Augusta Baptist Church - The Fundamentals of the Faith

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE FAITH

In the past few years, biblical fundamentalists have received a lot of bad publicity through the liberal media that attempts to portray fundamentalists are being extremists in the field of religion even to the extent of equating them with the terrorists of Islam. Some of this is due to ignorance, and some of it is due to a bias against biblical fundamentalists. Webster’s New World Dictionary defines fundamental as "forming a foundation or basis; basic; essential." It is the chief or most important part. Webster goes on to define fundamentalism as "orthodox religious beliefs based on a literal interpretation of the Bible."

Historically there are six fundamentals of the faith that every true fundamentalist will agree upon and defend as the true teachings of the Bible. These are the following:

1^st- The Inspiration and Authority of the Scripture

2^nd - The Deity of Jesus Christ

3^rd – His Virgin Birth and Miracles

4^th – Christ’s Blood Atonement For Sin

5^th – Christ’s Bodily Resurrection

6^th – Christ’s Personal Return

In the sections below, each of these fundamentals of the faith are briefly explained and backed up by scriptural verses. Please keep in mind that while there are many Bible verses to defend the fundamentals of the faith, for the sake of brevity only a few are mentioned here.

1^ST - THE INSPIRATION AND AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURE

EXPLANATION

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit of God authored the entire Bible. It also means that every word and every part of every word is completely true and trustworthy. The Bible is God’s Word, and it is truth without error. It is authoritative for our daily lives.

SCRIPTURE

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16).

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (II Peter 1:21).

"Sanctify them though truth; thy word is truth" (John 17:17).

2^ND - THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST

EXPLANATION

The Bible teaches that our Lord Jesus Christ is fully God as well as fully man. He has always existed as God and always will.

SCRIPTURE

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:31).

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (I Timothy 3:16).

3^rd - CHRIST’S VIRGIN BIRTH AND MIRACLES

A. EXPLANATION

The Bible teaches that our Lord Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life and performed miracles that authenticated his credentials as Israel ’s messiah and God’s messenger.

B. SCRIPTURES

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: when as his mother, Mary, was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 1:18).

"For he hath made him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (II Corinthians 5:21).

"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life though his name" (John 20:30,31).

4^TH - CHRIST’S BLOOD ATONEMENT FOR SIN

EXPLANATION

The Bible teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ shed his blood as the complete payment for all of our sins.

SCRIPTURES

"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God" (Romans 3:24,25).

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7).

5^th - CHRIST’S BODILY RESURRECTION

EXPLANATION

The Bible teaches that our Lord Jesus Christ arose bodily from the tomb, that he triumphed over death and that in doing so, he assures believers of their future resurrection.

SCRIPTURES

"And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not; for I know that ye seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead" (Matthew 28:5,6,7a).

6^th – CHRIST’S PERSONAL RETURN

EXPLANATION

The Bible teaches that our Lord Jesus Christ assured his disciples that he will come again. This truth was announced also by the angels and taught by the apostles.

SCRIPTURES

"Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:1,2,3).

"Who also said, Ye men of Galilee , why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11).

"And now, little children, abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming" (I John 2:28).

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