0103. The Fullness of the Faith

The Fullness of the Faith

"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" (Jdg_1:3).

1. The Lord has written unto His children concerning a Faith that was, "once delivered". These words suggest to us that our Faith is a completed Faith; a Faith that is in every sense full. No word may be added thereto, nor may anything be taken therefrom.

There are many in these days who imagine that they are getting new revelations from Heaven, and they are trying to pan off these supposed revelations upon a too easily deceived public.

All such claims are contrary to the statement of our key verse. God called the Bible a "Faith which was once delivered", and surely that means that it is a Faith all of which is delivered.

2. Not only was the Faith final and full in its delivery, but it is a Faith that is all-sufficient for every age.

We hear a great deal these days from higher critical sources of the new voice of the twentieth century. We are urged that we need an adjustment in our theology; that the creeds of our forefathers are antiquated; that they should be thrown overboard; that they should be cast into the scrap heap. According to modernists the old-time message will not meet the need of our new day. One of them has suggested that what is needed today, is a new ship, a new crew, and a new captain who knows his course.

The message of the Bible carries an entirely distinct message from that of these modern Christ-rejecters.

The Word of God brings a message which claims adaptability to every age and every clime. It presents a truth that is not only full and complete, but also sufficient for every need.

The Church of today is meeting the same great world conditions met by the Church of the first century. To be sure there has been a change as to civilization, and invention has brought about many new methods of living; but in spite of all this, the heart is the same, it is still a heart that is "desperately wicked".

The description of the sinner in the 14th Psalm was certainly applicable in the days of David; it was quite as applicable in the days of Paul. The 3rd chapter of Romans bears witness to this.

If sin has not changed, why should we change the methods of meeting sin? Man still must be born again. The Holy Spirit must still do His regenerating work. The Cross must still be preached. The power of the Christian life is still the same as it was when the Epistles were inscribed.

All of this talk of a new method is certainly against the Word of God, as set forth in the Book of Jude.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR