Let the Children Come

What must a Christian believe?  All that is promised us in the gospel. For the Bible Tells Me So... Matthew 28:19  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” John 20:30,31  And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;  but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. The content of our faith is summarized briefly in the Apostles’ Creed. It is called the Apostles’ Creed, not because the apostles wrote it, but because it contains the faith that was handed down to the church by the apostles.  The exact date when it was written is unknown to us, but it is found in its final form about 340 AD.  It was probably written as a teaching instrument for the early converts to the Christian faith and for their children.  It serves ...

Faith consists of two parts: a true knowledge and a firm confidence.  In the first place, faith requires true knowledge.  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? ” (Romans 10:14).  Without the knowledge of Scripture there can be no faith.  We also stress that faith acknowledges that what Scripture says is true. It is not only knowing what the Bible says, but also acknowledging it as true.  Faith is both a sure knowledge and an acknowledgment of the Scriptures. Faith is an acknowledgment of all of Scripture.  It is not as though we may believe part of it, and disbelieve other parts.  This is done by many that profess to be Christians.  Modern Christianity teaches us that all we have to believe are the essentials.  There are even some who go so far as to say that it does not matter what you believe, as long as you believe.  They suppose that even adherents to the Islam religion can be saved.  However, true ...

What is true faith? This question implies that there is also a false faith, which is really no faith at all, but appears to be faith at first.  Sometimes people possess a great knowledge of the Bible.  They can quote many texts, yet they do not have faith, because they do not accept the promises therein.  They do not place their trust in Christ.  Some call this “historical faith.” In reality, “historical faith” is no faith at all.  For faith is more than just a sure knowledge of Scripture.  It is also an acknowledgment that what Scripture says is true.  Sometimes we meet people who are very zealous for the Christian religion.  Yet after a time their zeal dies and they no longer serve the Lord or live according to His commandments.  It is like the seed that fell on shallow ground in the parable of Matthew 13.  Some call this “temporary faith.”  In reality, “temporary faith” is no faith at all.  For true faith never dies.  T...

Are all men, then, saved by Christ just as they perished through Adam? No.  Only those are saved who by a true faith are grafted into Christ and accept all His benefits. For the Bible Tells Me So... Matthew 7:14  “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  John 1:12  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.  John 3:16  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:18  “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  John 3:36  “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”  Romans 11:16-2...

When speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast,  President Trump clarified his doubts about going to heaven by stating,  I really think I probably should make it.  I mean, I'm not a perfect candidate, but I did --- a lot of good for perfect people.     My prayer is that God would bring President Trump to the Scriptures. For there he would learn that there are no perfect people.  And, no amount of good on his part or on our part would make any of us  a candidate for heaven.  The Good News of the Gospel  is God's gracious answer to the ruin we have all made of our lives and our world. Jesus Christ alone is the true, righteous, and divine Mediator who saves completely. My salvation depends entirely on God's gracious provision of a Mediator who is both truly human and truly divine.   For Christ alone can satisfy God's justice,  bear wrath,  and restore righteousness and life for me, a sinner. God's justice is serious...

Obedience to God  in the pressures and stresses of day-by-day living  and trust in God’s ways in the large sweep of history are always at risk,  but especially in times of suffering and persecution.  Obedience to God is difficult when we are bullied into compliance to the God-ignoring culture out of sheer survival.  Trust in God is likewise at risk of being abandoned in favor of the glamorous seductions of might and size. Very few of us  live in settings congenial to God-loyalty and among people who affirm a costly discipleship.  Hardly a day goes by that we do not have to choose between compliance to what is expedient and loyalty to our Lord.   The story here in Daniel 3 can keep us alert to what is at stake day by day, hour by hour. King Nebuchadnezzar built a gold statue, ninety feet high and nine feet thick.  He set it up on the Dura plain in the province of Babylon.  He then ordered all the important leaders in the province, ev...