My Blog has resigned itself to the fact that it must reside in the dungeon of neglect until, every few years, I dust it off and upload an assignment. This post is no exception. My assignment had strict guidelines. 100 words in response to each question. Due to stringent limits, my thoughts are necessarily brief.
1. Explain your views of the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ.
I believe that Jesus was fully human. Scripture clearly describes His bodily substance, genealogy, physical limitations, limited knowledge, emotions, public worship, temptation, and death. His humanity was confirmed many times by eye-witnesses (Acts 17:31, 1Pet 4:1)
I believe that Jesus was fully divine. Scripture evidences this by His own claims, miracles, virgin birth, resurrection, ascension, and the worship ascribed to Him by others. His deity was confirmed many times by eye-witnesses (John 20:28, 1 John 5:20)
Redemption lies between these two truths. His humanity allowed Him to be a substitute sacrifice. His divinity gave this act the power to redeem.
2. Outline your beliefs on the Godhead.
I believe in only one God, a spiritual being that created all other beings. I believe this one God has a plurality that defies all human metaphor. I believe that within this plurality exists three distinct persons, each with a different expression and role, but each in complete unity of being, of the same substance, and equal in dignity. The scriptures refer to these three persons as "Father" (Gal 1:1), "Son" (Heb 1:8) and "Spirit" (John 16:13). This understanding is essential to our daily christian walk as it forms a key part of our great commission (Matt 28:19).
3. Explain your views on the person and deity of the Holy Spirit.
I believe the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a divine person (John 16:13), wholly God and member of the Holy Trinity. The Spirit was active in the creation and was the life breathed into the first human. The Spirit baptised (Luke 3:22), empowered and infilled Jesus during his earthly ministry, and was sent to all humanity upon its completion. The spirit indwells believers (1 Cor 3:16). The spirit speaks to our hearts, pointing to Christ, convicting of sin, giving knowledge, inspiring hope and assurance, sanctifying, and continually regenerating us, freeing our will to obey the Word.
4. How do you view the redemptive work of Christ and the salvation of man?
God has never revoked His gift of free will. The first man committed treason by honouring his own will above God. All of his descendants were enslaved to sin (Rom 5:12). God, in His mercy, redeemed humanity by paying the treason-debt (death and hell) with His own blood (Heb 9:12). This redemption is available as a free gift to every human throughout time, but must be appropriated through faith (Eph 2:8). From Eden to Calvary, believers accepted this gift through symbolic sacrifice of an animal. Now a physical act is not required, we accept through faith alone.
5. What is your position regarding the Bible (the Holy Scriptures of both the Old and New testaments)?
I accept the divine authority of written scripture as recorded in the Christian cannon. Throughout history God has revealed limited, comprehensible aspects of Himself to mankind. He inspired humans to write this revelation for dissemination, durability, purity and finality. Jesus quoted scripture and advocated it's divine inspiration (Mark 12:36). The apostles also quoted both OT and NT (1Tim 5:18). Not only does the Bible refer to itself as authoritative and inspired (2 Tim 3:16), but the Holy Spirit uses the scriptures to speak to us personally (Eph 5:26). Only God can be an adequate witness to Himself.
6. Explain water baptism.
Water Baptism replaces circumcision as a symbolic rite of initiation into union with Christ, indicating the burial of our sinful nature and our resurrection into newness of life (Rom 6:3-5). It is a public confession of faith, expression of commitment, and symbol of promise. A visible sign which points to an invisible grace. It has echoes in the story of Noah, Israel passing through the sea, and the death and resurrection of Christ. Jesus underwent baptism (Mark 1:9) and authorised His disciples to baptise others (John 3:22). Baptism is a crucial part of our great commission (Matt 28:19).
