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