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  • Sola Protestants: 5 Differences

    Sola Protestants: 5 Differences

    ONLY FIVE – 5 Sola’s of the Protestant Reformation

    You likely understand something of the history of the Church, especially if you’ve followed my previous Saturday posts on Doctrine or our current series in ACTS. Sola in celebration of ‘Reformation Day’ of the Protestant Church, I’ll ask: ‘Do you know what Protestants were protesting about the ‘Catholic Church?’

    Jesus changes how sinners give glory to God.

    The Apostles then set out on the sola journey of the faith grounded in Scripture and in Christ.

    You may know about The Great Schism and certainly know something about a doctrinal line in the sand which marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door at Wittenberg, on 31 October, A.D. 1517.

    Today, however, I will nail just two doctrinal questions about the teaching of your ‘church’ to the door of your thinking:

    Do you know the 5 Sola’s of the Protestant Reformation?

    How have these five doctrines defined differences even today between those professing other faiths (including Roman Catholics) and Protestants?

    TALKOFJESUS.COM – DOCTRINE – email your question or comment to: Roger@talkofJESUS.com

    WHAT IF THE CHURCH IS WRONG?

    HERE is a bit of researched HISTORY about October 31, in the year of our Lord 1517 AND events leading up to the PROTEST against the authority of 'The Church' from Rome.

    Luther

    Luther originally had no intention of breaking from the Catholic church, assuming that his call for theological and ecclesiastical reform would be heard, and ordinarily his theses would have been of interest only to professional theologians. However, various political and religious situations of the time, and the fact that printing had been invented, combined to make the theses known throughout Germany within a few weeks. Luther did not give them to the people, although he did send copies to the archbishop of Mainz and to the bishop of Brandenburg. Others, however, translated them into German and had them printed and circulated. Thus, they became a manifesto that turned a protest about an indulgence scandal into the greatest crisis in the history of the Western Christian church, and ultimately Luther and his followers were excommunicated.

    Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Ninety-five-Theses

    Luther’s 95 complaints to the Church concerned indulgences and other imperfections of a politically-driven Papacy. He was by no means the only cleric who objected to Church corruption, defects in doctrine and cardinal crimes.

    map holy roman empire

    The Roman Catholic Church survived the fifth century fall of Rome by an authoritarian political intervention of an aristocratic league of bishops led by the Bishop of Rome.

    In fact, by the fifteenth century the common people of Europe no longer had to rely on certain corrupt church officials who intentionally misinterpreted the Holy Bible.

    The movable type of Gutenberg’s printing press lit the light of the Renaissance with its rebirth of Scripture in the hands of everyday saints, written in their everyday vernacular rather than ancient Latin.

    The Protestant Reformation

    “The Reformers did not see themselves as inventors, discoverers, or creators,” according to historian Stephen Nichols. “Instead, they saw their efforts as rediscovery. They weren’t making something from scratch but were reviving what had become dead. They looked back to the Bible and to the apostolic era, as well as to early church fathers such as Augustine (354–430) for the mold by which they could shape the church and re-form it. The Reformers had a saying, ‘Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda,’ meaning ‘the church reformed, always reforming.’”

    Source: Steve Nichols – Ligionier.org

    Did you know?

    PROTESTANT REFORM did not begin with just one Catholic (Luther) with 95 complaints, but Many Men with 5 Principles.

    photo open page of Gutengerg Bible

    The Bible in print:

    • A.D. 1381-1382 – John Wycliffe & associates in English, but not mass produced
    • 1450’s Gutenberg Bible [German]
    • Valencian Bible
      • Latin (1448), German (1466) and Italian (1471), Catalan [Spain] (1478)
    • 1522 Martin Luther translates New Testament into German
    • 1525 Tyndale Bible [English]
    • A.D. 1560 – The Geneva Bible is printed in Geneva, Switzerland. *
    Source & more dates:
    • It is translated by English refugees and published by John Calvin’s brother-in-law, William Whittingham. The Geneva Bible is the first English Bible to add numbered verses to the chapters. It becomes the Bible of the Protestant Reformation, more popular than the 1611 King James Version for decades after its original release.

    To answer my first question to name five solas, first you must know what a sola is.

    • from Latin:– solus, sola, solum – alone, only, unique.. (similar to ‘solo,’ meaning one);
      • plural: solas or solae (similar to soli, i.e. multiple soloists)
        • consequently, each of the five ‘Solas’ has a singular focus.

