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Volume 3 – May 2000
(42 pages)
STATEMENT
OF PURPOSE: Nazarene Saints
Publishing© is a Bible research group for a better Scriptural understanding. We
are dedicated to the preservation and publishing of Christian writings which aid
Friends of the Nazarene© to
"follow the Lamb no matter where he goes." (John 15:14; 3 John 14;
Revelation 14:4) The Friends of the
Nazarene© are a spiritual community of Messianic Christians. We are
apologists dedicated to the defense of the truth that "God is One" and
not three. The Bible is our creed. We view this "God-breathed" Book as
inspired alone, while the thoughts of men about it are not. We wish to show
respect for our multitude of Christian brethren. (1 Peter 3:15)
[Mark Miller / Senior
Editor (California, USA); Ralph Slaney / Senior Spanish editor (Almeria, Spain);
Luis Padilla / Associate Spanish Editor (Brooklyn, USA); Andy Weeks / Associate
Editor [Webmaster] (Chicago, USA); Andrew Foss / Hebrew editor (California, USA)]
· ANNOUNCEMENTS
· FAITH PERSPECTIVES
· “DO BUSINESS UNTIL I COME”
· AFFIRMATION OF CONVICTIONS
· BIBLE THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
·
THE FORMULATION OF THE TRINITY
DOCTRINE
·
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN: Work
continues on the 21st
Century Version of the Christian Scriptures
of John’s Gospel. It is finished through chapter 9.
·
BIBLE THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: We
are going to post a “thought for the day” on a Bible verse on the
Nazarene-Friends eGroup. These may be both a source of teaching and
encouragement.
·
ANNUAL ELDERS MEETING: The
Friends of the Nazarene elders plan to meeting annually around Memorial time.
Though not all can always be there, their thoughts are solicited to be added to
the agenda. We have also come to some agreement that we annually review Affirmation
of Convictions – those teachings characterize Friends
of the Nazarene – and determine if any adjustments need to be made. Our
beloved elder in Spain, Ralph Slaney, has re-worked Affirmation of Convictions in a more expanded version and we elders
are in agreement on the content. It has been added to this issue of the Friends
magazine and will soon replace the one on the web site.
It is always refreshing to read about God and His Son. I've
been reading some of
your work for awhile and have enjoyed it very much, God is with you people. Your
love for our Creator shows. People should be following Jehovah and His Son
Jesus, not [some] oppressive religious system. Thanks in advance. Larry
“Do business til I come.” [Luke 19:13 Rotherham]
Jesus the Nazarene was a very busy, hard-working man when on earth. He said, “My Father has continued to work until the present, and I also continue to work.” [John 5:17 NCMM] Any reader of the Gospels will marvel at the amount of walking he did. What work did he perform? In the little synagogue in Nazareth he read to the Jews assembled from Isaiah 61:1, “Yehowah’s Pneuma is upon me, because He anointed me to declare the good news to the poor.” [Luke 4:18 NCMM] About a day later he told a crowd in an isolated place, “Also, it is necessary that I declare the Good News of God’s Kingdom to different cities, because for this reason I was sent forth.” [Luke 4:43 NCMM]
Jesus was a preacher and teacher who called men and women to God. He made disciples. That was really the business he was about. At the end of his industrious three year ministry he related a parable to four of his hard-working apostles. It is called the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. In Luke 19:11-27 another illustration had been given by Jesus a bit earlier and it is called the Parable of the Ten Minas. Both parables are similar and deal with a nobleman, the master of a great house, who must leave to a distant land in order to receive a kingdom. The Parable of the Talents indicates it would be a long time before the return of the Master. [Matthew 25:14]
Before leaving on this long trip, the master entrusts three slaves with funds and tells them, “Do business until I return.” One slave receives 5, another 2, and yet another 1 portion of these funds. “After a long time” the master returns and settles accounts with the three slaves. The first and second slaves in both parables increase these funds to the pleasure of the master. They are rewarded with authority over cities.
In each case the last slave failed to increase the master’s business. When brought before the lord of the house, he claims he feared the master and so buried the money in order to have it on the master’s return. In both parables this slave is rebuked for failure to increase the master’s business and is so punished. The moral is stated: “The person that has will be given more, and the person who has not, even what he does not have, will be taken away.” [Matthew 25:29; Luke 19:26]
It is obvious to most readers familiar with the Bible that the noble Master is Jesus Christ. Before he ascends to heaven – that distant land – to receive his royal kingship, he entrusts to his disciples degrees of business dependent on individual ability. In the beginning these slaves were the Nazarene’s apostles. However, the instruction, “Do business until I return,” indicates a type of slave throughout the more than two millenniums until the Master’s Return.
The general meaning is that all slaves of the Master’s House – depending on their personal abilities – have been committed a portion of the Master’s “business” with the instructions to “Do business until I return.” So, the parables are easy to comprehend so that no Christian can miss the main point – increase the Master’s “business.” The question that arises is this: What is the Master’s business?
Simply put – Jesus was a disciple-maker. That is, while declaring his message of the Good News of the Kingdom, he drew men and women who later become Nazarene disciples. He describes his business: “I came to search for what was lost and to find the lost sheep of the House of Israel.” When he was about to ascend to heaven as that nobleman, prepared to journey to a distant land to receive his kingdom, he does in fact explicitly give the “minas” or “talents” to his apostles. This is recorded in Matthew 28:19, 20, “Therefore, go your ways and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing persons. … Teach them to observe everything I commanded you.” [NCMM]
Thus the Nazarene’s disciples knew their Lord’s “business” was that of making new disciples and teaching them what Jesus taught. No doubt when Christ gave them this commission, they remembered what he had told them at the beginning of his ministry: “I will make you fishers of men. From now you will be catching living persons.” So, for three years they were able to watch the master teacher at work in his business. They heard one of the greatest sermons ever preached on a mountain-side. They saw thousands gather to listen to him for three days without eating! They learned how to spread the word of a visiting Rabbi. They learned how to ask questions. They learned how to use parables. They learned how to treat women, children, and grieving parents. And, they learned how to deal with those who would oppose their work.
