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STU:Treasures in your Catholic Bible  by Bill Jackson

   Introduction

   It is fitting that a basic course in the Bible should have the
Gospel of St. John as its theme. St. John is known as the disciple whom
Jesus loved, and his name brings to mind the idea of loving communion
with the Lord Jesus.

   Although nearly 2000 years have passed since the earthly life of our
Lord, He is still waiting to share the same love with those who will
follow Him. It is to this end that this Bible course is dedicated.

   Each lesson will consist of a scripture portion for you to read,
with some notes from the passage. Please read the verses at least
twice, then read the notes and answer the questions. After answering
the questions, you may check them with the Answer Key after Lesson 7.
If you have any points that you have a question about, please write. We
are glad to enter into discussion on any of the Bible truths.

   God bless you as you study His Word!

   LESSON 1 ST. JOHN'S GOSPEL IN A NUT SHELL

   Read: St. John 1:1-14

   We see the Lord Jesus revealed to us as the Word, or expression, of
God. His eternal being with the Father is majestically unfolded in
verse 1.

   In verse 3 we see the Lord Jesus as Creator; in verse 4 as
Life-giver. This life is more than mere physical being, as this is the
Light of men. Verse 9 tells us this is the True Light for all.

   Previous to the Incarnation (which means the Word made flesh, see
verse 14), although the Light of Christ did shine in the darkness of
the world, the Light was not known. This leads us to the beginning of
the manifestation of this True Light.

   We see a witness raised up to testify of the true Light. He was John
the Baptist, and although the Bible plainly states that he was not that
Light, he gathered men together under his powerful preaching to tell
them not of himself--but of the coming Light, the Lord Jesus Christ.

   But even though He was heralded by John, and even though He gave
life-giving Light, our Lord was not accepted by many. Verses 10 and 11
are among the saddest in scripture; not only that the world as a whole
did not receive Him--even His own people turned their backs on Him.

   So it has always been, and so it is now. Most men choose their own
ways rather than His, and while He has stamped His image upon two
thousand years of history, the Lord Jesus Christ is, to the vast
majority of the human race, an unknown Person.

   We can take heart that some did receive Him, and became Sons of God.
Those of His early followers, including the writer St. John, testified
that they saw His Glory, for He was full of Grace and Truth. The
remainder of the chapter gives ample evidence of this wonderful Grace
of Jesus.

   Today there are still men that see His Glory. Poverty, war, hatred,
violence, trouble; all these were present in the first century when the
Light of the world dawned upon the Judean hills. Some, only a
comparative few saw that Glory. The world has not changed very much
since, for amid all the problems and perplexities of the 20th century
living, some (but very few) see His Glory and are blessed.

   Becoming His Sons involved a miracle never before revealed to the
world. Those who believed (trusted) in Him were born of God. Ordinary
men received a New Birth, and in the initial revelation of this
phenomenon (we shall read more of it in Lesson 3), God plainly
illustrates the New Birth by telling us what it is not.

   (1) It is not "of blood", that is, you cannot inherit the New Birth
as you inherit other features and tendencies from your parents.

   (2) It is not "of the will of the flesh", that is, it is not the
normal tendency for any person in the world. Left to ourselves we
couldn't experience the New Birth.

   (3) It is not "of the will of man", that is, no man can decree,
when, where or how you will receive the New Birth. It is not dependent
on any act by any other person.

   In the simplest terms, to be expanded later, we are plainly told
that it is to be "born ...of God." No nobler birth can be mans, and
treasures yet to be unfolded in God's Word will make it clear how all
can enter into this grand experience and truly become sons of God.

   QUESTIONS

   Answer True or False.

   1. John's Gospel clearly states that Jesus is the Eternal Son of

   God.

   2. John the Baptist was the Light of men.

   3. Everyone eagerly received the Light of Christ.

   4. Those who received Christ became sons of God.

   5. In order to receive the New Birth, we must rely on the

   cooperation of men.

   6. Those who receive the Lord Jesus Christ see His Glory.

   7. We are God's children because we have Christian parents.

   LESSON 2 MARY'S ONLY COMMAND

   Read: St. John 2:1-11

   From verse 11 of this chapter we can see the purpose of Jesus' first
miracle. It was to manifest His Glory so His disciples would believe in
Him.

