THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
Basic to the establishment of a relationship with Deity is an understanding and appreciation for the church of Christ. Jesus in Matthew 16:18 promised to build the church. In Acts 2, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit upon His chosen apostles and through the preaching of the gospel, the church was established. Obedient believers were added to it (Acts 2:47). It was in reference to the church of Christ that the apostle Paul said, “There is one body” (Ephesians 4:5) and “there is but one body” (1 Corinthians 12:20). Anyone who does not understand the nature of the church of Christ need to be grounded in this important fundamental of the faith.
THE PLAN OF SALVATION
The gospel plan of salvation is another vital element of saving faith. This plan was devised by God, The Father from eternity past (Ephesians 3:11). The Holy Spirit of God revealed the plan to a lost humanity (1 Corinthians 2:9-13). And, Jesus Christ, the Son, carried out the plan. Elements crucial to the plan were the virgin birth of Jesus (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:21-23), the incarnation of Christ (Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 2:14-18), the sinless life and atoning death (1 Peter 2:22-25, John 3:16, Colossians 1:14), the bereaved burial (Matthew 27:55-61), the triumphant resurrection (Romans 1:1-4), the ascension (Acts 1:9-11), the coronation (Acts 2:14-36), and the officiation of Christ as the head of the church (Ephesians 4:7-16).
Obedience to the gospel include: Hearing the gospel (Ephesians 1:13), believing (Acts 15:7-9), repenting of sins (Luke 13:3), confessing Christ (Romans 10:9, 10), and baptism into Christ (Romans 6:3-5).
God made HIS choice as to how, where, and when mankind is saved. Now, the choice is yours…“Believest thou this?” (John 11:26).
For part 1 of this epistle, check out The Fundamentals of the Faith (Part 1 of 3)
For part 2 of this epistle, check out The Fundamentals of the Faith (Part 2 of 3)