Author: drthomasclothier

^“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 ESV)

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. ⁴ And you know the way to where I am going.” ⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:1–6 ESV)

Whether respectively it was the Apostle John describing the Lord Jesus Christ, or it was Jesus’ own self-description, the importance of the Lord being the embodiment and source of truth is emphasized. Truth (ἀλήθεια; aletheia) is what corresponds to reality. Truth is trustworthy because it explains reality. Truth tells us the way things really are. Who Jesus was/is and what He taught is truth; therefore reality. However, there are those who disagree with these statements.

“Christianity is just one version of God – all the other religions where God doesn’t sacrifice himself for mankind and people have to earn their way to heaven by their own works have something to say too. I know I keep contradicting myself but I’ll ignore that and point out how the Bible is full of contradictions.  I want genuine truth without Jesus,” states deconstructionist Marty Sampson.

Each of these conclusions by Mr. Sampson must be addressed and not dismissed. There must be a defense for what evangelicals believe and why we believe it.

First, Mr. Sampson states Christianity is just one version of God. Truthfully, only biblical Christianity, in both the Old and New Testaments, reveals the One, True God. This is because all other religions foster a human-centered works righteousness system where sinners save themselves. Only the Scriptures reveal a salvation by God’s sovereign grace alone, through God-given faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone for the eternal glory of God alone. All messages of religious human achievement at self-salvation is heresy.

²¹ “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— ²² the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. ²⁶ It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:21–26 (ESV)

⁶ “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— ⁷ not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. ⁹ As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. ¹⁰ For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6–10 ESV)

¹⁵ “We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; ¹⁶ yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:15–16 ESV)

Second. Mr. Sampson continues to say “all the other religions where God doesn’t sacrifice himself for mankind and people have to earn their way to heaven by their own works have something to say too.” What these religious systems say are either moralistic, therapeutic deistic slogans, which border on the incoherent, or lies. They reject the doctrine of grace and the need for a penal, substitutionary atonement. Take note of what Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount.

¹³ “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. ¹⁴ For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13–14 ESV)

Proverbs 14:12 (ESV) says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” 

“Jesus declared that he is the way to God because he is the truth of God (John 1:14) and the life of God (1:4; 3:15; 11:25). In John 14:6, the exclusiveness of Jesus as the only approach to the Father is emphatic. Only one way, not many ways, exist to God, i.e., Jesus Christ (10:7–9; cf. Matt. 7:13–14; Luke 13:24; Acts 4:12),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

Finally, Mr. Sampson claims the Bible is full of contradictions. It would be ethical for him to support this general statement with at least one, specific example. However, as with many others who make such a claim, examples are not forthcoming, or are easily explained and refuted.

The Bible’s consistent message, from cover to cover, is as follows: (1) There is One, True God who exists; (2) Humankind are sinners by nature and behavior; (3) Salvation, and deliverance, from the penalty, power and eventual presence of sin exists; and (4) The only deliverer willing and able to save sinners from their sins is the Lord Jesus Christ. God calls sinners to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  This is the of the truth, the Gospel (Colossians 1:3-5).

Praying for Mr. Sampson and his need for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. I write this, not because I’m better than he is, but because I was at one time just as skeptical as he is of the church and the Gospel. He needs God’s grace alone in Christ alone by God-given faith alone. Praying for this miracle.

Soli deo Gloria!

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ² in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— ³ among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” (Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV)

“I mean what kind of God requires that we actually go out and tell people about Jesus so that they are rescued from Hell? They should just all go to heaven without repentance that would create such a perfect place.”

The previous quote concerns two biblical doctrines: the nature of God and the nature of humankind. Why does God command His disciples to go and tell people about their need for salvation? Why are people needing to hear from God’s disciples about their need of salvation? The questions, and their respective answers, are intertwined.

Preciously, we biblically examined the nature and character of God. Today we biblically examine the nature and character of humankind.

God created man directly and immediately in His image and likeness. God created man free of sin with a rational nature, intelligence, volition, self-determination, and moral responsibility to God (Gen. 2:7, 15–25; James 3:9).

God created man to glorify God, enjoy God’s fellowship, live his life in the will of God, and by this accomplish God’s purpose for man in the world (Gen. 26-31; Isa. 43:1-7; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11). However, Adam’s sin of disobedience to the revealed will and word of God resulted in a loss of innocence.

