I. THE FAITH
Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you
exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have
crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God
into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 3-4)
Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in
stewards that one be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)
according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. 12 Glory to God for His Grace
(cf. Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-19) And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting
me into the ministry, (1 Timothy 1:11-12)
O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what
is falsely called knowledge -- (1 Timothy 6:20)
That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. (2 Timothy 1:14)
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to
teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)
but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment
of God our Savior; (Titus 1:3)
I. THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES – HEBREWS 6:1-3
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the
foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands,
of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. (Hebrews 6:1-3)
A. Foundation of Repentance from Dead Works
B. Faith Toward God
C. Doctrine of Baptisms
D. Laying on of Hands
E. Resurrection of the Dead
F. Eternal Judgment
II. BIBLICAL HYMNS/SUMMARIES OF THE FAITH
A. Philippians 2:5-11
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be
equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the
death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the
earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)
B. 1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen
by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)
C. 1 Corinthians 15:3-28
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and
that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas,
then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to
the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all
He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by
man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be
made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. 24
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority
and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is
death. 27 For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He
who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also
be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)
III. THE APOSTLES CREED
This creed arose out of the early Western church and should be thought of as a summary of the Apostles' teaching rather
than directly attributable to them. Originally it was essentially a baptismal confession and had several variations. The form
in use today dates from the eighth century.
I BELIEVE IN GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, THE CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH,
AND IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD:
WHO WAS CONCEIVED OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY,
SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, WAS CRUCIFIED, DIED, AND WAS BURIED. HE DESCENDED INTO HELL.
THE THIRD DAY HE AROSE AGAIN FROM THE DEAD.
HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY,
WHENCE HE SHALL COME TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD.
I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH,
THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS,
THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY, AND LIFE EVERLASTING. AMEN.
IV. NICENE CREED (FOURTH CENTURY)
This creed was first formulated at the First Ecumenical Council, held at Nicea, located in what is now Turkey, in 325, as a
response to the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. It was revised at the Second Ecumenical Council,
held at Constantinople in 381 as a response to the Macedonian or Pneumatomachian heresy, which denied the divinity
of the Holy Spirit.
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We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from
Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For
us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin
Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the
third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the
Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father. With the Father and the Son he
is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the
world to come. Amen.
V. BAPTISM QUESTIONS
1. Do you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sin and that God raised Him from the dead?
2. Do you believe that God has appointed Him the Judge of the living and the dead and that He will raise all persons
from the dead, some to eternal life and some to everlasting condemnation?
3. Do you confess Him as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords?
4. Will you give Him your whole life and follow His will and His word all your days?
5. Do you renounce the world, its systems, and its false pleasures knowing that friendship with the world is enmity
with God? “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend
of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)
6. Do you renounce the flesh and the sinful desires of the human heart?
7. Do you renounce the Devil and all the powers of darkness and all the practices of darkness in which you and
your ancestors have participated?
8. Do you commit yourself to a life of seeking the Lord, receiving His love and grace, feeding on His Word, prayer,
and fasting?
9. Do you commit to living a life based on the sermon on the Mount and to pursuing happy holiness?
10. Do you commit to finish the race well and remain faithful even unto death?
VI. HAPPY HOLINESS – FIVE LIFESTYLE PRACTICES TO ENSURE MATURITY
A. Covenant with eyes: set no worthless thing before our eyes (including too much “innocent” media).
B. Bridle tongue: replace complaining, boasting, foolish talk with thanksgiving, encouraging & silence.
C. Manage time: enough time for praying the Word (with fasting) and serving (includes relating).
D. Give money: giving as much as possible to the Kingdom (beyond personal comfort and honor).
E. Communing prayer: connect with Holy Spirit throughout the day.