Introduction
This study is meant for newborn babes in the lord, or simply, those who have yet to be taught. It’s purpose is to lay a sure foundation directly from scripture. Much like when raising children their first nourishment is milk, the more complex proteins broken down into an easily absorbed form.
An annual refresher course is also profitable for those older in the faith so that they remember the firm foundation and do not go astray. Just as football practice every year starts with “This is a foot ball.” so, this brief study undertaken annually keeps us on the foundation laid by Christ and perpetuated by the apostles. All doctrines formed fall under these six foundational headings, if you come across a doctrine that exists apart from/ or in direct opposition to these principals it can immediately be rejected as false.
Hebrews 5:12-6:312For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.(6)1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3And this will we do, if God permit.
In 1Peter 2:2 we are told: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby”. We have here, laid out in scripture a list entailing what is meant by “the milk of the word” a detailed scripture study of each of these will define the precise meaning. As we can see in vs-14 of Hebrews 5, one should not move on to spiritual meat until these foundations are sure and unshakeable.
Furthermore in 2 John 1:9-11 we read: “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds”. May the spirit be your teacher and the scripture be your text, all else that follows is merely the word of man, meant to help you understand.
Repentance from dead works
In reading the Old Testament, and especially the book of Ecclesiastes, we see that when we do any works apart from God weather good or bad they are dead works. In Ecclesiastes Solomon concludes that life without God has no meaning, we live, we eat, we die, if we then blink into nothingness all the pain, toil, and hardships; were pointless. why undertake such an endeavor? But even works that God has commanded can become an offence to Him (Isaiah 1:14-15). It is no wonder that the scripture says that anything done apart from faith is sin (Romans14:23). and this fact helps us to see that indeed all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), if every good deed we ever did before we believed was just as sinful as the wrongs we’ve done the burden laid on Christ for our sakes was indeed tremendous. Initial repentance from sin obviously falls under this foundation stone but this applies to much more. In short any work done without the intent to give God glory is a dead work, and we are to repent from such pointless endeavors. In fact, even if ones actions are entirely focused on giving glory to God, if He did not send you to do that work in the first place, it is a dead work. Many Christians have been burnt out in the calling of another, sometimes we need to learn to say “no” but more often than not we need to seek God’s purpose in us, perhaps we will help for a time, perhaps not. Only God really knows, ask Him. A thorough examination of the following scriptures should render itself useful in exacting the position of this foundation stone.
Psalm115:4-8, Psalm135:15-18, Matt. 8:22, Matt. 23:27, Acts 19:13-15, Romans 6:1-2(chapters 5-8), Ephesians 2:1, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 11:6, 1pet 4:1-6, Revelation 3:1-6
Faith toward God
Again, a large element of salvation falls under this stone, we repent of our former self entirely and turn toward God in faith that He will bury the “old man” whom we have just abandoned. But how is faith manifest in our lives? The evidence of this original faith is a changed nature, resulting in a changed life. It may not be immediately obvious as the spirit works from the inside out. With a little time burning away the chaff, the outward man will soon reflect the inward man, but that will be addressed under baptisms. This subject of evidence of faith is directly addressed in the book of James as follows:
James 2:14-26: 14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. 19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Pay close attention to vs-18, the works referred to here are not works of the law but works of faith. And it is essential to understand the difference. The works of the law are ritualistic ordinances which are neither good nor bad, the symbol is nothing, what is symbolized carries all the importance. Such as baptism, the ordinance is nothing without the inward condition it represents. However, it was instituted by the Lord; therefore an able-bodied believer refusing baptism would also bring fourth a symbol of disobedience and even denying of the Lord. To learn more of faith toward God, study the following scriptures:
(Psalms 31:23, Psalms 101:6, Proverbs 28:20, Habakkuk2:4, Matthew 6:30, Matthew 8:5-10, Matthew 8:23-27, Matthew 9:1-8, Matthew 9:20-22, Matthew 9:27-31, Matthew 14:22-33, Matthew 15:22-28, Matthew 16:5-12, Matthew 17:14-22, Matthew 21:18-21, Matthew 23:23, Mark2:3-12, Mark 4:35-41, Mark 5:25-34, Mark 9:17-29, Mark 10:46-52, Mark 11:22-23, Luke 5:18-26, Luke 7:1-10, Luke 7:36-50,
Luke 8:22-25, Luke 8:43-48, Luke 9:38-42, Luke 12:28, Luke 17:5-6, Luke 17:11-19, Luke 18:35-42,
Luke 22:31-32, John 20:26-29, Acts 3:16, Acts 14:9-10, Acts 15:7-9, Acts 20:21, Acts 26:15-18, Romans 1:8, Romans1:17, Romans 3:22-31, Romans 4:5-5:2, Romans 9:30-33, Romans 10:17, Romans 12:3,
Romans 14:22-23, 1 Corinthians 2:5, 1 Corinthians 13:2, 1 Corinthians 15:14, 2 Corinthians 1:24,
2 Corinthians 8:7, Galatians 3, Galatians 5:5-6, Ephesians 2:8, Colossians 2:5-7, 1 Thessalonians 1:3,
1 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:12, 2 Timothy 2:22, 2 Timothy 3:15, Titus 2:1-2, Hebrews 4:2, Hebrews 10:38, Hebrews 11, James 1:3, James 1:6, James 5:15, 1 Peter 1:7, 1 Peter 1:21, Revelation 2:19)
Doctrine of baptisms
Just to clarify, there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, this has nothing to do with being dunked in a river multiple times, rather it is several points of our Christian lives that will naturally manifest as we learn and grow and the Lord continually cleanses us from our inbred iniquity. All manifestations are not necessary for salvation, nor do they always fall in any set order, but these are the things with witch our lives will be consumed as we are continually reformed into the image of our savior. As the lord works in us and through us his glory begins to shine fourth from us. We are being prepared to act in His name and power.
2 Peter 1:2-4 2Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Believers baptism entails being baptized:
Unto Repentance, Into His death, Into His life, and Into the one body.
Which gives way to, or is brought about by being baptized:
With the Holy Spirit
Any of these when recognized by the world may result in being baptized:
With Fire (trials), and ultimately Into His suffering
Each of these seven are explained below:
* Unto Repentance: John baptized unto repentance but after his death this was inseparably tied to the baptism of Christ. We recognize our sin and repent of it, (repentance alone being a gift of God) immediately clinging to Jesus and his promise of salvation, binding our sin to His cross, this is how we are baptized into His death. Initial repentance is but one necessary component of true salvation. In your Christian walk you will find more and more things in your life that are unbecoming of a Christian, as they are discovered repentance of them is necessary, but a rebaptism is not for that would be crucifying our lord afresh, we need only repent and ask his forgiveness this is all part of the continual sanctification and reformation into His image.
(Matthew 3:7-11, Mark1:4-5, Luke 3:3, John 3:22-30 & 4:1-2,
Acts 2:38, Acts 18:25, Acts19:3-5)
* Into His death: that our sins may be buried with Him, and we may be raised to new life with him as well. This is then symbolized by aquatic immersion, our first opportunity to declare our faith in the savior, identifying ourselves with him, this action (immersion) is not necessary for salvation, tough what it represents (death to sin) is the very essence of salvation. However a failure to take part in this symbolic action though able bodied and unhindered would be a violation of the ordinance that Christ himself set in place. Our death to sin is symbolized my the immersion, rising out of the water symbolizes being raised to the newness of life, His life.
(Matthew 10:32-33, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16, Acts2:38, Acts8:12, Acts 8:35-38,
Acts 9:17-22, Acts 10:45-48, Acts 16:14-15, Acts 16:31-34, Acts 18:7-11, Acts 19:3-5,
Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-4, Ephesians 4:4-5, Colossians 2:12, 1 Peter 3:18-22)
* Into His life: To be baptized into His life is the continual process of sanctification and reformation into His image, as we are his and are called by His name Christ lives vicariously through us not just in our “church practices” but in all of life His glory is to shine from us insomuch that even the world can see Christ in us, much like Pharaoh saw the Spirit of God in Joseph. This is all accomplished through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which may at various points result in manifestations of power (the baptism of the Holy Spirit), however these manifestations can occur before the symbolic act of immersion. As we are then one with Christ we are also one with each other in Christ, thus into the one body.
