A Christmas Burden

Let me start by saying that I am NOT anti-Christmas. However, I do agree with A.W. Pink when it comes to the burden our Christmas traditions can put on many people. If one has the means and ability to give gifts I am all for it, but, we should never give Christmas gifts because we feel obligated to give them. Even more, may we never expect a "return" on the gifts we do give.


"There are those who DO abstain from some of the grosser carnalities of the "festive season," yet are they nevertheless in cruel bondage to the prevailing custom of "Christmas", namely that of exchanging "gifts." We say "exchanging", for that is what it really amounts to in many cases. A list is kept, either on paper or in memory, of those from whom gifts were received last year, and that for the purpose of returning the compliment this year. Nor is this all—great care has been taken that the "gift" made to the friend is worth as much in dollars and cents as the one they expect to receive from him or her. Thus, with many who can ill afford it, a considerable sum has to be set aside each year with which to purchase things simply to send them out in RETURN for others which are likely to be received. Thus a burden has been bound on them which not a few find hard to bear" A.W. Pink.

Statement of Faith

This statement of faith sets forth the defining doctrinal positions of Jeffrey C. Henderson.

Absolute Sovereignty of God
I believe in the absolute sovereignty of God over all things. “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all” 1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV). God is sovereign in His ability to accomplish His will (Psalm 135:6; Isaiah 46:10). God is sovereign over the natural realm (Matthew 5:45; Matthew 6:26). God is sovereign over human history (Acts 17:26; Psalm 33:10). God is sovereign over human plans (James 4:13-15). God is sovereign over health and prosperity (Exodus 4:11; 1 Samuel 2:6-7; Lamentations 3:37-38). God is sovereign over people’s hearts and lives (Romans 9:18; Jeremiah 24:7; Proverbs 16:9; John 1:12-13; Revelation 17:17).


The Trinity – One God in Three Persons
I believe in one (Deuteronomy 6:4) living (Matthew 16:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16) and all glorious (Psalm 138:5) God, existing eternally in three persons. God the Father (John 20:17) creator of all things both seen and unseen (Exodus 14:22; 1 Corinthians 8:6), God the Son (John 20:31) eternally begotten (Hebrew 1:5-6), without beginning (John 1:1) and in one essence with the Father (Colossians 2:9), and God the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:11). I believe that each of the three persons in the Godhead is fully and equally God (Matthew 28:19).


The Written Word of God
I believe that the Holy Bible, consisting of thirty nine Old Testament books and twenty seven New Testament books is the infallible Word of God. The Word is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16; John 16:13-14) and without error (Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 12:6) in its original manuscripts.
I believe that God’s nature, will, and plans, revealed in the Bible, are the supreme and final authority for testing all claims about what is true and right. In the case of matters not addressed by the Bible, what is true and right is assessed by criteria consistent with the teachings of Scripture.
I believe the meaning of Biblical texts is a fixed historical reality, rooted in the historical, unchangeable intentions of its divine and human authors. However, while meaning does not change, the application of that meaning may change depending on various situations. Nevertheless it is not legitimate to infer a meaning from a Biblical text that is not demonstrably carried by the words which God inspired (2 Peter 3:16).

Fall of Man and Sin
I believe that God created man to be good by nature (Ecclesiastes 7:29); however, man was tempted and deceived by Satan (Genesis 3:1) and chose to take what was forbidden by God (Genesis 3:6). It was at this moment that man declared his independence from and disobedience toward God. Because of this original sin, Adam and Eve fell from innocence and communion with God (Genesis 3:7-8) Furthermore, as the head of the human race, Adam’s sin became the fall of all of mankind to follow (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21).

Salvation in Jesus Christ
I believe that by his suffering, death, and resurrection Jesus Christ, the Son of God, secured forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7; Acts 13:38) and perfect righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:21-22) for all who trust in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:26; Galatians 2:16). Having lived a perfect life, free of sin, Jesus Christ died in our place and accepted the punishment for our sin (Romans 8:1; Galatians 3:13), thus he appeased the wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 1:10; Romans 5:9) and removed the condemnation of the law (Colossians 2:13-14; Galatians 3:13).

Doctrines, Confessions & Creeds
I believe in the doctrines of grace. I believe in the Total Depravity of man (John 1:12-13; Phil. 1:29; John 6:28-29, Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:29), Unconditional Election (Eph. 1:4-8; Rom. 9:11, 15, 21), Limited Atonement (Matthew 26:28; John 10:11, 15; John 17:9), Irresistible Grace (Romans 9:16; Philippians 2:12-13; John 6:28-29), and the Perseverance of the Saints (John 10:27-28; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 1:6).
The Belgic Confessions, Heidelberg Catechism, and Canons of Dort, as well as the Apostle’s Creed, Nicene Creed and the Athanasius Creed are further statements of my faith.