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Commentary on "Faith"
Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, April 4, 2009
The introduction here is well-stated; however, it leaves room for some false assumptions by what it does not state: that Christian faith is first and foremost belief in Jesus Christ as He is described in the gospel given to us by the apostles. The Seventh-day Adventist church and many other churches add to scripture (Ellen White is presented as a "continuing and authoritative source of truth", a title that only belongs to the Bible), and any addition to scripture is necessarily a subtraction from the purity of the gospel. Jude, the brother of James the apostle, writes in his letter:
Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed... (Jude 1:3)
Jude speaks of a faith which was handed down to the saints once for all. That means that the canon of scripture is closed after the apostles have died. There will never be a "present truth" that was not given at first. Therefore, any prophecy, word of instruction, or teaching that is given to the church is for the purpose of strengthening and building up the church by directing them to the timeless truths that have already been given, and not by introducing new truths. In fact, Jude goes on to warn about "certain persons" who have "crept in unnoticed", who will introduce new teachings that have the effect of polluting the gospel and dividing the church.
Standing firm in our faith means holding on to the pure gospel and defending it earnestly. Holding to the gospel does not mean summarily rejecting modern prophets and teachers; but when Paul writes, "Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances" (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20), he immediately adds, "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Faith that is rooted in a false gospel is not true faith. A false gospel is any addition to or subtraction from the "faith which was once for all handed down to the saints" by the apostles, which we receive as the Bible. Let us keep this in mind as we study the topic of faith this week -- that the term "faith" as we use it refers only to a belief in Jesus Christ as presented in the gospel given to us by the apostles. Paul summarizes the apostolic gospel:
Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time... (1 Corinthians 15:1-6)
Paul further explains the true gospel in Romans 3:
But now apart from law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. (Romans 3:21-25)
Let's make some observations:
- The righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law -- this refers to any external requirements
- This righteousness is witnessed to by the Law and the Prophets (they testify to it)
- This righteousness is granted through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe
- In the giving of righteousness to those who believe, no distinction is made; rather,
- All who believe have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (we're all in the same plight before God), and
- All who believe are justified as a gift by His grace
- This justification comes through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, the propitiation (sacrifice of atonement) in his blood
- This justification is applied through faith
The gospel is that Jesus paid it all, and there are no more requirements for salvation (or even for everyday life) than to believe in Him. As Jesus states in the gospel of John, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent" (John 6:29). Faith means believing and trusting in our God, and especially the Lord Jesus and all he is to us -- our savior, Lord, friend, constant companion, our intercessor who prays for us, our high priest who represents us to the Father, our helper in time of need, our provider, our true Sabbath rest, and the one for whom we eagerly wait to be with Him. It is no wonder that Paul writes, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
What about you? Is Jesus everything to you? Is your delight and joy and trust in Him so great that you can say "to me, to live is Christ"? Is any extra-Biblical teaching holding you in slavery to fear? Are you trusting in something or someone other than Jesus to provide for all your needs? Having faith like a child means living a very simple life of trusting in Jesus for everything, even to the smallest details of life -- this life is full of joy and peace in Him. Ask Him to lead you to Himself, to show you what you need to surrender to Him. He loves you (he already died for you), and promises that "those who trust in Him will never be put to shame."
May the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth as we continue in Jesus' word, as He has said: "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:31-32).
Summary
- Christian faith is rooted in the true gospel given to us by the apostles. Any additions to or subtractions from the canon or teachings of the Bible make it a false gospel and a false faith.
- The true gospel is that Jesus paid for our sins in his death, and our only requirement for salvation and for daily life is to believe in Him.
- Faith like a child is a very simple life of trusting Jesus for everything.
Copyright 2008 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised April 6, 2009. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.
Official Adventist Resources
Standard Edition Study Guide Week 2
Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 2
