Traveling Down the Theological Trail: The Essentials

I started to post blogs in March. I noticed that I only posted once for this month of April. There is still a couple of days left until we go from April to May, so as I enjoy coffee and watch squirrels chase each other near the trees, I am going to share one more blog for this month: That is the Essentials.

Every Biblical Christian can and should be able to agree on the Essentials. These are the teachings that unite the Body of Christ together, and first and foremost it must be agreed upon in love (agape) for one another and in our desire to lift up Jesus Christ as Lord, and the proclamation of the gospel (euangelion: “good news”) to the people around us.

So the question arises, what exactly are these Essentials? If you can remember 3 what’s and 4 who’s, you will have a good grasp of the Essentials. Let me explain the 3 what’s and 4 who’s:

1. What is the Bible: 66 books (39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books) that are the inspired words of God (2 Timothy 3:16), and is our guide for faith, correction, and holy living.

2. Who is God: The God revealed in Scripture is one God (Deuteronomy 4:35,39;6:4, 32:39; Mark 12:29-34; John 17:3; Romans 3:30 to list just a few). God also reveals Himself to be one God in three persons- The Trinity; Father, Son,and Holy Spirit(Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19-20; John 1:1 to again just to list a few Scriptures).

3. Who is Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is God (John 1:1;8:58), second person of the Trinity. Jesus gave up the splendors and glory of Heaven, and became the Theanthropos (“God-man”), fully God and fully man. He was obedient even to death on a cross (Philippians 2:6-11), Jesus rose again on the third day (Mark 16:5-7; Luke 24:6-7; Matthew 28:6; John 11:25 to list a few references from Scripture). He is the only way for any humans to get to Heaven (John 14:6).

4. Who are Human Beings: Human beings are created in God’s imagine (Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6; James 3:9; Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24). Human beings were created perfect, but our first parents; Adam and Eve fell into sin and through the sin of Adam, all human beings were separated from God by sin( Genesis 3:23-24; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:23; 6:23).

5. What Jesus Did: By Jesus, fully God, also becoming a man, He lived a perfect life (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22), Jesus died on the cross for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24), He rose again and offers us salvation and eternal life(John 11:25-26; John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:26-27; 54-57; Philippians 1:20-21).

6. What Human Beings Must Do: Since Jesus Christ died in our place for our sins, His righteousness is now imputed, that is, Jesus righteousness is now credited to believers (Romans 3:21-26; 1 John 2:2) those who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ (John 3:36; 2 Corinthians 5:19; John 19:30). We are saved by grace and not our works(Ephesians 2:8-9).

7. What Christ Will Do: Jesus Christ is coming back literally and physically (Matthew 24: 36-44; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 1:7). He will judge the wheat and stares (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43), separating the sheep from goats (Matthew 25:31-46), and He will reign forevermore (Revelation 11:15), and believers will be with our Lord forever (Isaiah 26:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Romans 8:17).

   Take time to study the passages listed, pray to ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and guide you as you study this. These essentials give us the ability to fellowship with any believers who hold to these as well. May the Lord bless you and your study in the Essentials, and until next time walk in His grace and love!