   Besides this primary importance of the miraculous changing of water
to wine, it is interesting to see the role that Mary the mother of
Jesus played in this. It is one of the few times between the birth and
Passion of the Lord that she is mentioned. The words that she spoke in
John 2 contain the only command that Mary ever uttered.

   Any Bible student, whether Protestant or Catholic, will admit the
important part Mary played in bringing the Lord Jesus Christ into the
world. It will therefore be very helpful to contemplate the importance
of her only command.

   Mary's first statement, "they have no wine" (v. 3) gives us a good
indication of her practicality. She was no mystical, ethereal creature;
she was a down-to-earth woman, seeing a small but real need.

   So often we tend to think of Bible heroes walking around with halos,
as if they were of another world and didn't know the realities of this
one. Jesus didn't walk around with a light shining on His head and
neither did Peter or Mary. True holiness is demonstrated by a life of
dedication to God, not a halo.

   Mary classed herself with humanity and saw human need, just as she
spoke on the "Magnificat" (St. Luke 1:46-55) of her need of a Saviour.
Thus she counted herself a sinner, not in the sense of great
wickedness, but as one who shared the lot of all mankind. As St.
Augustine said, "Mary was more blessed in having Jesus as her Saviour
than in giving Him birth.

   Jesus' retort to Mary sounds abrupt, but His addressing her as
"Woman" carries no idea of disrespect. Jesus said it was not yet time
for Him to perform a miracle, and yet a moment later a miracle was
performed. Is this a mistake? Did Jesus act solely because Mary had
pointed out the need?

   A look at these few verses will convince us that neither of these is
true. We know He made no mistakes, and we can see that His response to
Mary's initial plea was negative.

   Our attention must be focused upon verse five, which is the key.
This verse contains the only command that Mary ever gave: "Whatsoever
He saith unto you, do it." To this statement Jesus gave full and
immediate response, thereby demonstrating important truths about His
power.

   First, we see that His miraculous power came into operation in
response to obedience that was prompted by faith. Imagine drawing water
and carrying it out to the table as if it were wine. But in doing so,
it became manifest that is was wine!

   In this light, we see Mary as the one who drew attention to Jesus,
and made it clear that it was reliance on Him that would meet their
need. Anyone who is looking to a church, its sacraments, or to their
own good works as a means of salvation would do well to take heed to
Mary's only command!

   We also see that Jesus' miraculous power does not come into
operation automatically whenever there is a need. Were this true, all
sinners on earth would be instantly be converted.

   A MIRACLE OF GRACE TAKES PLACE WHEN THE NEED FOR SALVATION IS
RECOGNIZED AND THE REMEDY IS APPLIED IN OBEDIENCE TO THE WORDS OF JESUS.

   The command of the Virgin Mary was that we should obey the words of
Jesus, and that we should rely on Him to perform in our lives that
which we need. The greatest miracle is the true conversion of a sinner
to God. In this we see the same principles as were present at Jesus'
first miracle at Cana.

   (1) RECOGNITION OF A NEED. John 2:3 - "they have no wine." This
pictures man's need of salvation, as Romans 3:23 says, " all have
sinned and come short of the glory of God."

   (2) UNDERSTANDING THE CONSEQUENCES. As shortage of wine would have
ruined the feast, sin ruins the lives of men. (Romans 6:23 -- "the
wages of sin is death.")

   (3) OUR ONLY HELP IS CHRIST. As He met the need at Cana, He can
solve the sin problem in your life. St. Peter says, "Who his own bare
our sins in his own body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24). St. John adds
"the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John
1:7).

   (4) BECAUSE OF OUR FAITH IN HIM WE BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD. It is not
because of our background, good works or church attendance (see John
1:12).

   QUESTIONS Answer True or False

   1. Jesus turned the water into wine because Mary asked Him to.

   2. John 2 records Mary's only command in scripture.

   3. Mary did not need salvation because she was sinless.

   4. Sin is a destructive force and results in death.

   5. As long as we are sincere, we will get to Heaven.

   6. Everyone needs salvation; the Bible says, "all have sinned."

   7. The blood of Jesus Christ can wash us clean from all sin.

   LESSON 3 THE NEW BIRTH

   Read: St. John 3:1-16

   In chapter one, St. John outlines some basic facts about the New
Birth by telling us what it is not. By emphasizing that this operation
is not of man's doing, he clearly establishes the fact that the New
Birth is supernatural. It is not the act of a minister, a priest or a
church--it is an act of God. Having the foundation laid, now the Lord
Jesus gives personal application in chapter three.

