[Miriam IfeanyiChukwu]

I agree with you sis Covenant that sin separates one from God. A perfect example of this was seen in the Garden when Adam hid himself from the presence of God whom he once fellowshipped and communed with in the cool of the day after he ate the fruit God instructed him not to eat (Gen. 3:8). His reason for hiding was that he was naked (Gen. 3:10). Sin had taken away the covering God put on both him and his wife. Sin created a gulf, a lacuna, between man and his maker- God.
Man has tried to fix the separation between him and God created by sin and each attempt has failed woefully. Adam made clothes from leaves for himself (Gen. 3:7), and people used morality, religion, etc. to return to God. Just as God killed the animal in the Garden and covered Adam with the coats of the skin (Gen. 3:21), that is how Jesus was slain on the cross to restore the fellowship man once had with God. The veil in the Temple was rent into two giving us access to the presence of God (Luke 23:45). The separation problem caused by sin was sorted eternally, once and for all on the cross and just by putting faith in the sacrifice of Jesus, one can enjoy fellowship again with God.

[Miriam IfeanyiChukwu]

Introduction
Definitions
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “Fact” is defined as something that has an actual existence.
Sin according to Strong’s Concordance is the Greek word hamartia meaning missing the mark, an act of disobedience to Divine law.
The fact about sin refers to the reality or actual existence of sin. A proper understanding of sin has helped me to appreciate the gravity of sin, and therefore the immensity of the sacrifice of Jesus in His substitutional death for the sin of mankind. It has also helped me to extend grace and compassion to those who have not accepted Christ around me so, rather than judging and condemning them knowing that it is the nature of sin in them that is making them commit whatever act of sin they are committing it propels me to preach the gospel to them.
Three facts about sin are:
1) Sin always has consequences and penalties (Ezekiel 18:20, Isaiah 59:2, Rom. 6:23). The penalty for sin is death. Adam’s eyes were opened immediately he ate the fruit God asked him not to eat and died spiritually.

2) Sin is a universal experience (Rom. 3:23). When Adam sinned against God, He plugged the whole human race into sin because he was the representative of man on the earth (Rom. 5:12, Rom. 5:16).

3) Sin is not just an act that is carried out but a nature that is inherited. (Ps. 51:5, Rom. 7:14-25). In Genesis 3, after the Fall, human nature became corrupted by sin. Adam transferred the sinful nature through his seed. This necessitated the coming of Jesus as the Seed of the Woman to escape the sinful nature inherent in man (Gen. 3:15).

The understanding that sin is not just an act but an inherited nature has positively impacted my Christian life in several ways. The knowledge that the nature I inherited from Adam through my parents when I was born was completely changed at my new birth has made me have better experiences, in my walk with God. I now know that I no longer have a sinful nature; I am now the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, just by putting my faith in the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. This knowledge has freed me from the bondage of sin consciousness where confessing sin was a constant practice. When I make mistakes now, all I do is go boldly to the throne of grace according to Heb. 4:16 and obtain mercy.
It has also helped me to take the subject of mind renewal more seriously because the issues of life spring from there (Prov. 4:23).
In conclusion, recognizing sin as a nature and not just an act underscores the need to turn to Jesus for pardon and redemption. No level of morality can save one from an inherited nature. Salvation from sin is in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12).

[Miriam IfeanyiChukwu]

I agree with you bro Bright.
The conviction of the Holy Spirit leads to repentance from sin and not necessarily the preaching or teaching given or heard. This is seen in the response the people gave to Peter’s preaching from the example you cited. While the role of preaching and teaching can not be overemphasied because according to Rom. 10:8-15, the gospel has to be preached, and for the gospel to be preached, a preacher has to be sent for conviction to occur leading to repentance and salvation. It is not the preaching alone or oratory skill of the preacher that does the job for scripture says it is not by power or by might, it is the work of the Holy Spirit (Zech. 4:6). I believe this takes a lot of responsibility out of preachers knowing that your job is just to preach and His job is to bring about repentance and He will always do His part.

