Introduction
Shortly after becoming a Christian, I remember a conversation I had with my friend who had lead me to Christ. I was excited about my new life in Christ, but was also experiencing some frustration. My frustration centered around having all sorts of questions regarding Christianity, and not being able to find some sort of quick reference source that could answer my questions both thoroughly and efficiently. Either I found resources with answers too abbreviated, or I found resources that had novel-length answers. I desperately desired to find a resource that would provide me with thorough answers to my questions, but in a relatively concise manner. I very clearly remember my friends reply, "Why don't you put one together yourself." Well, it has been many years since that conversation, but this website has its genesis back in that simple statement made by my dear friend.
The purpose of this website is to provide scripturally-based Bible studies relating to foundational Christian beliefs. Personal commentary will be kept to a minimum so as to allow the Scriptures to be the basis for the discussions.
To the believer who's true pursuit is to know and understand God's will through His Word, the Holy Bible, I would like to give what I believe are two very important pieces of advice. My first piece of advice to the believer is to trust the Scriptures at all times, even when they may appear to be contrary to what you think or believe. We must remember that the Bible, though penned through men, was written by God:
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God..." (NKJ: II Timothy 3:16)
"knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (NKJ: II Peter 1:20-21)
The Bible is God's letter of instruction to us, His children. Just as a small child sometimes cannot understand the purpose of their parents instructions, so we at times will not fully comprehend the purpose of the words of our Heavenly Father:
"He who trusts in his own heart is a fool..." (NKJ: Proverbs 28:26)
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding..." (NKJ: Proverbs 3:5)
"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God..." (NKJ: I Corinthians 3:19)
His Word is the North Star in the life of a believer. No matter how far off course we may get in life, no matter how confusing a situation may be regarding what is right and wrong, we only need to look to His Word to make our course sure.
My second piece of advice to the believer is to test everything you hear or read, including the information on this website, against the Scriptures to prove their validity. No religious institution, no person, and no manuscript is above the Word of God. We are warned in the Bible that there will be false religious teachers that will come into our churches and speak things which are contrary to the Word of God:
"But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers amony you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed." (NKJ: II Peter 2:1-2)
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (NKJ: I John 4:1)
"For such are false prophets, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And on wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his minsters also tranform themselves into ministers of righteousness..." (NKJ: II Corinthians 11:13-15)
Even the apostle Paul, commissioned by our Lord Himself to preach the Word, did not hold himself out as someone who's word should not be checked against the Scriptures. Paul, after preaching to the believers in the city of Berea, commended them for not just taking his words to them on face value, "These [the believers in the city of Berea] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." (NKJ: Acts 17:11) Those people in Berea would joyfully listen to Paul preach to them each day, and then would rush home at night to check what he said against the Scriptures. And Paul was not offended that they did this, but instead commended them for their actions. Always remember that someone who takes offense when you respectfully take what they are telling you and compare it against the Scriptures, is someone of which to be leery.
It is very important to have all of your Christian beleifs well grounded in the Word of God, and not based merely on what someone else, even a respected pastor, has told us. Even when researching a scriptural reference, it is very important to understand the context in which something is being said. Many verses, if read in a vacuum, that is, without regard to their context, can lead to severe misinterpretation. When researching a verse, always read several verses before and after the verse to properly determine the context in which it is being said.
I would greatly appreciate any feedback you may have on how to improve the usefullness of this website, and/or to answer any questions you may have either regarding the Bible studies on this site or other biblical questions. You may contact me with your e:mails at foundationsfaith@aol.com.
God Bless
Dedication
This website is dedicated to my dear friend, Dave Everitt. His faithful walk with the Lord was a true testimony of God's love, and was the vehicle by which the Lord brought me to a saving belief in Him.