As a result of their imitation of the Nazarene and his own godly business activity, the Book of Acts records the enormous growth of the early Church. Thousands of people from all over the world and from many walks of life accepted the Word and were baptized as disciples of the Lord Jesus. [Acts 2:41; 4:4; 21:20]
That some kind of organized effort was started to teach others how to make disciples -- and thus do the Lord’s business until he returned – is shown by Paul’s instructions to Timothy: “As the instructions I gave you … transmit them to trustworthy men as shall be qualified to teach others as well.” [GDS, BER] This work was the result of certain “gifts in men” Jesus provided the Church after his ascension to heaven. Paul writes accordingly at Ephesians 4:11-13, “These ‘gifts’ given to humans include apostolic representatives, prophetic spokesman, missionaries of the good news, pastoral shepherds of congregations, and teachers within the Church. The purpose of these ‘gifts’ is to rearrange and perfectly equip all the Saints for the work of service to others; and, for the upbuilding and strengthening of the whole Body of Christ. And this until all of us attain a perfect unity of faith and a heightened relationship with the Son of God. Until we all together grow into perfect maturity measured by the full stature of the Christ.” [NCMM Paraphrase]
And so through the Gospel Age other godly men and women came and went, leaving behind disciples as a result of their preaching and teaching. This “business” was like a Dragnet lowered into earth’s ocean of humanity to bring up “fish of every kind.” Not until the harvest-judgment would these “fish” be separated into those fit and those unfit for the Kingdom. [Matthew 13:47-50]
Doing the disciple-making “business” today
Two-thousand years later many Christians across the international globe are still doing the Lord’s “business” with keen expectation for his future Parousia or Arrival. How can a disciple of the Nazarene today “do business until [he] returns”? Largely by making disciples. How can this be done?
Paul gave the key when he wrote, “I believed, therefore, I spoke.” [2 Corinthians 4:12, 13] Largely finding persons of interest or need relies on our speaking to others about our faith. It was the way Jesus did it. It was the way his apostles did it. It is the way Paul did it.
One way to begin doing this “business” is to have a home Bible study with one’s own family. Many of the Friends of the Nazarene do this regularly on Wednesday evening by a consideration of a chapter of the Bible. Disciple-making begins first at home. However, others may be invited to such a Bible Discussions and Devotions mid-week meeting. But, where can interest or need be found?
Many successful disciple-makers have found opportunities – or make opportunities – at work, at school, neighbors, or in other daily activities. Some are naturally gifted with this ability and have ten times more abilities than another with but one such. However, many who were very shy and withdrawn have learned to become more like Christ and Paul. They have been taught, or learned how, to start godly conversations with others. Often a piece of printed material is effective in expressing words one may not be naturally gifted with. Often it is a simple matter of mentioning that your family has a regular home Bible discussion, and then invite them to join you. Many have found some kind of warm hospitality creates a comfortable atmosphere.
Christians throughout the ages have preached on street corners, market-places, or even going from door to door. If a Christian has a regular weekly Bible discussion in a neighborhood, it will only benefit others if those who live within a few blocks know about such a gathering. Some have mailed out to the neighborhood a little announcement of study a meeting.
People will have questions on the Bible and not all Christians are at first capable of answering all of these. Such may find some printed material dealing with these questions of considerable help. Many people who first come to a local Bible study need individual help because all are at different levels of development. It is truly a blessing when one can conduct a Bible discussion with another.
Prayers in behalf of such disciple-making “business,” or trade, will no doubt cause honest-hearted persons in need appear out of no where. How one goes about this is a matter of person choice. What is important is that when the Master returns for the parousia-judgment on his own Household, each of us make speak freely about how we increased the Master’s business. Whether five, three, or one, we will not have buried our talent. Rather we may be surrounded by disciples of Christ whom we assisted on a course of ‘following the lamb no matter where he goes.’ [Revelation 14:4]
“Now,
little children, continue to abide in [Jesus]
so
when the time comes for him to be made visible
we
all might speak openly and freely at his Arrival
and
not experience embarrassment while standing before him
.
. . on the Day of Judgment.”
[1
John 2:28;4:17 NCMM Paraphrase]
When
one reads the Bible, or studies a religion, it is often with a preconceived
idea. Ideas are a part of every
individual and are formulated during early life.
Right from the time of babyhood the actions and beliefs of the parent or
guardian are instilled within the child. These
concepts are at times deliberately impregnated into the young person’s mind,
but often they are formed by him being encapsulated within a particular location
or environment. A child brought up
in a home of deeply religious parents will be naturally inclined to remain
within the confines of that persuasion, though not always. The same can be said for many walks of life, whether
political or educational. It is,
therefore, particularly hard to evaluate accurately and impartially a view point
that is either strange, or at conflict with one’s current perspective.
If
later in life one happens upon a presentation of material that promises to
provide a need, or appears to satisfy a longing, it is only natural to pursue it
and jealously guard its source. As
the saying goes: “Don’t kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.”
In like manner if one has success and enjoyment from a particular
commercial enterprise it is highly improbable that one would change direction
and use a new and untried product. This
is especially true when it comes to religious belief.
Born a Catholic, it is rare to change.
Born a Protestant it is highly unusual to become a Catholic.
And although it does happen, the majority of persons prefer to remain
with their inherited religion. Is
there any difference if at a later stage in life, perhaps after a laps in
practice, or after a period of dissatisfaction, or because of non-belief, one
becomes a convert to a particular movement?
Generally, no. If one is
persuaded that a particular religion is right and correct they have usually been
shown something to give them that impression.
After which it is most difficult to re-adjust to yet another ideology.
It
is because of the aforementioned postulation that the association known as Friends
of the Nazarene does not expect their associates to be dogmatically tied to
a set of rules and dictates from a hierarchy.
After careful study of the Holy Scriptures, and long deliberation, a
number of fundamental ‘truths’ do tend to surface. It is these teachings, and these only, that are presented as
a statement of belief. Where the
Bible is not specific, or if there is a reasonable doubt as to the correct
interpretation of a particular Scripture, it is left to the individual to decide
completely, and without prejudice, as to his own conclusions.
All the affirmations are based wholly on the established Bible canon and
are not subject to tradition or philosophy (classic or modern), nor are they
influenced by the religious creed or doctrine of established or contemporary
religions.
To
those unlearned in the Bible it is strongly suggested that they make a careful
and thorough investigation. After
which they may then use their intellectual capacity to distinguish between
actual Biblical truth and that which has been dissimulated, or is promulgated by
a particular religion or group. As
Jesus himself said: “Ask,
and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be
opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth;
and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 King James Version) Therefore, the sincere student would do well to find a quiet
private place to pray, and to ask the Heavenly Father to reveal His truth to
him. Then by allowing the Holy
Spirit to guide his thoughts and direct his actions he will enable himself to
come to an ever truer and more accurate understanding of the Holy Scriptures,
thus bringing himself ever closer to the real knowledge of God.
May you find the way.