    Sola – a Singular focus

    In time, the message of the Reformers became encapsulated in five slogans known as the solas of the Reformation: sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”), solus Christus (“Christ alone”), sola gratia (“grace alone”), sola fide (“faith alone“), and soli Deo gloria (“the glory of God alone”).

    https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/reformation-and-men-behind-it

    5 Sola’s of the Protestant Reformation

    • sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”),
    • solus Christus (“Christ alone”),
    • sola gratia (“grace alone”),
    • sola fide (“faith alone”), and
    • soli Deo gloria (“the glory of God alone”).
    You may encounter the five solas in different orders, but keep in mind the equal importance of EACH singular issue to the reformers of the Church we now call 'Protestants.' - RH

    I can only speak briefly to each of these five solas; therefore we will address EACH as part of an ANSWER to my more difficult second question:

    How do these five doctrines define differences even today between those professing other faiths and Protestants?

    email your answers and questions to Roger@talkofJESUS.com or comment on this post as you share it.

    by Scripture alone

    Scripture of the HOLY BIBLE:

    All Scripture is [God-breathed] inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for [reprimand or proof] rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness;

    2 Timothy 3:16 πᾶσα γραφὴ θεόπνευστος καὶ ὠφέλιμος πρὸς διδασκαλίαν πρὸς ἐλεγμόν πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν πρὸς παιδείαν τὴν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ

    The short answer of Luther and the reformers is that IF HOLY SCRIPTURE is “God-breathed,” THEN it contains the final and only (sola) Authority of what God says; THEREFORE

    NO Pope, Bishop, Priest or Preacher may cling to ANY authority to over-rule the Written Word of God.

    sola Scriptura – ONLY Scripture, by the Holy Spirit of Almighty God can interpret Holy Scripture.

    ONLY SCRIPTURE: The Highest Authority of GOD!
    Learn more from my earlier post linked here: sola scriptura = ONLY SCRIPTURE: The Highest Authority of GOD!
    * NOTE: For each of the 5 Sola's I will provide secure links for your further study to both the Hebrew & Greek roots containing additional Biblical references using the same word, as well as definitions.

    Strong’s H3791 – kᵊṯāḇ

    כְּתָב γραφή – Strong’s G1124 – graphē

    • SCRIPTURE in both the Hebrew and the Greek means WRITTEN.

    But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, since you do not [know] understand the Scriptures G1124 nor the power of God.

    Gospel of Matthew 22:29 NASB20

    by Grace Alone

    Grace, favor and Thanks giving.

    For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

    Ephesians 2:8 ESV

    חֵן H2580 – ḥēn is GRACE in the Hebrew,

    • meaning FAVOR, CHARM, ELEGANCE OR ACCEPTANCE.

    Psalm 84 attributes the gifts of grace and glory both to the LORD God, that is: Yᵊhōvâ ‘ĕlōhîm.

    כִּ֤י שֶׁ֨מֶשׁ וּמָגֵן֮ יְהוָ֪ה אֱלֹ֫הִ֥ים חֵ֣ן וְ֭כָבֹוד יִתֵּ֣ן יְהוָ֑ה לֹ֥א יִמְנַע־֝טֹ֗וב לַֽהֹלְכִ֥ים בְּתָמִֽים׃

    For the LORD God is a sun and a shield. The LORD will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly.

    Tehillim 84:12 WLC; Psalm 84:11 HNV

    Using this same Hebrew word for favor Zechariah prophesies:

    “And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and of pleading, so that they will look at Me whom they pierced; and they will mourn for Him, like one mourning for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.

    Zechariah 12:10

    Christians, of course, bring the Good News [Gospel] of grace through Jesus Christ to the world primarily from the (Greek) writings of the New Testament.

    χάρις – Strong’s G5485 – charis

    For of His fullness we have all received, and grace G5485 upon grace G5485. For the Law was given through Moses; grace G5485and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

    Gospel of John 1:16-17 NASB20 – His emphasis on grace

    The KJV translates Strong’s G5485 in the following manner: GRACE(130x), FAVOR favour (6x), THANKS (4x), THANK (4x), thank (with G2192) (3x)[*quoted below], PLEASURE (2x), miscellaneous (7x).

    And I thank [καί echō g2192 – {to have, i.e. to hold} charis G5485 {with grace}] Christ Jesus our Lord [christos iēsous hēmōn kyrios], who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry

    1 Timothy 1:12 KJV  Καὶ Χάριν ἔχω τῷ ἐνδυναμώσαντί με Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν ὅτι πιστόν με ἡγήσατο θέμενος εἰς διακονίαν – Greek Textus Receptus with Strong’s links from blueletterbible.org

    through Faith Alone

    Faith is NOT just an unfounded belief, as some would accuse God’s faithful.

