Scripture: Authority and Clarity
Why is it important for us to study the authority and clarity of Scripture – anyone have any ideas? Does The Fall reveal anything of the importance of these two issues? Let’s take a look at Genesis, but bear in mind the nature of Scripture – the Word of God. Now the serpent was more […]
ABSOLUTE Predestination
ABSOLUTE Predestination I just finished reading Jerome Zanchius’ book that a dear brother was so kind to give me. Wow! I wept and rejoiced and thanked the Lord for faithful men who have gone before. Thanks be unto God for the dear brother who worked to bring this book back to life. Absolute Predestination is […]
Blood Work
Blood work – this is a common phrase used in the medical industry. Every critical medical procedure must be based on accurate blood work – the chemistry demanded by the body relies on the right delicate balance and the blood work reveals what that chemistry mix is, so the doctors can proceed safely. The body […]
Comparison Between Particular and General Baptists
I recently read this book which documents how Baptists throughout the past few centuries have been known as men of the book. Whether a man was a general or particular Baptist, a common thread through them was a high and proper regard for the Word of God. This is, one hand, a most encouraging book, […]
Operation Nehemiah
A few weeks back, Voddie and I were at a conference where he was speaking. We met a man from South Sudan who was on fire for the Lord, biblically sound, and earnestly seeking to spread the Gospel in a country ravaged by war – both political and spiritual. In cleaning out my briefcase, I […]
What Does it Mean to be Reformed?
What Does it Mean to be Reformed? The hallmark cry of The Reformation centered on 5 solas – 5 statements on core Christian doctrines that define the Christian faith from the Scriptures: Sola Scriptura -The Scripture Alone is the Standard Soli Deo Gloria! – For the Glory of God Alone Solo Christo! – By Christ’s […]
The Primacy of the Abrahamic Covenant
Why does it matter how one views the covenant with Abraham? Are there actually different views on it? My experience leads me to believe that most folks don’t really think too much about such things. Yet this singular item is, in fact, the biggest wedge between Reformed Baptists and our Presbyterian brothers. As pointed out […]
Is the Pretribulation Rapture Biblical?
Is the Pretribulation Rapture Biblical? Brian M. Schwertley One of the most popular teachings today in Evangelical and Charismatic churches is the doctrine of the pretribulation rapture. The pretribulation rapture teaching is that there are two separate comings of Christ. The first coming is secret and occurs before the future seven year tribulation. At this […]
Responsibility of Elders
My church held a conference on church membership last fall. We had several well known speakers, including Michael Horton, our own Voddie Baucham, Ken Jones, and Thabiti Anyabwile from Grand Cayman. Here is Thabiti’s most excellent message on the responsibilities of those who serve the local church as elders: Responsiblity of elders
When Will Christ Return?
When Will Christ Return? A defense of Reformed A-millennialism by Dan Harris Taken from http://www.mountainretreatorg.net in compliance with their copyright. Introduction When will Christ return? Will He return before or after the Great Tribulation? This is a question that has baffled many, and has been the source of much debate among Christian groups. Historically, there […]
THE POWER OF THE CHURCH
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Hebrews 1:3) The true power of the church lies in Christ personally. You may have all the stars that ever made bright the Milky Way with their combined sheen, […]
Views on Atonement
Lots of folk don’t think too much about the atonement of Christ. For whom did the Lord of Heaven drink the cup of wrath? What is the implication of the various views of this issue? I do not know who put this chart together, but pray it is provocative and helpful to you as it […]
What was Mohler Thinking?