   In St. John 3:3, Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot
see the Kingdom of God." The necessity of this New Birth is repeated in
verses 5 and 7. If our Lord was so careful to underline the importance
of the New Birth, it is worth our while to find out what it is.

   Without this experience no one can get to Heaven. Unless each of us
is born again, we will never see God's Heavenly Kingdom.

   Nicodemus had a hard time understanding the New Birth (see verse 4),
and so it is today. Many very educated men cannot understand the
simplicity of this regenerative act of God.

   As we have already seen, the New Birth is not Baptism. It is not
making resolutions, however sincerely. It does not come to a person
because of the station on life which he was born, or because of
inherited religious beliefs. It is a supernatural Act of God.

   Jesus plainly stated that one must be born of water and the Holy
Spirit--but if some kind of a "water birth" administered by man was
needed to get spiritual life, it would not be a supernatural Act of
God. And the Word of God is very plain that the New Birth is
supernatural.

   It is very easy to understand that man becomes a natural creature
when he has a natural birth--the birth by water. Having had this
natural birth and being a natural man, he must now have a spiritual
birth--a New Birth.

   Jesus says plainly, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and
that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit" (St. John 3:6). By the
natural (water) birth man becomes natural; by the spiritual (Spirit)
birth, man becomes spiritual. As the natural birth brings a natural
life, so the spiritual birth gives man a spiritual life, the life of
God.

   How to receive this spiritual birth which is the New Birth (being
born again) is outlined in John's Gospel, chapter 3, verse 16. This
verse should be memorized, as it contains the heart of the Gospel.

   To be spiritually dead is to perish. In John 3:16 we read of those
who do not perish; instead, they have a wonderful Gift called
Everlasting Life.

   WHY?--Because they have received the New Birth, and as they were
once dead in their sins, they have been brought to life by the New
Birth. They have become spiritually ALIVE when once they were DEAD.

   HOW?--By believing in (or trusting in) the Lord Jesus Christ. No
work that I can do, nor any ceremony performed over me can do the job.
Jesus alone can save, and I must trust Him to do it. Anything else that
I may be trusting--good works, alms, sacraments, saints, prayers, all
must be seen to be lacking. If we have faith in these things to help to
save us, we cannot be fully trusting in the Lord Jesus. Since His
Sacrifice was infinitely able to save, nothing can be added to His
work, so we must trust Him alone.

   Truly trusting in Him means to place my whole reliance on Him for
salvation. As the poet puts it:

   "Upon a life I could not live; Upon a death I could not die; On
Another's Life, Another's Death I stake my whole eternity."

   QUESTIONS Answer True of False

   1. Jesus repeatedly told us the New Birth is necessary.

   2. Nicodemus had no trouble understanding all Jesus said.

   3. Man receives natural life from his natural parents in his first
birth.

   4. This natural life is governed by natural laws; spiritual birth is
governed by spiritual laws.

   5. A person is born again when he truly trusts Christ as his Saviour.

   6. The New Birth is Baptism in water.

   7. John 3:16 teaches that everlasting life is a gift.

   LESSON 4 HOW AVERT GOD'S JUDGMENT

   Read: St. John 5:19-27

   The message of the Gospel according to St. John is one of great hope
and promise. In chapter one we found out that we can become true
children of God. In chapter two, we saw the Lord Jesus as the One Who
can meet every need--material and spiritual. In chapter three, we
studied the New Birth--God's supernatural act that makes us His
Children when we receive Jesus as our perfect Saviour.

   Now we are going to look at Judgment, and at first, this seems a
reversal of the theme of the promise of everlasting life, and in vivid
contrast is the fact that there is eternal judgement waiting for some.
We can only understand the introduction of this sober thought when we
realize God's motive for speaking of judgement is to tell us how we
will be able to avert it.

   Judgment is mentioned three times in the nine verses; in verses 22
and 27, we are told that God the Father has committed all judgement to
the Son. In between these two verses, in verse 24, we have one of the
most wonderful statements that ever fell from the lips of Jesus. Note
it carefully one phrase at a time.

   "Verily, Verily (truly), I say unto you" --these words point ahead
to the importance of the coming statement, and its complete
trustworthiness. Jesus indicated He is going to say something of vital
importance.

