First Principles

First Principles

by CheapBrain

48 ratings
64 reviews
Free
In-App Purchases

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • April 27, 2012
  • August 11, 2026

Features

First Principles screenshot #1 for iPhone
First Principles screenshot #2 for iPhone
First Principles screenshot #3 for iPhone
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About

Access your favorite scripture study series offline and share verses easily. Expand references with a tap, copy text for sharing, and adjust text size for comfortable reading. Report errors or suggest improvements directly through the app.

Offline scripture access
Expand scripture references
Copy and paste scripture text
Adjustable text size
In-app feedback
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What's New in First Principles

4.0.10

August 11, 2026

Boston Reformatted & Hampton Roads Now Available We're excited to bring you two major updates in version 4.0.10: BOSTON IN 1ST PRINCIPLES FORMAT Boston's Bible studies have been reformatted to match our new 1st Principles design standard. This redesign makes the lessons easier to navigate, with improved scripture tap-to-expand functionality, clearer visual organization, and a more cohesive reading experience across all your studies. The content remains unchanged—all the depth and insight from Boston's original lessons is preserved with a fresh, streamlined presentation. HAMPTON ROADS: 10 NEW LESSONS We're thrilled to add Hampton Roads Bible studies to the app. This complete 10-lesson series from ICOC Hampton Roads covers foundational Christian topics perfect for new believers and seasoned disciples alike. Each lesson includes full scripture references, discussion-ready content, and all the tools you need to deepen your faith understanding. WHY THESE CHANGES MATTER As First Principles grows, we're committed to maintaining a consistent, high-quality experience across all our Bible study series. The 1st Principles format gives every church's studies—whether from Boston, Hampton Roads, Johannesburg, Chicago, Orange County, or others—a unified look and feel while preserving each community's unique voice and teaching. OFFLINE, ALWAYS READY Whether you're using Boston's redesigned lessons or exploring Hampton Roads' newest content, remember that First Principles works completely offline. Download your studies once and access them anytime, anywhere—no internet required. Tap any scripture reference to expand and read the full verse, take notes, and share insights with your community. SHARE YOUR FAITH Use First Principles to deepen your personal study and strengthen group discussions. Carry your entire library in your pocket and share scriptures and lessons with friends, family, and your church community whenever the moment is right. Thank you for using First Principles. We're grateful for the churches and communities that make these studies available to the global church.

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User reviews

App has ONE study

This app is nothing like it is presented before you download it. It only contains the study from 1993 and the font is wonky. ICOC is a cult anyway

Response from developer

Thanks for the feedback — you're right that the app had fallen out of date, including only having the 1993 study and some font issues. That's been addressed in the newest version, which includes additional studies and a properly updated, readable font. I'll leave the comment about ICOC aside, since this app is meant to be a neutral resource for the studies themselves rather than a place to debate the organization. I'd encourage you to download the latest version and see the difference for yourself. I'd also genuinely like to know your home church, as I'm adding new study series going forward and want to represent a range of communities well. If the update addresses what you ran into, I'd appreciate it if you'd reevaluate your rating to reflect the current version. Sincerely, Ed Partch Denver, CO

Needs software update

I’ve shared this app with a handful of folks who are unable to see the studies in the list view and thus unable to use the app as intended. It looks like this app isn’t maintained currently (4 years since the last update) and potentially the new iOS versions we have are not compatible with the current software. Hopefully that will change soon since this can be such a useful resource for folks.
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Response from developer

Thanks for the honest feedback, and I'm sorry the app let you and the folks you shared it with down. You were right that it went a long time without updates — our main programmer stepped away from the project for several years, which is exactly why compatibility slipped. The good news is First Principles is actively maintained again, and version 4.0 has been rebuilt from the ground up for current iOS. Please download the latest version and let me know how it runs for you. Also, I'd love to know your home church — I'm adding new study series going forward and want to make sure we're covering what communities like yours are actually using. If you get a chance to try the update, I'd really appreciate it if you'd reevaluate your rating and let me know if it reflects your experience with the new version. Sincerely, Ed Partch Denver, CO

Unable to see all studies

I just downloaded and see that the latest version update was suppose to fix the bug where iOS is unable to see all the studies available, this seems to be broken again

Can’t figure out how to get additional books

I have friends who have multiple books on their app and I can’t seem to figure out how to get any additional ones besides First Principles. For example, you can see the additional books on this page

Life changing information

Great app! Very helpful

FAQ

What does the First Principles app do?

The First Principles app provides offline access to your favorite scripture study series. It allows you to easily share verses, expand references, and customize text size for a comfortable reading experience.

How can I share scriptures with others using this app?

You can copy parts or all of a study by tapping and holding the desired text, then using the selection dots to expand your selection. Once selected, tap 'Copy' and then paste the text into another app or email to send to a friend.

Is this app free to use?

The app is free to download and use, with options for in-app purchases. This means you can access core functionalities without cost, and choose to purchase additional features or content if desired.

Can I change the text size?

Yes, you can easily change the text size within the studies. Tap the settings button (gear icon), then tap the 'A' to make text smaller or the larger 'A' to make text larger.

What if I find an error or have a suggestion?

If you encounter any formatting or content errors, or have ideas for improvement, you can submit feedback directly through the app. Tap the settings button on the home screen and select 'Email feedback'.