Foundations Ebook

FO U N D AT IO N S
JOHN BEVERE
Foundations by John Bevere
Copyright 2019 by John Bevere
Published by: Messenger International, Inc., P.O. Box 888, Palmer Lake, CO 80133-0888
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
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permission of the publisher.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James
Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Transla-
tion, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (TPT) are taken from The Passion Translation®. Copyright
© 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
thePassionTranslation.com
Scripture quotations marked (MSG) are taken the Message Bible, Copyright © 1993,
1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson.
Scripture quotations marked (AMPC) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Classic Edi-
tion, Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used
by permission. www.Lockman.org
Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from The Amplified Bible, Copyright ©
2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from the English Standard Version. ESV®
Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good
News Publishers.
Written by John Bevere
Edited by Chris Pace

Contents
Foundations................................................................. 7
Repentance from Dead Works.................................17
Faith toward God.......................................................25
Baptisms.....................................................................31
Laying On of Hands..................................................43
Resurrection of the Dead.........................................49
Eternal Judgment.......................................................57
CHAPTER ONE
Foundations
The first and most important aspect of any permanent struc-
ture is its foundation. With the proper foundation, a building
can stretch upward thousands of feet. It is the foundation that
determines potential—or lack thereof.
Your life, in a sense, is God’s building. You are a masterpiece,

designed to display God’s ways to your world (Ephesians 2:10).
With this in mind, is it any wonder why Scripture often com-
pares our lives to the construction of a building?
Together, we are His house, built on the foundation of the

apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ
Jesus Himself. We are carefully joined together in Him,
becoming a holy temple for the Lord. (Ephesians 2:20–21
NLT)
You are God’s building . . . Because of God’s grace to me,

I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now
others are building on it. But whoever is building on this
foundation must be very careful. (1 Corinthians 3:9–10
NLT)
But you, beloved, build yourselves up on [the foundation

of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like
an edifice higher and higher]. (Jude 20 AMPC)
Foundations | 5
On one occasion, while Lisa and I were dining with friends

at their home, we noticed large cracks on their wall spanning
from the floor to the ceiling. Curious, I asked about the obvi-
ous cracks. With frustration, this couple shared how the home’s
foundation was faulty, due to their builder cutting corners.
Unfortunately, correcting the problem turned out to be an ex-
tremely expensive and time-consuming process. It was then
that I became keenly aware of the importance of a strong foun-
dation. Creating the foundation is certainly not the most glam-
orous part of the building process, but it is the most pivotal.
Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most remarkable ar-

chitectural structures from Medieval Europe. Its construction
began in 1173 and was designed as a circular bell tower that
would stand 185 feet high. Constructed of white marble, it has
eight stories, including the chamber for the bells. However, de-
spite its beautiful Romanesque architecture, the reason tourists
flock to see this building is its unintended tilt.
On any given day you will undoubtedly find groups of tourists

posing for the same photo: hands outstretched toward the dis-
tinctly tilted bell tower as if they are holding it up by their own
strength. It may now seem funny to tourists, but I’m sure the
original architect wouldn’t be as entertained.
Five years into construction, builders had completed the third

of eight planned stories when the tower’s foundation had begun
to settle unevenly on the ground beneath it. The tower was fool-
ishly built on a mixture of clay, sand, and shells. As a result, the
tower had noticeably tilted. Unable to safely continue building,
construction halted for almost a century. Construction even-
tually resumed and was completed in 1372. Over time—with
extensive reconstruction—engineers managed to stabilize the
tower, but that lean will never go away.
Foundations | 6
It’s evident that without a solid foundation, no building can re-

main upright. It will only be a matter of time before the cracks
and tilts begin to appear. The same applies to our life in Christ.
JESUS, OUR FOUNDATION
Therefore, this is what the sovereign Lord says: “Look! I

am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and
tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to
build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.” (Isa-
iah 28:16 NLT)
The foundation Isaiah speaks of is none other than Jesus Christ.

As we’ve seen, the quality of a foundation is crucial to the stabil-
ity and durability of a building. The foundation stone the Lord
spoke of through Isaiah is a tested stone. To test something im-
plies that measures were taken to check its quality and reliabil-
ity, especially before it is put into widespread use or practice.
Anything that is not tested cannot be trusted.
I travel multiple thousands of miles on airplanes every

year. I have complete confidence boarding a plane because I am
aware that before the plane was released for widespread use, it
went through rigorous and exhaustive testing. From its earliest
stages of design, these tests were done to ensure its quality, per-
formance, and reliability to transport passengers safely to any
given destination.
Jesus was tested in all points and never failed. The writer of
Hebrews pointed out, “God, for whom and through whom ev-
erything was made, chose to bring many children into glory.
And it was only right that He should make Jesus, through His
suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation”
Foundations | 7
(Hebrews 2:10 NLT). This is why Jesus is not only precious, but
a safe foundation to build on.
Referring to Jesus, the apostle Peter confirmed Isaiah’s prophe-

cy, “You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of
God’s temple . . . And you are living stones that God is building
into His spiritual temple . . . As the Scriptures say, ‘I am placing
a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and any-
one who trusts in Him will never be disgraced’” (1 Peter 2:4–6
NLT). The apostle Paul agreed with both Isaiah and Peter. He
wrote, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one
we already have—Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11 NLT).
Jesus is our sure foundation.
Now that we’ve considered what the Scriptures—both Old and

New Testament—have to say about Jesus as our foundation, let’s
examine what Jesus Himself said. In the sixteenth chapter of the
gospel of Matthew, Jesus entered the region of Caesarea Philip-
pi and asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of
Man, am?” (verse 13).
Several disciples were quick to answer. The common response

was, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jere-
miah or one of the prophets” (verse 14). Once the opinions of
the crowd were shared, Jesus looked at them and asked them
point-blank, “But who do you say that I am?” (verse 15).
I’m sure this question pierced their hearts and left them un-
certain how to answer for themselves. The men who were so
eager to air the opinions of others were now silenced. With this
confrontation came the realization that they had no answer—
except for the fact that they were living off the thoughts and
opinions of others, rather than establishing in their own hearts
who Jesus really was.
Foundations | 8
Simon, whom Jesus renamed Peter, was the only one of the
disciples who could give a heartfelt answer. With boldness he
professed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (verse
16). With a smile and a sparkle in His eyes, Jesus responded,
“Blessed are you . . . for flesh and blood has not revealed this to
you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Verse 17). One transla-
tion says, “My Father has supernaturally revealed this to you”
(TPT).
The source of Peter’s revelation was God Himself, not the opin-
ion of man. It came through direct revelation. This is what Jesus
meant when He shared, “The only way people come to Me is by
the Father who sent Me—He pulls on their hearts to embrace
Me . . . It has been written by the prophets, ‘They will all be
taught by God Himself.’ If you are really listening to the Father
and learning directly from Him, you will come to Me’” (John
6:44–45 TPT).
So we see clearly that the illuminated truth of Jesus must be

solidified in our hearts: “And this truth of who I am will be the
bedrock foundation of which I will build my church—my legis-
lative assembly, and the power of death will not be able to over-
power it!” (Matthew 16:18 TPT). The revelation of Jesus is the
foundation the church will be grounded on. Without this truth
firmly planted within us, we are easily swayed by the shifting
currents of public opinion.
On a particular occasion, Jesus shared certain truths that con-

fused and offended His followers, resulting in many forsaking
Him. To those who remained, which included Peter, Jesus chal-
lenged, “Do you also want to go away?” (John 6:66–67) Peter—
being anchored by revelation knowledge—responded, “Lord, to
whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we
have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son
of the living God” (John 6:68–69).
Foundations | 9
Peter exemplified the stability that comes from revelation

knowledge. When others departed from Jesus, he remained.
He was convinced that Jesus was the Son of God; therefore, he
could not be shaken. He was founded on the Rock—the rock
of revelation.
TRUTH IS A ROCK
Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and does

