Exodus 25:8-9 8“Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I
may dwell among them. 9“According
to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and
the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.
For the past couple of days we have been taking a tour of the worship center of Old Testament Israel called "The Tabernacle". So far we have journeyed through its "gate" into its main courtyard and noted two furnishings called "The Brazen Altar" and the "Brazen wash basin or Laver". Both of these picture the necessity of Christ's Cross and cleansing based upon His finished work. It is in the courtyard that the Christian life is pictured in its beginnings.
Salvation is more than just "Eternal Life", its also about "living the life in Eternal life"
As one continues on down through Exodus 25-40, more furnishings are mentioned. Further reading will show that in the Western most side of the courtyard is constructed the central place wherein the priests would enter to do their ministry - "The Tent of Meeting". Just like the courtyard, the tend of meeting has a "veil" into which the priest must enter.
Once inside, the priest is in a room called the "Holy place". Another inner room called "ther most holy place" will be discussed at a separate time. But in the Holy place are three other furnishings that picture details about the life and work of Christ and the life of the believer.
The Lampstand - the believers need for illumination or guidance
In the Holy place the priest would proceed to the left to light the "Golden Lampstand". This "lampstand" or "seven-branched Menorah" was to be lit once in the morning and once in the evening by the priests. It signified the perpetual need for God's light, since in the holy place no other means of light was available. Once that lampstand was lit, the ceiling of that room would be illuminated to reveal angelic beings woven into the fabric of the linen covering making up the tent of meeting. Psalm 119:105 states - "Thy world is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path". In Revelation 1 we see Christ walking among His church that is pictured as this very golden lampstand. Christ of course is described as the Light of the world.
The Table of show bread - the believer's need for fellowship with God and others
From the lampstand the priest would proceed to the table. This table had upon it twelve unleavened wafers, signifying the twelve tribes of Israel. As a priest, he represented the interests of the people before God. Christians are described in 1 Peter 2 as being a Kingdom of priests, called to serve the Lord and represent Him. The priests main sources of food were the sacrifices and the bread from off this table, baked fresh every morning. Christ is the believers bread from Heaven, the source of food and nourishment in the Christian life. (John 6)
The Golden Altar of incense - the believer's prayer life
When the priest had entered the Holy place, he would have in his hand a dish with a chain attached to it called a "censure". In that censure would be coals off of the Brazen altar of sacrifice in the courtyard. When the priest has traveled from the lampstand to the table, he would take incense stored in the dishes near the table and with the coals he would proceed to the Golden altar of incense.
The coals from the Brazen altar were kept continuously burning, since priests were in and out of the Holy place throughout the day. The incense poured on top of that Golden altar emmitted a sweet smelling aroma. It was there that the priest would offer up prayers for the people. Christ if course is our High Priest, praying on our behalf. (1John 2:1-2). As a Kingdom of priests, we too pray on behalf of others, with our prayer life based upon Christ's finished work on the cross. This is why the Brazen Altar and the Golden Altar in the Holy aplce were inner-connected in the mind of God when He revealed the Tabernacle to Moses.
The Holy Place pictures the Christian enjoying God
Thus it is in the second area of the Tabernacle system - the Holy Place, that we discover the significance of living the Christian life in connection with the Eternal Life of God living through us. We discover that the cross, the tool of our salvation, is in the post-conversion life the basis for our sanctification. By its power I can pray. By Christ's accomplished work I receive illumination for guidance by His Spirit. By His finished work I enjoy ongoing nourishment from Him. This is where Christianity turns form being an "I have to" to "an I want to" lifestyle. I want to live for Christ, since it is Him living through me.
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Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
The tabernacle pictures the Christian life
Exodus 25:8-9 8“Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. 9“According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.
What happened after the sacrifices were performed
Yesterday we began to explore the Old Testament worship center called the tabernacle. We saw how the first furnishing, the Brazen Altar, the place of sacrifice, pictured the cross - the only way of approach. Following the sacrifice of the lamb on the latar, the priest would proceed to the next furnishing - the Brazen Laver.
The Brazen Laver or "wash basin" is the place of cleansing
Since the priest would have had blood and the residue of the sacrifice on his hands, the Lord had prescribed a wash basin that was located directly infront of the "Tent of meeting", the structure located within the courtyard. That tent of meeting was the place where the priest would go and serve God on behalf of the people.
As the priest washed his hands, He was reminded of the fact that He himself could not approach God on his own merit. Just like the owrshippers who brought their lambs, the priests too had to have representation. The entire sacrificial system communicated truths that would be fulfilled by Christ - among which was the cleansing accomplished in salvation.
The primary act of cleansing was of course accomplished by the blood. According to Hebrews 9:14ff, the Old Testament system cleansed "almost everything' accept one thing, the conscience. When Christ came, His blood applied to the believer cleanses the conscience.
Additionally, the wash basin (laver is a Latin term for washing) also pictured the cleansing effects of the scriptures. Jesus in Ephesians 5:26 is portrayed washing His church through the scriptures.
