THE PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST

1 1 THE PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST A Study guide for Leaders in the Body of CHRIST BY TIMOTHY II Copyright 1998 By Timothy II Revised 2002 Web Site: 2 THE PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST INTRODUCTION: The PRINCIPLES of the DOCTRINE of CHRIST " are the Foundational PRINCIPLES of Christianity. They have been given by Jesus CHRIST to all Christians. These PRINCIPLES are made up of the DOCTRINE that was given to God the Son Jesus, by God the Father. John 7:16 16 Jesus answered them, and said, My DOCTRINE is not mine, but his that sent me. The DOCTRINE of CHRIST ", is established not just in Word only, but also in Power . The way we can recognize those who are established in The PRINCIPLES of the DOCTRINE of CHRIST ", is not just by their Words , but through the Power they demonstrate by the Holy Ghost.

2 Luke 4:32 32 And they were astonished at his DOCTRINE : for his word was with power. 1 Thes 1:5 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, A Christian must be Mature to understand these PRINCIPLES ". Novices need to be trained in them. Isa 28:9 9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand DOCTRINE ? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. Some who have been Christians for a long time still do not understand The PRINCIPLES of the DOCTRINE of CHRIST ". This is because they have either not been taught, or they continue to have need of milk and will not grow up! Heb 5:12 12 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.

3 3 It is important that we as Christians continue to grow in the Word of God to help us to be able to handle strong meat, and thereby learn and understand The PRINCIPLES of the DOCTRINE of CHRIST ". 2 Tim 3:16-17 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for DOCTRINE , for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Amen! Heb 6:1-2 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. I. THE MEANING OF THE KEY WORDS: To more fully understand the Scriptures concerning "The PRINCIPLES of the DOCTRINE of CHRIST ", the following is the meaning of the key words in Hebrews 6:1-2: The following key words are explained in the Dictionary in English.

4 PRINCIPLES : 1. An accepted or professed rule of action or conduct. 2. A fundamental law, axiom, or DOCTRINE . 3. A personal or specific basis of conduct or management. 4. A guiding sense of the requirements and obligations of right conduct. 5. The method of formation, operation, or procedure exhibited in a given instance. 6. A determining characteristic of something: essential quality. 7. An originating or actuating agency or force. DOCTRINE : 1. A particular principle, position, or policy taught or advocated, as a religion. 2. A body or system of teachings relating to a particular subject: the DOCTRINE of a Church. Foundation: 1. The basis or groundwork of anything: the moral foundation of both society and religion. 2. The natural or prepared ground or base on which some structure rests.

5 The following key words are explained in the Greek. PRINCIPLES : 746 arche (ar-khay'); from 756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank): 4 KJV-- beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule. DOCTRINE : 3056 logos (log'-os); from 3004; something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression ( CHRIST ): KJV-- account, cause, communication, X concerning, DOCTRINE , fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say (-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.

6 Foundation: 2310 themelios (them-el'-ee-os); from a derivative of 5087; something put down, a substruction (of a building, etc.), (literally or figuratively): KJV-- foundation. II. REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS: Repentance from Dead Works means that if we will Repent and get Saved, by believing in Jesus CHRIST , we will begin to Serve Jesus and do Works for Him. (Ephesians 2:8-10 Titus 2:14 James 2:20, 26) Until we get Saved, the works that we do are Dead ! The following key word about Repentance is explained in the Dictionary in English. Repentance: Deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or error. The following key word is explained in the Greek. Repentance: 3341 metanoia (met-an'-oy-ah); from 3340; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another's] decision): KJV-- repentance.

7 As we all know, we cannot work our way to Heaven; however, once we are Saved, we are expected to do good works that are worthy of our Repentance. Acts 26:20 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 5 It is the Blood of CHRIST that will purge us from doing Dead Works , and to Serve the Living God. Heb 9:14 14 How much more shall the blood of CHRIST , who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? We are to walk worthy of the Lord and Please Him, by being fruitful in all our works for Him. Col 1:10 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; III.

8 FAITH TOWARD GOD: Faith is something that is real. It is something that we hope for. It is a substance that is the evidence of something that cannot be seen. The following key word about Faith is explained in the Dictionary in English. Faith: 1. Confidence or trust in a person or thing. 2. Belief that is not based on proof. 3. Belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion. 4. A system of religious belief. 5. The obligation of loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise, engagement, etc. 6. The observance of this obligation; fidelity to one s promise, oath, allegiance, etc. The following key word is explained in the Greek. Faith: 4102 pistis (pis'-tis); from 3982; persuasion, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon CHRIST for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: KJV-- assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

9 Faith Toward God is not referring to the Faith that is a Fruit of the Spirit nor is it the Faith that is a Gift of the Spirit . Instead, it means the Faith that we must have to believe in the Lord Jesus CHRIST . (Galatians 5:22 1 Corinthians 12:1, 9) Faith is the substance and evidence of our belief in God: Heb 11:1 6 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Jesus is the author and finisher of that Faith . Heb 12:1-4 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

10 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Paul taught about Faith toward Jesus CHRIST : Acts 20:20-21 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus CHRIST . We are in a War, and we are to fight for that Faith . 1 Tim 6:12 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. IV. DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS: The DOCTRINE of Baptisms refers to the several types of Baptisms mentioned in the Bible, however, there is only One Baptism into CHRIST !