Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Pastor Tim Capon spoke about sharing the gospel with others. Using the example of Philip in Acts 8, he encouraged the students to go where God sends them, to get involved in the lives of people, to guide people through the Scriptures, and to give them the gospel.

Scripture Text

Acts 8:25-39

Main Points or Ideas

• Go Where God Sends You - An angel directed Philip to go toward the south to the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, and he rose and went. The Great Commission calls us to make disciples by going, baptizing, and teaching. This is not simplistic—we need to be going where God has sent us in His plan and His power. God is sovereign, drawing people to Himself and directing believers to talk with them. Some churches falsely believe evangelism is only the pastor's job or that people will come to church on their own, but we must go to people. God puts us in places (school, work, recreation, teams) to represent Him, and He singles out persons in those places for us to reach.
• Get Involved in the Lives of People - The Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and join yourself to this chariot." Making disciples is about attaching ourselves to people—getting involved in their lives up close and personal. This could happen quickly (like with Bill in the hospital) or take time to find a way to connect (like taking turkey fans to Corey the taxidermist for seven years). We find something in common, cultivate friendships, care about people, and engage them in conversation. Witnessing is testifying to what we know Christ has done through how we live and what we say—we cannot limit it to just living the Christian life.
• Talk with Unsaved People - In Acts 1:8, Jesus said "you shall be my witnesses," which means we have to speak of Him with confidence about what we know to be true by experience. We must learn to ask questions at every phase of the gospel—questions show we care, help us learn about the person, are non-threatening, force people to think, and give us time to know how to respond. Important questions include: "Do you understand what you're reading?" "Do you know for sure you're going to heaven?" "If you could know for sure, would you want to know?"
• Guide Them Through the Scriptures - The eunuch asked, "How can I unless someone guide me?" He knew he needed someone to walk him through the gospel and answer his questions. We must have a plan for guiding people through Scripture—whether using the Romans Road, a testimony, a tract, or a Bible study. The Word is self-authenticating, and God speaks to people through it.
• Give Them the Gospel - Philip "preached Jesus to him." We must be clear about the gospel—that Christ died for sins, was buried, and rose again, giving life to those who trust Him. After preaching Jesus, we must make an appeal, inviting them to come to Christ and asking if there's any reason they would not want to trust Him today. As Second Corinthians 5 says, we persuade men and God makes His appeal through us.

Conclusion

This template from Acts provides a pattern for witnessing: go where God sends you, get involved in people's lives, talk with them and ask questions, guide them through the Scriptures, and give them the gospel with an appeal.

Living at Bible college can be a bubble, but believers have more connections than they think if they look for them—coworkers, people at stores, servers at restaurants, and others. Young adults must make witnessing a priority in this phase of life.

Jim Schneider walks through different ways we can live godly in an ungodly world. He uses the example of the life of Daniel to teach the students different qualities of godliness that stand out against the ungodly world.

Scripture Text

Daniel 1:8; Daniel 6:1-23

Main Points or Ideas

• Purity of Heart Toward God - Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's meat or wine, refusing to give credence to idols. We must guard our hearts and purpose not to defile ourselves—not just with food, but with what we allow to enter our minds through television, streaming services, podcasts, and websites.
• Trustworthy - Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king set him over the whole realm. We must ask ourselves: Can we be found trustworthy with our schoolwork, our jobs, our relationships, and our responsibilities? Do we stand by our word?
• An Excellent Spirit - Daniel had an extraordinary attitude despite being removed from his homeland and taken captive to Babylon as a teenager. He had a good attitude through adverse circumstances because he depended fully on the Lord.
• Faithful - The presidents and princes could find no occasion or fault against Daniel forasmuch as he was faithful. Daniel had a strong work ethic and stayed faithful even when others opposed him. We must be both salt and light, faithful in taking the gospel and making an impact on society.
• Blameless - No fault was found in Daniel; no occasion could be brought against him except concerning his relationship with God. We must exercise ourselves to have always a conscience void of offense toward both man and God.
• A Life of Consistency - When Daniel knew the decree was signed, he went into his house and prayed three times a day "as he did aforetime." This was not new for Daniel—he had already put these principles into practice in his life. He did not drift when political winds changed direction.
• A Man of Prayer - Daniel was in daily prayer with God, not just praying in emergencies. Prayer is as vital to staying in communion with God as breathing is to physical life.
• Thankful - Daniel gave thanks before his God. We must be thankful for both big and small things, remembering that unthankfulness is a mark of a society estranged from God.
• Loyal - After being thrust into the lion's den, Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever," exhibiting no bitterness. We must stay loyal first to God, then to our spouse, family, and business relationships.
• Gave God the Glory - Daniel said, "My God hath sent his angel and hath shut the lions' mouths." He gave God the glory rather than taking credit for himself.
• Believed in His God - Daniel was taken up out of the den and no hurt was found upon him "because he believed in his God." We must not just talk the talk but actually walk it, never treating God like a good luck charm we only bring out in emergencies.