    אֱמוּנָה Strong’s H530 – ‘ĕmûnâ

    • FIRMNESS, FIDELITY, STEADFASTNESS, STEADINESS

    Habakkuk 2:3b–4 Greek version reads:

    If the vision is delayed, wait patiently,

    for it will surely come and not delay.

    I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.

    But the righteous person will live by my faith.

    [or alternately: But the righteous one will live by his faith] H530.

    Compare Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:37-38.

    πίστις – Strong’s G4102 – pistis

    • conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it
      • relating to God, relating to Christ, the religious beliefs of Christians, belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same
      • fidelity, faithfulness
      • the character of one who can be relied on

    Biblical faith was not changed from the Old Testament to the New or by challenges from faithful Protestant Reformers.

    Roger@TalkofJESUS.com

    Faithful Roman Catholic clerics like Martin Luther struggled with this.

    Old Testament Prophet like Habakkuk and New Testament letters to Rome, Galatia and to the Hebrews (throughout the Roman world) ALL pointed through Scripture that the righteous will live by FAITH!

    Even though Catholic Bishops with their emphasis on works (to fund their great cathedrals of worship) may have quoted James as Jesus’ brother writes to the church:

    You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

    As a Catholic cleric Luther had a Bible. He recognized that by taking Scripture out of context, FAITH can be discounted to the unread saints of the church in order that ALL will believe the Overseers of Church Authority.

    Yet Luther and many more who READ and studied SCRIPTURE understood James’ context and a critical connection between FAITH and works.

    For James wrote to saints under persecution, just as the Protestant reformers would soon suffer.

    Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith G4102 produces [steadfastness] endurance. And let endurance have its perfect [Lit work] result, so that you may be [mature] perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

    James 1:2-4 NASB20 – Jesus’ half-brother & ‘bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,’ leader of the Jerusalem church

    to the glory of God Alone

    כָּבוֹד – Strong’s H3519 – kāḇôḏ

    GLORY (156x), HONOUR (32x), GLORIOUS (10x), GLORIOUSLY (1x), HONOURABLE (1x)

    The glory H3519 of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud. And to the eyes of the sons of Israel, the appearance of the glory H3519 of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountain top.

    Shmot (Exodus) 24:16-17 – יְהֹוָה כָּבוֹד

    The prophet Jeremiah preaches of glory with contemporary conviction applicable even today:

    הַהֵימִיר גּוֹי אֱלֹהִים וְהֵמָּה לֹא אֱלֹהִים וְעַמִּי הֵמִיר כְּבוֹדוֹ בְּלוֹא יוֹעִֽיל׃

    “Has a nation changed gods,
    When they were not gods?
    But My people have exchanged their glory
    For that which is of no benefit.
    Yermiyahu (Jeremiah) 2:11
    Give glory H3519 to the LORD your God

    Before He brings darkness

    And before your feet stumble

    On the mountains in the dark,

    And while you are hoping for light

    He makes it into gloom,

    And turns it into thick darkness.

    Yermiyahu (Jeremiah) 13:16

    תְּנוּ לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם כָּבוֹד בְּטֶרֶם יַחְשִׁךְ וּבְטֶרֶם יִֽתְנַגְּפוּ רַגְלֵיכֶם עַל־הָרֵי נָשֶׁף וְקִוִּיתֶם לְאוֹר וְשָׂמָהּ לְצַלְמָוֶת ישית לַעֲרָפֶֽל׃

    Yermiyahu (Jeremiah) 13:16

    δόξα – doxa – Strong’s G1391

    Dignity, Dignities:

    primarily denotes “an opinion, estimation, repute;” in the NT, always “good opinion, praise, honor, glory, an appearance commanding respect, magnificence, excellence, manifestation of glory;” hence, of angelic powers, in respect of their state as commanding recognition, “dignities,” 2Pe 2:10; Jud 1:8.
    See GLORY, HONOR, PRAISE, WORSHIP.

    SHALL GLORY be given to a mere man in the pulpit?

    To a Bishop over Bishops — a Shepherd of this world — a Saint long gone?

    SHALL GLORY be given to a Father confessor —

    Or as worship of a mortal mother who served the Son of God?

    THESE are the questions of the Protesters and Reformers who asked for Soli Deo gloria – GLORY to GOD ALONE!

