Life & Light

16 January 2014

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John 1:1-18
light of the world

The next major theme that we find in these opening verses of John's gospel teach us that Jesus is the source of all things and the natural life in man.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. - John 1:3

All creation owes its existence to Jesus Christ Who was the One who spoke everything into being. Paul confirms this position when he told the Colossians:

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. - Col. 1:16-17

John gospel also shows us that Jesus is the specific source of life for men as well.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. - John 1:4 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. - John 1:9

John uses the terms life and light interchangeably and shows that, not only does all creation owe its existence to Jesus, all mankind in particular receives life from Jesus. This life is different than the life that is in plants, fish and animals. When we look at the Genesis record, we see that the creation of man was last and it was strikingly different. The animals were all created and instantly alive while man was made from the dust as an inanimate being. God then breathed into man the breath of life and man became a living soul. John is saying that this breath was given by Jesus. This breath is the eternal nature that all mankind has.

The living soul of man is different than the soul of beasts. When an animal dies it ceases to exist. When men die, their souls go back to God (Ecclesiastes 3:21). The children of God inherit everlasting joy and the wicked receive everlasting torment. Either way, the soul of man continues on after corporeal death. So in this sense, Jesus is the source of life for all humans.

Tags: creation, harmony_of_the_gospels, jesus, john

Welcome

Brentwood Hills Primitive Baptist Church is a community of believers working together to transform our lives to the image of Jesus Christ. We believe it is our duty and privilege to live the gospel of the doctrines of grace in such a way as to edify the families within our church and other children of God in our community. Through regular worship based on strong Biblical principles, fellowship, admonishment, and outreach, we glory in the grace of the sovereign God working in our lives thereby showing the Spirit of God in the world.

Brentwood Hills was organized in 1906 in Fort Worth, Texas as Laodicea Primitive Baptist Church. You can find much of the history of the church, as well as other churches here: Primitive Baptist History Database

We identify ourselves as an old-line Primitive Baptist church. If you read our Articles of Faith, you’ll see that we hold to such doctrines as the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. We recognize the King James Version (KJV) as the only English translation worthy of being called the Bible. We believe in salvation solely by the grace of a sovereign God. We believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came to the earth to do the will of His Father, which was to deliver from the sentence of death all those the Father gave Him before the world began. We believe that Jesus fully satisfied the Father by atoning for all the sins of all His people. In time, we believe the Holy Spirit comes to each person that belongs to Jesus and regenerates them. Then (and only then) can anyone have faith, which is a fruit of the Spirit, by which you are able to believe the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you ever hear the gospel, or believe it if you did hear it, or obey it if you did believe it, rest assured that Jesus will remain forever faithful to you because, if He died for you, He will never deny that you belong to Him.

We believe that everyone for whom Christ died will without fail be raised again from the dead to a glorified life. Even if we are alive when He returns to raise the dead, we shall be changed to a glorified life. All the Redeemed will meet the Lord in the air. Then He will take us to Heaven and there we shall forever be with the Lord. The wicked will be raised at the same time as the righteous, but the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment along with Satan and his angels. Until that glorious day when Christ returns to raise the dead, He has provided a place for His people to find rest for their souls. This place is the Church. Jesus Christ set-up His church on this earth before His death on the Cross. The church is there for those of His people who have come to believe that God saved them by His Son, Jesus Christ. To believe that Christ “paid it all” gives believers the strongest motivation to serve Him. Once enlightened to this glorious truth, then the child of God should feel an obligation to become and remain an active member of the His church. To serve the Lord in His church makes for one of the great blessings to experience this side of Heaven. It fulfills you to serve in His church and it gives your life purpose and meaning.

Living in Liberty

Elder Bryce Lowrance

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