   "He that heareth my word" refers to the message of the Gospel (the
Good News), which the disciples of Jesus were told to preach to the
world. This is still being faithfully proclaimed today. It is not man's
word; it is God's infallible Word.

   "Believeth on him that sent me" tells us the importance of our
believing the testimony that God gives concerning the saving power of
Jesus Christ. God never bears witness to any saving power in a church
or Christian minister. There is one Saviour from sin; He is the perfect
Saviour. The sacrificial death of Jesus was sufficient to take away
sin, and God declares in His Word that Jesus died for us, in our place,
as our Substitute. Because He took the punishment we deserved, we can
receive the free gift we do not deserve. A gift from God is freely
given, not merited or earned. God's Word tells us plainly that His
salvation is a gift.

   "Hath everlasting life" --this speaks of present possession of a
life that is eternal, and cannot pass away. Nothing can take it away or
destroy it, for it comes from God and is everlasting.

   "Shall not come into condemnation" (the Catholic version says
"cometh into judgement")--this means there can be no thought of hell or
purgatory for those who have heard His Word and believed the testimony
that God has given about Jesus Christ. Instead of living our lives in
dread of what may be awaiting us in eternity, we are confident--not in
ourselves, but in the perfection of Him Whom we trust for everlasting
life.

   "Is passed from death to life" refers to what we studied in the last
lesson--the New Birth. We were spiritually dead, and when we receive
the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we are re-born; we are brought
supernaturally from death to life. In the last part of verse 24 we are
assured that a person who has looked to Jesus Christ for salvation has
already passed from death (where we receive a gift we do not deserve).

   That gift is eternal life, and once we have received this gift we
are truly converted to Christ and eternally secure because of His
sacrificial death for us, and the miracle of the New Birth that
operated in our lives as we place our trust for salvation completely
upon Jesus Christ alone.

   QUESTIONS Answer True of False

   1. God desires that all of us escape His Judgment for sin.

   2. The words of Jesus in John 5:24 are completely true.

   3. His promise is to those who respond to the Gospel message.

   4. God tell us in His Word that we are saved by a human priest.

   5. The church is God's means of salvation.

   6. When we are born again, we pass from death to life.

   LESSON 5 THE BREAD OF LIFE

   Read: St. John 6:31-55

   This is one of the most important lessons of our study. We have
learned basic truths concerning salvation. Every chapter of John's
Gospel contains precious teaching about how we can escape the
consequences of sin. We can be children of God, born again by His
supernatural power, as we hear His Word and trust Jesus as our Saviour
from sin.

   We understand salvation by seeing it from different aspects. If we
read John 4, we see Jesus pictured as the Water of Life. Now, in John
6, we see Him as the Bread of life, and we are taught how to partake of
Him.

   John 6:54 is important; it teaches us that we must partake of
Christ, and it portrays this in literal terms--eat His flesh and drink
His blood. Some tell us this speaks of the Mass, where there is claimed
to be a literal eating and drinking of Christ in Holy Communion.

   If this were true, it would be necessary for one to take Holy
Communion only once in a life time. Verse 55 says that if we eat His
flesh and drink His blood we HAVE (present tense) everlasting life. If
Jesus literally meant eating and drinking, He surely meant everlasting
life--a life that would be eternal and never-ending.

   When a person receives everlasting life, he has that which can never
pass away; therefore once a person truly eats the flesh of Jesus and
drinks His blood they are eternally saved.

   Literal terms are used because this partaking of Christ is more than
a shadow or a symbol. It is a glorious reality, and far surpasses any
religious experience such as the Jews were used to. For them, religion
was going to worship once a week, reciting prescribed prayers and doing
religious deeds. Partaking of a person's very existence was foreign to
their thoughts, but Jesus said this was necessary if they were to have
eternal life.

   Jesus further explained His words in verse 63 when He said, "It is
the spirit that quickeneth (or bring life); the flesh profiteth
nothing." So it's a spiritual partaking of Christ--but it is so real
that it completely differs from anything we had previously known in our
life.

   St. John 6:33 had told us, in introducing this thought, that Jesus
is the bread of God, and that He gives life. This prepares us for the
idea of partaking of Him, and thereby receiving everlasting life.

   Look carefully at St. John 6:35, for this sums up the whole truth
God is bringing to us here. "He that cometh to me shall never hunger;
and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."

