It is important that we keep before us the fundamental principles of New Testament Christianity. Brother Guy N. Woods often emphasized that we are always just one generation away from an apostasy. By that he did not mean that the cause of the Lord was weak. But the point was that each generation must be grounded in the principles that make New Testament Christianity unique (Colossians 1:23)
Listed below are some of the unique principles of New Testament Christianity:
· The Lord’s church is not a denomination. The accepted thought in today’s religious world is that each denomination is a part of the church. Another way this is often expressed is that each denomination is just another road to heaven. But Jesus came to establish one church. He declared, “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). This church was established on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2 (vs. 41,47).
· The worship of the Lord’s church is strictly based on what is revealed in the New Testament. For example, the use of instrumental music in worship is without divine authority. We are only authorized to sing (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16). When we go beyond what the Scriptures teach, we sin (Colossians 3:17, I John 3:4, II John 9).
· Baptism is a part of the Lord’s plan of salvation. Many religious groups teach that a person is saved at the point of faith. But every person you read about in the book of Acts who was saved was baptized for the remission of their sins. While baptism is not the entirety of the Lord’s plan of salvation, it is one of the steps. The apostle Peter declared, “Baptism doth also now save us” (I Peter 3:21). Also, Jesus taught, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15).
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