Foundations of Theology

Teaching, , , , ,

Basic Doctrinal Principles

Hebrews 5.12: “For 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. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (14) But 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.

(6.1) “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection [maturity], not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (3) And this will we do, if God permit.”

Elementary Truths

Here the “first principles of the oracles of God,” are the “foundations” of the structure of right doctrine.  The RSV translates them as “elementary truths.” These are for beginners in the study of the Word, and for “babes” in Christ who have not yet reached maturity. So these should be taught and learned before the deeper doctrines which actually depend upon these “first principles” for understanding.

These are the six principles:

(1) Repentance from dead works

(2) Faith toward God

(3) Laying on of hands

(4) Doctrine of baptisms

(5) Resurrection of the dead

(6) Eternal judgment.

(1) Repentance

The first thing a sinner needs to learn is repentance. RSV translates it as “the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death.” He must be convicted by the Holy Spirit of his sinful condition before he can truly repent.

To repent means not only to change one’s mind, but also must include a change of the heart and even of one’s identity. It is not merely a mental, logical, change of one’s opinions, but rather is a change of what one loves and hates. It is not merely a change of one’s will, but a complete rebirth, a new creation.

(2) Faith Toward God

Faith in God is a prerequisite for understanding Biblical doctrine. Without faith, one cannot believe in the doctrines and teachings of the Bible. All of the historical, archaeological, and scientific facts will not compensate for a lack of faith, – pure, simple, childlike faith that there is a God, that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, and that He has given us His Word, Hebrews 11:6.

(3) Doctrine of Baptisms: (Scripture references are not exhaustive; you may find more.)

A. John’s baptism was “unto repentance,” Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 13:24.

B. Water Baptism in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is commanded: Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:44-48.

C. Baptism symbolizes Death, Burial, Resurrection and Exaltation: Romans chapter 6;     Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:9-3:11; I Peter 3:18-22. Therefore, the young believer should  understand that water baptism indicates his total unconditional surrender, dedication and commitment to Jesus.

(4) Laying on of Hands

This is one of the “first principles” to be taught and learned by the babes in Christ.  It is one of the gifts of the Spirit which was in evidence in Acts 8:17-20, where the disciples laid their hands on the people and they received the Holy Ghost.

It was also evident in I Timothy 4:14 where it is stated that the laying on of hands of the presbytery and prophecy imparted to Timothy a spiritual gift.

Mark 16:18 says: “They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

(5) Resurrection of the Dead:

We must teach the resurrection of Christ. Romans 19:9: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”  I Corinthians 15 gives a full exposition of the importance of this doctrine.

It is also important to teach that Christ raised some from the dead during His earthly ministry. Ephesians 1:20 and 2:6 show that, in Christ, we are raised from the dead with Him, and exalted with Him.

(6) Eternal Judgment:

Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

These basic principles underlie the more advanced study of the Biblical doctrines. For example, eschatology. Much confusion has resulted from the prominent and predominant teaching of “end-times” and “prophecy” without these basic principles.

Jerusalem To Be Destroyed

Teaching

 The Myth Of The Jewish Race

Years ago before the invention of DNA testing a major study was carried out regarding the racial identity of those who call themselves “Jews” throughout the world. That study showed conclusively that there was no difference between the racial characteristics of the “Jews” and those they lived amongst. This was published in a book: “The Myth of the Jewish Race.” Now that DNA testing can be done, several studies have found that there is no identifiable racial DNA linking today’s so-called “Jews” with the lineage of Abraham. So what does this mean? It means that these “Jews” are a religion and not a race and therefore:

  • 1. The Churches are deceived that teach that they are Biblical heirs of the promise to Abraham, a false doctrine.
  • 2. It means that our nation, the United States of America, has been deceived into full military and financial support for the Zionist state called “Israel.”
  • 3. It means that the B-illions and even TR-illions of dollars the USA has spent on that support has been in violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution.
  • 4. The religion of these so-called “Jews” is that of the Pharisees of the New Testament era as described by Christ in Matthew 23 and who suffered the destruction described in Matthew 24 and Revelation 18. They were then, and are now, anti-(against)-Christ, the original and continuing AntiChrist.
  • 5. The rise again of this evil doctrine has deceived all nations and is due to reap the same consequences of destruction. Yes, the so-called “State of Israel” is as certain to be destroyed as was Jerusalem and Judea in 70 AD of the first century.
  • 6. Our Churches and our nation are warned to repent and “Come out of her” lest we also be partakers of her sins and consequent plagues, Revelation 18:4.
  • 7. It means that we have to make a choice as a nation and as a Church: Will we follow Christ or the Anti-Christ? We know from the Biblical example of the Cross of Christ that there will be persecution and martyrdom but with it everlasting Life and victory over death, hell and the grave.

