The Apostle’s Creed

“If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” –1 Corinthians 15:19-20

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, The Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he arose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen.

              The statement of faith made by the Apostles’ Creed ends with the powerful declaration of hope that every believing Christian longs for. It is the longing for eternal life through truly entering into the resurrection life of Jesus Christ. Every Christian, past and present, has had to struggle through this fallen world the same as we do today. Life filled with struggle, striving, weariness, weakness, disease, physical brokenness, relational brokenness, financial hardship, and countless other real effects of sin and death in the world.

              1 Corinthians 15 is one of the most encouraging chapters in all the Bible. In this chapter Paul focuses on teaching the church about the reality and eternal implications of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. He is absolutely clear that our hope in Jesus is NOT just for this life. Our hope in Jesus is NOT just to get a better job, have a happy marriage, raise loving children, and form healthy friendships, but to overcome the final enemy of death with the eternal life of Jesus Christ. This is possible because Jesus has actually and truly been raised up from death to eternal life. It must be the confident expectation of every Christian that by grace through faith we also will experience victory over death.

              We must understand our salvation to be multifaceted. We have been saved, we are being saved, and we will finally be saved. When a person first confesses their sins and believes in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation, that person is justified before God. To be justified means to be declared “not guilty” before God. When we are justified, we are seen by God the Father as clothed in the righteousness of Christ. We have been saved. But sin remains present in this life. We move forward in discipleship becoming more like Christ through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. We are being saved. At the day of God’s choosing every Christian will die (unless they are still alive at the second coming of Christ) and by faith enter into the glory of heaven and everlasting life. The presence of sin will be removed, and the glorious presence of Jesus will be present instead. In heaven we will be glorified, and our salvation will be complete.

              Paul argues in 1 Corinthians 15 that the resurrection of Jesus is evidence and an example of the type of resurrection life we will share in. When the trumpet sounds at the second coming of Jesus the dead in Christ shall rise. Saints long departed will be united again with their bodies. We will forever be in person, not as disembodied spirits. Mohler writes, “What was weak will give way to power. What was dishonorable will give way to honor. What was natural will be transformed to spiritual. What was perishable will give way to an imperishable body that will never taste death. These bodies will live in immortality with Christ for all eternity.”

              On this “day of the Lord” there will be a great separation. Jesus will come again not as Savior but as a judge. He will separate those who are His own from those who would attempt to enter the kingdom of God by some other way. Those who have believed in the merciful salvation of Jesus will enter life everlasting. Those who have continued without faith, living in rebellion and relishing the sinfulness of this world will be separated unto damnation. Instead of resurrection glory, there will be weeping, the gnashing of teeth, outer darkness, and a lake of fire.

              Every true Christian should long for heaven. Heaven will not be like the foolish portrayals of clouds, harps, and bored people. Heaven is presented as so much more than this life – not less. Shadows become light, and where before we could only see dimly, we will see perfectly. All will be made right. All will be purified and glorified. All that is broken will be created anew. All that is sick will be healed. All that is at war will be brought to peace and the lion will lie down with the lamb. Here God will disclose Himself and be together with His people in a way that cannot be comprehended. We are told by scripture that these things are beyond imagination.

              I believe that even though we die, yet shall we live. I believe that what is sown in weakness and death will rise glorious and imperishable through the power of Jesus our Lord. Leave behind your anxiety and fear. Put off the cares of this world and set your mind on things that are above (Colossians 3:1-4).

I believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.

Amen,

Pastor Vic        

< This is part thirteen in a series of articles on the Apostles’ Creed. To learn more about the Apostles’ Creed read: “The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits” by Albert Mohler. >

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit…I acknowledge my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” Psalm 32:1-2, 5

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, The Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he arose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins…

              The forgiveness of sins is the beginning of joy in the Christian life! It’s when by confession and the real forgiveness of sin, your guilt is removed before God. Whereas we were under condemnation before, we are no longer under condemnation because of divine gracious forgiveness (Romans 8:1). Blessed is the person that the Lord has forgiven and does not count their sins against them! I believe in the forgiveness of sins.