“Adam incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death; became subject to the wrath of God; and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, man is hopelessly lost. Man’s salvation is thereby wholly of God’s grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Gen. 2:16–17; 3:1–19; John 3:36; Rom. 3:23; 5:12-21; 6:23; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1–3; 1 Tim. 2:13–14; 1 John 1:8),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

All individuals were in Adam. Therefore, humankind possesses a nature corrupted by Adam’s sin. This fallen, sinful nature is transmitted to all individuals of all ages; Jesus Christ being the only exception because of His virgin conception and birth. All men are thus sinners by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration (Ps. 14:1–3; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:9–18, 23; 5:10–12). The only hope sinners have is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:21–26 (ESV) – “²¹ But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— ²² the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. ²⁶ It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”  

Ephesians 2:5–10 (ESV) – “⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Colossians 1:3–7 (ESV) – “³ We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴ since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, ⁵ because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, ⁶ which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, ⁷ just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf.”

This is the truth God command believers in Christ to share with those condemned in their sin (Matthew 28:16-20; Romans 10:11-17). Sinners need the credited righteousness of Jesus Christ. This righteousness is available by grace alone, through faith alone, and in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone, according to Scripture alone to the glory of God alone.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷ And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. ¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16–20 (ESV)

“I mean what kind of God requires that we actually go out and tell people about Jesus so that they are rescued from Hell? They should just all go to heaven without repentance that would create such a perfect place.”

The previous quote concerns two biblical doctrines: the nature of God and the nature of humankind. Why does God command His disciples to go and tell people about their need for salvation? Why are people needing to hear from God’s disciples about their need of salvation? The questions, and their respective answers, are intertwined.

What kind of God commands His disciples to tell people about their need of salvation? What has the One, True God of heaven and dearth revealed about Himself? Scripture provides the answer. There may be more attributes God has not revealed to us, but there many He has chosen to reveal. They are as follows.

• God is self-existent. God is not dependent upon anything or anyone but Himself (Psalm 33:10-11; Ex. 3:13-14; Rom. 9:19; 11:32-36; Eph. 1:5).
• God is self-sufficient.  God lacks nothing (Psalm 50:10-12).
• God is eternal. God is absolutely free from any tyranny of time. He exists in a perpetual present (Deut. 33:27; Psalm 90:1-2; 102:11-12; John 8:56-58).
• God is infinite. God has no limitations beyond His own nature and will (I Kings 8:22-27; Jeremiah 23:24).
• God is omnipresent. God is present everywhere; not only in His transcendence but also in His immanence (Psalm 139:7-12; Matthew 18:20; 28:19-20).
• God is omnipotent. God is all powerful. This power and authority extends over nature, humankind, angels, Satan and death (Genesis 1-2; Isaiah 40; Daniel 4:30-32; Psalm 103:20; Job 1-2; Hebrews 2:14-15).
• God is omniscient. God is all knowing. His knowledge is infinite (Psalm 44:21; 139:4; 147:1-5; Proverbs 15:3; Isaiah 40:13-14; Matthew 6:32; Hebrews 4:13).
• God is Wise. God applies His knowledge in the best possible way (Psalm 136:1-5; Proverbs 3:19; I Corinthians 2:7; I Timothy 1:17; Jude 1:25).
• God is immutable. God never changes (Acts 1:11; Hebrews 1:10-12; 13:8; James 1:17).
• God is sovereign. God is in complete control of the universe. He is absolute ruler (Psalm 115:1-3; 135:1-6; Isaiah 46:1-11; Daniel 4:35).
• God is incomprehensible. God alone can completely comprehend God (Job 5:1-7; 11:1-9; Psalm 36:1-6; Romans 11:33-36).
• God is holy. Holiness is God’s most prominent attribute. God is set-apart. He is uniquely different (Leviticus 19:1-2; Psalm 99:1-9; Isaiah 6:1-7; I Peter 1:13-15).
• God is wrathful. God is set against and judges sin (Psalm 2:1-12; 7:1-9; 45:7; 67:1-7; 75:1-8; 76:6-7; 78:49-51; 90:7-9; 96:10; Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 25:15-16; John 3:36; Romans 1:18-21; (:22;Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:5–6). 
• God is righteous. God righteousness is His love for holiness (Exodus 9:27; Ezra 9:15; Nehemiah 9:8; Daniel 9:14).
• God is true. Truth is what is real. God’s being and His knowledge conforms to each other (John 14:1-6; 17:1-3; Romans 3:1-4; I Thessalonians 1:1-9; Titus 1:1-2; Hebrews 6:18).
• God is faithful. God is trustworthy, dependable, reliable and worthy or worship (Deuteronomy 7:1-9; Psalm 36:5; 89:1-2; Lamentations 3:22-23; I Corinthians 10:13).
• God is light. God is the source of moral, mental and spiritual source of illumination and understanding (2 Corinthians 4:1-6; I Timothy 6:16; James 1:17; I Peter 2:9; I John 1:5-7).
• God is merciful. God often does not give sinners what they deserve; judgment (Psalm 61; 103:8-17; Jonah 4:1-2; I Timothy 1:13-16; Hebrews 8-12).
• God is gracious. God often gives sinners what they do not deserve; salvation (Psalm 111:1-4; 116:1-5; John 1:14-17; Romans 1:1-7; 3:24; 5:20; I Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 12:1-9;  Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 2:9; 4:14-16; I Peter 2:1-3; 5:1-10).
• God is love. Biblical love is an unselfish care and concern for another individual’s welfare. It is a self-sacrificial love of the will. God loves Israel, the sinful world, the church, and individual sinner and the individual believer in Christ (Deuteronomy 7:1-8; Isaiah 49:15; Jeremiah 31:1-3; Hosea 11:1; John 3:1-6; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:25-32; I Timothy 3:1-4; 2 Peter 3:1-9).

