CATEGORY: THEOLOGY POSTED ONFEBRUARY 10, 2015 Doesn’t God’s relationship with particular people change as a result of Christ’s work on the cross?

THE CONFESSING BAPTIST Reformed Resources from a 1689 Perspective About Contact Guidelines | T&C | FAQ Podcast Interview Headlines Book Review Categories News Theology Culture Audio Video Events Bapti-Bot Roundup CATEGORY: THEOLOGY POSTED ONFEBRUARY 10, 2015 Doesn’t God’s relationship with particular people change as a result of Christ’s work on the cross? D. Scott Meadows answers [Herald of Grace Mag] I’m fine-tuning [re-programming] the Bapti-Bots now because somehow they missed reporting a site to us. The site is called “Herald of Grace” which is “An online Christian magazine, heralding God’s saving truth (2 Tim. 4:2)”. Contributors include Pastor David Chanski, Dr. Alan J. Dunn, Albert N. Martin, Pastor D. Scott Meadows, Pastor John Reuther, Pastor Noble Vater + more. Below is a snippet of the first featured article from their site (mag): Pastor D. Scott Meadows Pastor D. Scott Meadows D. Scott Meadows: God loves His chosen people eternally—not just everlastingly, if by everlastingly we mean from a certain point in time and enduringly through a succession of moments without end. Rather, His sovereign love upon particular individuals whom He purposes to create and to save has no beginning and no end. “God is love” (1 John 4.8, 16). His love is not something added to Him, not even a long, long time ago. It is timeless and eternal. It “was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” before “the beginning” (Gen 1.1), that is, before time, if we may so speak. It is this love that accounts for the Christian’s holy call in his or her life experience to return to God. That call to salvation is “not according to our works,” which are all sinful and unworthy, “but according to His own purpose and grace,” the outworking of His eternal decree, and the exercise of His sovereign prerogative to be merciful and gracious to whomever He will, and to harden or blind the rest (Exod 33.19; Rom 9.15-16, 18; 11.7-8). Objections to this biblical doctrine abound. Many may be dismissed easily, but some are more difficult. A thoughtful question is, “Doesn’t God’s relationship with particular people change as a result of Christ’s work on the cross?” or possibly, “when they believe the gospel?”… Loved Before Time Meadows Read “Loved Before Time”. – Any other sites you think the Bapti-Bots have missed? Let us know. POSTED ONFEBRUARY 9, 2015 What Does The Bible Teach About Women Deacons? Earl Blackburn Answers Earl Blackburn Earl Blackburn Pastor Earl Blackburn: Due to the pressure of the feminist movement and evangelical egalitarianism, some evangelical and Reformed churches have ordained women into the office of deacon. Usually 1 Timothy 3:11 is used as a biblical basis to substantiate the position of women deacons. Paul’s commendation of Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2) is further used to support this belief and action. Occasionally, certain segments of church history are referenced to buttress the claim. I believe this position is an unbiblical one and should be avoided in all biblical and confessional churches for the following reasons… Read “What Does The Bible Teach About Women Deacons?” POSTED ONFEBRUARY 9, 2015 Expositional Preaching: What is it? Ryan Burton King Answers [4-Part Blog Series] preachPastor Ryan Burton King posted his four part series on Expositional Preaching that was printed in the worship bulletin of Grace Baptist Church (Wood Green): Preaching is vital to the church’s life and care should be taken with reference to context, time allotted, and biblical exegesis as to what should be preached and how. In any case, an expositional sermon draws its substance from God’s word, deals with the matters raised in a particular Scriptural text, and should consistently point to the message of the Saviour that undergirds all Scriptural texts… Expositional preaching reads, explains, and applies the Scriptures in a way that is unrivalled by other styles of preaching. It requires attention as the preacher prepares then delivers the message drawn from the text, and as the people listen. It commands devotion, as people are driven to search the Scriptures more deeply and, if the messages are working consecutively through a book, drawn to meet again so as not miss the next segment. It demands a response, challenging head-thoughts, heart-feelings, and life-styles with the call to lay other things aside and seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness in Christ. That is why we preach expositionally. Here is the series: Expositional preaching Part One: What is it? Expositional preaching Part Two: What it is not Expositional preaching Part Three: Why Preach Expositionally? Expositional Preaching Part Four: the Expositional Preacher POSTED ONFEBRUARY 6, 2015 The importance of “God without Passions, A Reader” for ARBCA & the broader confessional world [Tom Chantry] Tom Chantry: While many are debating classical theism today, it is among the Reformed Baptists of North America that it has first become a defining ecclesiastical controversy. arbca gaAs