What We Believe
The Bible is the divinely inspired authority in all matters. It is our doctrinal statement, and we would commend you to its prayerful reading. While far from comprehensive, the following are highlights of some of what the Bible teaches regarding the Christian faith.
The Bible
The Bible is infallibly accurate in everything it says, including matters of faith, history, and science. We are neither to add to, nor take away from, the Scriptures. In the Bible, God has revealed to us everything we need for life and godliness; therefore, the Bible is the only sufficient and authoritative standard for all matters of Christian faith and practice ([icetooltip placement="bottom" title="The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue."]2 Samuel 23:2[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him."]Proverbs 30:5[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."]2 Timothy 3:16-17[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."]2 Peter 1:3-4[/icetooltip], [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."]2 Peter 1:20-21[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."]Revelation 22:18-19[/icetooltip]). In the Bible, God spoke His holy word to us through men and women. While using their full humanity in the composition process, nevertheless God protected the writers of Scripture from including error of any kind in the documents they produced. Therefore we believe that the holy Scriptures as originally given are the inspired, inerrant and authoritative word of God. The 66 books of the Bible comprise the only written revelation of God to man.
The Godhead
There is one God, existing eternally in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is the creator and sustainer of the entire universe. God is Spirit - infinite, uncreated, eternal, and unchangeable. God is all-powerful (omnipotent), all-knowing (omniscient), and present everywhere (omnipresent) ([icetooltip placement="bottom" title="In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."]Genesis 1:1[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, 'The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation.'"]Exodus 34:6-7[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!"]Deuteronomy 6:4[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!"]1 Kings 8:27[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="Do you know how the clouds are balanced, Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?"]Job 37:16[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past, And like a watch in the night."]Psalms 90:2,4[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall fall on me,' Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You."]Psalms 139:1-12[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? 'I, the LORD, am the first; And with the last I am He.'"]Isaiah 41:4[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="'Am I a God near at hand,' says the LORD, 'And not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?' says the LORD; 'Do I not fill heaven and earth?' says the LORD."]Jeremiah 23:23-24[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="'Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?'"]Jeremiah 32:27[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="'For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.'"]Malachi 3:6[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"]Matthew 28:19[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth"]John 4:24[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="I and My Father are one."]John 10:30[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.'"]Acts 5:3-4[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,"]Romans 1:20[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen."]2 Corinthians 13:14[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."]Colossians 1:15-17[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="But to the Son He says: 'your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.' And: 'You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.'"]Hebrews 1:8-12[/icetooltip]).
God The Father
We believe God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, is the functional head of the Trinity. He upholds all things by the Word of His power and grace, exercising sovereign headship over all creation, providence, and redemption. He sent the Son to obtain satisfaction for divine justice and to proclaim reconciliation; He sent the Spirit to teach truth and seal those who trust in the work of the Son. He is described in Scripture as the Father of all creation, of angels, of Israel, of believers, and of Christ ([icetooltip placement="bottom" title="And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."]Colossians 1:17[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,"]Hebrews 1:3[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."]John 3:14-17[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="Jesus said to her, 'Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'"]John 20:17[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title=" While he was still speaking, another also came and said, 'The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!'"]Job 1:16[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him."]Psalms 103:13[/icetooltip]).
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is fully human and also absolute Deity. As God He is uncreated, co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. He entered the human race miraculously by being born of a virgin. He did not sin. He died as a substitute for all the sins of the entire human race, was buried, rose bodily from the grave and ascended to the Father’s right hand where He now ministers as our Great High Priest ([icetooltip placement="bottom" title="Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.' So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 'BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD, AND BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,' which is translated, 'God with us.' Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS."]Matthew 1:18-25[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, 'Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.' When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, 'Have you any food here?' So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence."]Luke 24:37-43[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."]John 1:1[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."]John 1:14[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;"]John 16:5, 10[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="The other disciples therefore said to him, 'We have seen the Lord.' So he said to them, 'Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.' And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, 'Peace to you!' Then He said to Thomas, 'Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.'"]John 20:25-27[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood."]Acts 1:19[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead."]Romans 1:3-4[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title=" For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,"]1 Corinthians 15:3-4[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."]2 Corinthians 5:21[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,"]Galatians 1:4[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."]Philippians 2:5-11[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."]Hebrews 4:14-15[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."]Hebrews 7:25[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"]Hebrews 9:14[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title=" Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."]Hebrews 13:8[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed."]1 Peter 2:24[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,"]1 Peter 3:18[/icetooltip]; [icetooltip placement="bottom" title="My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world."]1 John 2:1-2[/icetooltip]).