them will be like a wise man who built his house on
the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the
winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall,
because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone
who hears these words of Mine and does not do them
will be like a foolish man who built his house on the
sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the
winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and
great was the fall of it. (Matthew 7:24–27 ESV)
A life built on the Word of God is like a house built on solid

ground—it is built to last! Both the wise man and the foolish
man heard the Lord’s teaching, but the wise man’s obedience to
the Word that was heard is what made the difference. Likewise,
when we build our life with obedience to God’s Word, it ensures
stability.
The apostle James echoes Jesus, reminding us of the impor-

tance of both hearing and obeying the Word of God: “But don’t
just listen to God’s Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise,
you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the Word
and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You
see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like” (James
1:22–24 NLT).
Foundations | 10
James compares the Word of God to a mirror. The purpose of

a natural mirror is to reveal our external condition; while the
mirror of God’s Word reveals our internal condition. It reveals
things about us that no natural mirror can. Keep in mind that
a mirror only helps us if we act on what we see. For instance,
if you see in the mirror that your hair is out of place or there is
food in your teeth, your natural response should be to fix your
hair and clean your teeth.
The same is true when we view the mirror of God’s Word. The
Word produces conviction and correction, instructing us in
the ways of righteous living. Paul wrote, “All Scripture . . . is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruc-
tion in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17
NKJV). Similarly, the writer of Hebrews shared, “For the Word
of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and in-
tents of the heart” (4:12).
Friend, I cannot emphasize this enough—the Word of God will

only be helpful to us if we respond to it obediently. This means
that we must make the necessary adjustments and bring our
lives into alignment with God’s ways. As our hearts become es-
tablished and grounded on the revelation of Jesus, then we can
continue to build on His foundation through obedience.
Builders must follow a specific blueprint designed by engineers,

beginning with the foundation phase. Likewise, God—the
Master Builder—has a specific blueprint and building design
for our lives that can be found through studying His Word and
yielding to His Spirit.
Foundations | 11
The foundational truths of God’s Word that we must build our

lives on are laid out in the book of Hebrews and confirmed
throughout the New Testament. In chapter six we read:
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary prin-

ciples of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying
again the foundation of repentance from dead works and
of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying
on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal
judgment and this we will do if God permits. (Hebrews
6:1–3)
The six foundational doctrines we are to build upon are:
1. Repentance from dead works
2. Faith toward God
3. Baptisms
4. Laying on of hands
5. Resurrection of the dead
6. Eternal judgment
Each believer must be grounded and established in each of

these foundational truths so that they may mature in Christ.
Building without these foundation truths could be compared
to an attempt to advance your education without the basic tools
acquired in elementary school, such as the ability to read and
write.
Unfortunately, many of us have neglected these elementary

truths, resulting in stunted spiritual growth and most danger-
ously, a vulnerability to being led astray by error. This inspired
outline of basic doctrine—if we unpack it in the order given—
spans a sinner’s initial entrance into the Christian life (repen-
tance) and progresses to resurrection and final judgment.
Foundations | 12
Throughout this book, we’ll examine each of these foundational

truths, so that we may grow into the fullness of Christ.
Let’s build wisely.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What is the most important phase of the construction of a build-

ing and why?
2. Why is seeing Jesus as your foundation so important to your

spiritual growth?
3. In Matthew 7:24–27, Jesus taught on the wise and foolish build-

ers. What was the difference between the wise builder and the un-
wise builder? Why is this important?
CHAPTER TWO
Repentance from
Dead Works
ciples of Christ, let us go on to perfection (maturity), not
laying again the foundation of repentance from dead
works . . . (Hebrews 6:1)
According to the writer of Hebrews, repentance from dead

works is the first foundation that the church is built on. Repen-
tance levels and straightens the ground of our heart to prepare
us for building according to God’s design. There is no true or
lasting faith in God without repentance.
There is a lot of confusion around the word “repentance,” so let’s

start by defining it. Throughout the New Testament, the noun
“repentance” (metanoia) and the verb “repent” (metanoeo) are
found twenty-four and thirty-four times, respectively. The most
common and accepted definition is “a change of mind.” How-
ever, if we stop with this basic definition, we miss out on some-
thing bigger.
The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible states that repentance is

“literally a change of mind, not about individual plans, inten-
Repentance from Dead Works | 14
tions, or beliefs, but rather a change in the whole personality

from a sinful course of action to God” (emphasis added). No-
tice the words whole personality. In using these words, scholars
show that there is more to repentance than simply a change of
mind. The Lexham Theological Wordbook examines this further
by stating that repentance is “a process in which the individual
reorients the mind and will—away from sin and toward God.”
Repentance involves the mind, will, and emotions, penetrating

the depths of our hearts so that we are firmly persuaded from
the core of our being. True repentance occurs when we realize
our sinful condition. This revelation will, naturally, change the
way we perceive ourselves and God, and it should also change
how we live. Through repentance, we turn from self-gover-
nance to absolute submission to God.
Throughout the New Testament, our relationship to Jesus is

compared to a marriage. The church is the bride; Jesus is the
Bridegroom. And just like any good spouse, Jesus desires our
full commitment and faithfulness.
Consider this scenario. One evening, Justin returns home from

work and finds Angela, his wife, all made up and slipping into
a beautiful outfit. He concludes she must have planned some-
thing special for them and offers to get dressed up as well. An-
gela, a bit confused, responds, “Oh honey, I’m going out with
Tony tonight. We’re going to get dinner, catch a movie, and
check into a hotel. I should be back by midmorning.”
“Who’s Tony?” Justin fires back.
“He’s my boyfriend from high school,” she replies.
“What?! You can’t go out with him!”
“Why not?”
“Because we are married; we are committed to each other. We

don’t date other people!” he exclaims, stating what he assumes
should be obvious.
“Hold on, honey!” Angela replies. “You are my favorite. I love

you more than any of my old boyfriends, but you really can’t
expect me to not see them any longer. I’ve been close with some
of them for years, I still love them, and I want to enjoy time with
them. What’s wrong with that?”
Obviously, this scenario seems ridiculous. It’s hard to imagine

someone not understanding that marriage means an exclusive
relationship. Certainly none of us would marry someone like
Angela, who expected to continue dating old boyfriends. Yet
this is how many Christians treat their relationship with Jesus.
When we fail to communicate the important aspect of Jesus’s
Lordship and repentance from our old way of life, it produces a
bride that is an adulteress; a bride who doesn’t understand the
beauty of devoted intimacy.
When we genuinely repent, we walk away from living life ac-

cording to our own terms and take a posture of complete sub-
mission and obedience to God’s authority. In essence we de-
clare, “No longer will I embrace thoughts, beliefs, reasoning,
or arguments that exalt themselves above God’s Word and wis-
dom.”
There is no turning to God without repentance. In fact, we can-

not place our faith in Jesus Christ without first repenting from
known disobedience to God. The necessity of repentance is em-
phasized throughout the New Testament. Repentance is never
optional; it’s a prerequisite to the activation of God’s grace in
our lives. And this is why the call to repentance is ultimately a
gift of grace. A gift that sets us free from the smallness of our-
selves so that we may live in the fullness of God.
But too often, repentance is misconstrued, and people shy away

from using this beautiful word.
Let’s consider how the apostles Paul and Peter presented the
gospel:
I never shrank back from telling you what you needed

to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one
message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of re-
penting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith
in our Lord Jesus. (Acts 20:20–21 NLT)
I obeyed that vision from heaven. I preached first to those

in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Ju-
dea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their
sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by
the good things they do. (Acts 26:19–20 NLT)
God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things

in earlier times, but now He commands everyone every-
where to repent of their sins and turn to Him. (Acts 17:30
NLT)
Peter’s first words on the day of Pentecost instructed eager seek-

ers how to be saved. He boldly proclaimed:
“Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God,

and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the for-
giveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38).
Any teaching that doesn’t include a call to repentance is mis-