the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America is currently preparing for its General Assembly in April, its Theology Committee is scheduled to present and defend a position paper on the doctrine of divine impassibility. positionpapeARBCAr2Position papers in ARBCA are clarifications of the teaching of the Second London Confession, and as such are binding membership documents for its churches. Put another way, the Particular Baptists may have been the last Reformed group in England to adopt Cranmer’s words as part of their confessional standard, but their theological heirs are slated to be the first to determine whether those words are still worthy as a defining statement of ecclesiastical identity. Sam Renihan Sam Renihan It is not surprising, then, that an ARBCA pastor has produced a most helpful volume of historical theology on this matter. Pastor Samuel Renihan of Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in La Mirada, California has edited God without Passions: a Reader. What Renihan has done is bring together a great deal of theological writing – not only on the doctrine of impassibility, but more broadly on the nature of God. His anthology begins at the Reformation and proceeds through the 17th century, examining the writings of various Reformed theologians and also of the Particular Baptists… No pastor or elder who is going to participate in the weighty decisions at General Assembly ought to do so without familiarizing himself with the context and thought of our Confession. Now that this anthology is available, the failure to do so would be inexcusable. I believe, though, that the subject matter is of great importance beyond this one denominational concern. The multiple recommendations from Reformed and Presbyterian scholars suggest that I am not alone… Read “Review of Samuel Renihan, God Without Passions”. POSTED ONFEBRUARY 3, 2015 Tom Ascol’s “Church Splits” column from Tabletalk Magazine, Feb. 2015 Tabletalk Labor and RestLigonier Ministries posted Tom Ascol’s column “Church Splits” from Tabletalk Magazine, February 2015: When an atom is split, its overall mass is reduced and a tremendous amount of energy is released. The results, graphically demonstrated by the two atomic bombs that ended World War II, can be massively destructive, with effects that linger for generations. The reactions that result from atom splits have their counterparts in the spiritual realm with church splits. When a congregation experiences division, the consequences are often devastating, widespread, and long lasting. Tom Ascol Tom Ascol The sinful severing of relationships always breeds betrayal and disillusionment. In a church, where members relate to each other as interdependent components of one body (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:12-30; Eph. 4:25), the pain caused by schism can also give rise to mistrust and cynicism, two emotional weeds that, if not uprooted, will prevent the kind of love and vulnerability that are essential to genuine gospel fellowship… When a church splits, many people are inevitably hurt by sinful attitudes and actions. On such occasions, we must remember that our Master knows what this is like and has shown us how to respond (1 Peter 2:19-25). As those who have been forgiven, we must forgive. As those who may have participated in sin, we must repent, remembering that this is precisely why Jesus died. Read “Church Splits”. – Dr. Tom Ascol is pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Fla., and is executive director of Founders Ministries and editor of the Founders Journal. You can follow him on Twitter @TomAscol. POSTED ONFEBRUARY 3, 2015 How A. W. Pink showed that we should have family worship [PDF] Scott Brown: Here is the second article from the first chapter of A Theology of the Family. This article is written by A.W. Pink, and is titled, “Family Worship.” A. W. Pink A. W. Pink A. W. Pink: There are some very important outward ordinances and means of grace that are plainly implied in the Word of God, but for the exercise of which we have few, if any, plain and positive precepts; rather are we left to gather them from the example of holy men and from various incidental circumstances. An important end is answered by this arrangement: trial is thereby made of the state of our hearts. It serves to make evident whether, because an expressed command cannot be brought requiring its performance, professing Christians will neglect a duty plainly implied. Thus, more of the real state of our minds is discovered, and it is made manifest whether we have or have not an ardent love for God and His service. This holds good both of public and family worship. Nevertheless, it is not at all difficult to prove the obligation of domestic piety. Read online [HTML] or as a PDF: Download (PDF, 127KB) POSTED ONJANUARY 31, 2015 My Baby’s Heart Stopped Beating: A Mother’s Story of Loss & Hope [Jasmine Holmes] Jasmine Holmes: I love children. I grew up around them, I teach them, I want a household full of them. I couldn’t wait to be a mother — I couldn’t wait to care for my own child. But now my child was dead. I felt like the psalmist: “What profit is my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?” (Psalm 