1. FIRST PRINCIPLES Introduction and Authority of the Bible
God, Christ, Holy Spirit
Nature of Man
Devil
Kingdom/Resurrection
Why study First Principles? Is it more important then knowing about the life of Jonathan?

2. WHAT IS A FIRST PRINCIPLE?
A Bible first principle is a fundamental doctrine where a correct understanding affect other First Principles and salvation is at stake, i.e.
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

3. What happen when a Bible FIRST PRINCIPLE is corrupted?
Biblical FIRST PRINCIPLES connect together so that a false understanding in one affects other FIRST PRINCIPLES.
For example, if you believe the soul is immortal and goes to heaven then the resurrection from the dead is impacted.
1 Cor. 15:32 … if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

4. How important is true doctrine?
John 4:23,24 Worship God in spirit and truth
John 8:32 “…the truth shall make you free”
John 17:17 Thy word is truth
1 Timothy2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Galatians1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed (anathema).
Galatians 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

5. Why is Acts 2:42 so important?
Acts2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine (1322 “didache”) and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
(1322 didache AV - doctrine 29, has been taught 1; 30 (1) teaching (1a) that which is taught)
Because of the order for “doctrine” must precedes fellowship to keep the follows in the ship going straight and avoid confusion.
2 John7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine (1322 “didache”) of Christ, hath not God. An important questions! Can this be used to apply to other First Principle doctrines?
Does Mt.16 help? (hint -- What does leaven do to bread?)
Matthew16:11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine (1322 “didache”) and of the of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

6. Why is it so helpful to have the BASF?
The BASF acts like a anchor so that one is not tossed to and fro with every wind that comes along.
Ephes. 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
H I N T

7. Why do so many of the churches have so many false beliefs?
The “Mother Church” allowed false doctrine into the church. This acted like leaven corrupting the truth.
The “Mother Church” gave tradition and papal pronouncements priority over the Bible.
The daughter churches coming from the mother have been so influenced by her that they are like her.
Appendix 2 (handout)
Taken by me in the Vatican 2004 – inscription St. Helena
You talk with Catholic priest and they qualms saying they are the mother church.
MADRE ECCLESIA

8. The Authority of the Bible
First Principles
The Authority of the Bible

9. What is the first Bible First Principle?
THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE
Bible authority comes from it being God’s inspired word and this is key to everything and the basis of faith.
To have biblical faith requires hearing reading, and studying the Bible, and then weighing the evidence it gives which builds faith.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Hebrews11:1 Now faith is the substance (something seen) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (i.e. God).

10. What is the Bible’s claim?
(2 Tim. 3:15-17) All Scripture was given by the inspiration of God therefore the authority is not the human writers but Almighty God.
(2 Peter 1:21) The holy Scriptures are not man's own knowledge or invention.
(Hebrews 1:1,2) The Scriptures when revealed by God to His prophets vary in time, agency, method and form.
((Matthew 5:17-19)The confirmation by Jesus of the law even to the last jot and tittle.
John 10:34,35) The Scriptures cannot be broken otherwise they become of none effect.

11. If the Bible can’t be broken, what about 1Cor. 7:12?
1 Cor. 7:12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
Hint --The key is the word Lord!
In the writings of Paul whenever he used “Lord” he is referencing Jesus i.e. –
1 Cor. 6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
So how do we interpret 1Cor.7:12?

12. EVIDENCE THAT THE BIBLE
IS GOD’S WORD!
1. The remarkable STRUCTURE of the Bible - 70 books, 40 writers over 2000 years with purpose and consistency throughout!
2. One consistent THEME from Genesis to Revelation, interwoven with mathematical patterns, symmetry, and incapable of explanation by chance or collusion.
3. Historical ACCURACY far superior to the written records of Egypt, Assyria, Greece etc.
4. ARCHAEOLOGY confirms the Biblical record. "...there are no archaeological findings that contradict a Biblical reference." (Dr. Nelson Glueck)
5. Principles of modern SCIENCE were recorded as fact in the Bible long before scientists confirmed them. (i.e. roundness of the earth, Isaiah. 40:22; infinite extent of the universe, Isaiah 55:9; the Law of conservation of mass and energy (Psalms 104:30); vast number of stars (Jer.33:22); the law of increasing entropy (randomness - Psa.102:25-27); atmospheric circulation, (Ecc.1:6); gravitational field (Job 26:7).
Dr. Nelson Glueck famous archaeologist wrote several books, professor at University of Cincinnati.