1..
THE HOLY BIBLE
2..
THE GOD
3..
THE SON OF GOD — JESUS CHRIST
4..
THE HOLY SPIRIT
5..
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
6..
THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
7..
THE ORDER OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
8..
THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY
9..
THE CHRISTIAN AS AN INDIVIDUAL
Just
as any organized entity must have a standard against which to measure its
actions, performance or achievements, the Christian has for his gauge the Holy
Bible or Sacred Scriptures.
The
people known as the Friends of the Nazarene accept the traditional canon of sixty-six
books from Genesis to Revelation as Holy Scripture and the inspired word of God.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be
thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 New
International Version) Although the Scriptures were written and styled by
various men over a long period of time they were divinely directed. (2 Peter
1:20-21)
There
are other extra-Biblical books not included within this traditional canon which
also contain much moral and informative material that can be of great benefit to
the reader.
Not
to be overlooked are books of historical and educational content which can
enhance and deepen appreciation for God and His creation.
These can also help to fill out the Biblical account.
So while not being viewed as inspired they can be helpful in rounding out
knowledge for the man of God.
Therefore,
the Christian’s belief should be based on the established Bible canon (Genesis
to Revelation).
So,
it is within the confines of the Holy Bible that all the “Affirmation of
Convictions” are based. Where there is a difference between the written Word
of God and the beliefs or credos of the various religions, the Friends
of the Nazarene will opt for
the Bible. (John 17:17)
Should
it be that new information is proffered, or adduced, to challenge the said
“Affirmation of Convictions,” this will be presented at the Annual Meeting
of Elders for a deep, exhaustive and prayerful study in an endeavour to discern
the real truth of Scripture. (Acts 15:1-35)
Within
the parameter set by God’s holy word, the Christian is free to direct his life
and will echo the Psalmist:
“Shout
for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve
the Lord with gladness;
come
before him with joyful songs.
Know
that he, Yahweh, is God,
he
made us and we belong to him,
we
are his people, the flock that he pastures.
Enter
into his gates with thanks giving,
and
into his courts with praise:
be
thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For
the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and
his truth endureth to all generations.”
(Psalm
100 NIV, TJB, KJV)
Though every man,
religion, or religious organization be found a liar, it is the duty of every
Christian to adhere to “His truth that
endureth to all generations.” Each
one will stand before the Judgement Seat of God to explain his beliefs and
actions, therefore each and every person owes it to himself to examine and stay
bound by God’s written word the Holy Bible.
“But
let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, even as it is written:
‘That you might be proved righteous in your words and might win when you are
being judged.’” (Romans 3:4 New World Translation)
The
Absolute, Almighty God without equal in age, power, knowledge. (Psalm 90:2,
Isaiah 40:13-14, 26, 1 John 3:20, Revelation 11:17)
Instigator
of all things created.
(Genesis 1:1, 26, Job 38:4, Psalm 90:2, Isaiah 40:26)
God
is characterized by a personality with the highest quality.
His personality is dominated by the attributes of love, wisdom, justice
and power from which are developed the complete range of spiritual peculiarities
that have since been intrinsically engendered into all intelligent life forms
including the human. (Genesis 1:26, Deuteronomy 32:4, Proverbs 3:19, 1 John
4:8, Revelation 11:17)
He
has taken upon Himself, and has become known by, a unique special personal name.
This name is variously translated as Yahweh, Jehovah, Yehowah, and
others. The name, withstanding its
distinction, is to be held in the highest respect and not used in an irreverent
or unconstrained manner. (Exodus 20:7, Ezekiel 36:21-23)
He
is the life giver, hence Father, of all living things.
However, for all honest hearted Christians He becomes a Father in a
special sense as Romans 8:14-17 says:
”Every one moved by the Spirit is a son of God.
The spirit you received is not the spirit of slaves bringing fear into
your lives again; it is the spirit of sons, and it makes us cry out ,’Abba,
Father!’ The Spirit himself and
our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God.
And if we are children we are heirs as well: heirs of God and coheirs
with Christ, sharing his sufferings so as to share his glory.” (The
Jerusalem Bible) So through this special relationship the Christian has the
most marvelous of hopes, that of seeing his Heavenly Father, God, and of sharing
with Christ as God’s children in His Heavenly Kingdom.
(Greek:
‘o
uioV tou Qeou — ho huios tou Theou,
IhsouV CristoV — Iesous Christos)
He
is God’s spokesman and workman (Word, Logos).
Jesus as the Word was with God at the beginning of creation. God placed
him superior to all other intelligent beings. (Proverbs 8:22-30, John 1:1, 2,
Philippians 2:9-10)
The
Son of the Almighty God was brought into being as His only-begotten.
He is the very image of God. (Romans 1:4, Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:1-4)
Jesus
is also known by the designation ‘Son of Man.’ He came from Heaven, his life
force and personality being transferred to the womb of Mary.
Whist on the Earth he took completely the human form and often referred
to himself as the ‘Son of Man.’ It is the human Jesus as the ‘Son of
Man’ that is seen ascending to God to receive his kingdom. (Daniel 7:13,
Matthew 1:20-21, John 6:62, 2 John 7)
Jesus
is the one anointed by God to perform His will. (Psalms 2:2, Isaiah 61:1, Daniel
9:26-27, Luke 4:14-21)
Jesus
is God’s appointed Saviour for the redemption of his Church and humankind by
his sacrificial ransom. (John 3:16, Acts 4:12, Colossians 1:13-14, 1 Peter
3:18, 1 John 2:2)
Jesus
became King upon his ascension to Heaven. It
was then that he was given all authority. (Psalms 2:6, Matthew 28:18, 1 Corinthians
15:25; Ephesians 1:19-21)
He
becomes judge of his own Household when he returns to gather his Church. God has
committed all the judging to His Son. The Son will judge all humanity upon its
resurrection from the dead. (John 5:22-27, Revelation 20:13)
(Greek:
to
pneumatoV to ‘agioV
— to pneumatos to hagios)
The
Holy Spirit, or Sacred ‘Pneuma’, is the mental power of God projected to
accomplish His will. Thus the Apostle Paul compares it to the ‘mind of God.’
(Romans 11:34, 1 Corinthians 2:10-16)
It is an invisible force, or intellectual pressure.
Those driven by it desist from sin and manifest the beautiful qualities
of the Holy Spirit, and thus display the personality of God Himself.
As an imperfect human it is necessary to pray continually for it. (Luke
11:13)
It
was by means of God’s Holy Spirit that all of creation was able to take place.
