Beginnings. There is only one true beginning. Applied to life events, we can make a list. There is only one “first” job. There is only one “first” kiss. You get the idea.
What about spirituality? Is there a beginning? Is there a beginning, a first in our religious journey? Well yes. That was easy. I think we’re done here.

Not quite.

That’s the easy part. Harder is determining when, and how it started. For example, within Christendom at large, the formal “beginning” is often Baptism. In a few other branches of Christianity, there are other starting points, leading to formal Baptism etc. Then, of course are the various familiar milestones such as confirmation and various graduations.

Flipping on the TV, we turn on to our favorite program and there’s Billy Graham, (now his son Franklin instead). We listen, and hear the familiar invitation to come to the front of the stadium and pray to receive Christ while the choir sings.

Is this real? Where does it fit in?

I’ve talked to a lot of people over the course of my ministry. Of interest to me are the people who are really not connected that closely to their churches of their birth. Also of interest are people who really had no church connection at all either past or present. To them, these things are really a blur.

However many would be surprised to learn a little background from the pages of the Bible in regards to the “beginnings”. While the formal practices of our various churches are important in and of themselves, there are some other details that perhaps haven’t been clear to many.

I’ve tried to clarify some things about the Bible specifically in previous posts which deal with objections etc. Please scroll down to read them at your convenience.

I want to present some very brief thoughts about beginnings using the Bible as a basis. Oh, by the way, the practices of Christian churches regarding Baptism, and other things, do, for the most part have their basis in the Bible. The key phrase is, “for the most part”. The differences between churches on these things are due to difference of opinions on the application and/or practice.

First, the Bible will teach that Christian spirituality is a relationship. Yes, a relationship. This is absolutely critical. Memorizing dogma, outward discipline and church attendance are all very good things in their right place. Who is this relationship with? It is a relationship with the Son of God Himself. Not only is this established in the New Testament, this is taught early in the Old Testament in the relationship of all the patriarchs---oops, that means Adam, Noah, Abraham etc.
Read and think about John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” The believing here is not mere knowledge of facts and details, but personal experience. The Old Testament tells us the Abraham believed God and He credited it to him as righteousness. In other words, God made a promise, Abraham listened, and acted on it IN HIS HEART, and God said, done deal, you are “in”. Then Abraham started knocking off all his impressive feats—but only after he believed.

Second, the Bible teaches us that God accepts us unconditionally. There are no conditions, no strings, no “trial period”. He has no probationary time frame in which he evaluates our performance. It rests not on our skill, or feelings.
He is gracious and forgiving through Christ Jesus, God’s sacrifice on the cross 2000 years ago. This is by no means an excuse to behave sinfully, but even in repeated failures, Christ rejoices to see us return for cleansing sorrowful for our sins.
This is not a Saturday night ritual to erase the week’s reveling. It is not a season of bodily sacrifice proceeded by a festival of debauchery. No, instead truly contrite for our weakness, He freely forgives. Then at the end of our life brings us to a real heaven for all eternity.

Third, the Bible teaches that God is holy and righteous. He cannot tolerate evil in any sort. That is true because He is perfect in every way. No one can see God’s face and live. Our sin and evil acts separate us from approaching God and make it impossible to please him with even the most impressive record of good works. If we could please God because of good works, God’s grace would not be grace, but wages owed. Nobody would claim that.
God has no obligations to any person who has ever lived. Therefore we must turn from all our attempts at righteousness, and sinful pleasures in repentance and plead for God’s forgiveness.

Fourth, God’s absolute holiness and righteousness are the ONLY explanation of placing His only Son to die as a criminal on the cross. Christ’s innocent death as a criminal served as our substitute. He payed for our sins, his life for ours, allows the flow of love and grace to you and me. On this basis alone is forgiveness and complete cleansing showered upon the weary sinner.

Fifth, the Bible sadly teaches that some will not believe this, and consequently not experience His love in this life. Then in the next, will be separated from God for all eternity in a real hell. There is an obvious urgency here because of the brevity of life. God has also appointed a time in which everything will come to an end, and He will separate the righteous from the unrighteous. Note Christ’s righteousness—not our own.

Everything in this post is clearly taught in the Bible and evidenced in the historic creeds of Christendom. Some would say, so what? Well, these things are really not a matter of opinion, mine or anyone else. The creeds serve as a historic straight line showing beliefs that have always been taught and confessed by Christians through the centuries. This is not some recent interpretation. In fact the basics of Baptism as an example are signified in these paragraphs.

There really is an urgency to begin or resume your spiritual walk with Christ through faith. Jesus Himself says in the book of Revelation, “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me.” (3:20).

What a milestone! That’s what I know, a poor part-time country preacher.