Product Description This book is intended to be a very brief discussion of basic Christian (generally doctrinal) topics - many of which come from Hebrews 6:1-2. It will help the new Christian or one who hasn't much formal teaching to grow and lay the proper foundation for his spiritual life - just like the man in Matthew 7:24 who built his house upon the rock. It would be an excellent textbook for teaching a "foundations" class. From the Author When I was forty-five, we suddenly discovered that I had blockages in two of my coronary arteries. Very shortly I underwent coronary bypass surgery. While recovering the Lord spoke to me that I should write a book on "foundations" - the basics of being a Christian. At least twice before in my Christian life the enemy had attempted to discourage me by bringing on an illness. Both times the Lord had turned it around for good by bringing about a spurt in my spiritual growth. This, it seems , was to be no exception. At the time my wife, Rose Mary, and I had been leading a home fellowship meeting and I had been teaching a series of "foundation" lessons. I had been typing the notes up in outline form so that I would have the information if I ever wanted to teach on that topic again. During my recovery I developed several more lessons and thus began my journey on this book. BUILD ON THE ROCK is intended to be a very brief discussion of basic Christian (generally doctrinal) topics. It is intended for both the new Christian and the more experienced one who has had little formal teaching. It is not intended to be an exhaustive study of each topic but simply an introduction. Whole books are written on topics that I cover in a few pages (e. g. prayer, Holy Spirit baptism, etc). I've attempted to answer the who, what, why, when and how of each topic and very little else. You'll find that my narrative is mostly quoting scripture. There's nothing like learning the Word by reading the Word. However, my list of scripture on any one topic is also not exhaustive. I've selected what the Lord has given me and then went on. Many of these topics are tough doctrinal ones. Churches have split and new denominations have formed because of differences of opinion on these topics. To my knowledge everything I've written is from God. However, I'm a mature enough Christian to also know that it is possible for me to miss God. So if you read something you do not agree with, I hope you will not cast the book aside and brand me a false prophet. On the contrary, I encourage you to get your Bible and concordance out and search the scripture in more detail. If so, another one of my purposes for writing this book - to whet your appetite for the Word so that you want to know more - will have been accomplished. Maybe the Lord will show you something He's not revealed to me. And at the same time, I ask that you be open - maybe He'll confirm what is written here. One final thing. From time to time you will find parts of scripture underlined. It is not underlined in the Bible, but I have done it because I want to emphasize a particular word or phrase. About the Author Jim Smith, a lay person, has been saved for twenty-two years. A scientist by vocation, Jim and his wife Rose Mary led a home cell group for twelve years and taught foundation lessons to their group. Jim attends Bread of Life Church in Houston, Texas, and is active in jail ministry. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. I grew up in a small country Methodist church in Missouri. My family attended church every Sunday. Although I learned many of the Bible stories in Sunday school, I never developed a personal relationship with Jesus. As I went to college, I slowly drifted away from church and developed my own philosophy about life. I was married my senior year in college and got a good job out of school. Within a short time we had a house with a two car garage, two cars, a baby, a dog, etc. - the perfect couple.