leading sinners and misrepresenting God—much like what we
saw with our story of Angela. The contemporary mode of com-
municating the gospel is to first get seekers to believe and pray
and then, eventually, introduce the idea of repentance from sin,
which could occur weeks, months, or even years later. But is
this strategy scriptural?
The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts people of their need of
salvation. Jesus said, “‘And when He comes, He will convict the
world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the com-
ing judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in Me.
Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you
will see Me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of
this world has already been judged’” (John 16:8–11 NLT).
Our response to the Holy Spirit’s conviction determines wheth-

er or not we turn to God. Consider these two different re-
sponses to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The first is after
Peter shared the gospel on the day of Pentecost: “Now when
they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and
the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’”
(Acts 2:37). Now compare that response with the response Ste-
phen received after sharing the gospel: “When they heard these
things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with
their teeth” (Acts 7:54).
Conviction will result either in repentance (the first example)

or a hardening of one’s heart (the second example). If repen-
tance is the result, the one repenting is positioned to receive
God’s mercy and grace, with the goodness of God leading them
to repentance (Romans 2:4). Those who responded with, “What
must we do?” were positioned to both hear the gospel—which
included repentance—and embrace salvation.
Paul lends further insight into the beauty of repentance:
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to sal-

vation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world
produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sor-
rowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in
you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what
fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication!

In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this mat-
ter. (2 Corinthians 7:10–11)
Paul clearly points out that godly sorrow produces a change

of nature, a change marked by diligence, a clearing of oneself,
indignation, reverential fear, vehement desire, zeal, and vin-
dication. So we see that conviction creates godly sorrow and,
if handled correctly, this sorrow will result in genuine repen-
tance—the gateway to salvation.
If Jesus, John the Baptist, and the disciples announced the Good
News with a call to repentance, shouldn’t we do the same?
Repentance is not just a choice to walk away from sin but also
a choice to turn toward God. For this to happen, you must
give Jesus the lordship of your life. To embrace Jesus as “Lord”
means you give Him complete ownership of your life. The mo-
ment you do this, God delivers you from the realm of darkness
and transfers you into the light and glory of His kingdom.
If you want to receive salvation through Jesus Christ, pray these

words:
God in Heaven, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and have

fallen short of Your righteous standard. I deserve to be
judged for eternity for my sin. Thank You for not leaving
me in this state, for I believe that You sent Jesus Christ,
Your only begotten Son, who was born of the virgin Mary,
to die for me and carry my judgment to the Cross. I believe
He was raised again on the third day and is now seated at
Your right hand as my Lord and Savior. So on this day, I re-
pent of my independence from You and give my life entirely
to the Lordship of Jesus.
Jesus, I confess You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my

life through Your Spirit and change me into a child of God.
I renounce the things of darkness which I once held on to,
and from this day forward I will no longer live for myself,
but by Your grace, I will live for You.
Thank You, Lord. My life is now completely in Your hands

and according to Your Word, I shall never be ashamed. In
Jesus’s name, Amen.
Congratulations! Welcome to the family of God. I encourage

you to share your exciting news with another believer. It’s also
important that you join a Bible-believing local church and con-
nect with others who can encourage you in your new faith.
You have just embarked on the most remarkable journey. May

you grow in revelation, grace, and friendship with God every
day!
1. Why is repentance necessary?
2. What initiates repentance, and what should our response be?
3. What is the result of godly sorrow?
4. When repenting, what are you turning away from and what are
you turning to?
CHAPTER THREE
Faith toward God

again the foundation of . . . faith toward God. (Hebrews
6:1)
The gospel is, ultimately, the Good News of how God has re-
deemed and reconciled humanity to Himself through Jesus
Christ. For this reason, Paul says in regard to the gospel:
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.

It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who
believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good
News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is
accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scrip-
tures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has
life.” (Romans 1:16–17 NLT)
The gospel reveals the way of salvation from sin and its conse-
quences. Faith in the Good News of what Jesus has done releas-
es God’s saving power into our lives. The actual gospel message,
as stated in the Bible, consists of definite facts. Paul offered a
great summary of the fundamental facts of the gospel:
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I

preached to you, which also you received and in which
Faith toward God | 21
you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast
that Word which I preached to you—unless you believed
in vain. 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. (1 Cor-
inthians 15:1–4)
The basic facts of the gospel are:
1. Jesus Christ died for our sins (atonement).
2. Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day

(resurrection).
3. If we believe in Jesus’s death and resurrection, we

will be made right with God and transformed into
His image (righteousness).
Salvation is predicated on Jesus’s death and resurrection. There

is nothing we can do to be saved and made right with God apart
from believing in the redemptive work Jesus did to reconcile us
to God. Consider what Paul wrote about the finished work of
Jesus:
For He made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for

us, that we might become the righteousness of God in
Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Je-

sus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes,
no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all
fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in His
grace, freely makes us right in His sight. He did this
through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the pen-
alty for our sins. We are made right with God when we
believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, so that we might

find life. (Romans 3:22–25 NLT)
God saved you by His grace when you believed. And

you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have
done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians
2:8–9 NLT)
Affirming all that Paul said, the apostle John recorded:
For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one
and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will
not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NLT)
Faith is a personal response to the gospel. It is not just mental-

ly acknowledging what Jesus has accomplished for us; it is also
believing with the heart. As we hear the gospel, it must be re-
ceived with faith: “Therefore, we never stop thanking God that
when you received His message from us, you didn’t think of
our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as
the very Word of God—which, of course, it is. And this Word
continues to work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonian 2:13
NLT). Faith activates the power of God’s Word, which also ini-
tiates the born-again experience.
Paul explains that salvation comes by believing with the heart

and confessing with the mouth the truth of the gospel: “If you
openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that
God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by
believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and
it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved” (Ro-
mans 10:9–10 NLT).
Faith in Christ is not without effect. Through faith, an internal

transformation occurs. We become:
New Creations: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is

a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all
things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17); “No one
born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and
habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him
[His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains per-
manently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning
because he is born (begotten) of God. By this it is made
clear who take their nature from God and are His chil-
dren and who take their nature from the devil and are
his children: no one who does not practice righteous-
ness [who does not conform to God’s will in purpose,
thought, and action] is of God; neither is anyone who
does not love his brother (his fellow believer in Christ)”
(1 John 3:9–10 AMPC); “Then I will sprinkle clean
water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be
washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And
I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in
you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give
you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put My Spirit
in you so that you will follow My decrees and be careful
to obey My regulations” (Ezekiel 36:25–27 NLT).
Wise, Righteous, Sanctified, Redeemed, Sealed, and

Indwelt with the Holy Spirit: “In Him you also, when
you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salva-
tion, and believed in Him, were sealed with the prom-
ised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance
until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glo-
ry” (Ephesians 1:13–14 ESV); “You are in Christ Jesus,
who became for us wisdom from God—and righteous-
ness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians
1:30).
“Without faith, it is impossible to please God. For he

who comes to God must believe that He exists, and He
rewards those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Faith is an inner conviction that God exists and can be known

in personal experience. It provides the point of contact between
the temporal and the eternal.
Outside the sovereignty of God, the way you connect with your
Creator, find salvation, and receive a covenant righteousness is
through faith. Faith gives us access—from start to finish—to
all that Jesus Christ has accomplished for us. This also includes
access to God’s grace, which empowers us to build our lives by
His strength and wisdom—not our own.
So, after examining what Scripture clearly says in regard to both

repentance and faith, we can conclude that without repentance
and faith, we cannot be reconciled to God. Paul encouraged us
to “continue to advance in faith, assured of a firm foundation to
grow upon. Never be shaken from the hope of the gospel you
have believed in. And this is the glorious news I preach all over
the world” (Colossians 1:23 TPT).
As we mature in faith, growing on the foundation of the gospel,

a lifestyle that pleases God is produced—for without faith, it is
impossible to please God.
1. What are the basic facts of the gospel, and what does it mean to
have faith in the gospel?
2. According to Romans 10:9–10, how is salvation initiated?
3. What distinct changes does faith activate internally?

