24 Principles Definitions Flashcards
- The New Birth, Ye Must Be Born Again
The new birth is a call from God to spiritual transformation changing our nature and lifestyle and bringing us into compliance with the word of God. Spiritual transformation is an absolute requirement and prerequisite before one can safely lay claim to salvation (St. John 3:1).
- The Keeping of the Ten Commandments Written by God’s Own Finger
The commandments are God’s unalterable law that is imposed on every believer by the authority of the Holy Spirit. They demonstrate our
submission to the will of God and our love for His word. The best known are the Ten Commandments but the
Commandments of God are comprised of all of His mandates for mankind. They are essential to salvation and cannot be ignored.
- Divine Healing
- It is the will of God that through faith, man is healed or sustained by the power of God.
Believers should know that God is fully able to provide spiritual, physical or mental healing. Healing belongs to God and its power is often given to His servant, to executive His will through the Holy Spirit or to others as spiritual gifts. In any case, God has mercy upon those whom He wishes (Romans 9:18); therefore our healing is totally dependent upon Him.
- The Administration of Feet Washing and Communion at the Same Service
The practice of feet washing is preparatory to receiving the body and blood of Christ through communion. It is a mark of cleansing and
humility that was demonstrated by Jesus Christ himself with His disciples and commanded that we should do
as He had done (St. John 13:15).
- Tithes and Offerings, An Early Duty of the People of
Tithing, a tenth part of one’s increase was the
subject of a variety of legislation in the Bible. It was required of everyone regardless of class or status and
provided support for the leaders (Levites and Priest, and for the administration of the tabernacle.) The
Deuteronomic code established further uses for the tithe of agricultural produce and suggested that family
feast at the sanctuary celebrating God’s provision was a proper use (Deuteronomy 4:22-27). The same code
stipulated the third year’s tithe for care of the Levites, orphans, widows and foreigners
(Deuteronomy 14:28-29). The New Testament treatment of tithing proves that the concept survived
dispensation and covenants and remains a requirement for mankind today.
- The Eating of Selective Foods as Holy People Should
God established a diet for mankind that remains
today. It contains an irrevocable list of clean and unclean foods. Many forbidden animals were objects of
superstition and idolatry to the heathen, so God’s people were taught to make distinction between holy and
unholy. The diet that God established became a defining characteristic of those who love Him and keep His
commandments.
- Everlasting Life Before Going Through the Grave
One of the most compelling reasons for living a
righteous life is the promise of “everlasting life” with Christ. According to the Bible, all mankind will inherit
eternal life either in the blessing of God’s presence or the damnation of God’s absence. The distinguishing
characteristic of these two options is not its duration but its quality. “Godliness is profitable with respect to
all things because it has promise of life now and of the one about to be: (1 Timothy 4:8). We must achieve
everlasting life before death to inherit the crown of life at the resurrection.
- Absolute Holiness Through the Love of God
Holiness is a characteristic unique to God’s nature which
consequently becomes a goal for human moral character. This characteristic is best manifested through the
blood of Jesus Christ that transcends all of our sins and the word of God that defines righteousness.
- Resurrection of the Dead
The proof of victory for the saints is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His
resurrection fulfills the promise that Jesus made to return and retrieve His saints. The first resurrection will
consist of the dead in Christ that kept the Commandments of God.
- The Translation of the Saints
The Bible teaches us that flesh and blood cannot enter the Kingdom of
Heaven. Therefore, those who do enter must shed their corruptible bodies and put on bodies that are both
incorruptible and immortal. These changed bodies can only be obtained through the power of God and is
awarded only to those who have kept the faith and endured hardness as a good soldier for Christ.
- The Second Coming of Jesus
During the ministry of Jesus, He told His followers that He would be leaving
to prepare a place for them, but would return again. Upon His return, He will dispense judgment upon the
sinners and gather the saints for a life in the earth made new. Jesus warned His followers, however, that they
should be prepared to welcome Him back because His coming would be like a thief in the night. There being
no certainty as to the time of Jesus’ return, it is important that we be ready knowing that He may come at any
time (Matthew 24:42).
- The Thousand Years the New Heaven and New Earth
The Bible teaches that there is a millennium or
1000 year period when the Kingdom of God will be established on earth. This period is preceded by the
Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) and is concluded with the new heaven and new earth descending from
God (Revelations 21:2). This is the beginning of the end-time.
- Jesus Is God, God Is Jesus
Jesus is God incarnated in flesh. In fact, He was manifested in various forms at
various times. He was father, son, word, spirit, Lord, etc. Jesus is the one and only true God.
- Baptize in the Name of Jesus Christ
The name in which baptism is administered is vitally important.
Jesus’ last command to His disciples was, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28:19). We should notice that He used the
singular form “name” not “names.” Father, Son and Holy Ghost are not names of separate persons but the
titles of positions held by God. In Matthew 1:21, the angel declared “She shall bring forth a son, and thou
shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” It’s no small wonder that Peter’s
methodology for baptism in Acts 2:38 includes the proper name to be used “Jesus Christ.”
- Water Only For Sacrament
At the “last supper” of the New Testament Passover, Jesus changed the
implements of Passover. He became the lamb, the unleavened bread no longer represented the suffering of
the Israelites while in Egypt but took on the semblance of Jesus’ broken body, and the cup also was
transformed. The Old Testament cup having been shared in Luke 22:17, Christ introduces the “cup of the
New Testament” in Luke 22:20. The contents of the New Testament cup had two distinguishing
characteristics; “in Christ blood” and “shed”. What was in Christ blood can be found in John 19:34. When
the centurion pierced Jesus in the side two things came out, blood and water. So it is, water was in Jesus’
blood and water was also shed. What Jesus presented in the New Testament cup was life giving water.
