Theology
Cross Encounters Radio: How Can a Person Know They are Saved?
I was blessed to be able to sit in as host to Cross Encounters Radio this week. In preparation for the show, we had asked listeners to let us know what topics they would like to hear discussed. One topic came up repeatedly, how can a person know they are truly saved, and conversely, what […]
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 […]
Dangers of Counseling!
Standing in the court, the man heard the judge pronounce a sentence of twelve years hard time in a penitentiary. The world collapsed around the man and his family as the harsh realities of the unknown future were only just beginning to manifest themselves in ways that would seem like a horror movie. Sadly, the […]
Personal Insights into Counseling
Sadly, we live in an age where counseling features little in pastoral ministry. The reasons for this are many, but I want to point out just a few. First, we live in a litigious society. Counseling is a two-edged sword that can produce good results or it can result in a person suing the counselor […]
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, […]
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 […]
If God starts it–He WILL finish it!
I have always heard that if you are going to teach something, you should teach what you are passionate about. I am passionate—more like adamant—about the eternal security of the believer. Or as Steve Lawson would say, “I’m not just dogmatic–I am bulldogmatic” about this subject. I am absolutely convinced that if a person is […]
Made Sufficient: A Theology of Preaching
Made Sufficient: A Theology of Preaching INTRODUCTION Life in our culture today has one very common personal philosophy that will be heard anywhere you go: “You can be anything you set your mind to.” Our school systems, parental urgings, and media culture all cheer us on with shouts of “be all we can be, “just […]
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 […]
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 […]
Divided We Fall
It was a post from my friend and fellow evangelist, Bobby McCreery, that got me thinking. He wrote, “I’m no expert, but it seems one reason revival tarries is the fact that there is so much division in the body of Christ. So many brothers biting and devouring each other over secondary and tertiary issues […]
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 […]
Worth a Bar of Gold?
Recently I saw a video taken at the Bank of England in which a gentleman had the privilege of being able to view rooms full of real gold. The gold was stacked from floor to ceiling with about 1 ton of gold on each shelf. The narrator commented that the total amount of gold was […]
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 […]
Important Article Regarding Mark Cahill
Recently, CARM published an article regarding evangelist Mark Cahill. This article was authored by my friend and mentor, Tony Miano, who has had direct interaction with Mr. Cahill. The article was written as a public rebuke of Mr. Cahill’s uncharitable and derogatory treatment of Christians who believe in the Doctrines of Grace. Mr. Cahill has […]
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, […]
Things I have learned–Foster Parenting Vs. Adoption
Ephesians 1:3-5–3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having […]
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 […]
Things I have learned: Disease vs. Cure, Overcoming the Will
Some say there’s a heaven for those who wait Some say it’s better but I say it ain’t I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints The sinners are much more fun –Billy Joel, “Only the God Die Young” Continuing the series of theological truths I have seen illustrated through our fostering […]
