INTRODUCTION:

Foundational Truths

(Hebrews 6:1-3)

My temple shall be called a house of prayer:

The old, limited temple of the Old Testament was of stone made of human hands gives way to a new, unlimited temple made of flesh made by God himself; The “greater temple” is the elected adopted children of God.

I GREATER TEMPLE: OF STONE & OF FLESH

A. TEMPLE OF STONE – “Picture” and “Type” in prophecy

Haggai 2 :6-9 – A greater temple prophesied

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and *I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.

* “shake etc.” - pertaining to the 2^nd coming of Christ…the end of the church age.

Mark 13:1 – Jesus predicts changes in temple

Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, *see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

A radical thing since God had directed the building of this magnificent structure. The disciples were proud of the temple and boasting about it to Jesus…and Jesus says “I will destroy it. After his death they understood.

John 2:18-22 -- Jesus to re-establish a new temple made of flesh.

"So the Jews answered and said to Him, 'What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?' Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. ” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said."

* No wonder they wanted to kill Jesus.

Acts 5:42 Changes are taking place. Temple is not to be any longer the center for worship. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they (Christians) did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

* Moving from a temple or synagogue to the disciple’s homes. Radical idea to the Jew.

Acts 7:44

Old temple built by man is the “picture” of the New Greater Temple built by Jesus. A “picture” of what was to come. One is done away with to establish another.

“Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, 46 who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built Him a house. “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:

‘ Heaven is My throne,

And earth is My footstool.

What house will you build for Me? says the LORD,

Or what is the place of My rest?

Has My hand not made all these things?’

You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears!

You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.

Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?

B. THE GREATER TEMPLE OF FLESH – (I Corinthians 3:21, 22; I Corinthians 6:29)

I Corinthians 6:19 – Temple of Flesh Founded by Christ (including both male & female)

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

…in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord;

…in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.

“temple” – e.g. a building (body) used as a place of prayer and worship; a place where something holy or divine is thought to dwell, for example, the body of a holy person; a synagogue.

“fitly framed together” – e.g. individual believers – male and female, are built together upon the foundation to make a spiritual temple or building unto the Lord.

“habitation” – e.g. God doesn’t dwell in building made with hands, but He has chosen to dwell in our hearts; in His elected adopted children.

C. FOUNDATION OF CHRIST

Building a foundation for your temple of human flesh rather than stone and mortar.

A foundation is an architectural term referring to the solid support upon which the super structure is then constructed. Just as a physical building needs a foundation, the Bible presents the need for the fellowship of God’s people or His church to also have a foundation for their fleshy temple.

I Corinthians 3:9-11

For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:19-22 – A foundation of “household”

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

“foundation” — a part of a building, usually below the ground, that transfers and distributes the weight of the building onto the ground; the basis of something for example, an idea; the setting up of an institution or organization.

“support” — to keep something or somebody upright or in place, or prevent something or somebody from falling; to be strong enough to hold a particular object or weight in place without breaking or giving way; to provide somebody with money and the other necessities of life over a period of time; to give active help, encouragement, or money to somebody or something; to be in favor of something such as a cause, policy, or organization, and wish to see it succeed; to give encouragement to somebody or something by being present at an event; to give assistance or comfort to somebody in difficulty or distress; to give something greater credibility by being consistent with it or providing further evidence for it; to play a subsidiary role in a play or movie alongside another actor with a leading part; to put up with something unpleasant (literary).

“household” – Meaning the true corporate Church is unified by the Holy Spirit and of one accord. A spiritual term referring to Christians as a company or family of believers.

“apostles and prophets” -- The foundational truths were brought to us through these offices or ministries.

“chief corner stone” – The corner stone actually gives the plumb lines of the whole building. The cornerstone is needed for regulation (sets the rules) and for producing assimilation (consistency of design)

II THE GOSPEL IS THE FOUNDATION: “Milk of the Word” – Christ’s basic teachings - the Gospel.

Hebrews 5:8-14

Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. (e.g. this teaching is solid food) We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

I Corinthians 3:9-11 — Jesus is the foundation of your temple. Your body is the temple.

For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry (the frugal and sensible management of resources), ye are God’s building, According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 6:1-3 (American Standard Version)

Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection (maturity); not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.

This foundation spoken of in this passage is the teaching of the beginning of Christ. The words and ministry of Christ is in reality who He is; therefore, these teachings are the complete “Gospel.” Jesus said my sheep hear my voice and they obey. When the Gospel is proclaimed, those sheep hear…the “goats” do not.

“not laying again”

– this implies that the foundation should be laid once and for all. Scripture implies that in order to attain maturity, this foundation must be laid and in place in order to go on and mature. As a baby learns to walk, so does the new believer. When firmly set into place, more can be built on top of them in perfect alignment. may be built and completed being solidly built and in alignment.

