The term “ecclesiology” (from Greek ecclesia meaning “meeting,” or “assembly” and logos meaning “word,” “matter,” “topic”) refers to the study of the church as the assembly of those who know the Lord and in whom the Spirit of God dwells (Romans 8:9). It often deals with such topics as the nature of the church, including NT metaphors used to describe the church, the church’s relationship to the kingdom of God, to Israel, and her purpose in the world. Other related topics include the government of the church, her God-given ordinances, as well as the spiritual gifts graciously bestowed on her by God for her maturity and growth in Christlikeness.

IA. The Nature of the Church

1B. The Problem of a Starting Point for a Defintion

2B. The Term ekklesia

1C. Classical Greek

2C. Septuagint (LXX)

1D. The Term lh^q*²⁸

2D. 1 Kings 2:3

3D. Numbers 22:4

4D. Genesis 35:11

5D. Deuteronomy 9:10

6D. 2 Chronicles 20:5

7D. Joel 2:16

3C. New Testament—114x (not in 1, 2 Peter)

1D. Home Church—1 Cor 1:2; 1 Thess 1:1

2D. Church in a Region—Acts 9:31

3D. Church in Asia—1 Cor 16:19

4D. Universal Church—Eph 4:4; Hebrews 12:23²⁹

4C. The Use of The Issue of Unity ekklesia

5C. The Church Visible and Invisible

IIA. Metaphorical Expressions in Reference to the Church: Certain Examples and Their Significance

1B. The Body of Christ

1C. 1 Cor 12:12-27

2C. Ephesians 1:22-23

2B. Family—2 Cor 6:18

3B. Vine and Branches—John 15:1-11

4B. Pillar and Ground of the Truth—1 Tim 3:15

5B. Building—1 Cor 3:9

6B. A Living Temple that Grows—Eph 2:20-21

7B. A Holy Temple in which God Dwells—1 Cor 3:16

8B. A Holy Nation—1 Pet 2:9

9B. A Royal Priesthood—1 Peter 2:9

10B. Living Stones around the Cornerstone—1 Pet 2:4-8

11B. Salt and Light

1C. Matt 5:13-15

2C. Acts 13:47

3C. Col 4:5-6

IIIA. The Church and the Kingdom of God

1B. The Kingdom of God: A Definition

2B. The Church and the Kingdom: Five Observations

1C. The Church Is Not the Kingdom

2C. The Kingdom Creates the Church

3C. The Church Witnesses to the Kingdom

4C. The Church Is the Instrument of the Kingdom

5C. The Church Is the Custodian of the Kingdom³⁰

IVA. The Church and Israel

1B. The Issue

1C. Statement of the Question

2C. Key Factors in the Debate

1D. The Use of the OT in the NT

2D. The Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants

3D. “National” vs. Solely “Ethnic” Israel and Romans 9-11

4D. The Interpretation of Revelation 20:4-6

5D. The Issue of the Land Promises in the NT

3C. Some Key Texts

1D. Matthew 21:43

2D. Acts 1:5; 3:19-21

3D. Acts 13:33

4D. Galatians 3:29

4C. Extreme Positions

5C. Mediating Positions

2B. Importance of the Question

VA. Purpose & Service of the Church

1B. General Statement

1C. John 14:13-14

2C. Acts 1:8

3C. Acts 13:47

2B. The Godward Focus of the Church

3B. The Inward Focus of the Church

4B. The Outward Focus of the Church

5B. The Church’s Reliance on the Spirit, Word, and Informed Tradition

VIA. The Government of the Church

1B. Various Church Government Structures

1C. Episcopalian

1D. Archbishop/Bishop/Diocese/Rectors/Vicars

2D. Methodist, Anglican, Catholic Church

2C. Presbyterian

1D. Local Church Elects Elders to Sessions (Presbyterian)

2D. Local Church Elects Elders to Consistory (Reformed Church)

3D. Some Elders Are Members of Higher Body: Presbytery (Presbyterian)

4D. Some Elders Are Members of Higher Body: Classis (Reformed)

5D. Some Members of Pres. Or Classis Chosen to Form Synod

6D. The General Assembly: Lay and Clergy Representatives

3C. Congregational³¹

1D. Focus in This Government: Autonomy of Local Church and Members

2D. The Priesthood of all Believers

4C. Non-Government

2B. Qualifications for Elders and Deacons

1C. A Plurality of Elders³²

1D. Acts 14:23

2D. Acts 20:17

3D. 1 Timothy 4:14

4D. Titus 1:5

5D. James 5:14

6D. Hebrews 13:17

7D. 1 Peter 5:1-2

2C. Is There A Need for Presbyteries and General Assemblies?

