We
Can Never Leave the Fundamentals
Wendell
Winkler
A builder will lay
a good foundation, and then build his superstructures. However, when
the building is completed he does not remove the foundation. If anything,
he will strengthen it.
In like manner, in the field
of mathematics, the student will first study addition, subtraction, multiplication
and division before moving on to algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus;
however, he must continue to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all
levels.
Similarly, in studying our
Bibles, we must "go on unto perfection. (Hebrews 6: 1.) We must
"grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord. (2 Peter 3:18.)
We must learn the meat of the Word. (Hebrews 5:12-14.) But, we must never
forsake or depreciate the basic fundamentals of the doctrine of Christ.
Rather, we must emphasize and reemphasize them. If we do not know what
the Bible teaches on basic Bible themes, we need to learn such. If we
have studied them extensively, we still need to have our minds stirred
up by the way of remembrance. (2 Peter 1: 12-15.) After years of thorough
and extensive study of the Sacred Text, David Lipscomb was studying the
subject of baptism one day when he was discovered doing so by a student.
The student expressed to brother Lipscomb his surprise that he would be
studying such a fundamental, theme. Brother Lipscomb replied to the young
man, "I'm afraid there is still something about the subject I do not know."
We can never leave the fundamentals.
Then let us never forget
that each new generation must be taught anew the fundamentals. Only herein
does our safety lie! May we remain seriously cognizant that we are only
one generation from apostasy.
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