Thirdly, the wash basin pictures a New Testament picture - Baptism. Baptism represents a picture of what takes place at the moment of saving faith - the cleansing away of the former life in favor of the new life in Christ. Baptism does not do the cleansing, nor the converting. Rather baptism pictures the cleansing. It is the pledge of a conscience previously converted by faith. (1 Peter 3:18-20) Thus in this Old Testament picture we are seeing a "picture of a picture".
The three-fold accomplishment of Christ's Work is pictured in the tabernacle
The three-fold work of salvation accomplished by Christ is that of redemption, cleansing and reconciliation. To be redeemed means that God has purchased me out of slavery to sin into the freedom of forgiveness through the work of Christ. Cleansing of course means that the penalty of sin is wiped away at salvation and by confessing my sin daily, my fellowship with God is maintained in sanctification. Reconciliation is where God is brought to me and where I am brought to God through Christ.
How the Christian life is pictured through the tabernacle
Therefore the two furnishings of the Brzen Altar and the Brazen wash basin function together in the meeting place of God - the courtyard. They picture the cross, at which by grace through faith I am reconciled, cleansed and redeemed. The wash basin pictures my following the Lord obediently in believer's baptism, my daily need for His word and the ongoing ministry of His blood cleansing me as I grow daily in grace in my walk with Him.
What happened after the sacrifices were performed
Yesterday we began to explore the Old Testament worship center called the tabernacle. We saw how the first furnishing, the Brazen Altar, the place of sacrifice, pictured the cross - the only way of approach. Following the sacrifice of the lamb on the latar, the priest would proceed to the next furnishing - the Brazen Laver.
The Brazen Laver or "wash basin" is the place of cleansing
Since the priest would have had blood and the residue of the sacrifice on his hands, the Lord had prescribed a wash basin that was located directly infront of the "Tent of meeting", the structure located within the courtyard. That tent of meeting was the place where the priest would go and serve God on behalf of the people.
As the priest washed his hands, He was reminded of the fact that He himself could not approach God on his own merit. Just like the owrshippers who brought their lambs, the priests too had to have representation. The entire sacrificial system communicated truths that would be fulfilled by Christ - among which was the cleansing accomplished in salvation.
The primary act of cleansing was of course accomplished by the blood. According to Hebrews 9:14ff, the Old Testament system cleansed "almost everything' accept one thing, the conscience. When Christ came, His blood applied to the believer cleanses the conscience.
Additionally, the wash basin (laver is a Latin term for washing) also pictured the cleansing effects of the scriptures. Jesus in Ephesians 5:26 is portrayed washing His church through the scriptures.
Thirdly, the wash basin pictures a New Testament picture - Baptism. Baptism represents a picture of what takes place at the moment of saving faith - the cleansing away of the former life in favor of the new life in Christ. Baptism does not do the cleansing, nor the converting. Rather baptism pictures the cleansing. It is the pledge of a conscience previously converted by faith. (1 Peter 3:18-20) Thus in this Old Testament picture we are seeing a "picture of a picture".
The three-fold accomplishment of Christ's Work is pictured in the tabernacle
The three-fold work of salvation accomplished by Christ is that of redemption, cleansing and reconciliation. To be redeemed means that God has purchased me out of slavery to sin into the freedom of forgiveness through the work of Christ. Cleansing of course means that the penalty of sin is wiped away at salvation and by confessing my sin daily, my fellowship with God is maintained in sanctification. Reconciliation is where God is brought to me and where I am brought to God through Christ.
How the Christian life is pictured through the tabernacle
Therefore the two furnishings of the Brzen Altar and the Brazen wash basin function together in the meeting place of God - the courtyard. They picture the cross, at which by grace through faith I am reconciled, cleansed and redeemed. The wash basin pictures my following the Lord obediently in believer's baptism, my daily need for His word and the ongoing ministry of His blood cleansing me as I grow daily in grace in my walk with Him.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
How the Tabernacle points to God's way of approach
Exodus 25:8-9 8“Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. 9“According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.
God's dwelling place in the Old Testament
In the two verses above we see the purpose and intent of the worship center being revealed by God to Moses. That sanctuary, or dwelling place, is what the Bible calls the tabernacle (from the Latin term tabernaculum meaning "dwelling place"). From Exodus 25-31 we see a detailed description of all the various furnishings, the rituals, the design and the priesthood. When we turn to chapters in the New Testament like Hebrews 8-9, we discover that this worship center in the Old Testament pictures for us the Act and Accomplishment of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament.
What typically occured when you were "going to church" in the Old Testament
When you turn to Exodus 31, you find Moses laying out the summary of God's prescribed way of salvation and worship that He reveals in Exodus 25-30. The various furnishings of the tabernacle work together to communicate the One Way through which God would approach the people, the the One Way by which they were to approach Him.
What would you had done as a man or a woman living in the camp of Israel as you went to the center of the camp to "come to church" so to speak? As you approached the Tabernacle, you would had brought with you a sacrificial animal, since apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. The tabernacle itself was surrounded by a courtyard composed of a white linen "fence" encircling all around. A multi-colored "gate", some 30 feet wide, was the only means of entry. According to Exodus 27:16, this "gate" was woven out of differing colors of linen, each corresponding to some characteristic of God Himself.
A Priest would meet you at the entry way to ensure that whay you brough was fit to offer. Once deemed acceptable (for the animal had to be without blemish), you would enter into the main courtyard.
