Foundational Truths

<<crucial and vital facts>>

These are the core beliefs of Christianity to which all true believers adhere. They formed the basis of the early church creeds or confessions of faith, and we should all be conversant with them as they are the foundational truths upon which Protestants anchor their spiritual experience. A few faith groups

Do I know the basics?

that consider themselves to be within the framework of Christianity do not accept some of these beliefs or have slight variations. In the non-essential issues there is freedom to have differing viewpoints.

1/. Although there is only one God He expresses Himself as three persons in one – the Trinity or the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Isa 44:6,8; Mt 3:16,17, 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14).

2/. God, who created all things, has always been and ever will be, and does not change (Gen 1:1; Ps 90:2; Isa 44:24; Jas 1:17). He is all-powerful (omnipotent), present everywhere (omnipresent) and knows all things (omniscient) (Jer 23:23,24; Ps 115:3; 1 Jn 3:20). He is sovereign, just (or righteous), holy and demonstrates the true definition of love (Ps 103:19, 116:5; 1 Pet 1:15; 1 Jn 4:8).

3/. Although Jesus is God, when He intervened in our predicament He was born of a virgin (Mt 1:18; Jn 1:1,14, 10:30). Though fully God and fully man He remained perfect and sinless, and is the only way to God the Father (Jn 14:6; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 2:5-8; Col 2:9; 1 Pet 2:22).

4/. The Holy Spirit is God (Jn 4:24; 1 Cor 2:11,12). He takes up residence in each believer, and presents our prayers to the Father (Rom 8:26,27; 1 Cor 3:16, 6:19).

5/. The Bible is the inspired or ‘God breathed’ Word of God (2 Tim 3:16,17; 2 Pet 1:20,21). Its message is to be obeyed (Josh 1:8; Mt 7:24; Jn 14:23; Jas 1:22).

6/. Humanity was created in the image of God but then sinned. The consequence was separation from God, the Holy One (Gen 1:26,27; Isa 59:2; Rom 3:23, 5:12). Jesus died a substitutionary death for our sins so that we might live forever with Him (Mt 20:28; Jn 3:16; 1 Pet 2:24; 1 Jn 2:2). Later He was resurrected from the dead in physical form (Jn 2:19-21). Salvation is a free gift of grace offered to all, and can’t be earned by human effort (Rom 4:5, 6:23; Eph 2:8,9).

7/. Humans are given the freedom to accept or reject the offer of salvation which must be personally embraced to be of value (Jn 1:12; Rom 10:9,10; 1 Jn 1:9).

8/. After they die, those who reject Jesus Christ will be resurrected and judged, being doomed forever, along with Satan, to the Lake of Fire (Mt 25:41,46; Heb 9:27; 2 Pet 3:7; Rev 19:20, 20:11-15, 21:8).

9/. There will be a rapture or gathering up of the believers, both living and the resurrected dead (Mt 24:30,31; Jn 14:1-3; 1 Cor 15:51,52; 1 Thes 4:16,17; Heb 9:28). Believers will be judged for their lifestyle and service to God’s Kingdom (1 Cor 3:12,13; 2 Cor 5:10,15).

10/. God will create a new heaven and a new earth where the saved will live forever with Him (Jn 11:25,26; 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1-4).