“leaving the doctrine”

– (leaving – aphentes) means to let go or leave aside. This word was used in classical Greek by orators to indicate that they intended to pass over a subject, or leave it unmentioned in order to get on to more important issues. In a court of law this would be “stipulated” as correct by everyone. Then “leaving” a subject unmentioned, or passing over it does not mean it had no force, or would not later be discussed. This implies that the matter is settled and not debatable any longer.

“principles of the doctrine of Christ”

– (literally, the teaching of the beginning of Christ) – The elementary doctrines are included in the basic foundational truths listed: repentance from dead works, faith toward God, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrections, eternal judgments. Everyone should know them by memory.

“

let us go on unto perfection;”

-- “perfection” – e.g. the quality of something that is as good or suitable as it can possibly be; the process of becoming or making something perfect; somebody or something that reaches the highest attainable standard.

1. The Doctrine of Repentance From Dead Works What are the works of God? What is a “dead work” to God? Every work of man is considered “Dead” if that work is not motivated by, energized by, and directed by the Holy Spirit.

2. The Doctrine of Faith Toward God – Who is the Sovereign God – His attributes or perfections, and what is His purpose in all of creation?

3. The Doctrine of Baptisms – What are the three Baptisms which are the Ways of God?

4. The Doctrine of Laying On of Hands – What is the Fullness of the Holy Spirit, Gifts, and Ministry of God?

5. The Doctrine of the Resurrections of the Dead – What is man’s Hope and the “anchor” of the Soul?

6. The Doctrine of Eternal Judgments – What is the ultimate purposes of God?

7. The PROMISE: …[to] go on to perfection (maturity) and this we will do if God permits.”

The Blessings: exploring the benefits and blessings of living a mature life in Christ? What great rewards both in heaven and on earth for the mature Christian.

III. FOUNDATIONS CONTRASTED: What happens when the foundations is not laid?

APOSTASY --- This is the central problem and the results of not laying all of the six stones solidly as the basis for theology.

I'm beginning to question whether an outline will do it....these need to be taught......maybe?

Self deception is a real problem.

Am I just deceiving myself Lord? Is there anyone out there who really wants this teaching ... if so, then I'm willing to teach at least ONE willing seeker.

No activity on this site. Tells me I might as well not post further until I have at least one willing soul desires to learn.

"Lord, do not let me deceive myself with self importance and mis-reading your nudges . . . I need at least one person to teach otherwise I am teaching myself and I don't need to take my time to do that here writing a blog. Otherwise I will devote my time to art and repent from my arrogance in thinking that you wish to use me this way. If this is not what you want me to do please remove all desire to teach within me ... and redirect my path to art or whatever you want me to do with my remaining years. Thank you Lord for what you are going to do." -- Amen

#1 Faith Toward God

Hebrews 6 - What is faith toward God? Who is God and what is He like?

^{Are you on milk or solid food?}

The (hard to read) subheading of this blog reads: "Even though by this time you ought to be teaching, instead you need someone to teach you . . ." -- Hebrews 5:12

⁷In the days of His flesh [Jesus] offered up definite, special petitions [for that which He not only wanted but needed] and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him Who was [always] able to save Him [out] from death, and He was heard because of His reverence toward God [His godly fear, His piety, in that He shrank from the horrors of separation from the bright presence of the Father]. ⁸Although He was a Son, He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered ⁹And, [His completed experience] making Him perfectly [equipped], He became the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him, ¹⁰Being designated and recognized and saluted by God as High Priest after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek. ¹¹ Concerning this we have much to say which is hard to explain, since you have become dull in your [spiritual] hearing and sluggish [even slothful in achieving spiritual insight]. ¹² For even though by this time you ought to be teaching others, you actually need someone to teach you over again the very first principles of God's Word. You have come to need milk, not solid food. ¹³For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]! ¹⁴ But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law.

¹THEREFORE LET us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. Let us not again be laying the foundation [1] of repentance and abandonment of dead works (dead formalism) and [2]of the faith [by which you turned] to God, ² [3]With teachings about purifying, [4] the laying on of hands, [5] the resurrection from the dead, and [6] eternal judgment and punishment. [These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago.] ³ If indeed God permits, we will [now] proceed [to advanced teaching]. ⁴ For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come, ⁶ If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance--[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace. ⁷ For the soil which has drunk the rain that repeatedly falls upon it and produces vegetation useful to those for whose benefit it is cultivated partakes of a blessing from God. ⁸ But if [that same soil] persistently bears thorns and thistles, it is considered worthless and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. ⁹ Even though we speak this way, yet in your case, beloved, we are now firmly convinced of better things that are near to salvation and accompany it. ¹⁰ For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name's sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do. ¹¹ But we do [strongly and earnestly] desire for each of you to show the same diligence and sincerity [all the way through] in realizing and enjoying the full assurance and development of [your] hope until the end, ¹² In order that you may not grow disinterested and become [spiritual] sluggards, but imitators, behaving as do those who through faith (by their leaning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) and by practice of patient endurance and waiting are [now] inheriting the promises. ¹³ For when God made [His] promise to Abraham, He swore by Himself, since He had no one greater by whom to swear, ¹⁴ Saying, Blessing I certainly will bless you and multiplying I will multiply you."