7. Outline your beliefs about the baptism with the Holy Spirit and Gifts of the Spirit.
I believe Holy Spirit baptism is a specific spiritual event, (with the scriptural analogy of immersion in fire - Luke 3:16) which results in a constant indwelling and consistent filling of the believer with the Spirit. The purpose of this indwelling is not sanctification, but empowerment for service (Acts 1:8), as manifested in various gifts of ministry. This event is a gift which cannot be deserved or earned and was observed at Pentecost where it bore the fruit of 3000 new believers. It is separate from the events of conversion and water baptism (Acts 8:16), although they may happen simultaneously.
8. Explain your views on divine healing.
I believe that all sickness is a perversion of creation and can be rectified by the Creator. Healing is a divine gift from God that cannot be earned or deserved, only appropriated by faith (Mat 8:13). The assistance of medicine does not invalidate the divine miracle, and should not be refused on grounds of "faith". Humans should engage in healing others under the unction of the Spirit, with the name and authority of Jesus. This was modelled (Luke 4:14,40) and even commanded (Mat 10:8) by Christ. Divine healing also stands as a sign to unbelievers. (Mat 15:31)
9. Explain your views on the Second Coming of Christ.
I believe that Christ, having ascended to heaven, will return in a sudden, obvious and glorious manifestation (Mat 24:30) that will mark the end of the age. The dead will rise and be judged with the living (2Tim 4:1). The church will be delivered from oppression and enter a perfect, endless life of unhindered intimacy with God and other believers, the final climax of God's redemptive work. This knowledge inspires believers to build His church with love and urgency, to watch (Mat 25:13) wait and hope, to petition Him to return, and to praise Him for His coming triumph.
10. What are your views on eternal judgement?
Every human will live only once, and face judgement in the afterlife (Heb 9:27). The justice of the Righteous Judge will be evident to all on that day (Rom 3:19). Every person will stand guilty of treason, regardless of good works, but those who have placed their faith in Christ will be redeemed and His righteousness credited to them (Rom 4:24). Those without justification will face the full force of God's just wrath. I believe 'forever' is an accurate though limited description of the afterlife's duration. Believers will also face a judgement which cannot result in damnation.
11. What is your position on “tongues as the initial evidence” of baptism with Holy Spirit?
I believe that glossolalia is the initial and most evident proof that baptism in the Spirit has taken place. The apostles accepted glossolalia as proof that gentiles could receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:46). This should not detract from the validity of other evidences of infilling including prophesy, powerful preaching (Acts 4:8), wisdom, courage and boldness (Acts 4:31). Glossolalia is a Spirit-inspired utterance directed toward God (Rom 8:26) and especially useful for private prayer, as it's purpose is to edify us. It should not be confused with other forms of "speaking in tongues" which are primarily for ministry.
12. Explain your beliefs on nature of Satan.
I believe in the existence of Satan (the adversary), created being, originator of sin and head of an angelic rebellion against God. Satan is an imitator (Isaiah 14:14), murderer, full of malice, father of lies and enemy of our souls, acting as both tempter and accuser (Rev 12:10), blinding people to the gospel. Christ resisted his temptations and we also are called to identify and resist him and his devices (James 4:7), understanding that the sacrifice of Christ has overcome and defeated him. In the end his schemes will fail and he will become the object of God's full wrath.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Saturday, September 27, 2008
On Chasing God... And Mackay
Wow. I am in awe of the greatness and mercy of God.
For a long time I have been moving through life, numb to the things of God. Sure, there is a deep abiding connection that anchors me to Him regardless of where I am at in the journey. Sure, I have been praying occasionally, listening to music, catching time with God where I can. Sure, I am committed to church and running a youth group. But all this time the numbness has been growing. I have been completely preoccupied with work, music, movies, social connections. I didn't realise that God had become a sideshow. Funny how that can creep up on you.