              Forgiveness begins with acknowledging our sins and our true guilt before God. Most people choose to blame others for the guilt and consequences of their own sin, anger, rebellion, pride, and selfishness. This blame shifting and anger is not the way of Christ and does not lead to life. As Psalm 32 teaches us, the Christian acknowledges their sins before God and does not try to avoid the sin of their life. Those who believe in Jesus believe in Him as Savior. They believe that Jesus is able to forgive sins because of His work on the cross and because of His great love and mercy toward us.

              It’s important to recognize that asking for and receiving forgiveness from God is similar to asking for forgiveness from a friend or family member that loves you. When you know that brokenness in your family relationships relates to something you have said or done, you must go the person you wronged and ask them for forgiveness. You must say you’re sorry without making excuses, and then ask the person you wronged to forgive you. This type of heartfelt confession encourages the other person to grant forgiveness and reconcile the division. This is basically what happens when we acknowledge and confess our sins before God. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9. When we come before the Lord with earnest repentance, sorrow, and brokenness of heart to confess our sins, we can know that we are truly forgiven by the grace of God.

              It’s important to understand that God determines what the offenses are – not us. God has from eternity defined what is good and evil. We cannot reverse the moral order. We can only rebel against it. This is partly why reading the Bible is so important. By studying God’s word, we come to understand the will and commands of God, and these passages of Scripture are used by the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin. It’s worth noting the difference between our first confession of sin when we first believe in Jesus and come to salvation, and the ongoing confession of sin. When we first acknowledge our sin before God, repent of our sins, and ask God to forgive us – this is our time of conversion and regeneration. This is when the guilt of your sin is removed, you are born again, and justified before God.

              As we go on from salvation, confession is still a regular part of life. You are making progress in godliness, but sin remains a part of your life. This does not cause you to lose your salvation but does affect your fellowship with God. We understand this from family relations. When a husband or wife sin against each other it does not end their marriage but does break their fellowship. Their will be division in the friendship and fellowship of the relationship until the person in the wrong acknowledges their sin and asks for forgiveness. When forgiveness is granted the fellowship and sweetness of the relationship is renewed. This is the same way things work between the Christian and God after salvation. As a Christian, keep short accounts with God. When your sin is affecting your nearness and joy, confess your sins and receive the grace of God that the relationship might be renewed.

              There is no penance in the Bible. Salvation and the forgiveness of sins is by grace alone. The idea of penance (mostly known from the Roman Catholic Church) is doing something related to punishment in order to work off the guilt of your sins. This is the opposite of grace and is not what the Bible teaches. Beating yourself up after you have confessed your sins, is not what Jesus would have you do. Instead, joyfully receive forgiveness by faith and go and sin no more. Take forgiveness seriously and take holiness seriously as well.

              As Christians we must forgive others, because we have been forgiven everything by God. When God has forgiven us as wretched sinners, we must also forgive those that have sinned against us. Withholding forgiveness and grace toward those who have sinned against you shows a problem in your heart. There is no place for grudge keeping in the Christian life. Forgiveness is never easy and is harder the more grievous or costly the offense. But as we go to God and ask for the grace to love and forgive even our enemies, the world will know that we are Christians because we love and forgive like Christ.

              Lastly, there are many false prosperity and positive thinking preachers in our day. They intentionally never speak of sin, or repentance, or confession, or forgiveness. This is because they are not interested in the gracious salvation of Jesus. They do not believe in real guilt before God and they do not believe in hell (eternal punishment for final rebellion against God). They falsely tell you that by positive thinking you can save yourself by reshaping your situation. This is a lie. Only by forgiveness from God can the guilt of our sins be removed.

May you confess your sins today and receive the blessed forgiveness of Jesus,

Pastor Vic   

< This is part twelve in a series of articles on the Apostles’ Creed. To learn more about the Apostles’ Creed read: “The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits” by Albert Mohler. >     

“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” Acts 9:31

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, The Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he arose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, The holy catholic church, The communion of saints …

              The Apostle’s Creed at this point turns from right belief about God to our relationship with God. We find that our relationship is not singular but communal in the church. It is certainly true that the gate to salvation is narrow, and each person must come individually by faith, but as Christians our faith is not designed to be lived out in isolation. We are designed by God, and intended by God’s purpose, to relate to one another in the local church. Let’s work to define the terms in this section of the Creed. Most of the words used in this section are misunderstood by our culture.

