According the John 15:1-7 (the metaphor of the vine), what is the equation that produces fruit?
relationship+faithfulness=fruit
Recite the ninth doctrine
We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.
Relationship is…
Jesus sees us as his friends and family. This is not forced on us
Without faithfulness…
you will not produce fruit. You cannot produce fruit on your own either-you need God
Fruitfulness…
is impossible without a relationship with Christ and faithfulness to God
Explain the characters in the metaphor of the Vine
The Vine-Jesus
The Gardener-God
Nourishment/Life- Holy Spirit
Branches-Believers
Faithfulness is….
- a requirement to remain in Christ
- a process [obedience->the action; love->the motivation]
Three different parts of fruit
- Personal -> the fruits of the Spirit within us
- Public -> winning of souls for the kingdom
- Permanent -> it is long lasting
What is the divine and human association?
Both God and human working together:
- Divine work -> regeneration and justification
- human element -> faith and obedience; dedication and surrender; consecration to a holy life
Definition of apostasy
- rejection of the gospel of Jesus Christ
- complete rebellion
- all conscious connections to God have been severed
Definition of backsliding
-turning away from the grace of God AFTER having already experienced salvation
Definition of heresy
- false doctrine
- false belief
- formal denial of Christian doctrine
- theological error
definition of orthodoxy
“true belief” that is based on the truth of the Scripture
What is the process of backsliding?
- starts out as a secret
- > you become careless with the means of worship
- > you remove yourself from discipleship
- it becomes public and open (eventually)
- > this is demonstrated by acts and attitude
What is the final result of backsliding?
- soul loses its spiritual life in Christ
- an attitude of constant rebellion is present
- this rebellion leads to eternal separation from God
Does one bad act or a single sin constitute backsliding or apostasy?
NO!
Backsliding is continual rebellion and apostasy happens when God is rejected completely
What is syncretism?
- it makes faith impure
- combining faith with cultural elements/philosophies/systems of faith
What is heresy?
abandonment of the PURE faith based on the Gospel
What leads to a failure in faith?
- Syncretism
- Heresy
- lack of spiritual discipline
What are the two types of disobedience?
Sins of commission- a sin that is thought out beforehand and committed
Sins of ommission- failure to confess Christ and failure to respond to the Lord’s call
What are the causes of apostasy?
- continual giving in to temptation
- rejecting Christ
- rejecting discipline
- self-sufficiency/complacency
What are the individual consequences of apostasy?
- loss of salvation
- final judgement
How does apostasy affect the community?
- damages the cause of Christ
- stains the testimony of the church
- creates a reverse witness
What is the antidote to backsliding and apostasy?
- persevere in commitment to Christ
- proper perspective in temptation
- there is an escape -> that’s Jesus
