Catechism Questions 14 & 15
ajcarter | January 13, 2009
14. Then the foundation for true reliance upon God is to know Him in Jesus Christ [John 17:3]?
That is true.
15. What then briefly is the substance of this knowledge?
It is contained in the Confession of Faith used by all Christians. It is commonly called the Apostles’ Creed, because it is a summary of the true faith which has always been held in Christ’s Church, and was derived from the pure doctrine of the Apostles.
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We are told in John 20:31 that John’s Gospel was “written so that [we] may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing [we] may have life in his name.”
While this is the explicit reason for John’s gospel, it could easily be the accurate commentary of the entire Scriptures. Jesus himself said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life” (Jn. 5:39-40). Friend, we must never let our knowledge of the Bible be an end of itself. The knowledge we have in the Scriptures must lead us to knowing Christ and in knowing him, trusting him for eternal life. We see this emphasis in the great confession of the church.
The most commonly held Christian confession is The Apostles’ Creed. The creed confesses the truth of the Triune God in a succinct 110 words. Yet, over half of the words (68 words) are given over to the confession of Jesus as the Christ, the redeeming and interceding Son of God. This is appropriate because God has so willed that if you would know and trust the triune God, you would know and trust Jesus as the Christ. If you have not done so before, consider looking again at the Scriptures and ask the question, “What has this to do with Christ?” “How does believing this particular Scripture bring me into a better understanding of Jesus and thus cause me to trust God all the more?” Believe it or not, this is the reason the Bible was given to you.
Hello Pastor, my son, Rae, who, about 8 years ago, introduced
john allen whitlockHello Pastor,
my son, Rae, who, about 8 years ago, introduced me to John Piper through his book, “Desiring God”, has in a very similar manner introduced me to you and your ministry. The Lord has blessed my life tremendously through Piper’s ministry and I thank God for him. I believe, after visiting your website this morning, perhaps even greater blessings are ahead. I look forward to visiting EPC soon and very soon.
My wife and I visited Rae and his family in Columbus, Ohio last Summer as we went to pick my Granddaughter, Zoe, up for a visit with her granddad and grandmom. While we were there, Rae and I were talking in his living room and he showed me a copy of a book and asked me if I had heard of it. I had not but it was your first book. I told him I had not but that I loved the title and that I would have to get a copy. I never did, but knowing that I was searching for a church, he reminded me of the book last night and told me that you were in Atlanta and had started a church here. He emailed me your website information and I have spent the last hour and a half on it. I have been blessed and greatly encouraged by what I have read. I look forward to visiting you soon.
My son Rae (www.raewhitlock.com) is an elder at the Grace Central Presbyterian Church in Columbus.
God’s continued blessings on your life, your family and EPC,
John
PS
Looking forward to buying a copy of your book at EPC!
Great! In fact John, if you come to EPC
ajcarterGreat! In fact John, if you come to EPC I am sure we can find you a copy of the book. Your words are an encouragement and I look forward to meeting you. God is allowing us to see some wonderful things at EPC. I invite you to come and share them with us. Thank your son for getting you in touch with us. And lets keep in touch.