Moving On - Kindred Spirits

Matthew 11
28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I am about to retire, moving to Texas.  And I have been giving some thought to both my future and my past. This is a time to look not only forward but also to look back. It is time to move on, and it is also a time to look back and to say some goodbyes.

As part of looking forward to a new future, planning for a life that will be so different, I have given some consideration to my experience at  the little Baptist church I've been going to these past four years.

I found, in this church, a loving people that were right with each other and right with God, a people working for the good of the community and for the glory of God.  I found a Pastor with a wonderful, inspired message, based on the Bible, ably leading his flock.  In this church, I did find some spiritual peace, some little bit of rest on my walk in His path, in His Spirit. This was a good church to find one's salvation.

But, sad to say, I found no kindred spirits in this church. There was never much to say.  I guess I was just passing through. It's just a fact, an odd, sad fact of my life.

If you give life, in its deepest sense, some thought, God's essential message in the Bible is not about church, universal or local.  God's essential message in the Bible is not about the rapture, or speaking in tongues or election or evangelism. In the end, you only have your Bible and the holy message that God left for you.  In the end, it is just you and your God.

Thankfully, for some of us, he is a gracious, loving God.

Isaiah 2
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths....

Amen

Moving On

Matthew 19
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

I'm taking a break. I'm getting old, feeling my age, and I'm about to retire.  It's time to think, to pray. What am I going to do for the next few years, or at least 'til God takes me home. New directions. Setting a new course. Hopefully serving the glory of God. And, somehow, I sense that this blog is coming to an end.

Final note. It seems to me, when you make big changes in your life, when you think about your future, what you are to do, what you should be doing with your life, the above passage is good to consider.

Need For New Macedonian Church

2 Corinthians 8
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 how that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4 praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

The events of the day and daily Bible study, do not mix well, for me anyway.  Daily Bible study, I think, is a refuge, quality time between a sinner and his savior.  And that is the focus of this blog.  It time to get away from the news of the day, the politics, the murder, the mayhem.

Be that as it may, I came across this sad news item the other day. It is from New York Newsday, August 21, 2011:

Large numbers of less-educated white Americans are abandoning religion, a new study says. Since the 1970s, religious service attendance has declined among all white Americans, but the rate of decline among those without college degrees has been more than twice that of college graduates, according to the researchers. The study, which was to be presented Sunday at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association ( ASA ) in Las Vegas, focused on whites because religiosity among blacks and Hispanics is less affected by education and income, the researchers said.

Part of the problem may be that churches, above and beyond their valid, wonderful, soul-saving spiritual purposes, may function as clubs with members pay their dues during each service. My guess: the group discussed in the above article - less educated white Americans - just may not be able to comfortably, spiritually, and financially participate in churches.

After giving this issue some thought, I think it is maybe more important than I initially thought.  But I can't even begin to imagine how church members and those who might want to go to church might approach this issue. 

The Will Of God

Joel 2
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

As my faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ grows, the more I try to live a righteous life, the more I love my church, the more I love my fellow Christians, the more I pity the lost.

And, as my faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ grows....the less inclined I am to share my deepest thoughts on the will and the ways and the working of God it this cruel, evil world.

The argument would waste my strength....

The Works And Will And Way Of God

Ecclesiastes 3
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

This passage is about our God, whose works and will and ways are unfathomable.

More From Ecclesiastes 3
13 ....every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.

It is acceptable, in God's sight, to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

But, we must be careful. There is a thin deadly line between humbly enjoying the fruits of your labor and abject iniquity. A very thin line.

More From Ecclesiastes 3
12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

Question. Is the use of the phrase "works and will and ways" a copy write violation?

Finally From Ecclesiastes 3
14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

Good Church Order

1 John 3
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Here is rule number 11 for a happy, humble, Godly life: Never, ever, disturb good church order. This is not rule number 1 or 5 or even 8, but rule number 11. But, that still makes it a very important rule.

Psalm 133
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 [It is] like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, [even] Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, [and as the dew] that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, [even] life for evermore.

When we think of good church order, we should think of Israel after the death of Absalom or the captivity of the Jews during the time of Zarubabbel and Joshua the high priest. That is good background for thinking about the church.

The Kosmos

John 3
16 For God so loved the world, that....

You cannot understand your salvation, you cannot bask in the sunshine of God's love, you cannot appreciate God's grace until you confront the whole world, the kosmos in Greek, the world that God loved so dearly. This is the definition of the World, From Strong's Reference:

2889   //  kosmov  //  kosmos   //  kos'-mos  //
1) an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government
2) ornament, decoration, adornment, i.e. the arrangement of the stars, 'the heavenly hosts', as the ornament of the heavens. 1Pe 3:3
3) the world, the universe
4) the circle of the earth, the earth
5) the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family
6) the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to  the cause of Christ
7) world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly
7a) the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ
8) any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort
8a) the Gentiles as contrasted to the Jews ( Ro 11:12 etc)
8b) of believers only, John 1:29; 3:16; 3:17; 6:33; 12:47
1Co 4:9; 2Co 5:19

The world is our stage, it includes good and bad, health and sickness, joy and sadness, evil, enmity, justice and injustice, along with all of God's gracious gifts. And we are sinners in this wonderful, awful world.....

One final point. This passage does not read: And God so loved his elect....

The Day Of Visitation

Isaiah 10
1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness [which] they have prescribed;
2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and [that] they may rob the fatherless!
3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?

This passage is a warning to those who do not deal with the poor and the needy in a charitable, righteous way.  It is specifically directed to Hebrew leaders, but is a good lesson for us all. 

Prepare now, live righteously, treat those in need with kindness, be ready for your judgement on the day of visitation, the day of God's judgement.  As Hebrew tradition has it, the day of God's judgement is "the day when the Holy One, blessed be He, visits upon you your iniquities." (Amos 3:2).

But there is, always, hope for the Hebrew remnant:

Isaiah 11
11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

And, there is, always, hope for the righteous of God, Christian or Hebrew.  Are you righteous?

Helplessness - And Bible Prophesy

Matthew 24
42 Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Here is the problem. I don't have a mind to figure out much. This especially applies to Bible Prophesy, and especially to the books of Daniel and Revelations.

I believe Jesus is coming, like a thief in the night. And I believe He is coming in a cloud, with great power and glory. But for any understanding more than this, I have come to the conclusion that I must rely on others, trusted others: Scofield, Larkin, Gill, my Pastor, Chafer.

And so, I read my Bible and Scofield, and now mostly Chafer, and say, ah ha, yes indeed, now I understand God's prophetic word to man. I truly understand the seventieth week. And a month later? I still believe Jesus is coming, like a thief in the night, but I can't remember the significance of Rome, the fourth kingdom, much less Medo-Persia, the second kingdom. Or is it the third?

