Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

". . . things most surely believed" Luke, in beginning his account of the life of Jesus to the gentile world, declared there are some things “most surely believed among us,” Luke 1:1, truths that are fully known. Luke’s writings in this book and the book of Acts constitute those things about which Christians are fully persuaded. Those who were commissioned to preach the “unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8) were always exhorted to speak “things which befit the sound doctrine,” Titus 1:9, 2:1, 2 Timothy 1:13. Those “things most surely believed” were taught by inspired teachers, and they were to be studied, honored, taught and defended. This body of believers here in Dripping Springs seeks to do the same, in our classes, in our publications and in our sermons. The following items are a brief list of such truths, matters that serve as the basis for our belief system, our “faith.” They are true, not because we believe them, but because God revealed them in the Bible—and because they are in harmony with the facts, 1 Peter 3:15. God exists, and we can know He exists by reason and by an examination of the facts (Genesis 1, Exodus 20:11, Hebrews 11:6, Romans 1:19-20 and Psalm 19:1-6). God created man and the universe, as described in Genesis, chapters 1-2. Their design and order indicate origin from a Being of power, knowledge and wisdom. The Bible, “all scripture,” is God’s inspired revelation of His will for man, including this life and preparation for eternity, 2 Peter 1:16f. The New Testament reveals the law of Christ, His plan of salvation, His pattern for holy living and the “sound doctrine” needed by all men (1 Corinthians 9:21, Romans 6:16-18, Hebrews 8:5, Galatians 6:1-10). Jesus is the “only begotten” Son of God, virgin-born, crucified and resurrected from the dead, now seated at the right hand of God (John 3:16, Matt. 1:21-23, Heb. 12:2). The church Jesus purchased with His blood is the Kingdom planned before the world began (Ephesians 3:4-13, Matthew 4:17, Colossians 1:13, 1 Thess. 2:12). The source of redemption for all mankind is God’s wonderful grace. By that Grace He sent Jesus to die for our sins and give us the right to inherit eternal life with God (Romans 3:23-26, 1 Peter 1:3-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 9:15-17, Romans 8:17, Galatians 3:23-29). Those who are saved by the blood of Christ are “added” to the church Jesus purchased with His blood, His Kingdom. Being members thereof, we should “love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22, Acts 2:36-47, 20:28-32). The church belongs to Christ, and He has “preeminence” in all things. He is the “head of the church,” the savior of “the body” (Colossians 1:12-29, Ephesians 1:15-23, 5:23, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12). God’s authority, not man’s, governs the worship we offer to God. We know that “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth,” John 4:24. Not only must our worship be in harmony with God’s “truth,” John 17:17, what we do and say must be done sincerely, earnestly praising God. Christians begin as “babes,” but must grow and mature in love for God and in service to Him and to others. Our lack of growth stems from a failure to imbibe the “sincere milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby,” 1 Peter 2:2. The consequence of our failure to grow is weak faith, lack of outreach to others, and departure from the faith. Christians must “be faithful unto death,” Revelation 2:10, then God will give us a “crown of life.” Early Christians were warned that some would “depart from the faith” (1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:2-4, Galatians 5:4, 6:1-2, Matthew 7:15-23, Hebrews 6:4-6, Romans 11:22). Christians must be good examples to believers and unbelievers alike. Regular, faithful attendance to each assembly will help us all to be provoked “unto love and good works,” Hebrews 10:24-25. Our behavior before the world should be as salt is to food, light is to living, and can incite us all to be closer to God and each other (Matthew 5:13-16, Philippians 1:12-16). All who have been saved by the grace of God and the blood of Christ must have an earnest desire to seek and save the lost. Taking the Gospel to others is the work of all Christians. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, Acts 8:4). Each of us will face God in judgment, giving an account of the work He gives us to do (Romans 14:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10-15, Acts 17;30-31, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Each of us is urged to “search the scriptures whether these things be so,” Acts 17:11. These things are “most surely believed” because we find them in the pages of God’s word. In searching these out, we can find the way of truth. Carl B. Garner