CHAPTER FOUR
Baptisms
again the foundation of . . . baptisms. (Hebrews 6:1–2)
In the previous chapter, we examined how faith gives us access

to all that salvation provides. This includes the privilege of be-
longing to God’s family and becoming members of His king-
dom. The next foundational doctrine we are going to discuss is
the idea of baptisms.
Notice the word “baptism” here is used in the plural, not the
singular. It is “the doctrine of baptisms” (plural), not “the doc-
trine of baptism” (singular). Therefore, we can conclude that the
writer of Hebrews is alluding to more than one type of baptism.
As we examine the different types of baptisms, it is important to

keep in mind the word “baptism” is from the Greek word “bap-
tizo,” which means, “to immerse, submerge, saturate; to make
overwhelmed.” Participating in baptism is both a total and tran-
sitional experience—total in the sense that it involves the whole
person and transitional in the sense that it marks a passing out
of one place or stage into another.
Throughout the New Testament, there are five distinct types of

baptisms mentioned:
Baptisms | 27
The Baptism of John the Baptist. This is a baptism of repen-

tance: “John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching
a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4).
This was not just a foreshadowing of New Covenant baptism;
it was the beginning of New Covenant baptism, “For all the
prophets and the law prophesied until John” (Matthew 11:13).
John the Baptist’s message is considered “The beginning of the
gospel of Jesus Christ” (Mark 1:1).
Repentance is a transition of a person’s total being from sin into

righteousness; a transition from self-governess to full submis-
sion to God.
Baptism into the Body of Christ. The moment you received

Jesus Christ as your Lord, you became one with Him—the body
and the head are one! “For by one Spirit we were all baptized
into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or
free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit . . . Now
you are the body of Christ, and members individually” (1 Cor-
inthians 12:13, 27).
Therefore, baptism into the Body of Christ is a total transition

from the kingdom of darkness and a full immersion into God’s
kingdom of light: “For He has rescued us from the kingdom of
darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son,
who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins” (Colossians
1:13–14 NLT).
This baptism is a baptism of belonging. Because you now be-

long to the family of God, you partake of the family benefits.
These benefits include:
Adoption as sons and daughters into God’s family:

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family
by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is
what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure”
(Ephesians 1:5 NLT).
Baptisms | 28
Citizenship in God’s heavenly kingdom: “Now, there-

fore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fel-
low citizens with the saints and members of the house-
hold of God” (Ephesians 2:19).
Healing and Provision. The redemptive work Jesus

accomplished on the cross includes healing and provi-
sion—not just forgiveness of sins. Isaiah prophesied, “He
was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for
our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon
Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Pe-
ter affirmed, “He personally carried our sins in his body
on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for
what is right. By His wounds you are healed” (1 Peter 2:24
NLT).
All manner of Blessings: “Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every
spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3)
An Eternal Inheritance: “Furthermore, because we are

united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from
God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes every-
thing work out according to His plan” (Ephesians 1:11
NLT).
Water Baptism. Being baptized into Christ is the baptism that

believers initially identify as relating to the death and resurrec-
tion of Jesus. When a believer is water baptized, they make a
public and outward declaration of an inward transformation of
heart that has first occurred through repentance and faith in
the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Water baptism is announcing
that we are not only turning from sin, but we are also dying to
it. We are declaring that our old life and sinful nature are now
dead. Conversely, we are also declaring that we are being res-
urrected into a new way of life in Christ. Getting lowered into
Baptisms | 29
the waters of baptism is symbolic of being crucified and buried

with Christ. Being lifted out of the water is symbolic of being
resurrected with Christ. Therefore, water baptism represents
the power of Jesus’s death and resurrection. Regarding the sig-
nificance of this baptism, Paul wrote:
Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with

Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined Him in his death? For
we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And
just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious
power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. (Ro-
mans 6:3–4 NLT)
When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but

not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritu-
al circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.
For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized.
And with Him you were raised to new life because you
trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from
the dead. (Colossians 2:11–12 NLT)
And baptism, which is a figure…does now also save you

[from inward questionings and fears], not by the remov-
ing of outward body filth [bathing], but by [providing
you with] the answer of a good and clear conscience (in-
ward cleanness and peace) before God [because you are
demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21 AMP)
Water baptism is one of our first opportunities to honor and

obey Jesus after becoming His. Before an individual can partake
in water baptism, there are certain conditions that must be ful-
filled. These conditions include the following actions:
Repent. On the day of Pentecost, Peter boldly announced,

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name
Baptisms | 30
of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall

receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37–38). Repen-
tance must precede baptism; for it is the first response
God requires from anyone who desires to be saved.
Believe. As we saw in the previous chapter, faith in the

gospel is required to activate its saving power. Jesus stat-
ed, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved;
but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark
16:15–16). Everywhere the gospel is proclaimed, those
who desire to be saved are required to repent, believe,
and be baptized.
Decide. A believer must make the decision to be baptized

for themselves. Others cannot make that decision for
them. The requirements to repent and believe indicate
that the one making this decision is aware of what they
are committing to. By doing this, one openly declares
that they are dead to their old life and are publicly stating
that they have given their life to Jesus and are committed
to live by His grace.
So water baptism is a complete immersion into Christ—public-

ly declaring death to our old way of life and a commitment to
God’s way of life: “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It
is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this
earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and
gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 NLT).
Holy Spirit Baptism. This is a separate experience from wa-

ter baptism by which a believer is filled with the Holy Spirit,
empowering them to represent Jesus effectively. Receiving the
baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a suggestion, option, or recom-
mendation—it’s a command!
Baptisms | 31
Jesus clearly instructed:
And being assembled together with them, He command-

ed them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for
the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have
heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but
you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days
from now.” (Acts 1:4–5)
Jesus also revealed the purpose of this baptism, saying:
Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but

tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with
power from on high. (Luke 24:49)
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has
come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Je-
rusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of
the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
With the baptism of the Holy Spirit comes power to live this
new life Jesus has made available to us. Endued with this power
from God, we are set free from the power of sin and equipped
with supernatural gifts from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12).
God desires for all believers to be filled with His Spirit. Peter
shared, “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”
(Acts 2:39).
I came to know Jesus Christ as Savior through a fraternity

brother at Purdue University in 1979. Once I turned from my
own ways and confessed Jesus Christ as my Lord, I knew I was
born into the kingdom of God. There was no question I was
saved. However, my life was lacking something, and for several
months, I couldn’t figure out what is was. The Lord seemed dis-
Baptisms | 32
tant, even though I knew I was His child. When I read the Bible,
it was difficult to comprehend, and I was only getting a limited
amount of understanding, even though I read it diligently. I also
lacked the ability to walk a victorious life over temptation, espe-
cially with the peer pressure that came as a university student.
As time passed, I began to meet people who seemed to have a

much closer walk with the Lord than I did. They talked of Him
in a personal way. I was baffled. They seemed to have strength
and insight into the Lord’s ways that I didn’t have. What was the
disconnect? I wondered. Then as I studied my Bible, I realized
there was an encounter with the Lord that I had not yet experi-
enced—the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This experience was the
turning point in my walk with God.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit cannot be earned or purchased;

it must be received. The Scriptures reveal three simple steps that
position us to receive this baptism:
Desire. Jesus revealed that the level of hunger and thirst

you have for God will determine the level in which you
shall be filled: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst
for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).
Ask. Jesus taught, “If you then, being evil, know how to
give good gifts to your children, how much more will
your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who
ask Him!” (Luke 11:13).
Believe. Paul reminded the Galatian church, “This only I

want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the
works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Galatians
3:2).
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience in which you

become filled to overflowing with God’s Spirit—where His
Baptisms | 33
presence overwhelms and saturates you until you’re consumed