13. EVIDENCE THAT THE AUTHORITY
OF THE BIBLE IS GOD!
6. The principles of modern MEDICINE, disease and life blood processes in the Law of Moses show how unique the Bible is. (Lev. 17:11) (Tape by Livermore)
7. The evidence for the RESURRECTION of Christ shows it actually happened! ( Who Moved the Stone by Frank Morison)
8. The fulfilment of PROPHECY demonstrates that God is the author of the Bible. (e.g. Israel, Egypt, Babylon, the Church)
9. The CHARACTER of God is far superior to heathen gods.
10 TYPES AND SHADOWS, i.e. Abraham offering Isaac, Joseph a type of Jesus, Elijah of John the Baptist, A day in Jesus’ life shadows the future, i.e. John chapter 6.
11. The FACT of God which can be seen in the physical creation (intelligent design, Rm.1:20).
12. The CREATION account shows divine authority but interpretation is key to being able to answer today’s questions. Unfortunately many have false, non Biblical renderings of Geneses chapter 1.
Road to Emmaus – their eyes couldn’t see but his words burned within them. Really don’t have time to develop this as with the creation account.

14. A MAJOR problem!
FALSE
INTERPRETATIONS!
What is different with this account in day one, and day four as compared with Scripture?
It is important to understand just what God created on the fourth day. Because we know how large and how distant the stars are, having a correct understanding of what happened on the fourth day will help us decide whether the “Young Earth” theory is correct or not. It is important to let the Bible speak for itself and not to try to make it fit the theory we want to believe. Since God wrote the Bible, it should be scientifically sound even though that is not the purpose for which it is written. We know the Bible spoke of the circle of the earth when popular theory was that the earth is flat in the days of Columbus, and the historical background that Luke gives have been proven correct in every instance, and archaeology has supported every Bible historical happening. We need to look for clues in the text of the Bible to see just what is meant as far as timing is concerned.

15. The “CREATION RESEARCH SOCIETY” understands from Genesis that the heavens and the earth were all created about 6,000 years ago.
God’s power is unlimited—so our earth could have been made to look old as Adam looked old when he was created.
The scientific community finds this absurd because they say the earth is 4.2 billion years old, therefore they say the Bible can’t be inspired by God.
A major major problem
There are no dates given in Genesis. Time is different for God, for we are told that one day is like a thousand years. God wants us to know that he did it, that he created everything, and he tells us what is important for us to know. When and how he did it is not what God wants us to learn from Genesis. The timing only becomes important when people use timing to try to make it look like the Bible is false. The debate among many Christians is, Did God create the universe and earth 6000 years ago with an appearance of age? Just like Adam was created an adult, looking like perhaps a 25 year old man would look, was the universe created with light from distant stars already in transit nearing the earth and ancient appearing rocks created on earth with radioactive dates of millions of years of age? Or, in an infinite universe of infinite age are we one special creation of an infinite God who tells us only what we need to know about our times?

16. THE ANDROMEDA GALAXY TWO MILLION LIGHT YEARS AWAY!
TIME = DISTANCE / SPEED
Since the speed of light is a constant, this formula requires long times for huge distances therefore the scientific community says the Bible can’t be God’s word.
Methods: measuring the peak wavelength of the star’s spectra
But how do we measure the distance to the stars (SLIDE – Parallax)

17. The major problem was the 4th day!
Genesis1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
Were the sun, moon and stars created on the 4th day?

18. NUMBER 1 KEY TO INTERPRETING GENESIS 1 “FIRMAMENT of heaven”
Genesis 1:20 … and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament <7549> of heaven.
7549 raqiya` {raw-kee'-ah}; n m AV - firmament 17; 17
Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament <7549>, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
CONCLUSION: The “firmament” is the atmosphere and doesn’t include heaven.
There was water above it.
Birds fly in the firmament of heaven.
Pass out marking pencils – note that these are theirs

19. ff
Since the “FIRMAMENT OF HEAVEN” describes the ATMOSPHERE the “GREATER LIGHT” can’t be the sun in the earth’s atmosphere but is the light from the SUN & the “Lesser light” is moon light -- BUT WHAT ABOUT THE STARS!
Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
On the 4th day????
The WORDS “HE MADE” are in italics meaning there is no Hebrew word and the translators just added it.

20. So what did God do on the 4th day?
God on the 4th day cleared the atmosphere so that the lights coming in from the heavenly bodies could be clearly seen and used.
Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
So what did God do on the 4th day?
NNNNNNNN
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
Why is it so important to be able to say God didn’t create the sun, moon and starts on the 4th day?
So we are not locked into a 6000 year creation which makes it much more difficult for those coming from the scientific community to believe the Bible.

