Confession of Faith

November 4, 1990 PM

Acts 24:14-16

CONFESSION OF FAITH (Communion Service)

Introduction:

"But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers . . ." Paul, on trial for his life, admits to being a believer. If we were on trial for being Christian, would we have enough evidence to convict us?

I. BELIEVING

(14) "Believing everything that is in accordance with the Law, and that is written in the Prophets;"

FAITH is the first word that comes to us, usually, as we think about what it means to truly be Christian. Believing begins with that indescribable inner persuasion or confidence that we are in contact with truth.

God has spoken in the Bible.

We have to make a judgment as to whether or not we shall believe that the Bible is God's Word. There is some sort of continuum from obscurantist mouthing on one side to deconstructionist ranting on the other, and these have a thread in common that they both would deny, which is an over-weaning desire to have human control of the material.

But whether unlettered or profoundly prepared, we come sooner or later to the radical watershed: is this or is this not God's own Word, His own revelation concerning Himself, and concerning sin and salvation, and the Incarnation and the Cross and judgment to come?

How we decide has momentous consequence for life now and hereafter. Believing is the action of faith. Faith centers around the cross, of what Christ has already accomplished for us in bearing our sins so that we might be free from the accursed load.

It is a tragic thing to lose one's FAITH. To be able to believe is a GIFT. Think about that! Not obscurantism- deliberately ignoring facts to believe what someone else tells you; but choosing to believe that God has spoken! It is not a matter of authority: "If any man will do His will, he shall KNOW of the doctrine" John 7:17. Faith is more a matter of volition than it is intellect! Better, it is a matter of the whole person.

II. HOPING

(15) "Having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked."

HOPE is not the weak word we render it in common English usage. It the trust of faith turned around and looking into the future. Hope is what makes life worth the living. And living hope comes from believing the heart of the Gospel which is the resurrection of Jesus.

Hope is not a vague and fuzzy belief in reincarnation. Resurrection is a continuity of personality, and Paul mentions resurrection both of righteous and wicked. This hope speaks of accountability for the power to choose. (Matthew 24)

III. OBEYING

(16) "In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men."

LOVE is the final word in living Christian faith, and it is incomplete without it. Love gives the necessary course correction to live out faith and hope in a constantly changing scene. Paul says here that it is necessary to maintain a good conscience— it doesn't just happen.

To speak of working at the job of pleasing God and keeping a pure and tender conscience is not a word for unbelievers. We don't talk "how" before we talk "what" and "why." But with those who already know and serve God, we are eager to prove our love by seeking to do those things that enhance our relationship with God and with God's people, as well as that enable us to carry forward the mind and work of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Are you (am I) — are we Christian as Paul said that he was?

33 EH - Behold the Throne of Grace (Wesley)