Introductory Session |
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Before you begin the Foundations series we want to simply outline the core of the gospel message that you have believed and that has now become the foundation of your faith.
The truths of first importance
‘For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas (Peter) then by the twelve.’
In the New Testament book of 1 Corinthians chapter 15:3-5 the Apostle Paul talks about the things of ‘first importance’. These 3 things form the core of the gospel message and they are…
- That the death of Jesus was on your behalf so that all that separated you from God (called sin) could be taken away.
- That Jesus was buried, proving that his death was real.
- That Jesus rose again from the dead which means that as a result of your faith in him you will also be raised from the dead.
A passage in the New Testament book of Acts in chapter 2 gives an account of what is sometimes called the first New Testament sermon. Here is a passage from that sermon.
Acts 2:21-24
‘And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know. Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.’
In this passage from the Apostle Peter’s sermon we see that those who ‘call on the name of the Lord shall be saved’. You have done that. In this next passage Peter appeals to his listeners to repent of their sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38-39
'Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”'
You have repented and received the Holy Spirit and now a whole new dimension of living and eternal expectation is yours to understand and enjoy. These 3 things of ‘first importance’ are the foundation upon which the rest of your faith is built. Yet there is so much more good news for you to understand as you live this new life of faith and prepare yourself for eternity.
Session 1 is called the ‘3 stages of salvation’ and introduces you to what has happened when you believed; what is happening as you grow as a disciple of Jesus; and what will happen in the future which is your expectation and hope of eternity.