Our Foundation

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”   ~  1 Corinthians 3:10,11.

 

The Apostle Paul’s statement above is clear along with the admonition of 2Timothy 2:15. Additionally, considering the example by the noble believers of Acts 17:11, and viewed in light of an eye-opening statement declaring the Bible to be unlike any other book on Earth (Hebrews 4:12,13), we have assembled the following basic foundational beliefs:

The Bible

The Bible is the Word of God.  “Given by inspiration of God” it is not the product of human imagination or creativity.  (2 Timothy 3:16).

God

The Godhead eternally exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh; the image of the invisible God.  (John 1:1-18)

Sin

All men are sinners by nature and are unable to save themselves from the debt and penalty of their sins by anything they can do.  (Romans 1:18-3:20)

Salvation

God, out of His great love for us, has provided complete redemption through Christ’s death, burial and resurrection in our place.  He offers to justify anyone freely by His grace through faith in Christ as one’s all-sufficient Saviour.  (Romans 3:21-26)

Faith In Christ

…is the issue of trusting exclusively in His redemptive work on the cross for one’s acceptance with God and not in any of one’s own works of any kind.  This act of faith is the decision of one’s own will in response to the gospel of Christ.

The Purpose of God in Election

…declares that it is the plan of God to provide salvation for all men, but in accordance with men’s own free will, to save those that believe.

Eternal Security

Eternally secure salvation is the possession of all who trust the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour.  (Romans 5:1-21)

Judgment

Everlasting punishment is the lot of all those who know not God and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)

The Unique Apostleship of Paul

The present dispensation of the grace of God was a “mystery,” not made known before, but God kept it hid in Himself until He raised up the apostle Paul.  To Paul God committed the revelation of “the mystery of Christ.”  Until God raised up Paul, His programme and dealings with Israel were in effect.  (Romans 16:25-27; Ephesians 2:11-3:12; Colossians 1:24-27)

The Church, The Body Of Christ

The Church, The Body Of Christ being formed in this dispensation of grace is distinct from the nation of Israel and God’s programme with them.  The church is not the subject of prophecy nor the fulfiller of Israel’s promises and covenants. (Romans 11:1-36)

The Rapture

This dispensation of grace will end with the rapture of the body of Christ.  It will be followed by the resumption of God’s programme and dealings with Israel, including the Lord’s Day of wrath and the kingdom reign of Christ on this earth.  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17)

Spiritual Gifts

In accordance with Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 12-14, the temporary need for spiritual gifts that existed at the beginning of this dispensation has been superseded by the completion of the written Word of God.  The “perfect” written Word of God now having come, spiritual gifts have been “done away” with.

Which Bible?

The preserved, inerrant Word of God has always existed, still exists, and is identified today as the received text of the historic protestant reformation process.  The translation of the received text into the English language has produced the inerrant, infallible Word of God in English.  Though a multitude of English Bible translations exist at present, only the King James Version is translated from the received text.  The King James Version is identified as the inerrant, infallible, preserved Word of God in the English language. (Psalms 12:6-7)

Yes, we understand it is possible that the above statements might create even more questions for you.  That’s a very good thing. No worries!  Close Scriptural examination of all the Bible  has to say on every matter of faith and practice is the first REAL step in understanding all that you have, all that you are and all that your life can be in Christ.

If you’re already an avid Bible student, feel free to begin anywhere on the site.

If any of this is new to you be assured, this site is neither about religion nor tradition. (Jesus spoke of those things as recorded in Matthew 15:9 saying, “…in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”) But rather, it’s about understanding your relationship with the risen Lord Jesus Christ.  It’s a great time to begin at the beginning and you can do that  here on the Basic Study Helps page.