30:9). Sometimes we cannot help but ask: God, what are you doing? Read “My Baby’s Heart Stopped Beating: A Mother’s Story of Loss & Hope”. Screen Shot 2015-01-31 at 7.36.24 AM – Jasmine & Phillip Holmes Jasmine & Phillip Holmes Jasmine Holmes is a wife, author, and foodie [also the daughter of Voddie Baucham]. She holds a BA in English literature and serves as a fifth grade teacher at a classical/university model school. She and her husband, Phillip [Executive Assistant to Dr. Voddie Baucham, more on him], live in Houston. POSTED ONJANUARY 30, 2015 Baptists Couldn’t Possibly Know What They’re Talking About [Brandon Adams + Lee Gatiss + Pascal Denault] John The Baptist OwenBrandon Adams writes: In the previous round we answered the objections of someone who later admitted they had not even read Owen’s argument. Here we answer the objections of someone who later admitted they had not even read our argument. Over at Reformation 21, Lee Gatiss listened to 10 minutes of a podcast, misunderstood a joke, and judged a book by its cover. He felt it was urgent to inform baptists that John Owen was actually a paedobaptist. Of course, if he’d bothered to read the book, he’d have know that’s not the point. The point is that Owen rejected his earlier covenantal views and the “judgment of most reformed divines”. Gatiss does not address this (as is typical). In fact, Gatiss doesn’t mention anything from Owen’s commentary on Hebrews 8:6-13. Instead, he provides quotes of Owen affirming infant baptism, which, again, isn’t the point. He quotes Owen’s commentary on Hebrews 4:9-10, 15 (which I also quote in my analysis of Owen’s infant baptism) as well as 6:1-2; 7:1-3, 12; 11:24-26. Gatiss concludes “Sorry folks, but these are exactly the same applications that Owen makes from his covenant theology in the earlier tract on infant baptism,” which, again, is not the point. We are well aware that Owen makes the same application (infant baptism). Our point is that his covenant theology undergirding that application changed. Read “Baptists Couldn’t Possibly Know What They’re Talking About: Debating Owen, Round 473 – Lee Gatiss”. Gatiss cites our podcast as evidence of course, no one ever insists that John Owen was a Baptist. There was also a brief twitter conversation between Gatiss, and Denault on Twitter (see below): Follow Pascal Denault @pascaldenault @LeeGatiss We all know Owen was never a Baptist, we only affirm that his CT fits perfectly ours http://www.1689federalism.com u should comment that 10:50 PM - Jan 29, 2015 Photo published for 1689 Federalism 1689 Federalism The distinctive biblical theology of confessional particular baptists 1689federalism.com 1 1 Reply Retweets 1 1 like Twitter Ads info and privacy Jan 29, 2015 Pascal Denault @pascaldenault @LeeGatiss We all know Owen was never a Baptist, we only affirm that his CT fits perfectly ours http://www.1689federalism.com u should comment that Follow Lee Gatiss @LeeGatiss @pascaldenault Not sure that's the impression given by the podcast… And by others who are using your work to say such things. 11:13 PM - Jan 29, 2015 4 4 Replies Retweets 1 1 like Twitter Ads info and privacy Jan 29, 2015 Lee Gatiss @LeeGatiss Replying to @pascaldenault @pascaldenault Not sure that's the impression given by the podcast… And by others who are using your work to say such things. Follow Pascal Denault @pascaldenault @LeeGatiss And please, erase this sentence "which cheekily even has Owen on the cover" How could I have not Owen considering the subject? 11:21 PM - Jan 29, 2015 1 1 Reply Retweets 1 1 like Twitter Ads info and privacy – Update Jan 30, 2015: Brandon replies back to Lee’s response. POSTED ONJANUARY 30, 2015 ‘The Paedobaptists Have Found their Victoria Jackson’ Tom Chantry on Lee Gatiss’ recent Ref21 post John The Baptist OwenTom Chantry: [Lee] Gatiss heard some talk about John Owen’s promotion of a baptistic form of covenant theology, and he is very, very concerned to let us know that John Owen was…drumroll please…not a Baptist. Victoria Jackson Victoria Jackson We know, Victoria, we know. For those of our paedobaptist friends who care to understand, here is what is going on. …this incident can be filed as yet another beat-down of a Baptist straw-man by misinformed paedobaptists… Read “The Paedobaptists Have Found their Victoria Jackson”. – Update Feb. 2, 2015: Judging a Book by (Part of) its Cover POSTED ONJANUARY 29, 2015 Church Membership De Jure or De Facto? [Brandon Adams] Brandon Adams Brandon Adams Brandon Adams writes: When Presbyterians are first introduced to 1689 Federalism, often one of their first responses is “Oh, so you deny the visible/invisible distinction of the church?” To which we respond “No.” For example, Chris Villi says: In one of the key statements of the book, Denault writes, “The Scriptures do not provide any possibilities of being visibly in the New Covenant without participating effectively in its substance” (p. 153). This assertion represents one of the most fundamental errors of Baptist theology. Essentially, Denault is arguing that everyone in the New Covenant is truly saved and that it is impossible for an unbeliever to be connected to the New