The revelations contained in the Bible serve as a supreme guide by which to measure all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions-and today's Christians are in steady moral and spiritual decline. A 2010 survey by the Barna Research Group reveals that in American churches, Christians have become less knowledgeable about the Bible, less interested in spiritual disciplines, and more desirous of secular techniques to solve life's problems, thus blurring the distinction between their conduct and that of nonbelievers. In Seven Pillars of Christianity: An Introduction to the Essential Christian Doctrines, Dr. William Ekane reveals the life-transforming foundations of the Christian faith and issues a clarion call for Christians to return to authentic Christianity. First presenting his compelling case for the scientific reliability and divine origin of the Bible, Dr. Ekane works closely with Scripture as he leads us through everything from the Lord Jesus Christ to trust and faith in the living God to, finally, the five major judgments and Revelation. These practical, strategic insights and essential truths are invaluable to new converts as well as mature believers. The Word of the Holy Spirit offers transformation, illuminating our hearts and minds as we strengthen our spiritual foundation and grow deeper in God.
Seven Pillars Of Christianity
An Introduction to the Essential Christian DoctrinesBy William EkaneTrafford Publishing
Copyright © 2011 Dr. William Ekane
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4269-7482-3Contents
References............................................................xProblem...............................................................xiPurpose...............................................................xiiIntroduction..........................................................xvEssentials of Our Christian Faith.....................................xvThe Bible – A Panoramic View....................................xvi JesusAuthenticates the Bible's Reliability.................................xxv The BibleWriters' Claims for the Bible.........................................xxvi The Bible'sProtected Text........................................................xxviii How We Got theBible.................................................................xxx Old Testament at aGlance................................................................xxxii The New TestamentCHAPTER 1 – Deity of Jesus Christ...............................1CHAPTER 2 – Repentance from Dead Works..........................29CHAPTER 3 – Faith in God........................................60CHAPTER 4 – Instruction on Baptisms.............................79CHAPTER 5 – Laying on of Hands..................................121CHAPTER 6 – Resurrection of the Dead............................126CHAPTER 7 – Eternal Judgment....................................135APPENDIX 1 – A Model Church Worth Emulating.....................153APPENDIX 2 – The Names of God...................................156APPENDIX 3 – The Attributes of God..............................158APPENDIX 4 – Scripture Reference Guide..........................162INTRODUCTION..........................................................162CHAPTER 1.............................................................172CHAPTER 2.............................................................219CHAPTER 3.............................................................249CHAPTER 4.............................................................255CHAPTER 5.............................................................289CHAPTER 6.............................................................294CHAPTER 7.............................................................296APPENDIX 1............................................................321APPENDIX 2............................................................322APPENDIX 3............................................................325
Chapter One
Deity of Jesus Christ (Elementary Principles of Christ) "... Without Him, nothing was made that was made." (John 1:3)
Throughout the Old and New Testaments, Jesus Christ is the central figure of Scripture. He is concealed in the Old Testament, but revealed in the New Testament. Speaking to the Jewish religious leaders of His day, Jesus said, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they [the Scriptures] which testify of Me" (John 5:39; also see Luke 24:27). Noted Bible scholar and teacher, Elmer Towns, succinctly captures the essence of this verse by stating that "Christ is the `warp and woof' of all Scripture. He is found throughout the Old Testament by type, prophecy, and implication, and His shadow is always evident." In the New Testament, Christ is revealed as God, Servant, Son of God, Son of Man, our High Priest, and King of Kings.
The Lord Jesus Christ in the Old Testament
The goal here is to portray the Lord Jesus Christ in each of the 39 books of the Old Testament with corresponding New Testament text for confirmation. This is also to a affirm Jesus' statement in John 5. "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39)
Christ in Genesis
In Genesis, the Lord Jesus Christ is described as both creator and redeemer. First, as creator, Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The word "God" in this verse is derived from Elohim in Hebrew. Elohim, usually translated "God," means three or more, in its plural form. Jesus the Son is depicted here as co-creator with the Father and Holy Spirit. Verse 26 demonstrates the use of the word Elohim as co-creators. It says, "Then God said, `Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness ...'" (Genesis 1:26 NIV). The Lord Jesus Christ is creator of humanity. He created us to love, for His glory and pleasure. Thus, in the Genesis account, Christ is the agent of all creation. "For by Him all things were created" (Colossians 1:16). Elsewhere, the Old Testament uses plural personal pronouns when speaking of God. It pertains to God deciding to confuse human language at the tower of Babel: "Let Us go down ..." (Genesis 11:6-9). The last reference is the call to mission: "Who will go for Us?" (Isaiah 6:1-8).
Second, not only is Christ portrayed as creator, He is also depicted as redeemer of mankind. Just as God commanded Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, so too has He promised in Genesis 3:15 that Christ will be man's substitute and sacrificial lamb to restore humanity back to Himself. Through Abraham's seed, the Lord Jesus Christ, all families of the earth will be blessed.
Christ in Exodus
Exodus pictures the Lord Jesus Christ as redeemer. God freed His people from Egyptian slavery, portraying Christ's deliverance of sinners from their sin and its attendant consequences. Christ was with Israel as the rock that followed them through their sojourn from slavery to Canaan (Exodus 17:6; see also 1 Corinthians 10:4). Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is pictured as the Passover Lamb who came to take away the sins of the world (Exodus 12:11;John 1:36; 19:36) and serve as the bridge to God.
Christ in Leviticus
Leviticus offers multiple aspects of Christ's atoning sacrifice. Specific sacrifices, found in chapter 16, suggest several aspects of the Lord Jesus Christ's atoning work. Chapters 21-22 foreshadow Christ's perfect priesthood as our ultimate High Priest. "So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him `You are My Son, Today I have begotten You'"(Hebrews 5:5).
Christ in Numbers
Numbers metaphorically portrays Christ both as the water-giving Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4) and as the serpent that gives life to all those who looked up to Him (John 3:14-15). The author of Numbers foresees Christ as a star that will come out of Jacob and a scepter out of Israel. Both prophecies were fulfilled when David brought down the wicked nation of Moab and when Jesus Christ (David's descendant) subdued all of God's enemies at the cross of Calvary.
Christ in Deuteronomy
In Deuteronomy, Moses tells of a prophet such as himself who God will raise up among the Jews (Deuteronomy 18:15-22). Later, in the New Testament, Christ is seen as the fulfillment of that prophecy (Acts 3:22; 7:37). Another prediction about Christ states that His body shall not remain overnight on the tree (Deuteronomy 21:23). Christ became a curse for all mankind to redeem us from the curse of the law(Galatians 3:13).
Christ in Joshua
The very name Joshua is a variation of Jesus. Joshua, as leader,...