with God Himself: “[That you may really come] to know [prac-
tically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ,
which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that
you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness
of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence,
and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Him-
self]!” (Ephesians 3:20 AMPC).
Please understand, the infilling of the Holy Spirit is not a one-

time event, but a continual experience. Paul encouraged, “And
do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever
be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18
AMPC). The Holy Spirit is central to our Christian experience.
BAPTISM OF FIRE
This baptism is directly related to the Holy Spirit baptism. John

the Baptist said of Jesus, “I baptize you with water; but someone
is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that
I’m not even worthy to be His slave and untie the straps of His
sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire”
(Luke 3:16 NLT).
The baptism of fire represents purification. As you are filled

with the Holy Spirit, He begins a work of sanctification which
produces refinement and maturity. The baptism of fire includes
an element of suffering. Let me be clear that God is not behind
the suffering. But He will use it to strengthen our faith and ma-
ture our understanding of His goodness and faithfulness (see
the first chapter in the book of James).
Baptisms | 34
The apostle Peter wrote:
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even

though you must endure many trials for a little while.
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being
tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is
far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith re-
mains strong through many trials, it will bring you much
praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ
is revealed to the whole world. (1 Peter 1:6–7 NLT)
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial

which is to try you, as though some strange thing hap-
pened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake
of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you
may also be glad with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:12–13)
The baptism of fire is also referred to as “The Baptism of Suf-

fering.” This is a unique baptism in which you are immersed
into a season of refining for the purpose of preparation. The
fulfillment of God’s plan for your life will inevitably demand a
total surrender of your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—
into God’s hands.
This baptism of suffering is mentioned in Mark 10:38. Jesus is

approached by two disciples—James and John—who ask Him
for the privilege to sit in a place of honor with Him at the right
and left hand of His throne.
In response, Jesus said, “You don’t know what you are asking!
Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about
to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffer-
ing I must be baptized with?”
“Oh yes,” both disciples replied, “we are able!”
Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from My bitter
cup and be baptized with My baptism of suffering. But I have
Baptisms | 35
no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has

prepared those places for the ones He has chosen” (Mark 10:39
NLT).
Unfortunately, many don’t understand the purpose of trials and

suffering. To enlighten us, Paul wrote, “For to you it has been
granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also
to suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29).
Does this statement make you scratch your head a little when
you consider that suffering has been granted to you? How can
“granted” and “suffering” be in the same sentence? Could it be
that you’ve held an incorrect view of suffering?
In any trials we face, God allows these hardships for a pur-

pose—to produce character and capacity within us. God will
permit a hardship today that will simulate the levels of pres-
sure He knows we’re going to face tomorrow. God is using our
present challenges to strengthen us for greater conquest in our
future. That’s why a trial always feels greater than our present
level of preparedness or responsibility. [Please note, I use the
words “allows” and “permit” carefully, as God is not the author
of temptations. James states, “Remember, when you are being
tempted, do not say, ‘God is tempting me.’ God is never tempt-
ed to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else” (James 1:13,
NLT)].
Through any hardship or suffering, there is always promise.

James tells us, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and
challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under
pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its
true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let
it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not
deficient in any way” (James 1:2–4 MSG).
Baptisms | 36
When you experience suffering and throughout it you remain

obedient to God, you will come out of it stronger, well-devel-
oped, and prepared for what God has planned next for you.
James also informed us of what to expect on the other side
of suffering, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for
when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life
which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James
1:12).
The word “crown” conveys authority, and with authority comes

power. Jesus entered a time of testing in the wilderness in order
to be tempted by the devil. Because of His obedience and per-
severance, He emerged with greater authority and power (see
Luke 4:1, 14). Just as Jesus did, we too can emerge from suffer-
ing with greater authority and power.
My book The Bait of Satan has been a best-seller for over twen-
ty-five years. It has set countless of people free from the deadly
trap of offense. Over the years, my team and I have received
an abundance of testimonies letting us know how this message
has profoundly impacted their lives, marriages, and churches.
However, before I ever wrote one word, I first went through a
season of suffering in which I had to navigate a very painful be-
trayal. This season lasted several years, during which I learned
to find freedom from offense and grow in obedience to God. As
I came through that time of hardship successfully, I could speak
and write on the subject of offense with conviction, authority,
and power. The message was first shaped within me before it
was spoken and written through me. Because I gained victory
in that area, I could impart strength to others to do the same.
Let me reiterate: the sufferings of Christ we are permitted to

experience are not about suffering from the things He has re-
deemed us from, such as sickness, disease, or poverty. The suf-
fering that we experience is dying to self and the sinful nature
Baptisms | 37
of the flesh. As Peter noted, “Therefore, since Christ suffered for

us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he
who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” (1 Peter 4:1).
A baptism (immersion) of suffering is for the purpose of prepa-

ration, from which we will emerge with a new disposition need-
ed to fulfill our destiny in Christ. Much as I experienced, the
fire that initially purified us will now liberate others that we
come in contact with.
One central theme is congruent throughout the different types

of baptisms—full immersion. This means that you’re all in—
nothing held back! You’re fully committed to this new way of
life.
It’s a beautiful exchange between you and God—your life for

His.
1. Why is water baptism significant? What does it represent?
2. What is the result of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and why is it
important in the life of a believer?
3. When we are baptized into the Body of Christ, what are the ben-
efits of belonging to the family of God?
4. Having an understanding of the Baptism of Suffering, why is this

baptism important to you?
CHAPTER FIVE
Laying On of Hands
again the foundation of . . . laying on of hands . . . (He-
brews 6:1–2)
To understand the doctrine of “laying on of hands,” we must

first understand the kingdom principle regarding authority.
Scripture clearly informs us that all authority is from God, and
the authorities that exist are appointed by God (Romans 13:1).
Let me say it another way—when you meet God, you meet au-
thority, because He and His authority are inseparable.
Show me a person who has no regard for authority and I will

show you someone who doesn’t know God. Show me some-
one who has a deep respect for authority and I will show you
someone who either knows God or is close to finding Him. This
creates conflict in so many because they have had mean, cru-
el, harsh, and even dishonest authorities. To this I’d say, please
reexamine Romans 13:1 and notice Paul didn’t write that all
authority is godly. The authority may be from God, but the be-
havior is not. God’s ability to work through legitimate author-
ity—despite its many imperfections—is another testament to
the wonder of His sovereignty.
Laying On of Hands | 39
Authority is, ultimately, the way of life in God’s kingdom. By

submitting to it, we come under His divine covering and pro-
tection and within this context, blessing and power are trans-
ferred.
I realize that this foundational doctrine can seem obscure, but

with further examination, you’ll understand its significance.
The laying on of hands is an act by which a legitimate authority
places hands upon another person with a definite spiritual pur-
pose. This act is accompanied by prayer, a prophetic utterance,
or both, and it signifies impartation and identification.
The practice of laying on of hands occurs throughout the Bi-

ble—in both the Old and New Testaments—and can be found
in diverse circumstances. This act was so important to our spir-
itual fathers that Paul warned that it should not be practiced
carelessly: “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily . . .” (1 Timothy
5:22).
There are several specific purposes for the laying on of hands

seen throughout Scripture. In this chapter, we will briefly ex-
amine each of them.
IMPARTING BLESSING
Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it upon
Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand
on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for
Manasseh was the firstborn. (Genesis 48:14)
Blessing is imparted through the laying on of hands. The core

definition of “blessing” means to empower someone to pros-
per. This empowerment is critical to our spiritual growth. In
the account above, Israel blesses Joseph’s sons, Manasseh and
Ephraim, by placing his hands on them. He deliberately places

his right hand on Ephraim. Traditionally, the firstborn would
inherit the greater blessing; however, Israel guided his hands
knowingly, as he was led by the Holy Spirit. This indicated that
there is not only significance in the laying on of hands but also
the way in which it is done. Blessing is passed down and trans-
mitted generationally through the laying on of hands.
APPOINTING LEADERSHIP
Moses appointed Joshua to succeed him. At Joshua’s ordina-

