O Lord, Thou Art My God; I Will Exalt Thee, I Will Praise Thy Name; For Thou Hast Done Wonderful Things - Part 2298

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by Word, or our epistle ..." (II Thessalonians 2:15)

In other words, professing believers are called to continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:36-47) We are called to stand in the liberty wherewith is Christ, and to follow Him as the One and Only Rock of ages. We are to be known by our fruits, wherein we can (with the Lord Jesus flowing through us) be that city on a hill to an ever darkening world.

Indeed, JESUS -- the Word of God made flesh -- dwelling within as our Comforter, who never leaves us nor forsakes us. (Hebrews 13:5; John 1:1-18)

In another place, Paul instructs, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, un-moveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (I Corinthians 15:58)

As our ensample, we see that the apostles did not speak according to the wisdom of men but were (in all things said and written) led by the Holy Ghost. Like the prophets from afore, these chosen men and women of God spoke powerfully His words - thus saith the Lord! Therefore, as we search the scriptures for His truth, we begin to understand that the early church did not resort to worldly tales from pulpits as a substitute for the good news gospel (as we are sadly witnessing today). Rather, these spoke the truth in spite of the persecution they would face.

For those who may not know, apostle Paul received his understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ by revelation. And what we are gleaning from the scriptures above is that Paul is reaffirming that the Word and the Spirit agree in all things. That when we believe in the Lord Jesus by faith, our counsel comes from Him -- in perfect alignment with His Word. Further, Paul makes this statement when he wrote to the saints in Corinth , which is telling in and of itself -- "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power..." (I Corinthians 2:4)

Do we yet need further clarification?

When Jesus walked this earth, He clearly said that there would come those who will betray the Word of God, instead settling for worldly messages as sermon content -- that inevitably deny the saving power and grace from His one-time sacrifice -- the shedding of His precious holy blood -- on the cross of Calvary. (Acts 20:28; I Timothy 3:16)  And as a consequence, we have modern day religious ministries today tickling the congregations ears with worldly analogies rather than the life inspiring and inward strengthening that can only come from the Word of God.

But what does Jesus say? The One who we look to for our salvation, and everlasting life? He told us that there would be those who would believe not, and who would betray Him.

Specifically, Jesus said, "What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before? It is the Spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are Spirit, and [they] are Life. But there are some of you that believe not." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him." (John 6:62-64)

Indeed, we have so much to learn in our faith journey but the starting point is recognizing that true wisdom and knowledge does not come from the world. It comes from our Lord God who willingly shed His precious holy blood so that we might have abundant life and peace in Him. That He, the Creator of all things desires to share His intricate wisdom with those whose hearts focus solely on Him. Is this to suggest that there will not be times when we feel inadequate or falling short of the calling that He has placed in our heart, whilst we were still in our mother's womb? Of course not. But instead, that we should look to the Lord of Glory for His counsel and wisdom in all things. 

And as James wrote, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5)

Or as Paul further attests, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16)

And Peter also ... "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." (II Peter 3:14-16)

What does this all mean? As Jesus repeatedly stated, we who profess to believe in Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength need to stop rejecting the commandment of God in favour of keeping our own traditions. (Mark 7:9) Similarly, that we are to stop making the Word of God of none effect through our traditions. (Mark 7:13) And that we stop frustrating the grace of God, for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2:21) 

He has given us a purpose, that is unique, and God ordained and we need to give diligence to make our calling and election sure -- for when we do these things, we shall never fail. (II Peter 1:10)

So, the next time you are asked to repeat the apostles' creed in a church congregation, stop and ask yourself where in the scriptures -- the infallible Word of God -- is there any mention of an apostles' creed? Yes, so much to learn and understand, but the starting point for the New Testament body of Christ church, wherein Jesus is both Lord and Christ, and the One and Only Head -- the One and Only Blessed Potentate is Acts 2:36-47. (I Timothy 6:15)

Stand in the offering plate.