God's use of the laying on of hands symbolizes the bestowal of blessings, authority, and distinctiveness, representing God Himself setting a person apart for a holy use, whether for service, healing, protection, guidance, or blessing. In the Old Testament, laying on of hands was integral to offering sacrifices, as priests and Israelites transferred their sins to the animal, setting it apart for God. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest laid hands on the azazel goat, confessing the people's sins to symbolize substitution, with the goat bearing those sins into the wilderness. This act parallels how God laid our iniquities on Jesus Christ, Who bore them. The laying on of hands was also used in Old Testament ordinations, as when Moses laid hands on Joshua to transfer authority for leading the nation, accompanied by a special commission. In matters of judgment, God laid His hands on Egypt through plagues, and witnesses laid hands on a blasphemer to signify acceptance of the verdict, while sparing someone from judgment was described as hands not being laid on the spared victim. Special blessings were conferred through this rite, as seen when Jacob blessed his grandsons, David felt God's hand as comfort, and Jesus Christ blessed little children by laying His hands on them. The Bible sanctions laying on of hands for healing, with Jesus and His apostles often touching the sick, though the miraculous power to heal derives from God's authority, not the physical act. Special spiritual gifts are also given through this rite, typically with the Holy Spirit conferred by an elder's hands after baptism, though God sometimes makes exceptions to fulfill His will. Timothy received gifts like wisdom and teaching through ordination by elders, with Paul reminding him to stir up God's Spirit to use them. Additionally, laying on of hands sets people apart for special tasks, as part of a formal ceremony where the church commissions individuals into new service, only after prayerful consideration. Performed by ordained elders during prayer, this rite signifies ordination or setting apart, used by the church for requesting the Holy Spirit after baptism, anointing the sick, ordaining ministers, consecrating marriage vows, blessing children, and requesting special gifts from God.

True Christians must believe and behave in accordance with God's doctrine, as Jesus Christ declares that true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to worship Him (John 4:23-24). What we believe in our minds and feel in our hearts, we will perform in our actions, and Christianity, when based on truth, follows this principle. The fundamental doctrines of Christ, as listed in Hebrews 6:1-2, include going on to perfection, repentance from dead works, faith toward God, baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. These represent a basic understanding of God's truth early in the conversion process, with the first doctrine emphasizing the need to strive for spiritual maturity. If a Christian does not grow in understanding and application of these elementary principles, he remains immature in the Word of righteousness, needing to relearn the basic knowledge of God rather than progressing to deeper spiritual food (Hebrews 5:12-14). Only through active practice of God's standard of righteousness can a maturing Christian discern both good and evil. These basic doctrines are called the elementary principles of Christ because Jesus Christ, as the author and finisher of our faith, begins and ends every Christian's eternal salvation, starting with the most fundamental truths as spiritual infants (Hebrews 5:9; 12:2). Doctrine is of utmost importance to a Christian, as it is more than just a gospel about Christ; it is the gospel of Christ, encompassing what He taught, lived, and expects us to follow (I Timothy 4:6-7). His doctrine is the pattern of sound words and the body of truth once delivered to the saints, providing a solid foundation for the church to defend and contend for the faith against false teachings. True Christian doctrine claims that Jesus Himself is the truth, not merely a teacher of truth (John 14:6). More than exposing false teaching, true doctrine guides us to salvation, reveals how to live in a way that pleases God, instills His character traits, and keeps us on the path to the Kingdom of God (Romans 1:16-17).

The Bible reveals that God has an orderly plan for resurrections, not raising all the dead simultaneously but in a succession of events, every person in their own order. At Jesus Christ's second coming, truly faithful Christians will be raised to immortality, while the rest of the dead, who have not understood God's way of life, must wait in their graves until the thousand years are over. The unjust dead are not eternally lost; salvation comes only through Christ, who is the door, and no one can enter the Kingdom of God by any other way. God will not resurrect the unjust merely to cast them into the Lake of Fire but to offer them an opportunity for immortality. In resurrecting humans to mortal life, God does not provide a second chance for salvation but rather their first real opportunity. He will raise those who were deceived and never understood His way, revealing His plan of salvation to them. God desires all mankind to receive the gift of salvation, requiring repentance and righteous living, and He grants the knowledge of truth only when He calls them. The resurrection of judgment refers to a future time when God will raise many from their graves to learn the truth and have the chance to walk in it, with their fates decided based on how they live—most will be saved, but some in stubborn rebellion will condemn themselves to eternal death. God has kept physical Israel from understanding His truth, giving them a spirit of slumber to enable the salvation of the Gentiles, calling only a limited number from Israel in this age while the rest remain blinded. These, along with the rest of humanity, will rise in the second resurrection to have their opportunity for salvation. The Great White Throne Judgment, occurring after the Millennium, is the time of the second resurrection for the uncalled. During this judgment, God, in His mercy and love, will raise people to physical existence in an environment conducive to salvation. The books of the Bible will be opened to reveal true knowledge, and the Book of Life will be available for their names to be written in upon repentance, acceptance of Christ as personal Savior, and receipt of the Holy Spirit. They will be judged according to their works, as God determines this to be the best way to bring the most sons to glory and eternal life in His Kingdom.

