Fundamental Doctrines Of The Faith Part One (The Things Most Surely Believed By Apostle Selman
For everytime we appear before The Lord, we must come believing that He is prepared to take us from one level of glory to another.
Pray: Father, the eyes that see, the ear that hears, and the heart that receives, I covet tonight. Let me not miss my sent Word for my growth, deliverance, healing, and transformation, in the name of Jesus!
The house of The Lord has a unique capture of God’s presence, wisdom, and power.
You must be determined to be consistent with God and His Word. Consistency pays in this kingdom.
(Hebrews 10:38)
What you receive in this house (Koinonia) is beyond the teaching or intelligent communication of the Word. There are layers of spirit communication imparted on your spirit, beyond words.
When it has to do with the ministry of The Spirit, distance holds no barrier. You can be more impacted kilometers away.
There is a portion and a dimension that cannot be communicated through words.
The presence factor makes the difference! There is a layer of spiritual reality that words cannot capture. It is the business of The Holy Spirit.
You should expect more than your mind captures. Your entire tripartite nature is involved, as your consciousness becomes appropriately awakened.
I pray for you, that The Holy Spirit, The Spirit of grace, blows like a wind, resting upon your mind, answering your questions, addressing your worries and concerns, that at the end of this service, you leave becoming a confident believer, in the name of Jesus!
God has declared that we are in the days of His power. Tonight’s message answers the question as to why there has been power leakages in the life of Believers.
The goal is to prepare us to be people of understanding and people of power, demonstrated evidently in our lives.
There is a gross deficiency in the understanding of doctrine in the Body of Christ, particularly and especially among the pentecostal and charismatic circles.
The deficiency in the understanding of doctrine is as a result of an emphasis on largely signs and wonders and the charismatic manifestations of The Holy Spirit, with little or no foundation, built on a strong doctrine.
“Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed”.
Luke 1:1-4 (KJV)
The word “Doctrine” comes from the Latin word “Doctrina” which means a set of beliefs that have been vetted and accredited, which are communicated to a student, for the purpose of that student becoming like his master.
Doctrine is a resource that journeys a student from the point of ignorance to a place of mastery.
11 FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES THAT ARE ANCHORS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
1. The infallibility of Scripture.
2. The doctrine of God (Understanding The Godhead)
3. The subject of man
4. Jesus Christ (His person, ministry and assignment)
5. The doctrine of salvation and sanctification.
6. The Holy Spirit (His person and ministry)
7. The Church (The Ecclesia)
8. Satan
9. The doctrine of angels.
10. The Believer’s growth system.
11. Our corporate mandate.
DOCTRINE 1: THE INFALLIBILITY OF THE WORD OF GOD
Before you begin to explore God, you must first explore the resource made available for knowing Him.
Many Believers receive the call to study God’s Word as a religious activity or as a burden: void of revelation and consequently barren of results.
In reference to The Bible being referred to as infallible, the word “infallible” means “accurate” and “potent”.
The Bible, as an inspired resource that contains the revelation of God to man, is the most accurate scripted resource that reveals God to man.
The word “Scripture” simply means “writings”; whether they’re inspired or uninspired.
When we say The Word of God is infallible, the ignorant who disagrees, begins to point out the inconsistencies and errors captured, from Genesis to Revelation.
As a result, many believe that The Bible has many defects. For example, reading in the Old Testament that “a lying spirit came from God”, negates the person and character of God.
The infallibility of the scriptures is not in its historical, intellectual, and linguistic communication.
For example, the Bible says “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty” – Proverbs 11:24 (KJV)
This scripture negates the law of savings, intellectually speaking.
When we say the Bible is infallible, emphatically, its infallibility is not in its historical, archaeological, intellectual, or linguistic accuracy.
The Bible is infallible in its ability to accurately reveal God, Jesus Christ, man’s sinful nature, and God’s salvation plan for man.
Generally speaking, in studying scripture, there are three layers:
1. The Historical or archaeological layer – This is seen in Matthew’s gospel, giving us the generations that came before Jesus Christ.
2. The Doctrinal layer – This layer requires the eyes of a theologian.
3. The Prophetic Layer – By the illumination of The Spirit, you can draw revelation from any verse and apply it to your life.
Staying on only one of the three layers alone has consequences. You must employ all three layers to draw from the scriptures, holistically.
Prophetic revelations are subjective to the light an individual carries. This is why it is important that a Believer must be anchored on Biblical doctrines and allow The Holy Spirit flesh out the truths revealed. (Ephesians 3:3-4)
What is The Bible?
The Bible is a compendium of sixty-six (66) separate yet related books, written by over 40 authors of men and women who cut across various walks of life, over a period of 1,600 years.
The Bible is broadly separated into two: The Old Testament (39 books) and the New Testament (27 books).
