Valuable At All Times
There are times when we forget about that which got us to a specific point. Why is it that we sometimes fail to remember our beginnings? When we first started anything, we had to begin with the basics. The definition of basics is: the simplest, most fundamental, or essential facts, principles, or items of a subject, skill, or life. These rudiments represent the foundational elements required before advanced knowledge, such as learning the "basics of reading" or fundamentals of any activity.
When young children are initially introduced to a sport, efforts are made to instill within them an understanding of the simple rules, and how the game is played while also enforcing good sportsmanship, while making it fun. After this, we begin teaching the fundamentals of that game or sport. When these essentials are grasped by those involved, then the more advanced principles can be taught and applied. This is how growth in any endeavor occurs.
The same needs to be contemplated as we live the Christian life. We see that the Spirit had Paul remind some brethren of this in 1Cor 2:1-2. This is the most basic element of Christianity. And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. This is reiterated in 1Cor 15:3-4. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Without the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ, the church would not have been and we would have no hope. From 1Cor 15:13 through verse 23 this is stressed to these brethren and preserved in God’s Holy Word for us. This “basic” information is essential to all for Salvation. We learn from Acts 8:35 that when Philip began to explain the Scriptures to the eunuch, he “preached unto him Jesus”. This is valuable at all times.
We also know from verse 36 that baptism was also preached because the eunuch asked, “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?”. The eunuch had “heard the Word of God”. After he heard, he obviously believed Christ is God’s Son or he would not have asked to be baptized. Repentance from past sins also was not mentioned in this narrative, but we know from Acts 17:30 that repentance is “commanded” by God under New Testament Law. We also learned in Acts 8:37 that the eunuch was not a candidate for baptism into Christ until he confessed Jesus as the Son of God. Then he could be baptized into Christ and become part of the body of Christ. Now, having been ‘born again’, he MUST strive to remain faithful until death. To reiterate, the plan of Salvation is, 1) Hear the Word 2) Believe that Christ is God’s Son 3) Repent of past sins 4) Confess Christ before men 5) Be baptized into Christ 6) Remain faithful until death. All of these are basic to the Salvation of a soul. The basics for Salvation are valuable at all times for without them one cannot enter the kingdom, grow, or reach the desired goal of Heaven. These are also valuable as they are what Christians MUST teach to bring the lost to Christ.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
Below is a poem about valuable basics written by a faithful soldier of the cross who is now departed this life and awaits his final reward. During his time in service to our Lord, he also authored over sixty work books to help teach the basics as well as to assist the Christian in their growth in the Word of God.
Some Thoughts About Basics or Fundamentals
What good is a carpenter without his tools,
Or an organization without any rules?
How about a building with no foundation,
Or untrained leaders to guide a nation?
What good is a vessel without a bottom,
Or a godless city, like Old Sodom,
Whose moral corruption had grown and grown
Until it reaped the fruit from the seed once sown?
What good is a teacher, himself untaught,
With students to listen, but all for naught?
Or a preacher whose sermon has no text,
With listeners wondering what’ll be next?
Something is missing from all the above.
Like a good deed done, but not with love;
So watch out for basics, and not incidentals,
And fill your work with fundamentals.
Willard Conchin – deceased
