Justification is not the infusing of a new nature into man. It is a judicial declaration on Godâs part concerning manâs relationship to Him. But it is more than a mere declaration. It is an act of God which changes manâs whole relationship to Him. In this act of God there is a complete removal of all the guilt of manâs sin, the perfect righteousness of Christ is given to the pardoned one, and he is received into full sonship and heirship.
The work of the Holy Spirit is an absolute necessity in the plan of salvation. Without this work no one can be saved. This is the unmistakable teaching of Godâs Word.
When we say, âI believe in the Holy Ghost, it means, or should mean, that we understand the Holy Ghost to be a distinct person of the Godhead. This is the unmistakable teaching of Godâs Word throughout.
When truly evangelical Christians speak of debts owed to God, it is never to be understood in this sense that we consider man capable of making an adequate return to God for what He has done for us. Salvation is not a subject of barter. All the combined efforts of all men would not suffice to purchase salvation for one soul. Salvation is Godâs free gift. But God has done so much for us, and is still doing so much for us, that some return ought to be made, not in the way of paying a debt; but in the form of free, loving, grateful service.
The true children of God have nothing to fear so far as the great Judgment is concerned, for the Judge before whom they shall appear is the Lord Jesus Christ.
The kingship of Jesus! Men in all the ages have been looking for a king, one who could fight successfully their battles, bring them deliverance, prosperity, and peace. Sometimes, in certain quarters of the world, men have thought they had found the object of their quest; some one who was able to give them the present measure of their quest. But the horizon continued to widen, the deeper longings of menâs souls were not satisfied. Here at last is the worldâs desired King. He has made provision for all manâs wants. He can satisfy all manâs aspirations. He now sits, our brother and our God on the worldâs central throne. He rules with a will and a power not to be calculated or controlled by man.
We think of the meekness and gentleness, the tenderness and humility, of Jesus, and we cannot think too frequently, or adoringly, of these qualities; but it is a serious fault to forget, or fail to stress, the strength and courage of Jesus, the daring back of His lowliness, or the fact that, though love was His weapon, He wielded it with a knightly soldierâs hand. And now, in the realm of glory, the exalted God-man is the head, the generalissimo, of the armies of God both in heaven and on earth. He is the new Joshua to lead the chosen of God into the heavenly Canaan. He is the greater son of David to enlarge and solidify the Kingdom of God. With the ascended, enthroned Jesus as the captain of our salvation we need have no fear. Loud above the roar of every conflict His voice sounds clear and strongâŠ
Recognizing the supreme importance of this doctrine to the whole fabric of our Christian faith, the enemies of the Gospel have ever been active in trying to undermine faith in the historicity of the resurrection. This was begun at once. Those who had been instrumental in putting Jesus to death, recognizing that His resurrection would be an unanswerable testimony to the deviltry of their deed, on being notified of the fact of Jesusâ resurrection, began at once industriously to circulate the report that His body had been stolen by some of his friends. And from that day to this the enemies of Christ and His Gospel have been actively engaged in seeking to destroy this foundation truth of the Christian religion. In the earliest days the opposition was directed primarily against this particular miracle. In our modern day the opposition to the doctrine of the resurrection is prompted by the principle which maintains that miracles of any kind are impossible.
With respect to the whole article concerning the descent into hell, we should bear in mind the advice of the great reformer, and our confessions generally, to the effect that we should not give way to idle curiosity, or be led into vain speculation. This article cannot be comprehended by the reason and the five senses. âIn such mysteries of faith we have only to believe and adhere to the Word.â
We must not fail to hold fast to the truth that Christâs death was a real death. It was not merely the semblance of death, from which He afterwards revived; much less was it a feigned death. The faith of the Church, based on the unmistakable teaching of Godâs Word, is that Christ really died for our sins. All four of the evangelists say, âHe gave up the ghost,â that is, His spirit, or life, departed from His body. When the soldiers went out to hurry the death of those crucified by breaking their limbs, they found Jesus dead already. But one of the soldiers, from a wanton spirit, not knowing that he was thereby fulfilling Scripture prophecy, thrust a spear into the Saviorâs side. This in itself would probably have caused death, but the mingled blood and water which flowed from the ghastly wound was evidence that death had already taken place. Yes, the God-man really died for us, as He had truly lived for us.
![[B30] The Apostles' Creed: Justification](/b30-the-apostles-creed-justification/featured_hu11222106478323339016.webp)
![[B29] The Apostles' Creed: The Holy Spirit's Work](/b29-the-apostles-creed-the-holy-spirits-work/featured_hu11222106478323339016.webp)
![[B28] The Apostles' Creed: I Believe In The Holy Ghost](/b28-the-apostles-creed-i-believe-in-the-holy-ghost/featured_hu11222106478323339016.webp)
![[B27] The Apostles' Creed: The Christian's Debt of Gratitude](/b27-the-apostles-creed-the-christians-debt-of-gratitude/featured_hu11222106478323339016.webp)
![[B26] The Apostles' Creed: Christ's Return To Judgment](/b26-the-apostles-creed-christs-return-to-judgment/featured_hu11222106478323339016.webp)
![[B25] Jesus At The Father's Right Hand](/b25-jesus-at-the-fathers-right-hand/featured_hu11222106478323339016.webp)
![[B24] Christ's Ascension](/b24-christs-ascension/featured_hu11222106478323339016.webp)
![[B23] The Resurrection of Jesus](/b23-the-resurrection-of-jesus/featured_hu11222106478323339016.webp)
![[B22] Christ's Descent Into Hell](/b22-christs-descent-into-hell/featured_hu11222106478323339016.webp)
![[B21] The Savior Dead and Buried](/b21-the-savior-dead-and-buried/featured_hu11222106478323339016.webp)