The Brazen Altar - the picture of the cross
The priest would then instruct you to confess your sins over the sacrificial animal. In laying your hands upon its head, you confessed your sin, effectively "transferring" your sins upon that innocent animal's head. Before the sight of God, your faith in His Promise of salvation meant you received all that He prescribed to you, thus he would then "credit" or "impute" your sins onto the sacrifice. The ultimate sacrifice to which it pointed, Christ, would in the future be the lamb of God given for you. (1 Corinthians 5:7)
The priest would then hand you a Bronze knife, at which point you would slit the lamb's throat in the prescribed fashion. The Priest would then catch the animal's blood in a sacred vessel, and then take the blood to be poured out at the base of the altar in the courtyard. After taking the animal, the priest would perform the ritualistic preparations and offer the lamb in your place. The smoke of the sacrifice would ascend up into the Glory Cloud of God over the tabernacle. If the smoke went straight up, that meant God had accepted the sacrifice and your sins were "covered" and His wrath against you was "satisfied".
The Old and New Testament both emphasize the need of representation between God and Man. Christ fulfills that role
This first furnishing gives us the basis of approach. In the tabernacle system, the Brazen altar of sacrifice was the place where God met with the worshipper. The Priest, the sacrifices and the tabernacle system itself all conveyed the idea of "representation". Without a mediator, the saint of God in the Old Testament could not have relationship and fellowship with God. Christ is the mediator between God and man. (1 Timothy 2:5). Without the cross, there is no way of approach for either God to man nor man to God.
God's dwelling place in the Old Testament
In the two verses above we see the purpose and intent of the worship center being revealed by God to Moses. That sanctuary, or dwelling place, is what the Bible calls the tabernacle (from the Latin term tabernaculum meaning "dwelling place"). From Exodus 25-31 we see a detailed description of all the various furnishings, the rituals, the design and the priesthood. When we turn to chapters in the New Testament like Hebrews 8-9, we discover that this worship center in the Old Testament pictures for us the Act and Accomplishment of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament.
What typically occured when you were "going to church" in the Old Testament
When you turn to Exodus 31, you find Moses laying out the summary of God's prescribed way of salvation and worship that He reveals in Exodus 25-30. The various furnishings of the tabernacle work together to communicate the One Way through which God would approach the people, the the One Way by which they were to approach Him.
What would you had done as a man or a woman living in the camp of Israel as you went to the center of the camp to "come to church" so to speak? As you approached the Tabernacle, you would had brought with you a sacrificial animal, since apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. The tabernacle itself was surrounded by a courtyard composed of a white linen "fence" encircling all around. A multi-colored "gate", some 30 feet wide, was the only means of entry. According to Exodus 27:16, this "gate" was woven out of differing colors of linen, each corresponding to some characteristic of God Himself.
A Priest would meet you at the entry way to ensure that whay you brough was fit to offer. Once deemed acceptable (for the animal had to be without blemish), you would enter into the main courtyard.
The Brazen Altar - the picture of the cross
The priest would then instruct you to confess your sins over the sacrificial animal. In laying your hands upon its head, you confessed your sin, effectively "transferring" your sins upon that innocent animal's head. Before the sight of God, your faith in His Promise of salvation meant you received all that He prescribed to you, thus he would then "credit" or "impute" your sins onto the sacrifice. The ultimate sacrifice to which it pointed, Christ, would in the future be the lamb of God given for you. (1 Corinthians 5:7)
The priest would then hand you a Bronze knife, at which point you would slit the lamb's throat in the prescribed fashion. The Priest would then catch the animal's blood in a sacred vessel, and then take the blood to be poured out at the base of the altar in the courtyard. After taking the animal, the priest would perform the ritualistic preparations and offer the lamb in your place. The smoke of the sacrifice would ascend up into the Glory Cloud of God over the tabernacle. If the smoke went straight up, that meant God had accepted the sacrifice and your sins were "covered" and His wrath against you was "satisfied".
The Old and New Testament both emphasize the need of representation between God and Man. Christ fulfills that role
This first furnishing gives us the basis of approach. In the tabernacle system, the Brazen altar of sacrifice was the place where God met with the worshipper. The Priest, the sacrifices and the tabernacle system itself all conveyed the idea of "representation". Without a mediator, the saint of God in the Old Testament could not have relationship and fellowship with God. Christ is the mediator between God and man. (1 Timothy 2:5). Without the cross, there is no way of approach for either God to man nor man to God.
Monday, March 5, 2012
The sad but true reality of Hell
Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.
JESUS TEACHES ON HELL MORE THAN ANY OTHER PERSON IN SCRIPTURE
This is Jesus' final sermon that He would deliver before His crucifixion. Throughout the Gospel records we find Jesus mentioning Hell over 15 times. Hell as a doctrine and a place troubles many believers and non-believers alike. In this portion of my blog I want to explore this doctrine more closely to better understand what the Bible teaches about Hell.