    Roger@TalkofJESUS.COM

    in Christ Alone

    Χριστός – Strong’s G5547 – christos

    Christ:

    .. for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ G5547 the Lord.

    Gospel of Luke 2:11

    – Source: Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

    “anointed,” translates, in the Sept., the word “Messiah,” a term applied to the priests who were anointed with the hol for today in the city of David, oil, particularly the High Priest, e.g., Lev 4:3, 5, 16. 

    The prophets are called hoi christoi Theou, "the anointed of God," .. 
The title ho Christos, "the Christ," is not used of Christ in the Sept. version of the Inspired Books of the OT. In the NT the word is frequently used with the article, of the Lord Jesus, as an appellative rather than a title, e.g., Mat 2:4; Act 2:31; without the article, Luk 2:11; 23:2; Jhn 1:41. Three times the title was expressly accepted by the Lord Himself, Mat 16:17; Mar 14:61, 62; Jhn 4:26.

    It is added as an appellative to the proper name “Jesus,” e.g., Jhn 17:3, the only time when the Lord so spoke of Himself; Act 9:34; 1Cr 3:11; 1Jo 5:6.

    • It is distinctly a proper name in many passages, whether with the article, e.g., Mat 1:17; 11:2; Rom 7:4; 9:5; 15:19; 1Cr 1:6, or without the article, Mar 9:41; Rom 6:4; 8:9, 17; 1Cr 1:12; Gal 2:16.
    • The single title Christos is sometimes used without the article to signify the One who by His Holy Spirit and power indwells believers and molds their character in conformity to His likeness, Rom 8:10; Gal 2:20; 4:19; Eph 3:17.

    As to the use or absence of the article,

    • the title with the article specifies the Lord Jesus as “the Christ;”
    • the title without the article stresses His character and His relationship with believers.
      • Again, speaking generally, when the title is the subject of a sentence it has the article; when it forms part of the predicate the article is absent. See also JESUS.

    מָשִׁיחַ – Strong’s H4899 – māšîaḥ

    • The KJV translates Strong’s H4899 in the following manner: anointed (37x), Messiah (2x).

    The High Priestly Prayer

    These things Jesus spake, and when he had cast up his eyes into heaven [and the eyes lifted up to heaven], he said, Father, the hour cometh, clarify thy Son, that thy Son clarify thee.

    John 17:1 Wycliffe Bible

    As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to all them that thou hast given him.

    John 17:2 + 1599 Geneva Bible

    And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

    John 17:3 King James Version

    The Incomparable Christ

    Excerpts from Scripture in the letter from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, and Timothy,


Note the small 's' in saints, the faithful worshipers in Christ Jesus who are His Church. - RH

    To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who are at Colossae:

    We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope reserved for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel..

    For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

    He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation:

    .. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

    Colossians 1:15,17 NASB20
    • He is also the head of the body, the church;
    • and He is the beginning,
    • the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
    .. I was made a minister of this church according to the commission from God granted to me for your benefit, 
so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,
that is, the mystery which had been hidden from the past ages and generations, 
but now has been revealed to His saints,

    to whom God willed to make known what the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

    Colossians 1:27

    You Are Built Up in Christ

    .. Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

    For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over every ruler and authority..

    Put On the New Self

    Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

    Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

    Colossians 3:15-16 NASB20
    “.. specifically seen in Colossians 3 when Paul commands the Church to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly when we meet together, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” – Keith Getty

    Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

    from the letter to the saints at Collosae 3:17

    sola: + by Scripture alone + by Grace Alone + through Faith Alone + to the glory of God Alone + in Christ Alone

    The TEACHING & sola DOCTRINES OF GOD, CHRIST, GRACE, FAITH and SCRIPTURE as taught by JESUS and the APOSTLES remain foundational for THE CHURCH.

    Amen.
  • Creeds, Catechism, Confessions & Christ – What does your church teach?

    Creeds, Catechism, Confessions & Christ – What does your church teach?

    Credo, meaning, “I believe.” 

    Catechism – Teaching Church Doctrine summarized by Questions & Answers, formal teaching of Doctrines to members of a Church utilizing verbal recitation of questions and answers.

    Do you really believe that? doctrine - a line in the sand [picture of Jesus kneeling down to draw a line with his finger

    Creed – I believe this.. Confession of Faith – We (the church) believe this.. & Catechism – Our church teaches these Doctrines: 1.. 2.. 3.. etc.