Conclusion

From his late teenage years until about age eighty, Daniel exhibited these characteristics throughout his entire life because he had purposed in his heart and believed in his God. That is how we live godly in an ungodly world.

“What may I do to inherit eternal life?” Joe Baldwin walks through Jesus’ conversation with the rich young ruler. He encourages the students to attach themselves to godly people, and to repent of sin and give Jesus their whole lives in obedience.

Scripture Text

Mark 10:17-28

Main Points or Ideas

• The Question of Eternal Life - The rich young ruler came to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Though he was religious, kept the commandments, and considered himself good, Jesus identified that one thing was lacking in his life.

• Understanding True Goodness - Jesus corrected the young man's understanding by stating that no one is good but God alone. The world's definition of "good" is vastly different from God's definition. Many people are considered "good" by worldly standards, but the question is whether they are godly.
• Jesus Loved Him Despite His Self-Righteousness - Even though the young man was self-righteous and thought he was good enough, the Bible says Jesus looked at him and loved him. Jesus loves every person, but many lack what is truly necessary for salvation.
• The One Thing Lacking Was Jesus - Jesus told the young man to sell his possessions, give to the poor, take up the cross, and follow Him. The issue wasn't really about his riches—it was about whether Jesus was Lord of his life. Something stood between him and salvation, and he went away sorrowful because his possessions meant more to him than his soul.
• Salvation Requires Surrender - Baldwin shares his own testimony of hitting bottom at age 26 and realizing something was missing in his life. When he finally understood the gospel, he learned that salvation isn't just about saying a prayer—it's about giving your life to Jesus and making Him Lord. Salvation requires recognizing you're lost, repenting of sin, and surrendering your life to Christ.
• With God All Things Are Possible - When the disciples asked who could be saved if it's so hard for the rich, Jesus responded that with men it's impossible, but with God all things are possible. Anyone can be saved—rich or poor—because God can do the impossible.

Conclusion

Salvation isn't just about being a good person or saying a prayer—it's about surrendering everything to Him.

Michael Blackstone encourages the students to have resilient faith. He explains that they will be bent, twisted, and pulled in their faith. He charges them to know seven ways God works on and through faith in difficult circumstances.

Scripture Text

Matthew 14:22-33

Main Points or Ideas

• Know the Purpose of God - Jesus constrained (compelled) His disciples to get into the boat, and He knew exactly what storm He was sending them into. They were exactly where they were supposed to be. God has a purpose for every trial and fear that comes into our lives—it is not misguided but targeted for an exact time and place.
• Know That God Allows Problems - The wind was contrary (literally "opposite" or "against"), and the disciples were rowing but not making progress. Storms will come even when we are walking in obedience, and God allows these challenges for the trying of our faith. Our progress is not measured by apparent advance but by the hearty intent with which we persevere.
• Know the Presence of God - In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them walking on the sea and said, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." His presence makes all the difference. Whatever the situation, He is there.
• Know That God Wants You to Proceed - Peter asked, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come," and Jesus said, "Come." Peter was not a failure in this story—he got out of the boat when eleven others stayed in, he actually walked on water, and when he sank, he cried out to the only one who could help him. Peter asked God first, showing the discernment needed when facing fear.
• Know the Protection of God - When Peter began to sink and cried out, "Lord, save me," immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught him. The word "caught" means to seize or take hold of—like an unbreakable grip pulling someone from a cliff. God is there to catch and protect us immediately when we call on Him.
• Know the Power of God - When Jesus and Peter got back into the boat, the wind ceased (literally "tired" or "relaxed"). The sea was no match for the Son of God. We serve the same powerful God who is still able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think.
• Know the Person - When they got into the ship, those in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Of a truth thou art the Son of God." If we know Him, we have no reason to fear—we only have reason to worship.

