Dear Hope family,
Thought for the Week
Christ Risen as Saviour
Acts 4v12 “Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Our seventh “Statement of Faith” is, “We believe in … The bodily resurrection of Christ, the firstfruits of our resurrection; his ascension to the Father, and his reign and mediation as the only Saviour of the world.”
This statement is controversial in some quarters, but it lies at the heart of the true Gospel message. As I reflect, I am mindful of why these truths are so important to us:
- Firstly, Jesus is personally, bodily, physically, really raised from the dead. This is not in our normal experience of life and death (though there are plenty of other testimonies of the dead being raised both in Scripture and since). I cannot explain how it happened, beyond “with God nothing is impossible” and surely the God who brought life into being in the first place can bring a person back to life. But the truth is that Christ’s resurrection is the firstfruits of our own. This is our hope.
- Secondly, the physical ascension of Christ in his body raises a number of questions. Is he still in his physical resurrection body, and if so, where is he physically? These are hard to explain, but the truth to lay hold of is that Christ will one day return physically, and that right now he is our representative in heaven, acting in our favour.
- Thirdly, the Christian gospel is both inclusive and exclusive. All are invited (inclusive), but all have to come through Jesus (exclusive). Jesus divides the world into two – those who receive him as Saviour and Lord, and those who do not. He is the only Saviour. Some find this offensive; but it is like saying that if you sky-dive, you need a parachute. It remains with us to find ways to help people see.
An old song says “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.”
With love and blessing,
Roland
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