church, the
testimonies of brothers, the services, the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, the
pastoral work and of the leaders of the church and many other experiences, the
person establishes spiritual ties with God that are impossible to break. This has
been discovered by brothers who are effective leaders and believers who have
maintained it for years.

Life in Christ is a delight, it is enjoyed, it is not a heavy burden that makes you
want to abandon it. Although sometimes it becomes heavy, the love for Christ is
stronger than that.

B. Constant prayer as a way of life (1 Thes. 5:17).

One of the basic ingredients to have spiritual quality is prayer. Through prayer the
person gets closer to God and knows Him better.

When you pray, you can know God's will for a person's life and the lives of others.
As a person enters more into prayer, they realize that God listens, speaks
through his Word, can speak to us audibly, through dreams, through other
brothers and in other ways.

God says in his Word that we must pray always and without fainting
(Lk. 18:1).

Christ was a living example of prayer: He fasted 40 days and 40 nights

(Mt. 4:2). One should fast not for competition but to meet God.

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He went up the mountain to pray and when night came he was there alone. At
the fourth Vigil he came to them (Mt. 14.23; Mr. 6:46)

Getting up early in the morning , while it was still dark, he went out and went to
a deserted place, and there he prayed ( Mark 1:35). Believers who want to
improve their quality get up early to pray.

He went to the mountain to pray and spent the night praying to God (Lk. 6.12).
For the leader who wants to get closer to God, it is easy to spend a full night, a
day, or several full days.

While he prayed , the appearance of his face became different and his dress
was white and resplendent (Lk. 9.29). Leaders who pray are different, their face
changes, their way of being changes, their attitudes change, they help lead the
church.

Being in agony, he prayed more intensely and his sweat was like great drops of
blood (Lk.22.44). No matter the size of the problems, you should always pray.

He told them a parable about the need to always pray and not faint ( Lk. 18.1).
You can pray permanently, at work, on the street, in the temple or wherever the
person is.

It happened that Jesus was praying in a place, when he finished, one of his
disciples said to him: Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples (Lk.
11:1). It was important for the disciples to see how Jesus prayed and they asked
him to teach them how to pray.

The disciples prayed, the early church prayed (Acts. 6:4), Paul prayed (Eph.
3:14), Peter prayed (Acts. 10:9). Everyone understood that only with prayer can
one understand God's will for one's personal life and for the church.

The leader must imitate Christ in prayer. Leaders must pray more than other
brothers in the church. It is not possible to conceive of a leader who does not
seek God with sufficient prayer, because he is in charge of a function or a group
of the church. He must pray more. If Christ prayed a lot being the Son of God,
then the pastor, deacons and any leader must pray enough for God to bless their
ministry and use them greatly for the blessing of others.

There is spiritual quality in prayer. Only in this way can the depths of God be
known and life in Christ can be enjoyed.

The leader who wants to be successful, in everything he does, in his ministry

within the local church, must distinguish himself in prayer. The leader who does
not pray, everything he does within the church, will always be weak and without
blessing.

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C. The Word of God as spiritual food (Psalm 119:105).

The Word of God nourishes the spirit, soul and body. It is the food par excellence
to nourish the spirit and soul. These are strengthened if the Word of God is
continually feeding our lives. If the spirit and soul are nourished with the Word of
God, the body has peace with itself and with God and is in the correct condition to
act. The leader needs to search the Scripture daily for himself first and then for
others. When the leader searches the Word of God, he must do so by applying it
first to his life: he must feel it, live it, treasure it, study it, memorize it and must
submit to it. Many times when leaders read the Word, they are only looking for
passages to preach to their brothers, but they do not apply it to their own lives. A
leader first applies the Word to his life and then can apply it to others.

The Word of God serves as a guide to walk after Christ. When the Word of God is
treasured, it gives us the guidance to face all the circumstances that arise in life
and in the church: scarcity, poverty, wealth, different crises, illness, important
decisions to make, needs in the church , problems between siblings, and many
more. The Word of God does not clearly guide with peace and security through
the rugged paths of this world.

D. The filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts. 1:8).

The words fullness, power, anointing, baptism, and filling of the Holy Spirit refer to
the same thing. Although these terms have been manipulated in different ways
today, in Scripture they speak of the same thing (Acts. 2:4; 1:8; 1st Jn. 2:20, 27;
Acts. 1:5).