It was also by means of the Holy Spirit channeled through Jesus Christ
that the miracles were performed. (Genesis 1:1-2, Acts 3:6, 12, 16, 4:7-10, 6:8)
It
was the Holy Spirit that gave the Bible writers, the Prophets and the disciples
their guidance and help. (John 14:16, Acts 7:55, Ephesians 4:22-24, 2 Peter
1:21)
(1)
The Son’s, ‘Kingdom of the Heavens’
This
is the domain or realm over which Jesus rules upon his ascension to Heaven.
(Matthew 13:41, Ephesians 1:18-23, Colossians 1:13)
This ‘kingdom’ is the Church or Body of Christ.
(2)
The Father’s ‘Celestial Kingdom’
This
is the seat of all sovereignty. (Matthew 13:43, 1 Corinthians 15:24-28)
From
the time that Jesus was baptized in the Jordan he started to form the foundation
of his Church or congregation. Initially
he started with his Twelve Apostles and over the three and half years of his
public ministry many others became his disciples.
It was, however, after his resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit, that a large number became Christians.
Throughout the two millennia since then, the ‘Kingdom of the
Heavens’, which had indeed started out like a mustard grain, has become like a
large tree. (Matthew 13:31-32) Nevertheless,
it can be seen that Christ’s Church also contains both ‘wheat’ and
‘weeds.’ At the Second Coming
there will be a separation between the faithful and the unfaithful, with the
faithful being received into the Father’s ‘Celestial Kingdom,’ the Kingdom
of God. (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)
All
true doctrine is from God (John 7:16-17)
The
Apostle Paul at Hebrews 6:1, 2 defines what is the ‘elementary doctrine of the
Christ’ when he lists:
1. Repentance
from dead works
2. Faith in
God
3. Teachings
on baptisms
4. The laying
on of the hands
5.
Resurrection of the dead
6.
Everlasting judgement
Beside
the ‘elementary doctrine of the Christ’ listed at Hebrews 6:1, 2 and all the
aforementioned through sections 1 to 5, the Friends
of the Nazarene believe that release from sin and death is by the redemptive
sacrifice of Christ. By means of
the ransom the restitution and the reconciliation of everything Heavenly and
Earthly is assured. (Colossians 1:20)
Jesus
and his inspired disciples foretold an apostasy, or falling away, from the true
doctrine and order of the early Church. (Matthew 13:38, 39, Acts 20:29, 2 Thessalonians
2:1-12, 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 2 Peter 2:1)
The
history of the Christian Church reveals such desertion of early teachings and
methods. The doctrines of the Trinity, hell-fire, and the immortality of the
human soul all appear to be examples of apostate teachings.
The
Great Oppression
This
is a period of three and a half years of persecution that comes upon the
end-time Saints just before the Return of Christ in glory.
It is these end-time Saints who are the ‘large crowd’ that are
delivered from such an oppression. (Daniel 7:21-25, 12:1, Revelation 7:9-14,
11:2-3, 12:17, 13:5-7)
The
Parousia
(1)
Visible
The
Return, or Parousia of Christ, is visible and follows the great oppression and
celestial darkness. (Matthew 24:29-31, John 14:1-2)
(2)
Resurrection of the Church
The
entire Church (Body or Bride of Christ) is resurrected at the same time upon the
Parousia of Jesus. (1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 50-52, 1 Thessalonians
4:15-16, 1 John 2:28, 3:2)
(3)
Rapture of the end-time Saints
Right
at the end of the great oppression the living end-time Saints are rescued or
delivered by being snatched (or, raptured) out of harm’s way. (Daniel 7:22,
12:1-2, Matthew 24:29-31, 1 Corinthians 15:23, 50-52, 1 Thessalonians
4:16-17, Revelation 11:2-3, 12)
(4)
Where are we in Prophecy?
No
one is authorized to proclaim, ‘the time is at hand,’ (Luke 21:8) for no
Christian knows the time of the Parousia and the Day of Wrath. (Matthew 24:36,
Acts 1:7)
The
Parousia-Judgement
When
the Master or King returns he first inspects or judges his own Household of
Faith, the realm of his domain. The weeds, or goats, are destroyed. The wheat,
or sheep, inherit the Kingdom of the Father. (Matthew 24:45 to 25:46, 2 Corinthians
5:10, 1 John 2:28, 4:17)
The
Day of Wrath
(1)
Commencement of the Day of Wrath
The
foretold time when the winds of destruction break forth upon mankind resulting
in the death of one-third of humanity. (Revelation 7:1-3, 9:15)
This is a war between the Lamb, with his Church, and all the kings of the
Earth. (Revelation 16:14, 16, 17:14, 19:11-16)
(2)
Where is the Church?
The
Church is in Heaven during the Day of Wrath and the out-pouring of the final
plagues of God’s anger. (Revelation 7:9-17, 15:2, 17:14)
(3)
Babylon’s judgement
Babylon,
or counterfeit Christianity — ‘religion’ itself — is destroyed by the
human political leaders under divine influence. This occurs after the Church is
gone and before ‘Armageddon.’ (Revelation 14:8, 18:4, 21)
(4)
Armageddon
The
war between the Lamb with his Church and the political leaders of the World.
(Revelation 16:14, 16, 19:11-16)
(5)
The binding of the Devil
Satan
is abyssed, or confined to his prison before the start of the Thousand Years.
(Revelation 20:3)
This
period of a thousand years is the time when Messiah reigns with his Church over
the World. It is an interval of rule without the Devil’s influence, during
which death and sin continue but are subdued at the end of the Thousand Year
period. (Isaiah 65:17-22, 1 Corinthians 6:2, Revelation 11:15, 20:4,
Revelation 20:3-7, 14)
The
Final Judgment
Following
the end of the Thousand Years and the destruction of the Devil, all mankind will
be resurrected for their own judgement. This judgment is based on their previous
conduct during their former life on earth. Then those approved in this final
judgement will be blessed with everlasting life on Earth. (Matthew 12:36-37,
John 5:27-29, Acts 17:31, Romans 2:15, 16, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:5, 12-15)
Death
and Hades
Death
is unconscious non-existence in a ‘sleep’ awaiting the resurrection. Hades
(or, hell) is gravedom where all await a resurrection and then their judgement.