WHY HELL WAS ORIGINALLY MADE
In the text above Jesus reveals why Hell was created: "for the devil and his angels." The specific word Jesus uses is the word "prepared". Throughout scripture there are several words used to designate various places that we read in the English as "Hell". In passages such as 2 Peter 2:4 we read - "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment". Some of the fallen angels or demons were permitted by God to roam freely on the earth, as seen for instance in the four Gospels where Jesus casts them out on at least 8 occassions. As Peter mentions here, there are other fallen angels who have been consigned to a holding place until the day of judgment.
THE SIGNIFICANT IMPLICATIONS BEHIND THE DOCTRINE OF HELL
The second place we read as "hell" is translated from the Hebrew word "sheol" and the Greek word "hades". This is the place where unbelievers who die without Christ go and await in torment for the final judgment. Luke 16 is the most detailed passage in God's word concerning this place. The significance of both places reveal that evil and suffering were not a surprise to God. People who die and go to Hell do so because they preferred everything else in rejection of Christ. They rejected God's revelation of Himself in creation and in their conscience, exchanging the truth of God for a lie. (Romans 1:18-23)
WHEN HELL WAS CREATED
From what we can tell from the testimony of the Bible, Hell and Heaven both were created around the same time as the events that transpired in Genesis 3. The term Jesus is referring to here is Gehenna, or the "Lake of fire". It is mentioned at least four times in the book of Revelation as the final place of torment for Satan, the demonic realm and unbelievers. This place is a real place, which currently exists, however it is not currently occupied. The second place, called "hades" or "sheol" was also created in and around the same time as Gehenna. The other place where the fallen angels are being currently held was made at the same time as the other two places. The significance of the time of the creation of all three of these places is to remind us that God views history from the end back to the beginning.
OPPOSING COMMON MYTHS ABOUT HELL
Contrary to popular opinion and bad theology, Satan is not some sovereign ruler with headquarters in hell. He is a powerful, yet limited fallen angelic creature who roams to and fro over the face of the earth, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Satan is a being whose constant roaming is a sign that he knows that his time is short (Revelation 12:12).
Another myth is that hell is a party place. According to what we read in passages such as Luke 16, the current holding place called hell is a place of fire and conscious torments.
A third myth that needs to be dispelled is that people in hell are crying out to God for repentance, and are remorseful. Again a closer examination of Luke 16 reveals that Hell is characterized as a place of rebellion and resentment towards God, not repentance. Unfortunately, but sadly, the sinner in hell holds a clinched fist in the face of God, rather than an open hand of praise.
Then finally, there are those who teach that Hell's flames could not be real, since Hell is also described as a dark place. I find this argument to be particular flawed, since anyone who has ever been near a major fire will note that it is characterized more by the smoke than the light of the flames. I've witnessed a major fire in my lifetime, and I can say that both are present. In a real fire, the presence of thick smoke indicates a fuel source for the heat to consume. What Jesus describes about Hell (in both its current state and the future Lake of Fire), is both accurate and true.
I pray God would prompt those who are Christians reading this blog to both pray and share Christ with their unsaved loved ones and friends. May you who look by faith to Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord and Treasure be ever more thankful for the salvation that is found in Him.
JESUS TEACHES ON HELL MORE THAN ANY OTHER PERSON IN SCRIPTURE
This is Jesus' final sermon that He would deliver before His crucifixion. Throughout the Gospel records we find Jesus mentioning Hell over 15 times. Hell as a doctrine and a place troubles many believers and non-believers alike. In this portion of my blog I want to explore this doctrine more closely to better understand what the Bible teaches about Hell.
WHY HELL WAS ORIGINALLY MADE
In the text above Jesus reveals why Hell was created: "for the devil and his angels." The specific word Jesus uses is the word "prepared". Throughout scripture there are several words used to designate various places that we read in the English as "Hell". In passages such as 2 Peter 2:4 we read - "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment". Some of the fallen angels or demons were permitted by God to roam freely on the earth, as seen for instance in the four Gospels where Jesus casts them out on at least 8 occassions. As Peter mentions here, there are other fallen angels who have been consigned to a holding place until the day of judgment.
THE SIGNIFICANT IMPLICATIONS BEHIND THE DOCTRINE OF HELL
The second place we read as "hell" is translated from the Hebrew word "sheol" and the Greek word "hades". This is the place where unbelievers who die without Christ go and await in torment for the final judgment. Luke 16 is the most detailed passage in God's word concerning this place. The significance of both places reveal that evil and suffering were not a surprise to God. People who die and go to Hell do so because they preferred everything else in rejection of Christ. They rejected God's revelation of Himself in creation and in their conscience, exchanging the truth of God for a lie. (Romans 1:18-23)
WHEN HELL WAS CREATED
From what we can tell from the testimony of the Bible, Hell and Heaven both were created around the same time as the events that transpired in Genesis 3. The term Jesus is referring to here is Gehenna, or the "Lake of fire". It is mentioned at least four times in the book of Revelation as the final place of torment for Satan, the demonic realm and unbelievers. This place is a real place, which currently exists, however it is not currently occupied. The second place, called "hades" or "sheol" was also created in and around the same time as Gehenna. The other place where the fallen angels are being currently held was made at the same time as the other two places. The significance of the time of the creation of all three of these places is to remind us that God views history from the end back to the beginning.
