The Apostles and the Foundations..

Part 2 of 9

Basically, per Hebrews 6:1-3, there are seven foundational doctrines in Scripture: repentance from dead works, faith toward God, the doctrine of baptisms, the laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, eternal judgment, and perfection. These truths are to be the groundwork of our growing and thriving faith. But before we dive into these wonderful foundational truths, we first must strike down any and all prejudices against our need for them! There are many who, for fear of their own spirituality, will argue and clamour against this need for a sure foundation. But did you know that the apostles themselves taught these foundational doctrines? They were probably considered the most "spiritual" men on the earth at that time, and yet they clung to the Word of God radically! As I said, it's ignorance that tells us the Bible is dead and dry! I've even heard of one believer calling it the "black lids of death"! But surely the apostles felt much differently: "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). In the early church, it's evident that each foundational truth was carefully laid, line upon line, precept upon precept, bearing eternal fruit in the hearts of those who chose to listen and take heed.. And notice what wonderful fruit was born as a result: "And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:43-47).. Reader, this is the reason why the church is said to be "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Eph 2:20).. It's because these truths were the source of their "grounded and settled" faith (Col 1:23)! Can we have this same testimony? Of course we can, and we're meant to. The Lord simply asks us to "continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of..." (2 Tim 3:14). Peter told his hearers to be mindful of the commandment (doctrine) "of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour" (2 Pet 3:2), even in the presence of "scoffers" who are blind to their own need.

So to what extent did the early church apostles teach these truths? It's was pretty significant. You just may be surprised:

- Repentance from dead works: Scripture is clear of the vivid teaching brought forth by the early apostles. Repentance was a continual major theme: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). Also see Acts 3:19; 5:31; 8:22; 17:30; 26:20; 13:24; 19:4 and 20:21.

- Faith towards God: Godly faith too was a constant theme presented to the early church. A thorough knowledge and practice of faith is simply essential to a thriving and fruitful Christian life! The early apostles easily recognized this, and thus so should we: "Ye.. killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all" (Acts 3:15-16). Also see Acts 6:5-8; 11:24; 13:8; 14:9; 14:22-27; 15:9; 16:5; 20:21; 24:24 and 26:18.

- The doctrine of baptisms: "And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 11:15-16). Also see Acts 1:5; 2:38-41; 8:12-16; 8:36-38; 9:18; 10:46-48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:3-5; 22:16; 1 Jn 5:7-8; 2 Cor 1:22; etc.

- The laying on of hands: The doctrine of the laying on of hands was taught and practiced continually in the early church. "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them" (Acts 6:4-6). Also see Acts 4:30; 5:12; 8:17-19; 9:12, 17, 41; 11:21, 30; 13:3; 14:3; 19:6 and 28:8.

- Eternal judgment: In our modern church, this issue of eternal judgment is often avoided. We seem to automatically relate judgment to "hell fire", but this was not the case in the early church. Eternal judgment also incorporated the promises of rewards for the righteous. This theme too was perpetually taught: "And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead" (Acts 10:42). Also see Acts 1:15-26; 5:1-11; 7:7; 8:33; 13:6-12, 46; and 28:25-28.

- Resurrection of the dead: The early apostles taught of multiple resurrections. They spoke of Jesus' resurrection: "Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection" (Acts 1:22). And they also taught of the coming resurrection of the saints of God: "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption" (1 Cor 15:41-42). Also see Acts 2:24-32; 3: 22-26; 4:2, 33; 7:37; 10:40; 13:22-23, 30-37; 17:18, 31-32 and 26:8.

- Perfection: This doctrine is very rarely heard today, but in the early church it became a constant theme, goal and desire. It seems that they had great faith in believing for their sanctification. "For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection" (2 Cor 13:9). Also see Heb 7:11; 1 Jn 4:12; 1 Pet 5:10; Jas 1:4; Col 1:28; 4:12; Eph 4:11-12 and 2 Cor 7:1. Paul especially expounded upon this great truth: "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 2:12-14).

And thus we see the perpetual practice of the apostles and the foundational doctrines. If the evidence is so overwhelming, shouldn't we be giving ourselves in a similar manner? What a wonderful thought that the fruit of the early church was directly effected by their continual adherence to, and growth upon, the foundations of the Christian faith! Friends, let's do likewise!

To be continued...