THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH
Hebrews 12. 1-2 states, "Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." ASV, biblegateway.com
In Matthew 28.18, Jesus said that all power/authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. Ephesians chapter 1.20-23 establishes the rule of Christ over all power, authority, rule and dominion, AND over ALL thing to the CHURCH, which is his body.
Considering what Scripture says about Jesus being the author and perfecter of our faith, which is called Christianity. And that he has all power/authority over all things to the church, and everywhere else, for that matter. How is it that many today consider others, mere human beings, as having authority in the church? Human beings like the Pope, John Calvin, Martin Luther, Menno Simons, Jacob Ammans, and others.
For centuries men have been following other men, and not Christ. That is why we have so many denominations, and why the church has come to accept paganism as a part of Christianity. It's why man-made doctrines and traditions are obeyed rather what is plainly taught in Scripture. Oh yes, many of these men say they preach from the Bible. But, what good is their preaching if they reshape Scripture to fit their man-made doctrine? And they run off to colleges, universities and seminaries to learn how to do this.
Over the centuries church hierarchies have been formed that have no foundation in Scripture. And that is what man follows, not Christ. Therefore, all that is called "Christianity" today, really isn't. Only those few that are truly following Christ make up what really is Christianity. And, that group is very small and widely scattered.
How great it would be for more to become true followers of Christ That true followers of Christ would be the majority rather than the extreme minority they are. Perhaps one day.
By the way, some translations uses the phrase "author and finisher," rather than "author and perfecter." But, both carry the same idea of "bringing to completion." So, one thing that Hebrews 12.1-2 shows us is that Christ completes our faith. For our faith to be completed, all prophecies must be fulfilled in Christ. If there are prophecies still to be fulfilled, Christ could not be called the finisher, or perfecter of our faith. The full purpose of prophecy was to bring our faith to completion through Christ. If all prophecy is not fulfilled, then Christ is not the "author and perfecter, finisher" of our faith. In Christ, all matters of faith are completed.