              Church: Most people associate the word “church” with a building, not with a group of people. The Bible teaches that the church is made up of all those who are redeemed by Jesus Christ. An important analogy is attached to this group of people called the church. Those who come to salvation in Jesus are called “the body of Christ.” In this analogy of how we should understand our relationship to Jesus and to each other, Jesus is the head (of authority) and we individually are interworking parts of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). Like the parts of a body, we are each given different roles through the gifts and purposes of God. As we each engage with other Christians, we begin to understand how much we need them, how much they need us, and how together we strengthen each other’s lives through Christ. There ultimately is one church, because there is one head – Jesus Christ. There is one gospel, but there are many local gatherings of Christians meeting in every type of building imaginable. This is the local church. I believe in the local church.

              Holy: The church must be holy. To be holy means to be set apart from something else. The church must be set apart from the world by what we believe about the world (our worldview) and our ethics (how we conduct ourselves morally). We live differently from the world, because of our faith in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13-16). A basic part of the call of Christ in salvation is the call to turn away in repentance from the way of the world. But we are not called to cut against the grain of this fallen world alone. In the church we come alongside an entire community of people that are following the ways of Jesus. In the church we find people of different ages, races, and economic status, all sinners forgiven by Jesus, but all pressing to live a set apart life in Christ.

              Catholic: This is the most misunderstood word in the Apostle’s Creed. Catholic as written so long ago means universal. The statement “holy catholic church” speaks to the singular body of Christ, set apart from the world in holiness. However, today, the word catholic is immediately associated with the Roman Catholic church. The Roman catholic church is just that, the formation of the Christian church under ancient Roman government. This development began as a part of the Christian church becoming the official state religion under Emperor Constantine. This strong connection between church and state continued for hundreds of years into the Middle Ages, all the way into the decline of the Roman Empire through decadence. The Roman Catholic church declined in holiness and biblical faithfulness along with the decline of the Roman state. Though we differ significantly from Roman Catholics in biblical Christian doctrine, we still believe in one catholic church.

              Communion of Saints: Again, the meaning of this phrase has been significantly affected by the Roman Catholic understanding of “saints.” The word “saint” is often used in the New Testament to refer simply to faithful and godly Christians. Saint means “holy one.” As stated above, all Christians are to live lives that are holy – set apart in godliness to the Lord. All Christians are saints. This is very different from the Roman Catholic understanding of saints being a small group of super-Christians that reach a status of veneration. Instead, as we choose to join the local church, we become a part of the communion of saints. Communion is where you sit down with people and enjoy their company, share a meal, and live together. It’s a word that speaks to personal relationship and real meaningful interaction. I believe this is found most truly and fully in the local church. The communion of the saints should be so important to us, that we really cannot tell the story of our lives without that story including how our lives have been blessed and shaped by the local church.

              Al Mohler writes, “The church, unlike anything on earth, will be the only institution to transcend the ages.” I affirm the Apostle’s Creed and believe passionately in the local church as God’s plan for reaching the nations with the gospel. If you, like many, have been frustrated with the local church, I urge you to lean in and play the unique part God would have you to play. If you believe in Jesus as your Savior, you have a unique part to play in the church. Without you there and serving, the church is partially incomplete. There is no substitute for the church!

May Jesus be glorified, and the congregation blessed through all that happens at Redeemer,

Pastor Vic

< This is part eleven in a series of articles on the Apostles’ Creed. To learn more about the Apostles’ Creed read: “The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits” by Albert Mohler. >

Where am I needed to serve in the church?

Children’s Ministry: Sherry needs your help in children’s ministry. We are now regularly running over 100 children during the 11:00 worship service. We need you to get outside of your comfort zone, take up an uncomfortable service of love and gentleness, and help minister to our children. It’s a well-established fact that most people come to salvation while their hearts are tender as children. We want to minister well to our kids and help those dedicated workers that are already in place. What is needed:

• Assistant teachers that can periodically fill in
• A few good men. Some of our more rambunctious classes need a stern male hand to keep order, so the teacher can teach. The horse play can get out of hand and is too much for one teacher to handle.
• An end-of-service-kid-wrangler to help Sherry, and others, gather and check out the kids. When it’s time to go, each and every child must be checked out to make sure everyone is accounted for. This can be chaotic, and we need some extra hands right at the end of the 11:00 service.

