3C's Bible Study

John the baptiser knew that though his ministry was effective, it was limited by definition. The baptism of water could cleanse people from their past sins but could not keep them clean or offer them a motivation against future sin. His baptism had to be supplemented with a power that would produce purity and unity, the power to be and to do. 

As a result, John preached expectantly about the baptism in Holy Spirit, which will complete the first by supplying the power to rule over sin and to overcome the world.

The process of the new birth in Christ which begins with repentance from dead works and faith towards God, is completed and made certain by our submission to the principle of baptisms. In this episode, we cover the baptism of water, exploring its meaning and significance and highlighting the Scriptural imperatives that Jesus presents with it. 

At the heart of enduring and productive faith is the animating principle of faithfulness. We expound on this principle in this episode, while clearing up the common misappropriation of confession as the central theme of faith.

New Testament faith is separated from nominal and secular faith by its object and origin, which is the living God. The quality and durability of our faith rests on the object of our confidence, which is the person, life and ministry of Christ. 

Likewise, the effectiveness of our faith in moving mountains is bound to its origin. It is the faith that is "of" God, born in fellowship with Him, that overcomes the world. Everything else that is not "of" this faith will fail to satisfy the heart of Jesus.

We open our discussion on the principles of the doctrine of Christ by examining the foundational pillar of this doctrine, which is repentance. What does repentance mean, and what are dead works? 

The gift of repentance is the first miracle of our salvation and our understanding of its origin and purpose is not only necessary for our entrance into the kingdom, but also for our continued spiritual growth and enjoyment of fellowship with Jesus.

In Jesus' words, His doctrine is what sets Him apart from every other person in history. That doctrine became the pillar of the first apostolic community in the New Testament and remains the foundation of a fruitful and enduring Christian experience. 

What is His doctrine? How do we know it? What principle activates the fullness of this doctrine? We address this and more in this opening episode.

Jude concludes his letter by presenting the positive side of our defence against deception which is "building up yourselves". The basis of this building is the faith, which is centred on the doctrine of Christ. The doctrine of Christ is about His life, which everyone who receives Him can live by.

We come into the experience and power of the doctrine of Christ, through prayer, because the doctrine is a life, not merely a message. Praying in the Spirit is praying with the language, burden and power of the Spirit. It is praying by the help of the Spirit, through the light and utterance that the Spirit supplies.

Jude wants us to be rest assured that God is more than capable of keeping us from falling and from hurt or harm. God does this by regulating temptations and trials, and by supplying the Spirit. His mercies are renewed every morning and we only have to plug into it.

Jude goes on to predict the judgment that awaits the false teachers that he contends with in this letter. We consider the doctrine of eternal judgment, the necessity of judgment in God's creation and the principle by which God judges.

Jude turns to the character of apostasy highlighting its core principles. The first is a downplaying of the justice system of God, displayed in moral degradation, and the second is despising of spiritual authority, displayed in rebellion. These two form the test for the genuineness of a believer or minister.

Spiritual authority is the most relevant principle in the universe because it is the principle on which the throne of God is established and by which it operates. It is how God brought order out of chaos in creation, and it is how he sustains the course of life. Everything in the universe depends on the functional authority, which demonstrates the seriousness the original sin - the rebellion of satan.

God's desire is that in operating under the right authority, we will witness and bear the beauty of His glory and blessings to the earth.

Jude invites us to contend for the faith and to do so earnestly. What is at stake is God's dream for the church which is that we all come in the unity of faith to a mature bride for His Son.

This contention involves an intense and often painful struggle for the truth. It is an inevitable part of our believing because enduring personal faith is founded on "the faith" and relies on true corporate convictions.

The faith is corrupted when we add or remove from the complete foundation that was "once and for all" laid by Christ and the apostles. Any Gospel that undermines or excludes any aspect of the makeup of man (spirit, soul, and body) from the provisions of the grace of God is corrupt and will produce either legalism or lewdness (license).

The true faith births liberty, which is freedom from sin, satan, self and the world, so that we can serve the Lord in holiness and love all the days of our lives.