For a long time I've had this item in my mental to-do list. "Get right with God. Restore balance in your spirit." So when I had the opportunity to move into my own place, I took it. Living on my own is awesome. I determine the spiritual atmosphere around me. I have complete control over my time (and I'm saving heaps on fuel and rent). As soon as I moved into my own place, I began to take steps toward re-digging my well and getting hungry for God. I put in place some guidelines. Like "Spiritual Food before Physical Food". I decided I was sick of forgetting to spend time with God each day, so until I have my daily God-Time I'm not allowed to eat. Sort of my version of fasting. I also began reading God Chasers by Tommy Tenney.
After a couple weeks, I began to feel my spirit making steps back to God. My hunger had increased. Suddenly the thing I desired most in the world was spiritual restoration. That was my prayer as I was heading to Mackay on Tuesday for Extreme Conference. I used to have such awesome God Encounters, such a close connection. I wanted that back.
Extreme was flipping insane. Immediately, in the first session you could sense that all the youth were so hungry for God. The quality of teaching was fantastic. Not basic "Get Saved" stuff, it was excellent for young adults and leaders. On Wednesday night, God slammed me. I spoke with the Holy Spirit like I haven't done in so long. While I was laying at the altar, crying my guts out, He began to show me the path I should be walking.
Thursday night was even more intense. I think everyone in the auditorium saw Jesus that night. At one point, I got up on my knees, and looked across the auditorium. There was not a single person higher than the chairs. Everyone was on their knees or their backs, crying out to God, while James Murray was preaching from the pulpit like some revivalist preacher of old.
More Soon...
For a long time I have been moving through life, numb to the things of God. Sure, there is a deep abiding connection that anchors me to Him regardless of where I am at in the journey. Sure, I have been praying occasionally, listening to music, catching time with God where I can. Sure, I am committed to church and running a youth group. But all this time the numbness has been growing. I have been completely preoccupied with work, music, movies, social connections. I didn't realise that God had become a sideshow. Funny how that can creep up on you.
For a long time I've had this item in my mental to-do list. "Get right with God. Restore balance in your spirit." So when I had the opportunity to move into my own place, I took it. Living on my own is awesome. I determine the spiritual atmosphere around me. I have complete control over my time (and I'm saving heaps on fuel and rent). As soon as I moved into my own place, I began to take steps toward re-digging my well and getting hungry for God. I put in place some guidelines. Like "Spiritual Food before Physical Food". I decided I was sick of forgetting to spend time with God each day, so until I have my daily God-Time I'm not allowed to eat. Sort of my version of fasting. I also began reading God Chasers by Tommy Tenney.
After a couple weeks, I began to feel my spirit making steps back to God. My hunger had increased. Suddenly the thing I desired most in the world was spiritual restoration. That was my prayer as I was heading to Mackay on Tuesday for Extreme Conference. I used to have such awesome God Encounters, such a close connection. I wanted that back.
Extreme was flipping insane. Immediately, in the first session you could sense that all the youth were so hungry for God. The quality of teaching was fantastic. Not basic "Get Saved" stuff, it was excellent for young adults and leaders. On Wednesday night, God slammed me. I spoke with the Holy Spirit like I haven't done in so long. While I was laying at the altar, crying my guts out, He began to show me the path I should be walking.
Thursday night was even more intense. I think everyone in the auditorium saw Jesus that night. At one point, I got up on my knees, and looked across the auditorium. There was not a single person higher than the chairs. Everyone was on their knees or their backs, crying out to God, while James Murray was preaching from the pulpit like some revivalist preacher of old.
More Soon...
Sunday, April 20, 2008
On Salvation
I recognise that those people who follow this blog may differ in understanding of the various elements of this Christian faith. The basis of it all is this thing we call salvation. The idea of redemption, re-connection with our Father, and possessing eternal life. Allow me to explain with a bit of history.
We believe that at one point nothing existed but God. He created the earth, the stars, creatures and plants, humans, laws of physics and motion, everything from the greatest galaxies to the smallest sub-atomic particles.
All of this He created for us, humans. He, in essence, leased this world and everything in it to the first man and woman (Adam and Eve). He created people as essentially good, just as He is, and commissioned them to care for the earth and each other.