Musical Worship Ministry: Katie and the musical worship team need tech help. They need people willing to rotate duties of preparing and presenting the song lyric slides. For a tech oriented and careful person, this is an immediately needed area of service.

Greeter Ministry: Vanessa needs help welcoming people at the door and handing out song sheets. Her substitute list is short at the 9:30 service (2^nd and 4^th Sundays) and 11:00 (1^st and 3^rd Sundays).

Please pray about these needs and speak to a church leader about jumping in to help!

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“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, The Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he arose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit …

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit? The earliest Christians included this belief as essential to Christianity because it is essential. The work of God cannot be accomplished only by the power and charisma of people. Only by the power of God can the work of God be accomplished. In this way God gets the glory instead of us!

I was raised in a church tradition that minimized the work and power of the Holy Spirit by seldom speaking about the third person of the Trinity. Little was said of the fruit of the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, or directly asking for the power of the Holy Spirit to be at work in the church. As stated in the Apostles’ Creed, believing in the unseen Holy Spirit is a matter of faith. I have had to grow in my faith over the years to see the absolute necessity of the Holy Spirit from the work of regeneration in salvation all the way to the seal of hope that we might one day enter eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

The Holy Spirit is the gift of God’s real and abiding presence bestowed in a special and continuous way during the age of the church. The ministry of the Holy Spirit to individual believers, and to the church jointly, is complex, multifaceted, and far too much to cover in a newsletter article.

I strongly encourage you to read “The Mystery of the Holy Spirit: Discover the Work of the Living Spirit of the Living God” by R.C. Sproul. This is the most clear, balanced, and compelling explanation of the ministry of the Holy Spirit I have read in a short book. Chapter six is invaluable in explaining the work of regeneration by the Holy Spirit in bringing us to salvation and spiritual life. It is by the work of the Holy Spirit that we are born again (John 6:23).

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is spoken of continuously throughout the New Testament. You cannot faithfully or truthfully speak about Christianity without struggling to understand, believe, and then actively seek the work of the Holy Spirit in your own life.

First, I will focus on Jesus speaking about sending the Holy Spirit to continue the work of salvation after the ascension of Jesus. The key chapters here are John 14-16. I encourage you to carefully read them. In these chapters we first find that the Holy Spirit abides with those who believe. The Holy Spirit is sent from God as a Helper and a Spirit of Truth who abides (remains or dwells) with us. This means the presence of our merciful, wise, and gracious God is always with us. The presence of God is with us and in us through all the turmoil and struggle of this life. What hope to know that God has not forgotten us but remains always with us to minister to us in so many necessary ways.

Second, Jesus says that one way the Spirit will help us is by teaching and reminding us of truth (John 14:26). This ministry of the Holy Spirit is also called illumination. It is only by the work of the Holy Spirit that a person can authentically believe what they understand from the Bible. One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is faithfulness. God gives us the ability to believe what we thought was foolishness before. By this work, we respond and act in obedience and boldness for Christ.

Third, the Holy Spirit bears witness about Jesus (“He will bear witness about me” John 15:26-27) and guides us into truth (“He will guide you into all the truth” John 16:13-14).  The Holy Spirit always brings glory to God by turning our hearts toward Jesus. If you don’t understand what you are reading in the Bible, or the love of Jesus has grown cold in your heart, it’s time to ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand or stir up again a true love for Jesus in your heart. It’s the Holy Spirit that will pursue you and keep reminding your heart about the mercy, truth, and holiness of God. The Holy Spirit is the one that will convince you of the truth revealed in the Bible.

Beyond this basic foundation there are the gifts given by the Holy Spirit, the beautiful fruit of the Spirit (which far surpasses any general virtue!), the comfort of the Spirit, the creative work of the Spirit, and much more.

I believe in the Holy Spirit. Do you?

