Beliefs and Truth

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A couple of days ago, I shared a little background and that we are visiting churches and trying to decide which would be the best fit for us. In Finding True Community, I talked about my thoughts on the importance of community and togetherness, and how family and church connections can fill that deep need that we all have to belong and be loved. 

So we are looking for what we like to call a church home, and one of the essentials is that it's a healthy and welcoming community. But not just any community. The other essential is that it's a community of believers. Believers in the truth of God's Word. 

The church exists to do two basic things - teaching and fellowship - and the purpose is to glorify God.

We explored the aspect of fellowship, but the aspect of teaching is arguably more important. It is, after all the foundation on which the fellowship is built! The teaching and preaching must be consistent with the Word of God, and must be in line with the wisdom and truth of the Bible, recognizing the authority and completeness of Scripture. As we look for the local church community that is right for us, we insist on a church that boldly and unapologetically relies on and teaches Biblical truth. 

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

~Acts 2:42-47~

This very first church devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching. Because the apostles had been the students and disciples of Jesus and had learned from him. After Jesus' death and resurrection, they had seen him and knew the truth. They were eyewitnesses that he had been dead, and that he was alive. They accepted his Great Commission, and saw him ascend into heaven. Then they received the power of the Holy Spirit to help them understand how Jesus had fulfilled every prophecy of the Messiah, and that he had come to bring salvation to everyone. Their witness that he was the Messiah and Son of God was founded in their personal relationship with him, the three years worth of his teaching and example, the miracles they witnessed, and the Holy Spirit empowering them to understand and to preach this good news. The early believers needed to orient everything they did in the light of this teaching - there was a lot for them to learn! 

They devoted themselves to prayer, and they witnessed miraculous signs by the apostles. I think it's safe to assume that they prayed for increased wisdom to understand the Torah and the Prophets, and to interpret all of it correctly. They would have thought about how those miracles aligned with prophecy and Scripture, and asked for discernment so they wouldn't be deceived by any false claims.

As the church grew and scattered and grew again, the apostles and leaders of this Way had to write letters to the various congregations to give instructions on how to live out this faith, how to interpret the Jewish law and teachings in light of Jesus' fulfillment, and how to figure out what was true and what was not. These letters form much of the New Testament.

As Christ-followers, we must be grounded in the truth of God's Word. We must search the Scriptures diligently and our beliefs must line up with what God says in his Word. We've got to know what the Bible says so we know what we believe, and what the instructions are so we can follow them. Those who preach and teach in the church must be responsible to teach the truth of the Bible, and every one of us is responsible to check everything and make sure it lines up with the Bible, just like the Bereans. We must believe that God's Word is true and complete and provides everything we need to live out our faith.

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

~Acts 17:11~

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit; joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

~Hebrews 4:12~

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

~II Timothy 3:14-17~

Our beliefs matter. Our beliefs shape our character and guide our actions. If we believe something that's not true or accurate, we're going to wind up in trouble. That's why the church must hold itself to teaching God's Word and not water it down with man's philosophy. If our compass doesn't point to true north, we will get lost. 

The Apostles Creed was written about 150 years after the apostles had died, but it outlines what they taught. While there are differences of opinion and interpretation for a couple of the phrases*, this is the basic summary of Christian belief. (See "What is the Apostles' Creed?" at Got Answers for more info.)

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

the Creator of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord;

Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.*

The third day He arose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven

and sists at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,

whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and life everlasting.

Amen.

Side note: Funny how it worked out that I chose a Newsboys song for this and for my other post about finding a church. I didn't plan it that way ahead of time!

This post is part of the Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge hosted by Anita Ojeda. Find all my posts for the 2023 challenge here: Write Something Somewhere

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