    Last week in our series on Doctrine I defined and shared a brief look at Creeds. We discovered that a Creed is simply a brief statement of what you (supposedly) believe. And while some churches ritually repeat these as part of worship, every church has an underlying defined set of beliefs preached to the masses and taught to the uninitiated.

    Creeds, Catechisms, Confessions & Christ – What do you believe?
    Confession that Jesus is κύριος – Lord would have been a first Creed of the Way (Christians).

    What does your church believe?

    After glancing at a few Creeds and Confessions of faith do you now know more about what you believe and what your church believes and preaches?

    New believers and children are far more likely to have heard the catechism of your church than a casual weekly ‘worshiper’ gathering for its music and preaching. YES, every church has a catechism (whether veiled, indoctrinated or responsibly taught to its members).

    You likely have a few questions of your own (& please do not hesitate to share your question via a comment to this post).

    Christian Catechism 100

    Allow me to ask you just a few questions you might have heard and can answer from a catechism of your church.

    Some will recognize that a 100 series in teaching addresses pre-requisite knowledge; therefore your answers may come more readily to these selective catechism questions than from a 'Catechism 803'theology course. 

Note that your children may be taught more than these in their second or third year of 'Sunday School' or a Christian Academy you have chosen for them in lieu of a 'public' school indoctrinating ALL with world-class 'education.'

    Do YOU know the answers to your children’s’ catechism questions?

    1. What is the Trinity?
    2. Who is the Holy Spirit?
    3. What is the Law of God and what does it require?
    4. What is sin?
    5. What is idolatry?
    6. What happens when we die?
    7. Will all be saved to eternal life?
    8. Who is Christ?
    9. What is the resurrection?
    10. How does Christ redeem me from sin?

    Bonus Question: What makes the Bible Holy?

    BIBLE DOCTRINE BRING THEOLOGY TO LIFE

    What do YOU believe?

    Catechism? You get the idea from these sample questions above.

    Proverbs 22:6

    Catechism is teaching.

    Even when he grows older he will not abandon it.

    Preaching and Teaching

    Christians hold to and teach a reasoned faith.

    Through our study of the Holy Bible, Christians Creeds and Confessions of Faith we grow in our confidence in the Lord God and Jesus Christ, and by the Holy Spirit we continue in the confidence of our salvation God has predestined for those faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

    But before we look at Catechisms, let’s briefly define preaching and teaching, comparing their distinct yet parallel roles in the lives of the Church.

    Preaching

    The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim H7121 liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

    To proclaim H7121 the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

    KJV Strong’s H7121 matches the Hebrew קָרָא (qārā’). “preach*” AND “H7121“ Yeshaiya (Isaiah) 61:1-2 [WLC link]

    Hebrew definition – to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim;

    • preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
    • from קָרָא qârâʼ, kaw-raw’; a primitive root (rather identical with H7122 through the idea of accosting a person (metaphor); to call out to 

    but we preach G2784 Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness,

    Strong’s G2784 – κηρύσσω kērýssō, kay-roos’-so; of uncertain affinity; to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel):—preacher(-er), proclaim, publish. – 1 Corinthians 1:20 NASB20
    • Greek definition used of the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it, made by John the Baptist, by Jesus, by the apostles and other Christian teachers

    Teaching

    Now note from this New Testament letter of Paul to Timothy (written in Greek) some particular similarities and differences between preachers and teachers. (We will not dig into the many doctrines covered in these few verses.)

    2 Timothy

    .. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

    for which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.

    2 Timothy 1:11 NASB20
    • κῆρυξ – a preacher – a herald, i.e. of divine truth (especially of the gospel):—preacher.
    • ἀπόστολος – an apostle – a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders
    • διδάσκαλος – a teacher – in the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man
      • From διδάσκω (G1321) – .. to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, to impart instruction,
        • instill doctrine into one.. to explain or expound a thing, to teach one something

    Catechism & Teaching Doctrine

    The Creeds, Catechisms and Confessions are useful study tools to assist in understanding the Scriptures and in teaching Bible studies to others. These documents help to reaffirm the tenants of the traditional, historic Christian faith.

    BlueLetterBible.org – source for most definitions of this post – RH

    Why Catechisms MUST reflect Biblical Authority ABOVE all Church authority

    The following article and resource originally ran on July 8, 2018. A few weeks later, Pope Francis announced a redaction of the 1992 Catechism of the Catholic Church..