May the Lord pour out His Spirit upon the church as we walk in love and obedience to God’s will,

Pastor Vic

< This is part ten in a series of articles on the Apostles’ Creed. To learn more about the Apostles’ Creed read: “The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits” by Albert Mohler. >

“When the Son of Man comes in all glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all nations, and He will separate the sheep from the goats. And He will place the sheep on His right, but the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” –Matthew 25:31-34
 
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, The Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he arose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

The Bible records the story of the world. Its beginning with creation, the chosen people of Israel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the spread of the gospel, and the founding of the church. However, the Bible does not only look backward, but also looks to the future. The Bible tells us about the beginning of the world according to God’s will, and about the end of the world according to God’s will. The study of the end of the world is called eschatology.

People have many different theories on how the world will end. Many in our day are convinced that the world will end through global warming. Some think perhaps through nuclear war, but Christians believe that the world as we know it will end when Jesus returns to judge the living (quick) and the dead. Christians have long debated exactly what the Bible teaches about when Jesus will return, and there is disagreement among genuine Christians as to the timing of that return. We’re not certain of the when, but we are sure of the how. The second coming of Jesus will be with glory, power, and majesty (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Jesus will bodily return to the earth. This is not a thing of metaphor or mythology. As He ascended to heaven, He will descend to judge the world.

Jesus Himself will be the agent of the judgment of the people of the world. “The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22, 2 Tim 4:8, 2 Cor 5:10). Those who believe the ministry of Jesus is about affirming sinners in their sin will be proven terribly mistaken. In holiness, and with perfection, Jesus will carry out ultimate justice upon sinners alive at His return and those who died before His return. Apart from the grace of Jesus toward those who have accepted His salvation, no one could stand. By grace through forgiveness, we will pass through the judgment. Only covered by the righteousness of Christ will we be seen as righteous. No life can withstand the perfect scrutiny of the perfect judgment of Jesus. Instead, we must receive forgiveness.

The Bible is clear that on the last day Jesus will separate the sheep (believers) from the goats (unbelievers). The sheep (believers) called by Jesus, who hear His voice and respond by faith will go into the everlasting glory of heaven. Those who do not believe in Jesus as the Son of God, and finally reject His salvation, will suffer everlasting torment in hell. We are pilgrims passing through this corrupt and fallen world, seeking a heavenly city. We are not going to have our best life now, nor should we expect it. For Christians, the best is yet to come.

Albert Mohler concludes, “These truths point again to the gospel, for no sinner in himself can find survival in this judgment. The only means of survival—the only means of acquittal or salvation—is the loving sacrifice of Christ, our defender and judge. Christians must live with urgency because we understand that in this present age God will use us to snatch some from the evil one. The reality of the eschaton, the last days, reminds us of the urgency of sharing the gospel, because the eschaton goes hand in hand with the declaration of Jesus Christ among the nations. Our understanding of the future fuels our actions in the present; thus, missions and evangelism are eschatological activities—focused and fueled by the knowledge of Christ’s coming.”  

Thanks be to God for His mercy toward us,
Pastor Vic



< This is part nine in a series of articles on the Apostles’ Creed. To learn more about the Apostles’ Creed read: “The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits” by Albert Mohler. >

Ascension

“… as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:9-11

The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, The Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he arose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

              After the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, He appeared to His disciples and hundreds of eyewitnesses on a limited number of special occasions. During this final segment of Jesus’ ministry, he tied up some loose ends and made very clear to His followers that He had risen from the dead into a new and glorified state. These scenes are recorded at the ends of the Gospels and the beginning of the book of Acts. After this brief period, Jesus ascended into heaven never to die again.

              We don’t spend enough time thinking about heaven and contemplating its existence and importance. Heaven is spoken about constantly in the Bible and especially in the New Testament. Heaven is the perfect and mysterious dwelling place of God Almighty. In a number of places in the New Testament a window is opened between heaven and this world, causing the glory of heaven to spill over into our fallen and corrupt world (Luke 2:8-14, Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, Acts 7:54-60, 9:3-6). Heaven is a real place, but also a spiritual place. Heaven is where the triune God dwells with those angels who serve Him and those souls that have preceded us in salvation.