Here is John Gill's explanation of Jesus' coming in Matthew 24 that I find oddly comforting:

for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come; [Here Jesus says He is coming] to avenge himself of the unbelieving Jews, and fulfil what he in person, and by his apostles, had predicted and warned them of. I will not deny, but that what follows may be much better accommodated and applied to the second coming of Christ, and the last judgment, and the behaviour of men with regard to both, than anything said before. And, it may be our Lord's intention, to lead his disciples gradually, and as it were imperceptibly, to the last scene of things on earth, to make way for the parables and description of the future judgment, in the next chapter; still keeping in view, and having reference to, the subject he had been so long upon.. 

I find Gill's 18th Century Baptist view of the millennium and beyond comforting. This, in the end, is my view of Jesus' Second Coming. It is tentative, but then again it is more than sufficient to guide me in my daily life....

Jesus and His Office

Hebrews 9
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

I wish I had written down my thoughts about Jesus before He came into my life as my Lord and Savior. I wish I had written down my thoughts about Jesus before I was quickened, before I started my Bible studies. I have always believed in Jesus, but I did not understand His sacrifice for my transgressions. I did not understand that He was mediator of the Gospel; I did not understand that Jesus was Christ, the reconciler of heaven and of earth.  I did not understand the Offices of Jesus, as prophet, as priest and as king. I just did not give much thought to any of this. I just did not give much thought to Jesus, what He is, what He does, who he is to me. And, I really did not give much thought to his sacrifice for my sins.  And, indeed, I did not give much thought to my sins and my own sinful nature.

In my early years, I did not struggle with atheism or agnosticism.  I did not struggle with the existence of God.  I always believed in Jesus who was somehow divine. But, for so many years, he was distant.   When I started my daily bible study, but before I was saved, I remember just the idea of Jesus being vaguely discomforting.  Jesus and God were over there, beyond the far ridge. And the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit was a warm breeze that would slowly blow past me, comforting, but only once in a while.

Hebrews 8
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

One thing about those years before I was saved:  they were accompanied by southern gospel music and hymns.  I would listen, sing along, filled with the Spirit. I always had my records, then my cassettes and finally my CD's. And in those songs, one might not quite grasp the sacrifice of Jesus.  In those songs, one might not grasp the need to be born again.  In those songs, one might not feel the need to repent your sins.  But, in those songs, somehow over the years, I could feel the Christian love of the singers and especially I could feel the love of Jesus Christ.

When all of God's singers come home....

John Gill's Comments On Ephesians

Ephesians 3
19 .... know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

In my Bible reading this past few days, I came across this description of the theme of Ephesians in John Gill's "Exposition Of The Entire Bible."

...the subject matter of [Ephesians] is most excellent; it treats of the most sublime doctrines of grace, of divine predestination, and eternal election, of redemption by Christ, and of peace and pardon by his blood, of conversion by the power of efficacious grace, and of salvation by the free grace of God, in opposition to works: it also very largely treats of the nature and usefulness of the Gospel ministry, and of gifts qualifying for it, and of the several duties of religion incumbent on Christians; and the method which is used is exceeding apt and beautiful, for the apostle first begins with the doctrines of the Gospel, which he distinctly handles and explains, and then proceeds to enforce the duties belonging to men, both as men and Christians.

What a wonderful exposition of Ephesians.

I never tire of reading John Gill's commentary. I may not agree with every single phrase of Gill's interpretation of Ephesians, but I do now have a sense of the width and the breath and the depth of God's message in Ephesians. It seems, for whatever reason, that John Gill leads me to my last and final thoughts on many Bible passages, and particularly difficult Bible passages. And, I always look forward to that next John Gill comment, which quickly becomes my all-time, favorite John Gill quote.

God's Message In Ephesians

Joshua 21
43 And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.
44 And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.

I have been, this past few days, reading about the Church of God, the body of Christ, the true church, in comparison to the local church.

Scofield describes the theme of the true church in Ephesians here:

[Ephesians] contains the highest church truth, but has nothing about church order. The church here is the true church, "His body," not the local church, as in Philippians, Corinthians...

Scofield describes the theme of the local church in 1 Timothy here:

As the churches of Christ increased in number, the questions of church order, of soundness in the faith, and of discipline became important. At first the apostles regulated these things directly, but the approaching end of the apostolic period made it necessary that a clear revelation should be made for the guidance of the churches. Such a revelation is in First Timothy, and in Titus. The key-phrase of the Epistle is, "That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God."

The distinction between a local church and the Church of God, the body of Christ, is important to me. It is wonderful to be a member of a local church; but things do not always go well. Being a member of a local church can, indeed, at times, be a painful experience; and not edifying.  It is, however, always wonderful to be a member of the Church of God, the body of Christ, the true church; it is always a blessing. In the Church of God, things never go wrong.

And finally, the quote from Joshua above tells of the Hebrews receiving Israel, a gift from God.  In Ephesians, we Christians receive salvation, a gift from God, which is, "glory in the church."

Ephesians 3
19 .... know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Hounded By Phantoms

Romans 7
14 ....I am carnal, sold under sin.

A man named Anthony, a pious Christian no doubt, who lived in the Fourth Century A.D., is notable for being one of the first Christian ascetics to attempt living in the desert, completely cut off from civilization, dedicating his life to God alone. He is considered a saint by some. According to Athanasius, another no doubt pious Christian of the time, the devil fought Anthony by afflicting him with boredom, laziness, and the phantoms of women. Tradition has it that Anthony overcame his temptations using the power of prayer.

I am interested in Christian history. I find myself fascinated by righteousness, sacrifice, Christian piety, humility without consideration of possible, eventual personal blessing or gain, Godliness for Godliness sake.  Is it possible? Is it conceivable? I have no final, neat answers to those questions.  They are questions about the essence of man.   Although, my sense is that Paul provides, in Romans, God's last and final word on righteous, piety and humility.

More From Romans 7
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death

What It Means To Be A Baptist 6 - Southern Baptists

I go to an Independant Fundamental Baptist Church. The pastor preaches a wonderful message from the King James Bible. I find peace in this church. I could never go to, let's say, a Catholic Church or a Methodist or a Pentacostal church. I am sure I would find no peace, whatsoever, in those churches. Now, if circumstances warrant, whatever those cercumstances might be, I do think I could attend a Southern Baptish church, and could adjust.

And so, here are some notes on Southern Baptists.

Isaiah 44
1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:
2 thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesh'urun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
4 and they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the watercourses.

Baptists, and indeed many Christians, have struggled to understand the Bible doctrines of election and predestination. My sense, after some little bit of reading, is that Southern Baptists struggle a little more with these issues than other Baptists.

Following are two quotes from an article written by well-known Southern Baptist author Tom Nettles. It is published on the Southern Baptist Convention website Baptist2baptist.net.

Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.

I think this Nettles's quote is a representative example of Southern Baptist thought on election.  Here, election appears not to be connected to two words found a number of times in the Bible: predestinate and foreknow. Later in the article Nettles mentions the thoughts of an early 20th Century Baptist.

