First Principles

Some of the ideas posited by these sources sounds good. Some of it is actually helpful. Some of it is actually true. But, what is our authoritative source for life guidance? As helpful as many sources are, do we really want to recognize them as having authority and unerring instruction? Or, do they merely intersect with truth occasionally and are erroneous occasionally? What is our authority?

You’re either here or watching today, so I’m going to hope you either believe the answer is the Bible, or are willing to consider the idea that the Bible is the answer.

Transition

But the Bible is a bit too vague to be helpful, if we’re being honest. We really need to narrow it down to applicable parts to get the most mileage out of our answer.

Illumination

The Existence of First Principles

Rooted in Biblical Literacy

As the Apostle Paul wrote to a wide audience of Hebrew believers, there were a few shortcomings that he wanted to address. One of those shortcomings was a spiritual immaturity that was seen prominently in biblical illiteracy.

Hebrews 5:12–14 NKJV

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Owing to their upbringing in the Jewish community, they had an exposure and access to the Scriptures that their gentile believer counterparts never had. Paul’s assertion is that they should have been teaching others the Scripture that they grown up with. Instead, they required someone to teach them.

Manifested Through Biblical Application

Biblical literacy as emphasized here is a knowledge of what the Scriptures say combined with the ability to apply that knowledge in life. It also implies the ability to discern what is correct when presented with information that is not.

Paul’s concern is not that they were master theologians or teachers, though I am sure he would have loved that, but rather that they had lost their grasp on the basic, foundational tenants of their faith.

Looking out across what calls itself Christian today, I wonder how Paul would react?

More importantly, I think we need to look at ourselves and see how secure our foundation is. The first principles to which Paul referred are not just theory. If our faith is legitimate, it should define us to a degree and should certainly direct how we live our lives. If it does not, than we should really ask ourselves what is the point in claiming our faith.

The List of First Principles

We could probably seek out or set our several lists of first principles. In his address to the Hebrew believers, Paul sets out a handful of ideas that he believes form the first principles:

Hebrews 6:1–3 NKJV

1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

Whether we find this list exhaustive or not, it is worth considering these first principles. This will become more apparently true as we begin to explore them.

God is good and right…I am neither

This is what “repentance from dead works and faith toward God” is getting at. And there is a lot here:

God is, and I am

God is the standard of rightness, I am not

God is offended, I am the offender

God is approachable, I must approach Him as He dictates, not as I dictate

God is authoritative, I am in need of authority

Community Is Necessary

This is what baptism and laying on of hands is about

Among other things, baptism is the mode of entry into the community (both for Jews and Christians)

Laying on of hands is the mode of appointment of teachers and leaders

We need to be a part of a community of people who believe and live as we do.

We need to be a part of a community of people who will teach us what and how to believe.

Life Is Transitory

We might be tempted to move resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment or reward to a secondary issue, but Paul keeps it as a first principle. Knowing that life is transitory absolutely contributes to how we understand it and live it.

This life is not all there is; it barely scratches the surface

What lies beyond this life is eternal—unending—and as, or more, real as the life we know now

Conclusion

These thoughts may not be particularly new, but as we begin a new year, they are worth rehearsing. These are not supposed to be just the first principles of our faith, they should be the first principles of our life.

Application

So, what do we do with them? Think about them. Apply them. Live them.

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