The Fundamentals Of Our Faith

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)