F. H. Kerfoot, a Southern Baptist theologian and pastor at the turn of the 20th Century, highlighted this doctrine when he wrote, "Nearly all Baptists believe what are usually termed the 'doctrines of grace': the absolute sovereignty and foreknowledge of God; His eternal and unchangeable purposes or decrees; that salvation in its beginning, continuance and completion, is God's free gift; that, in Christ, we are elected or chosen, personally or individually, from eternity, saved and called out from the world, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth; . Read Rom 8, 9, 10, 11; Acts 13:48; Eph 1:4-5; 2:1?10; 1 Pet 1:2?5; Jude 24; 2 Tim 1:9; Titus 3:5.

The juxtaposition of the two passages, I think, point to the essence of Southern Baptist thought.  Here is the Southern Baptist struggle to understand the will of God, in the most profound sense.  The two quotes do not seem to finally and conclusively reconcile the doctrines of election and predestination.  Does God elect you because you have faith? Or.  Does God foreknow you, and choose you, and then you have faith? Who acts first? God or Man?

Many years ago, in the 1980's, my mother-in-law lent me her copy of "Baptists And The Bible," by Tom Nettles. It was autographed by the author. After some months I tried to return it to her.  But she said no, I should keep it.  It contains biographies of all of our great Baptist "founders." I have referred to it many times over the years. It is one of my dearest possessions.

Sometimes, I Wish There Were No Goats

Matthew 25

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 and before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

Sometimes I think it would be nice if the world were not so complicated.

More From Matthew 25

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand [the sheep], Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Sometimes I think it would be nice if it was just me, and Jesus, and the saved.

More From Matthew 25

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand [the goats], Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Sometimes I think it would be nice if there were no goats.  Then again, if there were not goats, who would we pray for?

The Breath Of Jesus - And The Storm

John 20
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

In this passage, after His Crucifixion, His burial and His resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples. And he breaths the Holy Ghost on those pious souls. Not for their salvation, they are already saved, but for holy strength, as they begin God's work of spreading the Gospel.

Prayer
Jesus. Today, I have one simple request. Please breath on me and my family, that we may know God's work, His will and His way....

Oh yes.  And, somehow, for some reason, God spared us from Hurricane Irene....

Waiting For Irene

Psalm 47
47  O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
2 For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

And so I sat there on the train this morning waiting for Hurricane Irene. I live in the path of the storm. And I was trying to decide whether to ask God to spare my house and the oak trees behind my house.  So many thoughts of the past....

Dr. Bosley was our pastor when I was growing up. He had been Dean of the Duke University School of Divinity. He may have not enjoyed that position and, so, he came to be the pastor of our church. He was one of those men, blessed by God, who could help his sinning flock to understand God's world and man's world and to understand God's will in this world.  His was, evidently, a serious, polished message for mature Christians. I remember the profound spiritual peace my father found in his weekly sermons, and our weekly family discussions about them. I found Dr. Bosley intimidating, extremely intimidating. And he made me nervous.

And when I was 12 years old, I attended Dr. Bosley's confirmation class - it was a Methodist church. The classes took place on Saturdays. I cannot remember how many classes there were, but I remember being intimidated, very nervous and really not wanting to be there.  I do have some very specific memories of these classes. I remember he mentioned the word Grace many times. And I remember not even beginning to understand what he meant by grace.  And I remember him asking me a question about grace. I mumbled some no doubt unintelligible answer, and I remember one of my class mates explaining to him what I meant.

But the most important thing I do remember was his guidance on how to pray. His guidance was that we should not pray for good things to happen to us.  And we should not pray for bad things not to happen to us.  His guidance was that we only pray for the strength to endure what happens to us.  That's what I remember, and I'm not even sure this is sound Bible guidance.  But, I have lived by this guidance for 50 years. And, it is advice that has served me well.

More From Psalm 47
44 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

I finally decided not to pray for God to spare my oak trees or to spare my house. I decided to ask God's blessing on each and everyone in my family who lives in the storms path. I have family in Eastern North Carolina. And I was at peace. 

Prayer
Dear Lord, give me the strength to endure my trials and tribulations, such as they are, insignificant though they may be....

And That's All I Ever Wanted

2 Thessalonians 2
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ.... hath given us....good hope through grace,

That....is all I ever wanted.

2 Thessalonians 2
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

And that is not much to ask in return.

Oh, And One Other Thing....

Matthew 6
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

As to a Christian's responsibility for praying, Jesus does not ask for much. His directions are simple and straightforward. But, for me, something is missing? It strikes me as odd that the Lord's prayer does not include a mention of family. For me, before an Amen, it seems exactly appropriate to ask a blessing for a family member in need.  And then, Amen.

Matthew 10
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

There are many important relationships in a Christian's life, the relationship between a Christian and his God, between a Christian and his family, between a Christian and his church and between a Christian and his community.  All these relationships are important and holy.  But we can't forget, the relationship between the Christian and his God is foremost.

What It Means To Be A Baptist 5 - Puritans

Even when I was very young, the meaning of being a Baptist was important to me. As fate would have it, it was an important issue for my family. The next few posts contain some basic information on Baptists and some personal thoughts. These are my notes and thoughts; some things I do not want to forget.

Galations 5
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

I believe, that it is never a waste of time for an American, who is a Christian, to study the Puritans. And, because of historical ties to Baptists, it is never a waste of time for Baptists to become familiar with the Puritan tradition.

Puritans do not have straightforward easily understandable, systematic beliefs the way various denominations do.  That being said, here are some characteristics of Puritans:

Origin
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1559, as an activist movement within the Church of England.

Reformed Theology
There were substantial works of theology written by Puritans, such as the Medulla Theologiae of William Ames, but there is no theology that is distinctive of Puritans. "Puritan theology" makes sense only as certain parts of Reformed theology, i.e. the legacy in theological terms of Calvinism, as it was expounded by Puritan preachers (often known as lecturers), and applied in the lives of Puritans.

Civil Governance
In the relation of churches to civil power, Puritans believed that secular governors are accountable to God to protect and reward virtue, including "true religion", and to punish wrongdoers. They opposed the supremacy of the monarch in the church (Erastianism), and argued that the only head of the Church in heaven or earth is Christ.

Bible
The idea of personal Biblical interpretation, while central to Puritan beliefs, was shared with Protestants in general. Puritans sought both individual and corporate conformity to the teaching of the Bible, with moral purity pursued both down to the smallest detail as well as ecclesiastical purity to the highest level. They believed that man existed for the glory of God; that his first concern in life was to do God's will and so to receive future happiness.

Church Ritual
Like some of Reformed churches on the European continent, Puritan reforms were typified by a minimum of ritual and decoration and by an unambiguous emphasis on preaching. Calvinists generally believed that the worship in the church ought to be strictly regulated by what is commanded in the Bible (the regulative principle of worship), and condemned as idolatry many current practices, regardless of antiquity or widespread adoption among Christians, against opponents who defended tradition. Simplicity in worship led to the exclusion of vestments, images, candles, etc.

