Over the years, we have offered many articles and sermons with some view of going back to the Bible and following it without adding to or diminishing ought for it. There are some things that the Bible refers to as somewhat the first principles of Christianity. In other words, there are some things that are simply the basics of true Christianity and every true Christian should know them. Let us consider just a few of these basics.
One of the basics of true Christianity that we need to ever keep before us is that of the one true church. The Bible clearly teaches one and only one church (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 4:4; Matt. 15:13). It likewise teaches that said church is the kingdom of God (Matt. 16:19; I Tim. 3:15). In addition to this, the word of God clearly tells us that this kingdom is a spiritual kingdom (John 18:36) and that all those who will be saved must be in this kingdom (Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23). With this basic understanding of true Christianity, one is able to see the discrepancy of the religious world around us with their divisions by name, doctrine and practice. In addition, we can truly understand the error of all who promote any ideas and doctrines based upon the Lord coming to set up His kingdom on this earth.
A second, and equally important basic of true Christianity is the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing could be more clearly taught than the fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Matt. 16:16-17). Though many claim to believe this fact, they fail miserably in making the application that must of necessity be the case if He is indeed the Son of God. That application is that He has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). That being the case, it is the gospel of Christ that must be learned and followed in order to be in harmony with the will of God. What the gospel says to do must be done and what the gospel does not authorize must be left un-done (Deut. 4:2; Gal. 1:6-9; Rev. 22:18-19). No matter who the person is, if authority cannot be found in the gospel of Christ for what they say, it must be understood to be the words of a false teacher.
A third basic of true Christianity is the command to worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Worship has always been required of those that would serve God and God has always given instructions concerning how to worship Him under whatever law man was living at the time. God has never accepted worship that was not in accordance to His commands (Lev. 10:1-2; Matt. 15:9). Any and every act of worship offered to God must be accompanied with the authority of the gospel of Christ as discussed in the last paragraph. Worship is not a form of entertainment for the worshipper, but homage being paid to God by the worshipper. Therefore, it must be as God has authorized in His word. Sincerity of heart is of necessity in all obedience to God (Rom. 6:17-18; Acts 2:37; Acts 8:21). It has been said that those who forsake the assembling of the saints together as commanded (Heb. 10:25) have a heart problem. Such is surely the case.
A fourth basic of true Christianity that must be ever kept prominent in our minds is that of obligation. A child of God is a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a servant, it is required of us that we be faithful (I Cor. 4:2). Being faithful means to continue in the doing of what the Master has instructed us to do. Many things are included in this, such as study, worship, growth and benevolence, but the one thing that so often seems to slip the mind of the child of God is the command to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15; Matt. 28:19-20). It is our job to snatch the lost from the fires of hell (Jude 23; James 5:20). We are the workmen of the Lord’s vineyard (I Cor. 3:6-9). We are unfaithful servants if we are not doing our job!
The Hebrew writer wrote, “Therefore 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, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” (Heb. 6:1-2). It is true that every child of God, who has been such for any length of time, should certainly be quite knowledgeable of these basics of true Christianity. However, one might note that all the writers of the epistles constantly “reminded” the brethren of these very basics. We need to ever keep them fresh in our minds, ever keeping them in the forefront of our thinking and our actions, that we be indeed, true Christians.
The writer of Hebrews also wrote, “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. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 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 an evil” (Heb. 5:12-14). Study to show thyself approved unto God…” (II Tim. 2:15). (Send any questions or comments to: [email protected])