Spiritual things are not visible and tangible in the same way as physical objects, but they are no less real. You cannot reach out and touch or see the soul of another person, but that does not mean that their soul is not real. The soul is, in fact, what animates the physical person. The Bible seems to indicate that the spiritual and physical worlds coexist, with the spiritual only being revealed at specific times according to God’s purposes.

              In John 14 Jesus speaks to encourage and comfort His disciples by telling them about heaven. Jesus says that He will one day take those who believe in His salvation into heaven. Jesus says that a heavenly place is being prepared for them because Jesus wants us to be where He is! That is an incredible statement that we should spend time thinking about. What would it take for us as sinners to enter into the perfection of heaven? It would require our sins being forgiven and taken away (John 1:29). It would require a salvation that only Jesus could accomplish.

But the reality that Jesus wants us to be near Him eternally is shocking. We know who we want in our house and who we don’t want in our personal space. It’s special to have someone invite you into their home for dinner, but something else entirely to have someone prepare a place for you to move into their house. But this is exactly what Jesus calls heaven, “my father’s house” (John 14:2). Jesus laid down His own life on the cross and rose from the dead to accomplish our salvation. He has now ascended into heaven and will accomplish our salvation by bringing us one day to dwell with Him in glory. Eternal life with Jesus in glory is the end of the gospel. Through our salvation Jesus is glorified now and forever.

               Lastly, I would mention that the Bible states that in heaven Jesus serves as our great high priest and advocate. This means that within the mystery of the trinity, the Holy Spirit has been sent to be with us in this life while Jesus is our mediator in heaven. “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy2:5). One of the main focal points of the book of Hebrews is the explanation of how Jesus is the “high priest” and mediator of the new covenant of grace (Hebrews 8:1-6). Jesus, in His sinless perfection, offered Himself to God – in substitution for us – so that we might be recognized before God through the righteousness of Jesus. As we confess our sins, from heaven, Jesus forgives our sins by His grace and assures our salvation before God the Father.

              We have a great salvation that we should not neglect! I encourage you to spend more time examining heaven in the Bible. It will turn your heart toward our eternal salvation in Jesus and lift your mind’s eye off the corruption and struggle of this world.

Lord Jesus we look for your coming!

Pastor Vic

< This is part eight in a series of articles on the Apostles’ Creed. If you have missed previous articles, they can be found on the church blog. To learn more about the Apostles’ Creed read: “The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits” by Albert Mohler. >

Apostle’s Creed-part 7

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” Luke 24:5-6

The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, The Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he arose again from the dead …

“He descended into hell” is the most controversial statement in the Apostles’ Creed. I’ll say a few basic things about this phrase. First, the Apostles’ Creed is a basic summary of belief. In its basic nature, much is left unsaid. For all these things we go to the Bible which is our authority and teacher. My understanding of what the Apostles’ Creed is seeking to affirm here is that Christ truly died and truly spent three days in the realm of the dead, from which He arose again to eternal life. Where Jesus was, exactly, during this time is not revealed to us. It is important that we hold back speculation where Scripture does not speak.

The Old and New Testaments use various words to describe the realm of the dead. The Old Testament word is sheol, and the New Testament word is hades. Both words refer to the temporary realm of the dead who are awaiting final judgment. The New Testament uses the additional word gehenna to speak of a place of eternal torment and punishment for those who died without the salvation of Jesus. However, the translation of hades into Latin and then to English often is rendered as “hell.” This can be confusing. The Bible is clear that Jesus died and entered the realm of the dead but does not say that He entered Gehenna (the place of torment and judgement). Some verses that relate to this subject: 1 Peter 3:19, Luke 16:19-31, Psalm 16:10, Acts 2:29-31 (which quotes Psalm 16:10).

From this real death Jesus rose up on the third day, never to die again. A real death and a real resurrection. In Colossians 1:18 Paul writes of Jesus as “the firstborn from the dead.” This means that Jesus is the first to be raised from the dead unto eternal life. By His living power, he has overcome the final and inescapable enemy of all humanity – death. Jesus had spoken of His coming death and resurrection often with His disciples, but they did not understand what He meant. This was in part because what He spoke of was completely impossible according to the normal course of natural life. The bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the defining event of the Christian faith. Because He lives, we also shall live!

