24 | Contend for the Faith
Acts 15:1-5 | Contend for the Faith
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Slides:
Jude 1:3-4
Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faithwhich was once for all handed down to the saints. 4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Contend for the faith: “Unless you are _________, you cannot be saved.”
Galatians 1:8
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!
Titus 1:9
holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Titus 2:11-15
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. 15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
What are some “essential” matters of doctrine?
o Monotheism + the Trinity
Deuteronomy 6:4
"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!
What are some “essential” matters of doctrine?
o The deity of Christ
John 1:1-3, 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. ... 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
What are some “essential” matters of doctrine?
o The humanity of Christ
Hebrews 2:17-18
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
What are some “essential” matters of doctrine?
o The resurrection of Christ
1 Corinthians 15:1-2, 13-14
Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. ... 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.
What are some “essential” matters of doctrine?
o The sinful nature of man
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--
What are some “essential” matters of doctrine?
o Salvation by grace through faith alone
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Romans 14:1
Now accept the one who is weak in faith, [but] not for [the purpose of] passing judgment on his opinions.
What are some “essential” matters of doctrine?
o What about the inspiration/authority of Scripture?
2 Timothy 3:14-17
You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned [them,] 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Contend for the Faith:
o We believe that grace both saves and sanctifies through faith.
o We will contend over essential issues out of love.
o We will debate our opinions in a spirit of grace.
o We will look to the Word as God’s standard of truth.