Foundations of Faith

Build your faith on the truth of God's Word.

This Scripture-centered study introduces ten essential truths of New Testament Christianity from a church of Christ perspective.

Begin the Study

An open Bible, notebook, and pen arranged for careful study

Why Foundations Matter

A strong life of faith needs a biblical foundation.

Jesus compared the person who hears and obeys His words to a wise builder whose house stood on rock. These lessons are designed to help you know what you believe, see where the Bible teaches it, and respond to God with obedient faith.

“For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11

One God, Our Creator

Key Scriptures Genesis 1:1 · Deuteronomy 6:4 · Acts 17:24–28 · Ephesians 4:6

The Bible begins with God. He is eternal, holy, all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly good. Everything that exists depends upon Him, while He depends upon nothing. Human life has purpose because every person was made in His image and is accountable to Him.

God is not an impersonal force. He speaks, loves, judges, shows mercy, and invites people into fellowship with Him. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are revealed in Scripture, yet God is one. Faith begins by seeking Him, honoring His authority, and trusting His character.

The Bible Is God’s Authoritative Word

Key Scriptures 2 Timothy 3:14–17 · 2 Peter 1:20–21 · John 17:17 · Colossians 3:17

Scripture was written through inspired men who spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. It reveals what we need to know about God, salvation, worship, the church, and faithful living. It is able to make us wise for salvation and equip us for every good work.

Churches of Christ accept the Bible—not creeds, councils, traditions, or private feelings—as the final authority in religion. We seek to speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where it is silent. Every belief and practice must be done by the authority of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ Is Savior and Lord

Key Scriptures John 1:1–14 · Matthew 16:16 · 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 · Acts 2:36

Jesus is the eternal Word who became flesh. He lived without sin, revealed the Father, died for our sins, was buried, and rose bodily on the third day. His resurrection confirms His identity and gives believers a living hope.

Jesus is more than a teacher or example. He is the Christ, the Son of God, the only Savior, the risen Lord, and the Head of His church. All authority belongs to Him. To follow Jesus is to trust His grace, confess His lordship, and obey His teaching.

Sin Separates Us from God

Key Scriptures Romans 3:23 · Romans 6:23 · Isaiah 59:1–2 · James 1:13–15

Sin is lawlessness—a rejection of God’s will in thought, attitude, word, or deed. Every accountable person has sinned. Sin brings spiritual death and separation from God, and no amount of human goodness can erase our guilt.

People are tempted and choose sin; they do not inherit Adam’s personal guilt. Each person is accountable for his or her own sin. Our condition is serious, but it is not hopeless: God acted through Christ to provide forgiveness and reconciliation.

Salvation Is by Grace Through Obedient Faith

Key Scriptures Ephesians 2:8–10 · Hebrews 5:8–9 · James 2:14–26 · Titus 2:11–14

Salvation is God’s gift. It cannot be earned through human merit, religious achievement, or works of law. Jesus paid the price at the cross; His blood is the basis of forgiveness. Grace both saves and teaches us to reject sin and live faithfully.

Biblical faith is trusting, responsive, and obedient. Faith without works is dead—not because obedience earns grace, but because genuine trust submits to the Lord. God’s commands tell us how to receive His gift, not how to deserve it.

Responding to the Gospel

Key Scriptures Romans 10:17 · John 8:24 · Acts 2:38 · Romans 10:9–10 · Mark 16:16 · Acts 22:16

The New Testament teaches people to hear the gospel, believe that Jesus is the Christ, repent of sin, confess Jesus as Lord, and be baptized in water for the forgiveness of sins. In baptism a penitent believer is united with Christ’s death and resurrection, clothed with Christ, and added to His people.

Baptism does not earn salvation and has no power apart from Christ. It is an appeal to God made through faith in His working. The New Testament never separates saving faith from the response Jesus commanded. After baptism, the new Christian begins a faithful life in Christ.

Christ Built One Church

Key Scriptures Matthew 16:18 · Acts 2:41–47 · Ephesians 1:22–23 · Ephesians 4:4–6

Jesus promised to build His church, purchased it with His blood, and serves as its only Head. The church is His spiritual body, composed of people He has saved. In the New Testament, those who obeyed the gospel were added by the Lord to this one body.

Churches of Christ seek to be Christians only—neither Catholic, Protestant, nor denominational. Each local congregation is autonomous under Christ, led by biblically qualified elders when they are appointed, served by deacons, and strengthened by every member. Our aim is not to create another denomination, but to follow the New Testament pattern.

God Defines Acceptable Worship

Key Scriptures John 4:23–24 · Acts 2:42 · Acts 20:7 · Ephesians 5:19 · 1 Corinthians 16:1–2

True worship must be offered in spirit and truth. The first-century church assembled on the first day of every week to hear God’s Word, pray, sing, partake of the Lord’s Supper, and give as prospered. Every act centers on God and builds up the body.

Churches of Christ sing without mechanical instruments because the New Testament authorizes Christians to sing and make melody with the heart. We observe the Lord’s Supper every Sunday, following the apostolic example. Sincerity matters, but sincerity must be joined with submission to God’s revealed truth.

The Christian Life Is a Life of Transformation

Key Scriptures Romans 12:1–2 · Galatians 5:16–25 · Colossians 3:1–17 · 2 Peter 1:5–11

A Christian rises from baptism to walk in newness of life. Disciples put away their former conduct and grow in holiness, love, truthfulness, purity, generosity, forgiveness, and service. The fruit of the Spirit becomes visible as the Word reshapes the heart.

Growth happens through Scripture, prayer, worship, fellowship, service, and perseverance. Christians are not sinlessly perfect, but they must not make peace with sin. When a child of God sins, that person should repent, confess the sin, and pray for forgiveness while continuing to walk in the light.

Our Hope Is Resurrection and Eternal Life

Key Scriptures John 5:28–29 · 1 Corinthians 15:50–58 · 2 Corinthians 5:10 · Revelation 21:1–5

Jesus will return, the dead will be raised, and every person will stand before Him in judgment. Those who die faithful in Christ will receive eternal life with God; those who reject Him will face eternal separation.

Christian hope is not wishful thinking. It rests on the resurrection of Jesus. This hope gives courage in grief, strength in trials, urgency in evangelism, and motivation to remain faithful until death. God’s final victory makes every sacrifice for Christ worthwhile.

Respond to the Gospel

Faith's foundation calls for a decision.

The gospel is good news to be believed and obeyed. If you are ready to learn more about becoming a Christian, we would be glad to study with you personally.

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Review and Reflect

Questions for personal study or Bible class

Who has final authority in matters of faith and worship?
What facts make up the heart of the gospel?
Why can no one earn salvation?
How does the New Testament describe an obedient response to the gospel?
What happens in baptism according to Romans 6:3–4 and Acts 2:38?
Who is the Head of the church, and how many bodies does Ephesians 4 identify?
What acts of first-day worship are found in the New Testament?
How should grace change the way a Christian lives?
What should a Christian do after committing sin?
How does the resurrection of Jesus shape our hope?

Continue Growing

Keep building on the foundation of Christ.

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