An Article of Faith

The Bible’s revelation of God’s work in the past provides an informative and exciting panorama of centuries of divine activity toward mankind.
First, it gives us an education in truths unknowable apart from divine revelation. For example, the creation of man described in Genesis 1 and 2 answers the most basic questions of life: “Who am I?” and “Where did I come from?” Only God Himself could disclose these facts.
Second, the Bible sets forth a mass of historical evidence for the truthfulness of the Christian faith. The most outstanding of these evidences are fulfilled prophecy, the miracles of Christ, and Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Our faith as Christians is thus grounded in historical events and is far removed from what some have called “a blind leap in the dark.”
Third, the Bible records past examples to help us as present-day Christians. Various failures of Israel and the resulting judgments of God are often cited in the New Testament as things to avoid:
“For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren,” writes Paul, “that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.
“Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.’ Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:1-13).
Finally, the Bible provides encouragement for our life and witness. If God could use an adulterer and murderer like David, then God can certainly use us today if we possesses David’s devotion to the Lord. Likewise, if God saved Saul of Tarsus, the chief enemy of the early church, then surely He can save the people with whom we share our faith.
“This is a trustworthy saying,” declares Paul, “and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ – and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:15-16 NLT).

Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.