Demonolony And Evidence Of Salvation
Puritans were believers in the demonic forces as were almost all Christians of the 17th Century. For full membership, the Puritan church insisted not only that its congregants lead godly lives and exhibit a clear understanding of the main tenets of their Christian faith, but they also must demonstrate that they had experienced true evidence of the workings of God's grace in their souls. Only those who gave a convincing account of such a conversion could be admitted to full church membership.

Millennialism
Puritan millennialism was grounded in the readings of the New Testament, especially the books of Matthew (24:29-31), Mark (13:24-27), and Luke (21:25-28). These passages foreshadowed Christ's return, or his Second Coming, to earth and his subsequent one-thousand-year (hence millennial) reign of peace. Millennialists in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries split into two camps: premillennialists such as Cotton Mather, who believed that Christ's return would precede the age of peace, prosperity, and triumph of the church, and postmillennialists such as Daniel Whitby, Jonathan Edwards, Joseph Bellamy, and Samuel Hopkins, who held that Christ's Second Coming directly followed the expansion of civil and religious American values on earth ("civil millennialism") and hailed Judgment Day and Satan's return.

Salvation And Polity
Puritan culture emphasized the need for self-examination and the strict accounting for one's feelings as well as one's deeds. This was the center of evangelical experience, which women in turn placed at the heart of their work to sustain family life. The words of the Bible, as they interpreted them, were the origin of many Puritan cultural ideals, especially regarding the roles of men and women in the community.

Work Ethic - And Grace
To Puritans, the Bible stipulates that grace is received for altruism, an ascetic work ethic, and disregard for class differences.

Reading through this list of Puritan characteristics, I can see some obvious, interesting similarities with Baptists of all stripes.

Ephesians 5
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

SOURCE: wikipedia.com and enotes.com-puritanism

What It Means To Be A Baptist 4 - View From Outside

Even when I was very young, the meaning of being a Baptist was important to me. As fate would have it, it was an important issue for my family. The next few posts contain some basic information on Baptists and some personal thoughts. These are my notes and thoughts; some things I do not want to forget.

Hebrews 4
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

For amusement or perspective or edification, here are some descriptive comments describing Baptists, from some writers who write about denominations:

Handbook of Denominations, p. 49, Mead: A third-generation Reformation development that appeared in England about 1610, this devout group wanted to take Protestantism "to its logical conclusion." Convinced that Puritanism needed still further reform, Baptists began to teach that only self-professed believers were eligible for membership in the church and thus that the church is properly made up of only regenerated people. Intensely biblical, Baptists have been evangelistic, helping found the modern missionary movement, and have held high standards for membership, often requiring notable conversion experience and usually emphasizing purity in personal life and habits.

Great Churches of America, Kenneth J. Holland: Among the Baptist's many refreshing qualities is their love for the Bible, to them the only authoritative, inspired source of religious truth and knowledge. To that source they look in all matters relating to doctrine, to policy, to ordinances, to worship, and to Christian living. They hold that the Bible is for all, and that the right of private and individual interpretation is an inalienable right. They have no doctrinal formulas to supplement the Bible. In keeping with their "Bible only" stand, they reject the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and all others. For them the Bible is final. They seek its real message by careful, wise, sympathetic, and patient toil under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Baptists adhere to the Biblical method of baptism--immersion. Men, they claim, have no authority to change the manner in which this ordinance was celebrated. To do so is to disobey the Lord and to forsake the truths which are symbolized. [Baptists are reluctant to] accept into full fellowship those who have not been immersed grows out of the fact that the very genius of their people is found in their emphasis upon the regenerate church membership. Baptism, they feel, should be only for those who are able and willing to make a personal confession of faith; this infants are excluded.

George Bancroft, American Historian: Freedom of conscience, unlimited freedom of mind, was from the first the trophy of the Baptists.

John Lock: The Baptists were the first propounders of absolute liberty, just and true liberty, equal and impartial liberty.

Those are some pretty interesting insights, from men who are evidently not Baptists. It is possible that you can come to know yourself better if you know what others think of you. It is also possible that you may be better able to contend for the faith if you know what others think of you.

Jude
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

What It Means To Be A Baptist 3 - Some Puritan History

Even when I was very young, the meaning of being a Baptist was important to me. As fate would have it, it was a important issue for my family. The next few posts contain some basic information on Baptists and some personal thoughts. These are my notes and thoughts; some things I do not want to forget. 

That being said, this post may only be of interest to those of us who have Virginia Baptist roots. 

Isaiah 55
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

It seems to me to be of little doubt that Baptist history and Baptist tradition include strong strains of Puritanism and Calvinism.  I've written quite a bit about Baptists and Calvinism - too much maybe - but not about Puritans.  Following is some information on early Baptists in Virginia and in America.

From A General History Of The Baptist Denomination In America, By David Benedict, 1913: Virginia is famous for being the oldest State in the Union, for always containing the largest number of inhabitants, for producing many distinguished statesmen; and it [has also] been distinguished for containing within its bounds a larger number of the Baptist denomination, than any of the other States [as of 1813]. We cannot, however, learn that any of the original settlers of Virginia were Baptists, nor do we find any of this denomination in the country, until more than a century after its settlement.

From Baptist History From Fred G. Zaspel:  Baptists in America, although having certain theological similarities to Continental Anabaptism, have no historical connection with them. Their descent from Colonial Puritanism is obvious and also explains the dominance of Calvinistic theology.

About David Benedict, 1779-1874, A Great Baptist Historian and Preacher:  David was born in Norwalk, Connecticut in1779. He was converted to Christ at the age of 20. His relationship with Christ spurred an interest in learning and especially Baptist History. During his ministry he began to compile extensive material relating to the history of Baptists through the centuries. After he retired from his pastorate he spent the rest of his life writing and publishing the material he had compiled. It is especially interesting that the 95 years of Benedict's life has been so little spoken of, while he wrote so much about the lives of other Baptists. But is that not the mark of godliness? His was a life of humility and exalting the work of the Saviour in others' lives.

About Fred G. Zaspel: Pastor Zaspel was for many years pastor of Word of Life Baptist Church here in Pottsville and adjunct professor of New Testament at Penn State University (Schuylkill Campus).He has studied at Bob Jones University (Greenville, SC), Denver Baptist Theological Seminary (Denver, CO), Valley Baptist Theological Seminary (Minneapolis, MN), Biblical Theological Seminary (Hatfield, PA), and the Pennsylvania State University. He holds a B.A. in Bible, with a minor in Greek (1980); an M.A. in Pastoral Studies (1981), an M.A. (with honors) in New Testament (1993), a Th.M. (with highest honors) in New Testament (1994), and a Ph.D. in Theology (2010).

I find the connection between Puritans and Baptists intriguing. I think, if I had a mind for it, I'd like to write a book about Baptists and their Puritan roots, maybe just to occupy some spare time.