Conclusion

Fear is the enemy of resilient faith. The five words to remember are: Get out of the boat. Surrender, not safety, is the end of our calling as believers. God wants us to step out in faith and trust Him in the midst of the storms.

Phil Peterson taught that learning to trust God is key to missions. He gave the example of King Asa in 2 Chronicles 16, how he trusted God at the beginning of his reign.

Scripture Texts

2 Chronicles 16; Psalm 81:6-10

Main Points or Ideas

• Trust God, Not Man - King Asa started his reign well, trusting God when outnumbered two-to-one by the Ethiopians, and God delivered him. However, twenty-six years later when threatened by Israel, Asa trusted King Ben-hadad of Aram instead of God. The prophet Hanani rebuked him, reminding him that "the eyes of Yahweh move to and fro throughout the earth, that he may strongly support those whose heart is wholly devoted to him." Even when rebuked and later diseased, Asa continued trusting in man rather than God.
• Trust God When You Are Needy - God tested Israel at the waters of Meribah when they were thirsty in the wilderness. Instead of trusting God, they grumbled and complained, asking "Is Yahweh among us or not?" God patiently provided water, but Israel failed the test by complaining instead of trusting.
• Trust God When You Don't Understand - Proverbs teaches that while man makes plans, it is ultimately God who directs his steps. We are responsible to make plans according to God's commands, but we must allow God to redirect us since we cannot fully understand His ways.
• Biblical Examples of Trust - The disciples trusted Jesus enough to leave everything and follow Him, even after witnessing His crucifixion. They obeyed the Great Commission and went to nations across the known world. Throughout Acts, we see examples of trust:
• Trust and Love Are Inseparable - We cannot truly love God without trusting Him, and we cannot worship what we do not trust. God deserves our unconditional, loyal trust because of the immense love He demonstrated by sending Jesus Christ to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

ConclusionGod is looking to strongly support those whose hearts are wholly devoted to Him—those who trust Him completely. We need to trust God when we are needy, when we do not understand certain situations, and when everything does not go as planned. He also shows how Jesus invites us to trust Him. Jesus has the power to hold us and make a way for us, and He wants us to go and make disciples.

Dr. Jim Tillotson examines God's grace through Titus 2:11-14, explaining both the saving grace that brings salvation to all people and the sanctifying grace that teaches believers to live differently after salvation.

Scripture Texts

Titus 2:11-14; Galatians 5:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Main Points or Ideas

• Saving Grace - The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, meaning there is universal opportunity for salvation though not universal salvation. God desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. People are not condemned to hell because God has not chosen them, but because they have not chosen Him. The reason anyone is saved is completely 100% God's grace, which they don't deserve and didn't earn.
• Sanctifying Grace - God's grace not only saves but also teaches believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. When someone gets saved, old things should pass away and all things should become new. Sanctifying grace is that grace in the heart that makes believers want to live differently after salvation.
• Putting Off Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts - The Bible provides specific lists of what ungodliness looks like, including sexual sin, idolatry, hatred, jealousy, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, envy, pride, blasphemy, unthankfulness, unforgiveness, slander, and lack of self-control. These are things believers must say no to as God's sanctifying grace works in their lives.
• Putting On Sober, Righteous, and Godly Living - Believers are to live soberly (sensibly, with discretion and self-control), righteously (by a divine standard of what is right, not subjective values), and godly (with an appropriate attitude toward God and the things of God, reflecting God-likeness in perspective and spirit). The fruit of the Spirit demonstrates what this righteous living looks like.

