Summer 2025
From the Pastor’s Desk
There is only one source of all truth and it is right in front of you, the Bible. Although Rome has added tradition as equal to the Bible, the Bible excludes the man-made traditions that have changed the Gospel. In light of current events in the Roman Church, I want to deal with three specific unwaivable truths from Scripture. 1. Who God Is, 2. What Is the Gospel, and 3. How Are We Saved. First, Who God Is! The Bible is the only reliable source for that answer.
Who God Is
GOD is the creator and sustainer of the all that exists. He has given us His Word, the Bible, which reveals to us all that is necessary for us to know of God’s essence and nature. We in the word also see these things in the second person of the godhead, Jesus the Christ. There is only one God. Deut. 6:4, Romans 3:30, Eph. 4:6, James 2:19.
This one God reveals Himself in the Bible which He has given to us as the only authority for our life. In it he reveals himself as the Triune. The doctrine of the Trinity means that within the being and activity of the one God, there are three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God is Spirit
Jesus taught that "God the Father and the Holy Spirit are spirit.” (John 4:24). God has no body, no physical or measurable form. Thus, God is invisible. He becomes visible in human form in the person of Jesus Christ, John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
God Never Changes.
Malachi 3:6: “I the LORD do not change.” and in Hebrews 13:8 It says, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. He is not different from one time to another neither is His Word. For all scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. So, if God does not change neither does His Word, Psalm 119:89 “Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” Psalm 119:89 and in Isaiah 40:8 it states, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” As the living Word, Jesus embodies the reliability and faithfulness of the Gospel. The Trinity never changes nor does God’s Word
What is the Gospel and How Are We Saved
Project Wittenberg points out that Lutheranism has always emphasized that the center of its faith and theology is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The historic Lutheran Confessions as well as theologians in every age have taught that God's justification that God of the sinner by grace for Christ's sake through faith is the "chief article" of the Christian faith and the "article on which the church stands or falls." This excludes works as a way to salvation or a mingling of grace and works. Eph 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.
Our salvation is completely centered in the sacrifice made by the second person of the Trinity, the Word that became flesh and blood for the specific purpose on our behalf, out of God’s love for us. Read the passion accounts in the four Gospels. The Gospels lay out God’s plan of redemption through Christ. It is God’s plan spelled out in His word and no man, clergy, or supposed pope can change it. God never changes nor does His Word of promise.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." That name is Jesus. If anyone, angel, man, clergy or pope tries to say grace can be found in any other to include Mary, they are blaspheming.
This is just a quick look. Get into the word. Dig deep, find much!!!!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor St. Jean
