WHERE DO WE STAND?

by Harrell Davidson

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3).

In this era there is a great lack of conviction. Day by day our “metal” is being tested. We see it in preachers who give up and preach no more. They become discouraged at the lack of conviction that so many have that they cannot bear up under the load. All the while our lives are a testing ground. We well recall living close enough in Gibson County, Tennessee, to the Milan Arsenal. This was the manufacturing and testing grounds for bombs and ammunition that was used in wars. Sometimes, with a loud boom, the earth would shake. Another bomb was being put to the test to see if it would do what it was designed to do. It was a test before the field of battle was engaged for that particular application. Likewise, our lives are a period of testing. We live in a time where liberalism is arrogant and indifference is widespread. In fact, we do not think we have ever witnessed the indifference that exists today in the Lord’s church. Surely we have not forgotten what the church stands for.

Let us suggest that the church stands for the Deity of Jesus Christ first and fore most. This vital and fundamental truth is being assailed today as is the miraculous conception and virgin birth. We accept Jesus as a Prophet—one who teaches. Moses wrote, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken” (Deuteronomy 18:15). The apostle Peter repeated this in Acts 3:22 when a lame man had been healed and he and John are giving an account, Peter, through the Holy Spirit, quoted Deuteronomy 18 regarding Christ being that Prophet. We also accept the fact of Jesus being a Priest in order to make atonement for our sins through His blood (cf. Hebrews 9:14). The writer then shows that Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant by saying; “And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance”(Hebrews 9:15). As a priest he is our intercessor. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16). “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

We accept Jesus as our King—to rule over our lives. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). This takes place during His Mediatorial reign. Then He will come, take vengeance, subdue, and reign over all the earth, destroy death and deliver the kingdom up to God.

Many other matters could be detailed that we will simply list. We stand for the Inspiration of the Bible (cf. 2 Timothy 3:15-16). Our motto: “Where the Bible speaks we speak...” We stand for the whole Gospel without substitutes, alterations, subtractions or additions (cf. Deuteronomy 4:2; Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18). For the facts of the Gospel-death-burial-resurrection of Jesus (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). For the commands of the Gospel, repent, confess, baptism. We either disbelieve or believe the facts. We either obey or disobey the commands. We stand for the promise of the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). There is more, but this is where we stand.