WISDOM FROM THE PAST

The Faith Once For All

Delivered To The Saints

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.  Gal.1:8

Let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.  1 John 2:24

Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.  Jude 3

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    It is unlawful to assert that the apostles preached before they had "perfect knowledge," as some do even venture to say, boasting themselves as being improvers of the apostles. For, after our Lord rose from the dead, the apostles were energized with power from on high when the Holy Spirit came down [upon them]. They were completely filled and had perfect knowledge. They departed to the ends of the earth, preaching the glad tidings of the good things sent to us from God.    Irenaeus (c. 180, E/W0, 1.414.

    In the Lord's apostles, we posses our authority. For even they did not of themselves choose to introduce anything [new], but faithfully delivered to the nations the teaching that they had received from Christ. If, therefore, even "an angel from heaven should preach any other gospel" than theirs, he would be called accursed by us.    Tertullian (c. 197, W) 3.246.

   You, [the church] lay down a rule that this faith has its solemnities appointed by either the Scriptures or the tradition of the forefathers, and that no further addition in the way of observance must be added, because innovation is unlawful.   Tertullian (c. 213, W) 4.111

   Those who seek to set up any new dogma have the habit of very readily perverting into conformity with their own notions any proofs they care to take from the Scriptures. . . . The apostolic word marks out the case in these words, "If anyone preaches any other gospel to you other than that which you have received, let him be accursed." Consequently, in addition to what has been once committed to us by the apostles, a disciple of Christ should receive nothing new as doctrine. Disputation of Archelaus and Manes (c. 320, E), 6.213, 214

 Excerpted from: A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs,*
David W. Bercot, ed.,(Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1998)

* http://www.scrollpublishing.com/store/more-dictionary.html

I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the LORD’s will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------* George Mueller (1805-1898) is one of the great men of faith. He raised over $8,000,000 for the establishment and maintenance of five orphanages and other ministries in England. He never asked a penny from men, but trusted in GOD completely to provide, and was never disappointed.