What Is A Baptist 2 - Walter B. Shurden

Even when I was very young, the meaning of being a Baptist was important to me. As fate would have it, it was an important issue for my family. The next few posts contain some basic information on Baptists and some personal thoughts. These are my notes and thoughts; some things I do not want to forget.

Galatians 5
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Baptist historian Walter B. Shurden's articulation of Baptist characteristics is often mentioned on the internet. His description of Baptist beliefs on liberty are interesting, especially in comparison to the Baptist acronym cited in the previous post.  Most Baptists, I assume, agree with these "Four Freedoms:"

• Soul freedom: the soul is competent before God, and capable of making decisions in matters of faith without coercion or compulsion by any larger religious or civil body
• Church freedom: freedom of the local church from outside interference, whether government or civilian (subject only to the law where it does not interfere with the religious teachings and practices of the church)
• Bible freedom: the individual is free to interpret the Bible for himself or herself, using the best tools of scholarship and biblical study available to the individual
• Religious freedom: the individual is free to choose whether to practice their religion, another religion, or no religion; Separation of church and state is often called the "civil corollary" of religious freedom.

I've noticed over the years each Baptist church seems unified to share values, basic and fundamental doctrines, political beliefs, with little deviation from the norm. I guess, however, this is true for most Christian churches. Oh, and this is no doubt, truly, a good thing.

More From Galatians 5
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

What Is A Baptist 1 - An Acronym

Even when I was very young, the meaning of being a Baptist was important to me.  As fate would have it, it was an important issue for my family.  The next few posts contain some basic information about Baptists and some personal thoughts.  These are my notes and thoughts; some things I do not want to forget.

1 John 4
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Like other Christians Baptists fear God, they love God, Jesus Christ is the center of their lives and their spiritual communities.  Unlike many other Christians, Baptists ave a need for personal, conscious decision to accept the grace of God: to be born again, to become a new man, to put one's vile past behind him. Also unlike many other Christians, Baptists have an extra-ordinary interest in the Bible.  Baptists have a desperate need to symbolize this relationship in front of God and man through Baptism. 

There are other characteristics, distincitives, of being a Baptist, which can be seen in this acronym.  It was never clear if some of these distincitives are more important than others. 

Acronym Baptist Baptist Distinctives

• Biblical Authority
• Autonomy of the Local Church
• Priesthood of the Believer
• Two Ordinances
• Individual Religious Liberty
• Saved, Baptized Church Membership
• Two Offices (Pastor and Deacon)
• Separation of Church and State

Over the years, I have come to believe that these distinctives are God's truth revealed in the Bible. 

Note On Partaking Of The Divine Nature

2 Peter 1
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Some questions
What does Peter mean by "partakers of the divine nature?" Can a saved new man in Christ partake of God's divine nature?  Can he partake of it now, here on earth, with some effort? Can he partake of it before Christ's return or before his bodily death?

The short answer to all of these questions is this: I doubt it.  Note that Peter does insert the word "might."

In those awesome moments, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, so wonderful, so intense, even at those moments we can only get a glimpse of an awesome God. And that is our reward for humility....

Hymn By Charles Wesley

Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit
into every troubled breast!
Let us all in thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.

Calm Ocean And A Roaring Hurricane 3

There are centuries of battles among Baptists, for example between Calvinist Baptists and those Baptists with an Arminian view of Christian life and for another example between between Calvinist Baptists and Dispensationalists. These were, and are, nasty battles about God's sovereignty and man's election.

Here is an example of comments criticising Dispensationalism:

From A. W. Pink, Beloved By Many Baptists: Dispensationalists [are] those who impose their crudities and vagaries, and make their poor dupes believe a wonderful discovery had been made in the 'rightly dividing of the word of truth.

Here is an example of comments criticising Calvinism:

From David Cloud:  I am convinced that John Calvin has caused great and unnecessary divisions among God's people because of dogmatizing his philosophizing about God's sovereignty and election.

Dispensationalism, Arminianism, and Calvinism are frameworks of Bible doctrine. And so, we have the grand battles of the frameworks. And I find this just so sad. Bible-believing Christians, men for whom Christ is the center of their lives, fighting about their deepest, most profound beliefs. Fighting about God, and His will, His ways and His works. It is just a sad sad situation....

I have no particular insights about how one might reconcile these conflicts, each supported by many learned, honest, prayerful Christian men, true believers. I did, however, come across two Bible passages that I find comforting when considering such conflicting Bible doctrine.

2 Corinthians 4
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

God's will, His way and His works are eternal and may not be absolutely understandable to us. It may be best to maintain some humility as we study and comment on these issues.

John 17
9 .... I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

And finally, as we meditate on our salvation, it is comforting to know that Jesus is praying for us....

Calm Ocean And A Roaring Hurricane 2

As fate would have it, the fate of my birth and up-bringing, I have a more than passing interest in both Covenant Theology and Dispensational Theology. This is my view of Dispensational Theology.

Revelations 19
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

Dispensational Theology is, of course, a theological framework based on dispensations or successive historical periods. And God administers each of these periods under different covenants. It is also based on special relationships between God and Hebrews and between God and Christians. And it is based on the Pre-millennial return of Jesus Christ.

My personal view is this: Dispensational Theology is a hurricane, roaring up the coast. This hurricane is filled with an incredible sense of movement, as it moves through the dispensations, through the ages, from Adam, to Noah, to Abraham, to Jacob, to Moses, from God's Hebrew past to the Church, toward the rapture, the millennial kingdom, and our final judgement.  And only then, the hurricane finally comes to rest in heaven, our final peace with God. And everyone is part of this unfolding Bible truth, Christians, Jews, saints and the vilest of sinners.

Calm Ocean And A Roaring Hurricane 1

As fate would have it, the fate of my birth and up-bringing, I have a more than passing interest in both Covenant Theology and Dispensational Theology. This is my view of Covenant Theology.

Romans 8
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Covenant Theology, of course, is a theological framework based on the covenants of redemption, works and grace. It is also based on the Analogy Of Faith. And it includes the doctrines of Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace and Perseverance of the Saints.

My personal view is this:  Covenant Theology is a peaceful ocean on a warm, late summer day. All the pieces of the universe fit. The world is timeless, ruled by God's sovereign grace. Everything is connected, reconciled to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We see the timeless powerful Jesus Christ in each passage of the Old Testament, echoing throughout the New Testament. All is well. Jesus, in all his majesty, reigns.

Hermeneutics: Advanced Interpretation

Romans 11
33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Biblical hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation concerning the books of the Bible. Here is the complete discussion of this subject, including the book "Biblical Hermeneutics," by Milton Terry:

http://www.preteristarchive.com/Books/1883_terry_biblical-hermeneutics.html.

I bought Terry's book a couple of years ago.  It is evidently a 19th Century and classic.  It contains lots of advanced, complicated, no doubt learned, no doubt sensible theology. To my surprise, I could understand it, and I kind of enjoyed it. And while I found it full of theology, it was seemingly devoid of the gospel message, devoid of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. In the end, I not find it to be particularly edifying.