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit convicts and converts the sinner. He regenerates, indwells, baptizes, and eternally seals all true believers in Christ. As they yield themselves in obedience, He fills them and empowers them to live a holy life. He guides believers as they seek to serve Him (Matthew 28:19; John 16:8; Acts 1:8; 13:2; 16:7; Romans 8:9-16; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18).
Man
Adam was a historical figure who was created in the image and likeness of God and originally was innocent and sinless. He subsequently chose to sin, and at that point was spiritually separated from God. When he sinned, Adam acquired a sinful nature. Every human who has ever lived descends from Adam, and from him all people inherit a sinful nature. Therefore all people are sinners by nature from birth and also personally practice sin (with the single exception of the Lord Jesus Christ). All people are therefore spiritually separated from God due to their sin and abide under His wrath and, if they die in that condition, are eternally lost (Genesis 1:27; 2:7, 15-25; 3:1-24; 9:6; Psalm 51:5; 53:1-3; Isaiah 64:6; Matthew 25:41; John 3:36; Romans 3: 10-12, 23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3; Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation 20: 7-15).
Sin
Sin is any violation of or disobedience to God’s holy, perfect will. It consists of anything that falls short of God’s standard of holy perfection. God has established that the just penalty for all sin is death. It is sin that relationally separates man from God and prevents man from having eternal life. Sin is the reason we need a Savior. All people are sinners from the moment of conception and are born spiritually lost (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:22-24; 6:5-6; Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 53:6; 64:6; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 3: 10-12, 23; 6:23; James 2:10; 4:17; Revelation 20:11-15).
Salvation
Salvation is obtained by God’s grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Salvation cannot be attained by doing good works of any kind, including obeying religious laws or observances. Simply put, participation in baptism, confirmation, or any other religious ceremonies cannot save anyone. Nor can performing any acts of kindness or humanitarianism. Aside from faith in Jesus Christ, as revealed to us in the Bible, no one will be saved.
A person is saved by understanding and responding properly to the biblical Gospel message, which consists of the following essentials: God created and loves all people. However, God is holy and hates sin. I am guilty of sin – violating God’s standards – and am incapable of doing anything to gain God’s favor. I repent of my sins and abandon my own futile efforts to save myself, trusting exclusively in the work Jesus Christ did by dying on the cross and raising bodily from the dead. (Genesis 1:1; 2:7, 18-23; Leviticus 17:11; Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 64:6; Mark 1:15; John 1:12-13; John 3:3, 16; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 16:29-31; 17:30-31; Romans 3:10-12, 23; 6:23; 10:9-13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Galatians 3:2-5; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Heb. 9:22).
Assurance and Security
All true believers can know they are saved on the authority of the Word of God. Those who are truly in Christ are safe and secure for all eternity (John 5:24; 10:28-29; Romans 5:1; 7:14-8:1; 8:28-39; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 John 5:13).
Christian Life and Priorities
Christians are called to live a holy life. They are to be disciples of Jesus Christ, and, as such, to live lives of service and testimony in the power of the Holy Spirit. This service includes ministry in the local assembly and spreading the Gospel to the whole world. They are to seek those things which are above, live for Him who died for them, and are promised a reward in heaven for faithfulness in serving God on earth (Matthew 6:19-34; Mark 8:34-35; Romans 14:7-8; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15, 19-20; Colossians 3:1, 17; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 John 2:6).
The Church
The universal church is comprised of all true born-again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, regardless of time or place. This church began at Pentecost and will continue on earth until the Lord returns for his saints. Each local assembly operates as part of the universal church and is to be organized and function as outlined in the Scriptures. The local assembly is made up of believing worshippers of the Lord Jesus who meet together regularly for teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer, evangelism, and other ministries. All believers in the church should be involved in ministry in some way, consistent with their spiritual gifts and life circumstances (Acts 2:42-47; Acts 6:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:15-6:9; Hebrews 13:7, 15-21).