On the third day after His resurrection, Jesus is walking down the road to Emmaus with two disciples. They are despondent, thinking Jesus is dead and their hopes are dashed. But, (not aware that Jesus is speaking to them) Jesus says to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scripture the things concerning Himself” Luke 24:25-27.

Sending of Jesus as Savior had always been the plan of the Father, and now the plan was accomplished! The resurrection of Jesus radically energized the disciples and powerfully validated the message of Jesus. There was no more talk from Jesus of “telling no one.” Instead, Jesus commanded His disciples to go and bear witness to the entire world that He had risen from the dead. We still carry that message today!

This resurrection power of Jesus Christ also relates directly to the doctrine of regeneration and new birth. It is by the same power that raised Christ from the dead that spiritual life comes to our souls and our nature is made new (regenerated). If this power does not really reside in Jesus Christ, it cannot be given to us as well. His immeasurable power toward us who believe, is the same power that worked in Christ to raise Him from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20). It is an “immeasurable” power! So great that no unit of measure can comprehend or quantify the glorious power of God bringing one lost sinner from death to eternal life. What a glorious salvation we have in Jesus! A salvation that begins now, will be worked out in this life by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and one day be completed in glory!

We serve a risen Lord Jesus!
Pastor Vic


< This is part seven in a series of articles on the Apostles’ Creed. If you have missed previous articles, they can be found on the church blog. To learn more about the Apostles’ Creed read: “The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits” by Albert Mohler. >

“Everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging Him, they will kill Him, and on the third day He will rise.” Luke 18:31b-33

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate …

Who was Pontius Pilate and why would his actions be included in an essential expression of Christian faith? Let’s begin with the fact that Pontius Pilate was a real Roman governor and judge. The purpose of noting this is that the record of Christ’s suffering is not one of mythology and legend. The sufferings of Christ were real, and the effect of His real atoning sacrifice will be our real eternal salvation. Through Jesus we are delivered from the penalty of sin and death.

 Jesus’ entire ministry was directed toward the cross. The cross was the cup of suffering and wrath that He would drink to the bottom. It is essential to note that Jesus was innocent in His suffering; he was falsely accused. The gospel accounts of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion record that the Jews pressed for His crucifixion from unbelief in His claim to be the Son of God, and from jealousy of His popularity with the masses. From Pilate’s perspective, crucifying Jesus was the most politically expedient way to calm a riotous crowd and consolidate his political power. Pilate even admitted publicly that Jesus was innocent. However, all these conflicting and sinful motives ultimately worked out the purposes of God that Jesus might be put to death in His innocence as the Lamb of God.

The sufferings of Christ were atoning and substitutional. Jesus was pierced for our transgressions crushed for our sins (Isaiah 53:5). The sufferings of Jesus unto death were more than sufficient to pay the price of justice before God. Jesus suffered according to the will of God, but Jesus was motivated by love – a love for you and me. Obligation and duty were not His motivation. Jesus went to the cross for the “joy” set before Him of accomplishing the salvation of His beloved children (Hebrews 12:2, John 1:12).

However, the sufferings of Christ were not only physical. In His death, the wrath of God toward sin was poured out on Jesus. In His just anger, God the Father turned His favor and face away from Jesus. Jesus was forsaken on the cross because of the sins of the world counted against Him (Matthew 27:45-50). In His resurrection from the dead, Jesus overcame death.

By grace through faith, we are not destined for the wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11). We are sparred by the substitution of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:11-12)! We will receive the blessing and reward of being counted righteous in Christ! Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate so that we might not have to face death and judgment before God (2 Corinthians 5:21). In Jesus, we will receive eternal life, a place in the Kingdom of God, a place of welcome at His table … but not yet.

It is the will of God, that as we live this life, we take up our cross and join Jesus in His sufferings. By sharing in difficulty and hardship, we do not expect to rise above the station of Jesus Our Savior. We expect in this life we will be poured out for the sake of accomplishing God’s will. Like the Apostle Paul, we count all that the world has to offer as loss in light of the opportunity to have eternal life and personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord. “The way of glory comes through the way of the cross” (Mohler). The fullness of the Kingdom of God will not come in this life. His Kingdom is not of this world. Now is a time of sowing, a time of labor, a time to be poured out to accomplish the will of God. Now is a time of dying to self, a time to go into the world making disciples of Jesus Christ, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded.

