Luke explains to Theophilus the reason he is writing an account of the Lord’s life - “that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed” (Luke 1:4). The word for “certainty” is also used in Acts 5:23 to describe a prison door as being shut securely. Believers like Theophilus needed to be grounded in the truths regarding Jesus’ life and teachings. These truths needed to be securely locked up in their hearts.

While there are deep and meaty aspects of God’s word, there are foundational elements that we can know with certainty. These truths must be the bedrock of our faith. We know God exists. We know the Bible is His inspired word. We know Jesus is the Son of God. We know He died, was buried, and rose again. We know water baptism is essential for salvation. We know there is a right way to worship God. We know there are eternal rewards and punishments. We know there is only one true church of the Lord.

Open-mindedness may be seen as a virtue in this world, but disciples are to be established in the doctrine of Christ. Unbelievers and skeptics will assault our faith with well-polished arguments. Sincere truth-seekers will challenge us with good questions. Times of personal suffering can cause us to doubt.

These challenges are not a time for us to demolish our faith and rebuild from scratch. We stand on what we know. Paul said the purpose of spiritual growth was “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ” (Eph. 4:14-15).

We continue to learn and grow, but do so while standing confidently on what we know!