The Foundation of each Believer We believe that the Foundation of Jesus Christ needs to be laid in the heart of each believer. The foundation is ‘The First Principles of the Doctrine of Christ’ or the ‘Milk of the Word’. 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. And this will we do, if God permit. Hebrews 6:1-3
The First Principles are summarised as follows: First: Repentance from Dead Works – Our acceptance before God is totally dependent upon the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus; and not on any work or merit of our own. Second: Faith Towards God – The faith of Christ, imparted to us by hearing God’s Word (‘The Faith’ once delivered to the saints) equips us to put our implicit trust and confidence in God the Father and His plan of salvation for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Third: The Doctrine of Baptisms – The word ‘baptism’ means complete immersion. The principle therefore deals with complete immersion into: i. ii. iii. iv.
The Body of Christ (The Church) Water The Holy Spirit Suffering
These experiences collectively, speak of our total involvement with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Fourth: Laying on of Hands – Speaks of each believer symbolically being the hands of Jesus reaching out to bless and touch the lives of others. This will be achieved by each one using the ability and sharing the blessing that God has given him or her. Fifth: Resurrection of the Dead – Speaks of the wonderful hope that lies ahead of us. We shall receive a resurrected and glorified body, similar to the one that Jesus now has, and we shall live forever in that glorified state. Sixth: Eternal Judgment – Christ has been given the authority to judge all mankind. He will reward the Christians for their labour of love, after the Resurrection; He will prepare the nations for judgment by means of the Great Tribulation and then will judge the nations on earth for one thousand years and will punish the ungodly by casting them into the Lake of Fire at the Great White Throne Judgment. Seventh: Going on Unto Perfection – deals with the growth and development of each believer to perfection or maturity where they become as effective as they possibly can be in the centre of God’s perfect will.