Listing the Basics of Belief

Scripture: Therefore, let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God, teaching about ritual washings, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Hebrews 6:1-2

Observation: The writer of Hebrews calls the readers "immature" in their understanding of faith, and encourages them to embrace maturity. To that ends, he says he will not cover the basics or "elementary teaching about Christ", and lists what those basic concepts are. Those topics include:

-- Obtaining repentance through works aka acts of compliance

-- Basic faith in Yahweh

-- The truth about Jewish rituals

-- The power of prayer through laying on of hands

-- Promised eternal life in heaven

-- A juxtaposed understanding of hell

These basics could be summarized in three statements ... in fact, these are likely the "elementary teaching about Christ" referenced:

1) The promise of Jesus Christ is eternal life through faith in the Lord and Jesus.

2) As believers in Christ, our mission is to love and care for others, guiding them to faith and hope.

3) Without faith, and no amount of good works, compliance with The Law, or ritualistic practices can purify anyone, saving them from future judgment.

Application: As "The Church" evolved over the years, we tried to make it complex. This is evidenced in the evolution of various creeds and decrees of the church created over the centuries. And yes, there are complexities regarding faith and the will of God that are difficult to unpack and fully understand.

However, I am thankful that - at its core - God gave us not only a gift of salvation, but the promise of that salvation being achieved through basic belief in Jesus Christ.

I believe in Yahweh, the Lord God almighty, Abba and creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus, the Christ and Messiah, the heavenly son of God, my savior who bore my sins on the cross, died, resurrected, and ascended into heaven.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the very being of God come to earth as God's wisdom and power to indwell within mankind, who provides assistance and ability to fulfill the purposes of the Lord here in his earthly kingdom.

I believe that, by these beliefs, I am an adopted child of God, forgiven of my sins, purified in love, with a promise of life everlasting in the perfect presence of the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, as I say often, may thy will be done. Amen.