Death is a reality we all must face, but the hope of the Christian is the resurrection of the dead. The same God who resurrected Jesus Christ from the grave will also raise all the dead to life again. By means of the resurrection, the vast majority of mankind will receive the opportunity for salvation and subsequently the gift of eternal life, while only a few who willfully reject God's way of life will not. The Bible identifies two types of resurrections: special acts of God's mercy restoring people to physical life, and resurrections to spiritual, eternal life. The New Testament contrasts resurrection to life with resurrection to judgment or condemnation. Our resurrection to eternal life is possible because Jesus Christ died to pay for our sins and rose as the firstborn of many brethren. His death justifies us, but His resurrection makes our resurrection possible, as we are saved because Christ lives now and forever. The saints of God will be part of the first and better resurrection, while the Bible indicates at least two separate resurrections for the just and the unjust. Only the righteous will rise at Christ's second coming, including the martyred saints and true Christians alive at that time, resurrected through the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ our Savior will change our corrupt bodies into glorious, immortal spirit bodies like His own. Jesus promises the overcoming saints a new name, power over the nations under Him, righteousness, and a place on His throne. God has established an order of resurrections, with the saints rising first, followed by a second resurrection of most of mankind who never knew God's truth, and finally a third resurrection of the wicked who rejected God's truth, facing eternal judgment in the Lake of Fire. It is far better to be in the first resurrection, to live as eternal spirit beings in the God Family, filled with God's character and incapable of sin.

Repentance holds a primary place in godly living, often linked inseparably with baptism as a fundamental step in a believer's journey. It signifies a profound change of mind, a turning from old ways to align with God's purpose. Initially, repentance involves recognizing and accepting the true gospel, believing it, and making life changes to conform to this new way, as seen when Christ ties it to the Kingdom of God and the Ethiopian eunuch's response to Philip's teaching led to his baptism. Emotion plays a significant role in repentance, stirring deep sorrow and remorse when one realizes the hurt caused to God and His purpose, much like David's heartfelt response to his sin. However, true godly sorrow leads to lasting change toward salvation, unlike worldly sorrow which lacks genuine transformation. Repentance is not merely about specific sins but about abhorring what we are that leads to those sins, recognizing our inherent shortcomings before God's righteousness. This change is not a one-time event but a lifelong process, bearing fruits worthy of repentance over time, gradually producing the fruit of the Spirit rather than the works of the flesh. Words like "convert" carry a similar meaning, indicating a shift from sinner to saint, worldly to godly, involving a recognition of self and sin, and a determined path to righteousness. The depth of this transformation aims for nothing less than having the mind of Jesus Christ, bringing every thought under control. Failure to repent carries severe penalties, as salvation depends on a lifetime of turning from dead works and overcoming in faith, with no turning back once the commitment is made. Yet, the rewards of repentance are immense, including the gift of the Holy Spirit, forgiveness of sin, and the grace of God, along with the hope of ruling with Christ for eternity. Through repentance, we not only benefit ourselves but can also guide others to turn from their ways. Though arduous, the rewards of repentance surpass human comprehension, making it a positive and possible endeavor through Jesus Christ. Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!

Eternal judgment is one of the basic doctrines of the church of God, holding equal importance to repentance, faith, baptism, and other foundational teachings. God, as the great Judge of all the universe, decides a person's reward or punishment for all eternity. Judgment is not merely a future event but a process that has already begun, with Christians being judged today through trials and tests to assess their faithfulness to God and His way of life. God the Father has appointed Jesus Christ to be the Judge of all mankind. Having lived a perfect life and experienced human struggles, He is eminently qualified for this role. All humans will ultimately stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and His judgment will be fair and righteous, based on true knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, not on appearances or rumors. Individuals will be judged on their works, including secret sins and even the words they have spoken. The standard for this judgment is God's Word, the Bible, which contains His laws and the measure of righteousness for everyone. God's judgment is perfectly fair, with stricter standards applied to those given greater opportunities, intelligence, or abilities, and even higher expectations for teachers of God's way. Under the guidance and authority of Jesus Christ, the resurrected saints will participate in the judging process, helping to judge the world during the Millennium and even the angels who rebelled under lucifer. Those who never had the chance to learn God's plan of salvation will be resurrected to physical life after the Millennium in a peaceful, prosperous world free from satan's influence, granted a hundred years to learn and accept God's way. During this period, known as the Great White Throne Judgment, they will be judged by the same standard—God's Word. Finally, the incorrigibly wicked, who refuse to live by God's laws and reject repentance, will face judgment in a third resurrection. They will be cast into the Lake of Fire, completely burned up, with no possibility of resurrection, having rejected God's offer of salvation and eternal life.