The Bible does not teach a place of eternal torment, nor the immortality of the
human soul. (Job 14:12-14, Psalm 146:3-4, Ecclesiastes 3:19-21, 9:5, 10, Ezekiel
18:20, John 5:28-29, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:13)
Jesus
Christ is head. (Ephesians 5:23)
Christian
Apostles and Prophets are its foundation. (1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians
2:20)
All
other Christians are members of God’s Household. (Ephesians 2:19)
Where
possible each Church group should have its own ‘Presiding Elder.’ (Romans
12:8, Revelation 1:20)
Where
necessary additional elders or deacons could be appointed by those authorized to
do so. (Acts 6:3, 14:23)
All
men appointed should already be characterized by the requirements revealed in
Scripture. (1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9)
All
Church members, each with their own gifts, are recognized as one body. (1 Corinthians
12:12-26)
The
purpose of the Church is twofold
(1)
Build up the Household of God
To
build up the Household of God in love, faith and hope.(1 Corinthians 13:13,
Ephesians 4:16, Hebrews 10:24)
(2)
To teach and encourage in faith and love
(3)
To Reveal Christ to the World
(Ephesians
1:12, 3:10)
Build
up the Household of God
(1) The
Early Church
The
letters sent to the seven congregations, recorded at Revelation chapters 2 and
3, show that each is responsible for its own actions.
The first century Corinthian Church was reported upon by the Apostle Paul
and his findings can be read at First Corinthians chapter 11 through to the end
of chapter 14. The main import was
the need for love, agreement and order. (1 Corinthians 13:1-8a, 11:17-19,
14:33, 40)
(2) The
Church Today
Throughout
the whole realm of Christ’s kingdom today the structure and arrangements of
the various churches differ greatly. This
is not necessarily a detestation, for Christian freedom permits choice on a
reasonable scope. The
Friends of the Nazarene arrange for congregations of any size to be
established where there is one elder to take the lead and set the example, and
with the ability to organize programs for gatherings and other means to reveal
Christ to the World. These
arrangements would be fixed locally. Through
experience and sagacity arrangements are usually made for a ‘Formal
Ecclesia’ where prayers, hymns, Bible readings, and Scriptural talks are
given. Also an informal
‘Devotional Group’ for prayers, Bible study, exhortations, testimonies,
devotions, and expressions of faith can be made.
At these ‘Devotional Groups’ all may share and participate.
At meetings organized by the Friends
of the Nazarene godly woman may choose to wear a veil or head-covering. [1
Corinthians 11:5, 10, 13, 16] This
would particularly be the case if they were to participate in the absence of an
appointed male; that is, where there was no qualified godly man available to
oversee events.
(3)
The Commemoration of the Lord’s Supper
The
annual commemorative observance of the Lord’s death on the Biblical calendar
date of Nisan 14. Unlike the Jewish Passover, the Memorial is not just a family
observance, but where possible a congregational gathering to demonstrate
communion and unity. (1 Corinthians 11:23-34)
Reveal
Christ to the World
(1) Evangelism
& Growth
Paul
said: "I believed, and so I
spoke." (2 Corinthians 4:13 Revised Standard Version) It is
natural that persons of faith will use their abilities to witness, or speak to
others about their beliefs and Bible knowledge, acknowledging Christ as their
Saviour and King. (Matthew 25:14-30, Romans 10:9-15, Ephesians 6:15, 1 Peter
2:9)
(2) What
is the ‘Gospel’?
There
is only one ‘gospel’, or message of good news. Those that do not conform to
Paul’s ‘gospel’ are considered anathema by Paul himself. (Galatians 1:8-9)
(3) What
is the ‘Good News’ today?
The
Gospel is the good news that anyone may become a prospective member of the Bride
of Christ with a celestial inheritance. (John 6:37, 14:1-3)
The
family has always been the backbone of any society.
It was once said, that when the family crumbles the nation crumbles.
“The family is the oldest human institution. In many ways it is the most important. It is society’s most basic unit.
Entire civilizations have survived or disappeared, depending on whether
family life was strong or weak.” (The
World Book Encyclopedia 1973) It
was God who initiated the family arrangement, and it is His advice which has
stood the test of time. Whilst many
philosophers have made their mark, often to the detriment of society, the Bible
remains constant with its counsel.
The
Bible shows that a godly father and mother’s first responsibility is to their
children. The man is head, guide,
provider and protector of his family. Mutual
love and respect is to be displayed between all members.
The father and mother’s role is to raise their children in Christ. And that any children should so honour their parents by their
respect and obedience. (1 Corinthians 7:12-14, Ephesians 5:22 to 6:4,
Colossians 3:18-21, 1 Thessalonians 2:11, 1 Timothy 5:4, 14, Titus
2:4-5)
As
much of the future of the Church rests in its youth, every effort must be made
to train and set the example for the next generation of the Faithful.
The
Christian is not just another fellow human being driven by the wind of this
world without direction or purpose. True
he is subject to circumstances brought about not of his doing.
But he is a person with a character possessed of faith in God, love for
Him, and hope in Him. He also loves
the Lord Jesus Christ to such an extent that he is prepared to: “Follow the Lamb no matter where he goes.” (Revelation 14:4)
This requires that “God be everything to everyone,” and dedicated
discipleship to Jesus first. (Matthew 16:24-26, John 15:14; 1 Corinthians 15:29)
Love
for God (Mark 12:30)
Love
for neighbour (Mark 12:31)
Love
for enemy manifest by prayer, goodness, and giving (Matthew 5:43-48)
Love
for God’s household (1 John 4:11)
Love
for one’s family (Ephesians 5:28 to 6:4)
Look
after one’s own (1 Timothy 5:4, 8)
Look
after orphans (James 1:27)
Look
after widows (James 1:27)
Look
after the poor (James 2:14-16)
Cultivate
the Holy Spirit in one’s life (Galatians 5:22-26)
Training
the new personality (Ephesians 4:20-24)
Remain
uncontaminated by this world (John 17:15-16, James 1:27)
Avoid
the evil works (Galatians 5:19-21)
Avoid
judging one’s brother (Matthew 7:1-5)
Knowledge:
It
seems reasonable that a disciple (or learner) of Jesus Christ would have read,
and prayerfully meditated, on the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels. (Matthew
7:24, 1 Timothy 2:3-5; Hebrews 1:1)
Faith:
Faith
follows knowledge, and once seen as true, can be relied upon.
The disciple comes to understand and believe that the sayings of Jesus
are correct and that he is the Christ the Son of God.
He now puts faith in Jesus and places himself in a blessed situation.