OPPOSING COMMON MYTHS ABOUT HELL
Contrary to popular opinion and bad theology, Satan is not some sovereign ruler with headquarters in hell. He is a powerful, yet limited fallen angelic creature who roams to and fro over the face of the earth, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Satan is a being whose constant roaming is a sign that he knows that his time is short (Revelation 12:12).
Another myth is that hell is a party place. According to what we read in passages such as Luke 16, the current holding place called hell is a place of fire and conscious torments.
A third myth that needs to be dispelled is that people in hell are crying out to God for repentance, and are remorseful. Again a closer examination of Luke 16 reveals that Hell is characterized as a place of rebellion and resentment towards God, not repentance. Unfortunately, but sadly, the sinner in hell holds a clinched fist in the face of God, rather than an open hand of praise.
Then finally, there are those who teach that Hell's flames could not be real, since Hell is also described as a dark place. I find this argument to be particular flawed, since anyone who has ever been near a major fire will note that it is characterized more by the smoke than the light of the flames. I've witnessed a major fire in my lifetime, and I can say that both are present. In a real fire, the presence of thick smoke indicates a fuel source for the heat to consume. What Jesus describes about Hell (in both its current state and the future Lake of Fire), is both accurate and true.
I pray God would prompt those who are Christians reading this blog to both pray and share Christ with their unsaved loved ones and friends. May you who look by faith to Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord and Treasure be ever more thankful for the salvation that is found in Him.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Faith's role in salvation
Romans 10:10-11 "For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
What is the minimum required for one to become a Christian?
In the past couple of blogs we have been exploring what consistutes true saving faith. In order for a person to become a Christian, the following truths must be believed:
1. That I am a sinner, incapable of bringing about my own salvation
2. The Bible's words about me are true, since God is the One saying them
3. Jesus Christ is God
4. Christ's death and resurrection are necessary for my salvation
5. There is One God, not many gods
These five truths comprise the contents, doctrines or notita of which agreement in the mind must occur (ascensus) in light of the saving faith event made possible by the Holy Spirit (fiducia). Whether a small child, or a fully grown adult, the five truths above are made "known" at salvation. Only after salvation will further comprehension occur.
With that said, let's look at the sixth and final content required for the fundamental truths in saving faith - namely faith (fiducia) itself.
Faith alone can receive the gift of salvation
The Apostle Paul describes the break down of what takes place at the moment of saving faith. In Romans 10:8, faith is a Divine gifting, brought to the heart by the Holy Spirit. When we arrive at Romans 10:9-10, faith becomes the answer of the heart that produces the confession from the lips. Thus the Divine gifting of faith turns into a decision from the heart. Faith is described as "coming" to the sinner, positioning the sinner to "choose" and "come" to Christ. (Galatians 3:25-26) God the Holy Spirit has to do a work internally in order for me to confess openly and affirmatively my reception of the gospel.
This is why salvation is a gift, and not a reward. A reward means I work for it, am entitled to it. A gift means that God is giving me something that I neither earned nor was entitled to. Ephesians 2:8-9 states plainly: "8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." When a person hears the gospel, if they insist that they still have to do something to earn God's favor, then they evidence unbelief.
All other religions are concerned with "what must I do", the Gospel states: "He's already Done it"
I heard a preacher one time say that man-made religion spells salvation as "d-o-i-n-g". The Gospel on the other hand spells salvation as "d-o-n-e". Man-made religion states that I have to perform and achieve. The Gospel states that salvation has been performed by Christ, and that all I have to do is receive. I love what the Holy Spirit says in Romans 10:11, that all those who trust in Him will not be dissapointed. The way we know that we have experienced salvation is when we day by day further embrace that "my hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness".
What is the minimum required for one to become a Christian?
In the past couple of blogs we have been exploring what consistutes true saving faith. In order for a person to become a Christian, the following truths must be believed:
1. That I am a sinner, incapable of bringing about my own salvation
2. The Bible's words about me are true, since God is the One saying them
3. Jesus Christ is God
4. Christ's death and resurrection are necessary for my salvation
5. There is One God, not many gods
These five truths comprise the contents, doctrines or notita of which agreement in the mind must occur (ascensus) in light of the saving faith event made possible by the Holy Spirit (fiducia). Whether a small child, or a fully grown adult, the five truths above are made "known" at salvation. Only after salvation will further comprehension occur.
With that said, let's look at the sixth and final content required for the fundamental truths in saving faith - namely faith (fiducia) itself.
Faith alone can receive the gift of salvation
The Apostle Paul describes the break down of what takes place at the moment of saving faith. In Romans 10:8, faith is a Divine gifting, brought to the heart by the Holy Spirit. When we arrive at Romans 10:9-10, faith becomes the answer of the heart that produces the confession from the lips. Thus the Divine gifting of faith turns into a decision from the heart. Faith is described as "coming" to the sinner, positioning the sinner to "choose" and "come" to Christ. (Galatians 3:25-26) God the Holy Spirit has to do a work internally in order for me to confess openly and affirmatively my reception of the gospel.
This is why salvation is a gift, and not a reward. A reward means I work for it, am entitled to it. A gift means that God is giving me something that I neither earned nor was entitled to. Ephesians 2:8-9 states plainly: "8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." When a person hears the gospel, if they insist that they still have to do something to earn God's favor, then they evidence unbelief.
