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Episode: 520 What Are The Six Foundational Principle Doctrines Of Christ?

 

 

 

Notes

BELIEVERS SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON DEEP SPIRITUAL ROOTS

 

Paul is warning believers that they must have a deep understanding of the doctrines of Christ to survive. Many were showing signs of backsliding and that their foundational understanding was weak and immature. He is saying some of you are spiritual infants and easy prey to fall away.

Hebrews 5:11-14 NKJV 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

 

They had tired of hearing the truth and further, when they should have been able to defend the true deep doctrines they show DOCTRINAL IGNORANCE and weakness. They could no longer digest the deeper things of Christ. They had weak doctrinal roots.

 

13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

If they could not discern good from evil then they would backslide and Paul is warning them of their need for the deep understanding of the six foundational doctrines of Christianity. Few people in nominal Christianity even know all six doctrines, no less really understand them.

 

Hebrews 6:1-2 NKJV 1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of (ONE)repentance from dead works and of(TWO) faith toward God, 2 of the (THREE)doctrine of baptisms, (FOUR) of laying on of hands, (FIVE)of resurrection of the dead, and(SIX) of eternal judgment.

 

Above are the six vital doctrines all believers need to understand to remain strong and mature. We can reinforce our doctrinal roots by focusing on these five areas which keep us safer.

 

REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS IS THE STARTING POINT FOR BELIEVERS

 

We must repent from dead works. What does this mean in practical terms? Sins lead to the death and destruction of mankind and such things as the family. True repentance is the act of acknowledging one's sins. It is the resolving of one self to fully obey God and realizing that repentance means to change. Repentance is the first step toward reconciliation with God and thereby, ultimate salvation. True repentance can only occur when God opens our eyes.

 

Romans 6:23 KJV 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

2 Timothy 2:25-26 KJV 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

 

Human attempts at being righteous are only a weak attempt that God compares to filthy rags. We must have God's help to repent and accurately evaluate ourselves. Note Jer. 17:9 and Isa. 64:6. We need a spiritual mind transplant that only God can provide. Admitting this is the starting point. Real repentance is a spiritual gift! However repentance is not synonymous with perfection. It is a process, but when we repent we are free of guilt, Christ has paid the price.

 

Psalms 103:12 KJV 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

 

2 Peter 3:9 KJV 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17-19 KJV 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;...18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19... reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;...unto us the word of reconciliation.

 

God will not fail, He will ultimately give all mankind a chance to repent and most will in the future- but our opportunity is now as part of the blessed first fruits.

 

FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY AVENUE TO SALVATION

 

A true believer must rely on Jesus and learn to trust Him for salvation. God demands that we learn to trust God and act upon those beliefs.

 

John 14:6 NKJV 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

 

John 17:3 NKJV 3 "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

 

Christ is the only avenue to salvation. We must believe this fervently! We must trust Him and act accordingly. Our actions must show faith in Christ by doing the things He wants.

James 2:14-17 NKJV 14 What does it profit,..if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?... "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed ...what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

 

We must show our faith and belief in God by our actions. For instance if you believe that the Ten Commandments are God's will for us then you will keep the Sabbath not Sunday.

 

James 2:18-22 NKJV 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works...Even the demons believe--and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son...that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

 

Abraham was saved by grace; however he showed his trust in God by what he did. Faith is trusting God even before He acts.

 

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

Hope is one of the major components of the Christians life and this hope is true faith.

 

Hebrews 11:6-7 NKJV 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

 

Who do we trust? It must be in God's Son for salvation. Believe God's word, believe God's ways , believe God's Son. Act on that belief ! It is the only avenue to salvation.

 

Issues:

 

HAS THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION UNDERMINED THE FAITH OF MANY?