Current Bible Study Series

The Essentials of the Christian Faith - A Handbook of basic information for Christian Growth

o The Authority and Inerrancy of the Scriptures
o The Nature of God
o The Trinity
o The Holy Spirit
o Jesus Christ
o Christ's Life, Death, Burial & Resurrection
o Salvation

Without a proper foundation, buildings don't stand, civilizations don't last, and Christians don't witness well. The foundation I am talking about is the foundation of Essential Doctrines of Christianity.

The Bible itself reveals those doctrines that are essential to the Christian faith. They are 1) the Deity of Christ, 2) Salvation by Grace, and 3) Resurrection of Christ, and 4) the gospel. These are the doctrines the Bible says are necessary. Though there are many other important doctrines, these four are the only ones that are declared by Scripture to be essential. Please note that there are other foundational doctrines of scripture that become necessary also, God, the Trinity, The Holy Spirit, and the Bible . Doctrine is important because it defines who you put your trust in. It is not simply that you have faith; it's who you put your faith in.

You cannot study the Bible very long before you understand the importance of faith. A sinner cannot be saved apart from faith. Ephesians 2:8-9. “The gospel of Christ…is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written the just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17. Therefore, it is important that we should find out what this word means.

WHAT IS FAITH?

Faith comprises three things: knowledge, belief and trust. Faith is personal confidence in God. It means that we believe what He says, and trust Him to save us and to keep us. The source of faith, In a very real sense, this faith is a gift of God. John 3:27. God gives men the power to believe on Him. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17. Therefore, if a man does not have faith in God, he should read the Bible. God has promised that any man, who wishes to do His will, will come to “a knowledge of the truth.” John 7:17.

The Bible sets forth the Lord Jesus Christ as the true object of faith. Acts 20:21. The important thing is not how much faith a man has, or what kind of faith he has, but that the object of his faith must be Jesus Christ if he wants to be saved. So you may believe that Christ was born in Bethlehem, born of a virgin, died on Calvary, rose again and ascended into heaven. You may even believe the Bible is God’s Word. But you have not really put your faith in Him until you trust Him to save you from your sins and take you to heaven.

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men; the man Christ Jesus.” I Timothy 2:5)