Maybe this is the first rule of hermeneutics: sound, learned, sensible theological interpretation may not be edifying, or, particularly useful....

Hermaneutics: Let's Think About This

Martin Luther Wrote
When I was a monk, I allegorized everything; but now I have given up all allegorizing, and my first and best art is to explain the Scriptures according to the simple sense; for it is in the literal sense that power, doctrine, and art reside.

My sense is, if you conscienciously and regularly study your Bible, your most profound beliefs, about God, about Jesus, about your very salvation, will change.

More From Psalm 33
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth

Hermaneutics: Bible Prophesy

Daniel 9
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

I was thinking about Daniel's phophecies the other day and came upon an article by Sylvester Hassell, a Baptist minister, historian, and teacher. It had some good insights on the principles we can use to understand Bible prophecy. The following quotes were provided.

Martin Luther
When I was a monk, I allegorized everything; but now I have given up all allegorizing, and my first and best art is to explain the Scriptures according to the simple sense; for it is in the literal sense that power, doctrine, and art reside.

John Calvin
The true meaning of Scripture is the natural and obvious meaning, by which we ought resolutely to abide; the licentious system of the allegorists is undoubtedly a contrivance of Satan to undermine the authority of Scripture, and to take away from the reading of it the true advantage.

C. H. Spurgeon
The Bible is not a compilation of cleaver allegories or instructive poetical traditions; it teaches literal facts, and reveals tremendous realities. It will be an ill day for the church if the pulpit should ever appear to indorse the skeptical hypothesis that Holy Scripture is but the record of a refined mythology, in which globules of truth are dissolved in seas of poetic and imaginary detail.

For as long as I have mind enough to study the Bible, I suspect these quotes will be my basic, guiding principles. Good food for daily life.

Dinah - Revenge

Genesis 34
24 And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.
25 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.

In Genesis 34 we have the defilement of Jacob's daughter Dinah by Shechem, son of Hamor the Hivite, who longed for her. In order to make amends with Jacob for the ravishing of Dinah, the Hivites agree to be circumcised. Then, in the passage above we have Jacob's final revenge, not only against Shechem, but against all the Hivites.

I tried to find a passage a passage complementary or analogous to this one, so full of exquisite revenge and bloodshed, in the New Testament. Following is the closest I could find, and it only uses the armaments of warfare as a metaphor.

Ephesians 6
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Maybe the New Testament call for humility, meekness and peace is a mandate too tough to meet.

Luke 9
54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of...

Maybe meekness should be called the Impossible Commandment.

Notes And Thoughts On The Analogy Of Faith 4

Here are some final notes and thoughts on the Analogy of Faith and its connection to the Baptist faith.

Romans 12
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

And so, we find that the Analogy Of Faith is one of the key doctrines of the Calvinist theology. And we also find that such Calvinist doctrines were important to our Baptist forefathers. And we find examples of Calvinist doctrines firmly embedded in such Baptist documents as the 1689 London Baptist Confession Of Faith.

Following is a comment from Charles Spurgeon on the 1689 London Baptist Confession Of Faith. It shows the importance of the document and the importance of Calvinist thinking, at least in the 19th Century. It is a wonderful, general comment on this Calvinist, Baptist heritage, and a good conclusion for these posts on the Analogy of Faith.

Spurgeon Comments On The 1689 Baptist Confession Of Faith
This ancient document is the most excellent epitome of the things most surely believed among us. It is not issued as an authoritative rule or code of faith, whereby you may be fettered, but as a means of edification in righteousness. It is an excellent, though not inspired, expression of the teaching of those Holy Scriptures by which all confessions are to be measured. We hold to the humbling truths of God's sovereign grace in the salvation of lost sinners. Salvation is through Christ alone and by faith alone.

Notes And Thoughts On The Analogy Of Faith 3

And here are some additional notes and thoughts on the Analogy of Faith and how it relates to the Baptist historical tradition.

The Analogy of Faith is a doctrine that was particularly important to the early English Baptists, as it was and is to all Calvinist Christians. And, over the past four hundred years, Baptists have shared a number of uniquely Calvinist doctrines with their Reformed Christian brothers.

For an example, we can see the Analogy of Faith reflected in this Seventeenth Century document.

London Baptist Confession Of Faith, 1689 Chapter 1 Paragraph 9.
The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which are not many, but one), it must be searched by other places that speak more clearly.

And here is the Bible passage that is cited as a reference for this paragraph 9.

2 Peter 1
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

And so, a question. What is a Baptist to do with a deep, rich theological history, some of which might make a modern-day Baptist uncomfortable, some of which might be disagreeable to a modern-day Baptist?

I have no answer. But, on the other hand, it seems that such theological history should not be dismissed out of hand.

Notes and Thoughts On The Analogy Of Faith 2

Here are some additional notes and thoughts on the Analogy of Faith.

John 5
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

In John 5, Jesus first heals a certain man who had an infirmity thirty and eight years at the sheep pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem.  Jesus then speaks to the Jews. And verse 39 of this chapter is part of the basis for the Analogy Of Faith. Here is John Calvin's comment:

From Calvin's Commentaries on John 5
We ought to believe that Christ cannot be properly known in any other way than from the Scriptures; and if it be so, it follows that we ought to read the Scriptures with the express design of finding Christ in them.

Stated in another way, we can find Jesus' explicit presence in the Bible, in both the New Testament and the Old Testament. Moreover, each passage of the Old Testament, contains divine Gospel truth, messages to church-age Christians about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

I think we can also add this. Divine Gospel truth is God's one, timeless message to all of mankind, to Noah, to Abraham, to Moses, to the Apostles and to all poor Church-age Christians.

Notes And Thoughts On The Analogy Of Faith 1

Lately, I've been thinking about being a Baptist and about Baptist history. And in this vein, the next few posts are about the Analogy Of Faith, a key Calvinist doctrine. It is also a historically important Baptist doctrine. Following posts include some notes and thoughts:

Romans 12
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

The above, oddly abstract, passage is, in part, the basis of and also the symbol of Calvinist theology. What might this passage mean?

o  Prophecy is used in its broad New Testament sense, meaning teaching and preaching.
o  The Greek text suggests that the word proportion is closely related to the word analogy, hence, Analogy of Faith.
o  The word faith could mean the prophet's faith. It probably has, however, a bigger meaning, suggesting the scheme of divine, Gospel truth.
o  Divine Gospel truth means "Scripture interprets Scripture," or "Scripture interprets itself." When you consider one passage in the Bible, you should also consider other related passages to understand God's meaning.  And the meaning is always "clearly propounded and opened."

And, here is a restatement of this passage: With the gift of grace, all of the teaching and preaching of the New Testament Prophet is analogous to (and reconciles with) the readily known and clearly propounded scheme of divine Gospel truth.