   Here both thoughts are expressed--eating and drinking. Here is
positive assurance to the partakers--shall NEVER hunger; shall NEVER
thirst! Here is clearly set out the conditions to be brought to this
place of everlasting life and full assurance.

   "He that comes to Jesus" -in coming we of necessity leave other
things behind. We must turn from our sin; the Bible calls this
repentance. We must forsake the things we had relied on for salvation,
even though they were religious and good things.

   Perhaps they are the things we have always relied on for salvation
-- prayers, masses, confessions, penances, indulgences--all things must
be left behind when coming to Jesus.

   The same though is implied when we speak of believing in Jesus. This
does not mean to believe something about Him; it means to trust Him
completely, to have full reliance on Him and Him alone for our
salvation.

   If you are trusting old religious observances they must be scrapped
if you are to truly partake of Christ, and receive His free gift of
everlasting life.

   QUESTIONS Answer True of False

   1. Although seen from different aspects, God has only one plan of
salvation.

   2. Knowing Christ as Saviour is more than ordinary religious
experience.

   3. We can drink Jesus' blood when we take Holy Communion.

   4. Jesus said it is the Spirit that gives life.

   5. Anyone who truly comes to Jesus will never hunger spiritually.

   6. If we truly trust Christ, there is nothing else upon which we
rely.

   7. In John 6:55, Jesus was speaking about the Sacrifice of the Mass.

   LESSON 6 HE DIED FOR ME

   Read: St. John 19:17-30

   We have studied various aspects of salvation, and have learned much
concerning how this gift can be received. Now in this lesson we are
going to view the great sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ--the actual
purchase price of this great salvation.

   This part of the life of Jesus is often called His Passion--which
simply means His sufferings. While the sufferings on the Cross are
unique, they are a climax to a life of suffering which began when Jesus
Christ left Heaven's Glory and, for our sakes, became man.

   The events surrounding Calvary burst upon our viewing of the life of
our Lord suddenly, but this was no unexpected event as far as He was
concerned. He knew man would fall, and therefore He ordained the death
of Christ before the world was created.

   In chapter 18, we can read of Peter's denial, of Jesus' appearing
before Annas, Caiaphas and Pilate and of the release of Barabbas, who
the Jews chose instead of Jesus. In the beginning of chapter 19, we
find Jesus still before Pilate, and we read of His being mistreated by
the Roman soldiers. After making efforts to release Him Pilate gave in
to the Jews and delivered Jesus to them for crucifixion.

   An account of His journey to Calvary follows, and it is interesting
to note that, in scripture, it does not record the three times Jesus
was said to have fallen beneath His Cross, nor does it mention any
meeting with Veronica or Mary.

   Jesus was crucified between two thieves, and in another Gospel we
read that one of these, in the hour of his death, asked the Lord Jesus
for salvation, which was graciously granted him.

   The soldiers parted His garments and gambled for His coat, all in
fulfillment of prophecy. From the account in the four Gospels, we find
that 33 Old testament prophecies were fulfilled in the Passion of Jesus.

   Jesus' mother was standing by the Cross with two other women and the
Apostle John. Mary's husband Joseph had most likely died before this
event, and the brothers of our Lord mentioned in scripture were
unbelievers. With the loving care of a son to his mother, Jesus
indicated his desire that John should henceforth treat Mary as his own
mother, and John readily obeyed.

   To build the doctrine of the Universal Motherhood of Mary over
Christians out of this incident is to employ private interpretation to
put into the Bible thoughts that are not there. This was a personal
request of a loving Son, and its fulfillment in the later part of verse
27 ends its significance.

   Now that His last earthly tie was taken care of, Jesus said, "I
thirst." Many Bible students see in this statement the full agony of
Christ, literally suffering the pains of hell for our redemption. And
Jesus in reality did become our Substitute--dying the death we deserve
to die so that we, trusting in HIM, might chapter the benefits of this
perfect sacrifice for sin--His Gift of eternal Life!

   Jesus then said, "It is finished." And indeed it was. His redemptive
death on the Cross fulfilled, Jesus commended His Spirit to His Father
and died.

   And the wonderful trust that comes echoing down the centuries--HE
DIED FOR ME!

