One Hundred Bible Lessons - Alban Douglas - Lesson 15

                                    ONE HUNDRED BIBLE LESSONS - ALBAN DOUGLAS
                                                   LESSON 15

                                             THE COMMANDS OF CHRIST

                
                                            INTRODUCTION

The idea for this lesson came from an issue of the "Herald of  His Coming" which lists 147 commandments seven under each of the 21 headings.
(The Great Commission Prayer League lists 173 commandments of Christ taken from the Epistles and Revelation, whereas this lesson confines itself to the Gospels).
This is a day of extreme lawlessness with many believing that Christ abolished or fulfilled the law and left us with one vague commandment - love.


                                 I - REPENTANCE

Repentance is twofold: turning from sin and turning to God.
Matthew 4: 17 "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Luke 13: 24 "Strive to enter in at the straight gate: for many... shall not be able."
Matthew 6: 33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness."


                              II - BELIEF

We are to believe the Gospel, believe in Christ and in the Father.
Mark 1: 15 "Repent ye, and believe the Gospel." This was spoken by Jesus not John.
John 14: 1 "Ye believe in God, believe also in Me." This is a definite command.
John 6: 29 "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He has sent."



                            III - THE NEW BIRTH

The new birth is the mysterious operation of the Spirit that converts.
John 3: 7 "Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again."
Luke 10: 20 "Rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
Matthew 12: 33 "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by his fruit." Conversion is the only solution.


                           IV - RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT

Each Christian is to be Spirit indwelt and empowered.
John 20: 22 "He breathed on them and said unto them, 'Receive you the Holy Ghost."
luke 24: 49 "Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power."


                          V - FOLLOWING JESUS

The believer has no choice but to follow Jesus implicitly.
John 12: 26 If any man serve Me, let him follow Me."
Luke 9: 23 If any man will come after Me let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."
John 21: 22 "Follow thou Me."
Luke 5: 27 (Christ to Matthew) "Follow Me."


                       VI - PRAYER

The Christian's life is to be characterized by prayer.
Luke 21: 36 "Watch ye therefore, and pray always."
Luke 22: 40 "Pray that ye enter not into temptation."
Luke 10: 2 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest."
Luke 6: 28 "Pray for them which despitefully use you."   


                       VII - FAITH

The believer is made great because he has faith in a great God.
Mark 11: 22 "Have faith in God." This is absolutely essential.
John 20: 27 "Be not faithless, but believing." Away with unbelief.
Matthew 14: 27 'Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."