This is the God who commands His disciples to tell people about their need of salvation. He is the One, True God who we are to obey. May God find us so.

Soli deo Gloria!

“And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. ² He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ ³ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. ⁴ An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.” (Matthew 16:1–4 ESV).

Regarding signs and miracles, the Gospels chronicle many of Jesus’ miraculous signs. However, Jesus understood what was in the soul of man and their continuous demand for miracles (John 2:23-25).

Self-confessed deconstructionist Marty Sampson writes, “How many miracles happen in our comfortable version of Christianity? Not many. But no-one talks about the miracles that happen daily for those under persecution and on the front line.”

A miracle is divine act by which God reveals himself to people. God’s revelation of Himself involves not only His personal character but also His sovereign work.

Many of the miracles of the Bible used nature rather than bypassed it (e.g., the wind that parted the Red Sea, Ex. 14:21). A miracle can be a phenomenon that is not readily explainable and may reflect laws that scientists do not yet fully understand.

In Scripture the element of faith is crucial; a natural approach cannot prove or disprove the presence of a “miracle.” The timing and content of the process can be miraculous, even though the event may seem natural.

In every example in Scripture, God performed a miracle not merely as a “wonder” to inspire awe but as a “sign” to draw people to himself. The purpose of miracles was to divide the audience and confront it with the necessity of decision; those seeking understanding and those considering only the outward aspects of the miracle and condemning.

1 Corinthians 1:18–25 (ESV) says, “¹⁸ For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” ²⁰ Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. ²² For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

Jesus’ miracles directed people to only what He did, but most importantly who He was. The LORD continues to do this in the many miraculous moments occurring in our lives every day.

Are you aware of the untold miraculous moments occurring each day from God in your life? They may occur through a providential circumstance, a gospel song heard at just right moment, an encouraging note or comment, a particular portion of Scripture read or remembered at exactly the right time, or any of a number of other occurrences. What we may presume are “coincidences” are really divine appointments of God’s power and person.

What about the greatest miracle of all; the salvation of a fallen sinner by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. Let us never forget this wonder of wonder; miracle of miracles.

Soli deo Gloria!  

⁸ If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8–10 ESV)

The Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims a salvation by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. The LORD saves the believing sinner from the penalty of sin. This is justification, redemption and reconciliation. God removes the individual’s spiritual guilt, indebtedness and enmity (Romans 3:21-26). This aspect of salvation occurs at a precise moment of regeneration resulting in conversion (John 1:12-13; 3:1-8; Titus 3:1-5).

The LORD also delivers individuals from the eventual presence of sin. This is glorification. Glorification also occurs at a precise moment in time (Romans 8:29-30; 2 Peter 3:10; I John 3:1-3).

