Only One Faith Jude said something pretty bold about genuine Christianity. He basically said that there is ONLY ONE true faith in Jesus Christ, and that all other “versions” are NOT the real thing: Jude 1:3 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. There is only one faith that was “once for all delivered to the saints” by the Lord Jesus Christ through His apostles. And these apos- tles made it pretty clear WHO and WHAT genuine Christianity is all about: 3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which† ye have to all the saints, 5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. 9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleas- ing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the first- born of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visi- ble and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (An excerpt from Colossians 1:3-18, emphasis mine) Note that “in all things” Christ is to have “the pre- eminence.” The Greek word originally used in the writing of the New Testament within verse 18 above is, “prōteuō” (πρωτεύω, Strong’s #4409). This word is used only ONCE in the entire New Testament, and it means simply, “to be first, hold the first place” (Thayer’s Lexicon). This same Greek word, however, is derived from another Greek word, “prōtos” (πρῶτος, Strong’s #4413), which is far more prolific in the New Testament, having been used by the original writers about 100 times. It means “FIRST” in a couple of im- portant ways: 1: FIRST…in time or place, in any succession of things or persons. 2:FIRST…in rank, influence, honor; chief; principal. (Source: Thayer’s Lexicon) In other word, Jesus Christ is to be FIRST and FOREMOST the focus of genuine Christianity, because He was first in time and place; and He is the FIRST in rank, influence, honor — being the “Chief” and “Principle” of the Church. Look again at the passage from Colossians chapter one above, and notice what it said. ALL these elements of Jesus Christ being “first and foremost” (i.e. “preeminent”) are included in the description of Him.
Posted on: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 10:22:51 +0000
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