Essential Doctrines Of The Christian Faith
By David J. Stewart
2nd Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
The Basic Bible Doctrines course is designed to give an overview of essential doctrines of the Christian faith in 13 lessons.There is ONLY one reliable Bible in the English-speaking language today, and that is the inspired King James Bible. Don't let any false prophet lie to you by teaching that the King James Bible is not inspired. Some pseudo (false) scholars teach that only the original manuscripts written in Hebrew, Chaldean and Greek are inspired; but that is not true, because God's Word is INSPIRED into whatever language it is translated, including English.
The King James Bible is both preserved and inspired. It is also inerrant (without error), infallible (incapable of error) and perfect. The King James Bible is under malicious and constant attack because it upholds the precious name of Jesus, and because it faithfully teaches the Doctrine of Christ. All modern English Bibles pervert God's Words and corrupt the Doctrine of Christ. 2nd John 1:9, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”
I am a firm believer in getting right to the point, and keeping things simple. Multitudes of men attend theological cemeteries (seminaries) for several years, Bible Colleges; and yet never tell a soul how to be saved, never win a soul to Jesus Christ, and never accomplish anything for God. Phooey on Bible colleges that indoctrinate but don't go soul-winning. America is dying for preaching preachers! America doesn't need Bible theologians, we need soul-winning preachers!
Psalm 138:2 teaches that God magnifies His Word above His name. Why? Because God's reputation is on the line; His name is only as good as His Word. God gave the rainbow to mankind as a token that He keeps His promises, all of them. Jesus told us to SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES in John 3:39, because that's how we LEARN about Jesus Christ, Who is God almighty.
Hebrews 4:12 is a wonderful passage of Scriptures, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Literally, the Bible cuts to our very soul and exposes, reveals and discerners our thoughts and intentions. The Bible will keep us in line spiritually if we'll yield to the Holy Spirit.
James said the Bible is like a mirror that shows us who we really are (James 1:24). Without the Bible, people won't be able to see themselves as the big, rotten, dirty, hell-deserving, sinners they are. That's why there's so much fighting, gossiping, hatred, divorce, and self-righteous condemning of others; because people are empty of the Word of God. The Word of God humbles a person, showing that they're a horrible sinner them self, and causes them to understand God's grace and mercy.
If you don't remember anything else from this first lesson concerning the Scriptures, get you a King James Bible. Only the King James Bible faithfully honors, uplifts and promotes the Lord Jesus Christ and the all-important Doctrine of Christ. An entire volume of books could be written, and many have, exposing the modern corrupt versions of the Bible that diminish Christ's deity, the Godhead and the Person of Jesus Christ.
The Biblical Word is “GODHEAD,” which is mentioned 3 times in Acts 17:29, Romans 1:20 and Colossians 2:9. The word “trinity” is not found in the Bible; but Godhead has the same meaning, i.e., a triune divine being. There is only one God according to Deuteronomy 6:4; but that God has chosen to reveal Himself to mankind as 3 distinct Persons.
This is clearly evidenced at Jesus' water baptism where we hear the voice of the Father saying that He is “pleased” with His Son, we see Jesus being baptized, and then the Holy Spirit descending like a dove upon the Lord (Matthew 3:16-17).
Repeatedly the New Testament makes reference to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Sprit; such as in Matthew 28:19-20 (commonly referred to as The Great Commission).
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for “God“ (Eloheem) in Genesis 1:1 where it says, In the beginning God,” is used in the plural. But you don't need to know Hebrew to learn the truth. Any child can read Genesis 1:26, “And God said, Let US make man in our image.” “Us” means more than one. Yet we must reconcile such teachings with other Scriptures such as Isaiah 46:9, Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.”
The Bible calls the doctrine of the Godhead (Trinity) a “mystery.” Colossians 2:2, “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the MYSTERY of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.”
Some people insist on having to figure everything out or else they refuse to believe. Hell is filled with such high-minded fools. Humble people don't demand for God to prove Himself, they are honest enough to see that God has already proven Himself in nature, history and fulfilled prophecy. The truth is that if Christ had come down from the cross, as His enemies demanded as proof as His deity, they still wouldn't have believed anything He said. You either believe the Godhead, or you don't.
Nearly every false cult denies the Godhead; such as Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Freemasons, Scientology, and Islam. Anyone who denies the doctrine of the Godhead is unsaved.
The Trinity may not make good math; but it makes good Bible. The doctrine of Christ is not something to be understood, it is something to be believed. The Bible in Colossians 2:2 refers to the Godhead as a mystery, and we are best to leave it at that. Don't make the mistake as the heathen do of trying to understand God, for His greatness is unsearchable (Psalm 145:3). Both Muslims and Jehovah's Witnesses mock the Trinity, saying that it makes no sense why God would divide Himself; but who are we to judge God.
The Bible refers to all the doctrines concerning Christ as the “Doctrine of Christ” (2nd John 1:9). The Doctrine of Christ includes, but is not limited to, the virgin birth, the deity, the Godhead, the sinless life of Christ, His crucifixion and death upon a cross, His burial, His bodily resurrection, His bodily ascension into Heaven. the blood sacrifice, and His eternal existence.
There are many misconceptions concerning Christ. One of the biggest lies is that God the Father created everything THROUGH Jesus. That is not Biblical. John 1:1-3 teaches that all things were created BY HIM. Jesus, as God almighty, spoke the universe into existence (2nd Peter 3:5).
Another misconception is that Jesus is not equal with God. Philippians 2:6 has been corrupted in the New International Version (NIV). The truth is that Jesus is ALMIGHTY GOD (Revelation 1:8).
Precious Christian Testimonies
How Permanent Is Your Salvation?
(an excellent MP3 sermon by Pastor Hank Lindstrom,
1940-2008)
“The mark
of the child of God is that he loves everybody!”
(a quote from Pastor Jack
Hyles' classic MP3 sermon, “FORGIVENESS”)