Pastor Frank DeFusco
Starting in two to three weeks, our Friday Bible Study will start exploring what many Bible scholars believe to be the most important book in the Bible, the Book of Genesis, for it is the foundation upon which all the other 65 books of God’s written Word have been based.
After Jesus Christ was resurrected, He gave a key Bible study to a group of disciples on the way to Emmaus, beginning with Genesis, “expounding in them all the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). And in His rebuke of the religious leaders who sought to kill Him, Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). So, it is important for us to understand the Book of Genesis if we want to understand the New Testament that contains at least 200 direct quotations or clear allusions to events described in Genesis.
All the great doctrines of Christianity concerning the origin of sin, atonement, grace, redemption, faith, justification, salvation, and many others are first encountered in Genesis. In addition, the great doctrine of the special creation of all things, by the eternal, self-existent God, is revealed in the very first chapter of Genesis, the foundation of all foundations. So, it is hardly surprising that the greatest attacks on the Bible have been directed against the authority and integrity of Genesis. And that’s because the only alternative to “a special creation” by an intelligent creator, is the theory of Evolution, which is the assumption that this complex universe can somehow be explained apart from the infinite creative power of God. Along with this and many other questions, debate and dialogue will be encouraged by our participants during the lessons. This is to encourage them to learn how to give an answer to those that may be seeking to understand if there is a purpose for their existence. Also, to the skeptic, the materialist, and the agnostic that they might come to eternal life by the grace of God, through the blood sacrifice of Jesus, the Christ.
The Bible teaches us that to the Jews, the gospel of Jesus, is a stumbling block, and to the Gentile, it is foolishness. But to Peter, John, Luke, and Matthew, the Gospel writers, there is no salvation in any other name under Heaven given to man, by which we can be saved, than that of Jesus. (Acts 4:12) And starting in the Book of Genesis, we will receive a panoramic view of who He is, why He created mankind, why man fell, and His plan for redeeming His creature back into His loving arms.
All are welcome to join us for this study on Fridays at 10 a.m. “The Lord bless thee and keep thee: The Lord make His face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Pastor Frank teaches two Bible Studies a week: Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. in the Sports Club. Please call 610–428-7244 if you have questions.