God And His Son

Colossians 1
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

When I read Paul's writing about Jesus, the cares, the problems, the issues of the day, the politics, seem to fade away, fade away into the mists of God's glory. It is easy to forget that God is the center of our lives and that good news comes from the Bible and not from Fox and Friends.

More From Colossians 1
13 ...his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

In this day and age, you have really got to work at keeping God at the center of your daily life.

Good Friday

Ephesians 1
5 ....having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will....

All I was looking for this morning, this Good Friday morning, getting ready for what I anticipated to be an awful day....all I was looking for was a little Bible comfort.

And I found it in the above passage.

Prayer
Dear Lord, give me the strength to endure my trials and tribulations, such as they are, insignificant though they may be, with the name of Jesus always on my lips....

Foremothers? And A Woman Having An Alabaster Box

Mark 14
3 And being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on His head.

This is the story of a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious. The passage suggests she could have sold this ointment and given the money to the poor. But she did not. She used this valuable ointment for the anointing of Jesus. And finally, Jesus blesses her with these words:

More From Mark 14
6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

There is another woman who is well remembered throughout the whole world, by her hymns if not by her name.

Hymn By Fannie Crosby
Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary's mountain.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

The Law And Faith

Galatians 5
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2  Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

In order to understand a Christian's salvation by faith, it helps to consider the Law of the Hebrews as it is, extensively, discussed in the New Testament.

More From Galatians 5
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

New Testament teachings on the Law provide us with perspective that helps us know God's truth. The Law is the world of human effort and works, no small amount of sin and little edification. God's truth is the world of faith, the spiritual world of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

Galations 5
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

So, where does our understanding of sin come from?

The Lives Of The Wretched

Psalms 19
12 ....cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

If you are a Christian, at some point in time, you will need to spend some time considering the wretched, sinful human condition.  Here is some food for thought:
 
Romans 7
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Strong's Reference For Wretched
1) enduring toils and troubles
2) afflicted, wretched

Augustine's Confessions, Book VI, Chap. XVI
Unto Thee be praise, unto Thee be glory, O Fountain of mercies! I became more wretched, and Thou nearer. Thy right hand was ever ready to pluck me out of the mire, and to cleanse me, but I was ignorant of it.

I wonder if, maybe, our understanding of our sinful nature is different now than it was in the time of David, in 39 A.D. or in 405 A.D.?

From Spurgeon's A Treasury Of David
God has made men to be so wretched in their consciences that they have been obliged to stand forth and confess the truth. Secret sinner! If thou wantest the foretaste of damnation upon earth, continue in thy secret sins; for no man is more miserable than he who sinneth secretly, and yet trieth to preserve a character.

There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood

Ephesians 2
13 but now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometime were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace....

How do we know that a man, one of our forefathers, was indeed filled with the Holy Spirit and is worthy of our consideration? How do we know that we might rely on such a man for spiritual edification?

Hymn By William Cowper
There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

Those are not necessarily difficult questions....

Bible Prophesy

Luke 21
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

I never tire of the story of the Second Coming Jesus. I like to read about, study it, think about it. I like to hear it preached. I like the passages in Revelations, Daniel, the Gospels. And I appreciate the help I received in understanding this subject from Scofield, Larkin, Ryrie and Chafer, and some thoughtful pastors.

But I think it may be best not to spend too much time trying to find deep truths related to the Second Coming. Because, in the end, it is a profoundly simple, easy-to-understand, Bible truth.

Hymn By William H. Parker
Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
Things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here;
Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

God's Word To Israel

Isaiah 61
1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn....

And here at the end of the book of Isaiah, we find the words of God to Israel.

Isaiah 61
5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

This is rich food for thought for Christians and Jews during these days of uncertainty for the State of Israel.

Isaiah 60
11 Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.
12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.

It is a commonly held belief that God, in these passages, is addressing the Hebrews and those Gentiles called to salvation by Jesus Christ.

Judged By No Man

1 Corinthians 2
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

The natural man, the carnal man, the spiritual man, the body, the soul, the spirit, the flesh, Satan, the world, principalities and powers. I have much to think about today.

Ephesians 6
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Yes, I have much to think about today. And it should be a very good day....

The Ultimate Race

Philippians 3
12 ....I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Not apprended means that Paul has not laid hold of perfect knowledge of the sinner's relationship with Jesus, has not laid hold of a perfected relationship with Jesus. Perfect knowledge would be when you lay hold of Jesus and He lays hold of you. (See The KJV Bible With Strong's References).

The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a race, maybe the olympics, and the mark is the spiritual finish line.
Here is a wonderful insight into this passage, from a sermon by Thomas Playfere, 1561-1609, an English churchman and theologian, with a Puritan's heart:

From "The Pathway to Perfection"
He that remembers his virtues hath no virtues to remember, seeing he wants humility, which is the mother virtue of all virtues. For this is the difference between the godly and the wicked: both remember virtues, but the godly remember other men's virtues, the wicked remember their own.

I wonder. Is the life of a Christian a quiet walk with Jesus? Or an olympic marathon with salvation and God's spiritual reward as the prize?

The answer, without a doubt is....

God And Satan

Job 2
6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

This passage is about those terrible events of your life, when you are tested by Satan acting under God's authority. These fateful events are sometimes referred to as bad things that happen to good people. During these events, the trials and tribulations of your life, Satan tests your faith in God.

But don't forget, Satan tests us in other ways.

Romans 7
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Favorite Bible Passages

Romans 8
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

One of our pastors said that the above passage was one of his favorites. And indeed, this passage seems to somehow match his personality.  Most, if not all, of us, Christians, have a favorite Bible passage, that passage that guides us through the day. A favorite passage defines our beliefs and defines who we profoundly are.

As fate would have it, my favorite Bible passage, with a very different view, is also in Romans 8:

More From Romans 8
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

The Rainbow In The Church

Revelation 4
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.
2 And immediately I was in the Spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

I am tempted to document some of the misery that I, my family, my friends, and some acquaintances have experienced in church. But, what would be the purpose of such a futile exercise? No purpose.

On the other hand, on a good day in church, when the Spirit is in the hymns, in the preaching, among the brothers and sisters....then, we can truly understand God's word, we can see the rainbow that is our covenant with God, we can glimpse heaven and we can finally, truly know our blessed, eternal salvation.

Ezekiel 1
28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

What Is The Work Of Creation

Hebrews 11
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

For our Baptist forefathers, this passage explained God's creation, how God's word framed, created, the world.

I have led a wonderful life. And now, I am satisfied, I am filled with the Spirit. But I am getting old, I am tired. And, I do not want to hear man's version of God's creation. At this point in my life, I am not interested. I do not want to hear about secular science. I do not want to hear about the big bang. I do not even want to hear about creation science, I do not want to hear about junk science...

I just want to hear the words of God.