However he also gave them a free will, and limited himself from any form of control. Just as the owner of a property retains the deed, but cannot control the lives of those he leases to, so these first humans had the right to do as they pleased on the earth.
At this point, the enemy of all humans, a spiritual being known as satan, tricked Adam and Eve into committing the first sin, causing what we refer to as the "fall of man". This means that as humans we are in bondage to sin.
We are still stamped with the mark of God, which is that part of us that will go out of our way to help another human being, but no matter how pure our motives or intentions, or how good we perceive ourself to be, all of us are bound by sin. It causes us to tell a lie when we are scared. To put down someone else so that we can advance.
This element of humanity is what causes the world's problems. It is why any utopian proposal is a naive dream, bound for failure. Because humans will look after themselves more than others. Sin corrupts both our thoughts and actions. Every single human is guilty of it.
In the Bible it is recorded that after death our souls will face God for judgment. If we were innocent, we could continue in eternal life with our Father. However because God is just and good He cannot ignore that humanity is now corrupted, and must pass a guilty verdict. Sentencing humanity to a place of death, without any trace of goodness or light, a place we refer to as "Hell".
But God, our father, loved us. Not as "Humanity" the collective, but you and I as individuals. Even though God could not ignore the sin that coats us, He could see through it to His beautiful sons and daughters. Those souls throughout history that longed to be free from bondage and reconciled to God. However the universal law of cause and effect was in place. The debt had to be paid.
God, the supreme Deity, humbled Himself. He came to earth as a human, Jesus Christ. A helpless baby born in a humiliating place - an animal's feed trough. He grew up in the most despised place (Nazareth) of an occupied land (Judea) with the simple profession of a Carpenter. He associated with people deemed untouchable and despised by society. Lepers, drunks, prostitutes and tax farmers. As a final act of humiliation He allowed humans, His own creation, to execute Him as a criminal. Even the method of execution, crucifixion, was seen in that society as carrying a curse. Throughout all of this He never sinned.
Through this great act, Jesus Christ paid the price for us all. When He died he took captive the captivity of sin, so that we could be free. Because of His grace and mercy He now offers freedom and redemption to every human, regardless of their past, as a free gift. Salvation is simply the act of accepting that gift. When we stand before judgment God will see that our sin, no matter how bad it is, has already been paid for.
Accepting this gift is simple. To accept it, you must reject the sin that is in you and fully trust in, rely on and adhere to Jesus Christ. If you do this, your heart, mind and soul will be changed. You will no longer desire the things you used to want, but you will begin to desire the things that God wants. Out of love and respect for the one that set you free you will begin to do the things He has commissioned all of us to do. Loving other humans. Sacrificing our own needs for those of others. It will change the rest of your life in an amazing way.
If you would like to accept this gift now, there is no ritual to perform. Don't wait for something special. Just talk to God right now, where you are. Tell Him you don't like that sinful part of yourself that causes you to do wrong, and that you want freedom. Tell Him you want to experience His love. Tell Him you want to live forever with Him. Offer Him your life, and He will show you what real life is all about!
If you did this, welcome to the family! I would love it if you contacted me, or commented on this article. This is the start of a long and wonderful journey.
We believe that at one point nothing existed but God. He created the earth, the stars, creatures and plants, humans, laws of physics and motion, everything from the greatest galaxies to the smallest sub-atomic particles.
All of this He created for us, humans. He, in essence, leased this world and everything in it to the first man and woman (Adam and Eve). He created people as essentially good, just as He is, and commissioned them to care for the earth and each other.
However he also gave them a free will, and limited himself from any form of control. Just as the owner of a property retains the deed, but cannot control the lives of those he leases to, so these first humans had the right to do as they pleased on the earth.
At this point, the enemy of all humans, a spiritual being known as satan, tricked Adam and Eve into committing the first sin, causing what we refer to as the "fall of man". This means that as humans we are in bondage to sin.