However, there is a third component of our salvation from God. The LORD continually and progressively saves the believer from the power of sin. This is called sanctification. Sanctification primarily means to be set apart progressively from sin. This means that no believer after justification, redemption and reconciliation, and prior to glorification, is perfectly righteous. They are progressing in their sanctification. Unfortunately, believers slip, stumble and fall. However, true believers in Christ do not make a practice of sinning (I John 2:1-6, 28-29; 3:4-10; 5:1-5). They progress in their walk of holiness.

Marty Sampson’s criticism of the current condition of Christianity is as follows. “I mean how many preachers fall? Many. Whereas in the Bible, people like Moses, David and Peter never fell.”

This is no disagreement that many high-profile pastors, and others who serve in relative obscurity, have committed scandalous sin. So too do believers in Christ who are not in the ministry. There is no excuse for it. Consequences are huge because of it. However, to say no believer in Scripture committed sin and stumbled is just not true. All had feet of clay. Let’s briefly examine the lives of Abraham, Moses and David.

Abraham was a habitual liar (Gen. 12:10-20; 20:1-7). He was also an adulterer (16:1-15). Moses was a murderer (Ex. 2:11-15). David was a liar, adulterer and a murderer (2 Sam. 11-12). All three experienced consequences for their sin. All three experienced God’s graciousness in spite of their sin.

God’s gracious work in the lives of biblical characters mirrors His graciousness and forgiveness in our own. We are not to presume on God’s mercy. God commands all believers in Christ to refrain from sin.

Romans 6:12–14 (ESV) says, “¹² Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. ¹³ Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. ¹⁴ For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”

Soli deo Gloria! 

²¹ “I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. ²² Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. ²³ No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2:21–23 ESV)

 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.” (1 John 4:1–3 ESV)

Marty Sampson was an evangelical worship leader and composer. Following several years of ministry, Mr. Sampson began deconstructing his faith in Christ. He recently wrote, “I just don’t have any real faith in this Jesus bloke, but I can write a good love song with the best of them and that’s been the secret to my success.”

This begs the question of how anyone can be certain if an individual is a believer in Jesus Christ or not. People often make professions of knowing Christ.. They may even be involved in full-time ministry, and successfully so. Is there any objective standard by which to be certain an individual’s profession of faith reveals a true possession of faith in Christ? Today’s text provides an answer drawn from the objective truth of God’s Word.

The Apostle John warned his readers to not believe every spirit. This present, active command focused on never putting one’s trust, dependence, commitment and honor in just any individual. Rather, the apostle commanded believers in Christ to test (δοκιμάζω; dokimazo) or examine religious teachers to see whether they were from God. John’s concern was born out of the reality of many false prophets in the world.

John then provides a definitive statement on how to recognize a false prophet or teacher. He writes, “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.”

To confess (ὁμολογέω; homologeo) means, in this context, to presently and actively acknowledge and agree that Jesus Christ is Immanuel; the eternal God/Man. He is God with us. Several ancient and recent creeds affirm this truth. One such creedal statement is the recent Ligonier Statement on Christology entitled The Word Made Flesh.

We confess the mystery and wonder
of God made flesh
and rejoice in our great salvation
through Jesus Christ our Lord.​​​​‌‍​‍​‍‌‍‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍​‍​‍​‍‍​‍​‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍​‍​‍​​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍​‍​‍​‍‍​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‍​‍​‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‌​​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌​​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‍​​‌‌‍​‌‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‌​​​‌‍​‌​‌​​‍‌​‍‌‌‍​‍​​​​‌‌‍​​​‌‌‍‌‍​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‌‌‍‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‍‌‍​‌‍​​​‍​​‌​‌‌​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‍‌‍​‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​‍‌‍​​‌‌‍‍​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​​‌​‍‌‌​​‍‌​‌‍​‍‌‌​​‍‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍‍​‍‌‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‍‌​​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‍​​‌‌‍​‌‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‌​​​‌‍​‌​‌​​‍‌​‍‌‌‍​‍​​​​‌‌‍​​​‌‌‍‌‍​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‌‌‍‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‍‌‍​‌‍​​​‍​​‌​‌‌​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‍​‍‌‌