3C. The Qualifications Proper

1D. Elders—1 Timothy 3:1-7

2D. Elders—Titus 1:5-9

3D. Deacons—1 Timothy 3:8-13

VIIA. Ordinances Given the Church

1B. Ex opere operato? ³³

2B. Baptism

1C. The Context—Matthew 28:19-20

2C. The Meaning and Mode of “Baptism”

1D. Meaning of Baptizo?

2D. The Mode: Immersion not Sprinkling

1E. John Baptized in the Jordan River

2E. Jesus’ Baptism34

3E. John 3:23

4E. Acts 8:37-3835

5E. 1 Peter 3:21

6E. Romans 6:4 (Col 2:12)

3C. The Subjects of Baptism

1D. Acts 2:41

2D. Acts 8:12

3D. 10:44-48

4D. 16:14-15

5D. Households (Infants?/Unbelieving Adults?)—Acts 16:32-33

6D. 1 Corinthians 1:16

4C. Baptism and Salvation

1D. Acts 2:38 and the Meaning of the Preposition eis

2D. Repentance Can Proceed Baptism in Acts

1E. Acts 3:19

2E. Acts 26:20

3D. Salvation Is Totally by Grace in Acts

1E. Acts 10:43, 47

2E. Acts 13:38-39, 48³⁶

4D. Other Important Texts and Considerations

1E. 1 Corinthians 1:17

2E. 1 Peter 3:21

3E. Romans 4:1-12

4E. Ephesians 2:8-9

5E. Titus 3:5

6E. Luke 23:43

5C. Summary of Baptism

1B. The Lord’s Supper

1C. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper Compared

2C. The Frequency of Observance

1D. Matthew 26:27-29 (and Parallels)

2D. The Lord’s Supper as “Reminder”—1 Cor 11:24-26

3D. “For Whenever…”—1 Cor 11:26

3C. Relationship of Elements to Christ’s Literal, Physical Body

1D. Key Issue: Christ’s Presence in the Supper

2D. Catholic Transubstantiation and Salvific Grace

3D. Luther, Consubstantiation, and Christ’s Body

4D. Calvin: Signs of Christ’s Real Spiritual Presence

5D. The Lord’s Supper and Non-Baptized Believers

6D. Summary

VIIIA. Gifts Given the Church

1B. God’s Church, His Indwelling Spirit, and the Spiritual Gifts

2B. The Gifts Are Given at God’s Discretion

1C. 1 Corinthians 12:11

2C. 1 Corinthians 12:18

3B. The Gifts Are Given for the Common Good—1 Corinthians 12:7

4B. Confusion Can Exist Regarding the Gifts—1 Corinthians 12:1-3ff.

5B. The Lists of Gifts

1C. Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 12-14 (Acts 21:9); Ephesians 4:11-12; Hebrews 2:3-4, and 1 Peter 4:10-11.

2C. Some Observations

1D. No Two Lists Agree Completely

2D. “Gifts of…”

3D. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

4D. The Personal Context for Their Use Is Christlikeness—1 Cor 13

5D. The Corporate Context for Their Use Is Genuine Love—1 Cor 13

3C. A List of Some Gifts (see the passages above in VIIIA, 5B, 1C)

1D. Prophesying

2D. Teaching

3D. Serving

4D. Encouraging

5D. Giving

6D. Leading

7D. Wisdom

8D. Knowledge

9D. Healing

10D. Discerning

11D. Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues

12D. Apostleship

13D. Pastoring

14D. Evangelist

6B. Difficulties in the Interpretation of Certain Gifts

1C. E.g., The “Message of Wisdom”

2C. E.g., The “Message of Knowledge”

7B. The Continuation or Cessation of Certain “Sign” Gifts

1C. Confusion over the Real Questions

2C. Statement of the Question(s)

1D. 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

2D. Hebrews 2:3-4

3D. Statement Proper

3C. The Issue of Theological Method: Experience and the Text of Scripture?