Covenant in any sense. Denault notes that, for Particular Baptists, the New Covenant “did not have an external administration in which the non-elect were to be found” (p. 86). Again, the denial of the possibility of unbelievers in the visible church is one of the most problematic aspects of the federalism espoused by Denault. Is it really possible to guarantee that there are no non-elect people associated with the visible church? Even more, can this idea of “regenerate membership” in the visible church be defended as biblical? Given that 1689 federalists have always been convinced that true believers cannot lose their salvation, the very existence of a New Testament command for church discipline and excommunication contradicts their position. http://www.jesuspaidinfull.com/Documents/CVilli_1689_Federalism_Paper.pdf 1689 Confession 2Yet our confession clearly states in chapter 26: 1._____ The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. ( Hebrews 12:23; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:10, 22, 23;Ephesians 5:23, 27, 32 ) 2._____ All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the gospel, and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their own profession by any errors everting the foundation, or unholiness of conversation, are and may be called visible saints; and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted. ( 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 11:26; Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:20-22 ) 3._____ The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error; and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan; nevertheless Christ always hath had, and ever shall have a kingdom in this world, to the end thereof, of such as believe in him, and make profession of his name. ( 1 Corinthians 5; Revelation 2; Revelation 3; Revelation 18:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12; Matthew 16:18; Psalms 72:17;Psalm 102:28; Revelation 12:17 ) church pewSo where is the confusion coming from? It’s the difference between de jure and de facto. de jure [Latin, In law.] Legitimate; lawful, as a Matter of Law. Having complied with all therequirements imposed by law. De jure is commonly paired withde facto, which means “in fact.” In the course of ordinaryevents, the term de jure is superfluous. For example, in everyday discourse, when onespeaks of a corporation or a government, the understood meaning is a de jurecorporation or a de jure government. A de jure corporation is one that has completely fulfilled the statutory formalities imposedby state corporation law in order to be granted corporate existence. In comparison, a de facto corporation is one that has acted in Good Faithand would be an ordinarycorporation but for failure to comply with some technical requirements. de facto [Latin, In fact.] In fact, in deed, actually. This phrase is used to characterize an officer, a government, a past action, or a state of affairs that must be accepted for all practicalpurposes, but is illegal or illegitimate. Thus,an office, position, or status existing under a claim or color of right, such as a de factocorporation. In this sense it is the contrary of de jure, which means rightful,legitimate, just, or constitutional. Thus, an officer, king, orgovernmentde facto is one thatis in actual possession of the office or supreme power, but by usurpation, or withoutlawful title Read “Church Membership De Jure or De Facto?”. POSTED ONJANUARY 29, 2015 A Word of Practical Advice to New Bi-Vocational Pastors [Robert Truelove] Pastor Robert Truelove Pastor Robert Truelove Robert Truelove: I’ve been bi-vocational for some time and I wish I had something positive to say about it. The reality is, you’re going to be put into impossible situations where you can’t possibly see to the needs of the church, your other occupation, and your family at the same time… bivocational_mWhat I am saying is…it is going to be HARD, especially as the years roll by and the bi-vocational situation remains. My advice is, KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTIN INTO! Discuss these matters with your wife. Lead hr and pray that God grant her commitment to this as well as yourself. You are going to need her understanding and support and never forget that she is the most important congregant you need to shepherd. If the burdens become to great for her, it will likely cause you to need to step out of the ministry. So…my number one bit of practical advice to the bi-vocational pastor, love your wife fervently, and lead her into the joys of Christ… Read “A Word of Practical Advice to New Bi-Vocational Pastors”. POSTED ONJANUARY 28, 2015 Innovative Thinking vs. Time Tested Truth [Crenshaw] At Reformed Libertarian, Bobby Crenshaw writes, I have started to read Samuel Renihan’s “God Without Passions: a Reader”. I could not even get past the foreword (by Carl Trueman) without being reminded of how the smallest departure from the Doctrine of God can lead to many unintended and dangerous consequences. He mentions some particular examples from church history to illustrate this. The Socinians started with what may appear to be small departures from historic Christianity but ended