With the Father and the Holy Spirit,
the Son created all things,
sustains all things,
and makes all things new.
Truly God,
He became truly man,
two natures in one person.​​​​‌‍​‍​‍‌‍‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍​‍​‍​‍‍​‍​‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍​‍​‍​​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍​‍​‍​‍‍​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‍​‍​‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‌​​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌​​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‍​​‌‌‍​‌‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​​‌‌‍​​‍‌​‌​​‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‍​‌‌‍​​​​​‌‍​‍‌‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‍​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‍‌‍​‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​‍‌‍​​‌‌‍‍​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​​‌​‍‌‌​​‍‌​‌‍​‍‌‌​​‍‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍‍​‍‌‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‍‌​​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‍​​‌‌‍​‌‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​​‌‌‍​​‍‌​‌​​‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‍​‌‌‍​​​​​‌‍​‍‌‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‍​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‍​‍‌‌

He was born of the Virgin Mary
and lived among us.
Crucified, dead, and buried,
He rose on the third day,
ascended to heaven,
and will come again
in glory and judgment.​​​​‌‍​‍​‍‌‍‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍​‍​‍​‍‍​‍​‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍​‍​‍​​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍​‍​‍​‍‍​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‍​‍​‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‌​​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌​​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‍​​‌‌‍​‌‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍​‌​‌‍‌‍‌‌​‌‍​‌‌‍​‍​​‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌​‌​​‌‍​‌​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍​‍​‍‌​​‍‌‍​‍​‍‌​‍‌​​‌​​​​​​​​‌‍​‍‌‍​‌​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‍‌‍​‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​‍‌‍​​‌‌‍‍​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​​‌​‍‌‌​​‍‌​‌‍​‍‌‌​​‍‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍‍​‍‌‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‍‌​​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‍​​‌‌‍​‌‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍​‌​‌‍‌‍‌‌​‌‍​‌‌‍​‍​​‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌​‌​​‌‍​‌​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍​‍​‍‌​​‍‌‍​‍​‍‌​‍‌​​‌​​​​​​​​‌‍​‍‌‍​‌​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‍​‍‌‌

For us,
He kept the Law,
atoned for sin,
and satisfied God’s wrath.
He took our filthy rags
and gave us
His righteous robe.​​​​‌‍​‍​‍‌‍‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍​‍​‍​‍‍​‍​‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍​‍​‍​​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍​‍​‍​‍‍​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‍​‍​‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‌​​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌​​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‍​​‌‌‍​‌‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍​‌‌‍​‍‌‍‌‍​​​‌‌‌‍​‍​‍‌​‌​‌‍​‍​​‍​‍‌‌‍‌‍​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍​‍​​‌‌‍‌‌‌‍​‍‌‍​‌‍​‍​​‍​‌‌‌‍‌​​‍‌​‌​​‍​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‍‌‍​‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​‍‌‍​​‌‌‍‍​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​​‌​‍‌‌​​‍‌​‌‍​‍‌‌​​‍‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍‍​‍‌‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‍‌​​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‍​​‌‌‍​‌‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍​‌‌‍​‍‌‍‌‍​​​‌‌‌‍​‍​‍‌​‌​‌‍​‍​​‍​‍‌‌‍‌‍​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍​‍​​‌‌‍‌‌‌‍​‍‌‍​‌‍​‍​​‍​‌‌‌‍‌​​‍‌​‌​​‍​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‍​‍‌‌

He is our Prophet, Priest, and King,
building His church,
interceding for us,
and reigning over all things.​​​​‌‍​‍​‍‌‍‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍​‍​‍​‍‍​‍​‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍​‍​‍​​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍​‍​‍​‍‍​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‍​‍​‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‌​​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌​​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‍​​‌‌‍​‌‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍​‌​‌​‍‌​​‌‍​‌‍‌​​‌​​‍​​​‌‍‌‍​‌​​‌‍​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍‌​​​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‍‌​​‌‍​​‌​‌‍​‌‍‌‍​‌‌‍‌​‌‍​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‍‌‍​‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​‍‌‍​​‌‌‍‍​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​​‌​‍‌‌​​‍‌​‌‍​‍‌‌​​‍‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍‍​‍‌‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‍‌​​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‍​​‌‌‍​‌‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍​‌​‌​‍‌​​‌‍​‌‍‌​​‌​​‍​​​‌‍‌‍​‌​​‌‍​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍‌​​​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‍‌​​‌‍​​‌​‌‍​‌‍‌‍​‌‌‍‌​‌‍​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‍​‍‌‌