tion, he was appointed by the laying on of hands with witnesses
present. This also included a transference of spiritual authority:
“And the Lord said to Moses: ‘Take Joshua the son of Nun with
you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; set
him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation,
and inaugurate him in their sight. And you shall give some of
your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children
of Israel may be obedient’ . . . So Moses did as the Lord com-
manded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the
priest and before all the congregation. And he laid his hands on
him and inaugurated him, just as the Lord commanded by the
hand of Moses” (Numbers 27:18–20, 22–23).
In the New Testament, we see leaders appointed to handle

the practical affairs of the early church—in one specific case,
it was the administering of meals to the widows. Once they
were carefully selected, the apostles laid their hands on them,
empowering them for kingdom service: “Therefore, brethren,
seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full
of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this
business . . . And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And
they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and
Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a

proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and
when they had prayed, they laid hands on them” (Acts 6:3, 5–6).
The apostles were diligent to seek out people who had a good
reputation and were filled with the Holy Spirit. This careful po-
sitioning of new ministry team leaders was significant to the
growth and reach of the gospel.
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Although individuals can be baptized with the Holy Spirit with-

out the laying on of hands, there are many accounts of believers
being filled with the Spirit after the laying on of hands: “Now
when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria
had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to
them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that
they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen
upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of
the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received
the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:14–17).
IMPARTATION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS
In the Old Testament, through the laying on of hands, we see

an account of Moses imparting the wisdom within himself into
Joshua: “Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of
wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of
Israel heeded him, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses”
(Deuteronomy 34:9).
We also see an example of this in the New Testament with Paul

and Timothy. Paul warned Timothy: “Do not neglect the gift
that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the

laying on of the hands of the eldership” (1 Timothy 4:14). Paul,
through the laying on of hands, imparted a spiritual gift into
Timothy which established and empowered him for ministry.
Seeing his gift being neglected, Paul wrote to him, “Therefore
I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through
the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6).
Throughout church history, a common practice when empow-

ering and establishing new believers was the laying on of hands.
For this reason, Paul wrote, “For I long to see, that I may impart
to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established” (Ro-
mans 1:11).
COMMISSIONING OF MINISTE RS
When Paul and Barnabas were sent out on their first missionary
journey, the leaders at the church in Antioch came together to
fast and pray. As they sought the Lord together, the Holy Spirit
clearly indicated that these two men were to be separated for a
specific task destined for them: “As they ministered to the Lord
and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas
and Saul (Paul) for the work to which I have called them.’ Then,
having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent
them away” (Acts 13:3).
Lisa and I have had a similar experience to Barnabas and Saul.

During the late 1980s, while I was a youth pastor, the Spirit of
God revealed to me that change was coming: “You will be re-
moved from being youth pastor,” He said, “and I will send you
to churches and cities from the east coast to the west coast of
America; from the Canadian border to the Mexican border; to
Alaska and Hawaii . . .”
But it didn’t happen the next day or even that week! Many
months passed after I’d received the word that change was to
occur. Then one day my pastor walked into a meeting and said
that the Lord had shown him that one of his pastors (there were
eleven of us on the team) would be traveling full-time soon
and would no longer serve on our church’s staff. “John Bevere,
that man is you,” he said. A short time later in January 1990,
the pastor laid hands on Lisa and me, and we have been travel-
ing full-time ever since! It’s safe to say that we have seen much
more fruit manifested by waiting on God’s timing than if we
had launched ourselves when we thought we were ready.
HEALING THE SICK
The healing power of God can be transmitted by believers

through the laying on of hands. This was modeled by Jesus,
who would heal the sick and cast out demons through laying
on of hands: “All those who had any sick with various diseases
brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of
them and healed them. And demons also came out of many”
(Luke 4:40–41).
Before ascending to heaven, Jesus commissioned believers to

continue His work by preaching the gospel and destroying the
works of the devil: “And these signs will follow those who be-
lieve: In My name . . . they will lay hands on the sick, and they
will recover” (Mark 16:17–18).
As we lay hands on others, we provide a point of contact for

heaven to invade earth.
1. Where did authority originate, and why is it important?
2. Explain what Scripture means by the laying on of hands.
3. List the six benefits of the ministry of laying on of hands.

CHAPTER SIX
Resurrection
of the Dead
again the foundation of . . . resurrection of the dead . . .
(Hebrews 6:1–2)
The resurrection is the great hope of the believer. Paul wrote

that attaining resurrection was his goal—the heavenly prize. He
had his eye on the final phase of the building process—final
salvation. He wrote, “If, by any means, I may attain to the res-
urrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or
am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that
for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians
3:11–12).
You are the focal point of God’s love. That is why He will return
for you and bring you to Himself forever. Jesus desires for us to
be with Him throughout eternity—so much so, that he’s pre-
pared and reserved a place for us, so that where He is, we can be
also. He assured, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if
it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for
you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again
Resurrection of the Dead | 46
and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be
also” (John 14:2–3). With a promise like this, it’s no wonder the
Spirit and the bride say “Come!” (Revelation 22:17 NLT).
With hope of the resurrection, we need not fear death. This hope
positions us to live ready for the Lord’s return. The first-century
church lived with the expectation that Jesus could return at any
given moment—knowing that He will return like a thief in the
night. This hope was by no means an escapism mentality; rath-
er, it filled them with a sense of urgency to occupy their sphere
of influence with kingdom purpose.
The resurrection will give us entrance into the eternal realm

where we will forever be with the Lord. Therefore, it’s impera-
tive we gain understanding of what awaits us.
There will be two resurrections: The resurrection of the just (for

followers of Christ) and the resurrection of the unjust (for those
who choose their own way). The difference is that the unbeliev-
er will have a corrupted spirit, soul, and body forever; while the
believer will have an undefiled and glorified spirit, soul, and
body forever. In reference to these two types of resurrection,
Jesus shared:
Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now

is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God;
and those who hear will live . . . Do not marvel at this; for
the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will
hear His voice and come forth—those who have done
good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have
done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. (John
5:25, 28–29)
To comprehend the full scope of the salvation process, we must

understand man’s triune nature of spirit, soul, and body: “Now
may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and
may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thessalonians 5:23).
At the moment of salvation, our spirit is instantly saved and
made right before God. Our soul (mind, will, emotions) is be-
ing saved through a process of renewal; while our bodies are yet
to be saved as we await resurrection, which will consummate
our salvation experience. In the meantime, our bodies can have
a foretaste of resurrection life through God’s power, miracles,
and gifts of healing (1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 8:11).
During Paul’s day, there was much debate concerning the teach-
ing on resurrection. For many, it was a foreign concept which
was unique to the gospel message. Due to his strong stance on
the matter, Paul experienced much conflict and trouble. How-
ever, this did not cause Paul to become silent but rather indig-
nant—even putting his own life at risk. He boldly asserted:
Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from

the dead, how do some among you say that there is no
resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection
of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not
risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also
empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, be-
cause we have testified of God that He raised up Christ,
whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not
rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not ris-
en. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are
still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep
in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope
in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now
Christ is risen from the dead and has become the first
fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man
came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the
dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be
made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the first
fruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. (1
Corinthians 15:12–23)
As we discussed earlier in the chapter on faith, one of the most

important facts of the gospel is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus was raised from the dead. Removing the resurrection
from our gospel message forfeits its potency and our faith be-
comes futile. That is why Paul refused to allow the gospel to be
compromised—not permitting that the teaching on the resur-
rection be eliminated or neglected.
Jesus was the first man to receive a resurrection body. Because