   QUESTIONS Answer True of False

   1. God's great salvation is a free gift.

   2. John's gospel tells us of Jesus meeting St. Veronica.

   3. Jesus was crucified between two thieves.

   4. Much Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus died.

   5. Jesus asked John to care for His mother Mary.

   6. Jesus died on Calvary as my substitute.

   7. Jesus' death and resurrection completed God's plan of redemption.

   LESSON 7 JESUS' PARTING WORDS

   Read: St. John 20:21-31

   St. John, chapter 20 begins with the wonderful news of Jesus'
resurrection from the dead. His Sacrifice was complete, and its full
acceptance by God was verified by the resurrection.

   As He met again with the disciples who could hardly believe the good
news, Jesus spoke some important words. Obedience to His instructions
brings success to His Church.

   First, He gives them His salutation of "Peace." They had been
troubled and distressed; He assures them that in Him they can have
peace--and He says the same to believers today.

   Then He makes the remarkable statement that He is sending them as
the Father sent Him. There could be no higher calling, and we note that
it was the disciples that are gathered here, not just the eleven
apostles.

   Breathing upon them, He speaks of the apostles of the Holy Spirit,
and then He gives them the actual power to remit and to retain sin.

   We can see here in verses 21-23 three thoughts linked together:

   (1) the commission to go preach the Gospel;

   (2) the promise of power of the Holy Spirit; and

   (3) the authority to remit and retain sin.

   These should never be separated on our thinking; they all go
together.

   Looking at the other recorded Commissions of the Lord Jesus in the
other Gospels, we see striking similarities.

   In Matthew 28, we see the commission to go (v.19) and this going is
dependent on the power of God. The authority is given to make disciples
and to teach them the truth (v. 19, 20).

   In Mark 16, the commission is given in verse 15, the promise of the
power of the Holy Spirit in verse 17, and the fact that they can
proclaim this gospel with full authority in verse 16: "He that
believeth (the gospel you preach) shall be saved; he that believeth not
shall be condemned." We see God's willingness to seal the judgement on
men on the basis of their reaction to the Gospel.

   In Luke 24, the commission is given in verse 47, the promise of
power in verse 49, and in St. Luke's continued narrative in the book of
Acts, it is recorded that they preached the Gospel with authority
(chapter 2, verse 38).

   What it all adds up to is that there is power on earth today to
remit and retain sin, this power is vested in the disciples of Christ
and is recognized as being valid in Heaven. This power was not given to
the Apostles alone, but to all the Christians.

   God never intended, in the life of His Church, to have sacramental
powers residing in a select group of men, who could then use these
powers to rule the rest of the Church. Claims to apostolic succession
as a means to transmitting sacramental power aren't founded on
Scripture. And it is always the Bible, not Tradition, that must guide
us (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

   Let us then search the scriptures. In John 20, verses 19-23, we read
that Jesus spoke to the DISCIPLES. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit
fell upon the DISCIPLES, enabling them to fulfill the commission of
Jesus. Since the words commanding a proclamation of the Gospel were
addressed to DISCIPLES and the power to Perform that command was poured
out upon DISCIPLES, we see that all who are His DISCIPLES--truly
trusting Him--have a part in the great work of proclaiming the Gospel
message to all the world.

   If you are truly trusting Christ, you can tell others by your words
and actions. No longer can you take part in religious observances that
deny the completion of His work, and as you take this stand for Him, it
can be the means of someone else understanding His truth and placing
their trust for salvation not in religious duties, but in the perfect
sacrifice of the Son of God on Calvary.

   QUESTIONS Answer True or False

   1. The resurrection verified God's acceptance of Christ's completed
sacrifice.

   2. Jesus gives peace to troubled hearts.

   3. Christians are sent into the world as Christ was sent by His
Father.

   4. The power of the Holy Spirit is necessary to the preaching of

   the Gospel.

   5. The authority of the preacher of the Gospel was given by God.

   6. With this authority, a Christian can proclaim forgiveness of sin.

   PLEASE ANSWER QUESTION 7 HONESTLY AND PERSONALLY

   7. I sincerely repent of my sins and want the Lord Jesus Christ to
be my perfect Saviour. I renounce all faith I may have had in religious
observances to save me or to contribute to my salvation, and I testify
that all saving virtue is in the Person of Jesus Christ. I realize that
nothing--Masses, Penances, Indulgences, Purgatory--can help to save me,
and I call upon the Lord Jesus Christ for His salvation. Answer YES or
NO If your answer is Yes, please write to:

   Copyright to this article is held by Christians Evangelizing
Catholics. You are allowed to reproduce this article only in its
entirety and without any additions or deletions. This article
originated on S.O.N.