Foundations of the Christian Faith

8/6/2019 Foundations of the Christian Faith

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Christian Faith: The Early Creed

The Christian faith is founded on Jesus Christ and His resurrection. Before the New Testament gospels were even

written, the early Christian leaders declared their belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus through a statement of

belief known as a creed. The earliest record of the Christian creed is presented by Paul and found in 1 Corinthians

15:3-8:

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to thescriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that He

was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the

greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, He was seen of James; then of all the

apostles. And last of all He was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Christian Faith: Importance of the Early Record for the Creed

One of the biggest arguments against the Christian faith is that the resurrection story is a myth that developed overas much as a century after Jesus was crucified on a Roman cross. It was originally thought that the gospel accounts

were written as much as 100 years after Jesus walked the earth. Recent scholarship in manuscript reliability and

textual criticism now places the gospels at 30 to 50 years after Jesus. Why is the above passage so important?

Because Biblical scholars, using the historical records of Paul and his early travels to Damascus and Jerusalem,

place the above scripture at about 35 A.D., just 3 to 5 years after the death of Jesus Christ. This is dramatic, because

those same scholars would hold that this basic creed for the Christian faith developed far too quickly for a myth to

develop and distort the historical record of the resurrection.

Christian Faith: Jesus Christ and His Resurrection

Since the foundation of the Christian Faith is Jesus Christ and His resurrection, then the historical veracity of His

life, death and resurrection are tantamount. For as Paul declared later in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians

15:14-17):

And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, 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. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye

are yet in your sins.

Although the Christian faith is not based purely on evidence, it is definitely supported by evidence. Faith is not

about turning off the brain and merely relying on the heart, or squashing reason in favor of emotion. No, Christian

faith is about seeking and knowing Jesus Christ with all facets of the human character. Its about loving Him with all

your heart, mind, soul and strength.

Hello saint of God,Praise be to our Most High God Yahweh and to the Son of God Jesus.

Glory and Honor be to Him and Him alone.

Its another blog discussing Christian issues on light of Word of God. Today I will be dealingwith foundation doctrines of Christian faith. As the title suggests, if you don't believe them, then

know that you are not even a Christian. Why? Simple, if you deny the presence of foundation,

then you deny existence of a house also. So if you deny these doctrines, then know you that Jesus

doesn't know you!

" Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he

that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name donemany wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me,

ye that work iniquity." (Mat 7:21-23 ) So if Jesus said not all saying to Him Lord shall enter into

heaven then we must be serious on what we believe. Note that prophesying and casting demons,


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and miracles are not even foundational but God's bonuses to believers. This Part will deal with

foundation doctrines that damn someone to lake of fire.

1. EXISTENCE OF TRUE GODIs it ridiculous to say that? Yes some can doubt existence of God and still call hi/herself

Christian. The Bible throughout mentions God and claim to be the word of God, which is true.This first part consist two parts: Belief in true God and belief in mind God

BELIEF IN TRUE GOD

It is absurd for somebody who do not believe in God and still claim to be Christian. There areNO christian atheist. The Bible calls them fools. " The fool hath said in his heart, There is no

God.... "(Psalm 14:1). This is verbal denial of existence of God. Another kind of denial is

confessing by mouth but deny by your very actions:"And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he

arose, and went down with him unto the king. And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD,

Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it notbecause there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off

that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. " (2Kings 1:15-16)

Here Yahweh is condemning king Ahaziah for inquiring to false gods because he saw no God in

Israel. Since we know that gods are not God, then this is denial the existence of God andaknowledgement of gods. I talk about monotheism and not polytheism. Any contact with

familiar spirits, astrologers, witches, holistic health and all same stuffs is total denial in existence

of God of Christianity. So Any denial of God makes you non-christian, and condemns you to hell

MIND MADE gods

The problem of having so many fake Christians and too many lukewarm christians is due tomind made gods. One can say "my god will not send people to hell" while another says "my god

does not mind how I wear, just my heart" Look all have created their little gods who will like

what they want them to like! So this mind made gods are your Idol, and NO idolater will see thekingdom of God:

" Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:

neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with

mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inheritthe kingdom of God "(1Cor 6:9-10 )

In summary: Believing in any other god(s), beside Yahweh (Jehovah) God, whether that god be

self within, Mary the queen of heaven, Allah, TV, Computer, games, Shiva, Brahma.... apart

from true Christian God, is condemned and will send you to hell. Bible permits worship of OneGod, Yahweh!

True Christian God exists in three different persons, yet ONE God. The simplest passage

explaining this concept, popular by the name trinity, is 1John 5:7


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" For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and

these three are one. " (1Jn 5:7 )

Any belief, apart from Triune God disqualifies you from Christianity and groups you to hereticalgods, some already mention above.

2. The Bible is the Word of GodAny Christian that denies inerrant of scriptures, is condemned to hell. Since the bible is written

Word of God himself, then denial of single jot disqualifies you from being Christian.

