Bible Reference Notes
The Necessity and Sufficiency of Scripture
Scripture: Necessity and Sufficiency Last week, we studied the authority and clarity of Scripture. Anyone recall anything about those subjects and why they’re important? Today, we examine the necessity and sufficiency of Scripture. Again, two tightly connected attributes of God’s Word that are closely tied to the two we looked at last week. If any […]
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 […]
What Day Did Christ Die?
For many, the Friday before Resurrection Sunday has become like a holy day. It is almost anathema to consider that Christ may have died on any other day. Of course, it is known as “Good Friday” in remembrance this was supposedly the day that Christ died. The view that Christ must have died on Friday […]
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, […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
HOMOPPRESSION IS AS BAD AS HOMOPHOBIA
A most excellent post by Ken Silva at Apprising Ministries. Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of […]
May Day! May Day! Don’t let the swindlers lead you astray!
The Tithe It is arguably the most pervasive doctrine of the Church, so well-received that even those who ardently decry any other form of abusive ministry will just as fervently defend this doctrine. “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed Thee?’ In tithes and offerings. […]
Warnings of False Teaching
1. Matthew 7:15 – 20: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil […]
The Church – Why Bother?
I was privileged to be able to read this book before it went to print. My short review is below, but first – here is a short promotional video from the author, for the book which can be purchased here: http://www.freegracepress.org/?p=1050 Review of Jeffery D. Johnson’s THE CHURCH: WHY BOTHER? By Stuart L. Brogden, Jan […]
What’s in a list of names?
If you are like me, you tend to not pay close attention to lists of names when you come across them in your Bible reading. Yes, those people are important to God, some lists demonstrate important lineages. There is a list which is not an important lineage – in Romans 16. This was the text […]
The Context of the Law
For the first time in my ministry, I have been studying in some depth the Ten Commandments. This has been a most profitable study in my own heart and life. I have been encouraged to share my notes, and while it is not the same as the message, I pray that someone might gain some […]
The Way of Salvation
The Way of Salvation At the heart of the controversy between Rome and historic Protestants is a dispute over the way of salvation. In speaking of salvation, we note that the term “salvation” encompasses a wide range of important topics, and it is important to distinguish between various aspects of redemption. Since the fall of […]
Billy talks to his pastor
This is a priceless, funny conversation between a humble, inquisitive child (the sort of which Christ tells us His kingdom is made of) and his falsely assured pastor who has – no doubt – been trained at a Southern Baptist seminary. Enjoy From: http://thelightheartedcalvinist.com/ Billy Talks to His Pastor about God John Pedersen from […]
Spiritual Bulimia
Several years ago, the news was full of stories of otherwise normal teenage girls who either didn’t eat enough to nourish their bodies (anorexia) or would consume massive quantities only to barf it up soon thereafter (bulimia). (Fine topics for a breakfast meeting, eh?) Although there’s not much news coverage of these two debilitating conditions, […]
What Is a True Christian?
What Is a True Christian? Based on Article http://www.reformation21.org/articles/what-is-a-true-christian.php by Jeremy Walker 2 Corinthians 5:17 is foundational in that it makes a clear declaration that one who is a Christian is one who has been changed! Read and consider it carefully: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has […]