    RESOURCE: Traditional Catholic Catechisms [Updated]

    Catechisms included here reflect the doctrines and teachings of traditional Christian Protestant Denominations. – RH

    Luther’s Small Catechism of 1529

    Luther wrote his little catechism for parents to instruct their children in the faith just as he wrote his larger catechism as remedial instruction for pastors. Catechism in its Latin form means “book of instruction.”

    From its Greek roots, catechism means literally “sounding down in the ears” or, more pointedly, “indoctrination” in the Christian faith.

    source: St Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

    For Martin Luther, basic catechesis (doctrinal instruction) in the Christian faith refers to teaching children (and their parents!) the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the biblical basis for Baptism, Eucharist, and Confession.

    Although the complete Catechisms may be read on secure links, ONLY a few EXAMPLES of KEY DOCTRINAL TEACHING can be included in this brief post. - RH

    Heidelberg Catechism of 1563

    • 128 questions & answers; later,129 questions and answers were divided into 52 “Lord’s Days” with a view to the Catechism’s being explained in one of the services on the Lord’s Day.

    Here is the typical Q & A format with Scriptural references supporting the Authority of each answer:

    Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life and death?

    PAUSE: IF you yourself have never heard this or considered this life and death question, 
NOW might be a good time to pray for an answer (prior to reading the Scripturally supported ANSWER below). - RH
    Answer:

    That I with body and soul, both in life and death,a am not my own,b but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ;c who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins,d and delivered me from all the power of the devil;e and so preserves mef that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;g yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation,h and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life,i and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.j

    Answer to Question 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism – a-j notes to Scriptural references
    Scripture References:

    (a) Rom 14:7-8 (b) 1Co 6:19 (c) 1Co 3:23; Tts 2:14 (d) 1Pe 1:18-19; 1Jo 1:7; 1Jo 2:2; 1Jo 2:12 (e) Hbr 2:14; 1Jo 3:8; Jhn 8:34-36 (f) Jhn 6:39; Jhn 10:28; 2Th 3:3; 1Pe 1:5 (g) Mat 10:29-31; Luk 21:18 (h) Rom 8:28 (i) 2Co 1:20-22; 2Co 5:5; Eph 1:13-14; Rom 8:16; 1Jo 3:3 (j) Rom 8:14; 1Jo 3:3

    Heidelberg Catechism of 1563: The First Part – Of the Misery of Man

    Here is ANSWER to my combined QUESTION #3 above from Questions 3 & 4.

    Trinity and True Faith

    Let’s cut to the chase (so to speak). Scripture WARNS of false preaching and false teachers in the last days.

    Again, from 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT

    You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money.

    • They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful.
    • They will consider nothing sacred.
    • They will be unloving and unforgiving;
    • they will slander others and have no self-control.
    • They will be cruel and hate what is good.
    • They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.
    • They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.

    Stay away from people like that!

    Heidelberg Catechism of 1563: The Second Part – Of Man’s Deliverance

    Trinity and the true faith of Scripture as expressed in Creeds caution the church (or the saints {small ‘s’} in these life and death matters. For these are matters concerning ETERNAL LIFE with the Lord or the God-given punishment of Hell and Death deserved by ALL.

    • Question 12: Answer: God will have his justice satisfied: and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves, or by another.
    • Question 16. Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?
    • Question 17. Why must he in one person be also very God?

    Here (among other doctrines) is where false teachers DENY TRINITY & refuse to teach the Very Truth of Scripture.

    If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

    Gospel of John 10: Question of the Jews as Jesus was walking in the temple area, in the portico of Solomon.

    “I and the Father are one.”

    The Word of Jesus Christ from the Gospel of John
    • Question 22. What is then necessary for a christian to believe?
    • Answer: All things promised us in the gospel,a which the articles of our catholic undoubted christian faith briefly teach us.
    • References: (a) Jhn 20:31; Mat 28:19; Mar 1:15

    What follows as the answer to Question 23 is THE APOSTLES CREED.

    1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
    2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
    3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:

    TRINITY, from the beginning – Father, begotten Son and Holy Ghost [or Holy Spirit].

    • Question 25. Since there is but one only divine essence,(a) why speakest thou of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?
    • Answer: Because God has so revealed himself in his word,(b) that these three distinct persons are the one only true and eternal God.
    • References:
      • (a) Deu 6:4; Eph 4:6; Isa 44:6; Isa 45:5; 1Co 8:4; 1Co 8:6
      • (b) Isa 61:1; Luk 4:18; Gen 1:2; Gen 1:3; Psa 33:6; Isa 48:16; Psa 110:1; Mat 3:16; Mat 3:17; Mat 28:19; 1Jo 5:7; Isa 6:1; Isa 6:3; Jhn 14:26; John 15:26; 2Co 13:13; Gal 4:6; Eph 2:18; Tts 3:5; Tts 3:6

    Heidelberg Catechism of 1563: The Second Part – Of God the Son

    Question 29. Why is the Son of God called “Jesus”, that is a Saviour?