" For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they

were moved by the Holy Ghost" ( 2Pe 1:21 ). Any alleged error in the bible is accusing Holy

Spirit of a lie and inaccuracy and hence dethroning Him from His deity. This is blasphemy to

God and disqualifies you from being Christian.

Also the same applies to any Christian that tries to usurp the Authority of scripture. This includes

"twisting them" to fit your position, or just disobey them. If scripture restricts, let say abortion, or

fornication: Then encouraging these acts will be putting yourself above the word of God andhence equating with Him. That will condemn you to hell. Jesus said: " If ye love me, keep my

commandments." (John 14:15) So if you hate Jesus, you will NOT keep his commandment, and

that disqualifies you from being Christian

3. JESUS CHRISTAny Man who call him/herself christian must believe that Jesus is God Almighty in flesh. Any

dethroning of Jesus signifies that you are NOT a christian. Jesus wa full and ONLY perfect man,

yet was God Almighty. Our Ministry website (coming soon), will discuss this in depth, but

Christian must believe this for him to be christian.

" I and my Father are one. " (Joh 10:30). There is no question that, the Father is God. If Jesus andthe Father are one, then Jesus is God. More proof of Jesus' Deity:

" In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the

Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the onlybegotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. " (Joh 1:1, 14)

" And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh,

justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world,

received up into glory" (1Tim 3:16)

4. SALVATION AND MEDIATIONTo be Christian, means to reconcile with God. Man is naturally born enemy of God and slave of

the devil. Sin committed by Man and Woman at Eden, sold all mankind to the devil. That's why

non Christians have no true peace and purpose and are afraid of death. Since Christianity is theway of God reaching and saving human race, we cannot group it with any other religion, man's

way to reach God.


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Okay Christians are Children of Kingdom. Any Christian or one who wants to be Christian must

fulfill the conditions set by God of the universe:

" Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again,he cannot see the kingdom of God " (John 3:3 ) NO body is Christian (Child of the Kingdom of

God) UNLESS he/she is born again. If someone claim to be Christian but is not born again then

Jesus doesn't know him/her. Being born again is receiving God's gift of salvation from Hiscoming wrath. When you receive this gift, then you become Christian and you are assured of

going to heaven when you die.

How do somebody becomes a Christian? The bible is very clear on the matter:

" Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the restof the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be

baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall

receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. " (Act 2:37-38)

It means confessing that you are sinner according to God's standards and you deserve hell, but

you receive forgiveness through death of Jesus in your place, His bodily resurrection andAscension. Then you will be saved and behold you are a Christian!

Any Christian, must believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus alone. The reformers

loved to use the term "sola fide (by faith alone)". Any belief out of this will mark a cult! Herebywe know that Mormons, Catholicism, Jehova's witnesses, all other preaching salvation apart

from faith in finished work of Jesus are NOT christians.

" For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not ofworks, lest any man should boast. " (Eph 2:8-9)

" 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" (Rom 10:9)

On the issue of Mediation the Bible is very clear:" For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1Tim 2:5

). This verse proves catholicism Mary's co-mediatrix a doctrine of devils.

5. HOLINESS OF GOD AND SANCTIFICATION OF MAN

Our God is Holy God, and cannot allow sin in heaven. The work of Jesus was our substitute. Hetook our sins and imparted to us the righteousness of God. That is why Christians are God's

saints. What this implies? The meaning of this is well expressed here:

" For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that,

denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in thispresent world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and

our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,

and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:11-14 )

The work of Grace of God is:

1. Bring salvation - Already discussed


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2. Sanctifying us (cleanse us and set us apart for God) by teaching us how to deny

ungodliness, worldly lusts and teaches us to live sobely in this present world, while we

are waiting for our blessed hope: glorious appearing of our GREAT GOD and OURSAVIOUR, Jesus

The same context tells us that Jesus gave himself for us that he might redeem us from iniquitiesand purify us to make us peculiar (his special people), who are zealous of good works. So

somebody is NOT becoming Christian by good works but rather CHRIT JESUS works in himthrough SPIRIT OF GRACE to teach him godliness life and make him zealous of good works.

So if you accept saving work of Grace, you have to accept teaching work of the same Grace of

God. many becomes rebellion to teaching Grace through the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Grace:

" For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth nomore sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which

shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three

witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath

trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith hewas sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? " (Heb 10:26-29)

What conclusion one can make from this? It is clear that anyone claim to be Christian MUST

believe and practice these foundational doctrines of Christian Faith. If you ar a Christian, Checkyourself if you fulfill these criteria. These God given standards are for Christians

Finally one can ask "Who are Christians and where did term came from?" The Bibel Answers:

" And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole

year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples werecalled Christians first in Antioch. " (Acts 11:26 )

Grace of God and Love of the Father and the fellowship of blessed Holy Spirit be with you all

REFERENCE

http://www.allaboutreligion.org/christian-faith.htm

Foundations of the Christian faith: acomprehensive & readable theology

By James Montgomery Boice

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Foundations of the Christian Faith