(Genesis 41:38, Romans 14:8, 1 Corinthians 10:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Galatians 2:20,
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, 1 John 2:6)
* Into the one body: as Jesus himself prayed we as Christians are to be one. If indeed, we have been baptized into His life this should not be a difficult concept to grasp. If we are each one with Him individually we are then one in Him corporately. The church (body of believers) is to be like a family, one so closely knit that each member is an inseparable part of each other’s lives. Much like in the design of marriage, the husband and wife are to be one flesh, we as the corporate body are to be one in Christ and each individual personally has this same sort of oneness relationship with our Lord and Savior.
(John 17:20-23, 1 Corinthians 1:12-17, 1 Corinthians 10:17, 1 Corinthians12:13,
Galatians 3:26-29, Ephesians 2:13-22, Ephesians 3:6, Ephesians4:3-6, Ephesians 5:30,
Colossians 3:15)
* With the Holy Spirit: when we are saved the Holy Spirit begins to cleans us that the Lord may dwell within us, He will teach us that we may know the will of God and understand His word. Revelations, prophecy, dreams and visions are wrought through Him. Further, there are times in our walk that we will be utterly consumed and totally overcome by the Spirit and power of God. At this time, God may do many signs, wonders and miracle through us, not for our glory but for His. There may be healings, prophecy, miracles, words of wisdom, revelation of the mysteries of God, tongues (always accompanied by its interpretation). It is not like being possessed where you are bound and have no control over your outside circumstances. Rather the Lord puts in you the irresistible urge to act. (1 Corinthians 14:26-33)When we prophesy let it be at the most three, one after the other, then let the others judge, if a tongue is given let it be at the most three successively, and if there be no interpreter let them keep silent, obviously we have some control. If it be out of order, beyond the individuals control, or there be no interpreter, take heed for the devil and his ministers can counterfeit tongues and curse the name of your Savior (Acts 20:28-30) and even draw you away from the truth and the spirit of God leading you down a path of religious emptiness. Transforming himself into a minister of light he may even beguile the undiscerning into cursing their savior with an unknown tongue. Therefore, read His word to know His voice, and recognize the counterfeit when it comes.
(Joel 2:28-29, Matthew 3:11, Matthew 7:21-23, Mark 1:8, Mark 16:17-18, Luke 3:16, Luke 21:8, Acts 1:5, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4-12, Acts 2:17-18, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:15-17, Acts 9:17-22,
Acts 10:45-48, Acts 11:16, Acts 20:28-30, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15,
1 John 4:1-3)
* With Fire (trials): As James says, the trying of your faith worketh patience, and let patience have her perfect work in you. God in his infinite wisdom allows things to come into our lives to try our faith that the chaff (residual sin) may be burned away. When our friends and family forsake us for becoming a “Jesus Freak” and abandoning our former ways of drunkenness, gratification, and violence; That is indeed a trial by fire, a baptism administered by Christ himself. Will we come through the trial as a sward refined in the fire, continuing on the narrow way, scorned and reviled by our former companions? Or will it be revealed that we love the world and all it contains more than Jesus and the eternal life in His kingdom that he has promised? This is usually one of the first trials faced by a new believer, as we learn and grow the world sees it and being diametrically opposed to God and His word, will do everything possible to crush this seed of righteousness. Take strength dear Christian this is but the first of many trials to come; which may result in the shedding of blood for his names sake.
