Principles

By Bobby Waddell

There are a variety of Christian denominations on this planet, but to be a Christian, one simply has to believe in certain principles of our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Constant practice of those principles is imperative for the Christian's growth. There are five major Christian principles that have been identified: prayer, Bible study, church support, giving and tithing, and witnessing about Jesus Christ. All five of these principles are biblically based with references included in this composite book. The first Christian principle, Bible study, must be an integral part of your daily life. Whether you read the Bible orally or silently each day, Bible study equips the Christian with the necessary tools to deal with the problems and challenges that you face daily. The second Christian principle, prayer, is equally as important as the first. Communication is necessary for any person to be successful in the world. Well communication with God is mandatory if one wants direction and help with the numerous challenges that we all must face daily. The third Christian principle, giving, is part of the command of Jesus. Giving of our self to the God and to the world at large is a component that has to be adhered to if one professes to be a Christian. The fourth Christian principle, church, is necessary for stability in our life as a Christian. It's important for any Christian to have a place where they can get Christian fellowship; after all, fellowship is one of the key truths found in the New Testament The fifth Christian principle, witnessing, is a command of Jesus. The Great Commission found in the Gospel of Matthew and Acts orders us as Christians to go out into the world and tell others about the saving grace in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament and New Testament have been used to prove the legitimacy of the five Christian principles. Throughout my ministry, I've personally seen these principles practiced by my parents, family, local church members, and of course myself. These principles work, and if practiced, a change can occur in the life of the Christian who consistently makes them a part of their life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781098044749

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Principles

Bobby Waddell

Copyright © 2020 by Bobby Waddell

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Bible Study

Prayer

Giving

Church

Witnessing

Preface

The Christian principles of Bible, prayer, church, giving, and witnessing are essential to our faith. No matter what Christian denomination you may belong, if you’re a Christian, you must believe in these principles. I challenge any Christian to practice all five of these principles for one year on a daily basis and not see a change in their life. They work—I’ve seen them work! These great principles of our faith are part of my life. They were taught to me by my parents. They will not lose their importance to my faith in Jesus. My challenge for you is to practice the Christian principles and make sure you begin today!

Bible Study

The first important Christian principle to be aware of is Bible study. You know, so many Christians may talk of the importance of studying the Bible, but so few Christians study the Bible regularly. If a survey could be made of all Christians in the world today, I wonder how many would proclaim that they study the Bible each day. I dare say that most Christians would confess that their time in Bible study is very little.

We hear so many excuses of why Bible study is not done. One of the big excuses is lack of time. How many times have you or some other person who proclaims to be a Christian say, Well, I’d read and study the Bible if I only had the time. Using time is no excuse for not getting educated by the Word of God. John 1:1 states, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. So few seem to stop and realize that when you hold the Bible in your hands, you’re holding the Word of God. In essence, you’re holding God in your hands when you hold the Bible. Has anyone ever asked you to prove to them that God really does exist? Friend, when you have the Bible in your hand, and when you have digested it into your total being, you have God! The tragedy is that so many abuse and misuse the Bible, which is the personification of the true and living God.

I’ve had the opportunity of growing up in a Christian family. Both of my parents were very dedicated Christians. The importance of the Bible and studying the Bible was learned from them. To show their seriousness about Bible study, they both got up very early in the morning for the purpose of digging into the Word of God. Each one had their own special place where they read each morning. My mother read in her bedroom, while my dad read with his Bible on a small desk in a small room. The way in which each one read was also different. My mother read silently, while my dad read orally. The amount in which each one read was also different. My mother might average reading ten to twenty chapters of the Bible each day, while my dad might average reading thirty-two to forty chapters each day.

On many given occasions, I would wake up early in the morning to hear the echoes of my daddy reading from another room. You could see him huddled over his Bible at the little desk from which he read at three or four o’clock in the morning. He would be moving his lips so fast as he pronounced the words. His concentration was seen on his wrinkled brow as his powerful voice churned away at the Word of God. I’ve yet to meet many men who are in such love with the Bible and who read it daily like my dad. He’s a Bible warrior!

My mother was also a Bible warrior. Though she didn’t read quite as much as my dad, she read far more than most Christians. She also gets engulfed in the study of the Word of God! Early in the morning you’d find this sweet, humble lady of God on her bed silently digging into the valuable truths from the Bible. You could feel the presence of Christ with her as her eyes darted across each verse. I’ve yet to meet many women who are in such love with the Bible and who read it daily like my mother.

If you were to ask my daddy, What’s the most important Christian principle? He would say the Bible without hesitating. Since I grew up in a home where the Word of God was held in such reverence and prestige, it’s only natural to assume that I do as well. Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible. In chapter 22, there is a great verse that’s been proclaimed for years. Verse 6 of this chapter states, Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. If ever a verse were made for me, this would be it.

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior when I was only six years old at the Tabor City Baptist Church in Tabor City, North Carolina. Prior to my decision, my parents had rededicated their lives to Jesus. From the moment