We are still stamped with the mark of God, which is that part of us that will go out of our way to help another human being, but no matter how pure our motives or intentions, or how good we perceive ourself to be, all of us are bound by sin. It causes us to tell a lie when we are scared. To put down someone else so that we can advance.
This element of humanity is what causes the world's problems. It is why any utopian proposal is a naive dream, bound for failure. Because humans will look after themselves more than others. Sin corrupts both our thoughts and actions. Every single human is guilty of it.
In the Bible it is recorded that after death our souls will face God for judgment. If we were innocent, we could continue in eternal life with our Father. However because God is just and good He cannot ignore that humanity is now corrupted, and must pass a guilty verdict. Sentencing humanity to a place of death, without any trace of goodness or light, a place we refer to as "Hell".
But God, our father, loved us. Not as "Humanity" the collective, but you and I as individuals. Even though God could not ignore the sin that coats us, He could see through it to His beautiful sons and daughters. Those souls throughout history that longed to be free from bondage and reconciled to God. However the universal law of cause and effect was in place. The debt had to be paid.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. So that whoever believes in Him with their whole heart will not perish (be pronounced guilty), but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
God, the supreme Deity, humbled Himself. He came to earth as a human, Jesus Christ. A helpless baby born in a humiliating place - an animal's feed trough. He grew up in the most despised place (Nazareth) of an occupied land (Judea) with the simple profession of a Carpenter. He associated with people deemed untouchable and despised by society. Lepers, drunks, prostitutes and tax farmers. As a final act of humiliation He allowed humans, His own creation, to execute Him as a criminal. Even the method of execution, crucifixion, was seen in that society as carrying a curse. Throughout all of this He never sinned.
Through this great act, Jesus Christ paid the price for us all. When He died he took captive the captivity of sin, so that we could be free. Because of His grace and mercy He now offers freedom and redemption to every human, regardless of their past, as a free gift. Salvation is simply the act of accepting that gift. When we stand before judgment God will see that our sin, no matter how bad it is, has already been paid for.
Accepting this gift is simple. To accept it, you must reject the sin that is in you and fully trust in, rely on and adhere to Jesus Christ. If you do this, your heart, mind and soul will be changed. You will no longer desire the things you used to want, but you will begin to desire the things that God wants. Out of love and respect for the one that set you free you will begin to do the things He has commissioned all of us to do. Loving other humans. Sacrificing our own needs for those of others. It will change the rest of your life in an amazing way.
If you would like to accept this gift now, there is no ritual to perform. Don't wait for something special. Just talk to God right now, where you are. Tell Him you don't like that sinful part of yourself that causes you to do wrong, and that you want freedom. Tell Him you want to experience His love. Tell Him you want to live forever with Him. Offer Him your life, and He will show you what real life is all about!
If you did this, welcome to the family! I would love it if you contacted me, or commented on this article. This is the start of a long and wonderful journey.
Breakfast
This post is to break my blogging fast, not instituted for any reason, rather allowed to encroach upon me as a flawed solution to my seeming lack of time. Last week I felt terrible. Drained, sick and completely addicted to Call Of Duty 2 for Xbox 360. I finally woke up and instituted a ban on games, TV and movies (Once a week only for the latter). I instituted a schedule which I recognise the utter need to follow strictly over the coming months. This includes times set aside for exercise, God and washing the dang dishes.
I am still feeling several cold/flu symptoms which have been hampering me a little, but I feel so much better after spending some time with God, Worship music, etc. Stuff I had allowed to be shunted out of my life by a treadmill of standard operations.
So much has happened since I last wrote. I had planned to write about Planetshakers, Andy Warhol, Rad events happening in Youth, the start of Bible College and more, but all of that will remain locked in my cranium. The next post I make here will be a 500 word Salvation message that acts as an assignment for Bible College. With several methods of delivery to choose from, I chose a Blog Entry in the hopes that I could kill the proverbial second bird.
