The Faith

Chapter One

As a minister of the Gospel and having been active in the Body of Christ for nearly thirty years, I have entertained so many versions of the Christian Faith. Therefore, I find it is necessary to define what “the faith” really is.

Acts 16:5(KJV)

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. The early churches planted by the apostles were established in “the faith,” and God increased them accordingly. It is wisdom for us to go back to the beginning of these churches to discover what is missing in our churches today. To be established means:

1. Accepted as true: generally recognized as being true or valid an established fact

2. Successful: having gained public recognition in a particular sphere of activity an established author

3. Growing successfully: growing strongly These churches were accepted as true and valid. That, however, leaves a possibility for some churches to be set up that are not accepted by God as true and valid. I really believe that this is the problem. Most Christians have a man-originated view of what church really is. We have grossly redefined the Christian faith.

Galatians 3:3(KJV)

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? The boundaries that the Word set in the days of the apostles, does not govern most of our churches today. In fact, many of these boundaries do not even exist in most of them. Instead, man has become entangled in everything that excites the flesh. This is why it is impossible for the mainstream churches to produce a Body of Believers who have the same mind, courage and commitment as the early saints. Page Break There are not many saints today (in America that is) who will give their lives for the sake of righteousness. There has been so much compromise and acceptance of man’s visions and doctrines until the church has lost its original spiritual influence in the lives of the people of God.

In fact, that influence is not the objective of many leaders in the Body. In going back to the first message preached on the Day of Pentecost, Peter simply preached the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the fact that He is the Son of God. This was the summation of his teachings… Jesus Christ is the promised Christ, the Messiah. He is the Son of God. He came to reveal the heart and mind of the Father to man. He died for the sins of the world. He rose the third day and ascended back to heaven. The Holy Ghost is given as a witness that He is alive. It is the promised Spirit of Christ that was to be given to all who believed the report. Yes, most saints in the Body believe in all of the above! This was the message that saved the souls of about three thousand on the day of Pentecost. However, the following verse occurs after the baptism and infilling of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:42(KJV)

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. This simply means that the disciples continuously taught them, and that they in no way deviated from those teachings. They continued in fellowship with one another and in prayer. These are the essentials of the Christian Faith. Because of this constancy these new members of the Body could be built up in the most Holy Faith. The Apostle’s Doctrine What is the apostle’s doctrine? To define it would and should define the “Christian Faith.” Jesus left the establishing and building of the Church in the hands of the disciples whom He had instructed. The New Testament is divided into three components: The Four Gospels – The Gospel of the Kingdom The Acts of the Apostles – Global Evangelism The Epistles – The Apostles’ Doctrine In order to discover the apostles’ doctrine, we must look to the epistles.

Romans 16:17(KJV)

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. To mark is to observe, to watch and study. Paul warned the saints at Rome to watch and avoid those who walk contrary to the doctrine that they learned from the apostles. This is a direct teaching from the apostle himself. Watch them and stay away from them is the instruction. Paul did not make any exceptions to this rule. He was contending for the faith. He knew that keeping company with those who do not believe in or have not wholeheartedly accepted the doctrine of the apostles would cause much division and sin in the Body.

The people of God are peculiar regarding righteousness and that peculiarity can only be maintained by a “coming out from among them.” We must become sanctified to the truth. Men need to be able to see the good works of the Body of Christ so that they may glorify the Lord who is in heaven. This is the reality. There are those who have heard the truth and have ministered it to many, but have not relinquished their own lust for the things of this world. This is the motivation regardless of what good words or fair speeches they make. When the truth is not the preferred path, then wantonness for something natural is the hindrance. Because these men and women have been in the church sitting under the truth it is necessary that they use much religiosity to beguile the hearts of those who trust in them.

Romans 16:18-20(KJV)

18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen

It is time for the people of God to identify and define evil as the work of the devil even if the evil is by men and women of God. There is no mystery to discern here. Those who are of the household of faith and have taught the Truth know the works of Satan even when that work is within us. The conscience bears witness to the thing that lurks in the heart that is not of God. They hear the voice of the hidden man of the heart but deny him. Just as our obedience is evident to all men, so is our disobedience. But this no longer is a consideration when one is overtaken by lust and wantonness for the things of this world. Apostle Paul teaches these principles to the church at Philippi.

Philippians 3:16-17(KJV)

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Watch those who hold fast to the Faith, who walk in the word that they preach. Let them be the examples we follow. There should not be diverse mindsets all of which are “labeled” Christ. No! There is only one mind of Christ and that mind is expressed in the Word. It is the only truth and the only way to glorify God the Father.

Philippians 3:18-19(KJV)

18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

It seems to me that many are not concerned about glorifying God. It is not about the Father receiving glory anymore. It is about a man or woman being exalted to a place of luxury and authority. This mind is the enemy of God. It is the enemy of everything that the cross represents. There is no thought of self-denial only the blind pursuit of self-gain. Paul says, “their god is their belly and the only glory they will receive is shame.” Verse 18 states, “many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.” The end however, is destruction. This is the word of the Lord. It is the apostle’s doctrine given to him by the Master and Chief Apostle, the Lord Jesus Christ. How is it that men propose to get around this word? How is it possible that this word will not affect those who reside in these mindsets?

Philippians 3:20-21(KJV)

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Our conversation, lifestyle, desires and affections should be set on things above. That is the only way for the child of God to survive this untoward generation. Time is closing in on us. What are we going to do? According to the above passages we are to mind heavenly things until the coming of our Lord. There is not a time before His return that we should consider the acquisition of the things of this world. What choices have you made? The mind of the Spirit is at peace with God and the route He has taken Him. Are you? The preaching of the Gospel is supposed to be by revelation of the mystery. Those who are to be established in the Faith must be so by the revelation of the mystery of Christ.

Romans 16:25-26(KJV)

25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Ephesians 3:3-5(KJV)

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

The revelation of the mystery of Christ was given to the apostles and the latter day prophets. For the Lord set the order of His house. First, He placed the apostles as the dispensers of His Word into the Body. We are charged with the Bishopric. It is our responsibility to see to it that the Word of God remains pure in the Body and that the Church continues in the doctrine of the original apostles. It is a sure word that must be dispensed in the Body of Christ if it is going to produce latter day Sons of God who are of the same persuasion as those of the early church.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17(KJV)

14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

The Father will render His support of our ministries only if we continue to walk in the Spirit of Christ. This is not a game with the Lord. He is not at all impressed with those who can only talk a good word. He will make manifest the knowledge we receive of Him in the lives of those to whom we minister. We will triumph. We will be victorious. But what is the victory. What will we win? We will triumph over the works of the devil and turn the hearts of the people back to God. That is the victory of the called ones. Our reward is the salvation of the souls of others.

2 Corinthians 6:1-4(KJV)

1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

To some we will bring the life of Christ. To those who reject the truth, death, and eternal separation from God will be their end. Nevertheless, we will not corrupt the Word of God. We will speak His oracles as we walk in His Spirit. This is the only mind of ministry that is acceptable to God. So many have brought shame to the Gospel, but God has raised a standard of purity. The one who continues to bring shame and offense to the Gospel will soon meet the judgment of God. Jude dealt extensively with these issues. Let us consider his writings:

Jude 1:1-25(kJV)

1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.