Faith Under Fire
The Fundamentals Of Our Faith
Introduction
"If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psalms 11:3)
1. Over the past year I have heard and read much that attacks the fundamentals of the Christian faith:
a. It was suggested in a recent television program that Mary’s conception was the result of being raped by a Roman soldier. Such attacks are not new:
"And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?" (John 6:42)
b. Earlier this year, a certain Anglican priest expressed his view that Jesus did not die on the cross, rather, he merely ‘swooned’ or passed out and regained consciousness a few days later. After showing Himself to the apostles, he moved to Egypt and lived to a ripe old age. Wondering whether Jesus died on the cross is not new:
"And Pilate wondered if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead." (Mark 15:44)
c. The most frequent doubts I have heard this year have been in connection with the resurrection. There are several theories that attempt explain what ‘really’ happened. Such attempts and mocking are not new:
"11Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day" (Matthew 28:11-15)
"And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked..." (Acts 17:32a)
2. Such attacks against the fundamentals of our faith must not be underestimated (Cp. Galatians 1:6):
“Those who take pride in their steadfastness shall fall the hardest” (Quotes & Things, D. Collins).
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12)
a. Manufacturers know the three secrets of increasing sales: advertise, advertise, advertise.
1) A carefully crafted advertisement, frequently repeated at primetime viewing, will increase sales.
2) Somebody once laid down two guidelines for selling a lie: i. Keep repeating it to yourself until you believe it then, ii. Tell it again and again to as many people as possible (Cp. Matthew 28:11-15).
b. We need, therefore, to be selective in regards to that which we expose ourselves, lest we end up believing a lie. But more than this, we need to ‘repeat to ourselves’ over and over again the fundamental truths of the gospel that we might remain fully convinced and firmly established in the faith.
1) Note the instruction that God gave to the Israelites:
"6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates" (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
"18Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. 19And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deuteronomy 11:18-19)
2) Note what Peter wrote to Christians:
"12Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 13Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 15Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty" (2 Peter 1:12-16)
"1This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour" (2 Peter 3:1-2)
"Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe." (Philippians 3:1)
3. There is, then, a great danger in being constantly exposed to arguments that seek to undermine our faith, and the only way to ensure that we are not led away with divers and strange doctrines (2 Peter 3:17), is to constantly remind and reacquaint ourselves with the truth.
"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;" (Ephesians 6:14)
"Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:" (Proverbs 3:3)
"What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops." (Matthew 10:27)
4. In this lesson we shall reacquaint ourselves with some of the great fundamental truths of the gospel and consider the consequences of denying them.
"And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in." (Isaiah 58:12)
I. The Virgin Birth
A. The record concerning Jesus’ birth:
1. What does the record say concerning the birth of Jesus?
"26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:26-35)
"18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS" (Matthew 1:18-25)
2. The facts presented by Luke and Matthew are quite clear:
a. Mary was a virgin. Lest there should be any doubt as to what is meant by the word ‘virgin,’ (some say it just means ‘young woman’) it is clear from the texts that it means ‘one who has not had sexual intercourse’:
1) Mary says, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man” (Luke 1:34).
2) Matthew states that, “before they came together,” Mary was found to be with child (Matthew 1:18).
b. Mary’s conception was “of the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:18, 20).
B. To deny the fact of virgin birth is to…
1. Deny that Jesus is the eternal Word of God who “was made flesh, and dwelt among us” as the Scriptures affirm:
"1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God…14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…" (John 1:1-2, 14)
"The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven." (1 Corinthians 15:47)
2. Deny that Jesus is God’s Son as the Scriptures affirm:
"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:" (Romans 8:3)
"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law," (Galatians 4:4)
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (1 John 4:9)