(John 3:16)
Repentance:
The
disciple’s faith in Christ’s sacrifice aids him to acknowledge that he is a
sinner and in need of forgiveness. So
he laments past and present sins. He
is determined to avoid all future sins. (Matthew 9:13, 1 John 1:5-10)
Conversion:
After
the disciple confesses his sins and asks for forgiveness he is prepared to live
his life no longer for himself but for the one by whom he gained forgiveness,
Jesus. (Romans 12:1-2, 1 John 2:3-6)
Acknowledgement:
Now
that the disciple has transformed his life to that of God’s will through
Christ his Lord, the Holy Spirit will engender within him in the desire to
acknowledge God’s grace, moving him to be baptized in the name of Jesus.
Complete water immersion in the name of Jesus Christ is among the ways to
‘fulfil all that is righteous’ as a symbol of dedication and consecration to
‘follow the Lamb no matter where he goes’.
It is a step in the process of salvation and sanctification. (Acts 19:5,
1 Peter 3:21) He will then be
driven to confess union with Jesus Christ. (Matthew 10:32)
Action:
The
Christian’s faith helps him in all aspects of his life.
His faith motivates him in all manner of Christian activities. (Romans
12:13, Colossians 3:23-24, Hebrews 10:24)
“This
I can pray with confidence, for his divine power has gifted us with everything
necessary for life and godliness, because we have come to know him who called us
to share his own glory and excellence. It
was through the excellence of his glory that we received the precious and very
great gifts he promised us, and it is through these gifts that you are able to
escape the world’s corruption, which is the fruit of unbridled passion, and so
to become sharers in the divine nature. And
this is the very reason why you must make up your minds to make every effort to
equip your faith with virtue, your virtue with knowledge, your knowledge with
self-mastery, your self-mastery with fortitude; you fortitude with godliness,
your godliness with Christian friendliness; your friendliness with love.
For if you possess these virtues, and if you keep on growing in them, it
will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive on your road to an ever deeper knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2
Peter 1:3-8 William Barclay) “I
can assure you my brothers, I am far from thinking that I have already won. All
I can say is that I forgot the past and I strain ahead for what is still to
come; I am racing for the finish, for the prize to which God calls us upwards to
receive in Christ Jesus. We who are
called ‘perfect’ must all think in this way.
If there is some point on which you see things differently, God will make
it clear to you; meanwhile, let us go forward on the road that has brought us to
where we are.” (Philippians 3:13-16 The Jerusalem Bible) (Luke 21:19)
The
Seven Promises
“To
him who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the
paradise of God.”
“He
who conquers shall not be hurt by the second death... Be faithful unto death,
and I will give you the crown of life.”
“To
him who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a
white stone, with anew name written on the stone which no one knows except him
who receives it.”
“He
who conquers and keeps my works until the end, I will give him power over the
nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are
broken in pieces, even as I myself have received power from my Father; and I
will give him the morning star.”
“He
who conquers shall be clad thus in white garments, and I will not blot his name
out of the book of life; I will confess his name before my Father and before his
angels.”
“He
who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God; never shall he
go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the
city of my God, the new Jerusalem which comes down from my God out of heaven,
and my own new name.”
“He
who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I myself
conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
(Revelation 2:7, 10-11,
17, 26-29, 3:12, 21
Revised Standard Version)
20 April 2000
JN8:26 There are many things I have to say and judge about you [Jews]. However, the One who sent me is real, and what I have heard ‘alongside Him,’ [Proverbs 8:30 LXX] these things I am speaking to the world.” [NCMM]
The phrase “alongside Him” is PAR AUTO in Greek. The
phrase also occurs at John 8:38, 40. In John chapter 8 Jesus refers to his
pre-existence “alongside” the Father before he came into the world. What
proves to be interesting that PAR AUTO also occurs at Proverbs 8:30 in the
context off a created son who was begotten before the creation of the earth.
Proverbs 8:22, 30 reads from the 3rd Century BC Jewish Greek Septuagint: “YHWH created me
[the] beginning of His way for His works. … I was alongside Him [PAR AUTOU]
arranging everything. I was His delight, and daily I rejoiced in His presence
continually.” Jesus makes the same reference again in his Passover Prayer
at John 17:5, “And now
glorify me, Father, alongside Yourself [PARA]
with the glory that I had alongside You [PARA SOI]
before the cosmos existed.” [NCMM] The word “before” [PRO]
is also a word which occurs four times in Proverbs 8:23-25. John 1:1 also uses a
word from Proverbs 8:23, EN ARCHE [in a beginning]. There seems reasonable
material in Jesus’ own words that both he and John allude to Proverbs 8:22-30.
JN8:31 As a result, the Jesus spoke toward those Jews who had believed in him: “As long as you remain in my Word you are my genuine disciples.” [NCMM]
The phrase “genuine disciples” is also rendered by
Goodspeed as “really disciples of mine.” In his parable of the Sower, Jesus
foretold the time when his field would be sown with both wheat and weeds.
[Matthew 13:36-43] The Nazarene’s words above indicate something about
“genuine disciples” and at the same time suggest there are not so genuine or
real disciples. The “genuine disciples” are identified as those Christians
who “remain in [Christ’s] Word.” At the very least such would first have
to know and be familiar with the teachings of Jesus Christ as found in the
Gospels. Then, they would need to “remain” in his Word. The word
“remain” is also rendered: continue, abide, live in, faithful to, hold fast
to, dwell within. Does this not move all with a desire to become more acquainted
with the Lord’s teachings? This can be done by making those red letters in the
Gospels a regular source of personal Bible reading and study. Though all of the
Scriptures are God-breathed [2 Timothy 3:16] we note Hebrews 1:1, 2, “On
many occasions, and in a variety of ways in ancient times, The God spoke to our
[Hebrew] forefathers by means of the Prophets. In these last days He spoke to us
[Hebrews] by means of a Son.” [NCMM]
If we find ourselves losing our godly joy, perhaps it
is due in part because we have ceased remaining in his Word? Nothing heals the
inner person more than letting that Christine “living waters” flood through
our heart and mind. No other portion of Scripture is more filled with God’s
Power than the Words of our Lord Christ.
Psalm 1:2 [Their] greatest pleasure is in the law of Yehowah, and in His law they study day and night.” [ModVer] The phrase “study” here is also rendered: reads in an undertone, talk with himself, meditate, recites, pouring over it. Since most ancient Hebrew worshippers did not possess a copy of the Scriptures, it was vital they learned to remember and recite portions. The psalmist David encourages the godly person to utter these in recitation, as in prayerful meditations, both during the day and during the night. Such sincere efforts will be a source of blessings, or happiness, to the one who has become so familiar with His Word. This kind of person is characterized by several observable things mentioned in Psalm 1:1, 3 – a] they do not walk in ungodly advice; b] walk the road sinners tread; c] join the company of scoffers; and, d] produce fruitage at the proper time. A little meditation on these characteristics and the sincere worshipper can see these things surrounding us in the modern world. Nothing can protect us more than remaining close to the Word. It should be the goal of every Christian disciple to make familiarity with the Word a life-long pleasure so that as years advance more and more perfect gems from God’s Law will be on our tongue as we meditate day and night.