What shall we choose?

As the Lord spoke to Ezekiel:

“(17) Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me. (18) When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die, and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  (19) Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked ways, he shall die in his iniquity, but thou hast delivered thy soul. (20) Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. (21) Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou has delivered thy soul. ” Ezekiel 3:17-21.

All Nations Are One Blood

Teaching

Racism.

It is a big issue and much discussed. What does Biblical Christianity say about it?

“34 Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” – Acts 10:34-35 KJV

No “Chosen People”?

This means that there are no “chosen people” with special privileges before God. To call some people “chosen” is racism. It is called “respect of person” in James 2:1-3, 9 and is a sin:

“1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: … 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” – James 2:1-3, 9 KJV

“17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning [here] in fear:” – 1 Peter 1:17 KJV

All nations are of one blood!

“24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” – Acts 17:24-28 KJV

Christ died for all nations and is gathering them together in Himself:

“51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.” – John 11:51-52 KJV

 

 

The Life Was The Light Of Men

Christ Life, , ,

The Light of Life

Researchers are now reporting that there is a spark of light at the instant of conception of a human embryo. This was earlier reported by John, the disciple of Christ, writing the Gospel concerning Christ: “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men…. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,” John 1:4, 9.

God is a Spirit

This is the Image of God, which distinguishes Mankind from the animal world. Mankind is not merely flesh, but is spirit. God is a Spirit, John 4:24: “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

God is Light:

I John 1:5: “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is Light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

This, then, settles the question of when life begins. It begins with the spark of Divine Life.

How does Mankind lose this Spirit of God with which he was born?

By Sin: Genesis 1:17: “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” That Light of Life, the Spirit of God, departs from him and he remains alive in the flesh only, although he retains the spirit, breath, of a man, capable of knowing God.

How can Mankind regain this Spirit of God?

“Ye must be born again,” read John 3:1-21.
John 3:5: “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again,”
John 3:16-21: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved.
“He that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.
“For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God.”

“I Never Heard of the Talmud”

Teaching

Many Christians say: “I never heard of the Talmud.”

Yes, but you probably have if you have read or heard the New Testament preached.
Actually, it is the doctrines and teachings of the Pharisees of the New Testament, and is called “the traditions of the elders,” Matthew 15:2, 6; Mark 7:3, 7, 8,13; Colossians 2:8; I Peter 1:18.

These teachings are still being used by those who call themselves “Jews” today, and which they consider to be their authoritative scriptures.

“The Talmud is, then, the written form of that which in the time of Jesus, was called the Traditions of the Elders.” — Rabbi Michael L. Rodkinson

and

“The Jewish religion as it is today traces its descent, without a break, through all the centuries, from the Pharisees.” — Universal Jewish Encyclopedia

What did Jesus say about the Talmud, the doctrines of the Pharisees?

Matthew chapter 23 is all about what Jesus taught concerning the Talmud, the doctrine of the Pharisees. In verse 15 He says: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”

Matthew 16:12: “Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”

Those who follow the doctrine of the Pharisees today are called “Jews,”

and are proselytes or descendants of proselytes. We must warn them to repent or suffer the same consequences that Jesus promised:

“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets and wise men, and scribes, and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them ye shall scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar,” Matthew 23:33-35.

“All these things” came upon that generation.

It is written for us as an example for those who reject Christ and follow the teachings of the Pharisees. Only the Truth in Jesus Christ will save them, and when it is preached many will turn from their wickedness, repent and be saved even as it did in New Testament times. Let us not join them in their sinful wickedness, but call them to repentance in Jesus Name.

For more information and the full text of the Talmud go to www.come-and-hear.com.