Things New and Old: The faith which was once delivered

Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.

Monday, March 5, 2018

The faith which was once delivered

the faith which was once delivered unto the saints

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. - Jude 3

This pivotal passage taught me a few things that changed my whole outlook as a disciple.

So let me rant a bit.

1. "... the faith... once DELIVERED..."

The contents of the faith which was delivered to us through the Apostles is the sole prerogative of the sovereign Lord and King Himself, Mt 28:20.

The recipients, designated as saints, have absolutely no say whatsoever in the matter. Their whole duty is to receive it, study and understand it, and believe it, and CONTEND for it.

If they have ordered and paid for the faith, then they may determine the contents of what is to be delivered to them.

2. "... the faith... ONCE delivered"

What has been delivered is FINAL and COMPLETE, no further deliveriy whatsoever is needed to supplement, to update, to amend what has been once delivered. What was once delivered is perfect and complete.

3. "... delivered unto the SAINTS."

Saints are there first, by the savings activities of the Triune God. (It is a popular idea that faith is delivered in order to make saints.)

The faith, that truth concerning the COMMON SALVATION of all the elect, is delivered to them to make them wise concerning their salvation by the free grace of God, and "teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world," while "looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."

4. "... the COMMON salvation..."

The salvation is NOT common in the sense of being ordinary, commonplace, nothing special. The commonness of the salvation consists in its being the SAME and SHARED by all the redeemed. The faith once delivered speaks of this ONE salvation common to all the redeemed.

Blessed are they who have unity in this common salvation. And if you and I do differ in our understanding of this common salvation, then it is either you are right and I'm wrong, or both of us are in error; we CAN'T be right at the same time if we differ. Then I SHALL study and dig very hard to make sure I'm not the one in error. I can still be converted to the truth.