16 Trinity – Thursday
This weeks devotions: Sunday – Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday
Daily Devotional Materials
Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
– Thursday –
Devotion
They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship,
and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. – Acts 2:42.
To the heterodox, that is, to those who deviate from the Word of God in any point of Christian doctrine and believe and profess false doctrine, hence, to people who on account of such false doctrines have separated from the orthodox church, or who want to hold and teach false doctrine in their church—to such heterodox persons we must deny the Lord’s Supper, nor must we partake of the Lord’s Supper in churches teaching false doctrines. Why not? Is it because we must condemn to hell every person who holds any bit of false doctrine? By no means! We know and rejoice in the fact that even among the heterodox God still has dear children, souls that truly believe in Jesus Christ, but are not aware of the fact that they depart from, and contradict, the Word of God with their false doctrine. Why, then, must we not commune at the same altar with the heterodox? Because altar fellowship is an outward and visible manifestation of true unity of faith. Those who break the bread together, that is, who commune together, thereby confess before the whole world that they have one faith, one doctrine, one confession, or creed, in common, as did the first Christians, of whom our text speaks. To practice altar-fellowship (or any church-fellowship) with the heterodox would mean to surrender the truth and purity of God’s Word, and to make a compromise with false doctrine, which we must heartily reject and condemn, because it opposes the truth of God’s Holy Word.
PRAYER. – Ah, Lord Jesus Christ, how sadly Thy Christian Church is rent asunder by false doctrine! Lord Jesus, I thank Thee that nevertheless Thou dost sustain Thy Christians, Thy true disciples, who believe in Thee and are saved, even in the midst of error. I furthermore thank Thee that Thou hast granted me grace to know the truth. Give me, I implore Thee, Thy Holy Spirit, that despite all contempt and calumny I may hold fast to Thy Word and guard against every compromise with false doctrine. Amen.
Bible Reading
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
Additional Material