From a theological standpoint, the Bible is broadly separated into two:
1. The Old Testament which has 39 books
2. The New Testament which has 27 books.
The 39 books of the Bible are broken into:
1. The Pentateuch/ The Torah (which are the five books of Moses)
2. The historic books
3. The poetic books
4. The prophetic books (major and minor prophets)
The scriptures are called holy scriptures or inspired scriptures. They’re not mere writings, rather they came by the inspiration of God. (2 Timothy 3:16 KJV)
Scriptures are also called the oracles of God (Hebrews 5:12 KJV)
The Word of God refers to two things:
1. The Word of God refers to Jesus, The Living Word/Logos. (John 1:1-2)
2. The written Word, which is a compendium of God’s thoughts.
The Living Word is revealed in The written Word i.e. the scriptures. The Written Word points us to The Living Word. (John 5:39-40)
The purpose and intent of studying The Bible, is to walk through a pathway that ultimately leads you to encountering The Living Word (God) Himself.
When you study the scriptures, you are not just studying stories. Rather, the writings are pointers to a central focus—Jesus.
FACTORS THAT PROVE THE BIBLE’S RELIABILITY FOR KNOWING GOD AND GROWING SPIRITUALLY:
1. Forty different men, writing sixty-six (66) books, in about three (3) languages, over a period of 1,600 years, have their thoughts unified in one book, all leading to a progressive revelation of God, Jesus Christ and the salvation plan of God.
2. A majority of the prophecies captured all through the scriptures by different prophets, have come to pass. (Matthew 3:3, 2:17, 4:14-16, Acts 3:18)
Prophecies like:
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:” Joel 2:28 (KJV)
Declared by prophet Joel, has been fulfilled in Acts 2:1-2, 15-16 (KJV)
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;”
When the Bible says that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” in 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV), the word “inspired” means the writings were intended by God to be documented, the way He desired it.
So even when you read parts of Scripture where demons spoke, reading it from the lens of The Spirit, you can draw a valuable lesson from it.
The Bible is NOT a Christian novel.
Every other inspiration to write any spiritual material, by any spiritual man who is a practitioner of the faith-life, but fails to make reference to scripture, should be discarded as heretic.
No matter what is believed that God told someone, as Believers we have the right to prove the visions by the scriptures.
Eventually you will destroy people, if you do not build your revelations from the Scriptures.
Many Believers from the charismatic movement like to shroud their revelations in a lot of mysteries.
However, being spiritual does not mean you become excessively and inexplicably mystical.
There are many fears Believers should not fear, when they are established in doctrine.
What is written in God’s word, forever remains greater than what anyone sees or heard through a supposed revelation.
An average Believer in Africa has a lopsided understanding of God’s Word, thereby producing slaves and not victors.
If a Believer never has any revelatory vision in life, but can hold on to the doctrine of scriptures, building their faith on the knowledge of God and Jesus, understanding redemption, satan and victory on the cross, that Believer will live a victorious life!
The concept of “knowing God for yourself” is flawed. Although it is an attempt to bring liberation to the idolatory of men of God.
God gave gifts to mankind by an election of grace to make all peoples “see” through the ministry of teaching priests.
(Acts 8:29, Ephesians 4:8)
Most times, many preachers think that when you teach people the liberating truth, you tend to lose them.
But in God’s kingdom, you keep by releasing. (Matthew 10:39)
The foundation for any prophetic word coming to pass is that it is written in The Word of God, not just because the preacher prophesied it.
THREE BLESSINGS THAT COME WITH EXALTING THE WORD OF GOD AS INFALLIBLE
1. The Word of God becomes an instrument of reference, renewal and transformation. (Romans 12:2)
2. The Word of God gives access to the wisdom of God. (2 Timothy 3:15, Colossians 3:16)
3. The Word of God brings access to the knowledge of God and the promises of Scripture. (1 John 5:13, Acts 20:32)
When a Believer’s life is hinged on the integrity and infallibility of The Word of God, above and beyond the prophetic, then the prophetic can be explored with joy and grace.
Build your life, ministry, business, and home on The Word! The safest basis for victory is The Word of God! (Proverbs 4:18)
You will be a stable Christian, when you build your life on the infallibility of The Word of God.
Stop the practice of singing songs that magnify the power of satan, and songs that are not consistent with the speakings of God, embedded in the Bible.
Replace every song you listen to with songs that contain the infallible Word of God.
For many, tonight, you will issue one command, with a revelation of God’s Word and change a verdict, decreeing ONLY what God has said concerning you, written in the scriptures.
DOCTRINE 2: THE DOCTRINE OF GOD (UNDERSTANDING THE GODHEAD)
The Bible never tries to prove the existence of God. Rather, it starts by declaring that He exists, whether you believe so or not.
In the beginning, God…(Genesis 1:1, Hebrews 11:6)
Who is God?
The Bible defines and describes God as The Eternal Self-Existent One.
