The Cross and God's Eternal Purpose

Christendom of our day has become for many a system of diverse teachings. For the believers at the beginning of Christianity it was not a matter of teaching, but only and solely to know the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. All that which belongs to Christian life and Christian experience, all that which embodies teaching and truth, all the orderings in the Church, yes, the Church itself in its purpose and nature, is, in the New Testament, in closest relation to the knowledge which is presented in Christ Jesus Himself. To know Him means to know every other thing. Therefore we must not be surprised if the longing of the Apostle right to the end of his life is this one only: "To know Him and the power of His resurrection."