Concerning the Foundation of the Faith Which Is in Christ the Lord
A Testimony of the Beginning and the Promises Foretold
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And in the fullness of time, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1,14). But before these things came to pass, the Lord had prepared the way through covenant and prophecy, through law and promise, through the fathers of old and the voices of the prophets.
The Faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
The roots of the Christian faith stretch back to Abraham, who believed the Lord, and it was counted unto him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). The Lord said unto him, “In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3), a promise fulfilled in the seed which is Christ.
Isaac, the son of promise, and Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, walked in the covenant. And from them came twelve tribes, a nation chosen to bear the oracles of God.
The Law and the Prophets
In the days of Moses, the Lord gave the Law upon Mount Sinai—commandments, statutes, and ordinances to make known His holiness and the sinfulness of man. Yet the Law was a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24).
The prophets spoke as they were moved by the Spirit, declaring things to come. Isaiah prophesied of a virgin who would conceive (Isaiah 7:14), and of a suffering servant who would bear the iniquities of many (Isaiah 53). Jeremiah spoke of a new covenant written on the hearts of the people (Jeremiah 31:33), and Micah foretold that out of Bethlehem would come the ruler of Israel (Micah 5:2).
The Fulfillment in Christ
And when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law (Galatians 4:4), to redeem them that were under the law. Jesus of Nazareth, born of the house of David, walked among men, healing the sick, casting out devils, and preaching the kingdom of God.
He fulfilled the Law, He fulfilled the prophets, and He offered Himself as the Lamb without blemish, the perfect sacrifice for sin. As it is written, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and He was buried, and rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
The Apostolic Witness and the Foundation of the Church
The apostles, eyewitnesses of His majesty and resurrection, went forth into all nations, preaching repentance and remission of sins in His name. The Church was built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).
They declared, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
One Faith, One Lord, One Baptism
Thus, the faith which is in Christ Jesus is not new, but was hidden in ages past and revealed in the last days. It is the fulfillment of the promises made to the fathers, the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
This is the faith once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3), rooted in covenant, growing in grace, and reaching unto eternal life.
Let all who seek the truth consider the ancient paths and walk therein, for in them is found rest for the soul (Jeremiah 6:16).
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