The Importance of Fundamental Doctrines

    

            New Testament warnings teach the importance of fundamental doctrines: "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3) "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." (II Corinthians 11:3-4)

II Corinthians 11:3 shows us why the inerrancy of Scripture is so often attacked and denied. Scripture identifies Satan as the one who used the serpent. (Genesis 3:1; Revelation 12:9; note that the Greek word here rendered "dragon" means big snake.) Satan continues to come up with new versions of "Yea hath God said ...," and "For God doth know that...." (Genesis 3:1, 5) The example of the Genesis account warns us to expect Satan to use dupes and envoys and subtilty to deceive. The Genesis account also serves to warn us to expect Satan to deceive by twisting, distorting, and casting doubt upon the Word of God, especially concerning important or essentials doctrines and standards, and demonstrates that neglect, indifference toward, or ignorance of God's Word makes us vulnerable. (Compare Genesis 2:16-17 & Genesis 3:2-5 & note the difference.) The Holy Bible is the inerrant word of God, God's message to mankind. Those who do not believe this are challenged to study for themselves and examine the evidence honestly and objectively to see that the Bible is accurate and reliable. Bible-believers should not be afraid to examine the evidence or worry that this will weaken their faith; examining the evidence will strengthen your faith. From beginning to end the whole Bible claims to be the infallible word of God, and this claim is either true or it is not. If this claim is not true then none of the Bible is reliable, there is no basis for faith, and there is not foundation or support for Christianity. If this claim is true, then Christians are obliged to accept the entire Bible to be what it claims to be, and no compromise is logical or even possible.

Why is the Genesis account of creation so important? It is not possible to understand Jesus Christ and New Testament teachings without the Old Testament. (John 5:39; II Timothy 3:16) The Bible does not separate the knowledge of God the Redeemer from God the Creator, and the Genesis account shows the depravity of man, the effects of sin, and man's need for atonement. (Consider Romans 5:17-19; I Corinthians 15:45)

We are warned about "another Jesus," a Jesus who differs from the Jesus presented in Scripture. (II Corinthians 11:4) Faith, like love, always has an object, and it is essential that the right Jesus is the object of one's faith, which means the virgin birth, the sinless life of Christ, the complete deity of Jesus Christ, the bodily resurrection, and the second coming of Christ in bodily human form are essential teachings. If you leave this life putting your faith in the wrong Jesus you will be wrong for all eternity.

We are warned about "another spirit." (II Corinthians 11:4) The warnings about "another Jesus" and "another spirit" are related to other Bible warnings about "other gods" and denial of the true God. (Exodus 20:3; Jude 4) Not only does this indicate the importance of recognizing the personhood and deity of the Holy Spirit, but also indicates the importance of the incarnation of Jesus Christ and the correct identification of Jesus Christ. (I John 4:1-3; II John 1:9)

We are warned about "another gospel." (II Corinthians 11:4) The Gospel is the death, burial, and literal resurrection of Christ through which sinners can be declared righteous through faith in Jesus Christ when they repent. (John 3:13-15; Acts 4:15-19; I Corinthians 15:1-4) Denial of the bodily resurrection of Christ is calling Him accursed, for this would mean that He died under judgment of sin and is still under that judgment. (I Corinthians 12:3) The Bible clearly teaches the physical resurrection of Christ and all dead. (Job 19:25-27; Isaiah 26:19; Luke 24:36-43; John 5:28-29; 2:19-21; Acts 24:15; Romans 10:9-10; I Corinthians 15:13-18, 42-49; Philippians 3:21; Revelation 20:12-13) The resurrection was central to the preaching of the Apostles, as there is no Christian faith without the bodily resurrection. (Acts 3:15; 4:1-2; 10:39-41; 17:18; 24:15; I Corinthians 12:12-20) There is no hope of eternal salvation without the bodily resurrection of Christ. (Romans 5:8-10; 10:8-9) Without the bodily resurrection of Christ there is no blood atonement, and there is no salvation without the blood atonement. (Leviticus 17:11; Isaiah 53:5-6; Romans 5:8-11; II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:14; 10:12-14; I Peter 1:18-21; 2:24)

It is important for Christians to be Bible students and that they apply, teach, and defend the teachings of God's Word, especially the fundamentals of the faith. I may not need to know all about the source and composition of water if I am thirsty, but later if I wish to acquire water in a dry and thirsty land or provide others with good water to sustain their life and health some facts about water would be helpful, even necessary. While simple child-like faith is all that is required to be saved, what a believer should believe and be doing after being a believer for a while is another matter. (Matthew 4:4; II Timothy 2:15; James 1:21-22; I Peter 2:2-3; II Peter 3:18; etc.)

When witnessing and ministering it is easy to become too focused on secondary issues and debatable opinions and this can detract from essential points and issues. This is especially important when witnessing or ministering and especially when dealing with cults and religious liberals. Be careful to focus on essential truths and important principles.