The leader must be baptized with the Holy Spirit. One of the great obstacles to
overcome in the church is that we have many leaders without the baptism in the
Holy Spirit. Leaders who have not been baptized with the Holy Spirit should be
concerned and should seek the Lord in prayer until He baptizes them according
to Acts 2:4, that is, with the sign of speaking in other tongues. This is the
beginning of a life anointed or filled with the Holy Spirit.

There is a big difference between the leader baptized with the Holy Spirit with an
abiding experience and the leader who has not been baptized with the Holy Spirit
or the leader who was baptized one day and now no longer has an abiding
experience.

Since the work in the church is spiritual, the anointing of the Holy Spirit is needed
to be an instrument of God. The anointing of the Spirit will serve the leader for
any participation he has in a service: leading, Bible reading, congregational
prayer, singing, testimony, preaching, execution of the gifts of the Spirit, offering
and everything else, whether with a special touch of the Spirit. Worship services
change when those who participate have the anointing of the Holy Spirit, but
when they have none, worship becomes a simple, purposeless gathering.

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 The anointing of the Spirit helps the leader: feel love for lost souls, evangelize
anyone, give a good testimony in his work, love the pastors and brothers of the
church, give wise and timely advice, lead a group of brothers in the church, find
favor with the brothers, pray, have new and good ideas, respect you and follow
you. A leader filled or anointed with the Spirit will contribute to the spiritual growth
of the people he leads, he will contribute to the shepherding of believers in the
church.

The anointing of the Holy Spirit makes the leader a true instrument in the hands
of God.

E. Wisdom (Acts. 6:3).

Wisdom is the highest degree of knowledge. Prudent conduct in life or business.

It is deep knowledge of something.

The person who possesses it can drive himself correctly and it is easier for him to
drive himself with others or lead others.

The leader must be wise because of the experience he has in the Christian life
and because of the help he has from the Holy Spirit.

Wisdom is needed to advise people in case of problems or in normal matters, to

solve problems of different types, to lead the church, to lead a church group, to
lead the family, to lead a service, and in many ways. other circumstances.

Wisdom allows for a good relationship with people, facilitates teamwork and the
achievement of objectives.

CONCLUSION

According to the requirements of the Word of God, leaders must have moral quality to
lead the church. They must be people who have been born again, who have sufficient
experience in their Christian life, who are upright in their conduct before God and other
people, who have an integrated family and with the fear of God and who internally and
before God have the assurance that they are doing things right.

The church leader must have spiritual quality. He must be a born again man who knows
the Lord very well and maintains a good relationship through prayer. The leader knows
the Word of God, lives it and is permanently nourished by it. The leader must be
baptized with the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:4 and that permanent anointing must
help him to be effective and a blessing in work inside and outside the church.

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 29. LEADER SERVICE (2 classes)

Compiled by Arnulfo López Zepeda

BIBLICAL BASIS, Mark 10:43,45.

.
GOALS.

1. Recognize the importance of prayer and the word of God.

2. Develop an attitude of Christian service.
3. Know the function in God's work.

INTRODUCTION

Service is an expression of love for God, therefore, it must be practiced with the same
intensity and meaning with which we love the Lord. It is a demand of the gospel, which
not only has to do with what we do, but with the attitude and purpose for which we do it.

Definitions of leader.

- It is a driver or initiator of social behavior

- He is a leader or straightener of things.
- It is one that guides towards a certain place.
- It is the one that governs or governs a person's conscience.
- He is the boss with the voluntary acceptance of his followers.
- It is the one who is at the head of a contest or classification.
- It is that person who directs and drives a group towards work

I EXAMPLES OF SERVICE

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 A. In the Old Testament

1. Ruth served Naomi selflessly and God rewarded her with being part of the
messianic lineage Ruth 1:16,17; 4:14-16.
2. Elisha served Elijah and was later a prophet in Elijah's place 1 Kings 19:21b;
2 Kings2:13,14.

B. In the New Testament.

1. A group of women who followed and served Jesus Matthew 27:55,56; Luke
8:3.
2. The seven deacons who served in the Jerusalem Church Acts 6:2,3.
3. John the apostle praised Gaius for his service to the saints 3 John 5:6.
4. Timothy was exemplary in the church of Lystra and Iconium and Paul took him
as a companion on his second missionary journey Acts 16.2,3.
5. The apostle Paul is the selfless example of a true servant of the Lord, he did
not spare his own life Acts 20:19.

II SPIRITUAL SERVICE Ephesians 6:18-19.

