Biblical Anthropology

Edgemont Bible Church Wednesday Night Bible Study Notes of February 18th, 2009

I. Our Creation
A. Adam and Eve were created by a direct act of God, not by evolution or theistic evolution. Even Secularists talk about “Intelligent Design” to their evolutionary friends. Alternatives to the creation account include strange, strange speculations of aliens, space stuff, etc., etc. On the mission field, our missionary encountered worldly anthropologists who wanted NO mission work to produce changed lives for the sake of leaving remote tribes in a “pristine and natural” condition.
B. Created as adults, not as children...some call this the “appearance” of age.
C. Both were created in the image of God. Gen. 1:26-27 This involves intellect or mind, emotions or sensibilities, and will.

II. Our Nature and Purpose
A. Man is body, soul and spirit. 1 Thess. 5:23
B. He is to worship and glorify God. The Bible actually shows that God provides everything needed for life and godliness. Counsellees often only want to be free of consequences, not biblical instruction for change of life and life style which is true freedom.

III. Our Fall
A. Original Sin
   Adam was our representative. Rom. 5:12-21
   All born of human parents are guilty in Adam
   We are born as sinners. Ps. 51:4
   We sin deliberately! Isa. 53:6
B. What is Sin?
   “A missing of the mark (target)”. Rom 3:23
   “Transgression of the law”. 1 Jn 3:4
   Inwardly and outwardly, doing and not doing, thought, word, action.
   Anything that offends God, who is absolutely Holy.
Consider the 10 commandments; Romans 1; 1 Cor. 6; and Galations 5
C. Consequences of Adam’s Sin
   We are separated from God.
   We are dead spiritually, Eph. 2:1
   Physical death entered into the world. Heb 9:27
   The whole creation is affected. Romans 8:22
   Moral corruption, spiritual blindness, guilt, are the result. Romans 1; 3:19
   In current terms political endeavors of many kinds are but one example.

IV. Our Salvation, John 1:12, Acts 4:12
A. Provided only and completely by the Father. John 3:16
B. Accomplished by the Son. “It is finished” (tetelestai). John 19:30
C, Applied by the Spirit. John 3:3-7; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:17
D. Not by man’s efforts or works by God’s gift. Eph. 2:8-9, Romans 4:5

V. Assurance of Salvation
A. All sins forgiven. Col. 2:13; Acts 5:31, 13:38
B. All sins blotted out. Isa. 44:22
C. All sins remembered no more. Jer. 31:34
D. All sins removed as far as the east is from the west. Psa. 103:12
E. Assurance of Salvation is based on God, not on us. 1 Jn 5:13; John 3:18, 3:36

VI. Temptation is not sin, but yielding to temptation is sin.
1 John 2:15,16…love not the world; lust of flesh, eyes, pride of life
James 1:13,14 ….tempted by own lust…context of trials…ask God for wisdom, help…love of God more than self…see vs 12 (rewards)
1 Cor. 10:13 …God is faithful, greater than all temptations, then we can bear it.
Eph. 6:10-18 …being strong in the Lord + spiritual armor; dependent on Him; trust wholly in Him.
Prov. 16:3 …commit works to the Lord, thoughts will be established… in Rom 6: also know that all these things work together for good to those who love Him = count on it!
1 John 1:9 …If we confess our sins, He is just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness

VII. Testing is from God for our benefit …James 1
Job 23:10 …faith tested through trials and suffering
1 Peter 1:3-7 …mercy is a living hope and gives us assurance we are kept by faith also
Romans 1:28-38 …All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose…that we might be conformed to the image of His Son. There is no separation from Christ under any condition, situation or trial. Our hope is Him.