All other religions are concerned with "what must I do", the Gospel states: "He's already Done it"
I heard a preacher one time say that man-made religion spells salvation as "d-o-i-n-g". The Gospel on the other hand spells salvation as "d-o-n-e". Man-made religion states that I have to perform and achieve. The Gospel states that salvation has been performed by Christ, and that all I have to do is receive. I love what the Holy Spirit says in Romans 10:11, that all those who trust in Him will not be dissapointed. The way we know that we have experienced salvation is when we day by day further embrace that "my hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness".
Saturday, March 3, 2012
What you must believe in order to be a Christian
Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your
heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10for with the heart a person believes, resulting
in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
What are the fundamental contents of true saving faith?
Yesterday we looked at saving faith in slow motion, noting that the bare minimum for belief had so far involved two essential truths:
1. That I am a sinner, incapable of gaining favor with God (that is, making my own salvation)
2. That what God says in the Bible about me is true (that is, the Bible is God's word)
We looked also at how saving faith convinces me that these contents of the faith (notitia) are truly true. Knowing that they are true leads to a growing comprehension of their significance following conversion. Saving faith entails the contents (notitia), my mental agreement with those facts (ascensus) and the Spirit's work of grace whereby I embrace Christ by faith and thus believe (fiducia). In today's blog we are going to look at three more essential contents (notita) that are made known to the sinner at the event of saving faith.
Confessing Christ's Deity is essential to salvation
To confess "Jesus as Lord" is equivalent to confessing "Jesus as God". The title "Lord" refers back to the name revealed to Moses back in Exodus 3 (the name Jehovah or Yahweh, translated "LORD"). The Old Testament makes it clear that salvation is of the Lord. (Jonah 2:9). Furthermore, the Lord God of Israel is God alone and that there is no other Savior. (Isaiah 43:10-11) As we saw yesterday, "knowing" is different from "comprehension". Saving faith will readily agree that salvation is in Jesus Christ alone, even if it does not "comprehend" the details that stem from that confession. This is why any message that presents Jesus Christ as less than God is not the Gospel.
Confessing the necessity of Christ's work in His death and resurrection
Romans 10:9 continues on by revealing another content of "The Faith", namely "God raising Him from the dead". To believe that Jesus Christ raised from the dead automatically includes the cause of His death - the crucifixion. Saving faith agrees (ascensus) that the events of Christ's death and ressurection (contents or notitia) are to be experiences in my life (saving faith or fiducia). What He did is recorded in the Gospels and what He accomplished is being described here in Romans 10:9. What He accomplished in His death readily points to the fact that He was truly a man. What He accomplished in His resurrection readily demonstrates His Divine identity.
Confessing that there is One God
This next content or truth of saving faith affirms the Biblical concept of there being only One God. The question is: why is this so important, since we just saw the need to affirm the Deity of Christ? Because Christianity affirms what God is: One God, as well as who that One God is. Saving faith brings me to know and acknowledge that God is One God and that Christ is God. As the Holy Spirit through Paul states in 1 Corinthians 8:6 "yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him."
Knowing the truth will lead me to embrace further details of that truth comprehended after saving faith
The three truths above are true and affirmed at saving faith. By implication all three point to the biblical doctrine of the Trinity. This is where our distinction of "what I know at saving faith" versus "what I comprehend following saving faith" aids in understanding what a person must believe in order to become a Christian.
A little child for example, may not fully comprehend the biblical doctrine of the Trinity. However, acknowledgment of Christ's Deity, the effectiveness of His death / resurrection and that God is One God are doctrines that only make sense if the doctrine of Trinity is understood as the Biblical teaching of God's identity. As that little child grows in his or her faith, when presented the doctrine of the Trinity, they will acknowledge that doctrine as true. As Jesus states in John 7:16-17 "....My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself."
What are the fundamental contents of true saving faith?
Yesterday we looked at saving faith in slow motion, noting that the bare minimum for belief had so far involved two essential truths:
1. That I am a sinner, incapable of gaining favor with God (that is, making my own salvation)
2. That what God says in the Bible about me is true (that is, the Bible is God's word)
We looked also at how saving faith convinces me that these contents of the faith (notitia) are truly true. Knowing that they are true leads to a growing comprehension of their significance following conversion. Saving faith entails the contents (notitia), my mental agreement with those facts (ascensus) and the Spirit's work of grace whereby I embrace Christ by faith and thus believe (fiducia). In today's blog we are going to look at three more essential contents (notita) that are made known to the sinner at the event of saving faith.
Confessing Christ's Deity is essential to salvation
To confess "Jesus as Lord" is equivalent to confessing "Jesus as God". The title "Lord" refers back to the name revealed to Moses back in Exodus 3 (the name Jehovah or Yahweh, translated "LORD"). The Old Testament makes it clear that salvation is of the Lord. (Jonah 2:9). Furthermore, the Lord God of Israel is God alone and that there is no other Savior. (Isaiah 43:10-11) As we saw yesterday, "knowing" is different from "comprehension". Saving faith will readily agree that salvation is in Jesus Christ alone, even if it does not "comprehend" the details that stem from that confession. This is why any message that presents Jesus Christ as less than God is not the Gospel.
