Subj : Gospel Confirmation
To   : All
From : Newborn
Date : Sat Oct 15 2005 02:09:00

The Gospel embraces all the truths concerning the person and works of Jesus
Christ, from creation to consummation.  Since these truths have been under
Satanic attack throughout all the ages, it is vital that the Gospel both be
defended against its enemies and confirmed in the hearts and minds of its
friends.

The word for "defense" (Greek, apologia) is the same as "answer" in I Peter
3:15 where we are commanded to "be ready always to give an answer...a reason
of the hope that is in you."  The word for "confirmation" on the other hand
is essentailly the same as "established" or "stabilized", as in Colossians 2:7:
"Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith"

Thus the saving Gospel of Christ-from its foundation in genuine Creationism
to its consumation in His coming kingdom with its central focus on the
Crucifixion and Resurrection-is both to be defended against false teaching
and established as truth.

The two aspects corresond in general to apologetics in defending the faith
and Christian evidence in establishing the faith.  This is not merely a job
for certain theological or sciendtific specialists, however.  ALL believers
need to be "partakers" of this grace (literally "convinced co-particioannts")
Real "partakers" do not just go along for the ride, but are firmly committed
and fully comprehending supporters.

However, both those who lead out in such a work, as well as those who are
"partakers", are exhorted to do so in grace!  "Let your speech be always with
grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man"
(Colossians 4:6).

Newborn

Christianity is a personal relationship, not a religion
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