1D. “Beginning” with Experience

2D. “Beginning” with Scripture

3D. The Issue Is not Where “To Begin,” But What Is The Final Authority?

4D. Christian Maturity and Listening Well to Detractors

4C. The Gift of Tongues

1D. The Issue in 1 Corinthians 12-14³⁷

2D. Their Purpose in Acts (2, 8?, 10, 19)

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²⁸ There is another term in the Hebrew OT, namely, hd*u@, and it often refers to Israel as a “ceremonial community” centered in the cult or the Law. It is, however, never translated with ekkle?sia. See Jack P. Lewis, “qahal,” in Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (Chicago: Moody, 1980), 789-90; Lothar Coenen, “Church,” in The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, ed. Colin Brown (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1975), 1:291-95.

²⁹ Cf. BAGD, 240-41.

³⁰ For his defense of these points see, George Eldon Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament, rev. ed., ed. Donald A. Hagner (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993), 109-117.

³¹ For further discussion of these three representative forms of church government, see Erickson, Christian Theology, 1069-83; Leon Morris, “Church Government,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. Walter A. Elwell (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984), 238-41; D. MacLeod, “Church Government,” in New Dictionary of Theology, ed. Sinclair B. Ferguson, David F. Wright, and J. I. Packer (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1988), 143-46.

³² “Elders” are also known as “pastors,” “overseers,” and “bishops” in the NT. See Grudem, Systematic Theology, 913-14. Though this position is by no means certain, it does seem quite tenable.

³³ These are sometimes referred to as “sacraments.” To some, the term “sacrament” suggests the idea that either participation in these rites is necessary for salvation or that they actually work in and of themselves, apart from the faith of the participant. Indeed, this is often how they are conceived in the Catholic church.

³⁴ Matthew uses the expression anebe? apo tou hudatos (Matt 3:16) and Mark says anabaino?n ek tou hudatos (Mark 1:10). Both indicate that Jesus and John were in the water, not just beside it.

³⁵ The same language that’s used of Jesus coming out of the water is used of the Eunuch as well (i.e., (avebe?san ek tou hudatos).

³⁶ See Wallace, Exegetical Syntax, 369-71.

³⁷ While Paul claims to speak in tongues more than all the Corinthians (1 Cor 14:18), it is interesting, in light of certain contemporary claims, to note that tongues is not mentioned by Luke in connection with the apostle’s conversion (Acts 9). Further, while tongues is mentioned in connection with Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13), the conversion of Cornelius and Gentile believers (Acts 10:46), and disciples of John the Baptist in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-7), the same cannot be said for Lydia (Acts 16:11-15) and the Philippian jailor (Acts 16:31-34). The latter two, however, are explicitly regarded by the narrator, Luke, to participate fully in Christ’s salvation.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth (Isaiah 40:28)

Meditation: Who Are You, Lord?

The Example of Paul in Acts 22:8, 10

1. Read Acts 21:1-22:21. Where is Paul and what is happening?

2. After his encounter with the risen Christ, what two questions did Paul ask (see Acts 22:8, 10)? The first part of this lesson focuses on the first question and the second part focuses on the second question.

God Loves You

1. Read 1 John 4:8. What does John say about the essential nature of God?

2. What’s wrong with reversing John’s statement in 1 John 4:8 and saying that “love is God”?

3. What do the following verses teach us about the love of God?

a. 1 John 4:10

b. Isaiah 49:15-16 (cf. Exodus 28:9-12)

c. Ephesians 1:4-5, 2:4-5

d. Romans 8:38-39

Our God is a Holy God

1. Read Isaiah 6:1-6. What did Isaiah see in 6:1-2?

2. How were the Seraphs in v. 3 referring to God?

3. What did Isaiah experience in v. 5? What did God do through the Seraphs in vv. 6-7?

4. What is the testimony of the Psalmist in Psalm 99:9?

5. What did Peter say about God in 1 Peter 1:15-16? What OT passage is he using to make his point?

6. One of Isaiah’s favorite titles for God concerns God’s holiness. Read Isaiah 1:4; 12:6; 41:20, etc. Isaiah refers to God this way over twenty five times. What is the title and what do these verses teach you about God’s holiness?

