The scripture does mean what it states. Therefore, this verse actually means that there is only ONE Lord. There is only ONE faith. There is only ONE baptism. This same message is spoken in the first covenant and again confirmed in the new testament.
Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord ..."
Mark 12:28-31: And Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is, "Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord" ..."
As a consequence, we as believers ought to be earnestly contending for this ONE FAITH - the SAME faith - that was ONCE delivered to God’s people. Remember that God has declared that as far as He is concerned, no man has the authority to lay any other foundation. And this was also restated by the apostles whom Jesus through the Holy Ghost had chosen. (Acts 1:2) For this one faith - the foundation of Jesus Christ has already been laid. Yes, the foundation is JESUS the Christ.
Not another gospel but the One and Only gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we read in Acts 2, the good news gospel of Jesus is the ONE and ONLY foundation, wherein Christ is the Head of the Church. This same church that was built upon the Holy Ghost teachings as revealed to the Apostles and Prophets chosen of God. These teachings are solid rock teachings of God, whose Word lives and abides forever. JESUS the Christ (God manifest in flesh)is Himself the Chief corner stone. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:10-11; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21-23) And, in the presence of two or three witnesses, and more, the scriptures attest to this point.
Further, if anyone dares to advance any other doctrinal teaching other than that which is delivered of God,and elaborated on in the new testament, then believers ought not to congregate in fellowship with them. Let me say this again. If the teachings are contrary to God’s instructed Words, then we should not congregate in fellowship with them. Why not? Because if we do, is this not repeating Adam and Eve's actions in the beginning -- once again inheriting a curse upon themselves?
Therefore, when these false self-appointed religious opponents of the truth of God’s Word arise, we should be going in the other direction. Indeed, as the scriptures point out, these religious folks originally only came in among us to spy out the liberty that we have found in JESUS. But as the scriptures also state, they were not of us, because these went out from us. Therefore, a departure from this ONE FAITH only reiterates the fact that their teachings are not founded or structured upon the gospel teachings that were delivered by the Holy Spirit of JESUS.
Note that the first believers continued STEADFASTLY in the Apostles doctrinal teachings. Where else could they go? For the very Word of God was coming to them. The Word of God was not coming out from them. In accepting the gospel then, these people were acknowledging that the original teachings were indeed God’s Word!
JESUS had instructed His chosen twelve apostles that they were to go to Jerusalem and stay there until, they should receive the promised blessed gift of His holy Spirit upon them. And upon receiving the Holy Ghost, then and only then were they to be His witnesses everywhere, even to every corner of the earth. This is why the holy Spirit of God worked with them as they preached, confirming their words with mighty signs and wonders. Now if God confirmed their Word, then effectively it is no longer their Word but indeed it is as God’s spoken and confirmed Word.
Thus, the Word of our ONE LORD is forever settled. Moreover, the Word of God is in no need to be changed or altered by men and/or women endeavouring to add to, or instead, diminish from the original Word which was sent forth of God, beginning at Jerusalem.
Remember that the new testament Church -- the body of Christ membership started at Jerusalem. In Acts chapter 2, we see 3,000 souls saved, having believed the gospel as Peter (standing with the eleven) preached. The prick in their heart led first to repentance, and then into the ONE BAPTISM where believers are baptized into the name of JESUS the Christ. Remember too that if God confirms His Word, then no man has the right to disannul it.
Stand in the offering plate.
As a consequence, we as believers ought to be earnestly contending for this ONE FAITH - the SAME faith - that was ONCE delivered to God’s people. Remember that God has declared that as far as He is concerned, no man has the authority to lay any other foundation. And this was also restated by the apostles whom Jesus through the Holy Ghost had chosen. (Acts 1:2) For this one faith - the foundation of Jesus Christ has already been laid. Yes, the foundation is JESUS the Christ.
Not another gospel but the One and Only gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we read in Acts 2, the good news gospel of Jesus is the ONE and ONLY foundation, wherein Christ is the Head of the Church. This same church that was built upon the Holy Ghost teachings as revealed to the Apostles and Prophets chosen of God. These teachings are solid rock teachings of God, whose Word lives and abides forever. JESUS the Christ (God manifest in flesh)is Himself the Chief corner stone. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:10-11; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21-23) And, in the presence of two or three witnesses, and more, the scriptures attest to this point.
Further, if anyone dares to advance any other doctrinal teaching other than that which is delivered of God,and elaborated on in the new testament, then believers ought not to congregate in fellowship with them. Let me say this again. If the teachings are contrary to God’s instructed Words, then we should not congregate in fellowship with them. Why not? Because if we do, is this not repeating Adam and Eve's actions in the beginning -- once again inheriting a curse upon themselves?
Therefore, when these false self-appointed religious opponents of the truth of God’s Word arise, we should be going in the other direction. Indeed, as the scriptures point out, these religious folks originally only came in among us to spy out the liberty that we have found in JESUS. But as the scriptures also state, they were not of us, because these went out from us. Therefore, a departure from this ONE FAITH only reiterates the fact that their teachings are not founded or structured upon the gospel teachings that were delivered by the Holy Spirit of JESUS.
Note that the first believers continued STEADFASTLY in the Apostles doctrinal teachings. Where else could they go? For the very Word of God was coming to them. The Word of God was not coming out from them. In accepting the gospel then, these people were acknowledging that the original teachings were indeed God’s Word!
JESUS had instructed His chosen twelve apostles that they were to go to Jerusalem and stay there until, they should receive the promised blessed gift of His holy Spirit upon them. And upon receiving the Holy Ghost, then and only then were they to be His witnesses everywhere, even to every corner of the earth. This is why the holy Spirit of God worked with them as they preached, confirming their words with mighty signs and wonders. Now if God confirmed their Word, then effectively it is no longer their Word but indeed it is as God’s spoken and confirmed Word.
Thus, the Word of our ONE LORD is forever settled. Moreover, the Word of God is in no need to be changed or altered by men and/or women endeavouring to add to, or instead, diminish from the original Word which was sent forth of God, beginning at Jerusalem.
Remember that the new testament Church -- the body of Christ membership started at Jerusalem. In Acts chapter 2, we see 3,000 souls saved, having believed the gospel as Peter (standing with the eleven) preached. The prick in their heart led first to repentance, and then into the ONE BAPTISM where believers are baptized into the name of JESUS the Christ. Remember too that if God confirms His Word, then no man has the right to disannul it.
Stand in the offering plate.
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