A. Being dedicated to prayer, he, his wife and his children, in this way he is
leading his family to the presence of God. Also intercede for the pastoral
family and the church.

B. Motivate the church to pray through prayer chains, vigils, fasts, days of cry,
retreats and specific prayer studies.

C. Fight so that in unity with your pastor and other leaders you can develop a
program that includes the spiritual life of the church in prayer.

D. Promote chains of prayer and fasting to obtain a vision of growth in the

church.

E. Serve the church with integrity, maintaining a noble attitude.

F. Being recognized, loved and respected by your work team, by the Church and
by those outside.

III VISION IN THE SERVICE

A. Remain encouraged even when you see that the church does not achieve the
goals it has set.

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 B. Be optimistic and fight until you achieve your goals.

C. Plan and establish preaching camps to establish new works.

D. Promote the church into the mission field, following the example of the early
church. Acts 1:8.

E. Establish appropriate locations for White Fields Sunday School branches and
growth groups.

F. Cultivate the lives of children with the teaching of the Holy Scriptures.

G. Evangelize house to house, which is the best way to reach the hearts of
friends and help them in the area they need.

IV CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SERVICE

A. Excellent servant in the work of the Lord and must lead all activities from its
beginning to its end.

b. Faithful in his financial duties

c. Visionary, planner and entrepreneur of medium and long projects

term.

B. Evaluate projects together with your work team, such as: building temples or
pastoral houses and others.

C. Support the pastor's vision in the expansion of the church, serving with all
care.

D. Take care of the church's real estate (temples, parsonage, classrooms, the
children's room and others).

E. Attending to great and minimal things as an example of service: Serving

guests and visitors, washing church bathrooms, cleaning the temple, caring
for people with special needs (Mt.10:42).

F. Assist the pastor and his family, his superiors and all other people in times of
need.

CONCLUSION

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 THE leadership that serves God, with all its strength, watches over the well-being of the
church, to keep it healthy both physically and spiritually, with a vision. The leader must
take the example of Jesus in service and allow himself to be the channel of blessing for
the church and other people, remembering that simple things are significant and
transcendent.

30. HUMAN RELATIONS (2 classes)

Compiled by Esteban Barreno

BIBLICAL BASIS : Matthew 7: 12, Romans 15: 2.

GOALS

 Know the importance of human relationships and how to relate correctly with our
peers.

INTRODUCTION

Human relations are dedicated to creating and maintaining cordial relationships among
individuals, friendly ties, based on certain rules accepted by all and, fundamentally, on
the recognition and respect of human personality . Human relationships are those in
which, despite the logical divergences between people, there is an effort to achieve an
atmosphere of understanding and sincere interest in the common good.

I. Factors involved in human relationships

A. Respect: Even when you do not share a point of view, it is important to
consider the beliefs and feelings of others. Each person depends on others,
so it is important to respect and be respected.
Paul says in the letter to the Romans 13:7 , Pay to all what you owe: to whom
I tribute, tribute; to whom tax, tax; whom I respect, respect; to him who honors,
honors. Here he speaks clearly about respect. Respect is a salary that can be
earned, but to earn a salary you have to work at something. He who works
based on respect will gain trust and respect, you can ask to be respected if
you know how to respect.

B. Comprehension:

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What is understanding? It is accepting others as people, with their limitations,
individual needs, rights, special characteristics and weaknesses. Understanding
and goodwill are the key to human relationships. The Apostle Peter managed to
understand and accept his brothers who were Gentiles when he said, “I truly see
that God is no respecter of persons,” (Acts 10:34) “Then Peter, opening his
mouth, said: Truly I understand that God is no respecter of persons.” of people."
Sometimes prejudices make us think in a different way, about certain types of
people, but when it is clearly seen that God is no respecter of persons and that
He does understand us. You must learn from Him to follow His example.

C. Cooperation:
It is the key to general well-being. By everyone working for the same goal, the
best results and benefits are obtained. The Bible declares it as: help, serve.
Ecclesiastes declares: Two are better than one, for they receive better pay for
their work. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion; but woe to him who is
alone! When he falls there will be no one else to lift him up.

This verse gives us a clear message of cooperation, there is better pay when
two agree, when two work together and cooperate mutually to perform better
in what they have planned to achieve (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

D. Communication:
It is the process by which we transmit and receive data, ideas, opinions and
attitudes to achieve understanding and action.

From a biblical point of view we can say that the communication between the
Christian and God is prayer. To communicate is to speak, Proverbs 10:19 tells
us: In many words there is no lack of sin; But he who restrains his lips is wise.

