Click here to prepare for the study of God's word.

Galatians 5:16-23 teaches that at any moment we are either walking by the Holy Spirit or according to the sin nature. Walking by the Spirit, enjoying fellowship with God, walking in the light are virtually synonymous. During these times, the Holy Spirit is working in us to illuminate our minds to the truth of Scripture and to challenge us to apply what we learn. But when we sin, we begin to live based on the sin nature. Our works do not count for eternity. The only way to recover is to confess (admit, acknowledge) our sin to God the Father and we are instantly forgiven, cleansed, and recover our spiritual walk (1 John 1:9). Please make sure you are walking by the Spirit before you begin your Bible study, so it will be spiritually profitable.

2011 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference

2011 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference

March 2011

Sanctification

The Chafer Theological Seminary annual Pastors' Conference, hosted by West Houston Bible Church. The 2011 conference was held March 7th through 9th, 2011. This year's theme was Sanctification.

Dr. Dean has spent much time in the past 30 years researching the differences between the different basic approaches or models to sanctification. Each model—Reformed, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Keswick, or Chaferian—reflects the theological presuppositions each system has in each area of theology. Most Christians are confused by teaching on the spiritual life because much that is taught in this area is an eclectic stew of inconsistent interpretations.

Each night of this conference Dr. Dean focused on the implications of Jesus’ command to “Abide in Me” (John 15:1–7) for understanding the central sanctification passages in Romans, Ephesians, Galatians, and 1 John. The daytime presentations formed the backdrop for understanding these passages. In these three evening messages, Dr. Dean brought together the results of these presentations to present a view of the spiritual life that is internally consistent and which most accurately fits a free grace gospel and a dispensational view of God the Holy Spirit.

Keynote Speaker was Dr. Robert L. Dean. Other speakers included Bruce Bumgardner, Charlie Clough, David Dunn, Dan Inghram, George Meisinger, Jim Myers, Mark Perkins, David Roseland, Paul Schmidtbleicher, Clay Ward, and Andy Woods.

To view all video Bible studies in the 2011 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference series, click here (Vimeo) or here (YouTube).

Logos v4 Demonstration #1 by J.B. Hixson
Tue, Mar 08, 2011
by J. B. Hixson
Series: 2011 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 19 mins 21 secs
Demonstration of Logos Bible Software version 4 by Logos representative J.B. Hixson
Video:watch Text:read
11 - Romans 7: Sanctification: Can Man Obey on His Own?
Wed, Mar 09, 2011
by Andy Woods
Passage: Romans 7
Series: 2011 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 1 hr 20 mins 46 secs
This paper will argue that one’s understanding of practical sanctification is profoundly impacted by how one views the “I” in Romans 7:7-25. Specifically, the paper will argue that the “I” in Romans 7 is Paul, and in verses 14-25 Paul is reflecting upon his post conversion experience. In addition, the paper will maintain that a post conversion view of Romans 7:14-25 leads to a dual nature view of the believer. This view teaches that although the believer has a new nature that he received at conversion, his Adamic nature still exists within him and continues to tempt him to return to his former sinful lifestyle throughout the course of this life. Finally, the paper will contend that viewing believers through the lenses of the dual nature view shapes one’s understanding of practical sanctification in several important ways. ...
Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:notesslideshow
12 - Flesh vs. Holy Spirit in Romans 8: Both/And or Either/Or
Wed, Mar 09, 2011
by Dan Inghram
Passage: Romans 8
Series: 2011 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 1 hr 19 mins 19 secs
In Romans chapters 1―5, Paul addresses salvation, positional sanctification or justification. In chaps. 6―8, Paul moves on to teach experiential sanctification or how believers are to live the Christian life. In chap. 8, he specifically focuses on the spiritual life of believers. In Romans 8:1–17, Paul teaches believers they have an option: to live the spiritual life or live a carnal life, to walk according to the Spirit or according to the sin nature. But, as this paper will demonstrate, at no time does Paul address the unbeliever nor is his purpose simply to contrast the unbeliever and believer. Instead, Paul focuses on the struggle that every believer faces―to live a life pleasing to God or a life indistinguishable from the unbeliever. ...
Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:notesslideshow
13 - Mysticism: A False Model of the Christian’s Communion with God and Sanctification
Wed, Mar 09, 2011
by Mark Perkins
Series: 2011 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 1 hr 15 mins 18 secs
Human spirituality has suffered more from the assault of mysticism than from any other enemy. Even among Christians, mysticism is overwhelmingly misunderstood, rampantly practiced against every caution, and is a vital conduit for the introduction of a great volume of false doctrine into the world. Today, mysticism is wildly popular among Christians. Movements such as contemplative spirituality, spiritual formation, and in large part the charismatic branch of evangelical Christianity all have significant elements of mysticism. ...
Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:notesslideshow
14 - Forgiveness and Sanctification
Wed, Mar 09, 2011
by Bruce Bumgardner
Series: 2011 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 1 hr 14 mins 9 secs

One of the most challenging concepts for Christians to comprehend, accept and apply is the concept of forgiveness. We are most happy to accept God’s forgiveness of us but we are often very reluctant to extend forgiveness to others. Without a thorough understanding of the idea of forgiveness, both God’s forgiveness of us, and our responsibility to forgive one another, it is almost a sure thing that we will find ourselves stuck in spiritual rut.

This paper will highlight the significance of the believer’s forgiveness of sins committed against him and its relationship to the ongoing process of experiential sanctification. A refusal to engage in interpersonal forgiveness will result in the believer living perpetually out of fellowship with God. ...

Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:notes
15 - How Does a Christian Grow? Part Three: Walking in the Light
Wed, Mar 09, 2011
by Robert Dean
Series: 2011 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 1 hr 31 mins 18 secs
The first two installments of this series developed key elements for a dispensational system of sanctification. An analysis of John 15 along with other key passages on the believer’s fruit (fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:16–25; fruit of righteousness; Ephesians 5:9) revealed that abiding in Christ, walking by the Spirit, and walking in the light, are three descriptions of how the believer maintains fellowship with God. In addition, it was demonstrated that abiding in Christ and walking by the Spirit are both necessary and indispensable for spiritual growth and fruit production. The second article further demonstrated that these commands are parallel to the apostle John’s exhortations in 1 John 1:1–10, to walk in the light. The collection of “walking” mandates are complementary descriptions of the Christian way of life and active responsibilities of the believer who wishes to maintain fellowship with God. Early dispensationalist Arno C. Gaebelein (1861-1945) reminds us that these spheres of Christian fellowship are mutually exclusive of the operation of the sin nature. ...
Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:notesslideshow
Logos v4 Demonstration #2 by J.B. Hixson
Wed, Mar 09, 2011
by J. B. Hixson
Series: 2011 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 52 mins 28 secs
Demonstration of Logos Bible Software version 4 by Logos representative J.B. Hixson
Video:watch Text:read
Logos v4 Demonstration by Robert Dean
Wed, Mar 09, 2011
by Robert Dean
Series: 2011 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 22 mins 34 secs
Demonstration of Logos Bible Software version 4 by Robert Dean
Video:watch Text:read
16 - Forgiveness: The Unsaved and the Lost
Sun, Mar 20, 2011
by Robert Dean
Series: 2011 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 1 hr 4 mins 19 secs
Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:slideshow
back to series list