What does God teach about eternal life?

1. Bible Facts about Eternal Life
Ashtead ‒ 23rd February 2014

2. Our Approach
• What do we mean by Bible facts?
• Bible references to eternal life
• What does the Bible say?
• What does it mean for us?
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3. Bible facts…
• What is a fact? – “a thing that is known or
proved to be true” OED
• Does the Bible claim to be a source of
facts? – “…the holy scriptures, which are able to
make thee wise unto salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15
• Is the Bible a source of facts? (10 good reasons)
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4. Bible references
• Eternal life – 26 references
• Everlasting life – 11 references
• Immortality – 5 references
• Incorruptible – 4 references
• Endless life – 1 reference
• World without end – 2 references [Total 83]
* Greek aionios = perpetual
NB about 1000 references to life and death
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71 references*

5. “Wise unto salvation”
“…the holy scriptures, which are able to
make thee wise unto salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he
obedience by the things which he suffered;
And being made perfect, he became the
author of eternal salvation unto all them
that obey him;” Hebrews 5:8-9
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6. What does the Bible say?
1. We don’t have it
2. We can’t earn it
3. It will be given by Christ on his return
4. It requires bodily resurrection
5. It will give the faithful entry into God’s
Kingdom
6. Only the faithful will receive it (it is
conditional)
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7. 1. We don’t have it
• Romans 2:7 – seek it
• 1 Timothy 6:19 – lay hold on it
• 1 John 3:15 – not within us
NB Ecclesiastes 9:4-6
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8. 2. We can’t earn it
• The meaning of ‘earning’ something
• Luke 17:10 – we are unprofitable
• Romans 6:23 – it is a gift
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9. 3. It will be given by Christ
• John 10:28 – Christ gives it
• Romans 5:21 – by Jesus Christ
• Jude :21 – of Jesus Christ
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10. 4. It requires resurrection
• 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 – in Christ
• John 11:23-26 – Jesus brings resurrection
• Philippians 3:9-11 – only hope
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11. 5. Enter God’s Kingdom
• John 3:5-6 – entry through transformation
• 1 Corinthians 15:50-53 – inheriting it
• Colossians 1:12-13 – into the kingdom
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12. 6. It is conditional
• Daniel 12:2 – resurrection to judgement
• Matthew 16:27 – according to works
• Matthew 25:10-12 – rejection by Christ
• John 6:40 – only those in Jesus
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13. What does it mean for us?
“For if these things be in you, and abound, they
make you that ye shall neither be barren nor
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot
see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged
from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren,
give diligence to make your calling and election sure:
for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so
an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly
into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:8-11
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