[Miriam IfeanyiChukwu]

Introduction
According to the Strong’s Bible Concordance, the word ‘convict’ is the Greek word elegcho, which means to confute, admonish, convince, rebuke, or reprove.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ‘convict’(v) as finding or proving guilty or being convinced of error or sinfulness.
This is a legal term used in a courtroom where a prosecuting lawyer presents evidence to prove a case. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to reveal the truth, which brings awareness and leads to repentance.
An instance of the conviction of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is seen in John 16:8-11.
8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
This scripture refers to the ministry of the Holy Spirit to the world and proves that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of:
1. Sin
The Greek word for ‘sin’ is harmartia meaning to miss the mark or fall short of God’s standard. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin. Notice that it is sin and not sins. The sin the Holy Spirit convicts the world of is the sin of unbelief (John 16:8). The Holy Spirit convicts men of sin because they do not believe in Jesus, He shows the world that unbelief, which is the rejection of Jesus and His message is sin and the root of all sin, and it is this sin that condemns people to spend eternity in hell (John 3:18). The work of the Holy Spirit is not to accuse men of the sin they are already aware of rather He brings them to a position where they are convinced of sin and seek repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
2. Righteousness
The Greek word for righteousness is dikaiosune which means being right with God. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of righteousness because Jesus has gone to the Father (John 16:10). The Holy Spirit shows the world its unrighteousness and the righteousness of Jesus, that their righteousness is not dependent on any work they have done but upon the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The Holy Spirit reveals the truth to the world that Jesus is the standard for righteousness. And that also, through His death, burial, and resurrection, He has demonstrated perfect obedience to the Father thereby convincing them to seek righteousness through Jesus alone.

3. Judgment
The Greek word for ‘judgment’ is krisis meaning a decision or verdict. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of judgment because the devil is judged (John 16:11). The Holy Spirit reveals God’s imminent judgment on the devil, this serves as a warning calling the world to repentance and the urgency of salvation.

Conclusion
The ministry of convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment is beyond any human ability, it is the work of the Holy Spirit. It is only the power of the Holy Spirit working in the hearts of men that can bring the world to the saving grace of Christ and repentance leading to salvation.

[Miriam IfeanyiChukwu]

I agree with you Bro Humble that one of the effects of the Fall is spiritual death which is separation from God. God told Adam that the day he ate of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, he would surely die (Gen. 2:7). Adam who was made in the image of God knew the consequences of his actions yet he willingly transferred his authority, and dominion to the devil, committed high treason against God and the whole human race died spiritually as a result. Suffering, pain, and all the other consequences are effects of man being cut off from his Source of life. Death reigned on the earth (Rom. 5:14).
A man fellowshipping and communing with God ran, hid from God’s presence, and made clothes from leaves. His righteous covering was gone. The effects of the Fall are enormous.

[Miriam IfeanyiChukwu]

Introduction
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the Fall as the event in the Bible when Adam and Eve are forced to leave the Garden of Eden because they have sinned against God.
In Christianity, the Fall of Man refers to the incident in Genesis 3 where God commanded Adam not to eat the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16-17). Still, Adam committed high treason, rebelled against God, and ate of the fruit (Gen. 3:6-7), this act of disobedience did not only affect Adam and his immediate generation, but it plunged the whole human race into sin (Rom. 5:12, Ps. 51:5) and grave consequences.
Some consequences of this fall include:
1. Death
There are three kinds of death: spiritual, physical, and eternal. Spiritual death is also known as separation from God. This was the immediate effect of the Fall. God told Adam that he would surely die the day he ate of the Tree (Gen. 2:7). Although Adam lived physically for another 900 years afterward, he died spiritually immediately (Rom. 6:23). Man became separated from God. All the descendants of Adam inherited this nature and were born spiritually dead, alienated from God.
After the fall, God told Adam that he would return to the ground he was taken from (Gen. 3:19). This is physical death. This became the resultant effect of spiritual death. Today, man, plants, and animals die due to the Fall.
Eternal or second death is the ultimate price for sin (2 Thess. 1:9).

2. Loss of Righteousness
Before the fall, Both Adam and Eve were described as naked and unashamed (Gen. 2:25). But immediately they sinned, they knew they were naked and made leaves to cover themselves (Gen. 3:7), Adam told God the reason he hid was because he was naked (Gen. 3:10). Man had lost his covering of righteousness; he was now ashamed. He could no longer stand the presence of God he once communed and fellowshipped with in the cool of the day so he hid (Gen. 3:8), he lost his innocence and therefore his right standing with God.

3. Toil
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines toil as a long strenuous fatiguing labor (n), to work hard and long (v). Toil came as a result of the fall (Gen. 3:17-19). Work is a blessing made to release potential; toil is a curse.
When God created Adam, He gave him work. Adam’s job description was to tend the garden and keep it (Gen. 2:15). Even when Adam named the beast of the field and birds of the air, God brought them one by one to him (Gen. 2:19-20). But sin came and struggle, hard, and long work came with it.
In conclusion, the effects of Adam’s disobedience are enormous and have far-reaching consequences. Guilt, shame, sickness, disease, death, toil, and pain are some of the consequences of the Fall. As the representative of man, Adam sinned for all mankind thereby making all sinners.