7. Why is it important that we as individuals, and the church as a whole, not lose sight of the holiness of God? Why is it critical for our spiritual and moral lives that we learn to esteem God as holy and one who hates sin?

8. Why is it important to keep both the love of God and the holiness of God in the proper tension? How does the cross relate to both God’s love and his holiness?

Our God Is A Trinity

1. Read Ephesians 1:2. How does Paul refer to the Father?

2. Read Titus 2:13. How does Paul refer to Jesus (cf. Philippians 2:6)?

3. Read Acts 5:3, 5. How does Peter refer to the Holy Spirit?

4. Read Deuteronomy 6:4 and Mark 12:29. According to these texts, how many Gods are there?

5. What can you conclude from the Biblical evidence about God? Answer: He is numerically one, but subsists as three distinct persons. He is One in essence (i.e., all members of the Trinity possess the attributes of deity), three in subsistence (there are three distinct persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). We will look at this in greater detail in coming lessons. In summary, then, we can say that the Bible does not support tri-theism (three different gods) nor does it support modalism (one God in three different forms), but it supports trinitarianism: three persons in One Godhead. Read Ephesians 1:3-14 and note the Trinitarian nature of God’s saving acts.

He Is Always at Work in Your Life

1. Read John 5:17. In terms of bringing salvation to people and setting them free from sin, what did Jesus say about his father and himself? Does this give you comfort?

2. How does Paul in Romans 8:28 echo the teachings of Jesus in John 5:17? Meditate on each word in Romans 8:28 and then thank God for his unceasing commitment to you.

Meditation: What Would You Have Me Do, Lord?

Worship

In this lesson we learned that our God is loving and holy. He loves people, but he hates sin. We have also seen that God is a trinity of persons, all of whom are rightly to be regarded as deity or God. The psalmist said, “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise. No one can fathom your greatness” (Psalm 145:3). We should respond in the same way that Isaiah responded, by falling down on our knees and worshipping God (cf. also Romans 11:33-36)!

Trust

How does the fact that God is loving and holy help you to trust him implicitly? How does his love relate to the difficult things he brings into your life? How does his holiness relate to his truthfulness about who he is and what he says he’ll do? How does it relate to who he says we are and his plan for us?

Obey

Now that you have studied God’s love and holiness, what does it mean for you to obey God in every area of your life? How is obedience related to trust (discussed above)?

Love

Read 1 John 2:5. How do we express our love to God? How does this relate to 1 John 2:15-16?

Be Holy

The primary focus of our worship and love to God is to grow in holiness. Read 1 Peter 1:15-16 again. Then read Hebrews 12:14 and 2 Corinthians 7:1. What does it mean to be holy and how does that relate to being loving? Why is it important to be holy according to Hebrews 13:14?

Proclaim Christ

Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. How did God’s love for Paul affect him? According to 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, what did he do (cf. Rom 1:16)?

Not by power, nor by might, but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty (Zechariah 4:6)

Meditation: The God Who Gives Life!

The Spirit’s Ministry Now Is A Fulfillment of OT Promises

1. Read Genesis 12:1-3. What did God promise to do for Abraham and his descendants?

2. What is the ultimate scope (i.e., who will receive) of the blessing envisioned in Gen 12:1-3? Compare Acts 1:8; 3:25, and Galatians 3:29.

3. Read 2 Samuel 7:12-16. For how long will God establish David’s kingdom and his throne? What does a throne symbolize?

4. Note: For a future Israelite to fulfill the promise to David in 2 Samuel 7, he must be of the line of Judah, of David, in particular. Question: If the blessing promised in Genesis 12:1-3 is intended to be universal (i.e., for all people) and David’s throne in 2 Sam 7:12-16 is to be established forever, what do you think the connection is between the two? Read Acts 13:23ff and Romans 1:3-4.