ConclusionGod’s grace is displayed through salvation. Saving grace is capable of saving all men and is a blessed hope. The reason anyone goes to hell is unbelief, and sin does not have the power to take away our salvation. God’s grace also is displayed through sanctification. Sanctifying grace allows believers to live the heart of Christ differently than in ungodliness and with denying worldly lusts.

Dr. Doug McLaughlan talks about how the self-substitution of Christ is his expression of love to the Father.

Scripture Text

Mark 12:28-31

Main Points or Ideas

• The Self-Substitution of God - God Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, became the substitute for sinners as the ground of our redemption. This was an act of indispensable necessity and unspeakable cost, whereby God could express simultaneously His holiness and judgment alongside His love and pardon by providing a divine substitute who would receive the judgment so sinners could receive pardon.
• The Kenosis: Christ's Self-Emptying - Christ emptied Himself not of His deity but of all its privileges, powers, and prerogatives, demonstrated in three dramatic steps:
• Full Obedience to the Father's Will - Throughout His entire incarnation, Christ did nothing on His own authority. Both the works and words of Christ were the Father's and not His own. He repeatedly declared that He came not to do His own will but the will of Him who sent Him.
• Full Dependence on the Spirit's Power - From conception to crucifixion, the Holy Spirit was with Christ, enabling Him to carry out His ministry. Christ was conceived by the Spirit, baptized in the Spirit's presence, led by the Spirit into temptation, anointed with the Spirit for ministry, and through the eternal Spirit offered Himself on the cross.
• The Existential Emotional Crisis in Gethsemane - Christ experienced loathing, horror, terror, and agony as He faced the bitter cup of bearing the sins of the world and enduring divine judgment and alienation from the Father. Yet His will to obey the Father remained steadfast, praying "not as I will, but as You will."
• The Undefeatable Compulsion - What compelled Christ to endure this suffering was His great commandment love for the Father. As He said in John 14:30-31, "I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father." This love was the underlying, powerful motivation for His full obedience.

Conclusion

The self-sacrificing love of Christ is an indispensable necessity, an unspeakable cost, an undefeatable compulsion, and an unthinkable prospect. It is revealed through Jesus’ humiliation, incarnation, and crucifixion. This love is displayed through His full obedience and dependence to the Holy Spirit. We are called to love God like Christ did. This is the great first commandment.

Rand Hummel led the students through how not to pray, as demonstrated in Matthew 6:5-7, and how to then pray like Jesus taught in verses 9-13. He challenged them to be intentional with God’s name and to talk with Him freely. Hummel encouraged the students to remember God’s provision, to forgive others as God has, and to rely on God’s protection and deliverance from temptation and evil.

Scripture Text

Matthew 6:5-13

Main Points or Ideas

• Pray to Your Heavenly Father - Every time Paul and Jesus prayed, they prayed to their Heavenly Father. Prayer is not talking to people about God, but talking to God Himself. Students should find a place where they can remove all distractions, shut the door, and pray to their Father who sees in secret and will reward them openly.
• Avoid Vain Repetitions - Many believers use empty religious phrases without thinking, like robotically saying "thank you for this day" or overusing "Lord" as punctuation. We become so repetitive that others can lip sync our prayers. Instead, take a breath, slow down, and remember who you're talking to. Use God's name thoughtfully rather than taking it in vain by using it in an empty way.
• Follow Jesus' Prayer Pattern - Jesus gave His disciples a prayer list with six major points that cover everything believers need: address God properly as our wonderful, loving Heavenly Father; hallow His name (recognize how wonderful His characteristics are); pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done; ask for daily provision; seek forgiveness and commit to forgiving others; ask God to keep us from temptation and sin; and acknowledge His power and glory.
• Forgiveness is Essential - If there is anyone you refuse to forgive, God will not answer your prayers. Forgiveness is not forgetting (God is omniscient and cannot forget), but it is a promise to remember sins no more. We must ask God to replace anger and bitterness with pity—disappointment wrapped in love—for those who have hurt us.