Enjoy
I am still feeling several cold/flu symptoms which have been hampering me a little, but I feel so much better after spending some time with God, Worship music, etc. Stuff I had allowed to be shunted out of my life by a treadmill of standard operations.
So much has happened since I last wrote. I had planned to write about Planetshakers, Andy Warhol, Rad events happening in Youth, the start of Bible College and more, but all of that will remain locked in my cranium. The next post I make here will be a 500 word Salvation message that acts as an assignment for Bible College. With several methods of delivery to choose from, I chose a Blog Entry in the hopes that I could kill the proverbial second bird.
Enjoy
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
John 17
I find this chapter fascinating. It is Jesus's prayer to the Father during the last supper. Jesus speaks in no uncertain terms about His divinity, His eternal nature, and His authority, given to Him by the Father. In this chapter, we see Jesus setting up God's plan of salvation for the generations (vs. 20) so that all may be sanctified by the truth of God's Word (vs. 17).
In verse 12 we also see a glimpse of the incredible leadership responsibility Jesus was carrying, the responsibility that all leaders carry. Jesus tells the Father that He has succeeded in His mission - each one of the disciples is still walking in God, preserved in the knowledge and worship of the Father. All except one, Judas Iscariot, who is destined to be lost.
In verse 12 we also see a glimpse of the incredible leadership responsibility Jesus was carrying, the responsibility that all leaders carry. Jesus tells the Father that He has succeeded in His mission - each one of the disciples is still walking in God, preserved in the knowledge and worship of the Father. All except one, Judas Iscariot, who is destined to be lost.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Reconciliation with the Father
All of creation waits with eager longing for God to reveal his children.
Rom 8:19
The word Hosanna (or Hosannah) comes from the Hebrew "Hoshana" which is a cry for salvation. "Hosanna" is a joyful shout of praise and adoration to the one who brings salvation. It is an adjective used solely to describe Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, before the final act that would redeem the souls of man forever, crowds gathered, excited in their spirits they burst out with the cry. "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!". The religous leaders were angered:
Then some of the Pharisees in the crowd spoke to Jesus. "Teacher," they said, "command your disciples to be quiet!"
Jesus answered, "I tell you that if they keep quiet, the stones themselves will start shouting."
Luke 19:39-40
Hallelujah! All of creation was excited at the act that was about to take place. Reconciliation with the Father. That is the principle desire that burns in the heart of every man woman and child. Jesus does a lot for us, in our lives. Our joy comes from the things that bring God joy. But salvation cannot be based on that. Salvation cannot be based on emotion or whim, obligation or greed. True salvation must come from a person's inner-most desire for redemption to the Father.
Random thoughts on a road trip
The cross is a place of death, disgrace, humiliation, pain. When Jesus came to this place He was flogged, mocked, spat on and killed. Even at this point He was showing us the path to walk. When we come to the cross we must be humiliated before God. It is the place where we face up to our sin and disgrace. It is a place of pain and shame where, as with Simon Peter, we say to God "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man". The only way to come to the cross is to be humiliated before a completely righteous God. To be in awe of His holiness, as that is what separates Him from us. This brings us to a place of desire - desire for reconciliation.
Once Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, went through that, He rose form the dead in glorious life. When we lay "Our Lives" down, He raises us into abundant and overflowing life. That is why we look back at the point of the cross as a beautiful thing. That is why we are overwhelmed at the sacrifice He made. He had to do it, so we could do it. By going to the place He did not have to go to, He allows us to come to the place we are desperate for.
Once Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, went through that, He rose form the dead in glorious life. When we lay "Our Lives" down, He raises us into abundant and overflowing life. That is why we look back at the point of the cross as a beautiful thing. That is why we are overwhelmed at the sacrifice He made. He had to do it, so we could do it. By going to the place He did not have to go to, He allows us to come to the place we are desperate for.
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