(Editor’s note: The following is a submission to The Recorder’s weekly column, “Faith Matters.” Each Saturday, a different faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 265.)
Christian groups place an incredible importance on faith and particularly the faith that they subscribe to.
Many Christian groups today say that one faith in Jesus is just as good as another. The “Baptist faith,” for instance, is just as good as Pentecostal which is just as good as Jehovah’s Witness, etc. Just as long as this faith includes the knowledge that Jesus is Lord and Savior, there is no problem, they say.
However, does that agree with what Paul has to say in Ephesians 4:4-5? In that passage, Paul writes that there is one Savior, one baptism, etc. and also includes that there is only “one faith.” Paul says that there is only one belief system. He doesn’t even say that one is better than the others but that there is only one true faith!
Jude 3-4 discusses the faith that was originally delivered by the Apostles. This is the one true faith that Paul talked about in Ephesians. Jude says that there are some that have perverted and corrupted this faith so that it is no longer the faith that was delivered to them and that saves them through Jesus Christ. In Galatians 1:6-8, we read of some early Christians “turning to a different gospel” that was a distortion of the original, true gospel. Paul then issues a warning to those who preach such a gospel, saying that such a preacher is cursed.
These false faiths are nothing to take lightly. We must be absolutely certain that our faith is the one true faith of the Bible!
So if there is just one true faith, we need to find what this faith is. But where can we find this faith? II Peter 1:3 shows that God has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness.” So there is a source for all of these things that we need to know to have a faith of life and godliness. Jesus says that man should live “by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
Paul informs Timothy that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable” for use in every stage of our Christian growth, from basic teaching to continued instructing, so that we can be “complete, equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16-17)
Every part of our faith can be found in the word of God. Not only can everything we need be found in Scripture but any other source is not from God and, therefore, has no place in our faith. Faith-defining documents such as man-made creeds consist of ideas and doctrines of men rather than the doctrine of the Lord. God has provided us with everything related to life and godliness through the inspiration of His Scripture to give us all of the information we need to equip ourselves with the one true faith!
If we can look to the word for the parameters of the faith, what does this one true faith consist of? First of all, our faith must be grounded in the belief of Jesus and God. John 3:16; 5:24 tells of the importance of belief. The majority of Christian groups will obviously agree with that aspect of faith but, based on other passages, the one true faith also includes Jesus as the only way to salvation (John 14:6), the element of baptism in accepting salvation (Acts 2:38) and a life that is devoted to living for God and according to His demands (Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20).
These are most assuredly not all of the aspects of the one true faith but they are some of the foundational principles that God has revealed as necessary of this one true, acceptable faith.
About Church of Christ, Greenfield
Church of Christ, located at 341 Conway St., is based on the pattern provided through the Holy Scriptures. We are committed to the teaching of Christ and the Apostles as they were guided by the Holy Spirit. We believe in speaking where the bible speaks and remain silent where the bible is silent, therefore we are not affiliated with any denominations.
Our assembly worship services are quite simple and are conducted as we understand the scriptures to command.
Our mission is to restore the church to match as closely as possible that of the first-century church.
We are committed to providing Bible studies at our building or in your home, free of charge, and at your convenience.
Our worship service is Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m.
For more information, contact Verlon Davis at 413-625-9223 or Christian Joyner at 559-329-9629. Email: greenfieldcofc.org