PREAMBLE
What you receive in this house goes beyond the teaching of the Word. This is the business of the Spirit. There is a portion of the Word that involves the sharing of divine intelligence, and another layer that imparts the Spirit of God, leading to the activation of certain spiritual gifts. This is a dimension of the Spirit that words cannot fully capture—it is entirely the work of the Holy Spirit, moving beyond the realm of the mind to expand, purify, and empower the believer to host more of God.

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE

Luke 1:1-4

INTRODUCTION

There is a significant deficiency in the understanding of doctrine within the body of Christ, particularly among Pentecostal and Charismatic circles. This is largely due to a bias within these circles—because of the tangible results produced in areas of supernatural manifestations, little attention is given to sound doctrine. While great miracles and displays of God’s power have been evident, if a believer’s foundation is not built on sound doctrine, there may come a time when they begin to doubt what they once believed.

The word doctrine refers to a set of beliefs that are communicated to a student with the goal of shaping them into the likeness of their master. This body of knowledge is typically vetted and approved by a council, making it authoritative and not open to debate. In many fields, this is often referred to as best practices.

Eleven Fundamental Doctrines of the Christian Faith

Every believer who desires stability in their walk with God must have a firm understanding of these foundational doctrines. These are truths that are more surely believed:

1. The Infallibility of the Word of God – The Scriptures are accurate, divinely inspired, and not subject to correction.
2. The Doctrine of God and the Godhead – Understanding the nature, attributes, and triune existence of God.
3. The Nature of Man – From creation to the fall, understanding humanity's origin and spiritual condition.
4. Jesus Christ – His person, ministry, and redemptive assignment.
5. Salvation and Sanctification – The process of redemption, justification, and consecration.
6. The Holy Spirit – His person, ministry, and role in the believer’s life.
7. The Church (Ecclesia) – Its purpose, function, and divine mandate.
8. Satan and Demons – Understanding the reality of spiritual warfare.
9. The Ministry of Angels – Their role in God's kingdom and interaction with believers.
10. The Believer’s Growth System – Prayer, fasting, fellowship, and corporate gathering of the saints.
11. Our Corporate Mandate – The collective mission of the body of Christ on earth.

No believer can be truly effective without being grounded in these doctrines. The goal is to bring stability, clarity, and understanding to the Christian faith.

1. The Infallibility of the word of God.

The word infallible means accurate and not subject to correction. The Bible, as an inspired resource containing God's revelation to humanity, is the most accurate written record that reveals God to man. While the word Bible itself does not appear in Scripture, references to its authority and divine inspiration are scattered throughout. The Greek word translated as Bible simply means "book," while Scripture refers to writings—whether inspired or not.

To the unenlightened mind, the concept of the infallibility of God's Word may seem questionable. However, the Bible's infallibility does not lie in its historical, archaeological, intellectual, or linguistic accuracy but in its ability to accurately reveal:

• God
• Jesus Christ
• Man’s sinful condition
• God’s plan of salvation for humanity

This is the boundary of the Bible's divine accuracy.

Three Layers of Revelation in the Bible

Historical or Archaeological Layer – This includes historical accounts, genealogies, and cultural contexts, such as Matthew 1.

Doctrinal Layer – The foundational teachings and principles that guide Christian faith and practice.

Prophetic Layer – Insights and wisdom revealed by the Holy Spirit, allowing believers to draw divine guidance from any chapter or verse for victorious living.

The Bible, through these layers, remains the ultimate source of truth, guiding believers in their relationship with God and their spiritual journey.

The Distinction between the Bible, the Scripture, and the Word of God

Although the terms Bible, Scripture, and the Word of God are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings.

The Bible

The Bible is a collection of 66 separate yet interconnected books, written by over 40 authors from diverse backgrounds over a span of approximately 1,600 years. It is broadly divided into two parts: The Old Testament – 39 books and the New Testament – 27 books.

The Scripture

The writings within the Bible are referred to as Holy Scriptures because they are divinely inspired: "From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God..." (2 Timothy 3:15-16). They are also called inspired writings (Hebrews 5:12) and the speaking of God.

The Word of God

The term Word of God refers to two distinct but related aspects: The Living Word – Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God's Word (Logos). The Written Word – The recorded thoughts, instructions, and revelations of God in written form.

The Relationship between the Living Word and the Written Word

The Living Word (Jesus Christ) is revealed through the Written Word (Scripture). The Written Word leads men to the Living Word ("You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life." – John 5:39-40). The Scripture reveals Christ ("And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." – Luke 24:27). Bible study alone does not give life—it must ultimately lead to an encounter with Jesus Christ.

Why the Bible?

The Bible was written by 40 different men across 66 books, over a span of 1,600 years, in three languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Latin). Despite this, it presents a consistent, progressive revelation of God, Jesus Christ, and His salvation plan—something far beyond coincidence.

The fulfillment of Bible prophecies further confirms its divine origin (Matthew 3:3; Matthew 2:17; Matthew 4:14-16; Acts 3:18; Acts 2:16-17).

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God..." (2 Timothy 3:16). The word inspired means God-breathed, signifying divine authorship.

Three Blessings of Holding the Word as the Final Authority

An Instrument of Renewal and Transformation – The Word renews the mind and transforms the believer’s life (Romans 12:2).

Access to the Wisdom of God – It provides divine wisdom for righteous living (2 Timothy 3:15; Colossians 3:16).

Access to the Knowledge of God and His Promises – It reveals God's nature and the inheritance available to believers (1 John 5:13; Acts 20:32).

The safest way to live is by the Scripture. Any believer who desires to be a person of stature—spiritually strong, mature, and grounded—must build their life on the Word of God.

2. The Revelation of God

The Bible does not attempt to prove the existence of God; instead, it simply declares His existence (Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:6).

Who is God?

The Bible describes God as the Almighty, the Eternal Self-Existent One. Before anyone can receive anything from Him, they must first believe that He exists (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 1:20).

Six Attributes that Define God

These six attributes distinguish God from any other cosmic force or deity described in religion or philosophy:

1. God is Eternal – He has no beginning and no end; He has always existed and will always exist (Exodus 3:14; Genesis 21:33; 1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 1:18).
2. God is Self-Existent – He does not derive His existence from any external source, nor does He depend on anything to sustain Him. Unlike creation, which relies on interdependence, God exists independently (Psalm 36:9; John 5:26; John 1:4).
3. God is Immutable – He is unchanging in His person and character. His nature remains constant (James 1:17; Psalm 33:11; Malachi 3:6).
4. God is Omnipotent – He is all-powerful and sovereign over all creation (Revelation 19:6; Revelation 4:11; Hebrews 1:1-4).
5. God is Omniscient – He possesses perfect knowledge and wisdom. Nothing exists outside His understanding, and His knowledge is not progressive—it has always been complete (Proverbs 15:3; Psalm 147:5; Hebrews 4:12-14).
6. God is Omnipresent – He is always present, unrestricted by time and space (Psalm 139:7-12).