Introduction

1. Introduction What is "the faith"? Before we can understand our responsibility, we need to understand what exactly we are contending for. We see here a difference between "faith" and "the faith". While the first refers to the act of believing, the second refers to what we believe - those doctrines that constitute the fundamentals of Christianity that the Bible teaches and which are clear, complete and communicated. Power point background modified from http://www.cabotbible.com/JudePowerPoints/ Jude01.05-16HG.ppt

2. We must contend A. What does it mean to contend • Ep-ag-o-nid’-zom-ahee = contend earnestly • Jude changed his mind about what to write B. Why we must contend • False teachers, certain men creeping in • This was something the early church contended with • 26 of 27 NT books warn about it

3. We must contend • Paul says to the Gal. false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage • He says to Tim, Now the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, etc. (1 Tim. 4:1-5) • 2 Tim 43, for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine... • Peter says, But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

4. We must contend • Our Lord says, Mk 13, if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. • Mt 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. • Paul agrees, to the Eph. elders he says, Ac 20:29-30 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them

5. We must contend C. What we do not need to contend about • Paul gives us various principles • 1 Cor 10- there is a certain liberty we have in Christ that is not to be judged by others but the overriding concern is not our own profit but others • Rom 14- we ought not judge, nor ought we to put a stumbling block in the way of a brother and regard all we do as unto the Lord • 1 Tim. 6 & Titus- we must not have strife over words, we must seek wholesome words and godliness • Some things are indifferent

6. We must contend • Paul/Peter contention, Paul did not change his position • To eat or not to eat • Our reactions: • You can’t have it both ways- black and white • You can have it both ways- no absolute truths D. How we must contend • Earnestly • Not contentiously

7. For what we contend A. All things once delivered • This is all things the Scriptures/Christ teach • These all things were taught to the disciples by the Spirit of Christ and they committed them to faithful men who were to teach others • Three things: Bible, Doctrine, tradition (progression)

8. High View of Scripture Supreme View of Tradition Supreme View of Scripture Low View of Tradition Individualistic Respect for Authority Absolute Individualism Absolute Authoritarianism Sola Ecclesia Solo Scriptura Sola Scriptura Tradition, represented by the magisterial authority of the Roman Catholic Church, is infallible and equal to Scripture as a basis for doctrine; it is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice since it must define and interpret Scripture. Scripture is the primary and only infallible authority for the Christian in all matters of faith and practice. Tradition, as represented by the Church, is important and useful, but not paramount and infallible. Tradition is true to the degree that it agrees with Scripture. Scripture is the sole basis and authority in the life of the Christian; Tradition is useless and misleading. Creeds and confessions are the result of man-made traditions. For what we contend 1. The Bible

9. Roman Catholicism Radical (Protestants) Eastern Orthodoxy Reformed (Protestants) Individualistic Respect for Authority Absolute Individualism Absolute Authoritarianism Sola Ecclesia Solo Scriptura Sola Scriptura Catholic Counter-Reformation Radical Reformation Early Church Through Reformation For what we contend

10. Church Unwritten tradition (paradosis)/ summary of the Gospel message Scripture Written Infallible Tradition For what we contend Deposit of Faith Sola Scriptura 400 AD 1000 AD Age of the Apostles Age of the Church almark.org/cemcq/class/20080316_Basic_Doctrine-Bibliology.ppt

11. For what we contend 2. The doctines • Joh 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. • Ac 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine • .Ro 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. • Ro 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; • 2Jo 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son

12. For what we contend • 2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness • 2Ti 4:2-3 Preach the word… exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears • Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. • Tit 2:1,7,10 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:.. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewinguncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,... Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. • 1 Tim 6:3-4 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness • 1 Tim 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine

13. For what we contend • "Dear friends, I have a message for you from God’s word. I assure you that I have not consulted any commentaries, lexicons, so-called theologians, or any other outside resource that might be fraught with unfounded traditions. I have thrown out all frameworks of reformed or catholic theology and I have relied upon the Holy Spirit alone as I interpreted the Holy Scriptures. Therefore, rest assured, the message that I have for you today is from God alone.”

14. For what we contend • 3. The Traditions and progression • “The Church throughout the ages, constituted by the Holy Spirit, provides accountability; it offers the arena in which we can formulate our interpretation. Such accountability guards against maverick and individualistic interpretations.” • Craig Blomberg • Learning from church history

15. For what we contend B. ‘The Faith’ • 1. What does Jude mean by ‘the faith’ • Doctrinal propositions, body of truth • Two extremes • Various points of non-negotiation • 1. The doctrine of Scripture • 2. The natures and person of our LJC • 3. The historical accuracy and testimony concerning Christ • 4. The substitutionary and effectual death of the Lord Jesus • 5. The literal resurrection, ascension & judgment of our Lord • 6. The work of the Holy Spirit who leads us into salvation by faith

16. For what we contend • 2. Objective vs. subjection/Mind vs. heart • Mind= objective, proof, facts, verifiable, science • Heart= opinion, faith, feeling, subjective, religion • Faith=objective truth experienced subjectively, verifiable with proof and facts

17. For what we contend • “Probably the best way to describe this concept of modern theology is to say that it is faith in faith, rather than faith directed to an object which is actually there . . . Modern man cannot talk about the object of his faith, only about the faith itself. . . . In Christianity the value of faith depends upon the object towards which the faith is directed. So it looks outward to the God who is there, and to the Christ who in history died upon the cross once for all, finished the work of atonement, and on the third day rose again in space and in time. This makes Christian faith open to discussion and verification.” -Francis Schaeffer, The God Who is There

18. For what we contend 3. How does this look practically • Recognize there are differences • Is our contention about ‘the faith’? • Remember some things are indifferent • Remember some things are not

19. Implications • A. Who are to contend • B. Do we believe • C. Do we obey • D. Do we contend earnestly • I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.