Jesus Christ is Lord;
we praise His holy Name forever.​​​​‌‍​‍​‍‌‍‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍​‍​‍​‍‍​‍​‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍​‍​‍​​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍​‍​‍​‍‍​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‍​‍​‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‌​​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌​​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‍​​‌‌‍​‌‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‌​​​​‌‌​‍​‌‍‌‍​‌​​‌‌‍​‌​​‌‌‍​‍​‌‌‍​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‌​​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌​​‌‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌​​‌​​‍​​‌‍​‍​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‍‌‍​‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​‍‌‍​​‌‌‍‍​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​​‌​‍‌‌​​‍‌​‌‍​‍‌‌​​‍‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍‍​‍‌‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‍‌​​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‍​​‌‌‍​‌‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‌​​​​‌‌​‍​‌‍‌‍​‌​​‌‌‍​‌​​‌‌‍​‍​‌‌‍​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‌​​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌​​‌‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌​​‌​​‍​​‌‍​‍​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‍​‍‌‌

Amen.​​​​‌‍​‍​‍‌‍‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍​‍​‍​‍‍​‍​‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍​‍​‍​​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍​‍​‍​‍‍​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‍​‍​‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‌​​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌​​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‍​​‌‌‍​‌‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‌‍​‍​‌‍‌‌​​‍‌‍‌​‌‍​‌​‌‌​‍‌‌‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‌‍​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍‌‌​​‍​​‌​‌‍​‌​​​‍​​‌‌‍​‍‌‍‌‍​​​‌‍‌‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‍‌‍​‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​‍‌‍​​‌‌‍‍​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​​‌​‍‌‌​​‍‌​‌‍​‍‌‌​​‍‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍‍‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍‍​‍‌‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‍‌‌​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​‍‌‍‌​​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‍​​‌‌‍​‌‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‌‍​‍​‌‍‌‌​​‍‌‍‌​‌‍​‌​‌‌​‍‌‌‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‍‌‌‌‍​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‍​‌‍‍‌‌‍​‌‍‌​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍‌‍‌‌​​‍​​‌​‌‍​‌​​​‍​​‌‌‍​‍‌‍‌‍​​​‌‍‌‌​‌​​‍‌‌​​‍​​‍​‍‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‌​​‍​‍‌

Whatever material success an individual may derive from serving the Lord in full-time ministry, Jesus Christ is not just a “bloke” by which we can make a comfortable living. He is not the means to materialistic prosperity. To think otherwise is to be, what John referred to, as an antichrist. An antichrist (ἀντίχριστος; antichristos) is an enemy of Jesus Christ.

“The gospel the New Testament teaches holds forth this truth: Jesus Christ, fully God, became man for our salvation, died for our sins, and was raised from the dead. Believe this and you will be saved,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

May grace, peace and truth be found here. Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!   

¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, ¹⁵ but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:14–15 ESV)

The LORD calls believers in Christ to always be prepared to make a defense for the reason for our hope in Jesus Christ. We are not to be intimidated or fearful. Rather, we are always to be ready to speak in defense of the Gospel.

However, we are to defend the truth of the Gospel with gentleness and respect. Gentleness refers to meekness and humility. Respect means giving honor to the one whose objections you answer. With this perspective in mind, let us respond to composer Marty Sampson’s objections to biblical Christianity.

“Nobody talks about hard stuff – and by no-one I mean those in my middle-class Western Christian bubble and obviously I’m ignoring all those passages in the Bible which do, or the last 1,500 years of theological thought.”

Is this true? Honestly, there are many pastors, and churches who do not talk about the hard stuff. They do everything they can to avoid offending people with biblical truth. For many, their biblical mission, vision and values is centered on bigger and better. In other words, a bigger congregation is better than a small one. You achieve a bigger church by not offending people. You give them what they want.

However, there are many pastors preaching on difficult issues. This especially includes those in the middle-class Western church of America as well as those who minister throughout foreign countries. These issues include, but are not limited to the following:

• Heaven and Hell.
• Do babies go to heaven when they die?
• Why is there evil in the world?
• What does the Bible say about LGBTQ+ movement?
• Is Jesus Christ the only way to heaven?
• Is abortion a sin?
• Can a true believer in Jesus Christ lose their salvation?
• Divorce and Remarriage.  

