Contending for the Word Q&A

Church history helps Christians gain perspective, recognize recurring theological errors, and persevere in biblical faithfulness. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins draws together lessons from previous generations to encourage believers to stand firmly on Scripture. Discover how the victories and failures of earlier Christians sharpen discernment, why Christ's faithfulness is the central encouragement of church history, and how these lessons equip us to pass the gospel to the next generation. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Church history helps Christians recognize recurring errors, learn from faithful believers, and trust Christ's faithfulness to His church. Dave Jenkins explains how studying the past cultivates humility and strengthens biblical discernment. Learn four practical ways to benefit from church history while continually submitting every teaching and example to God's Word. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Biblical discernment calls Christians to stand firmly on God's Word with humility, courage, and love. Drawing from Philippians 1:9–10 and Ephesians 4:15, Dave Jenkins explains how a teachable spirit, biblical conviction, and devotion to Christ shape faithful discernment. Learn why discernment seeks to protect others from spiritual harm and point them to Christ, and consider four practical ways to exercise it faithfully. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Christians must evaluate claims of revival by Scripture. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains why crowds, emotions, and miracle claims cannot establish that a movement is from God. Drawing on 1 John 4:1 and Acts 17:11, he outlines four principles for biblical discernment: submit to God's Word, look for Christ-centered teaching, examine lasting spiritual fruit, and exercise patience. True revival magnifies Christ, proclaims the gospel, and produces repentance and obedience. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Genuine revival is a sovereign work of God that produces repentance, devotion to Christ, and obedience to His Word. Dave Jenkins examines lessons from revival movements, explains why emotional excitement and extraordinary claims are insufficient evidence of spiritual renewal, and encourages Christians to test every movement by Scripture. Learn to look for the fruit of repentance, holiness, love for the church, and faithfulness to the gospel. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Historic creeds continue to serve the church by summarizing biblical truth, strengthening unity, helping believers recognize false teaching, and passing sound doctrine to future generations. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins considers Ephesians 4:11–14 and 2 Timothy 2:2 to explain why creeds remain useful today. Their value rests in their faithfulness to Scripture. The Bible alone is our final authority, and every creed, confession, and teaching must be tested by God's Word. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Creeds and confessions serve the church by summarizing biblical doctrine, guarding against false teaching, and promoting unity in the truth. Their authority is always subordinate to Scripture. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how faithful doctrinal summaries support teaching, discipleship, and discernment. Drawing on 2 Timothy 1:13–14 and Titus 1:9, he encourages Christians to grow in sound doctrine while testing every confession and teaching by God's Word. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Christians are called to contend for the faith with conviction, humility, and love. Drawing from Jude 3 and Ephesians 6:10–18, Dave Jenkins explains why God's revealed truth must be received, proclaimed, and guarded. This episode considers the centrality of the gospel, the importance of Christlike character, and the call to remain faithful to Scripture in the home, workplace, and local church. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Why does false teaching resurface in every generation? Dave Jenkins examines Satan's opposition to God's truth, the sinful heart's susceptibility to deception, and the return of old errors in new forms. Drawing from 2 Peter 2:1 and 1 John 4:1, this episode explains how Scripture, church history, faithful pastoral teaching, and fellowship in the local church help Christians recognize error and stand firm. Believers can remain watchful with confidence in Christ's faithfulness to preserve His church. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

False teaching has challenged the church from its earliest days, and many old errors continue to appear in new forms. Dave Jenkins explains how studying historical heresies helps Christians recognize error, appreciate faithful defenses of biblical doctrine, and stand firm in the gospel. Drawing on Acts 20 and Jude, this episode encourages believers to grow in discernment through Scripture, sound doctrine, and faithful participation in a local church. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/