The Principles of the Doctrine of Christ.
Written by Abbot Joshua Sparks.
Part 2.
Paul told Timothy in ( 1 Timothy 1:1-4) 1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Paul also wrote to Timothy about a time (our time) when people wouldn’t endure sound doctrine ( 2 Timothy 4:3)For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. To endure means t hold ones self up against. To put up with or to bear with. To forbear or suffer. Paul goes on to say this would result in the turning away their ears from the truth and bringing in the ear ticklers because men driven by their lusts would rather be on the pacifierrather then the meat of the truth of God’s Word.
( Hebrews 6:1-3) 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 these verses of scripture we see the very first doctrines or teachings of Jesus Christ that make up the foundation we are built upon as the church. There are 6 principle or first teachings or doctrines we must have laid in our lives as a foundation. 1) Repentance from dead works. 2) Faith Toward God. 3) The Doctrine of Baptisms (plural which consists of Water and Spirit). 4) Laying on of hands. 5) The resurrection from the dead. 6) Eternal Judgement. These very basic doctrines must be understood and must be part of the foundation of the church. As I stated earlier we have a few of these as part of our foundation, namely, repentance from dead works, faith toward God and the doctrine of baptisms. But to say the church has an understanding of the laying on of hands and the resurrection from the dead and eternal judgement is stretching the truth. So many believe laying on of hands is just good for praying for the sick and never mention it is for ordination and that the Holy Ghost was given by the laying on of hands of the Apostles . Most believe the dead will be resurrected but teach the dead go to heaven or hell and receive their reward and if that was the case there is no need for a resurrection and they have false teachings concerning eternal judgement as well. The righteous inherit everlasting life (Romans 6:23) and the wicked become ashes under the soles of our feet (Malachi 4:3).
These 6 foundational doctrines we will examine over the next few days one by one and we will consult the Word of God and as mandated by the Holy Ghost lay this foundation so we can go on to perfection in Jesus Christ as a church. We are not seeing revival because revival comes to those who have these foundational principals in their lives already laid as a foundation of their faith in Jesus Christ and all 6 principles are covered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Continued next Page..................................