MT13:41 The Son of Humankind will send forth his angels and they will cull out of his Realm everything that causes scandal and those doing lawlessness.” [NCMM]
When the Lord Messiah returns in his foretold visible Parousia he sends out “his angels” [compare “his angels” Revelation 12:7] to cull out – or gather, collect out – all those unrighteous undesirables within the Church throughout its history, living and dead. Jesus mentions these angels in both Matthew 24:31 and Matthew 25:31. Those so removed at the time of Christ’s visible manifestation are described as those who cause “scandal” and are “lawless.” The Greek word for “scandal” is SCANDALA and is also rendered: things that offend, causes stumbling, all who are hindrances, spoiling, those who lead others to do wrong. The history of the Church has been filled with such “scandal.” Such persons who stand before “the judgment-seat of Christ” will meet their professed King in shame. [2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 John 2:28]
The other word used to describe these “sons of the Evil One” is “lawlessness.” Lawlessness may be defined as the transgression of God’s commandments. The apostle John describes “lawlessness” in this manner: “Anybody habitually sinning is a law-breaker. Therefore law-breaking is sin.” [1 John 3:4 NCMM Paraphrase] In John’s context there are two major “commandments” or laws: “Now this is His commandment: first, we believe and trust in the name of His Son Jesus Christ; and, second, love one another just as he commanded.” [1 John 3:23 NCMM Paraphrase] One of the examples John gives in the same chapter is the failure to come to the aid of a brother or sister in need: “For example: if any of us has this world’s resources for maintaining life and is aware than another Christian is in need and yet slams shut the doors of his tender affections – how is it possible that God still loves that person?” [1 John 3:17 NCMM Paraphrase] He actually compares such non-action and disinterest to hatred and murder.
It is interesting to note that “lawlessness” [the breaking of God’s commandments of freedom] is also mentioned in Matthew 7:21-23, “Many will say to me in The Day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? And, in your name cast out demons? And, in your name did many dynamic works?’ And then I shall confess to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, those working unlawfully!’” [NCMM] Or, those who were doing “lawlessness.” Yes, they pointed to great works done “in the name of Jesus” but likely these failed the requirement of 1 John 3:23. These “lawless” ones are the “goats” who see the need of even “one of the most humble of [His] brothers” and yet refuse to come to their assistance. Such negative, disinterested persons are not fit for the heavenly Kingdom of God. [Matthew 25:31-46] [MM]
The doctrine of the Trinity has not always been a part of Christian teaching. In fact, this doctrine was not formally stated until the fourth century. It is very interesting to learn about the history of this doctrine. This paper is designed to show how the doctrine began to be discussed, the events that led up to a council regarding it, and the way in which it was finally accepted.
Much of the history you are about to learn is taken from a book entitled The Two Republics, written by A. T. Jones and published in 1891 by The Review and Herald Publishing Company, Battle Creek, Michigan. Unless otherwise noted, all the quotations in this paper are taken from this book. The page numbers will be given for reference. All of my own writing will be set in a different type style.
First, let us look at how the controversy began. The controversy is often called “the Arian controversy.” We pick up the story by looking at an incident that occurred in the city of Alexandria in the early part of the fourth century.
“A
certain Alexander was bishop of Alexandria. Arius was a presbyter in charge of a
parish church in the same city. Alexander attempted to explain ‘the unity of
the Holy Trinity.’ Arius dissented from the views set forth by Alexander. A
sort of synod of the presbyters of the city was called, and the question was
discussed. Both sides claimed the victory, and the controversy spread. Then
Alexander convened a council of a hundred bishops, by the majority of which the
views of Alexander were endorsed. Upon this, Arius was commanded to abandon his
own opinions, and adopt Alexander’s. Arius refused, and Alexander
excommunicated him and all who held with him in opinion, of whom there were a
considerable number of bishops and other clergy, and many of the people.”
(Page 332)
As you can see, this was no small controversy.
“Whether
the Son of God, therefore, is of the same substance, or only of like substance,
with the Father, was the question in dispute. The controversy was carried on in
Greek, and as expressed in Greek the whole question turned upon a single letter.
The word which expressed Alexander’s belief, is Homoousion. The word which expressed the belief of Arius, is Homoiousion.
One of the words has two ‘i’s’ in it, and the other has but one; but why
the word should or should not have that additional ‘i,’ neither party could
ever exactly determine. Even Athanasius himself, who succeeded Alexander in the
bishopric of Alexandria, and transcended him in every other quality, ‘has
candidly confessed that whenever he forced his understanding to meditate upon
the divinity of the Logos, his toilsome and unavailing efforts recoiled on
themselves; that the more he thought, the less he comprehended; and the more he
wrote, the less capable was he of expressing his thoughts.’—Gibbon.”
(Page 334)
It is very interesting to note that the main perpetrator of Alexander’s views did not even understand the things which he was so adamant that others accept. Can it be wondered how so many people were reluctant to accept these new views about God?
Let’s look at what Alexander’s ideas entailed.
“Alexander
declared:—‘The Son is immutable and unchangeable, all-sufficient and
perfect, like the Father, differing only
in this one respect, that the Father is unbegotten. He is the exact image of
His Father. Everything is found in the
image which exists in its archetype [original];
and it was this that our Lord taught when He said, ‘My Father is greater than
I.’ And accordingly we believe that the Son proceeded from the Father; for
He is the reflection of the glory of the Father, and the figure of His
substance. But let no one be led from this to the supposition that the Son is
unbegotten, as is believed by some who are deficient in intellectual power: for
to say that He was, that He has always been, and that He existed before all
ages, is not to say that He is unbegotten.’” (Page 333)
According to Alexander, the only difference between the Father and Son is that the Son was begotten. In explaining how the Son was begotten, Alexander quotes Jesus in saying that He proceeded from the Father. Yet in his final statement Alexander asserts concerning the Son, “that He has always been.” Somehow he struggled to reconcile the idea of the Son being begotten with the new idea that He has always existed. We will examine this new idea later in this paper.
Let us now look at what Arius taught.