5. God promised to make Abraham and his descendents great and bless the entire world through them. He decided to develop that promise through the Israelite kings as they obediently ruled under his authority. But Israel, as all people are, was disobedient and so the question emerges as to how God can fulfill his promises (with sinful people) to bless the entire world (cf. Heb 8:7-8a). The answer: The New Covenant. Read Jeremiah 31:31-33. What is the term in Jeremiah 31:31 that God uses to describe this new promise he’s establishing? What does the term covenant mean? Look in an English dictionary.

6. The new covenant contains many interrelated promises. What does God promise regarding the Law in Jeremiah 31:32-33? What does he promise with respect to his people? What does the Lord say the new covenant will establish with respect to knowledge of Him? What does the new covenant teach with regard to the forgiveness of wickedness and sin?

7. The New Covenant in Ezekiel involves the Spirit. Read Ezekiel 36:27. How will God enable us to obey him?

8. Read Luke 22:19-20. On what basis did God enact the New Covenant? Compare Hebrews 9:15-22.

9. Read Acts 2:32-33. After his death and resurrection Jesus ascended to the right hand of God (i.e., to a place of power and authority) and from there he poured out the promised Holy Spirit in fulfillment of the New Covenant. Compare 2 Corinthians 3:6, 7-18. He now reigns in fulfillment of the promises made to David, dispenses the Spirit as the fulfillment of the promises made to Jeremiah and Ezekiel, and does so universally (i.e., to all who believe, not just Jewish people) in fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham. Do you see how the Abrahamic, Davidic, and New covenants all relate to each other?

10. Read 1 Peter 2:4-10. How does this passage relate to the theme of “being God’s people and he being our God”—an important theme we saw in Jeremiah 31:33?

11. Read 1 Corinthians 12:13. How are we brought into this new people of God and what is the name Paul gives to the new people of God? Read Ephesians 2:22 as well. How does Paul refer to the church?

Summary of OT Promises and the Coming of the Spirit

The promise in Genesis 12:1-3 establishes God’s plan to bless the nations through Abraham and his descendents. In the progress of revelation we find in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 and later in Acts 13:22-23 that the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise involves the fulfillment of another promise to David regarding a future king and kingdom. We saw that the NT writers claimed that Jesus fulfilled this by his death, resurrection, and exaltation. It is here that we also see the fulfillment of the New Covenant as the Spirit is given to all believers by the exalted Christ, on the basis of his death and resurrection. The point of our brief survey was to help the reader understand that the coming of the Spirit is inextricably connected to Jesus’ coming and God’s plan to bless the entire world. This is made especially clear by the apostle Paul in texts like Galatians 3:14.

The Spirit’s Ministry Is To Be Understood in Connection with the Work of the Trinity

1. Read Ephesians 1:3-11. What is the word Paul uses in v. 3 to describe what God has done for us in salvation? According to the rest of the letter to the Ephesians, what are some of blessings Paul has in mind?

2. What does the Father do to secure our salvation in v. 4? When was this choice made?

3. What did the Son do to secure our salvation (v. 7)? Clue: What is the reference to Christ’s blood an allusion to (cf. Colossians 1:21-22)? How does this relate to the provisions of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:33?

4. What does the Spirit do in our salvation (vv. 13-14)?

5. Read Ephesians 1:4 and Romans 8:29. For what ultimate spiritual and ethical goal has God chosen us? Cf. Romans 8:30 and Colossians 3:9-10.

6. Summary: We have seen that the coming of the Spirit is in connection with the fulfillment of the Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants. We have also seen that the work of the Spirit is integrally related to the work of the Father in choosing the elect and the Son dying for those persons. He has come to apply the benefits of the Son’s death to those whom the Father has chosen in eternity past. There has been, therefore, an integrated historical outworking of God’s eternal purposes and the three persons of the trinity are carrying out God’s plan in unison.

The Spirit’s Ministry of Glorifying Christ and Empowering Us

1. Read Titus 3:5. What does the Spirit do to begin our experience of salvation? Cf. John 3:5-8; John 7:37-39.

2. Read 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20, and Romans 8:9. Where does the Spirit come to reside? According to 1 Corinthians 3:16, the Spirit indwells us. On this basis how does Paul refer to believers? How does this relate to the OT and Ezekiel 36:27?