Pastor and teachers are addressing these issues; biblically and truthfully. This is done not only by well-known evangelical pastors, scholars and authors, but also by those who faithfully labor in God’s Word in the urban, suburban and rural areas of America and throughout the world. They study, preach and teach the tough biblical passages with little fanfare and often with little encouragement. It may appear to be a biblical desert, but there are oases of biblical truth to be found.

Granted, there are high profile mega-churches that solely feature high energy music and little biblical preaching, if any. They may be large and well-known, but they are comparatively few to the many churches faithfully laboring in relative obscurity. There is no substitute for a man who stands behind a pulpit, opens the Word of God and proclaims expositional, biblical truth (2 Timothy 4:1-5). Accept no substitutes.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁸ “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. ¹⁹ They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” (1 John 2:18–19 ESV)  

For the next several days we are taking a sabbatical from our study of the Gospel of Matthew. Instead, we are revisiting the topic of Deconstructing Christianity. We examined this subject in 2023. Perhaps you have heard this term, or others like it. What exactly is Deconstruction or Deconstructing Christianity?

Faith deconstruction, also known as deconstructing faith, evangelical deconstruction, the deconstruction movement, or simply deconstruction, is a Christian phenomenon where people unpack, rethink and examine their beliefs in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and their involvement in organized religion or the church.

Deconstructing Christianity is not a 21^st century church phenomenon. Defectors, or apostates, of the Gospel of Jesus Christ have existed since the beginning of the church. This is partly reflected in the truth of today’s text.

The Apostle John wrote to believers in Christ concerning their ongoing fellowship with not only their faith in Jesus Christ, but also with fellow believers (I John 1:1-4). He addressed these disciples as his little children, or children of God (I John 2:1, 18, 28; 3:2, 7, 10, 18; 4:4; 5:2) and the beloved (I John 3:2, 21; 4:1, 7).

Children (παιδίον; paidion) refers to an individual normally before puberty. It also refers to one who is the object of affection and concern. This not only refers to biological children, but as is the case with today’s text individuals who are children of God’s family.

John’s concern for these believers was because it was the last hour. The phrase last hour (ἔσχατος ὥρα; eschatos hora) refers to the time period between Jesus Christ’s ascension (Acts 2:1-11) and His return to earth in power, might and glory (Revelation 19-22).

“The term hour cannot be taken literally. Even though the phrase the last hour appears only here in the entire New Testament, it seems to be equivalent to the expressions the last days or these last times (see, among other passages, Acts 2:17; Heb. 1:2; James 5:3; 1 Peter 1:20),” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.

Characteristic of the last hour is the presence of antichrist/antichrists. Who were/are these individuals? Antichrist (ἀντίχριστος; antichristos), whether in the singular of plural form, literally means one who opposes Jesus Christ. Their presence is evidence the church is living in the last hour.

“The term ἀντίχριστος appears to have become increasingly equivalent to a proper name as the personification of all that was opposed to and contrary to the role and ministry of Christ,” states the Louw-Nida Greek Lexicon.    

The Apostle John continued to refer to antichrists in vs. 19. Using the plural pronoun they, he explained these individuals left the church. The phrase they went out from us (ἐξέρχομαι; exerchomai) means to actively and purposefully cease to exist or to depart from a previous state of being. In this context, it means ceasing to be affiliated with or identified as a believer in Christ.

“John looks at the spiritual development and the opposition of the world. He declares that “the world and its desires pass away” (2:17) to give place to the man who obeys the will of God. He notes that some people have left the church, because they denied that Jesus is the Christ. John calls them antichrists (2:18, 22); he observes that the spirit of the antichrist is already present in this world (4:3). Awaiting the return of Christ, but not knowing when that will take place (Acts 1:7), John seems to indicate that the period between the first and second coming of Jesus is “the last hour,” states Dr. Hendriksen.

John provided the reason for their departure; they were not of us. In other words, the antichrists were not true believers in Christ. They never existed in a regenerated condition resulting in true conversion by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone (John 3:1-8; Eph. 2:1-5; Titus 3:1-5).

John concluded by writing, “For if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” True conversion results in true commitment and perseverance in the faith.