Nearly 4 years ago, Albert Mohler and Danny Akins co-authored an article that never should have been written. The Bible does not give enough information to be dogmatic about the eternal destiny of infants. It’s bad enough that Doug Wilson (of Federal Vision infamy) believes that a trinitarian baptism make babies (including Roman Catholic babies) […]
Civil Disobedience and the Christian
The concept of civil disobedience is not new. Neither is the question of how far a government can go before the Christian is permitted to disobey. This concept of civil disobedience is/ought to be an escalation from the peaceful petition that ought to be the Christian’s first response to objectionable laws. Was Rosa Parks right […]
Unity in Truth
A dear friend and brother in Christ, who used to host a Christian talk show on radio many years ago handed this me during the growing conflict I was experiencing in the seeker sensitive church we were in at the time. While it is likely this counsel could be improved upon (as is the case […]
The Dogma of Papal Infallibility
What Roman Catholics refer to as “the Dogma of Papal Infallibility” is one of the most stunning of all of RCC doctrine. According to this dogma, the Pope-when he speaks on matters concerning the church-is protected from the possibility of error. Note that it is not that what he says is always true, but something […]
What’s Wrong with being “Seeker Sensitve”?
Seeker Sensitive The Greek word (ekklesia) we interpret as “church” means “the called out ones”. Those who are not redeemed are not part of the church. Isaiah 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have […]
The Saving Grace of God – in Saudi Arabia
Watch the words of this man who was gloriously saved by the grace of our God. Let all the saints of the living God PRAISE HIS NAME!
Papal Contradictions and the Roman Child
by Jesse Johnson In 1497, Pope Alexander had a crisis of his own making that was threatening to undermine his ability to govern the Catholic Church. A romantic rivalry between two of his sons (he had at least six children) had become a source of intrigue around Rome. In fact, this scandal was so lurid, […]
Deacon Ministry in a Reformed Baptist Church
One of the hallmarks of reformed theology is captured in the cry of Sola Scriptura! We recall from 2 Peter 1:3 that the Lord has given us all we need for life and godliness – and this applies no less to life in the local church than to the individual Christian. As we consider the […]
Self-elevated little popes!
A gem from A. W. Pink: Self-elevated little popes! (Arthur Pink, “Private Judgment” 1950) “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers.” Matthew 23:8 In every generation, there are those of an officious spirit who aspire to leadership, demanding deference from their fellows. Such […]
BE STILL: CONTEMPLATIVE OR LISTENING PRAYER 7 PSALM 46:10
By Larry DeBruyn. Bible Interpretation 101 teaches that every text without a context is pretext. Extracting Psalm 46:10 to be an endorsement of meditative-listening prayer is just such a pretext. Here’s why. After reading Ephesians 1:15-23 (lectio divina, i.e. Latin for reading sacred things) at the Passion 2012 conference, and while standing on stage with the other keynote […]
Worldly Culture
A marketing executive from a Fortune 50 company was presenting his firm’s plan for success in the world’s market place. He laid out three key points that he lifted from various sources that are essential to his plan: Corporate marketing says: #1 “To reach the wallet, hit the heart.” How many commercials for expensive items […]
SOLA SCRIPTURA OUR ONLY FOUNDATION
The following was written by Michael Horton. I agree with him – any departure from the sufficiency of Scripture for all we need for life and godliness will cause us to fall into a ditch. The only source of God’s revealed will is found in holy writ – let the saints of the living God […]
An Open Letter to Praise Bands
Dear Praise Band, I so appreciate your willingness and desire to offer up your gifts to God in worship. I appreciate your devotion and celebrate your faithfulness–schlepping to church early, Sunday after Sunday, making time for practice mid-week, learning and writing new songs, and so much more. Like those skilled artists and artisans that God […]
Gay Is Not the New Black
Voddie Baucham has written a though provoking article (just read some of the more than 300 comments that follow it!) about the current cultural battle over the covenant of marriage. Here is a small excerpt, here is a link to the entire article. It’s hard to deny that homosexual marriage appears to be a foregone […]
Why I Love Jesus But Reject Islam
I ran across this while reading on James White’s web site. I pray it is encouraging to you, my brother or sister in Christ; and that it might provoke a lost sheep to consider the God-Man, Jesus – Who is the Christ. In response to Kamal Saleh’s video found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNGqrzkFp_4 James White of Alpha […]
A Catechism for Babes, or, Little Ones
“There never was a man in the world without a creed. What is a creed? A creed is what you believe. What is a confession? It is a declaration of what you believe. That declaration may be oral or it may be committed to writing, but the creed is there either expressed or implied.”—B.H. Carrol […]