You cannot receive anything from God or increase in the knowledge of God, until you first believe that He exists.
or the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
Romans 1:20 (KJV)
Paul in Romans 1:20 notes that creation is the most visible representation of God’s existence.
SIX ATTRIBUTES THAT DEFINE GOD, (THREE UNIQUELY BRANDED TO HIS PERSON):
1. God is eternal.
(Exodus 3:14, Genesis 21:33, 1 Timothy 1:17, Revelation 1:8)
2. God is self-existent. (Psalm 36:9, John 5:26)
3. God is immutable. (James 1:17, Psalm 33:11, Malachi 3:6)
4. God is omnipotent—All-powerful (Revelation 19:6, 4:11, Hebrews 1:1-4)
5. God is omniscient—All-knowing (Proverbs 15:3, Psalm 147:5, Hebrews 4:12-13)
6. God is omnipresent—Ever-present, never affected by time and space. (Psalm 139:7-12)
Man partakes of eternity, but man is not eternal. To be eternal means ‘to be void of a beginning and an end’.
There is nothing in life that has happened, that took God by surprise. He was always there, from the beginning.
God does not owe or derive His existence from another, and therefore does not depend on any other person or factor to sustain nor maintain Him.
Kings of the earth are not self-existent, and their tombs are testaments of this fact. God is the ONLY Self-Self-Existing One!
God is unchanging in His person and character. He is consistent in all His ways.
If He was good yesterday, He is good today and forever.
God is all-knowing. His knowledge is not progressive. God does not learn. Jesus only learnt when He became a man.
The word “omni” is the word “all”. He is All-powerful and sovereign.
God has perfect knowledge, perfect understanding and perfect wisdom.
Fundamentals of The Nature of God (To be discussed next week):
1. God is Spirit
2. God is Light
3. God is Holy
4. God is Love
Go ahead and thank God for all you have heard tonight by The Spirit and by faith.
Pray: Lord I thank You for all I have learnt. (Psalm 34:5)
Lift up your voice and pray: Father, I decree and declare that fear dies in my life—fear of failing in life, business, ministry and marriage. I anchor my faith upon the infallibility of God’s Word and the revelation of God.
I will not fear, my life is built on the integrity of God and the immutability of His character.
Make this Confession of faith:
In Jesus name, I am a child of God, I am born of God, washed by the blood of The Lamb.
In the name of Jesus, I live by The Word of God, my faith is built on the integrity of God’s Word.
In the name of Jesus, I am guided by The Holy Spirit, I enjoy His leadership.
In the name of Jesus, the promises of God, concerning my life are yea and amen! I receive them and I declare that they find full expression in every area of my life.
Therefore, I declare, that I am blessed, I declare that I am lifted, I declare that I am anointed. I declare that I am the head and not the tail.
I declare that the power of God is working in my life.
I declare that I am a possessor of the wisdom of God. I declare that the favour of God is working in my life.
I declare that people arise to honour the grace of God that is upon my life.
No limitation, no weakness, in the name of Jesus!
I declare that my confidence is anchored on The Word of God. God will not fail me therefore I refuse to fear!
Nothing dies in my life, nothing dies in my hands!
I am a sign and a wonder! I am a testament of the victory of Christ Jesus! I walk in favour, ever-increasing glory, in Jesus name, Amen!
Genuine peace and fulfillment stem from an encounter with your Creator. Jesus Christ is reaching out to you right now. He wants to give you a new beginning, regardless of your past or current situation.
Take the bold step to begin the journey of salvation by saying “yes” to Him.
With faith in your heart, declare this prayer of salvation to receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.
If you just received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, we would love to read from you and become a part of your Christian journey.
Please use the link https://bit.ly/JESUSINMYHEART or send us an email via [email protected]
I pray for everyone under the sound of my voice, let this be a blessed week for you!
I decree and declare, shame and reproach is far from your life, in the name of Jesus Christ!
This week, you will see the manifestation of The Word of God, in ways you’ve never experienced before.
The mighty hand of God is upon you and the results will be evident this week.
Prepare for good news again this week, in the name of Jesus Christ.
From tonight till Sunday, you return as a testament of good news!
Anything that will cause you to weep or sorrow, may it be far from you!
You are late for tragedy;
You are late for shame and reproach, in the name of Jesus Christ!
I decree and declare that your helpers find you this week and they bless you marvellously!
The Lord will give you rest, The Lord will give you peace! The Lord will comfort you on all sides as He increases your greatness.
You are blessed! I call you Beulah and Hephzibah! You are a well-watered garden, a testament of God’s faithfulness!
People will look at your life and love Jesus. People will look at your life and come to church, in Jesus mighty name we pray!
Part 2: The Fundamental Doctrines Of The Faith Part 2 (The God Head And Creation) by Apostle Selman
Part 3: The Fundamental Doctrines Of The Faith Part 3 (The Riches Of His Grace) by Apostle Selman
