Category: Faith & life

Drawing from the older traditions

March 6, 2025

One thing I have been doing over the last few years is looking at some of the practices of the older traditional church groups like Catholic and Orthodox.

This started when I did a unit online at Tabor called, “The story of the church”. It was an overview of all the key people and events down through the ages. I had one unit to finish another qualification, so I chose that one.

Doing this unit helped me to realise that I had mainly been studying the Bible and church practices since the Reformation in the 16th century. I was missing a large part of my Christian heritage.

Doing this led me to read the early church fathers of the first to third centuries. I read the writings of people like Polycarp, Clement and Iraneus. I also read the Didache or the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles and the various ecumenical church councils.

It gave me a glimpse in to their worlds and what church was like for them. It talked about their issues they faced, the persecution, instructions on church and how to live a godly life.

One thing I also found as time went on was a connection to the “communion of the saints” that we say when we read the Apostles Creed. I was part of the visible church on the earth and the invisible church in heaven, those who have lived and died before us.

I have found reading these things have really enriched my life. I have a greater appreciation of my faith in Christ and the faith and struggles my Christian brothers and sisters have faced down through the ages.

If you are interested in reading the writings of the early church, most are available online for free. However, one of the best ways is to download the free program e-sword. It is a free Bible program that includes a lot of free resources like the early church fathers. I have used it for about 20 years!

A new cross to wear

February 24, 2025

I purchased a new cross to wear around the neck recently. Most of the crosses I have only had an empty cross as most protestant people do.

When I was a new Christian in the late 80s and early 90s, many people said that Jesus is not on the cross now, so why do you have a crucifix? At the time it made sense so I purchased a plain cross.

Lately I have been reminded afresh of Jesus’ sacrifice for me. I have been meditating of His death on the cross for my sin and the lengths He was willing to go to for me.

While looking for a new cross to purchase I found the cross above. It has the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. Something about it appealed to me straight away.

As I have dwelt on this I was reminded afresh that our salvation is a triune effort of God. The Father sent the Son, the Son died on the cross for our sins, and the Holy Spirit draws us to Jesus and gives us the new birth.

The following verses paint a picture for us…

John 3:16-17 NLT – For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [17] God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

Romans 5:8-11 NLT – But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. [9] And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. [10] For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. [11] So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Titus 3:4-7 NLT – When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, [5] he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. [6] He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. [7] Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

As we can see from the above verses each member of the trinity played their part in the salvation process. It was a triune effort – the Father sent the Son, Jesus died for us, and the Holy Spirit gives us a new birth and new life in Him.

So this is why I wear my new cross. It is a reminder of what God – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – has done in saving me.

If you are interested you can find one here for only $1.50!

The most important question

February 20, 2025

Mark 8:27-29 NLT – Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” [28] “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.” [29] Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”

In today’s Gospel reading Jesus asked the disciples two questions. Who do the people say I am? And who do you say I am?

Over the years I have spoken to a lot of people about Jesus. In these conversations I have heard many different opinions on who people think Jesus is. Some have said He is a good moral teacher. Some others have said a prophet who spoke God’s message. While some said the leader of an ancient religion.

To me the most important question in this life is the one Jesus asked to His disciples. “Whom do you say I am?” I believe it is the most important question because it determines our eternal destiny! If we think Jesus was just a teacher, prophet or a leader of an ancient religion, we miss who He really is.

Jesus is the Messiah (Mark 8:29). He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). He came to show us what God is like (John 14:9). He came to die on the cross for our sin and ransom us for God (Mark 10:45). Jesus is the Son of God (Mark 1:1). Jesus is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords (Revelation 17:14). He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) and the only way to the Father in heaven (Acts 4:12).

Today I want to ask you the same question that Jesus asked His disciples, “Whom do you say that I am?” Who is Jesus to you? It is my hope and prayer that you agree with Peter’s response to Jesus’ question.

For more information please visit my finding salvation page.

What is the Didache?

February 18, 2025

Several weeks ago in a post about baptism I included a quote from the Didache. This is an early writing of the church in about 80-120AD.

The Didache is basically an early christian manual on how christians should live and how the church should be run. The above video gives a really good overview of what it contains.