3. We saw above that the Spirit gives us life and permanently indwells us. Now, given that this is true, what, according to John 16:13-14, is his primary ministry to believers? How do you think that relates to Romans 8:16?

The Spirit’s Ministry of Transforming Us

1. Read 2 Corinthians 3:18 (cf. Philippians 1:19). In keeping with the goal of our election and the reason for the Son’s death, the Spirit is working to what end in this passage? What word does Paul use to describe the essential nature of the Spirit’s work here? In a short sentence, explain what this word means. Use other Bible passages if you like

2. Read Romans 8:1-17. In v. 13 (and other verses in Romans 8) how does Paul describe the nature of our “transformation”?

3. Read Galatians 5:16-26. Should we as believers who love the Lord expect a conflict during the process of our transformation into Christ’s likeness? Explain. How is the fruit of the Spirit related to God’s purpose in choosing and calling us (Eph 1:4)?

4. Read Ephesians 4:30. How does our sin impact the Holy Spirit who is transforming us? Certainly the Holy Spirit is deeply grieved over all our sin, but which sins does Paul specifically mention in the context, i.e., v. 29, 31? Compare 1 Thessalonians 5:19.

5. Read Ephesians 5:18. This passage is better translated, “be filled by means of the Spirit.” What is the command here? Who does the filling? With what are we to be filled? Compare Ephesians 1:23; 3:18-19. What are the results of being filled with the Spirit as outlined in 5:19-21? Again how does this relate to God’s choosing us for holiness, that is, to be conformed to the image of his Son? These are crucial questions that profoundly affect one’s view of sanctification and the Christian life. They should not be passed over lightly.

6. Read 2 Timothy 1:7-8; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:5. How does the Spirit enable us to minister the gospel to others?

The Spirit’s Ministry of Giving Spiritual Gifts

1. Read Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 27-21; Ephesians 4:1-16, and 1 Peter 4:10-11. What are some of the spiritual gifts given by the Spirit?

2. According to 1 Corinthians 12:11, who determines who gets what gift(s)?

3. Why does the Spirit give gifts? Read Ephesians 4:12; 1 Corinthians 12:7.

4. Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-14:1. What is the ideal community context for the proper functioning of the spiritual gifts?

The Spirit’s Ministry of Guaranteeing Our Future

1. Read 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 5:5, and Ephesians 1:13-14. How does Paul refer to the Spirit in these passages?

2. In what way does our current possession of the Spirit relate to the certainty of our future with the Lord?

3. Try and summarize the main points of this lesson in a sentence or two.

Meditation: What Does This Mean for My Life?

The Need To Think Consistently

The Spirit works in conjunction with the work of the Son and the Father. The Father chooses certain ones for salvation and the Son dies to save them. The Spirit then gives new life to the ones God has chosen on the basis of the death and resurrection of the Son. How does this larger salvation framework help you understand the Spirit and his ministry better? What implications does this have for what God is doing in your life right now?

Understanding the Battle Within

We know that our salvation is so secure that Paul could speak of our glorification (i.e., when we get to heaven and are perfect) in the past tense, as if it were already accomplished (Romans 8:30). It is a done deal, resting as it does on the integrated work of the Trinity. But, at the present time we experience struggles and sometimes a lot of pain and suffering come our way. In terms of the inner struggles, how does this relate to the ministry of the Spirit? Why is there this conflict at times? What are we to do about it (Romans 8:13, 26-27)? Up until now, how have you generally dealt with trials?

Experiencing the Power of the Spirit

We should never think about the Spirit simply in terms of power. It is true that He is the One who gives us incredible spiritual power to worship God, face our sin head on, experience spiritual joy, serve others, and share the gospel with words and acts of kindness. But we must never reduce the third person of the Trinity to a force of some kind! May it never be! He is a divine person having come to mediate the presence of God in Christ to us. How does this relate to your current understanding of the Spirit and his ministry?

