BASIC BIBLE TEACHING

A SUMMARY OF BIBLE TEACHING

  1. The Bible is the word of God directly inspired by Him. (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1; 2 Peter 1:21).
  2. There is only one God, the Father, who created the world. (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Isaiah 45:6, 12).
  3. The Holy Spirit is the power of God active in carrying out His will. (Luke 1:35; Acts 10:38; Acts 8:18-19).
  4. Jesus is the Son of God. God is his Father. (Luke 1:35; Matthew 3:17; Psalm 2:7).
  5. Jesus was the Son of man, being born of the virgin Mary. (Galatians 4:4; 1 Timothy 2:5; Philippians 2:8).
  6. Jesus shared our human nature in order to overcome sin and death. (Hebrews 2:14; Hebrews 4:15; Romans 8:3).
  7. Jesus overcame all temptation and, though sinless, he died to save his followers from sin and death. (Romans 5:6; John 3:16; Isaiah 53:5).
  8. The first man was Adam who disobeyed God and brought sin and death into the world. (Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22).
  9. All human beings have a sin-prone nature and because they sin they die. (Romans 6:23; Ecclesiastes 3:19-20; Psalm 146:3-4).
  10. There is no consciousness in death. (Isaiah 38:18-19; Ecclesiastes 9:5-6; Psalm 89:48).
  11. The 'soul' means the body, senses or breath, but is not immortal. Souls die (Isaiah 38:17; Joshua 11:11; Ezekiel 18:4).
  12. 'Hell' is another name for the grave. (Jonah 2:1-3; Psalm 116:3; Psalm 16:10).
  13. 'Hell Fire' refers to the complete destruction of the unfaithful after the day of Judgment. It is, in fact, a translation of the Hebrew name 'Gehenna' which was a valley outside Jerusalem where rubbish and criminals were burned, not a place of eternal torment. (Mark 9:43; Matthew 10:28 - compare with Malachi 4:1-3).
  14. Jesus was raised from the dead by God and later ascended to heaven. (Acts 1:3, 9; Revelation 1:18; Acts 10:40; Mark 16:19).
  15. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:24-25; Acts 4:12).
  16. Jesus will return to earth personally. (Acts 1:10-11; Matthew 16:27; Acts 3;20-21).
  17. Jesus will raise many of the dead when he returns. (1 Thessalonians 4:16; John 5:29; Daniel 12:1-2).
  18. Resurrection is the only hope of life after death. (1 Corinthians 15:13-14; Philippians 3:20-21; Acts 24:15).
  19. There will be a judgment following resurrection. (2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:1; Romans 14:10-12).
  20. Everlasting life will be on earth, for men and women whose bodies will be changed to be immortal. It is the gift of God. (Matthew 5:5; 1 Corinthians 15:53-54; Philippians 3:20-21).
  21. The promises made to Abraham involve a literal inheritance in the earth for all the faithful. (Genesis 13:15; Genesis 28:13; Hebrews 11:8-9, 39-40).
  22. The promises made to David involve Jesus becoming the King over God's Kingdom in Israel. (2 Samuel 7:12-14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:30-33).
  23. Jerusalem will be the capital of the Kingdom of God. (Ezekiel 21:27; Isaiah 24:23; Matthew 5:35).
  24. Jesus will be assisted in ruling the world by his immortal followers. (Daniel 7:27; Revelation 2:26; Luke 22:30).
  25. The Kingdom of God will result in everlasting righteousness, happiness and peace. (Isaiah 32:17; Isaiah 24; Psalm 67:4-7).
  26. Christ will rule over the mortal population of the earth for a thousand years. All sin and death will then be removed and the earth will be filled with God's glory. (Revelation 20:6; Revelation 21:4; 1 Corinthians 15:24-26).
  27. The devil is another name for the sin tendencies in ourselves and not a separate supernatural being. Christ shared our inclinations and temptations but overcame them by being sinless. He is able to help us, therefore, and to share his victory with us. (James 1:14-15; Hebrews 2:14; Hebrews 9:26).
  28. Satan means an adversary and the word is used about things and people who oppose God's will. Even Peter was once called Satan (Matthew 16:23). God can also sometimes act as an adversary against the wicked (Numbers 22:22; 2 Samuel 24:1.- compared with 1 Chronicles 21:1).
  29. Devils (demons) are not supernatural beings. People with mental disorders were said to have 'evil spirits' - which means disordered minds. There is only one God. The supposed devils of heathen religions did not exist. (1 Corinthians 10:20; Acts 17:18 - strange gods = demons; Isaiah 45:5, 7).
  30. Salvation involves the forgiveness of sins. Righteousness can be obtained only by the grace of God through faith in Christ; (Romans 4:13, 21-25; Hebrews 11:6; Galatians 3:26).
  31. Baptism by immersion in water, after a true confession of the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the- name of Jesus Christ, is essential for salvation. By this means we are 'buried' and then 'rise' to a new way of life in Christ. We are covered by his righteousness while we continue to follow him. (John 3:5; Acts 8:12; Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; Acts 8:38; Romans6:4; Galatians 3:27-29).
  32. Israel are God's chosen people. Though scattered because of disobedience, they are being regathered in fulfilment of Bible prophecy (Joel 3:2; Ezekiel 37:12; Ezekiel 37:22).
  33. When Israel repent and accept Jesus as their Messiah, they will be purified as a people
    and become the chief of the nations. (Zechariah 12:10; Jeremiah 31:33; Zechariah
    8:23; Romans 11:25-29).
  34. The breaking of bread and drinking of wine, in remembrance of Jesus was instituted by him for his true followers. (Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians.1l:23-26).
  35. There is only one true Gospel which cannot be altered. (Ephesians 4:4-6; Galatians 1:8; Jude 3).
  36. Those who believe the Gospel and are baptised into Christ are 'brethren in Christ' and God calls them his children. (1 John 3:1; John 1:12; 1 Peter 1:23).

All those who believe these teachings must also strive to live a godly, Christian life.