Foundations, Part II

This is a revision of a post from a year ago. I pray you will consider carefully your own apologetic. ~ Love, Anne

(My Bible—click to enlarge)

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
~ 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)

Foundations, Part II

Christians face dangerous attacks to truth, some of which will be addressed on Friday. The best way to recognize a lie is to be certain of the truth. I present here what I consider to be non-negotiable truths foundational to Christian faith.

The Apostle's Creed affirms:

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; on the third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, one holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

The Five Solas of the Reformation were five non-negotiable principles of believers who obtained access to the Scriptures and came to be known as Protestants when they separated themselves from the Roman Catholic Church (not the same as *catholic, or one universal church). Those principles are:

Sola Scriptura — Authority of Scripture Alone:
The Scriptures are the infallible Word of God, revealing His Person, precepts, and promises to mankind. They are the first and the final authority for matters of faith—and all truth.

Soli Deo Gloria! — For God's Glory Alone:
God is sovereign over every aspect of a believer's life. The Westminster Shorter Catechism declares, "What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." The believer lives under the Lordship of Christ, for God’s glory and mankind's delight.

Solo Christo! — By Christ Alone:
Christ is fully God and fully man, and is the sole Mediator between God and man. Salvation is by Christ's work alone, through His shed blood, finished at Calvary.

Sola Gratia — Salvation by Grace Alone:
Salvation is by grace through faith. Our righteous standing before God is imputed by grace as God's gift to us, who are without self-merit.

Sola Fide — Justification by Faith Alone:
Our justification is by faith alone, apart from human works, though our faith is not without works. Faith is our cooperative role in God's work.

I affirm these beliefs as definitive of Christianity. I also believe:

• Each person is made in the image of God, able to discern between moral right and wrong, and is separated from God by both the sin of Adam as well as by the individual’s own sin.

• Those reconciled to God through Christ's blood are born into eternal life, and as members of Christ's Church comprise His physical Body on earth of which He is Head. Believers celebrate this relationship in the Lord’s Table. Jesus also instructs believers to bear witness of their faith in Him through public baptism. Both ordinances are of great importance, but neither is necessary for salvation.

• God's divine Holy Spirit lives within Christians and empowers God’s work in and through them. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is evidence of His saving presence in a believer's life, and is distinct from the gifts of the Holy Spirit, each of which is given to individuals differently—and therefore not requisite testimony to salvation. The primary component of the Spirit’s fruit is love, which is necessary to the Christian life, and is expressed first toward God and then toward fellow man.

There is infinitely more to faith. This is my collection of the truths which should define and unite Christians.

Would you add or subtract anything?

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, 2010 Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Friday Freelance: FOUNDATIONS PART III

Christians face very dangerous attacks to truth. At the risk of stating the obvious, I close the series on faith's foundations by presenting truths core to Christian faith.

The Apostle's Creed affirms:

"I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; on the third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, one holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting."

The Five Solas of the Reformation were five doctrines for which many believers were slain as they separated themselves from the Roman Catholic Church and came to be known as Protestants.
[* The Roman Catholic Church should be distinguished from the catholic church, or single universal church, comprised by all who belong to Christ.]

Sola Scriptura — Authority of Scripture Alone: The Scriptures are the inerrant and infallible Word of God, revealing His Person, precepts, and promises to mankind. They are the first and the final authority for matters of faith and truth.

Solo Deo Gloria! — For God's Glory Alone: God is sovereign over every aspect of the believer's life. The Westminster Shorter Catechism declares, "What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." All of life is to be lived under the Lordship of Christ, to the glory of God, as man's joy.

Sola Christo! — By Christ Alone: Christ is the sole mediator between God and man. Salvation is by Christ's work alone, through His shed blood, finished at Calvary.

Sola Gratia — Salvation by Grace Alone: Salvation is by grace through faith. Our righteous standing before God is imputed by grace as God's gift to us, who are without self-merit.

Sola Fide — Justification by Faith Alone: Our justification is by faith alone, apart from human works, though our faith is not without works. Faith is our cooperative role in God's work.

I affirm the above beliefs as definitive of Christianity. I also believe:

Every person is made in the image of God, able to discern between moral right and wrong, and is separated from God by both the sin of Adam as well as by the individual’s own sin.

Those reconciled to God through Christ's blood are born into eternal life, and as members of Christ's Church comprise His physical Body on earth of which He is Head. His divine Holy Spirit lives within them and empowers God’s work in and through them. Believers celebrate this relationship in the Lord’s Table. Jesus also instructs believers to bear witness of faith in public baptism.

There is infinitely more to faith. This is my collection of what's foundational and indisputable. Would you add anything?

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.