In the many words there is no lack of sin, this expression gives us the idea
that; When we communicate more than we should, the communication can be
mixed, meaningless words that would make our communication a disaster, we
give rise to gossip, murmuring, etc. But he who restrains his tongue is wise.
Communication is more than talking, it is speaking what is necessary with
seasoned words. Let your word always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so
that you may know how you should respond to each one (Col. 4:6).

E. Courtesy:
It is a kind and cordial treatment that facilitates understanding with others, allows us to
work together in harmony and achieve results. Courtesy costs little and is worth a lot.

See this part of the definition, it allows you to work together in harmony. Psalm 133:1
says, “See how good and how delightful it is for brothers to dwell together in harmony.”

In Titus 3:2, we read not to speak ill of anyone or argue. May they be kind to everyone
and show humility in their dealings with others. The word humility is also read meekness
or courtesy, respect kindness. This allows you to work in harmony. Courtesy is

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 something fundamental in Human Relations, because it allows us to work as a team and
in harmony.

All this is summarized in: An adequate attitude towards human relationships, that is,
the disposition we have towards the things, people and situations that surround us.
It must be remembered that there are only three fundamental attitudes in communication
in response to others.

F. Acceptance:
It means respect and approval of the other person as a different and unique human
being.

G. Rejection:
By rejecting another human being I can affect their self-esteem and hurt them, so the
positive relationship is lost.

H. Disqualification: It is the most harmful attitude, we are telling the other person that we
do not care, that we are not interested nor do we know that they exist. The disqualified
person diminishes himself, withdraws into himself and suffers serious damage, thereby
losing communication. A golden rule in the dynamics of human relationships is empathy
and humility, that is, putting yourself in the other's place and giving in for the sake of
good coexistence without undermining mutual dignity as human beings.

The biblical golden rule would be: “Whatever you want men to do to you, do so to them”
(Matthew 7:12) If we accept others they will also accept us. If we reject our neighbors
they will also reject us for our attitudes. And if we give the person little interest, it will also
happen with us. We must remember that the law of sowing and harvesting. Whatever a
man sows, that he will also reap. It is clear when saying everything, nothing is left out of
this expression.

II. Commandments of human relationships

A. Decalogue of Human Relations

1. You should speak to the person, kindly. There is nothing as pleasant as a cheerful
phrase when greeting.
2. You should smile with people. It takes the action of 25 muscles to frown and only 15
to smile.
3. People should be called by their name. The most pleasant music to anyone's ear is
the sound of his name.
4. You have to be nice, friendly, courteous, if you want to have friends.
5. You must be cordial. Talk and act as if everything you do is a pleasure.
6. You have to be truly interested in people. You can sympathize with them and
everything if you put your mind to it.
7. You must be generous, to highlight good qualities, and careful when criticizing.
8. You should be considerate of the feelings of others, they will appreciate it.
9. You have to be considerate of others. In every controversy there are three opinions
or points of view: the other's, yours and the correct one.

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 10. You must be willing to provide service. What counts most in life is what we do for
others.

B. Biblical basis of human relationships

Delegation of duties, Exodus 18:14-27.
Courtesy to foreigners, Exodus 23:9.
Relationship with neighbors, Leviticus 6:2-7.
Opportunity to testify, Deuteronomy 6:4-7.
Attitude towards the poor, Deuteronomy 15:7-11.
Protection for escaped slaves, Deuteronomy 23:15-16.
Warm greeting, 1 Samuel 25:6.
Misinterpretation of friendly gesture, 2 Samuel 10:1-4.
Wisdom of Solomon, 1 Kings 4:29-34.
Example of human relationships, 2 Kings 7:3-9.
Caring for those in need, Proverbs 3:27-28.
Right judgment for all, Proverbs 29:14.
Revelation in human relationships, Proverbs 29:18.
Good human relations in government, Isaiah 16:5.
Good news for the downcast, Isaiah 61:1-3.
Deliver the oppressed, Jeremiah 21:12.
The greatest in the Kingdom, Luke 9:46-48.
Kindness to all, Philippians 4:4-5.
Bearer of good news, Colossians 4:7.
Each man to his own affairs, 1Timothy 4:11.

CONCLUSION

Human Relations is the way we treat others and how others treat us. Here the golden
rule applies: “So whatever you want men to do to you, do so to them, for this is the Law
and the Prophets” ( Matthew 7:12 ).

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