Brethren often request preaching on "first principles" and such are certainly mentioned in scripture, Heb. 5:12; 6:1. But ask most brethren what these are and you get a quick, if not incomplete, reply: hear, believe, repent, confess and be baptized. But even though we preach these vital principles many remain unconverted and those who are soon fall away. Why? Maybe these aren't the first principles, or at least not all of them. There are some "first principles" that all need to understand, whether Christian or not, and must be in place and understood before a person is baptized and continue with them all of their life. Such as....

God has he right to act as he pleases and man must obey---Rom. 9:6-24. God has this right because there is none greater, Heb. 6:13, and he cannot lie, Heb. 6:18. His ultimate position and unchanging truth make it mandatory that we "fear God and keep his commandments", Ecc. 12:13. Man, on the other hand, must listen and obey because he is man, 20-24, and cannot direct his own steps, Prov. 14:12; Jer. 10:23. God's the potter, I'm the clay, two first principles we dare not forget.

The value of truth---Prov. 23:23. Truth is such a valuable commodity that we should want to "buy" (hear and practice) it regardless of what it involves. Don't be like those in Jer. 42:1-43:2. They made a "buy the truth" request of Jeremiah, 42:1-3, and assure him they'll do whatever God says, 42:5-6. But when Jeremiah gives the answer, 42:7-22, they "sell out" and show that this first principle had not been learned., 43:1-2. Value truth like Lydia, Acts 16:14-15, and Andrew and Phillip, Jo. 1:40f.

God's evaluation is all that matters---Rom. 14:11-12. Desiring the approval of others is a part of our "nature" and, within certain limits, is not necessarily a bad thing. But when this concerns us most it leads to problems with God. The Pharisees let this concern cause them to act better than they really were, Matt. 23:1-12, and Peter allowed it to cause him to act worse than he really was: Gal. 2:11-ff. But since God will be our judge, how He evaluates us should be all that matters. Never forget this first principle.

The need to deny self---Matt. 16:24 . "Deny himself" is not the spiritual equivalent of "go on a diet" or deny self certain things, though this often needs to be done. It does mean that we must put ourselves and our will last and put God and His will first, with all "soul, strength and mind", Lk. 10:25-27, unlike some who would follow the Lord, but not "first", Lk. 9:59-62. Truly, a "first" principle.

Concern for my spiritual condition---Lk. 13:22-24. Note the man's question: "are they... saved?" Notice the Lord's answer: "(You) strive to enter..." Jesus was teaching that my first thought should be upon "my ways" and whether my feet have "turned...to Your testimonies", Ps. 119:59. Whether or not others have or ever will is immaterial.

With these first principles understood and agreed to we are prepared to move on to others. But it's unlikely that if we start with other "first principles" without "nailing down" these, "obedience" will be superficial and "conversion" only temporary.