Jesus was resurrected, it guarantees it will happen to us. He is
our hope! The assurance of our bodily resurrection is given
through the indwelling Holy Spirit Who is the “seal of our re-
demption” (Ephesians 1:13–14). Paul boldly wrote, “And Christ
lives within you, so even though your body will die because of
sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right
with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead,
lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead,
He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living
within you” (Romans 8:10–11 NLT).
This is wonderful news. The Spirit of God whets our appetite by

giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts heaven in our hearts so
that we’ll never settle for less. Paul informed us that we should
encourage each other with this hope:
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concern-

ing those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as oth-
ers who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died
and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those
who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the Word
of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the
coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who
are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heav-
en with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with
the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up to-
gether with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the
air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore
comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians
4:13–18)
The Bible clearly tells us that when Jesus returns for the
church—His bride—we shall be changed! Our bodies will be
transformed in an instant. To help us understand the resur-
rection, Paul used the analogy of a seed of corn sown in the
ground. Evidently, something different than what was sown
emerges from the soil—something much more glorious.
The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorrup-

tion. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown
in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural
body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body,
and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, “The
first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam
became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not
first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first
man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is
the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also
are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly
Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have
borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear
the image of the heavenly Man. Now this I say, brethren,
that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell
you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the
last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead
will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this
mortal must put on immortality. So when this corrupt-
ible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on
immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that
is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corin-
thians 15:42–54)
In this passage, Paul notes four distinct changes that will occur
when our natural bodies are transformed.
Corruption to Incorruption. The new body will not

know death or decay. It will remain eternally healthy and
strong. Death will have no power over this new body.
Well-meaning believers frequently ask, “Why do Chris-
tians still experience sickness, disease, and death?” The
answer is complex; but one thing is true—our bodies are
not yet saved. Until we receive our final salvation, our
bodies are still subject to death. However, as already stat-
ed, until we receive our final salvation, God has provided
gifts of His Spirit that provide healings and miracles. A
day is coming in which God will wipe away every tear.
We will no longer know pain and suffering as we do now.
Dishonor to Glory. Our new bodies will be glorified—

they will no longer be dishonored through sickness, dis-
ease, injuries, and infirmities. These resurrection bodies
will be splendorous—functioning at peak performance.
The prophet Daniel foretold, “Many of those who sleep in
the dust . . . shall awake . . . Those who are wise shall shine
like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn
many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever”
(Daniel 12:2–3).
Weakness to Power. Resurrection bodies will not need to

sleep, rest, or recover. We will not know fatigue but will
be full of life and energy. There will also be supernatural
abilities unknown to mortal men. Paul informed, “But
we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ
lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our
Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change
them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same
power with which He will bring everything under His
control” (Philippians 3:20–21 NLT).
Natural to Spiritual. The substance of this new body will

differ from flesh. It is designed for eternity; yet it has the
capabilities to function in both the spirit realm and the
natural realm. From the post-resurrection appearances
of Jesus, we see that this resurrected body is not bound
by gravity (Acts 1, Revelation 11), it can pass through
walls (John 20:19, 26), it can be touched—not like vapor
or a “ghost” (John 20:27), it can eat physical food (Luke
24:41–43), and it can be both visible and invisible (Luke
24:31).
These changes are but a glimpse of what the Lord has planned
for us. With great expectation, Paul expressed, “And we believ-
ers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us
as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be
released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope
for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted
children, including the new bodies He has promised us” (Ro-
mans 8:23 NLT).
We groan internally, waiting for that final salvation—the resur-

rection. Paul explained this yearning perfectly: “While we live
in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we
want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we
want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be
swallowed up by life” (2 Corinthians 4:5 NLT). C.S. Lewis also
offered a wonderful explanation for this internal dissatisfaction:
“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world
can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for
another world.”
Jesus is coming back and will receive us to Himself. As believ-

ers, we are destined for a glorious future! Allow this hope to
anchor your heart.
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord.

Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endur-
ance is what you need now, so that you will continue to
do God’s Will. Then you will receive all that he has prom-
ised. “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come
and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith.
But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”
But we are not like those who turn away from God to
their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose
souls will be saved. (Hebrews 10:35–39 NLT)
1. What are the three phases of our salvation experience? Briefly

explain each of them.
2. What are the four distinct changes that will occur to our bodies
at resurrection?
3. Why is the resurrection the hope of every believer?
4. Until we receive our final salvation—the redemption of our bod-

ies—what has God made available so we may experience victory
over death?
CHAPTER SEVEN
Eternal Judgment

again the foundation of . . . eternal judgment. (Hebrews
6:1–2)
How terrible would it be to enter eternity and realize every-

thing you thought you knew about it was wrong? Movies and
media have filled our minds with the erroneous idea that heav-
en simply consists of baby angels playing violins while they
float around on clouds. Some of us haven’t given eternity much
thought, concluding there is no life after death. Even more dis-
turbing is the misguided belief that all roads lead to heaven.
These misconceptions—along with many other incorrect views

of heaven—are far from the truth. The Bible has a lot to say
about heaven, eternity, and judgment. According to the Scrip-
tures, there are two main judgments that will be carried out.
The distinctive feature that marks each of these judgments is
the type of seat upon which the Judge will sit.
These two judgment seats include:

Eternal Judgment | 54
The Great White Throne. Those to be judged here will

be all the remaining dead who will be resurrected at the
close of the millennium. These are those who did not em-
brace God’s salvation and consequently were not caught
up with Jesus at His return for His church.
The Judgment Seat of Christ. This is where Christ’s own

followers and servants will be judged—not for condem-
nation, but for reward.
To understand the judgment of believers, let’s look at what Paul

wrote regarding this day:
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent,

to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before
the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive
the things done in the body, according to what he has
done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:9–10)
Numerous Christians are unaware that they will give an ac-

count of their life. Believers will be judged. Decisions will be
made. Many Christians believe that all future judgment is erad-
icated by their salvation. Indeed, Jesus’s blood cleanses us from
the sins that would have kept us from the kingdom; however, it
does not exempt us from the judgment of how we conducted
ourselves as believers, whether good or bad.
When considering the believer’s judgment, we must under-

stand how it differs from the unbeliever’s judgment. The believ-
er’s judgment will occur long before the Great White Throne
Judgment. The timing is not made clear in Scripture. However,
we do know that it will take place sometime after the church is
caught away in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18) and be-
fore the thousand-year reign of Christ commences. So, there
are approximately a thousand years separating the two major
judgments.
The Judgment Seat of Christ is literally the divine tribunal of

God. Scripture declares that the Father has committed all judg-
ment to the Son (John 5:22). Jesus Christ is not only our Savior;
He’s also our Judge and will soon judge His own household. The
simplest way to define the original word for judgment is a de-
cision resulting from an investigation—a decision for or against.
For a believer, how we respond to the gospel determines where

we’ll spend eternity—heaven or hell, but the way we live as a
believer determines how we’ll spend eternity. To remove any
confusion around this judgment, let’s briefly consider certain
parameters relating to the believer’s judgment.
There will be no condemnation. True believers in Christ will

never have to face judgment of which the outcome will be final
condemnation. In fact, a true believer in Christ will never need
to be judged for sins they have committed because Jesus has
already paid the price for them.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who

are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the
flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who

does not believe is condemned already, because he has
not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of
God. (John 3:18)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive

us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9)
There will be eternal rewards or losses. Scripture reveals that

the eternal rewards and positions given to believers will not
only differ but will span a wide range. They will vary from see-
ing everything lost and burned up all the way to reigning beside
Christ for all eternity. For this reason, the apostle John exhort-
ed:
Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we

worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. (2 John
8)
Again, rewards will vary, ranging from full-, partial-, and

no-reward scenarios. Many of us flinch when we hear the terms
“lost” and “burned up” in relation to our lives. We find it hard
to believe that this could ever happen in heaven. Again, this is
because of our misconception about heaven and eternity. Yet,
this is made crystal clear to us in Scripture. Paul wrote:
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you
are God’s building. According to the grace of God which
was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the
foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take
heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can
anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver,
precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will
become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will
be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work,
of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on
it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is
burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved,
yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:9–15)
Returning to our analogy of a building, we determine how we