Confessing the necessity of Christ's work in His death and resurrection
Romans 10:9 continues on by revealing another content of "The Faith", namely "God raising Him from the dead". To believe that Jesus Christ raised from the dead automatically includes the cause of His death - the crucifixion. Saving faith agrees (ascensus) that the events of Christ's death and ressurection (contents or notitia) are to be experiences in my life (saving faith or fiducia). What He did is recorded in the Gospels and what He accomplished is being described here in Romans 10:9. What He accomplished in His death readily points to the fact that He was truly a man. What He accomplished in His resurrection readily demonstrates His Divine identity.
Confessing that there is One God
This next content or truth of saving faith affirms the Biblical concept of there being only One God. The question is: why is this so important, since we just saw the need to affirm the Deity of Christ? Because Christianity affirms what God is: One God, as well as who that One God is. Saving faith brings me to know and acknowledge that God is One God and that Christ is God. As the Holy Spirit through Paul states in 1 Corinthians 8:6 "yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him."
Knowing the truth will lead me to embrace further details of that truth comprehended after saving faith
The three truths above are true and affirmed at saving faith. By implication all three point to the biblical doctrine of the Trinity. This is where our distinction of "what I know at saving faith" versus "what I comprehend following saving faith" aids in understanding what a person must believe in order to become a Christian.
A little child for example, may not fully comprehend the biblical doctrine of the Trinity. However, acknowledgment of Christ's Deity, the effectiveness of His death / resurrection and that God is One God are doctrines that only make sense if the doctrine of Trinity is understood as the Biblical teaching of God's identity. As that little child grows in his or her faith, when presented the doctrine of the Trinity, they will acknowledge that doctrine as true. As Jesus states in John 7:16-17 "....My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself."
Friday, March 2, 2012
Why loving right should include believing right
Acts 19:24-26 24Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. 25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
A man who had a right heart but not right (yet) doctrine
In the passage above, a 1st century Bible teacher by the name of Apollos was communicating God's word based off of a "Pre-cross" understanding of the scriptures. Apollos' heart was pure, sincere and devout. He loved the Lord. When the Apostle Paul's friends Priscilla and Aquilla came and "upgraded" Apollos's doctrinal understanding, he came to it.
People who have a right heart with God but do not (yet) have right doctrine
In our previous blog we contrasted heresy and orthodoxy, noting their features and character. However what do we do whenever we come across people who though differing in their theological convictions are nonetheless genuinely in right relationship with God through Jesus Christ? Below are some thoughts that have stemmed from pastoral experience and theological reflection when it comes to dealing with people who have a right heart and yet may not possess (yet) right doctrine.
Some folks may have had incomplete teaching, and yet want to know more
There are those folks who have become involved in churches or groups that teach a portion of the scriptures or a portion of the gospel, but yet do not present the full truth. Apollos was a genuine believer in the Lord, however He was not yet made aware of the New Covenant arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. His error was not intentional, rather it was "incomplete". The fact that he came "immediately" to the full teaching of God's word indicates He had a work of grace in His heart.
Some folks may have had exposure to inconsistent teaching, and yet want consistency
There are people involved in groups that teach inconsistent concepts like having eternal life and yet having the possibility of losing one's salvation. Another example of inconsistent teaching would be that the Bible is God's Word and yet requires church tradition or human experience to be an equal authority. I have known people whom I would say genuinely love Jesus and are troubled by the inconsistencies. They know deep down that true biblical Christianity possesses the coherent and sufficient understanding of man, God, salvation and the future.
Some folks have had exposure to inadequate teaching, and yet have no intention of embracing it
There are other people who become involved in groups that intentionally add to the scriptures. They will teach that Mary is some type of co-redeemer with Jesus Christ (Roman Catholicism) or that in order to become a Christian, faith plus something else (baptism, speaking in tongues) is required for salvation. These are people are true believers who embraced the Gospel elements of a particular movement which does not adequately teach the true gospel.
When we talk to people like these, what should we think? Thankfully scripture gives us some guidelines for dealing with other people (and sometimes ourselves) in making sure that we not only have sincerity, but also right doctrine.
1. A person who is truly converted will come to the full measure of the truth
When Priscilla and Aquilla took Apollos aside and expalined to him "the more excellent way", he immediately embraced it. Truly converted people will acknowledge when they have been involved in unintentional yet nonetheless wrong teaching. Humility aimed at pleasing Christ is a true mark of a converted heart. (Galatians 5:18-22; Philippians 2:1-5)
2. A Person who is truly converted will renounce the exposed error
If somebody is holding to a doctrine that cannot be supported by scripture, and yet does not realize its full implications, once they have been shown the truth, they will take the necessary measures to correct it. It is one thing to hold error in ignorance, and quite another to hold error intentionally. By the truth of God's word is the ignorance of the mind made to see the fullness of God's truth. (Psalm 19:7-13)
3. Patience is required by those who perceive a desire to be right in the truth
When I have talked to those who are genuinely right with God through Jesus Christ, they will be marked as also wanting to be right in the truth. (2 Timothy 3:15-17) However if the person has held to the particular error for a period of time, often that error may had been picked up from a teacher who had helped them through a crisis.