    Answer: Because he saveth us, and delivereth us from our sins;(a) and likewise, because we ought not to seek, neither can find salvation in any other.(b)

    References: (a) Mat 1:21; Hbr 7:24-25 (b) Act 4:12; Jhn 15:4-5; 1Ti 2:5; Isa 43:11; 1Jo 5:11

    Now the birth of Jesus the [From Gr Christos, which means Messiah (Heb for Anointed One)] Messiah was as follows: .. an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph.. that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. “She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He himself will save His people from their sins.”

    The Gospel of Matthew excerpt from 1:18a,20b,d,v.21

    This section of the Heidelberg Catechism of the 16th century asks students of true faith a question still relevant to you, to me and to every 21st century Christian:

    (I'll paraphrase question 32 to update the translation from German into the King's English used in the KJV.)
[Time to PAUSE & think through your reasoned Christian faith before you answer the KEY QUESTION below.]
    • Do YOU, my 21st century brother (or sister) in Christ have an answer of your Christian witness?
    • Is the Doctrine (teaching or catechism) from which you learned your answer based on Holy Scripture?

    Why are you called a Christian?

    References: (a) Act 11:26

    Because I am a member of Christ by faith;

    References: (b) 1Co 6:15

    therefore I share in His anointing

    References: (c) 1Jo 2:27; Act 2:17

    so that I may confess Jesus’ name

    References: (d) Mat 10:32; Rom 10:10; Mar 8:38

    and offer myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to him.

    References: (e) Rom 12:1; 1Pe 2:5; 1Pe 2:9; Rev 5:8; Rev 5:10; Rev 1:6

    As a Christian with a free and good conscience I may fight against sin and Satan in this life;

    References: (f) 1Pe 2:11 Rom 6:12-13; Gal 5:16-17; Eph 6:11; 1Ti 1:18-19

    and after this mortal life, Christ may choose me to reign with him eternally, over all creatures.

    References: (g) 2Ti 2:12; Mat 24:34

*Complete Scripture will open in BlueLetterBible.org as you read each Question, Answer & Reference. I recommend it for your further prayer and study. RH

    The statement is trustworthy:
    For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

    If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
    If we will deny Him, He will also deny us;

    2 Timothy 2:11-12 NASB20
    child reading Holy Bible - God's Personal Love

    Are you a Christian?

    Do you believe the teaching of the Holy Bible and the Word of God?

    Let the one who does wrong still do wrong, and the one who is filthy still be filthy;

    and let the one who is righteous still practice righteousness, and the one who is holy still keep himself holy.”

    “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves.

    I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

    The Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Apostle John 22:11-13 NASB

    “It is written in the Prophets: ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.

    John 6:45 NASB – The Words and Good News of Jesus Christ
    Doctrine - a line in the sand Creeds, Catechisms, Confessions & Christ – What do you believe?
    What does your church teach?

    “Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who believes has eternal life.

    John 6:47 – The Word of the Lord
    AFFIRM this DOCTRINE
    DENY this DOCTRINE

  • Looking Back – The Evil Before US, a history from Ezra

    Ezra, Looking Back

    Ezra c. 450 BC

    Picture the priest Ezra speaking to the builders and worshipers in Jerusalem:

    You know well how we have come to this place and the work which is before us.

    In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: 

    “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

    – Ezra 1:1-2

    Looking Back before US

    Our focus in Ezra’s story today begins in ‘the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam.’  Ezra chronicles time beginning with genealogies from Adam to the tribes of Israel.  Then he proceeds to the united kingdom of David and Solomon. Finally he reveals a story from about five hundred years before the construction of the second Temple.

    If today you and I looked back 500 years we would record important events of the 16th century.  From our contemporary perspective it would compare to chronicling the turbulent times of Martin Luther.

    Our forefathers fled wars in Europe which had caused the deaths of 10-20% of the population. Therefore colonies of the new world became a promised land for those persecuted for varying religious beliefs.

    Visit this link for more well-researched history of a pre-colonial America.  

