This is the initial installment of my One For All series, which can be found in its entirety at: https://paulontheplane.com/oneforall
Excerpt:
I believe in the Supreme authority of scripture. I believe in a progressive revelation from the Old Testament to the New Testament. I believe the Old Testament is the foundation and the New Testament is the fulfillment, and the supreme teaching concerning Jehovah and his incarnation in Jesus the Christ, is found in the New Testament.
However, we must understand Old Testament concepts and definitions first. You don’t discard them or change them. It’s like reading Shakespeare – you’ve got to learn your ABCs first. It’s like doing calculus – you’ve got to get the arithmetic right. So, we’ll start with the scriptural doctrine of God in the Old Testament, ground ourselves there, and then when we go to the New Testament, we’ll be able to talk specifically about the identity of Jesus Christ. I believe when someone has a full understanding of who Jesus really is, the scriptures align perfectly. There is no confusion, and certainly no contradiction.
I can’t speak for anyone but myself, but Jesus’ words in Matthew Chapter 7, verses 21-23 worry me.
Why is this important? Jesus’s words in Matthew Chapter 7 concern me.
21 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
I NEVER KNEW YOU? The reason I’ve decided to engage in this discussion going forward is because I believe most of mainstream Christianity is suffering from Biblical illiteracy, a misunderstanding of who our Savior truly is. How do we get Jesus to know us? It would be very unfortunate for us to go through our entire lives believing we are saved, obeying the Father, doing great works in His name, only to find out at the end we aren’t.
Do I have your attention yet?