(Genesis 22:1-18, Job, Psalms 119:75, Matthew 3:11-12, Matthew 10:36-39, Matthew 19:16-24 Luke 3:16, James 1:2-4,Revelation 3:19)
* Into His suffering: Most Christians have no interest in receiving this baptism, but remember, “no servant is greater than his master, the world hated me it will hate you also”. Tying in with trials by fire, aside from testing our faith the world may see it fit to cause us physical harm and even take our lives. Will we rejoice that we are counted worthy of chastisement for his names sake? Will we walk out of the furnace without the smell of smoke on us? Will we be received into glory as we entreat the lord not to hold our murderers responsible for our deaths? You may not be ready for this baptism, but don’t worry the Lord does not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to overcome. Just remember, our strength is in Him; though we be weak and feeble Satan himself cannot overtake us, and even the gates of hell cannot withstand us.
(Daniel 3, Matthew 20:22-23, Matthew 24:9-10, Mark 10:38-39, Acts 5:17-24, Acts 7:51-60,
2 Corinthians 4:8-18, 2 Timothy 3:12)
***Note: The following does not pertain to the doctrine of baptisms,***
***but as a curious bit of scripture, baptism for the dead should be addressed here.***
Mentioned only once in scripture, Paul references this pagan practice of baptizing for the dead in writing to the (former pagan) Corinthians, reasoning with them that there is indeed a resurrection and even their carnal mind knew that there must be more to the end of life than the grave. This was an appeal to their former understanding, not a condoning or mandating of the practice, it was merely to help them understand. (1 Corinthians 15:29)
Laying on of hands
Throughout the Old and New Testament we see that those who are called of God for one purpose or another, are often anointed with oil by their predecessor or a prophet and a prayer of blessing is offered. This is often called an ordination. In the New Testament we see this clearly continued in Paul. He was called of God and after years of learning from Christ Himself, The Holy Spirit, and the apostles sent before him, he was officially sent (having been told of God’s purpose in him straight from his conversion). God told the brethren, where Paul was, to send him and Barnabas to the gentiles. So, they laid hands on them and sent them to their destination with a blessing. Ordination, such as this, is but one aspect of “laying on of hands”. A study of the following scriptures will reveal that this practice is always done with prayer and often accompanied with fasting and/or anointing with oil when appropriate. The purpose of laying on of hands is for: ordination (as discussed, an official recognizing of the LORD’S purpose in them, which is already at work), a prayer of blessing (for any reason that it is needed), a prayer of healing (of an ailment or condition), and in some cases, for the receipt of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. However, in all of this, DO NOT DO SO HASTILY! Do not ordain someone because he proclaimed his calling, do so when and if the LORD tells you to. The same goes for the receipt of the Holy Spirit or spiritual gifts, and for a blessing, the desire to receive is not a reason to act, the LORD will tell you when he wants you to act in this manner.
(Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 5:23, Mark 6:2-5, Mark 8:22-26, Mark 10:16, Mark 16:18, Luke 4:40,
Luke 13:11-13, Acts 5:12, Acts 6:1-8, Acts 8:14-23, Acts 9:17-18, Acts 13:3, Acts 14:3, Acts 19:6, Acts 19:11, Acts 28:8, 1 Timothy 4:14, 1 Timothy 5:22, 2 Timothy 1:6 Hebrews 6:2)
Resurrection of the dead
More than a foundational principal of the doctrine of Christ, the resurrection of the dead is one of three essential issues in Christianity; the other two being our savior’s virgin birth and a sinless life of prophetic fulfillment. While it is stated best in the scripture referenced below, the point is this: if Christ did not raise from the dead in bodily form, then He is not God, death conquered Him, and our hope is therefore futile.
1 Corinthians 15:12-19: 12Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
One may speculate to their heart’s content about the when, where, and how many; but scripture clearly teaches a final resurrection. Though all the references below are from the New Testament, by them we can clearly see that this was a clear teaching from the Old Testament. Job speaks of the hope of an afterlife transformation, David has confidence that He will see his son again when he died at age two, Abraham when told to sacrifice his son told his bearers to wait here the lad and I will return, and as Jesus said, from the scriptures we know that God is the God of the living and not of the dead, yet God is rightly called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Therefore they being dead must be yet alive in the presence of The Almighty.
Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:23, Matthew 22:23-32, Matthew 27:52-53, Mark 12:18-27, Luke 9:22,
Luke 14:14, Luke 20:27-38, John 2:19, John 5:28-29, John 6:39-40, John 6:44, John 6:54, John 11:24-25,
Acts 1:22, Acts 2:23-32, Acts 3:15, Acts 3:26, Acts 4:1-2, Acts 4:10, Acts 4:33, Acts 5:30, Acts 10:40,
Acts 13:28-37, Acts 17:18, Acts 17:30-31, Acts 23:6-8, Acts 24:14-21, Acts 26:8, Romans 1:3-4,
Romans 4:24-25, Romans 6:4-11, Romans 7:4, Romans 8:11, Romans 10:9, 1 Corinthians 6:14,
1 Corinthians 15:1-58, 2 Corinthians 1:9, 2 Corinthians 4: 14-15, Galatians 1:1, Ephesians 1:20,
Philippians 3:10-14, Colossians 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 2 Timothy 2:8, 2 Timothy 2:17-18, Hebrews 6:2, Hebrews 11:35, 1 Peter 1:3-5, 1 Peter 1:21, 1 Peter 3:21-22, Revelation 20:1-10,
Eternal Judgment
The study of eternal judgment often triggers dispute, many struggle with the thought that there is an ultimate consequence to their accumulated action. The fact is that sin has a price to be paid and if God did not require the satisfaction of that debt, He would not be just. He will not change his character for us but He did give us a way of escape. In reading the following verses you will find that Hell is a literal place of fire, brimstone, darkness, and great sorrow, with everlasting conscious torment of all who reside therein, created for Satan and the angels that followed him. Our eternal destination depends on who we follow, Jesus unto eternal life, or Satan (in his many forms, and especially our own lusts) unto everlasting condemnation.
(2 Samuel 22:6, Job 19:29, Job 21:20, Job 21:30, Psalm 9:17, Psalm 11:5-7, Psalm 16:10, Psalm 18:5, Psalm 55:4, Psalm 55:15, Psalm 86:13, Psalm 116:3, Proverbs 5:5, Proverbs 7:27 Proverbs 11:4,
Proverbs 14:32, Proverbs 27:20, Isaiah 5:14, Isaiah 13:9, Isaiah 33:14, Ezekiel 7:19, Ezekiel 18:32,
Ezekiel 33:11, Daniel 12:1-2, Matthew 3:7, Matthew 3:10-12, Matthew 5:22, Matthew 5:29-30, Matthew 7:19, Matthew 10:28, Matthew 13:24-30 & 13:37-50, Matthew 18:8-9, Matthew 23:29-33, Matthew 25:31-46,
Mark 9:42-48, Luke 3:9, Luke 3:17, Luke 12:4-5, Luke 16:19-31, John 3:36, John 5:24, John 8:51, John 15:6, Acts 2:24, Acts 17:29-31, Romans 2:5-6, Romans 5:8-9, Romans 6:16, Romans 6:20-23, Romans 7:5,
Romans 8:2, Romans 8:6, 1 Corinthians 15:54-56, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Hebrews 9:27, James 1:15, James 3:6, James 5:20, 2 Peter 3:7, 2 Peter 3:9, Jude 1:5-7, Revelation 1:18, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 11:18, Revelation 14:9-11, Revelation 19:19-21, Revelation 20:6, Revelation 20:10-15,
Revelation 21:8)
Dear Brethren,
As is stated above, the word of man in this document is in no way absolute, if you have any question or correction, please offer it; and upon discussion, corrections can be made. The word of man herein is only meant to assist understanding; the authority is in the word of God. Also if you know of any scriptures not listed for any of these principals that aught to be, please let us know and they will be added to the list; but be sure that the scripture is teaching what is right not rebuking what is wrong. Remember the purpose of this study is to lay the foundation not build on it; that will be left to a later study. Also note: this study will be reformatted to improve clarity of references once I get around to it.
My Family
(Husband speaking)
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