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 Ekane

Trafford Publishing

Copyright © 2011 Dr. William Ekane
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4269-7482-3

Contents

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, took the Israelites to possess the Promised Land, foreshadowing Christ leading redeemed mankind to everlasting life. Joshua's encounter with the "Commander of the Lord's army" (Joshua 5:15) is undoubtedly the pre-incarnate Christ.

Christ in Judges

Judges reviews God's agents for delivering His people from their enemies. In a similar vein, Christ is foreshadowed as the One who will confront and defeat Satan and his co-hosts, thereby liberating God's people from their enemies. This theme runs through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and in Paul's letter to the Ephesians, as well as in Revelation.

Christ in Ruth

In Ruth, Boaz effectively performed the role of kinsman–redeemer. Christ is fulfilled in this role both as our brother and redeemer. Ruth prominently figures in the genealogy of Christ as the great-grandmother of Israel's messiah, King David.

Christ in 1 Samuel

First Samuel records Israel's first two kings, Saul and David. These kings of the Jewish nation prefigure Israel's real king, Jesus Christ. Christ is in the lineage of David, called "son of David," a term that is similar to Messiah. The author, Samuel, who was a prophet, priest, and political leader, prefigures Jesus' role as prophet, priest, and king. Also, included in First Samuel is the first mention of a person called the anointed of Yahweh. This is significant because the word Messiah means "anointed one."

Christ in 2 Samuel

In 2 Samuel, David models Christ's kingship as founder of the dynasty, where Jesus, son of David, is the eternal King. One of the ways David illustrates Christ's kingship is in his compassion and loyalty to Mephibosheth – the grandson of King Saul. Jesus epitomizes love by dying for undeserving humanity.

Christ in 1 Kings

First Kings is the continuation of the Davidic dynasty in Israel, where Solomon, David's son and Israel's third king, is prominent. The wisdom, fame, and splendor of Solomon are known beyond the borders of Israel. This splendid era in Israel's history points to the wisdom, majesty, and glory of Christ. In Luke's gospel, Jesus told His audiences that the Queen of Sheba made a long journey to hear Solomon. He also spoke of One greater than Solomon who was currently among them(Luke 11:31).

Christ in 2 Kings

Second Kings describes the ministries of Elijah and Elisha, prophets through whom God demonstrates His mighty power. Apostle Luke notes that Jesus was "a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people" (Luke 24:19). The Davidic dynasty was preserved in Israel as long as it was because of God's unfailing promise to David (2 Kings 8:19). Israel can count on God to keep a lamp for David forever (Revelation 21:23).

Christ in 1 Chronicles

First Chronicles focuses on the messianic promise of a son of David to rule over Israel (chapter 17). It traces the family lineage of Israel's kings (chapter 3), showing how God has been faithful to maintain a son of David to rule Israel even in the face of exile. This son of David points to the eternally beloved Son of God (1 Chronicles 17:13; Luke 1:32-33; Hebrews 1:5). Equally significant is the establishment of David's dynasty describing David's achievements both religiously and militarily. Finally, David's prayer of praise (1 Chronicles 29:10-13) applies to Jesus (Revelation 5:12-13).

Christ in 2 Chronicles

In 2 Chronicles, Solomon's glorious reign foreshadows Christ's eternal and glorious reign in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22).

Christ in Ezra

Ezra was the leading character whom God used to lead the Jewish captives in Babylon back to Judea. Jesus, in His sermon to the Jewish synagogue of Nazareth, declared that one of His goals was "to proclaim liberty to the [human] captives" held by Satan (Luke 4:18).

Christ in Nehemiah

God used Nehemiah as another leading character in the restoration of God's people from Babylon to Jerusalem. Nehemiah appealed to the post-exiled people of Israel to serve God with undivided loyalty in rebuilding the city wall. Jesus, in the same vein, said, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters" (Luke 11:23).

Christ in Esther

Nowhere in Scripture is the case of God for the Israelites more evident than in the book of Esther even though the name of God is not mentioned. Prior to His arrest, Jesus prayed, "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled" (John 17:12). Esther saved the Jewish nation by overturning the king's decree as Christ overturned God's wrath for humanity.

Christ in Job

Job, a blameless and upright servant of God, lost family, health, and possessions, yet he never cursed God. "And he said, `Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' In all this, Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong" (Job 1:21-22). Although Job cried out for a mediator to stand between him and God, he found none. Christ later became the answer to Job's request. "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).

Christ in the Psalms

In the Psalms, two major predictions about Christ's first and second comings are recorded. Psalm 22 forebodes His crucifixion while Psalm 2 looks forward to the time that He will establish His kingdom (Matthew 13, 16, 24).