“Arius
said:—‘We say and believe, and have taught, and do teach, that the Son is
not unbegotten, nor in any way unbegotten, even in part; and that He does not
derive His subsistence from any matter; but that by His own will and counsel He
has subsisted before time, and before ages, as perfect God, and only begotten
and unchangeable, and that He existed not before He was begotten, or created, or
purposed, or established. For He was not unbegotten. We are persecuted because we say that the Son had a beginning, but that
God was without beginning. This is really the cause of our persecution, and
likewise, because we say He is from nothing. And this we say, because He is
neither part of God, nor of any subjacent matter.’” (Page 333)
It is interesting to note that Arius used the word “created” when referring to the Son of God, but as you can see from the preceding statement, he understood that Christ was begotten of His Father, and therefore had a beginning. So Arius actually believed that Christ was “the only begotten Son of God.”
“Arius
for himself wrote a book entitled ‘Thalia,’—Songs of Joy—a collection of songs in which he set forth his views. This
expedient took well, for in the excited state of the parties, his doctrinal
songs were hummed everywhere. Alexander on his part, likewise, sent circular
letters to the principal bishops round about. The controversy spread everywhere,
and as it spread, it deepened.” (Page 332)
“Sailors,
millers, and travelers sang the disputed doctrines at their occupations or on
their journeys.
Every corner, every alley of the city [this was said afterwards of
Constantinople, but must have been still more true of Alexandria] was full of
these discussions—the streets, the market-places, the drapers, the
money-changers, the victualers. Ask a man ‘how many oboli?’ he answers by
dogmatizing on generated and ungenerated being. Inquire
the price of bread, and you are told, ‘The Son is subordinate to the
Father.’ Ask if the bath is ready, and you are told, ‘The Son arose out
of nothing.’—Stanley.
“Constantine’s
golden dream of a united Christendom was again grievously disturbed.” (Page
337)
In an effort to bring the two parties together Constantine wrote a long letter to Arius and Alexander expressing his desire of having a united kingdom. This letter, however, had the opposite effect, because it caused each party to be more eager than ever to gain the emperor’s approval. The contention was deepened rather than abated.
In an attempt to settle the matter Constantine called a general council in A. D. 325 held in a city called Nice, thus known as “The Council of Nicaea.” There were 318 bishops present, not including an innumerable company of deacons, presbyters, acolytes, and other attendants.
“Then the
great question that had caused the calling of the council was taken up. There
were three parties in the council—those who sided with Alexander, those who
sided with Arius, and those who were non-committal, or, through hope of being
mediators, held the middle ground. Arius, not being a bishop, could not hold
an official seat in the council, but he had come at the express command of
Constantine, and ‘was frequently called upon to express his opinions.’
Athanasius, who was more responsible for the present condition of the dispute
than was Alexander himself, though only a deacon, came with his bishop
Alexander. He, likewise, though not entitled to an official place in the
council, played not a small part in the discussion and in bringing about the
final result of the council.
“The
party of Alexander and Athanasius, it was soon discovered, could depend upon the
majority of the council; and they
determined to use this power in the formulation of such a statement of doctrine
as would suit themselves first, and if it should be found impossible for the
party of Arius honestly to accept it, so much the better they would be pleased.
“In the
discussion, some of the songs which Arius had written, were read. As soon as
Alexander’s party heard them, they threw up their hands in horror, and then
clapped them upon their ears and shut their eyes, that they might not be defiled
with the fearful heresy.” (Page 347)
Notice that this same response was used by a group of people in the Bible. Stephen had just given a long speech on Jewish history when he exclaimed that they were guilty of murdering the Son of God. “Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.” (Acts 7:57, 58)
“Next the
draft of a creed was brought in, signed by eighteen bishops of the party of
Arius; but it was not suffered to exist long enough for anybody ever to obtain a
copy. Their opponents broke into a wild uproar, tore the document to pieces, and
expelled Arius from the assembly.
“Next,
Eusebius of Cæsarea,—Constantine’s panegyrist—thought to bring the
parties together by presenting a creed
that had been largely in use before this dispute ever arose. He stated that this
confession of faith was one which he had learned in his childhood, from the
bishop of Cæsarea, and one which he accepted at his baptism, and which he had
taught through his whole career, both as a presbyter and as a bishop. As an
additional argument, and one which he intended to be of great weight in the
council, he declared that ‘it had been approved by the emperor, the beloved of
heaven, who had already seen it.’ It read as follows:—
“‘I
believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things both visible and
invisible, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God, God of God, Light of
Light, Life of Life, the only begotten
Son, the First-born of every creature, begotten of the Father before all worlds,
by whom also all things were made. Who for our salvation was made flesh, and
lived amongst men, and suffered, and rose again on the third day, and ascended
to the Father, and shall come in glory to judge the quick and the dead. And we
believe in one Holy Ghost. Believing each of them to be and to have existed, the
Father, only the Father; and the Son, only the Son; and the Holy Ghost, only the
Holy Ghost: as also our Lord sending forth His own disciples to preach, said,
‘Go and teach all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:’ concerning which things we affirm that it is
so, and that we so think, and that it has long so been held, and that we remain
steadfast to death for this faith, anathematizing every godless heresy. That we
have thought these things from our heart and soul, from the time that we have
known ourselves, and that we now think and say thus in truth, we testify in the name
of Almighty God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, being able to prove even by
demonstration, and to persuade you that
in the past times also thus we believed and preached.’” (Pages 347, 348)
Eusebius of Cæsarea, the man who presented this creed, wrote a book entitled Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History. In this book, he states his beliefs, which are the beliefs he learned as a child, which he taught throughout his career. He states:
“For as no one hath known the Father, but the Son, so no one on the other hand, can know the Son fully, but the Father alone, by whom He was begotten. For who but the Father hath thoroughly understood that Light which existed before the world was—that intellectual and substantial wisdom, and that living Word which in the beginning was with the Father, before all creation and any production visible or invisible, the first and only offspring of God, the prince and leader of the spiritual and immortal host of heaven, the angel of the mighty council, the agent to execute the Father’s secret will, the maker of all things with the Father, the second cause of the universe next to the Father, the true and only Son of the Father, and the Lord and God and King of all created things, who has received power, and dominion with divinity itself, and power and honour from the Father¼ Where he introduces the Father and maker as the Ruler of all, commanding with His sovereign nod, but the divine word as next to Him, the very same that is proclaimed to us, as ministering to His Father’s commands¼ The Son Himself, however, by no means indifferent to the worship of the Father, is appointed to teach the knowledge of the Father to all
