Webster: FUNDAMENTAL... "a leading or primary principle, rule, law, or article, which serves as the ground work or basis;... an essential part, as,
the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
It must be kept in mind that the points that we discuss today are essential to believe if one expects to go to heaven.
There are some things that the Bible discusses that are matters of essentiality for our belief before becoming a Christian. (i.e., some things
we can learn later).
Today let's discuss some fundamental beliefs that a person must have before he or she can become a New Testament Christian.
A BELIEF IN THE EXISTENCE OF ONE GOD IS FUNDAMENTAL.
Heb. 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing unto Him; for he that cometh to God must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that seek after Him."
God is proven by "cause and effect".
"For every effect there must be adequate cause."
Illustration: Playing in a stream and all of a sudden it gets muddy... something (adequate) caused it.
Those who reject God today say that everything "JUST HAPPENED". (Evolution)
Evolution is FALSE. (WHY?)
It is:
Unproved.
Unprovable.
Unscientific.
Unprofitable.
No one can be saved unless he first believes in GOD.
A BELIEF IN THE DEITY OF JESUS IS FUNDAMENTAL.
John 8:24 - "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."
John 8:50-59. ...before Abraham
Isaiah 6:1-13 with John 12:32-43.
Isa. 6:5 - "...for mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of Host".
John 12:41 - Isaiah saw Jesus.
Therefore, (v.42) Jesus is God.
Only God could deal with our sin problem.
How could a man deny the Deity of Jesus and claim to understand redemption? IMPOSSIBLE!
A BELIEF IN THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE IS FUNDAMENTAL.
II Timothy 3:16 - "All scripture is given by inspiration of God..." (KJV)
II Peter 1:21 - "For no prophecy ever came by the will of man; but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit."
There are many things within the Bible itself to prove that it is an inspired book.
Perfect unity and harmony.
Nature of the Bible narrative.
Perfect scientific and historical accuracy.
Prophecies of the O.T. and their fulfillment in the N.T. (Years between).
No man could ever write such a book on his own.
Yet 40 different men wrote the Bible, at different times, and it is still accurate to the letter.
BELIEF IN THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES IS FUNDAMENTAL.
We must be willing to let the Scriptures direct our lives.
Denominationalism is a result of a lack of Authority of the Scriptures.
We must have Scripture for what we do in our service to God.
We cannot govern our lives by anything other than the Scriptures.
II John 9 - "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teachings of Christ, hath
not God; he that abideth in the teachings, the same hath both the Father and the Son."
A BELIEF IN THE DISTINCTIVE NATURE OF CHRIST' CHURCH IS FUNDAMENTAL.
The church that Jesus built is not a "denomination".
A "denomination" is one that broke away from the true church.
The church that Jesus built is the ONLY ONE:
That exists in harmony with the eternal purpose of God - Ephesians 3:10-11.
That was prophesied by the prophets - Isaiah 2; Joel 2; Daniel 2.
That was promised by Christ - Matthew 16:18.
That was purchased by Christ - Acts 20:28.
That was established in Acts 2:1-4.
No man made institution in the world today can make these claims.
Jesus said, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." Matthew 15:13.
A BELIEF IN GOD'S PLAN OF REDEMPTION IS FUNDAMENTAL.