Keaches Catechism
Q. 13. What is the work of creation?
A. The work of creation is God's making all things of nothing, by the Word of His power, in the space of six days, and all very good. (Gen. 1:1; Heb. 11:3; Ex. 20:11; Gen. 1:31)

Theosis And Entire Sanctification

2 Peter 1
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust..

This passage is weighted down with the the theology of other denominations and other times. lnformation on theosis and entire sanctification is readily available by a Google search.

What is a Baptist, of Dispensational or of Reformed persuation, to do with this verse? Do Baptists partake of God's divine nature the way Christians of other denominations do? And here is another question:  Just exactly what does God expect us to do with excess spiritual baggage from years ago?

I like thoughtful, prayerful, honest, unanswered questions. Among such questions I can sense the presence of God....

A Man With Un Unclean Spirit

Mark 5
18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

This is the end of the passage about the man with the unclean spirit. It provides Jesus' guidance to the poor man after he was saved from his misery.

God has been so good to me. Maybe I need to go home to my friends, and tell them the great things the Lord has done for me.

Strong's Definition Of Publish
1) to be a herald, to officiate as a herald
a) to proclaim after the manner of a herald
b) always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an
authority which must be listened to and obeyed
2) to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done
3) used of the public proclamation of the gospel and matters
pertaining to it, made by John the Baptist, by Jesus, by the
apostles and other Christian teachers.

Servants Under The Yoke

1 Timothy 6
1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.These things teach and exhort.

I am just not sure how God wants us to apply this passage from 1 Timothy? Here is a related passage from Titus:

Titus 2
9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.answering again;

The Word Of God From The Book Of James

James 5
4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Here James berates rich men who cheat their laborers.

More From James 5
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

And here, James counsels patience to the brethren in general especially with Jesus' return in view. The two verses seem disjointed, one directed to the rich, and then one directed toward the brethren, not the rich.

I guess, if you want to dedicate your life to Christ and also want to focus your efforts on social justice, the book of James might be a good place to begin your journey. If this is what you might want to do.

Finally From James 5
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

This particular verse is just absolutely wonderful.

So, What's To Become Of The Hebrews?

Romans 11
15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

I do not want to forget this passage. It is one of the keys to understanding the whole Bible, i.e., God's plan for all of us, Christians and Jews.

In the end, or at the end, the Hebrews will have life.

The Whole Passage From Romans 11
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14 if by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Justified - Paul And James

Romans 5
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Here we have one of Paul's great truths.

James 2
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

And from James we have....?

I have come to enjoy contemplating contrasting passages. I do believe that God is pleased with such a prayerful pursuit. And I don't see the need to tie up all the loose ends. Then again, I'm not a theologian.

From Martin Luther's Introduction To James
[This book] cannot be defended against [its] applying to works the sayings of Moses in Genesis 15, which speaks only of Abraham's faith, and not of his works, as St. Paul shows in Romans 4 ...Therefore I cannot put him among the chief books.

I don't want to forget this comment from Martin Luther....

All Was Vanity - And Vexation Of Spirit

Ecclesiastes 2
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

It is a strange feeling, to be in your 60's, to look back, to think, "Huh. I guess things worked out better than I ever thought they would." And then, to sit back one night and read Ecclesiastes.

Webster 1828 Dictionary
VAN'ITY, n. [L. vanitas, from vanus, vain.]
1. Emptiness; want of substance to satisfy desire; uncertainty; inanity.
2. Fruitless desire or endeavor.
3. Trifling labor that produces no good.
4. Emptiness; untruth
5. Empty pleasure; vain pursuit; idle show; unsubstantial enjoyment.
6. Ostentation; arrogance.
7. Inflation of mind upon slight grounds; empty pride, inspired by an overweening conceit of one's personal attainments or decorations.

It is not absolutely clear to me how the New Testament gospel of salvation should be reconciled to the book of Ecclesiastes.

Webster 1828 Dictionary
VEX, v.t. [L. vexo.]
1. To irritate; to make angry by little provocations; a popular use of the word.
2. To plague; to torment; to harass; to afflict.
3. To disturb; to disquiet; to agitate.
White curl the waves, and the vex'd ocean roars.
4. To trouble; to distress.
5. To persecute. Act. 12.

My thoughts? In the end, live a humble, frugal, prayerful life. And remember, all you really have is the peace that comes from God's grace.

Isaiah 55:7 Paraphrased By Thomas Playfere
Tell the wicked forsake his ways and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto Lord and he will have many years in heaven.

Billy Graham

Hosea 6
6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Billy Graham, the evangelist known as "America's pastor," says that looking back on his long life and public ministry, one thing he would do differently is to avoid the political entanglements that have been one of the rare blots on his otherwise hallowed legacy.

"I . . . would have steered clear of politics," Graham, at age 92, and in need of round-the-clock care, said via e-mail in response to questions from Christianity Today, the evangelical monthly he founded in the 1950s.

Graham also said that if he could go back and do anything differently he would "spend more time at home with my family, and I'd study more and preach less."

Zerubbabel

Zecharia 4
8 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.

Zerubbabel is a Messiah-like king (or govenor) in Haggai and Zecharia. And, it is not easy to fit this great king into the New Testament message. It's not easy for me anyway.

I did have a thought though. If it wasn't for Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah and Joshua, the high priest, if it wasn't for these men who built a strong foundation for the Jewish religion, then, the story of Christ would make little sense. The book of Romans would make little sense. There would be no Masoretic texts.

Faith Before The Flood

Hebrews 11
4 By faith Abel....
5 By faith Enoch....
7 By faith Noah...
8 By faith Abraham...

The chapter provides a lesson in faith, faith of those who lived and believed before the coming of Christ.

More From Hebrews 11
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Strangers and pilgrims on the earth: what a wonderful verse.   This is one of those passages that hardwire Old Testament teachings to New Testament teachings. 

And Finally From Hebrews 11
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

And they did, finally, receive their salvation, with us, with the coming of the Messiah and the sacrifice of Jesus, on the cross. And, in the end, this passage provides the timeless meaning of faith and a deeper meaning of faith.

Dispensational Truth

2 Timothy 2
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This passage is the basis of and also may be a symbol of Dispensationalism. That being said....

I don't know how it happened. I'm sure it was God's will. But, over a period of years, maybe ten, I came to have a Dispensational view of the Bible. I came to read most passages of the Bible literally.  I came to see God's plan, His grace and His promise, provided separately to the Hebrews and to the gentiles. And, I am waiting, patiently and prayerfully, for Jesus' return. From the day I read Scofield's short book, "Rightly Dividing The Word of truth," I had no doubt that I had found my answers for a fruitful, fulfilling Christian life.

And finally, for most of my life, I have considered myself a Baptist. Many Baptists hold Dispensational views. Then again, many do not.

Paul And Indwelling Sin 2

Romans 7
7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

I think maybe I will go to my grave without truly understanding what Paul means when he talks about the law. I kind of understand sin and the Law, but God's profound and ultimate truth seems only dimly viewed in spiritual mist and Biblical shadows....

More From Romans 7
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.