PROTESTANTISM IS TRUE CHRISTIANITY
Some professing Christians use the name Protestant with pride, others hold it in disdain. Sadly a growing number of denominations openly deny that they are Protestant. At least one of these is a mainline denomination. They claim that Protestantism began in the 16th century Reformation, whilst their origins date back to the Apostles. This claim is made despite the fact that the historic origins of this group cannot be found before the 17th century! Even if these claims of apostolic origins are genuine, to deny that they are Protestants is to deny the faith they claim to uphold.
Many claim the term was invented at the time of Martin Luther’s stance for the truth, when he declared “Here I stand; I can do no other.” It might however come as a surprise to some to learn that the name Protestant derives from the Latin, meaning ‘standing for a witness.’ A Protestant is a person who stands positively for his faith, just like Luther. However we must go back to the words of the Lord Jesus Himself, when He said to His disciples “Ye shall be my witnesses.” Acts 1:8. The infant Church was a Protestant Church, the Apostles without exception were Protestants. The rot set in when the Roman Emperor Constantine decreed that Christianity should be the state religion, and sowed the seeds for the advent of the Antichrist, the papacy. Make no mistake about it the Antichrist is alive and well today, seated on the papal throne.
In recent years, the news media have given the Protestant Church a bad press, presenting it as very negative and sectarian. This is not surprising, considering the weak and inept leadership there is and what still passes as the Protestant Church. Added to this is the powerful influence that the Church of Rome has in the media. Maybe it is because of these things that many feel, that in this first decade of the 21st century, Protestantism has little or no significance.
It should be pointed out that despite all the misgivings people may have, Britain is a Protestant Nation and the Church of England is a Protestant Church. When Queen Elizabeth II opened her first Parliament in November 1952 she made the following Declaration:-
“I do solemnly, and in the presence of God profess, testify, and declare, that I am faithful protestant, and that I will, according to the true intent of the enactments which ensure the Protestant succession to the Throne of my Realm, uphold and maintain the said enactments to the best of my power according to law.”
On June 2nd 1953, at our Queen’s Coronation Service, the Archbishop of Canterbury asked her the following questions:-
“Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law?”
Her Majesty’s response was to lay her hand on the open Bible and say –
“All this I promise to do.”
Also at her Coronation the Queen was presented with a copy of God’s Word during which the following words were used:-
“Our Gracious Queen, we present you with this Book, the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is wisdom, this is the royal Law, these are the lively Oracles of God.”
Protestants believe that the Bible is the most valuable possession we can have. Tens of thousands have given their lives for it and many Protestants still suffer today because they refuse to give up reading it.
Let it be said very clearly and without any equivocation, true Protestantism is Bible Christianity, and our Queen is the sworn upholder of it. Protestantism is the Christianity of the Bible; it is the Christianity of Christ; it is the Christianity of the Apostles; it is the Christianity of the early Church;. Protestantism is the return to the Faith once and for all delivered unto the saints and is revealed to mankind in the pages of the Inspired Word centering on the glorious Person of the Incarnate Word, our Lord Jesus Christ.
As already mentioned, many reject the title Protestant and have arrogantly adopted the term “We are just ordinary Christians.” There is no such thing as an ordinary Christian who is not a Protestant. The two terms cannot be separated from one another.
A Protestant is a person who believes everything contained in the Bible. There are many who claim to be Christians and say that they believe the Bible, yet they ignore parts they do not like, misinterpret others and even follow the heretical doctrines of the Jesuits, who were commissioned by the Papacy to “confuse the doctrines of the protestant church”. A Protestant agrees with what the Bible says about itself “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” Since the Bible is the Word of God, then we must listen to all that He says and believe all that He has revealed.
A Protestant owes everything to God. Today people like to think of themselves as self-sufficient. They approach life with the attitude ‘I can look after myself,’ ‘I do not need anything other than my own abilities‘ and are quick to insist on ‘their rights.’ Protestants know that they owe everything to the Lord Jesus, as He said “without me ye can do nothing”. Were it not for His grace and mercy they know they would have nothing. This is true in every aspect of life, but particularly with regard to salvation. We cannot save ourselves, or live a righteous and godly life, for the Bible says ..“our righteousnesses are as filthy rags,”.. “there is none righteous, no not one,” “there is none righteous, no not one,” and furthermore, we learn that “It is by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.”
A Protestant is a person who trusts only in Christ. The vast majority of people live with the impression that as long as they live fairly decent lives, they will eventually go to heaven. Protestants know that this is not so. They also know that calling themselves a Protestant will not get them to Heaven. Others trust in human priestly intercession and absolution, in prayers that may be prayed after they die, in order to get them out of the mythical place called Purgatory, or in the intercessions of Mary. Let us be clear, however, that the only way to Heaven is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. What we could never do, He has done by His life, death and resurrection. Jesus said:-
“I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”. §
