“Jesus Christ the same
yesterday, today, and forever”
Hebrews 13:8
The challenges and changes Bible believers face have accelerated unlike any other time. The world gleefully dives into the deep end of depravity. Heresy, apostasy, and compromise continue their cancerous spread, infecting, debilitating, distracting, and bringing spiritual death. Many men and ministries that once were valiant for truth and the separatist cause have adopted the course of appeasement and conciliation. Faithful saints are called home to glory or are no longer able to be heavily engaged in the “good fight of faith” (1 Tim 6:12). Such circumstances can cause discouragement and loneliness. Feelings and doubts such as, “What’s the use?” “Is there any hope?” and “I don’t know if I can keep going,” rise in hearts and minds.
Christians in the first century who came out of Judaism experienced difficult circumstances, especially as persecution increased. The temptation to go back to the more comfortable and “safe” position of Judaism was significant. The epistle to the Hebrews encouraged these believers to continue faithfully in the Lord Jesus Christ, showing that he was “better” than Judaism at every point. The last chapter of Hebrews has several practical exhortations. In the middle of those admonitions is a statement that encouraged them and Christians ever since to persevere zealously in the faith: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (13:8). Christ is unchanging in his person, promises, and commands. Because he never changes, Christians have the brightest hope, the surest support, the strongest position.
The unchanging Christ is the reason why his church continues. He is the reason the American Council of Christian Churches began in 1941 and continues today. The basis of Christ’s church is neither human reflections on religious themes nor the adaptation of Christ’s truths to depraved human culture, but Christ’s unchanging truths he gave in Holy Scripture. Christ hones our consideration of evaluating men and movements—we must simply find where Christ stands on an issue and stand there with him. Christ’s unchanging truth enables the right assessment of any issue, individual, institution, or movement. Unlike many “fundamental,” evangelical, or progressive Christian religious organizations that advocate accommodating Christianity to the culture, the true Christ of Holy Scripture never changes. Christ gives steadfast hope to continue no matter how many attack or defect. Christ gives motivation to persevere in the darkest times. The Scriptural truths of Christ’s unchanging life, substitutionary death, and bodily resurrection from the dead have been, are, and always will be true. Sinners’ only hope always has been, is now, and always will be Christ alone. Christ’s heavenly intercession will continue. The promise of his glorious coming in power and glory was true in New Testament times, is true now, and always will be.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Join us at the American Council of Christian Churches’ 79th convention, October 19–21, 2021, at Hardingville Bible Church, Monroeville, NJ as we focus on our Lord and Savior!