As we go into a time of the Lord’s Supper this Sunday, consider reading over the words written long ago by Isaac Watts in the hymn “When I Survey the Wonderous Cross.” Consider Jesus who suffered under Pontius Pilate. He suffered for you that you might be forgiven of your sins and have eternal life.

May you believe in Jesus today!

Pastor Vic

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary …“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” See Luke 1:26-38

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary … –The Apostles’ Creed

              Jesus’ ministry began and ended with dramatic and unprecedented supernatural events. A supernatural event consists of something that cannot be explained except for the action of God upon the world from outside the natural order of things. The ministry of Jesus began with His conception within a virgin young woman and ended with His permanent resurrection from the dead. It is a hallmark of theological liberalism to be embarrassed over these two essential teachings of Scripture. They are embarrassed for the very reason that they cannot be explained by science and they cannot be accounted for by anything other than a divine work of God. They are both included in the ancient Apostles’ Creed because they are both essential to rightly understand who Jesus is. The virgin birth of Jesus Christ is essential Christian doctrine.

              The Gospels record that Jesus was conceived by a sovereign act of God and born of a virgin. This is very significant for at least three reasons. First, Jesus was born according to the will and timing of God the Father, not according to the will or action of a man. However, Jesus was born of a woman and did not simply appear or descend from heaven. In this Holy Spirit initiated human birth, we have the beginning of Jesus as truly God and truly man. Jesus was not a man indwelled by the Holy Spirit, or a spirit that appeared to be physical. Jesus was a mysterious fusion of God and man, and this begins at the virgin birth.

              Second, this miraculous conception points to how Jesus is conceived without sin. According to Scripture, all who descend from Adam inherit from him the guilt of humanity. We are born with a corrupt nature, dead in our trespasses and sins (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 5:18-19). By having no earthly father, the normal pattern of conception and birth is broken. A new line begins with Jesus. He is spoken of as the “second Adam,” come to do perfectly where the first Adam failed (1 Corinthians 15:20-49).

              Third, the virgin birth speaks directly to the miraculous nature of God’s redemption. Carl F. H. Henry writes, “The fact that Jesus is born of the Virgin Mary shows the work of incarnation and reconciliation involves a definite intervening act on the part of God Himself.” Similar to how Jesus was not a man that became enlightened and morally better over a period of time and learning, our salvation is not a gradual plan of learning and self-betterment over time. The redemption of each and every Christian is a work of God to intervene and save. We begin in spiritual death and are made alive by God (Ephesians 2:1-10). From death we are born again to spiritual life (John 3:3-17). Our hearts of stone are made into hearts of living flesh (Ezekiel 11:19-21). We were blind but now we can see (John 1:1-13). We are taken from a kingdom of darkness into a kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13-14). All these beautiful analogies point to the work of God that we respond to by faith. However, this intervening saving work of God is ALL of grace, undeserved and brought about by the favor of God (John 1:12-13).

              As mentioned earlier, the modern secular world is often embarrassed by, or rejects, anything that cannot be quantified in a laboratory. Such people lack faith, and for them the virgin birth teaching of Scripture is relegated to myth. The rejection of the supernatural aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry ultimately caused influential liberal theologians like Adolph von Harnack, Rudolph Bultmann, and Wolfhart Pannenberg to only accept Jesus as a moral reformer, or the New Testament as a collection of myths to “save” Christianity from modern embarrassment. In these conclusions they depart from biblical Christianity and depart from the ancient orthodox confessions of faith passed to us from the early church. These questions and definitions matter. It’s not enough to say that “You just believe in Jesus!” with no definition to what that means. You must ask yourself, and you must ask those you interact with, what basic essentials you believe about Jesus.

May we gladly accept that Jesus was born of a virgin, come to save His people from their sins,

Pastor Vic

< This is part four in a series of articles on the Apostles’ Creed. If you have missed previous articles, they can be found on the church blog. To learn more about the Apostles’ Creed read: “The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits” by Albert Mohler. >