Discerning and Using Our Spiritual Gifts

What spiritual gift(s) do you have? Why did God give it (them) to you? How will you exercise it (them) so that many will benefit? Is your church a place where the gifts can be used and where the context is one of love? If not, how can you prayerfully discuss this issue with the leadership? How can you humbly be a part of a solution if there are problems balancing truth, love, and unity in your church? Blessed are the peacemakers!

I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven (Jesus in Luke 10:18)

Meditation: The God Who Calls Me To Battle

Who Is The Devil

1. Read Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:12-15. In each case, to whom is the prophet primarily speaking (Isa 14:4; Ezek 28:1-12)? How does the language used to refer to these kings seem to go well beyond them to refer perhaps to Satan? (NOTE: There is debate among Bible believing Christians as to whether these passages actually refer to Satan, but many seem to agree that at least Isaiah goes in this direction.)

2. What are some of the ways in which the Bible refers to Satan? What do these names reveal about his character?

a. Job 1:6; 2:1

b. Matthew 13:39

c. Luke 11:18-19

d. John 10:10

e. John 12:31

f. 1 John 2:13

g. Revelation 12:9

h. Revelation 12:17

Who Are Demons?

1. Read 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6. Who are demons and what has happened to them?

2. Does their (i.e., the demons) “confinement in gloomy dungeons” mean that they are unable to affect people on earth? See 2 Peter 2:9 and Peter’s comparison of the fate of the fallen angels with that of unrighteous men who are still active in the world. We may conclude from Peter’s analogy that since unrighteous people are being held for judgment and yet are still active in the world, so also are fallen angels. Besides all this, the gospels give ample testimony to the activity of demons who promote evil in the world (cf. Eph 6:10-20).

3. Read Romans 8:38-39; 1 Corinthians 15:24-25; Ephesians 1:20-21 and 1 Peter 3:22. What are some other names used to refer to demons and what do you think each signifies? To whom will these demons someday pay homage (Phil 2:10)?

What Are the Strategies of Satan and His Demons

1. Read Genesis 3:1-6. What does Satan do with respect to the word of God? How does this relate to Paul’s admonition in Ephesians 6:17? See also 1 Thess 2:13.

2. Read 1 John 5:19 and 2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:3. What is Satan’s chief priority? Why do you think he does this? See also Revelation 12:9

3. Read 1 Peter 5:8. What does Satan desire to do to people and especially Christians?

4. What are some of the ways in which Satan and his demons attempt to hinder, oppress, and “devour” people?

a. Mark 2:21-28

b. Mark 5:1-20

c. Luke 9:37-42

d. Luke 11:24-26

e. 2 Corinthians 11:3, 13-14

f. 1 Tim 4:1-4

g. 1 Peter 5:5-10

h. Revelation 12:10

How Does the Work of Christ Relate to Satan’s Authority and Power

1. The coming of Christ, and his death and resurrection, accomplished many things under the one heading of saving the elect and establishing the kingdom of God. In that process, what has Christ done with respect to the Devil? See John 12:31; Luke 11:21; Colossians 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:8.

2. According to John 10:28-30; Romans 8:38-39 and 1 John 5:18, can the Devil ever separate us from the love of God?

3. According to Revelation 20:10, what is the final end of Satan and his demons?

How Do We As Christian Believers Fight Against Satan and His Demons

1. What does James tell us to do when Satan attacks (James 4:7; cf. also 1 Peter 5:8-9)? What is the promise associated with that? What is the significance of the term “flee” as opposed to “depart” or “leave”? Read James 3:15, 16; 4:2, 4 and list some of the Devil’s ways which James says must be resisted.

