Tenets of the Christian Faith, Part 1
Central Thought: The articles of the Christian faith are simple, scriptural and for all times.
Hymn: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less.
Text: 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Jude 3-4; Psalm 119:1-8
The Christian faith is essentially on God’s relationship with humanity, and it is as old as creation. Man is his existence has passed through several stages of relationship with God. From his sinless state of innocence, through the fall to the era of the law and the dispensation of grace, there are eternal truths that has always been cardinal about God, His creations and His relationship with man. Every generation that walked successfully with God knew them and held them very dearly. Today there is a clarion call on the church to preserve and uphold these treasured truths in the face of massive satanic error and propaganda against them. The propaganda is aimed at deceiving and destroying the human race. The Christian articles of faith are simple and apply to all ages. The word of God is the solid base upon which such articles are built, being immutable and eternal. In the first of this two-part study we shall examine some of these principles, the way they are presented in the scriptures under the title, ‘Tenets of the Christian Faith’.
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What does it mean to be a Christian? 2 Corinthians 5:17
A Christian is someone who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ, and whose life is based on the Bible as a sacred Scripture. It is beyond the name you bear, or the family background of an individual or the general religious inclination of a geographical area or community. Christianity is actually on the personal encounter with Jesus Christ, creating a consciousness that ushers in conversion, inner peace and true fellowship with God. Of necessity, he becomes an active member of the church of God, the Body of Christ!
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Explain the term ‘Tenets of the Christian Faith’.
A tenet is a principle, belief or doctrine generally held to be true, and accepted by members of an organization. The tenets of the Christian faith refers to the body of truths accepted and upheld by scriptural patriarchs, apostles and church fathers about God, His creations and His relationships with them, including mankind. It is the Christian belief system whose articles, processes and provisions are bible-based, and by them a believer in Christ is properly instructed and guided in his daily quest to live a life that is pleasing and acceptable unto God.
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Discuss the tenets of the Christian faith as it relates to God, Jesus Christ and mankind.
A. On God:
The Christian faith teaches that God is the unique Supreme Being. He is eternal, immortal, omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. His throne is in heaven and His presence fills the entire creation. Idols and images are not of God and they are not agents of God. He created everything for His divine pleasure. B. On Jesus Christ: John 1:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 The Christian faith professes the deity of Jesus Christ. He was actively involved in creation. By God’s plan, He took the human form on a mission to save mankind from eternal damnation. His virgin birth, gospel of healing and salvation, His death on the cross, burial and physical resurrection, ascension into heaven where He is at the right hand of God perfecting the work of reconciliation and atonement for the believer, are all primary articles of the Christian faith. Now God has given Him a position of preeminence, He is coming back as a judge and a king to establish an everlasting kingdom. God has also given Him a name that is above every other name, Philippians 2:9-11. Above all, Jesus is the Son of God, the only begotten, John 3:16, the second person in the Godhead. C. On the Holy Spirit: Acts 1:8, John 14:26. The Christian faith teaches that the Holy Spirit has always existed with God, Genesis 1:1. He has been very active in all of God’s dealings with man. By the resurrection of Christ the Holy Spirit was given to individuals for specifics assignments. After His resurrection Christ poured out the Holy Spirit in full measure on the church for the purpose of empowerment, ministerial unction, comfort, direction and guidance, defense, knowledge, utterance, conversion and revelation. He is the gift of God to everyone who truly repents and turns to the Lord Jesus Christ. D. On Mankind: Genesis 1:26-28 The Christians faith teaches that man is created by the design of god and not a product of evolution or random occurrences. He was created to be like God but was robbed by disobedience. He remains the primary interest of God in all of His creations. He is created to lead a fulfilled life, worship God in righteousness and propagate the love of God. God also established the marriage institution for mankind. Marriage is an institution ordained by god to hold between a man and a woman for the purpose of companionship, pleasure, procreation and fidelity. God hates any form of corruption of the marriage institution. The Christian faith also teaches that humans are pilgrims on earth, a journey made only once, and that eternity beckons on all, to be spent either in God’s kingdom or in hell fire. E. Others: The Christian faith believes that the church is the body of Christ, with Jesus Christ as the head. The members of the Body of Christ have been given the responsibility, the ministry, of reconciling mankind back to God. The Christian faith believes in water baptism, regular fellowship, Holy Communion, giving for the Lord’s work and meeting the need of others as demonstrations of gratitude to God. The Christian faith also believes that ministerial calling and response is beyond economic considerations and material benefits. The second coming of Christ, the final judgement, the existence of heaven and hell and that we shall all give account of our lives before God is upheld tenaciously by the Christian faith. The virtues of love, faith, hope, peace and patience as well as the principle of discipleship, holiness and sanctification are par to the norms of we hold so dearly as Christians.
Daily Living Application:
The Christian faith has principles and doctrines which should be known and upheld by all believers. They are the cornerstones of our relationship with God. It is beyond mere religion to be called a Christian. It involves a practical association with God based on the expressed truth in the word of God. These truths are irrepressible and indestructible because they are founded upon the word of God, no matter the onslaught of the enemy.
Memory Verse:
Hebrews 10:23 – “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering: for He is faithful that promised.”