Deep Apostolic Teachers?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Shouldn't repentance, faith, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection and eternal judgement be part of the evangelistic message? Thus new converts would already be familiar with them? Thus those first principles of the doctrine of Christ would be taught pre-conversion?

Depends on how much time you have with the seeker. The more time you spend with them the more you could share.

From THAT perspective the Churches of today seem even worse than I thought. The things that a sinner COULD be taught pre conversion are not even taught to Church members with decades of pewtime under their belt.

[Abiding Now]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Basically the ones mentioned in Hebrews 6:1-2.

With a bit of commentary by me:

Repentance from dead works. Turning from sin.

Faith toward God. Believing in the God of the Bible. I count Oneness doctrine as part of this. The true God vs everything else. Learning that his word is true. Believing in it and acting upon it.

Doctrine of baptisms. Baptism in water into the name of Jesus. Baptism in the Spirit. These are essential to the new birth.

Laying on of hands. Praying over people to receive the Spirit. To be healed. To be ordained to ministry.

Resurrection of the dead. Teaching the true gospel. Christians are to hope in the resurrection of the dead when Christ comes. Much confusion about this. If Christians go straight into Heaven there is no need for the resurrection. It would be meaningless. We gain immortality and eternal life at the resurrection. There is no "immortal soul".

The resurrection includes the teaching of when Jesus comes. The first resurrection happens after the great tribulation.

Eternal Judgment. All men will be judged as to their works. The righteous to live with Christ throughout eternity. The wicked will perish (be destroyed) in the lake of fire.

Going On To Perfection Living out the teaching of Christ based on a personal relationship with him. A life of holiness, and entire sanctification. Anyone with sin in their life stands in danger of chastisement or being cut off from Christ. Only overcomers will escape Hell and enter Heaven.

That would be a nutshell description of what I consider foundational.

Believing in them is essential, at least to be walking in the truth. How much could be denied and one still make it in? Christ wants us to be true to all of it. Denying foundations certainly makes for a shoddy building inherent with problems.

Remember the goal is perfection.

EVERYONE claims to believe this, but HOW you define these is the question.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Abiding Now

EVERYONE claims to believe this, but HOW you define these is the question.

True. That's what teachers are for. That's kind of my point in asking about deep Apostolic teachers. In todays world it is exceeding rare if anyone even has the basics. They seem really deep.