    Return now to Ezra’s perspective of history looking back as if you were telling the story of the US in the 1600’s. Once again, imagine Ezra telling the story. 

    A Story from Israel’s Past

    While we rebuild the Temple of the Lord let me tell you a story from the chronicles of our history.

    2 Chronicles 13:

    Now there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam… 9 Have you not driven out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made priests for yourselves like the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes for ordination with a young bull or seven rams becomes a priest of what are not gods… so there fell slain of Israel 500,000 chosen men.

    Imagine: a half million men chosen by God fell on the battlefield due to the sins of Israel.

    2 Chronicles 14:

    Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David.

    And Asa his son reigned in his place. In his days the land had rest for ten years. 2 And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. 3 He took away the foreign altars and the high places and broke down the pillars and cut down the Asherim 4 and commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, and to keep the law and the commandment…

    Do we 'Seek the LORD..and keep the law and commandment?'

    9 Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots, and came as far as Mareshah.

    Many of their fathers had been slain on the battlefield and now a defeated army of Israel must face a million mighty warriors.

    10 And Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up their lines of battle in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11 And Asa cried to the Lord his God,

    “O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.”

    12 So the Lord defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. 13 Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar, and the Ethiopians fell until none remained alive, for they were broken before the Lord and his army.

    Ezra’s lesson to a people looking back

    2 Chronicles 15 English Standard Version (ESV)
    Asa’s Religious Reforms

    The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, 2 and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin:

    The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.

    3 For a long time Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest and without law, 4 but when in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them.

    Do we do that?  In our current distress will we turn to the Lord?

    5 In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. 6 They were broken in pieces. Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress.

    7 But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”

    Asa Takes Action

    8 As soon as Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah the son of Oded:

    • he took courage
    • and put away the detestable idols..
    • and he repaired the altar of the Lord..
    • 9 And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin..
    • 10 They were gathered at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. 11 They sacrificed to the Lord on that day..

    12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul,

    13 but that whoever would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman. 14 They swore an oath to the Lord with a loud voice and with shouting and with trumpets and with horns.

    15 And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.

    16 Even Maacah, his mother, King Asa removed from being queen mother because she had made a detestable image for Asherah. Asa cut down her image, crushed it, and burned it at the brook Kidron. 17 But the high places were not taken out of Israel.

    Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true all his days. 18 And he brought into the house of God the sacred gifts of his father and his own sacred gifts, silver, and gold, and vessels. 19 And there was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of the reign of Asa.

    Looking Back – Ezra’s lessons for US 

    Americans and others tend to look back only briefly at history with eyes that will not see. And any mention of Christ Jesus or the Lord God will quickly repulse those with ears which refuse to hear.

    We evaluate our present dilemma in terms of who we think has wronged US.

    Justice and righteousness fail in our palaces of partisan politics where mention of the Lord is anathema to reelection.

    A cynical nation cries out to the masses without one plea to Almighty God. Do we not justify our ungodly actions and inattentive inactions by a tolerant accomodation of our own self-righteousness? 

    Why do we not cry out to the God of our founders? (That is what King Asa did when he faced certain defeat.) 

    WE THE PEOPLE have forgotten the Lord. Surely the decline of our nation will outpace the fall of forgotten mighty empires.

    As Lesson for US from Ezra Looking Back

    Will it take a leader of another nation to lead US back to the Lord? That was the history behind the story Ezra tells here. 

    And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily.. – Ezra 7:21

    Ezra was living in Babylon when in the seventh year ( c. 457 BCE) of Artaxerxes, king of Persia, the king sent him to Jerusalem to teach the laws of God to any who did not know them. source

    In the 20th year of Artaxerxes, king of Persia, (445/444 BC), Nehemiah was cup-bearer to the king. Learning that the remnant of Jews in Judah were in distress and that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, he asked the king for permission to return and rebuild the city.

    Ezra tells of a King Asa, five centuries earlier, who the Lord used to restore Jerusalem (for a time). Then Nehemiah follows with the proclamation from Artaxerxes, king of Persia, to rebuild Jerusalem.

    Yet Israel will again turn from the Lord and captive Israel will await a Messiah to save them from evil.

    When will the nations of these last days remember the love of the Lord?

    For the Messiah Jesus has come to us. He was sacrificed for our sins and rose from the grave in victory! And our Lord will return on the clouds in victory over sin and death. Jesus calls out to the downtrodden souls of humble sinners.

    God rules over the nations and loves our worship and praise. He came to us in Person in Christ Jesus.

    When will you look up and cry out to the Lord?