C. What do the Scriptures say of those who deny the fact of the virgin birth and that Jesus came ‘in the flesh’?
1. They are not of God:
"2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world" (1 John 4:2-3)
2. They are deceivers and an antichrist:
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." (2 John 1:7)
II. The Death On The Cross
A. The record of Jesus’ death on the cross:
1. What does the record say concerning Jesus’ crucifixion?
"33And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 34They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. 35And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. 36And sitting down they watched him there; 37And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 39And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. 45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 47Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 48And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 50Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost" (Matthew 27:33-50)
"17And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: 18Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. 19And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. 21Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. 22Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. 23Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. 25Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. 28After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. 31The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. 37And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. 38And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus" (John 19:17-38)
"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:" (Acts 2:23)
2. The facts presented by the evangelists are quite clear:
a. Jesus “gave up his spirit” (Matthew 27:50).
b. When the soldiers came to Jesus, they “saw that He was dead already” (John 19:33).
c. John also records the fact of the soldier who pierced Jesus side with a spear (John 19:34).
B. To deny that Jesus died on the cross is to…
1. Deny that Jesus has died for our sins. We arestill dead in sins (Ephesians 2:1-5):
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;" (1 Corinthians 15:3)
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (1 Peter 3:18)
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6)
2. Deny that we have been reconciled to God. We are still alienated (Colossians 1:21):
"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." (Romans 5:10)
3. Deny that Jesus tasted death for everyone. It means we must pay the price for our sins after all (Romans 6:23):
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." (Hebrews 2:9)
4. Deny that the Devil has been rendered powerless (Cp. 1 John 3:8):
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might render powerless him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;" (Hebrews 2:14)
III. The Resurrection
A. The record of the resurrection:
1. What does the record state concerning the resurrection?
"1In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 8And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 9And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me" (Matthew 28:1-10)
"1The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. 3Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 4So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. 5And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. 9For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 10Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. 11But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. 19Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:1-31)
2. The record clearly states that:
a. Jesus was raised from the dead (Matthew 28:5-7).
b. He appeared to His disciples (Matthew 28:8-9; John 20:14, 19).
c. The disciples saw and touched His wounds (John 20:20, 26-28).
B. To deny the resurrection is to…
Regarding Jesus
1. Say that His soul was left in Hades, that death has dominion over Him, and that the pains of death have not been loosed:
"He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption." (Acts 2:31)
"Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him." (Romans 6:9)
"Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it." (Acts 2:24)
2. Deny that Jesus is the Son of God:
"And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:" (Romans 1:4)
3. Deny that Jesus ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God, ruling from His throne:
"20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come" (Ephesians 1:20-21)
"Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne" (Acts 2:30)
"For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet." (1 Corinthians 15:25)
"5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:5-11)
4. Say that He will not return:
"And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
Regarding Us
5. Say that everything we believe and hope is in vain and meaningless:
"And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain." (1 Corinthians 15:14)
a. We will not be resurrected:
"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Romans 8:11)
"And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power." (1 Corinthians 6:14)
"Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you." (2 Corinthians 4:14)
b. We are not saved and still in our sins:
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" (1 Peter 3:21)
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)
"And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15:17)
"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:25)
c. We have no hope:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," (1 Peter 1:3)
"Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." (1 Peter 1:21)
Conclusion
1. The fundamentals of our faith have been under attack from the very beginning to the present day, and they will, without doubt, continue relentlessly until the end of time.
2. The apostles did not think it a pointless exercise to repeat and remind the brethren of the fundamentals of the faith. As Paul says, “…for you it is safe” (Philippians 3:1).
3. Three of the fundamental doctrines that constantly come under attack are ‘the virgin birth,’ ‘the death of Jesus on the cross,’ and ‘the resurrection.’ We have seen that, to deny these fundamental truths (the heart of the gospel) means denying the whole body of teaching that surrounds the heart.
4. Brethren, let us constantly remind (read) ourselves of the fundamentals of our faith, gird ourselves with the belt of truth, and defend the faith once delivered to the saints with the sword of the Spirit. Amen.
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