Hebrews 5 and 6.

What are the doctrines of righteousness? Do you know?

Expect lots and lots and losts of scripture on this blog. I care not one wit for denomination's dogma teach although I've studied many of the great theologians and comparative religious doctrines. Some I found lined up with scripture and harmonized but many didn't. None of these church establishments have all of the truth and for that matter neither do I claim to know it all. This keeps me in awesome fear and on my knees. Christians are suppose to be taught of the Lord and it is he who guides the Christian through the scriptures and opens their understanding. You should question and discern; truth will be confirmed many ways.

How can you know what is taught is truth?

Correct Christian Theology will free you; Incorrect Theology will bind you to man and human works. Test it and study.


The theology and doctrine I accept are those that harmonize with both the N. & O. Testaments. I'm teaching Bible here on this blog primarily, and your comments will need to respond with scriptural references (I rarely accept just one in fact I usually require both Old and New Testament references where doctrine is concerned.

I John 2:27 "But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do]."

Obviously this is for the spiritually mature Christian "abides" in Christ ... those who are feasting on solid food and who know how to feed themselves. If my teaching does not feed you ... doesn't occasionally shake you up then I'm not following the Lord (God forbid me to do such a thing).

Change is good.

I will tell you when I began learning these six principals and first teachings of Christ regarding righteousness it changed me. My thinking changed and so changed my walk with Christ for up to that time I had not realized that I had not grown past a baby stage in my walk because I lacked understanding and knowledge. This is the foundation and it must be built before one can go on to maturity. Why do people remain without spiritual growth? I am certain it is because of this lack of fully understanding the righteousness of Christ?

From failure to understanding.

Now I taught these six principals for six weeks and was a big failure in the eyes of man... religious or otherwise. I was first introduced to these teaching in the 70s. From that time on, the Lord compelled me to study these teachings, unpacking and studying thee basic teachings and within my heart began a slow burning desire, no a passion to share the wonderful things that I was discovering.

Yet here I am teaching and my students are leaving. It really bummed me out because not only had the Lord given me great illumination but it was HE who motivated me to study literally full days on this subject and yet one by one my students stopped attending. What on earth are you doing Lord? God had quickened my heart but I'll tell you by man's standards ... especially religious man's standards I was a miserable failure. My lessons were not received because for the first time I realized that my students had encountered a Gospel of Righteousness and Grace that had shaken them up.

But wait. Wasn't that exactly what I wanted. This Gospel was not tickling their ears and it was one that they couldn't agree with although every single point was driven by scripture....except for one person and my spiritual teacher-mentor. For you see, I had asked my mentor, Edith, to review all that I was teaching to assure that I was teaching truth. "Why was this happening?" I asked her. "The Lord is teaching you a valuable lesson and you are being tested. You will teach these again and you must not look for results and just trust the Father. Remember Noah who preached for a hundred years without one convert? Yet he was compelled to preach. She went on to say, " The Word is very powerful and you will see in time," she said.

That one student to this day continues to thank me for opening her eyes to the truth and the wonderful Gospel of Grace and the Righteousness of Christ. I don't care about numbers but I do care greatly about keeping to scripture and I am compelled.

In this first blog, I plan to go through these six lessons. I pray that the work of my hand and heart will be acceptable to the Lord and that these teachings will help you to grow to solid food. Inevitably I will probably inject my opinion but I will make every effort to point out that fact and allow scripture to interpret itself. Remember that the Bible was given to man for him to come to understanding and that the veil be lifted from your eyes.

Yet when we are among the full-grown (spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding), we do impart a [higher] wisdom (the knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden); but it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age or of this world nor of the leaders and rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing and are doomed to pass away.

I Cor 2:7 But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God--[that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence]. ⁸None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this, for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ But, on the contrary, as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed]. ¹⁰Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny].

¹¹For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man's thoughts except the man's own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹²Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God.

¹³And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit]. ¹⁴But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. ¹⁵But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him]. ¹⁶For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.

In other words, the Word of God found in the pages of the Bible are hidden to the lost. You must have a spiritual birth to gain understanding. If you desire to know the truth with all sincerity of heart ask the Lord your Father to open your understanding unto salvation and that will new birth of you spirit and God will come and abide with you forever. Hope you seek Him with all your heart for "you shall surely fine me," Jesus said.