[Miriam IfeanyiChukwu]

God is immutable. He does not change, neither does He change His mind (Num. 23:19). However, several Old Testament passages show scenarios where God either changed His mind concerning something He had said He would do or decided to do. An example is seen in Jeremiah 18:8 where the immutable God is suggesting that He could change His mind concerning the disaster He thought to bring on the Israelites if they turned away from their evil ways. “If that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it.’’ The word “If” at the beginning of this passage is conditional therefore the verse signifies a divine conditional warning. The response to be gotten was solely dependent on the recipient, it had nothing to do with the nature of God.
From the verse above, God did not change, the people did. God kept His Word. The seeming “changing of God’s mind’’ can be seen as anthropomorphism (a description of God using human characteristics). The change was part of the grand plan and due to mankind’s repentance. The same is true about the case of Jonah and the children of Nineveh (Jonah 3:10) and Moses and the Israelites (Exodus 32:14). God is not schizophrenic. One aspect of His nature is not overemphasized above the other. For example, His justice is not overemphasized above His mercy. Even though God hates sin and has promised to punish sin, He is not consumed by the need to punish sin such that He neglects to show mercy when He sees genuine repentance from sin. God clearly described His nature to Moses at Mount Sinai as merciful and gracious, longsuffering, abounding in goodness and truth, etc. (Exodus 34:6-7). Jonah was so aware of the nature of God that he fled to Tarshish instead of going to Nineveh to preach because he knew that God would respond in His mercy to the people of Nineveh and not bring judgment on them like He had promised if they repented of their sins and turned to Him (Jonah 4:1-3), and God did exactly what Jonah feared He would do.
All the instances that appeared God changed His mind were cases of God relenting regarding bringing punishment upon the people and not a case of God failing to bring about a good or blessing He promised. This is actually in man’s favor. God keeps His promises because He does not change. For every promise God made to man, they are Yes and Amen (2 Cor. 1:20) and He does not change His mind concerning His gifts (Rom. 8:29). Instead of one of God’s promises not to come to pass, scripture says heaven and earth will pass away (Matt. 24:35). This is how committed God is to His Word and how unchangeable God is.
In conclusion, God is Spirit John 4:24 tells us. Therefore, His nature is constant and does not change (James 1:17). For every seeming change of God’s mind, it was from man’s perspective or point of view and not God’s, it was in response to the change of man, it was a change to favor man, it was a change in withholding punishment to the people and it was never a case of God failing to keep His Word concerning a promised He made.

[Miriam IfeanyiChukwu]

I agree with you Ma’am.

No human being that ever lived has ever claimed to have power over death. All the religious leaders that ever lived, died and decayed in their graves none had power over death because of their humanity, but Jesus demonstrated by His defeat of death both for others for example Lazarus (John 11:43-44) and Himself (John 2:19, 10:18) this shows that He is God.

Also, Thomas referring to Jesus as “My Lord and My God”, without getting a rebuke from Jesus, is a witness to the Deity of Jesus.

[Miriam IfeanyiChukwu]

There are several verses from the book of John that support the assertion that Jesus is deity.
1. John 10:30 NKJV “I and My Father are one.”
“I and My Father”, clearly spoke of two different people joined together by a conjunction “and”. The word one according to Strong’s Concordance is the Greek word Heis and it is of the neuter form meaning oneness in essence, substance, purpose and will. Jesus in this statement told the Jews that though He and His Father are distinct in their individuality, they are united in essence, nature and power.

2. John 3:13 NKJV No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
Jesus told Nicodemus that no one had before that time ascended to heaven but Him who came down from heaven and He is in heaven. Although Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) had ascended to heaven because the bible says they did not die because God took them, they did not descend from heaven. No human being can boast to have both descended from and ascended to heaven. Also, no human can be at two different places or realms (heaven and earth) at the same time. The word “is” in this verse, according to Strong’s Concordance is the present participle of ‘being’ meaning that it was an ongoing event. That means that while Jesus was on earth having this discussion with Nicodemus, He was in heaven at the same time as God.

3. John 14:16 NKJV And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.
Jesus in His farewell discussion with His disciples said “He will pray to the Father to send the Holy Spirit” and then in the next chapter John 15:26, He said “I will send the Holy Spirit”. If both the Father and Jesus can send the Holy Spirit, then both are One.

4. John 11:25 NKJV
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
Jesus demonstrated He had power over death which is the last enemy that will be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26) both for others (He raised Lazarus) and Himself (John 2:19, 10:18) and He is the source of eternal life.

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