build our lives, and we have two options for how we build. One
is to gravitate toward the temporal—that which appeases the
fallen nature (wood, grass, straw). The other is to live in line
with our born-again spirit’s desire—following the eternal Word
of God (gold, silver, precious stones). How we choose to build
or live our lives will determine what happens when the fire of
God’s presence examines our work. Not only will our works be
examined, our thoughts, motives, and intentions will be ex-
posed as well.
The major areas Jesus will examine are:
Did you fulfill your calling? Everyone has a divine call-

ing on their lives. We all serve important roles in advanc-
ing God’s kingdom. At the Judgment Seat of Christ, we
will give an account of the purpose, calling, and gifts that
God entrusted to us. Paul wrote, “For God’s gifts and his
call can never be withdrawn” (Romans 11:29 NLT). It’s
important for us to know that, in regard to our calling, we
won’t be judged according to what we did but according
to what we were called to do. Some called into ministry
have gone into business. Some have gone into ministry
who were called into business, to raise children, govern-
ment, and education—the list continues extensively. In
regard to our own calling, we are all accountable to God.
Discover your calling and then live it to the fullest.
How did you steward what was entrusted to you? Je-

sus explained the concept of stewardship through His
parable of the Talents, in which He likened the kingdom
of heaven to a man traveling to a far country (symbolic
of Jesus) and entrusted his servants with talents. To one
he gave five, to another two, and to another he gave one,
respectively. When he returned from his trip, he called
his servants to himself and asked for an account of the
talents entrusted to them. The first two multiplied their
talents and were rewarded; while the last buried his talent
and suffered loss. The master was not pleased with him
(see Mathew 25:14–29). Not every believer receives the
same level of gifts or calling, but we each receive a certain
measure of stewardship from the Lord. Each one will give
an account in proportion to what they were given. God

has called you to multiply what He has placed in your
hands. What will you offer Him when He returns?
What was your personal influence on others? We will

give an account of the way we treated others. Our acts of
kindness to those around us can have a profound impact
on the eternal rewards stored up for us. How we treat oth-
ers is greatly determined by how we view them—which is
evident in how we relate to family, neighbors, coworkers,
and people like waiters, bellmen, or other service people.
Other than how we treat people, the greatest influence
we can have on an individual is to lead them to Jesus: “He
who is wise captures human lives [for God, as a fisher of
men—he gathers and receives them for eternity]” (Prov-
erbs 11:30 AMP).
RUN YOUR RACE
If you knew that you had one day to determine where and how
you would live for the next million years, would it change the
way you lived in that one day? I’m sure you would live that day
with intentionality.
This is similar to the opportunity we have as believers to make

the most of our time on earth.
Like sands through the hourglass, our days are fleeting. Every
year, month, week, day, and hour matter. In comparison to
eternity, life is short. Moses understood that the way we live
on earth will echo throughout eternity; therefore, he prayed,
“Teach us to make the most of our time . . . and make our efforts
successful. Yes, make our efforts successful” (Psalm 90:12, 17
NLT).
Living with an eternal perspective will greatly maximize our ef-

forts and time on earth. We will make decisions differently and
endure things we would not necessarily endure if we didn’t have
an eternal perspective.
The apostle Paul understood the importance of stewarding our

time on earth well. As he approached the final days of his life,
he expressed, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,
will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all
who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7–8).
Your life on earth matters. Keep your eyes on the prize—fight,

run your race, keep the faith! Make your life count, not only for
now, but also for eternity.
1. Fill in the gaps. How we respond to the cross determines

__________ we’ll spend eternity; however, the way in which we
live as a believer determines __________ we’ll spend eternity.
2. What is the difference between the Great White Throne Judg-

ment and the Judgment seat of Christ?
3. Considering eternity, why is our time on earth important? List

the areas a believer will be judged on.
4. How does living with an eternal perspective affect the way

you live?
A FINAL WORD FROM JOHN
Congratulations! Welcome to the family of God. You have just

embarked on the most remarkable journey. This is only the be-
ginning. The writer of Hebrews encouraged:
Therefore let us go on and get past the elementary stage

in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), ad-
vancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection
that belong to spiritual maturity. (Hebrews 6:1 AMPC)
You are a child of God and like any good father, God wants you
to grow up. The moment you’re born again, a spiritual growth
process begins. Please understand, spiritual maturity is not a
destination but a gradual, progressive process of development.
The apostle Paul assured, “I’m fully convinced that the One who
began this glorious work in you will faithfully continue the pro-
cess of maturing you and will put His finishing touches to it
until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (Philippians 1:6
TPT). Until Jesus returns, you’re a work in progress!
When a person is born again, the new spiritual nature produced

within that person immediately requires spiritual nourishment
to promote growth. God’s word provides the necessary nour-
ishment our souls need and desire.
Spiritual growth is not automatic—it requires intentionality

to grow and develop. I encourage you to share your exciting
news with another believer. It’s also important that you join a
Bible-believing local church and connect with others who can
encourage you in your new faith.
Sincerely,
John Bevere

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FO U N D AT IO N S

Copyright 2019 by John Bevere

Written by John Bevere

Edited by Chris Pace

Your life, in a sense, is God’s building. You are a masterpiece,

Together, we are His house, built on the foundation of the

You are God’s building . . . Because of God’s grace to me,

But you, beloved, build yourselves up on [the foundation

On one occasion, while Lisa and I were dining with friends

Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most remarkable ar-

On any given day you will undoubtedly find groups of tourists

Five years into construction, builders had completed the third

It’s evident that without a solid foundation, no building can re-

JESUS, OUR FOUNDATION

Therefore, this is what the sovereign Lord says: “Look! I

The foundation Isaiah speaks of is none other than Jesus Christ.

I travel multiple thousands of miles on airplanes every

Referring to Jesus, the apostle Peter confirmed Isaiah’s prophe-

Jesus is our sure foundation.

Now that we’ve considered what the Scriptures—both Old and

Several disciples were quick to answer. The common response

So we see clearly that the illuminated truth of Jesus must be

On a particular occasion, Jesus shared certain truths that con-

Peter exemplified the stability that comes from revelation

Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and does

A life built on the Word of God is like a house built on solid

The apostle James echoes Jesus, reminding us of the impor-

James compares the Word of God to a mirror. The purpose of

Friend, I cannot emphasize this enough—the Word of God will

Builders must follow a specific blueprint designed by engineers,

The foundational truths of God’s Word that we must build our

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary prin-

The six foundational doctrines we are to build upon are:

1. Repentance from dead works

2. Faith toward God

5. Resurrection of the dead

Each believer must be grounded and established in each of

Unfortunately, many of us have neglected these elementary

Throughout this book, we’ll examine each of these foundational

Let’s build wisely.

1. What is the most important phase of the construction of a build-

2. Why is seeing Jesus as your foundation so important to your

3. In Matthew 7:24–27, Jesus taught on the wise and foolish build-

According to the writer of Hebrews, repentance from dead

There is a lot of confusion around the word “repentance,” so let’s

The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible states that repentance is

tions, or beliefs, but rather a change in the whole personality

Repentance involves the mind, will, and emotions, penetrating

Throughout the New Testament, our relationship to Jesus is

Consider this scenario. One evening, Justin returns home from

“Who’s Tony?” Justin fires back.

“He’s my boyfriend from high school,” she replies.

“What?! You can’t go out with him!”

“Because we are married; we are committed to each other. We

“Hold on, honey!” Angela replies. “You are my favorite. I love

Obviously, this scenario seems ridiculous. It’s hard to imagine

When we genuinely repent, we walk away from living life ac-

There is no turning to God without repentance. In fact, we can-

But too often, repentance is misconstrued, and people shy away