2. What does Ephesians 6:10-18 tell us to do in preparation for Satanic attack? List each item.

a. In whose power do we fight against Satan and his demons, v. 10?

b. What is this armor to which Paul refers in v. 11 (see vv.12-18)? How much of it are we commanded to put on?

c. What is the ultimate against which we struggle, according to v. 12? What would happen if we were ignorant of spiritual attack or denied that demons actively tempt and oppose us (cf. 2 Tim 2:26)?

d. What is the emphasis in v. 13? How does v. 14ff. explain what it means “to stand”?

e. What is the “belt of truth” and the “breastplate of righteousness” in v. 14? What was the purpose of the belt and the breastplate in the Roman soldier’s armor?

f. How important do you think the shoes would have been to a Roman soldier who often traveled hundreds of miles on foot and did hand-to-hand combat on his feet as well? How does the analogy relate to the gospel of peace?

g. What is the significance of faith as a “shield” in v. 16? What’s the difference between “Christ-centered faith,” “gleeful optimism,” and “ stubborn denial”?

h. What is the significance of a helmet and how does this relate to being saved, v. 17?

i. What is the purpose of a sword and how does this relate to the word of God? Cf. Matthew 4:1-11.

j. How is prayer part of the armor, v.18? What does “being alert” mean? How often are we to pray for the saints?

3. Can we actually have victory over Satan and his demons? Why? Read Luke 9:1; 10:19-20; Revelation 12:11 along with Romans 16:20; Ephesians 1:19-22; 2:6.

4. What is the final end of the Devil and his demons? Read Revelation 20:10.

Meditation: What Does This Mean for My Life?

The Need for Holiness

Satan and his demons operate in the kingdom of darkness and sin. When we live in unconfessed sin we give the Devil a foothold and a place from which to further harden our hearts, hinder our walk with Christ, and all but extinguish our productive witness for the Lord. Is there unconfessed sin in your life? How does 1 John 1:9 and Hebrews 13:14 relate to this? Satan is constantly accusing us of sin, but now, in light of the definitive break with sin which Christ inaugurated for his people, the Devil’s accusations are powerless and completely unable to permanently separate us from God. The more we grow in sanctification and holiness, the more unable he is to successfully tempt us. What does it mean to you to grow in holiness, to put sin down, and to walk in victory (cf. Romans 6:12-14; 8:13; 2 Cor 7:1; Eph 4:22-24)?

The Need for the Word of God

Review Genesis 3:1-6; Ephesians 6:17, and 1 Thessalonians 2:13. How important is the Word of God in your life? The Devil can surely wreak greater havoc with ignorant and therefore unequipped Christians (please compare Eph 4:14). Do you read, study, memorize, and meditate on it? How does the example of Christ in Matthew 4:1-11 help you?

The Need for Prayer

Prayer is integral to resisting Satan. Do you pray that God will meet all your needs? Do you pray for things you really need? Want? Pray also that God would enable you to be alert in the battle against Satan and give you the strength to resist him where necessary. Do you pray for other Christians and the powerful furtherance of the gospel in your community and around the world? Such prayer is required of kingdom citizens. Pray also that God might give you an undivided heart and that obedience to his will would be your delight!

The Need for Fellowship

One of the best protections we have from Satan is the encouragement, wisdom, and friendship of our brothers and sisters in the Lord (Heb 3:12-13). Are you regularly encouraged by other Christians? We need this source of God’s grace in our lives if we are to have victory over the Devil. Do you make it a practice to encourage and strengthen other Christians? This was Paul’s practice (e.g., Rom 1:11-12).

The Need to Advance the Kingdom of God in the Face of Satanic Opposition

Not only are we to never give up ground won for the kingdom of light, we are never to stop advancing into the world, Satan’s domain, “plucking people from the fire,” as Jude says (Jude 22-23). We are to preach the gospel in all the world, calling on the Lord of the harvest to confirm his Word in spite of Satanic opposition. When we are confronted with a person who has a demon or is demonized, we should command the demon(s) to depart immediately in the name of Jesus and under his authority. But we must be very alert to the more subtle ways in which the Devil works, e.g., his ability to slip in destructive heresies and encourage people to violate their consciences through questionable practices. NOTE: Ideas are powerful things and lead to strongholds in people’s lives, in the life of a community, a nation, and even an entire intellectual tradition (e.g., the Western tradition and its love affair with naked “reason” and human autonomy). In most respects we may be certain that the god of this world stands behind, in one form or another, the promulgation of doctrines which attempt to overthrow God’s government and render vain the preaching of the gospel. We are able to combat this through obedience to the truth, prayerful preaching of the truth, and living holy lives while we lovingly reach out to our neighbors.