4. Sincere faith must have a right heart and right doctrine
On the one hand the truth must be ever contended for and communicated without apology. (Jude 3-4) On the other hand the truth must be communicated in firm gentleness, discerning when listeners are humble and broken, ready and eager to come to a full-orbed understanding. (1 Corinthians 7:40; Hebrews 6:1-3; Jude 20-23) In today's culture, people value "sincerity" as being more important than "right belief". The scriptures tie together both "heart" and "head" when it comes to the Christian walk. (Romans 12:1-2) We are to love the Lord will all of our heart and mind. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 22:37-39)
Often the convert will begin with a right heart, with a most basic understanding of the Gospel (Jesus as Savior, Lord and grace through faith alone). However from that "child-like" faith should issue forth the desire to "mature" in one's understanding of what they believe. Sincereity of the heart towards loving right should grow into every increasing sincerity for believing right. (Hebrews 5:12-14)
A man who had a right heart but not right (yet) doctrine
In the passage above, a 1st century Bible teacher by the name of Apollos was communicating God's word based off of a "Pre-cross" understanding of the scriptures. Apollos' heart was pure, sincere and devout. He loved the Lord. When the Apostle Paul's friends Priscilla and Aquilla came and "upgraded" Apollos's doctrinal understanding, he came to it.
People who have a right heart with God but do not (yet) have right doctrine
In our previous blog we contrasted heresy and orthodoxy, noting their features and character. However what do we do whenever we come across people who though differing in their theological convictions are nonetheless genuinely in right relationship with God through Jesus Christ? Below are some thoughts that have stemmed from pastoral experience and theological reflection when it comes to dealing with people who have a right heart and yet may not possess (yet) right doctrine.
Some folks may have had incomplete teaching, and yet want to know more
There are those folks who have become involved in churches or groups that teach a portion of the scriptures or a portion of the gospel, but yet do not present the full truth. Apollos was a genuine believer in the Lord, however He was not yet made aware of the New Covenant arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. His error was not intentional, rather it was "incomplete". The fact that he came "immediately" to the full teaching of God's word indicates He had a work of grace in His heart.
Some folks may have had exposure to inconsistent teaching, and yet want consistency
There are people involved in groups that teach inconsistent concepts like having eternal life and yet having the possibility of losing one's salvation. Another example of inconsistent teaching would be that the Bible is God's Word and yet requires church tradition or human experience to be an equal authority. I have known people whom I would say genuinely love Jesus and are troubled by the inconsistencies. They know deep down that true biblical Christianity possesses the coherent and sufficient understanding of man, God, salvation and the future.
Some folks have had exposure to inadequate teaching, and yet have no intention of embracing it
There are other people who become involved in groups that intentionally add to the scriptures. They will teach that Mary is some type of co-redeemer with Jesus Christ (Roman Catholicism) or that in order to become a Christian, faith plus something else (baptism, speaking in tongues) is required for salvation. These are people are true believers who embraced the Gospel elements of a particular movement which does not adequately teach the true gospel.
When we talk to people like these, what should we think? Thankfully scripture gives us some guidelines for dealing with other people (and sometimes ourselves) in making sure that we not only have sincerity, but also right doctrine.
1. A person who is truly converted will come to the full measure of the truth
When Priscilla and Aquilla took Apollos aside and expalined to him "the more excellent way", he immediately embraced it. Truly converted people will acknowledge when they have been involved in unintentional yet nonetheless wrong teaching. Humility aimed at pleasing Christ is a true mark of a converted heart. (Galatians 5:18-22; Philippians 2:1-5)
2. A Person who is truly converted will renounce the exposed error
If somebody is holding to a doctrine that cannot be supported by scripture, and yet does not realize its full implications, once they have been shown the truth, they will take the necessary measures to correct it. It is one thing to hold error in ignorance, and quite another to hold error intentionally. By the truth of God's word is the ignorance of the mind made to see the fullness of God's truth. (Psalm 19:7-13)
3. Patience is required by those who perceive a desire to be right in the truth
When I have talked to those who are genuinely right with God through Jesus Christ, they will be marked as also wanting to be right in the truth. (2 Timothy 3:15-17) However if the person has held to the particular error for a period of time, often that error may had been picked up from a teacher who had helped them through a crisis.
4. Sincere faith must have a right heart and right doctrine
On the one hand the truth must be ever contended for and communicated without apology. (Jude 3-4) On the other hand the truth must be communicated in firm gentleness, discerning when listeners are humble and broken, ready and eager to come to a full-orbed understanding. (1 Corinthians 7:40; Hebrews 6:1-3; Jude 20-23) In today's culture, people value "sincerity" as being more important than "right belief". The scriptures tie together both "heart" and "head" when it comes to the Christian walk. (Romans 12:1-2) We are to love the Lord will all of our heart and mind. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 22:37-39)
Often the convert will begin with a right heart, with a most basic understanding of the Gospel (Jesus as Savior, Lord and grace through faith alone). However from that "child-like" faith should issue forth the desire to "mature" in one's understanding of what they believe. Sincereity of the heart towards loving right should grow into every increasing sincerity for believing right. (Hebrews 5:12-14)
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