Conclusion

A simple prayer pattern people can use and teach others is: "My loving Heavenly Father, please keep me in your will. Help me to depend on you today. Forgive me and help me to forgive others. Please keep me from sin. Thank you for being such a wonderful, powerful God. Amen."

Rand Hummel encouraged the students to grow as children through reading God’s Word. He explained four aspects pertaining to reading: Read, Examine, Apply, Do. Hummel gave examples of how to read God’s Word well and tied it back to Ephesians 4:14-15, and encouraged the students that reading produces growing in Christ in all aspects of who He is.

Scripture Text

Ephesians 4:14-15

Main Points or Ideas

• Read - God gave us His Word in written form so we can read it. People around the world risk arrest, beatings, and even death to get Bibles, yet many believers have multiple copies and still don't read. Students should read New Testament letters, gospels, study Bible topics relevant to struggles they face, read about Bible characters, or read chronologically through the year.
• Examine - Don't just read to read. Understand who wrote it, when and where they were, and why they wrote it. Read distinctly, give the sense, and understand what you're reading so you can share it with others. God breathed out His Word and it is profitable for doctrine (teaching what is right), reproof (teaching what is wrong), correction (how to make the wrong right), and instruction (how to keep it right).
• Apply - Put God's Word into practice. Don't just be hearers of the Word, but be doers. When God convicts your heart in chapel or devotions, do something about it. Don't waste your time at school by coming to services and then doing nothing with what you learn.
• Do (Memorize and Meditate) - Hide God's Word in your heart through Scripture memory and meditation. Meditation means slowing down to think deeply about Scripture, like rumination. If memorization is difficult, read the same passage five times a day for thirty days until you know it. Take time to master passages by reading them repeatedly in different translations.

Conclusion

Reading, examining, applying, and memorizing God's Word is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. As the children's song says, if you read your Bible and pray every day, you'll grow; if you forget your Bible and forget to pray, you'll shrink spiritually.

Dan Werts challenges seminary students to grow in their ability to discern truth from error through abiding in Christ and being anointed with the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that Christians face the ongoing threat of antichrists (false teachers) within the church and must be prepared to recognize and respond to deceptive teaching.

Scripture Text

1 John 2:18-27

Main Points or Ideas

• Discernment is a Must-Have in the Last Hour - The church is in the final stage of God's dealing with the world, set by Jesus' death and resurrection. Many antichrists have come and continue to arise, not just the future capital-A Antichrist. These false teachers deny Jesus' deity, deny their own sinfulness, don't keep God's commands, and may leave the church, proving they were never truly part of the fellowship. The church often gets distracted by conspiracy theories and end-times speculation instead of focusing on current false teaching within their midst.

• We Have Been Given What We Need for Discernment - Believers have received an anointing from the Holy One (the Holy Spirit) who seals them, leads them into all truth, and helps them persevere in the faith. The Spirit enables Christians to understand spiritual truths and recognize lies. Not every antichrist is obviously heretical like Muslims or Jehovah's Witnesses; some teach doctrines that sound biblical on the surface or influence others through their actions rather than their words.

• Discernment Comes from Abiding in the Gospel Daily - Christians must let the truth they heard from the beginning remain at home in them. This requires intentional growth in God's Word, not just believing the gospel at one point and then developing theology based on opinions, other books, or Christian music. Believers must be transformed by the renewing of their minds through Scripture to test and discern God's will. While the Holy Spirit teaches believers and they have no ultimate need for human teachers, God still uses teachers for discipleship and growth.

Conclusion

Students must take advantage of their training time to prepare themselves to answer false teaching and disciple others, using Scripture to graciously speak truth and either root out antichrists or teach them the gospel, bringing them into true fellowship with the apostles' teaching and with the Father and Son.