PARENTHOOD
a divine stewardship

Showing Them That Their Sins Have Been Forgiven

First, by quoting some verses we must help them to know that their sins have been forgiven. The remission of sins has been given to them. The best verse concerning the forgiveness of sins is Acts 10:43, which says, "To this One all the prophets testify that through His name everyone who believes into Him will receive forgiveness of sins." We should read this verse to people and ask them also to read it. This is the way to point out this item of the will....

Showing Them That They Are Justified by Faith

After reading the words in the will concerning the forgiveness of sins, we should read to them about justification by faith. From the Word prove to them that they have been justified by faith. There are many such verses. I prefer Acts 13:38 and 39, which say, "Therefore let it be known to you, men, brothers, that through this One forgiveness of sins is announced to you; and from all the things from which you were not able to be justified by the law of Moses, in this One everyone who believes is justified." These two verses tell us two things, that forgiveness is announced and that justification has been given in this One, that is, in Christ. We may also use many verses from Romans 3 and Galatians 2, quoting the best verses to confirm that as long as a person believes in Jesus, he has been justified by God in Christ. This is the forgiveness of sins and justification by faith.

Showing Them That They Have Eternal Life

Third, we should read some verses confirming that they have eternal life within them. There are many such verses, such as John 3:16 and 36, 5:24, 6:47, and others. We need these verses to confirm, to prove, that they have eternal life in them.

Showing Them That They Have Been Saved

Besides showing people forgiveness of sins, justification by faith, and eternal life, we need to show them verses that tell them they are saved. The best verses for this are Romans 10:9 and 10, which say, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart there is believing unto righteousness, and with the mouth there is confession unto salvation." In addition, verse 13 says, "Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." We may also use Acts 16:31: "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household."

(Witness Lee, Preaching the Gospel in the Way of Life, pp. 7-19)

APPLICATION

1. In preaching the gospel, what at the two matters that are particularly important?

2. "The Bible is a will in our hands. It is not a book of teaching or even of promises; it is a book containing a will." Explain why it is important for us to see that the Bible is a will.

3. What are the four main items that we have to help the newly saved ones to see? Name the scriptures that prove these items.