21. So why is this interpretation needed today?
AN INTERPRETATION for your friends THAT IS NEEDED IN OUR SCIENTIFIC WORLD.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created THE heaven and THE earth (No time given to “beginning”).
[2] And the earth was (had become) without form, and void (wild and waste). And darkness was upon the face of the deep and (about 6000 years ago) the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. [3] And God said, Let there be (which began our six day creation about 6000 years ago).
So why is this interpretation needed today?
Knowing the speed of light to see distance stars takes millions of years.
How does this answer the fossil record?
There may have been previous creations before Adam.
The fact that there may be a long period of time between verse 1 and 2 is not unscriptural. Jesus pointed out a similar gap in time when he quoted Isaiah. God only tells us what is necessary. Any events that might have occurred between verse 1 and 2 are not relevant to mankind. God does not waste space by giving us details that we might like to know to satisfy our curiosity but have no spiritual relevance such as the colour of Jesus’ eyes or whether Adam had a belly button or the name of Samson’s mother.

22. God’s seven thousand year plan Christadelphian publication
What is inaccurate with this account of the seven days of creation as compared to scripture?
It is important to understand just what God created on the fourth day. Because we know how large and how distant the stars are, having a correct understanding of what happened on the fourth day will help us decide whether the “Young Earth” theory is correct or not. It is important to let the Bible speak for itself and not to try to make it fit the theory we want to believe. Since God wrote the Bible, it should be scientifically sound even though that is not the purpose for which it is written. We know the Bible spoke of the circle of the earth when popular theory was that the earth is flat in the days of Columbus, and the historical background that Luke gives have been proven correct in every instance, and archaeology has supported every Bible historical happening. We need to look for clues in the text of the Bible to see just what is meant as far as timing is concerned.
God’s seven thousand year plan A
Christadelphian publication
Bro. Ray Smith

23. Israel really supports the Bible!
Jeremiah 30:11 For I am with thee, saith the Lord, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.

24. The power of Bible prophecy!
Israel would be scattered throughout the world.
They would be a proverb and a byword.
They would suffer terrible persecutions.
Their land would be desolate.
They would survive as a race.
They would again become not two nations but one nation in Israel.
Detailed in Lev. 26; Deu. 28; Eze 37

25. Atlas of Jewish History by Martin Gilbert
“This atlas by Martin Gilbert traces the worldwide Jewish migration from ancient Mesopotamia to modern Israel. It seeks to follow the diverse – and sometimes obscure – path of a far-ranging people, and to map their strange experiences in good times and bad.”
“My original concern was to avoid undue emphasis upon the many horrific aspects of Jewish history … But as my research into Jewish history progressed, I was surprised, depressed, and to some extent overwhelmed by the perpetual and irrational violence which pursued the Jews in every century and to almost every corner of the globe.”

26. Toynbee says the Jews an anachronism!
Taken from the Hamilton Spectator, Nov

27. No wonder the Jew doesn’t fit Toynbee’s map of world history!
Principle expulsions:
1012 from Germany
1182 from France
1192 From Germany
1248 from Germany
1290 from England
1306 from France
1348 from Germany
1349 from Hungry
1420 from France
1421 from Austria
1492 from Spain
1497 from Portugal
Expulsion of Jews from Vienna 1670 A.D.

28. Why didn’t the Jew disappear?
Leviticus 26:31And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, … [32] And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. [33] And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.
Sack of the Jewish ghetto at Frankfort in 1614 A.D.

29. No wonder the Jew doesn’t fit Toynbee’s map of world history!
Massacres:
1096 by crusaders
1099 By crusaders
1190 by crusaders
1298 by Germany
1348 black death
1483 inquisition
1642 Inquisition
1648 by Poland
1881 by Russia
1903 by Russia
HITLER TRIED

30. This Anachronism Continues!
Iran's late president has defended his widely criticised call for Israel to be "wiped off the map". Attending an anti-Israel rally in Tehran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his remarks were "just" - and the criticism did not "have any validity".
From: BBC News, Oct. 28, 2005

31. BUT THE JEW DIDN’T DISAPPEAR!
Ezekiel 36:22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. [24] For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
Plus this supports that Israel comes back in “unbelief”.
Haifa, Israel from Mt. Carmel

32. V.22 is unfolding NOW!
Ezekiel 37:22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:
“one Nation” = Past
“Mountains” = West Bank yet Future
“one king” = Future, Jesus

