The Bible teaches that one must believe that, "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures: and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3).
Bible scholars over the years have taken these principles from God's Word to be the foundational concepts for one to be saved. Out of these Scriptures, one finds God's plan for saving man. Bible doctrine is based upon these teachings: the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, the inspiration of Scriptures, and the bodily resurrection of the Lord. All other topics of the Bible must fit into these if it is to be accepted as fundamental. Let us take a look at these fundamentals:
The Virgin Birth
The virgin birth is given in the Old and New Testaments. "Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Matthew 1:23).
Without the virgin birth there would be no way man could be saved. God broke through to man by the way of the birth of His Son through use of a pure woman untouched by a man. The virgin birth may not be understood, but it must be believed.
The Deity of Christ
That Jesus Christ was both God and man has always been affirmed through the Christian church. Although He was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit, God in human flesh, Jesus Christ was also fully man. Jesus of Nazareth was a man, but he was more than just a man. He was God in human flesh. While the Scriptures clearly teach He was a man, they likewise, make it clear that He was God. Jesus made divine claims.
There are many references by Jesus and His disciples concerning Who He was: "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..." (John 1:1, 14). "Jesus said to him...He who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9).
The Inspiration of Scripture
Concerning the Scripture, we believe that the Old Testament Scriptures was originally written by holy men of God who were borne along by the Holy Spirit, were God-breathed, both equally and fully in all parts. We believe these Scriptures are completely without error and are therefore the final authority in all matters. We believe the Bible is the only infallible guide for faith and practice. (Matthew 5:17 and 18; Mark 12:36; Acts 1:16; Romans 15:4; I Corinthians 10:11; II Timothy 3:16 and 17; Hebrews 5:12; II Peter 1:19-21; 3:15 and 16).
The Bodily Resurrection of the Lord
Concerning these eternal states, we believe the Scriptures teach the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust. All those who are justified through faith in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will spend eternity in full enjoyment of God's presence. Those who refuse to accept God's offer of mercy and grace will spend eternity in everlasting punishment in the lake if fire.
We believe that the terms Heaven and hell refer to literal and distinct places and not to a condition or state. (Luke16:19-26; John 5:26-29; 14:2-3; Philippians 1:23; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1-4)
These fundamentals of God's Word must be believed. There is no second chance. "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" (John 3:16)
Leave a comment