FROM THE PASTOR
A Biblical- Truthful- Thoughtful- Confessional- Blessed- Graceful-
Encompassing- Practical- Teachable-
Expression of the Christian’s Faith
Dear friends, what you’re about to read are not my words. The following is a word for word copy of a one page working document I keep in the top drawer of my filing cabinet labelled “Baptism”. This is where I keep blank baptism certificates and depending on the circumstance of the baptism the following is sometimes used as a starting point of discussion, of the Christian faith.
On the front is this:
GOD’S COVENANT WITH ME IN BAPTISM
Through baptism, God has made me his child. All of God’s promises belong to me as I live under Him in his Kingdom of grace.
THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS GIVEN ME FAITH TO CONFESS:
I BELIEVE that the Bible is God’s word, the only sure basis for Christian Faith and life, and I accept Luther’s Small Catechism as a true exposition of this faith.
I BELIEVE in the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, revealed in the Bible as the only true God, who alone is able to save me and supply all my needs.
I BELIEVE that I am a sinner and would be eternally lost but for God’s grace and salvation.
I BELIEVE that there is salvation alone in Jesus Christ, who died for all people on the Cross, and that by receiving Christ I receive forgiveness of all my sins.
I BELIEVE that saving faith in Jesus is God’s gift, effected by the Holy Spirit through His Word and Sacraments, and that he also gives me new life that is eager to follow in obedience and service to God.
I BELIEVE that through I will never reach perfection in this life, the Holy Spirit calls and enables me to grow and increase daily in the fruits of the Spirit, and to resist my sinful flesh which continually opposes my walk in the Spirit.
I BELIEVE that Jesus rose from the dead and has given eternal life to me and all who believe in Him, and that heaven is my sure hope in Him.
The other side of the page is this:
MY REPSONSE OF FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST
As a Baptised child of God, I belong to Jesus my Saviour and Lord, and desire to live the new life in Him daily until He calls me to Himself.
EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND IN THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE CHURCH:
I EARNESTLY DESIRE to grow in the exercise of my faith in Jesus Christ and to become a mature Christian, by regularly feeding on His Word through Sunday worship and regular Bible study, and by frequently receiving the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. God expects us to worship regularly – except for excuses which are acceptable to Him.
I WANT TO GROW in the exercise of my Faith by consistent Christian life, helping my fellow–believers, and sharing the gospel of Christ with others.
WHEN I AM IN DANGER of falling away, or of failing in my Christian life, I will welcome the warning, admonition, and help of my fellow–believers who are lovingly concerned for me.
I SINCERELY DESIRE to give undivided loyalty to Christ in my life, and will therefore
refuse to practice membership in any other organization or secret society which is in conflict with God’s Word and the Christian Faith.
I WILL WORSHIP AND SERVE MY God with regular, proportionate gifts for the work of His Church as the first-fruits offering of what God gives me.
So there you have it; what is Christianity? What is the Christian’s Faith?
A blessed Advent season to you.
We Pray For:
† All the baptised—that God would strengthen them in faith.
† The church as it prepares for the celebration of the birth of Christ.
† That God would bless the missions of the church.
† That those who hear the gospel would repent and believe.
† That we may prepare the way for the gospel by pursuing justice in our society.