up teaching a “Unitarian God with limited or no knowledge of the future…” What is shocking is not that there was some group teaching heretical doctrines but that this group started as a “biblicist movement” that “…claimed a high view of scripture.” (Trueman)council Many naively believe that we should simply study the Bible without having a conversation of how the church has historically understood the Bible. However, is this not choosing to consciously ignore the wealth of information that the Holy Spirit has given as an inheritance to the church already? Are we willing to lightly cast aside what the Spirit has shown to our forefathers in the faith throughout history? Are we really expected to start at square one every generation? Read the rest here: Innovative Thinking vs. Time Tested Truth | Reformed Libertarian. POSTED ONJANUARY 27, 2015 Repentance—The Missing Note In Today’s Preaching [Conrad Mbewe] Conrad Mbewe Conrad Mbewe Conrad Mbewe: I have observed with a growing concern how repentance is no longer a clear call in much of today’s preaching. This may not necessarily be true all over the world but as I listen more and more to various preachers on African soil this is certainly true here on our continent. The vast majority of preachers treat sin more like a disease than a state of rebellion. Hence, the remedial approach is that of “deliverance” rather than a call to repent. Was that the prevalent view in the Bible? Read “Repentance—The Missing Note In Today’s Preaching”. POSTED ONJANUARY 15, 2015 Impassibility: Basic Definition, Explanation, & Why it’s Essential [Jim Butler] Pastor Jim Butler Pastor Jim Butler Jim Butler: The goal with this post is simply to provide a basic definition, explanation, and to highlight why the doctrine is essential. It is crucial to understand that it is the doctrine of impassibility that secures God’s relational character to His creatures; it alone provides the foundation for the confession’s declaration that God is “most holy, most wise, most free, most absolute…most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth…” Read “A Brief Statement on Divine Impassibility”. POSTED ONJANUARY 13, 2015 Download the eBook version of the 1st chapter of ‘A Theology of the Family’ FREE through Jan. 16 theology_of_the_familyNCFIC: We have a new website for A Theology of the Family: familytheology.com. We will be posting video testimonials about the book, as well as updates and quotes! Also, if you go on to familytheology.com and subscribe to the NCFIC mailing list anytime between now and next Friday (the 16th), you can download the eBook version of the first chapter of A Theology of the Family for FREE. Posts navigation Previous pagePage 8 Next page Search for: Search … Search FOLLOW: *: Enter your email address: Subscribe - Subscribe to just the podcast via RSS reader, iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn or by Email* (*email is only sent out once per day) BAPTI-BOT BLOG ROUNDUP Iron Sharpens Iron Podcast Logo September 21, 2017 Show with Jeremy Walker on “What is Repentance?” Theme: September 21, 2017: Jeremy Walker, Pastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church of Crawley in West Sussex, England, author & blogger @ Reformation 21 & The Wanderer, will address: “What […] Fri, Oct 06, 2017 Iron Sharpens Iron Podcast Logo September 6, 2017 Show with Marc Grimaldi on “The Importance of Calvinism for Biblically Faithful Evangelism: What it Prevents & What it Preserves” Theme: September 6, 2017: Marc Grimaldi, a pastor @ Grace Reformed Baptist Church of Long Island in Merrick, NY, will address the theme: “The IMPORTANCE of CALVINISM For BIBLICALLY […] Fri, Oct 06, 2017 Archbishop of Canterbury Can’t Answer Direct Questions, More on the I Am Sayings of Jesus Snuck a quick DL in today, covering Justin Welby’s inability to answer a direct question on the nature of sin, and then spending most of our time continuing the discussion […] Fri, Oct 06, 2017 Introduction to “Getting the Garden Right: Adam’s Work and God’s Rest in Light of Christ,” coming soon from Founders Press Introduction This book, in one sense, concentrates on hermeneutics and theological method. I contend that New Covenant Theology (NCT) gets the covenant of works and the […] Fri, Oct 06, 2017 Final page of last lecture for Southern California Reformed Baptist Pastors’ Conference ‘17 You can register for the conference here. Psalm 104:30 says, “You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth.” Here both […] Fri, Oct 06, 2017 Endorsements for “Getting the Garden Right,” coming soon from Founders Press Nothing shapes how we interpret and apply the Bible as much as our understanding of covenant. Richard Barcellos offers us a helpful blend of biblical exegesis and theological reflection […] Fri, Oct 06, 2017 RECENT COMMENTS Rich Barcellos on One Thing I Did Right in Ministry… [Blog Series | Founders] Jason on ‘Honey Out of the Rock’ by Thomas Wilcox [Free E-book] Jason on What is the Importance of Believer’s Baptism? Fred Malone Answers [5 min. VIDEO] Hesbon on July 7-9, 2015 “Pathway to Power” Metropolitan Tabernacle School of Theology feat. 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