Even As Thy Soul Prospers, And Knows the Grace of God In Truth - Part 2439

"Whosoever transgresses and abides not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed, for he that bid him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (II John 1:9-11)

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (for the life was manifested and we have seen [it], and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ, and these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full." (I John 1:1-4)

That your joy may be full.

So what is the "doctrine of Christ" that we could have both the Father and the Son? Let's begin by explaining what the doctrine of Christ is not. Certainly, the doctrine of Christ is not a co-existent, co-equal part of a trinity, triad or tri-une g/God as presented by the modern day, man-made religious culture. And the doctrine of Christ is not God in three persons, or three in one or one in three. Further, the doctrine of Christ is not a false trinitarian doctrine that defines God as three consubstantial persons, expressions or hypostases. Neither can anyone say that the three persons in the Godhead equal one, because regardless of the type of math studied, three does not equal one.

As Jesus clearly said, "I and My Father are One!" (John 10:30) And to His disciples, "he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father and know Him." (John 14:6-12) Indeed, He who was in the world, the same He who created the world in the beginning, was the same He that the world knew not. (John 1:10-11)

It is important to note also that the word trinity does not exist in the scriptures. Not once. Never. Because right from the very beginning, God is repeatedly described as ONE God. Simply put, "In the beginning, God." (Genesis 1:1) We also understand that God is ONE from the first commandment, outlined in both the old covenant and the new testament. "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord!" (Mark 12:29-31; Deuteronomy 4:6) And within the scriptures, we are repeatedly informed that this same God came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6)

God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)

For clarity, Jesus engages in a conversation with a scribe, who had perceived that He had answered them well. So the scribe asks Jesus, "Which is the first commandment of all?" And Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is, "Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is ONE Lord, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength." This is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." There is none other commandment greater than these."

And the scribe said unto [Jesus], "Well, Master, Thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but He, and to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, He said unto him, "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God." (Mark 12:28-34)

So if the scribe perceives Jesus to be both Lord and Christ, as did Peter and the eleven disciples/apostles on the day of Pentecost, then we too need to understand the doctrine of Christ.

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)

"... because we trust in the living God -- who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe." (I Timothy 4:10) 

"After the kindness of God our Saviour toward man appeared ...." (Titus 3:4-5)

Yes, God Himself foreordained that we His creation would require a purchase be made for our sins. Thus, God made a plan whereby we can be saved/redeemed/sanctified through the love He extended to His people on the cross. Thus, God's love for His people is the greatest love story ever told -- that He would also become our Saviour.

He paid the ultimate price on a cross for you and I --- the greatest love story ever told!

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. And for this cause, He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise, it is of no strength at all while the testator lives. Whereupon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood." (Hebrews 9:14-18) 

For purposes of clarity, the principles of the doctrine of Christ are detailed in Hebrews 6:1-2 -- "the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment."

God our Saviour toward man appearing. The renewing of the Holy Ghost which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that being justified [declared righteous] by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7)

"For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men .... looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 12:11-14)

Much more to come but this should provide some insight and understanding into the doctrine of Christ,

Stand in he offering plate.