Elementary Principles

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles (elemental truths - NIV of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." (Hebrews 5: 12 KJV)

"Principles" is from the Greek word "stoicheion" and basically means, according to Strong, "the elements, rudiments, primary and fundamental principles of any art, science, or discipline."

The Christian is guided by the Holy Spirit and word of God. He is one who has been taught "fundamental" truth, the ABC's of Christ and the Christian religion.

Christians, like other people, like the world, have their "first principles" and "elemental truths," and these form the foundation for their thinking and for the conduct of their lives.

The "first principles" or "basic fundamental truths" of the Christian religion is what is called the "milk." The higher truths are styled as the "meat" of the religion of Christ.

"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment." (Hebrews 6: 1, 2 NIV)

What are the "elemental teachings about Christ" that make up the "foundation" of the Christian faith? Certainly it is the same as the basic gospel message that teaches that

1) Jesus Christ is the Messiah foretold in Old Testament scriptures.

2) He was born of the virgin Mary and raised in the Jewish home of Joseph and Mary.

3) He was fully man, the true "son of man."

4) He was also fully God, the true "son of God."

5) He lived a sinless life of perfect holiness and righteousness.

6) He was crucified on the cross as a victim of human injustice.

7) His death was designed to be a "sacrifice" for sin.

8) God accepted that sacrifice and because of it, he was raised from the dead.

9) He has been glorified and now sits at the right hand of God as "Lord of all" and has promised to return to earth to fulfill all the prophecies of holy scripture.

10) He has promised to save all who believe in him and who receive his word as true and live according to it.

All these are simple propositions of truth that the Christian both learns and accepts with firm conviction and faith.

The Christian has his "creed." There are several passages of scripture that list the fundamentals of the Christian faith.

"There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4: 4-6 NIV)

"...for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. " (I Corinthians 8: 6 NIV)

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born." (I Corinthians 15: 3-8 NIV)

Thus, these represent the "ABC's" of the Christian faith, what is elemental and fundamental, what is foundational. This elemental teaching involves teaching about sin and the need for cleansing, and of teaching respecting the coming of the Day of Judgment, and concerning faith and repentance, and of the plan of salvation.

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ...Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments (basic principles - NIV) of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances?" (Colossians 2: 8, 20 KJV)

"Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings." (Colossians 2: 20-22 NIV)

These verses contrast the "worldview" and "philosophy" of the Christian from the non-Christian, from the "worldview" and "philosophy" of the ungodly world. The Christian and the man of the world "see things differently," and interpret events differently, and hold to contradictory principles.

The non-Christian does not accept the creed of the Christian, not believing in one God, and in one Lord Jesus Christ. He does not accept the bible as God's word, as does the Christian. He rejects the message of the gospel, the story concerning the life and mission of Jesus.

The sinner who becomes a Christian and follower of Jesus is one who has not only accepted the creed of the Christian, and been taught the ABC's of the faith, but he is also one who has now rejected the enthymemes of the world, the false beliefs of the world, about God, and morality, and in the purpose of life and of all things.

What are some of the basic principles of the world?

"But see, there is joy and revelry, slaughtering of cattle and killing of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine! " Let us eat and drink," you say, "for tomorrow we die!"" (Isaiah 22: 13 NIV)

"If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."" (I Corinthians 15: 32 NIV)

The world has its beliefs which the Christian does not accept, for they contradict the first principles of his faith. He rejects the philosophy of hedonism, for instance. The Hedonist's attitude is alluded to in these words. He believes that the present life is most important and he lives for the moment, for the "here and now," and does not think of any eternal consequences. He lives strictly as an hedonist, by the "pleasure-pain principle." He says to himself - "if it feels good (and harms no one but me), then do it."

The "tradition" of men is what men have been doing a long, long time. The "elements" of the world are its basic teachings, which are, as the apostle said, in opposition to the Christian elements and traditions.

The wordling also lives by the principle that he (self) is what is most important. These worldlings say such things as

1) "I am number one and must look out for number one."
2) "What makes me happy and brings me pleasure is most paramount."
3) "There is no guarantee of tomorrow so I will live for the day and the moment."
4) "There is no God. I am therefore my own God and will do what I want to do."
5) "If there is a God, surely he will not punish me forever for simply making a few mistakes and for having a good time."

No doubt this list could be expanded. No doubt this study on identifying the basic principles of both the Christian and of the world could be enlarged upon and include many things.

" Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment." (Ecclesiastes 11: 9 KJV)

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." (Ecclesiastes 12: 13, 14 KJV)