Leadership
Christ is center, the head of church (Colossians 1:18, I Timothy 3:5, Hebrews 12:23). In addition, Scripture makes it clear that all believers are priests before God, with Christ as our High priest (1 Peter 2:9-10, Hebrews 7:28-8:2). Nevertheless, there is also human leadership established by which the Lord administers His Church (Hebrews 13:17-18, Romans 13:1-5).
Elders
The Bible teaches the plurality of elders (e.g. Acts 13:1, 14:23, 15:35, 20:17, 28, 21:18; I Corinthians 16:15-16; I Thessalonians 5:12-13; I Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5; Philippians 1:1; Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24; James 5:15, 19; I Peter 1:1, 5:1). Elders shepherd (1 Peter 5:2-4), teach (1 Timothy 4:6-7, 11-13; 2 Timothy 4:2-4), guard the truth (2 Timothy 1:12-14), and evangelize (2 Timothy 4:5). They are appointed to their office by God (Acts 20:28) and recognized by the church (Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5). The qualifications for elders are given in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
Deacons
The role of the deacon focuses on service to the saints in meeting both physical and spiritual needs (Acts 11:29, 12:25, Romans 15:31, II Corinthians 8:4, 9:12). Their qualifications are also given in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
Local Church Membership
We do not maintain a “church membership roster.” Any person who is born again through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who is actively seeking to live a holy life, is not under discipline by a local church, and willing to submit to the spiritual oversight and care of the elders may be received into fellowship at Sioux Falls Christian Assembly.
Discipline
Those in fellowship at a local assembly are to encourage , exhort, and at times rebuke one another, holding each other accountable before the Lord. Discipline and restoration shall be practiced in accordance with Scripture (Matthew 18:15-20; Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Corinthians 2:1-11; Galatians 6:1; 1 Timothy 5:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Titus 3:10 ).
Other Doctrinal Beliefs
It is expected that those in the fellowship who hold views contrary to the teachings discussed within this doctrinal statement will refrain from teaching their views either publicly or privately. The elders are willing to discuss issues of spiritual concern involving doctrine or practice with anyone in the fellowship as the need arises.
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
We practice baptism by immersion of those who have been saved. Baptism is a believer’s public confession of faith in Christ and represents their identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Baptism outwardly symbolizes the inner spiritual cleansing and rebirth that has already taken place in the soul of the believer at the time of their salvation. All believers are encouraged to be baptized at the time of conversion. Because it is symbolic, the ritual of baptism does not convey salvation, or the grace of God, to anyone.
The Lord’s Supper is a memorial feast, established by our Lord, at which believers worship the Lord and proclaim His sacrificial, atoning death until He comes again. In accordance with early church practice we celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week, also known as the Lord’s Day. Only believers are to participate in the Lord’s Supper, and are to examine themselves that they may do so in a worthy manner. The elements of the Lord’s Supper are symbolic representations of the body and blood of Christ. As with baptism, participation in the Lord’s Supper does not convey salvation, or the grace of God, or the actual body and blood of Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 8:36-40; 10:47-48; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
Spiritual Gifts
Christ gives to each believer at conversion, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, some gift or gifts to equip that person to serve the Lord by edifying other believers and reaching the lost. These gifts are intended to benefit the entire body of Christ. They are to be exercised in subjection to the leading and working of God’s Spirit and in accordance with the teaching of God’s Word (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 14:22; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 2:3-4).
Future Events
God has related to mankind in differing ways over the course of time. Throughout all time, however, the way of salvation has been and will continue to be by faith. Currently, God is at work through the Church to make Himself known to humanity. The Church did not exist prior to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and it does not take Israel’s place in God’s prophetic plan. We believe that the personal, imminent return of the Lord Jesus to Rapture the Church will be followed by a period of Tribulation, Christ’s thousand year (millennial) reign on earth, and then eternal punishment for the unsaved and eternal blessing for the saved.
We believe that there is room for committed believers who are faithful students of the Word and walking with the Lord to reach differing conclusions on the details of end-times matters. Therefore, we strive to treat with respect those holding differing opinions on such issues, so long as those differing views are articulated with charity in a non-divisive manner and are consistent with a high view of Scripture (Matthew 24:21, 29, 30; 25:46; Acts 17:30-31; 1 Corinthians 10:31-33; Romans 11:1-36; 14:13; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Ephesians 2:11-22; 3:2-6; Colossians 1:25-27; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-10; Hebrews 7:18-19; Revelation 10:1-6; 20:1-15; 22:7, 12-17, 20).