Basics for Believers [Paperback]

About This Product

“I know of no work of a similar kind. The subjects cover a wide and interesting circle of truth, and are of commanding interest, while the gracious spirit, so characteristic of the author, pervades the whole book. Dr. Davis possessed an unusual ability to communicate his thoughts, whether in oral or written ministry, with remarkable clearness; and the Christian reader may rest assured that Basics for Believers is very profitable reading” (W. Scott).

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Chapter 1: The Personal Return of the Lord Jesus

3. Chapter 2: A Scriptural Inquiry Respecting the Lord's Supper and the Lord's Table

4. Chapter 3: A Scriptural Inquiry as to What Is the Church or the Assembly of God

5. Chapter 4: Christian Ministry-Its Source, Object, Relationship, and Directorship

6. Chapter 5: Help for Enquirers

Excerpt: Seven Hints to Young Believers

Beloved in the Lord,

If you have been led by the Holy Ghost to own the Lord Jesus as your Saviour—to know that, for His sake, your sins have been forgiven—allow me to exhort you on one or two particulars.

(1) Let HIM, not the instrument used for your blessing, have all the praise; for He alone is worthy; and His servants would be “carnal” indeed (1 Cor. 3:1-9) if they allowed you to think of them, when the praise and adoration belong only to Him.

(2) You have been led to see at least, that you know very little of God’s word: so all of us should candidly admit (1 Cor. 8:2). Then search daily to find in the Scriptures a deeper acquaintance with the PERSON to whom you are brought. You know what the word has done for your conscience; now learn about the Divine Object for your heart. In this day of confusion and lawlessness the saint of God needs, as ever, to be commended “to God and to the word of His grace” (Acts 20:32).

(3) Loud talking and much disputing ill become followers of {the Lord} Jesus in this day. A quiet consistent walk, in whatever relationship of life we are found, will weigh much more heavily (1 Peter 2:12).

(4) Make it a habit, when you meet together, to avoid the gossip tendency of the day. The PERSON of the Christ, as shown to faith, by the Holy Ghost, in the word, should be the only theme. This will exclude slander on the one hand and creature-worship on the other.

(5) Next to thus living consistently before your relations, persevere in prayer to God (Eph. 6:18) for them, and watch a favorable opportunity to speak to them. This needs wisdom (Isa. 1:4; Prov. 15:28).

(6) Wait on the Lord to enlarge your hearts towards unconverted persons. To such as you know, watch your opportunity to commend a good gospel tract or book. Respecting this, you should feel it your privilege to lay by, as the Lord prospers you, for the scattering of what you believe, according to God’s word, is the truth to help souls. So also, instead of wasting money on needless things, look after the poor—especially those who are the Lord’s (1 Tim. 6:17-19).

(7) I would lastly add, that you should most earnestly find out what is the mind of the Lord respecting you in these last days. To gather round men—to aid in schism, would be simply to go counter to the truth in John 17, Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12., etc. if you are willing to do what is right, the Lord will make plain your path (Phil. 3:8-21). But surely every saint of God should feel that the present condition of the church—God’s church on the earth; is anything but what it was when

All were of one heart and soul,

And love to Christ inspired the whole;