“The first characteristic mentioned of antichrists, i.e., false teachers and deceivers (vv. 22–26), is that they depart from the faithful (see vv. 22–23 for the second characteristic and v. 26 for the third). They arise from within the church and depart from true fellowship and lead people out with them. The verse also places emphasis on the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. Those genuinely born again endure in faith and fellowship and the truth (1 Cor. 11:19; 2 Tim. 2:12). The ultimate test of true Christianity is endurance (Mark 13:13; Heb. 3:14). The departure of people from the truth and the church is their unmasking,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

An individual’s self-acknowledged departure from the Christian faith reveals their unconverted spiritual condition. Whatever shortcomings the true church may have, and it has some, the primary point here is the lost condition of those who departed from the faith. They did not lose their salvation in Christ. Rather, the Bible reveals they never truly possessed faith in Christ. True conversion results in true perseverance. True perseverance evidences true conversion.

Soli deo Gloria!  

¹⁸ Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. ¹⁹ They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” (1 John 2:18–19 ESV)

For the next several days we are taking a sabbatical from our study of the Gospel of Matthew. Instead, we are revisiting the topic Deconstructing Christianity. We initially taught this subject in 2023. Perhaps you have heard this term, or others like it. What is Deconstructing Christianity or Deconstructing Faith?

Faith deconstruction, also known as deconstructing faith, evangelical deconstruction, the deconstruction movement, or simply deconstruction, is a Christian phenomenon where people unpack, rethink and reexamine their belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and their involvement in organized religion or the evangelical church.

For some, it is rejecting justification by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. For others, this may lead to dropping one’s faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord all together or it may result in an even stronger faith in Christ. The deconstruction movement is broadly defined but generally involves a reexamination, and often a rejection, of the doctrines of biblical Christianity.

“Deconstruction is the process of systemically dissecting and often rejecting the beliefs you grew up with. Sometimes, the Christian will deconstruct all the way to atheism. Some remain there, but others experience a reconstruction. But the type of faith they end up with embracing almost never resembles the Christianity they formerly knew,” states author Ivan Mesa, book editor at The Gospel Coalition.

Prominent former Christians who underwent deconstruction include author Joshua Harris (who briefly offered a course on deconstruction), Abraham Piper, and worship leader/composer Marty Sampson.

I recently became aware of statements Marty Sampson expressed regarding Christianity in general, and worship music in particular. Mr. Sampson, Hillsong worship leader and song writer, confessed the real reason behind the lack of depth in his songs.

“I just don’t have any real faith in this Jesus bloke, but I can write a good love song with the best of them and that’s been the secret to my success,” explained Sampson.

When asked why he has turned away from the faith, he responded: “Nobody talks about hard stuff – and by no-one I mean those in my middle-class Western Christian bubble and obviously I’m ignoring all those passages in the Bible which do or the last 1,500 years of theological thought.”

In his now deleted Instagram post he revealed more. Sampson states: “I mean how many preachers fall? Many. Whereas in the Bible people like Moses, David and Peter never fell.  How many miracles happen in our comfortable version of Christianity? Not many. But no-one talks about the miracles that happen daily for those under persecution and on the front line.

“I mean what kind of God requires that we actually go out and tell people about Jesus so that they are rescued from Hell? They should just all go to heaven without repentance that would create such a perfect place.“

“Christianity is just one version of God – all the other religions where God doesn’t sacrifice himself for mankind and people have to earn their way to heaven by their own works have something to say too.“

“I know I keep contradicting myself but I’ll ignore that and point out how the Bible is full of contradictions.  I want genuine truth without Jesus. Unfollow me if you want, I’ve never been about living my life for others, as Jesus will testify.”

However, Sampson is optimistic about his future, “Currently there is no-one writing songs for the ex-evangelical group. This is a great opportunity for me to tap this market and write some angsty songs so I can continue to live in my ‘real’ bubble.”

I want to examine Mr. Sampson’s criticisms of biblical truth. Are his conclusions true, or just worn-out clichés? If he is accurate in some of his observations regarding ministry, then the church needs to repent of its sin and reevaluate its mission, vision and values. If he is wrong, and he is,, a respectful reply is warranted (I Peter 3:13-17). His statements require a truthful response. I prayerfully intend to provide such a response.

Soli deo Gloria!