THE RULE OF FAITH AND TRUTH
There are certain truths we, as Christians, hold as tenets of our faith. The earliest articles of Christian faith are recognized as “The Apostle’s Creed”. Though not the direct work of the original Apostles, it has its roots in apostolic times, and embodies, with much fidelity, the early Church father’s teachings.
This Creed is stated thusly:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
The Creator of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, and our LORD:
Who was conceived of The Holy Spirit,
Born of the virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell,
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
And sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
Whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in The Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church,
The communion of the saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And life everlasting.
Amen.
In the heart and confidence of these doctrines of faith and truth the Churches, throughout the Age, has endured both controversy as well as substantial unity. They were employed to “check the license of interpretation” of scripture. The Creed had originated independently of Scripture, hence its value as a witness to the common faith. It was not used to supercede Scripture, it was used to corrobrate Scripture. It aided the Church to, “earnestly contend for the faith which was delivered unto the saints”, as expounded upon by Jude. He further states, “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:2-3.
As a Bible study, we hold these tenets of faith and truth.
We recognize that each Church epoch had to deal with certain problems relative to that time, including the Church of this day.
We have been engaged in spiritual warfare throughout the Church Age, and have a common enemy, Satan.
Not only is Satan our adversary, seeking to discredit the work of Jesus Christ, but we each deal with our “carnal mind which is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:7.
There are particular subjects which we have focused on in our studies, namely: The Seventy Weeks Of Daniel; The Tabernacle; The Various Feasts and Feast Days; The Priesthood; Spiritual Warfare; and how each subject apply to us as Believers in our generation.
The “Seventy Weeks” of Daniel is one “arena of contention” from which much division of the body of Christ arises. Within the ninth chapter of Daniel lies the key to unlocking the Living Word. Without it, the believer is subjected to every wind of doctrine.
“The Tabernacle” has been given to us as a “type” in the flesh which precedes the “true” or spiritual. The structure itself, the furniture therein, the offerings all hold a higher meaning for man to discover as he recovers that which has been lost but now is restored through faith in the Son of the Living God. One’s obedience to each part determines his state of being in the here and now. From the outer court, the Holy place, the most Holy place, and the Holy of Holies man is taken on a route of obtaining possession of that which was lost.
The seven feasts, each give us distinctive revelations as to the will of God for man and his relationship to Father. They, separately, symbolize a “figure of something to come” concerning the “fulness” of time. As a whole, they reveal Jesus: 1). His birth, Tabernacles; 2). His baptism, Day of Atonement; 3). His death, Passover; 4). His acceptation as the acceptable offering, feast of Unleaven Bread; 5). His resurrection, the feast of Firstfruits; 6). His body of believers, the feast of Weeks, or Harvest, culminated at the feast of Pentecost with the outpouring of the Promise; 7). And finally, the sounding of the Trumpet speaks of the gathering together unto Him, particularity at the last trump and the second advent, this being the feast of Trumpets.
“The Priesthood” gives man a look at the type of character which Father is striving to bring about in His chosen people. Service to Him is determined according to His dictates.
“Spiritual Warfare” is a state which has existed since the fall of man. The LORD God is a “Man of war” and has shown us how to be more that conqueors in Christ Jesus.
These, as well as other inheritant causes, will be the focus of this ministry. “Speaking the truth in love, may we grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:15.
The greatest time this Church age has ever seen is set before us. “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: V23). And that he might make known the riches if his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he hath afore prepared unto glory, V24). Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?” Romans 9:22-24.
“I have given them thy word [#3056, Logos (log’-os); the essential word of God, the Divine Expression: Jesus Christ, himself being the personal wisdom and power in union with God, His minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world’s life both physical and ethical]; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of this world, even as I am not of this world [#2889, cosmos (kos’-mos); orderly arrangement; the ungodly multitude, the whole mass of men alienated from God; the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments, riches, advantages, pleasures, etc. which although hollow and frail and fleeing, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ]. V13). And now come I to thee; and these things speak I in the world, that they might have my joy [#5479, chara (khar-ah’); cheerfulness, I.e. calm delight] fulfilled in themselves. V14). I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated [#3404, miseo (mis-eh’-o); to detest (especially to persecute)] them, because they are not of this world, even as I am not of the world. V15). I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep [#5083, tereo (tay-reh’-o); to attend to carefully, take care of, guard; figuratively, to keep unmarried] them from the evil [#4190, poneros (pon-ay-ros’); hurtful, in effect or influence; “The Evil” referring to Satan]. V16). They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. V17). Sanctify [#37, hagiazo (hag-ee-ad’-zo); to make holy, to separate from profane things and to dedicate to God] them through thy truth[#225, alatheia (al-ay’-thi-a); the truth as taught in the Christian faith, respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man , opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles, and the inventions of the Jews, and the corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers even among Christians]: thy word is truth. V18). As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. V19). And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. V20). Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word [logos]; V21). That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17:14-21.
May our time together in learning be blessed in Him, as we study to shew ourselves approved unto Him, workmen that need not be ashamed! “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.
May Father richly bless you in your walk.
YHVH bless,
Delbert “Buzz” Roberts
