How should we contend for the faith today? A simple answer is that we contend when we make a diligent effort to grow in our knowledge and understanding of the Bible. We contend when we love, learn, and teach doctrine.
Love doctrine. If doctrine—the truth about who God is and what he has done for us in Christ—is what connects us to God, then to love doctrine is to love God and his people. And there is no shame in loving what is good. Of course we must be careful that we do not become proud and puffed up by our knowledge. That is always a danger, but if we love Christ, we must love doctrine.
Learn doctrine. Having realised that doctrine is good, we must take the steps to study and learn doctrine. To this end the creeds and confessions of the church are essential. It will be a very good practice to ensure that church members are regularly hearing the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creed recited. This can maybe be done during worship services. Working through the Belgic Confession or the Heidelberg Catechism with smaller groups will also be beneficial. Another good way for your church to learn doctrine is to set aside one service on the Sunday to focus specifically on teaching doctrine. This is a practice that was recommended by the 1618/19 Synod of Dort.
Teach doctrine. If we love and learn doctrine, we should also be in a place to communicate doctrine to others. We do not all have to be pastors or leaders of Bible studies, but we must all prepare ourselves to defend the basics of the Christian faith and speak about the truths of God’s Word to our friends and family.
3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.