Christ in the Proverbs

One of God's attributes is His infinite wisdom. Wisdom, as an attribute of God, is depicted as a person in Proverbs. However, God revealed as Christ is described in the New Testament as the Wisdom of God, by whom the worlds were created and sustained (Luke 11:49; Hebrews 1:2-3).

Christ in Ecclesiastes

In Ecclesiastes, we discover that apart from God, life is empty and meaningless. Analogous to this graphic picture is one described by Jesus when He used the imagery of a vine with its branches to underscore this truth. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

Christ in Song of Solomon

At the heart of Song of Solomon is a book of romantic love poetry. A bride and groom (or wife and husband) celebrate with exhilarating passion God's wonderful gift of the love that is shared between the two. This love between a husband and wife is portrayed by Paul as a picture of the love of Christ and His bride, the church (Ephesians 5:32).

Christ in Isaiah

Both the stunning and precise prophecy of the virgin birth of Christ (Isaiah 7:14), and the Christ as the suffering servant is foretold by Isaiah (52:13 - 53:12; compare Matthew 1:23; 16:21).

Christ in Jeremiah

Jeremiah contains numerous parallels between the author's suffering and that of Jesus as Israel's Messiah. Both wept over Jerusalem (Jeremiah 9:1; Luke 19:41)and both prophesied about the imminent destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (Jeremiah 7:11-15).

Christ in Lamentations

Lamentations describes the devastation of God's wrath poured out on the city of Jerusalem just as wrath was poured out on His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. Foreshadowing the cruel punishment that Jesus bore on the cross, the author states, "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which has been brought on me, which the Lord has inflicted in the day of His fierce anger" (Lamentations 1:12).

Christ in Ezekiel

God used the term "Son of Man" more than 90 times in Ezekiel. This expression "Son of Man" is used by Jesus most frequently to refer to Himself. It is interesting to note that this designation has two different meanings. First, it refers to His humanity. Second, it is designated to a divine being. When Christ calls Himself "Son of Man," it carries both of these meanings.

Christ in Daniel

Of all the Old Testament books, Daniel defined kingdom perspectives more than any other. Jesus came preaching about the kingdom that had been predicted by Daniel. Another significant aspect connecting this book with Christ is the vision of the author, in which the author states, "One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven" (Daniel 7:13). This was the prophecy of Christ's Second Coming, when He will rule with power and great glory over the nations.

Christ in Hosea

Hosea, the eighth century prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, was married to an adulterous wife. The children she bore drew a parallel to God's "marriage" to His spiritually adulterous people, Israel. Christ came to His own – the Jewish people – and they rejected Him. Another parallel recorded in Matthew 2:15 is quoted from Hosea 11:1, where God is calling Israel as He called Jesus, "out of Egypt I called My Son" (Matthew 2:15). Following Herod's threat to kill all male children, Joseph and Mary took baby Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath. When Herod died, Jesus' family returned to Nazareth.

Christ in Joel

Joel predicted the coming of God's Spirit on all flesh: "Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions" (Joel 2:28). Peter and Paul, in the New Testament, explained that the prophecies about the "day of the Lord" applied to the Second Coming of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10). However, according to Peter, this prediction began to be fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit filled Jesus' disciples in the upper room (Acts 2:16-21).

Christ in Amos

Amos' main message to the nations surrounding Israel (including Judah) was focused on repentance from injustice and idolatry in order to restore God's favor. In short, Amos proclaimed the righteousness of God. Jesus, too, preached about the high standards of God's righteousness to His followers, indicating that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill God's righteous requirements.

Christ in Obadiah

Obadiah prophesied that God would judge Edom, descendants of Esau, for its pride against God and for looking down on Judah's misfortune. Herod the Great, who ruled Judea during the time of Jesus' birth, was from Edomite ancestry. The wickedness of Edom against Israel is portrayed in Herod's attempt to kill baby Jesus.

Christ in Jonah

Jesus referred to Jonah when the crowds who heard Him clamored for a sign. Jesus said that the only sign they would be given is the sign of Jonah. As Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days, so was Jesus going to be in the belly of the earth for three days and afterward resurrect (Luke 11:29-32).

Christ in Micah

Micah makes two outstanding predictions: Israel's messianic promise centering in the exaltation of God's temple as a worship place for all nations, and the end of all wars. This will be possible because God will once again visit Bethlehem, bringing forth an everlasting king. "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me, the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2; compare Matthew 2:6).

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Seven Pillars Of Christianityby William Ekane Copyright © 2011 by Dr. William Ekane. Excerpted by permission of Trafford Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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