Continuing in the Faith

“Confirming the souls of the disciples,

and exhorting them to continue in THE FAITH…” (Acts 14:22)

The Apostle Paul made it a practice to return repeatedly to those whom the LORD drew to Christ through his preaching, encouraging and exhorting them to continue in THE FAITH. These follow-up visits were not mere religious pep rallies but a continuation of the same method and message of preaching that the LORD used to convert them in the first place. Their turning to Christ was not the result of an orchestrated production of singers and testimonies followed by a public invitation, as many do today. NO! It was the clear, simple and exclusive declaration of the LORD Jesus Christ, His person and work, accomplished and imputed to the account of elected sinners, completed at Calvary and now made known through the preaching of men like Paul, whom the LORD raised up, Titus 1:3.

Paul needed to return, encourage and ‘confirm’ (literally to strengthen) the souls of the disciples because of the opposition that their identification with THE TRUTH engendered. Paul himself had just been stoned for declaring the LORD Jesus as the Son of God, equal with God and for proclaiming salvation purposed, accomplished and revealed exclusively in, by and through Him, vv. 19-20. He did not hesitate to tell his hearers that they were to repent of the vanities of their false worship and turn to the Living God, the Giver, Procurer, Sustainer and Source of all life, both physical and Spiritual, v. 15.

The apostle's charge to these disciples to continue in THE FAITH was not merely a call to perseverance but rather to a wholehearted adherence to THE FAITH (that body of truth revealed in the Gospel in connection with Christ and His death), which declares God's only salvation for sinners. It was purposed before the foundation of the world, procured at Calvary, revealed by the Spirit of God and proclaimed through the Gospel. You can’t continue in what you have never known or heard. On the other hand, if the LORD has been pleased to reveal in you Christ and His righteousness established, accomplished and imputed at Calvary (THE FAITH), you will not be persuaded otherwise and hearing it again and again will certainly be a strengthening and comfort to your soul.

In addition, Paul declares that “we must through much tribulation” or more accurately, “through many tribulations” enter into the Kingdom of God. Paul certainly could attest to this because of the preaching of the cross of Christ and adds in writing to Timothy: “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecutions.” (2 Timothy 3:12) This is the offense of the cross that gives no credence to man’s works or will but only to the work of Christ accomplished at the cross for elected sinners and their full, free, final and forever justification upon completion of His work on their behalf.