33. Trees represent nations, Dan.4:11,12; Mt 21:19,20
What is “the sign”
MARK 13: 28 ¶ Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it (Kingdom) is nigh, even at the doors. 30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
Mark 13:4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
“The sign” = Israel a nation in 1948 that put forth leaves.
Is this generation your dad’s generation?
H i n t
Trees represent nations, Dan.4:11,12; Mt 21:19,20

34. Evidence that the Bible is God's word!
John 6:1-14 = feeding of the 5000.
John 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
[16] And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
[ 17] And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum…

35. Types and shadows confirm the Bible's Authority!
J O H N C H A P T E R 6
1-14 Feeding of the multitude => Christ's ministry
15 Christ departed alone => Christ went to heaven
16-25 Stormy sea => disciples upon the sea of life
"Capernaum" = village of comfort => kingdom
"20 or 30 furlongs" => unknown when delivered.

36. Facing the Storms John 6:19
So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

37. Is this but an incident in Jesus' life?
John 6:20, 21
“But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.”

38. Babylon would never be rebuilt
Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: [21] But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.
Ancient Babylon

39. A SECOND NEBUCHADNEZZAR who tried to again build Babylon?

40. Saddam had great plans for fabled Babylon!

41. Restored and non restored portions of Babylon, Iraq.
Taken after 1st gulf war

42. Restored palace complex at Babylon, Iraq.
Taken after the 1st gulf war

43. Babylon’s Rebirth Again Casualty
of 2nd U.S. Iraq Invasion!
Iraq continues to be at war with no opportunity to build Babylon!

44. So much for Saddam and Babylon!
Jeremiah 51:64
And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.

45. PARTIAL AND FULL FULFILLEMENT!
Ezekiel 26:4 And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.
Partial fulfillment – Nebuchadnezzar in
585 B.C.E.
Full fulfillment – Alexander in 332 B.C.E.
An Amazing Bible Prophecy!

46. An ancient powerful commercial city see Ezekiel chapter 26
Line showing sand fill as seen now
Spreading of nets today
Probable coastline of the island
Alexander’s causeway, two hundred feet wide and built from the ruins of ancient Tyre.

47. ANCIENT TYRE WITH THE MODERN CITY OF SUR

49. SUR from the South

50. The Authority of the Bible
Supported by eight parables
all together in one
Bible chapter

51. What is hidden in these parables?
Mt. 13:11 … Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries <3466 “musterion” = hidden thing > of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mt.13:3 … Parable of the sower
Mt.13:24 … Parable of the wheat and tares
Mt.13:31 … Parable of the mustard seed
Mt.13:33 … Parable of leaven in the meal
Mt.13:44 … Parable of hid treasure in a field
Mt.13:45 … Parable of the pearl of great price
Mt.13:47 … Parable of the drag net
Mt.13:52 … Parable of the householder

52. PARABLE OF HOUSEHOLDER = FAITHFUL IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
PARABLE OF LEAVEN AND MEAL = CHURCH BECOMES COMPLETELY CORRUPTED WITH FALSE DOCTRINE. ( Mat. 16:12)
PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED = FAST GROWTH OF THE CHURCH WHICH BENDS TO INCLUDE BIRDS LIKE CONSTANTINE..
PARABLE OF HID TREASURE = GOD’S WORD REDISCOVERED WITH THE PRINTING PRESS
PARABLE OF THE PEARLS = TRUE ECCLESIA
PARABLE OF WHEAT AND TARES = wicked, v.38.
PARABLE OF DRAG-NET = JUDGEMENT
PARABLE OF HOUSEHOLDER = FAITHFUL IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
PARABLE OF THE SOWER -- Jesus the sower, v.37
A.D D A R K A G E S ??
HIDDEN IS A BIBLE PROPHECY DETAILING THE FUTURE FROM AD 30 INTO THE KINGDOM
JESUS’
JERUSALEM
DESTROYED
CHURCH STATE RELIGION
ROME FALLS
476 AD
REFORMATION
TRUE ECCLESIA
FORMED
JUDGEMENT
MILLENNIUM
Disciples asked – why speakest in parables? Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven
Ephesus = minus 1st love, Philadelphia – true ecclesia, Laodicea – Luke warm but I don’t want to stray too far from showing Bible prophecy makes up over 50% of our Bible.

53. God’s word not only claims inspiration
IT IS INSPIRED!
Seen in its types, shadows structure, theme, archaeology, science, and prophecy!
Its creation is how it came about and has been preserved.

55. An ancient prophecy that builds faith today!
Obadiah 20 And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south. 21 And saviours (saints) shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S.
Zarephath changed to Sarepta and today is called Sarafand.