“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10)
A “city with foundations” started the journey of generations of God’s people moving toward Him. That city with foundations was formed completely when the cornerstone of Jesus Christ was laid. From that moment on, the Foundation of Jesus Christ was established solidly, and provided a base for spiritual growth and faith to rise up in the believer.
”And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?” (Luke 20:17)
”Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” (1Peter2:5-6)
In fact, Christians form the walls upon that foundation that is built upon the corner stone of Jesus Christ! Ah, this lesson jumps ahead too quickly…Let’s deeply examine the foundation that Abraham sought, found, and then was brought forward to the Christian faith to hold up the ministry of Jesus Christ.
A foundation is a natural or prepared ground or base on which some structures rests. It is the beginnings or first principals of a system of truth. One of the most revealing, important and solid teachings on the Foundation of Jesus Christ can be found in Luke 6:46-49.
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6:46-49)
Let’s break that defining Scripture down in a careful and deep fashion.
A person who comes to Lord Jesus, and hears and does what he says, builds a foundation on a rock. When trouble comes, that person’s life cannot be shaken. But first, a believer must dig deeply into the things of the LORD normally hidden and above man’s scrutiny before he begins construction on the foundation placed upon a rock. When a person comes to the Lord Jesus and is able to hear what He says but fails to do it, then he builds a foundation upon the earth. When trouble comes, that person’s life is greatly ruined.
The typological meanings of the some of the words within Luke 6:48 reveal an even deeper and enlightening meaning, than first seen in a literal translation. The word “house” within this parable is speaking about the “dwelling place of the soul.” The typology for “earth” is the affairs, interest and pursuits of natural life.” A “rock” is a person’s spiritual life in Christ. (Note: This typology speaks of the rock as spoken of in 1 Cor 10:4). Take another look at the Scripture, and reflect upon the deeper typological meanings to the parable, then compare your discoveries with ours.
When typology is applied to specific words expressed perfectly, we are able to learn even more. Therefore, if a person looks for the deep things of God, and maintains a spiritual life in Christ, then his life will not be disturbed when trouble comes. If a person maintains a life concerned with the affairs, interests, and pursuits of natural life, then that person’s life will be ruined when trouble comes. A person who digs deeply into the things of God, hears and does what Jesus says is saved. A person who hears but does not do what Jesus says is destroyed.
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal Judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” (Hebrews 6:1-3)
The foundation of Jesus Christ contains six principles of Christian doctrine, which includes instruction in…
1. Sins (Dead Works)
2. Faith
3. Water Baptism
4. Holy Spirit Baptism (Laying on of hands)
5. Resurrection
6. Judgment
Hey! One of those foundation principles is the focus of our study on Hebrews 11! Faith is a principle that makes a Christian’s foundation very, very strong, and prevents it from crumbling when trouble comes. Take another look at Hebrews 6:1-3. There are some revelations of knowledge given to a Bible student that often goes unnoticed by those who do not study the Word of God. Take a closer look, and see if you can find when the six principles of Christian doctrine should be taught.
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” (Hebrews 6:1-3)
The six principles of the foundation of Jesus Christ should be laid in a new believer. Once the foundation is laid, Christians are instructed to move on to even deeper things of Jesus Christ. No student can grow to perfection by repeatedly learning the six principles of the doctrine of Christ. Once those are learned, the foundation is made solid and stands firm against all trouble. It is then able to support the deeper teachings that the Holy Spirit will give in perfect support of the Word of God.
If you have found that your foundation of Jesus Christ has not been properly laid, be assured that Becker Bible Courses will include solid instructions on the six principles in our upcoming courses that will enable you to be secure in your position within the Kingdom of God. This Study of Faith covers the instruction necessary for one part of that foundation to be built strongly and perfectly, as you learn the things written in the Word of God.
“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (1 Corinthians
3:10-15)
The foundation of Jesus Christ is laid so that it can be built upon; however, if it is not laid on the six principles of the doctrine of Jesus Christ, it will not happen. Once that foundation is laid, the house is constructed. It is formed upon the foundation by doing the works that God moves a Christian to do. Works are acts performed in obedience to the law of God. They include righteous deeds, growth, creation, and building in spiritual life.
A foundation is laid so a Christian may do works that glorify the LORD God. If a Christian’s works survive the revealing by fire, they will receive a reward from the LORD God. If a Christian’s works are burned by fire, they will suffer loss. HOWEVER, a Christian’s salvation is never in jeopardy, and the faithful will be saved.
Because a “house” is the “dwelling place of the soul”, then a person’s works, from the doctrine of Christ, is the place where the soul dwells. In other words, you are rewarded or suffer loss for what you do! WORKS!
Because the “foundation” is made by the doctrine of Christ, then a person’s faith is the place where the works begin. In other words, you are saved for what you believe! FAITH!
The Foundation of Jesus Christ was sought by Abraham, way back in the beginning, at the start of the generations of God’s people.
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10)
It was the search for that foundation that led Abraham to leave the familiar and go to a strange country. It was the promise that the LORD God gave to him, that he would be heir to the city with the foundation of Jesus Christ that moved Abraham to begin the process that led to the perfect faith in the Lord Jesus. And it was that promise that was extended to Abraham’s generations of the Jews and was perfected in faith through Christian belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God!
